Suggestions for Thinkpad purchase?

[bananaheadache]

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.

[axur-delmeria]

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.

[bananaheadache]

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