I am very happy with x230 16 gig ram but would like to make a smart switch to a newer model.
Which ones have the optimal performance to price ratio in 2023?
I suppose this is the last one with DIY architecture?
Would you consider different brands for the successor, such as dell xps13
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Thinkpad x230 replacement for music production (Ableton)
Re: Thinkpad x230 replacement for music production (Ableton)
Can the replacement be a little bigger?
If so, get yourself an L14 Gen 4. It has two DIMM slots for a whopping maximum RAM of 64GB. The battery in the L series used to be smaller, but in this generation you can get up to 63Wh, which is even higher than a T14. All the features available on the T series are now available in the L: IR camera, fingerprint reader, WWAN. There is basically no downside to buying an L series anymore, other than the sightly cheaper feeling plastic casing. Actually, I think the ergonomics on the L series are better now, since they retain the tilting and recessed Trackpoint buttons and long key travel for the keyboard.
If so, get yourself an L14 Gen 4. It has two DIMM slots for a whopping maximum RAM of 64GB. The battery in the L series used to be smaller, but in this generation you can get up to 63Wh, which is even higher than a T14. All the features available on the T series are now available in the L: IR camera, fingerprint reader, WWAN. There is basically no downside to buying an L series anymore, other than the sightly cheaper feeling plastic casing. Actually, I think the ergonomics on the L series are better now, since they retain the tilting and recessed Trackpoint buttons and long key travel for the keyboard.
X301: SU9600 | 8GB | 1TB | WXGA+
X1C9: 1185G7 | 32GB | 1TB | WUXGA | WWAN
X1Y8: 1365U | 32GB | 1TB | WUXGA
For the sake of ecology I donated all my classic Thinkpads.
X1C9: 1185G7 | 32GB | 1TB | WUXGA | WWAN
X1Y8: 1365U | 32GB | 1TB | WUXGA
For the sake of ecology I donated all my classic Thinkpads.
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axur-delmeria
- Senior ThinkPadder

- Posts: 4413
- Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 5:49 am
- Location: Metro Manila, Philippines
Re: Thinkpad x230 replacement for music production (Ableton)
If you're looking into second-hand Thinkpads, there have been many T480 units being sold since last year. Of course, if you find newer ones like the T14 Gen 1 AMD, that's great too. 
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E
Re: Thinkpad x230 replacement for music production (Ableton)
Thanks a lot for your answers and sorry for the delay - I must have overlooked the notification.
Getting back to this subject. L14 looks tempting but is sold at GBP 450 with energy-efficient, weak processors. The laptop does look impressive, yet I have established which corners I am ready to cut, considering the application, and it must be the laptop itself.
Purpose: Running Ableton Live and Traktor DJ software smoothly. No heavy sample libraries (meaning 16 gigs ram is good enough)
Processor: My budget maxes out around an Intel i5 12450H. Are there better value equivalents or cheaper options without sacrificing performance?
Budget: GBP 300 (max. 400)
Other Specs:
No external audio card needed (I can work with latency)
Budget-friendly, thicker laptop models are fine (like Lenovo Ideapad or similar)
Battery life isn't a priority
16GB RAM (can do without extra slots)
250GB SSD
Integrated graphics are fine
windows 10 is good enough (11 might be overkill - I am hearing the subsequent updates are increasing resource demands)
I'm open to specific laptop recommendations, but my main question is: what processor will give me the most bang for my buck?
Getting back to this subject. L14 looks tempting but is sold at GBP 450 with energy-efficient, weak processors. The laptop does look impressive, yet I have established which corners I am ready to cut, considering the application, and it must be the laptop itself.
Purpose: Running Ableton Live and Traktor DJ software smoothly. No heavy sample libraries (meaning 16 gigs ram is good enough)
Processor: My budget maxes out around an Intel i5 12450H. Are there better value equivalents or cheaper options without sacrificing performance?
Budget: GBP 300 (max. 400)
Other Specs:
No external audio card needed (I can work with latency)
Budget-friendly, thicker laptop models are fine (like Lenovo Ideapad or similar)
Battery life isn't a priority
16GB RAM (can do without extra slots)
250GB SSD
Integrated graphics are fine
windows 10 is good enough (11 might be overkill - I am hearing the subsequent updates are increasing resource demands)
I'm open to specific laptop recommendations, but my main question is: what processor will give me the most bang for my buck?
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