Thinkpads Forum

Looking for some advice on purchasing a new Thinkpad.

A model with these specifications is desired.

* use an internal 2.5" sata drive
* have at least one HDMI port
* have 2 or more sata/e-sata ports
* have 2 or more usb ports
* have 32 GB or more of RAM
* be an X64 based system

Having all the mentioned ports on the laptop itself or in combination with a compatible docking station would meet my computing needs.

Any model suggestions matching the above specs would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your time in responding.

The last Thinkpads that have eSATA ports are from 2011: the T420, T520, and W520. Of those, only the W520 can support 32GB RAM (4x 8GB DDR3). The W520 has a Serial Ultrabay Enhanced DVD drive, which means you can easily swap in an HDD caddy.

It doesn't have HDMI though, at least not directly: it has a Displayport++ port, which can output DVI/HDMI (up to 1920x1200@60Hz IIRC) via a passive adapter. The Thinkpad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 (with 170w adapter) has two DVI ports (which support HDMI up to 1920x1200@60Hz via passive adapter). Get the dock variant without USB 3.0 as it has one eSATA port.

Newer Thinkpads like the P70 and P71 have HDMI, support 2 2.5" SATA HDDs, and have an optical drive (supports HDD caddies), but the optical drive is not hot-swappable like the Ultrabays found in older Thinkpads. But no eSATA.

Thank you axur-delmeria this is more than enough for me to get started