looking for input on which model to buy

[HomeGrown]

Hey all, I'm looking to get a new ThinkPad, and would appreciate some input. My head is spinning from looking at the Lenovo site, and I want to order today or tomorrow. Here's my wants:
Small size (13.3" or 14"), must have Thunderbolt USB-C for charging, must have Win 10 Pro, and backlit keyboard, and sub-$1000 pricerange.

I am currently looking at the X390: they have 2 models on clearance that I'm interested in, the only difference is that one has an i7 for $110 more (the other one has i5). The 2 are otherwise identical in specs. $110 seems a bit much for what I assume is only going to be marginally better performance.

Thoughts on the price/performance difference between the 2? If it was only $50, I wouldn't hesitate on the i7. But $110 gives me pause.

I'm also looking at a T14 with a price that falls in between the 2 X390 units. It has a 10th gen i5.

That brings up a whole different question: what sort of performance difference would you expect to see between a 10th gen i5 and an 8th gen i7?
All comparison units have 16gb RAM and 512gb SSD.

Thanks for any input!

-Bill

[dr_st]

Before getting a 13.3" or smaller Thinkpad, just make sure you are find with the fact that it doesn't have a full keyboard, and that Ins and End have to share the same key.

[HomeGrown]

Before getting a 13.3" or smaller Thinkpad, just make sure you are find with the fact that it doesn't have a full keyboard, and that Ins and End have to share the same key.

Good to know, thanks for that info. I don't think that will be an issue though.

[atagunov]

Thoughts on the price/performance difference between the 2?
what sort of performance difference would you expect to see between a 10th gen i5 and an 8th gen i7?

Hi there,

purely for CPU might I would go to https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php and look for the specific CPU-s in the models you're considering. I would also go to https://www.notebookcheck.net to gauge how much battery life you can expect from each of the models you're considering under various circumstances; it did seem to me the reviewers on this website do a good job of measuring that.

screen options is another thing these models may differ in.. what screens do these X390-s and T14 come with? Do all the models under consideration have built-in Intel graphics?

Update: my gut feeling is that T14 being two generations of CPU newer/bigger may have both slightly higher CPU performance and somewhat longer battery life. Pls. confirm via the websites above, but I suspect T14 might win on all counts except compactness. Do X390 have touch-screens btw? If they do this may be their other advantage. But T14 could theoretically have a nicer/brighter screen.. hard to tell without knowing all the specs!

[HomeGrown]

Thoughts on the price/performance difference between the 2?
what sort of performance difference would you expect to see between a 10th gen i5 and an 8th gen i7?

Hi there,

purely for CPU might I would go to https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php and look for the specific CPU-s in the models you're considering. I would also go to https://www.notebookcheck.net to gauge how much battery life you can expect from each of the models you're considering under various circumstances; it did seem to me the reviewers on this website do a good job of measuring that.

screen options is another thing these models may differ in.. what screens do these X390-s and T14 come with? Do all the models under consideration have built-in Intel graphics?

Update: my gut feeling is that T14 being two generations of CPU newer/bigger may have both slightly higher CPU performance and somewhat longer battery life. Pls. confirm via the websites above, but I suspect T14 might win on all counts except compactness. Do X390 have touch-screens btw? If they do this may be their other advantage. But T14 could theoretically have a nicer/brighter screen.. hard to tell without knowing all the specs!

Thank you for the thoughtful reply, atagunov. As it turns out, I still have not purchased, but will definitely look closer at the T14. Hope to order soon(ish).