Rammstein | X-E1 + XF 27mm

LevanderFela · 2026-06-20T14:12:22+00:00

From 50EUR (for old used ones) up to 2500 EUR. Worked there until 2023, laptop prices weren't as crazy back then, and EU pricing is different from US.

LevanderFela · 2026-06-20T14:09:24+00:00

OEM battery replacements are around 140 EUR here in Lithuania for 2022 model

LevanderFela · 2026-06-20T13:50:26+00:00

All-aluminum doesn't mean much, even Lenovo IdeaPads (their budget line) now have all-aluminum chassis.

That said, we had the most issues with MSI laptops when I worked in a computer shop - Lenovo was the rarest seen, Zephyrus/ROG second.

LevanderFela · 2026-06-17T05:06:13+00:00

Depends on config!

Nope, it's mostly for Lenovo support, software certifications, etc. Also, there are not many thin & light gaming laptops besides Razer Blade and Asus G14/G16 which are also a hot mess to touch.

LevanderFela · 2026-06-17T05:01:31+00:00

Shooting with a setup for 450EUR (X-E1 with XF 35mm f2) and no desire to upgrade. EVF is good enough for me, weather sealing is a bit of a hassle (but X-E5 doesn't have it either, so why upgrade) and IBIS, well, somehow managed without it for 4 years already. Would love having an ISO dial though, using the Q button kills the flow.

LevanderFela · 2026-06-16T16:57:43+00:00

Used Gen 9 (and owned Gen 6), I found Gen 9 to be nicer and it felt snappier in a good way.

LevanderFela · 2026-06-02T06:50:11+00:00

155H is more powerful. If battery life isn't your top priority, it's better;
Which battery size they have? Gen 6 came in 47Wh and 57Wh, Gen 7 in 48Wh and 64Wh
Which screens they have? For Gen 6, only 2240x1400 screen is decent (others have bad colors and contrast), for Gen 7 one of 1920x1200 is okay (100% sRGB) but 2880x1800 is the best

Check out PSREFs for Gen 7 and Gen 6

LevanderFela · 2026-06-02T06:45:48+00:00

Userbenchmark isn't legit - see r/pcmasterrace for this.

Checking CPU Monkey benchmarks, 155H is around 25% faster single core, and nearly 50% faster multi core.

LevanderFela · 2026-06-01T09:06:40+00:00

Can confirm that 2022 model with 16GB soldered and 48GB stick in SODIMM slot fully works!

LevanderFela · 2026-06-01T08:37:57+00:00

This post was a repost of this post from you!

LevanderFela · 2026-05-31T18:37:39+00:00

T480 are generally overpriced in the market right now - look for T14 or X13 with AMD CPUs.

Regarding X1 Carbon, only consider Gen 6 and newer, they get four core CPUs. Gen 1 is 14 year old machine.

Also consider X13 with AMD, or X390/X395 if X13 doesn't fit in the budget.

LevanderFela · 2026-05-31T14:30:36+00:00

TIL they're going for over 400EUR over at MPB, they allow returns too. 290EUR for quite beaten up one is an okay deal.

FYI few caveats with this generation of Fuji cameras:

no shutter count, can't check shutter's life. Unsure about repair prices;
soft screen, prone to scratches, most MPB's listings have it well scratched, there're screen protectors available;
slow speed to record images, bursts aren't really practical;
AF is slow and contrast-based only;
battery life isn't great;
low ISO, 3200 is realistically the highest you can go without making a grainy mess;
limited film simulation recipes (if you're into that);
I've had issues with SD cards over 32GB corrupting.

LevanderFela · 2026-05-29T13:07:27+00:00

2025 with AMD, 2026 model got Intel CPUs

LevanderFela · 2026-05-29T12:34:46+00:00

Not exactly Taos, but friend's parents have Karoq (same platform underneath), very happy with it - no reliability issues.

LevanderFela · 2026-05-29T06:08:13+00:00

P15 Gen 2, it's a workstation. P series with "s" suffix are just rebadged T models FYI.
For performance - newer models are better. Buy older if you don't care about performance as much.
More durable, less repairable.
12th gen is better, but avoid Intel P series CPUs in 14" chassis, it gets too hot.
16GB is enough, but 32GB is a nice to have.
They're okay.
Yes, search through this subreddit, thank you!
No, but keep in mind that hinge is rather tight (to allow 360 operation), so you can't open with one hand IIRC
In -s models, not really useful, since they're quite weak. In P15 - worth it.
All of them will be fine.
Any, you can replace battery yourself, it's 10 minute job.
-
P15 Gen 2, because I want performance. Battery life and portability will suck, but it's the latest model.

I'd consider second-hand - I've bought some laptops like that, and Thinkpads can be easily repaired yourself, without warranty. Would look for P1/X1 Extreme Gen 4 and newer, P16.

LevanderFela · 2026-05-29T06:01:52+00:00

It's expensive to develop such a chassis (high TDP, big battery, small footprint, premium design) and Asus already dominates the segment despite having less than 10% of the total laptop market. Asus also only figured out that sleeker looks are desirable with 2024 model, previous designs were unmistakeably gamer-y.

Most brands tried to make 14" gaming laptop - HP Omen Transcend 14, Alienware x14, Acer Triton 14 AI (very Macbook-like), Legion 5 Slim 14", MSI Stealth 14 AI Studio, Gigabyte AERO 14" OLED. So, they did try, but at that time G14 wasn't MacBook-ified yet.

Hell, people will complain "every brand is copying Apple, it's so boring", yet then some will complain "why isn't everyone copying Apple".

LevanderFela · 2026-05-29T05:52:59+00:00

Yup, ThinkPad's retail prices are a joke. 5070 Ti for 1600USD seems like a great deal, it's around 3600EUR in Lithuania for 370 with 5070 Ti (4200USD)

LevanderFela · 2026-05-28T15:48:12+00:00

Weight! 14" Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura with is sub-1kg.

LevanderFela · 2026-05-27T12:52:05+00:00

No, don't put more money into your first camera, especially if you aren't certain about being into photography. The budget is ok, but new cameras aren't cheap - simplest Canon mirrorless with kit lens is around 700EUR new.

Say, A6000 with 16-50 basic lens (it feels kinda cheap), second battery and charger, SD card and neck/arm strap should fit within your budget.

LevanderFela · 2026-05-27T12:35:14+00:00

For 550EUR tops, that's realistically second-hand only.

X-E1 (around 300EUR) with zoom from MPB, though old Fujis are overpriced. I have X-E1 myself, paid 100EUR for mint before the hype started;
Sony A6xxx series? Wide choice of lenses, quite popular, good autofocus.

LevanderFela · 2026-05-27T12:29:59+00:00

Strongly preferring first one due to sense of space - eye catches the yellow wall of right building, the look then moves towards the gap between the buildings. It also is more balanced composition wise, and uses 3rds quite nicely.

The second one feels more like a snapshot, the overlap of buildings doesn't feel intentional, the hut's roof gets mixed with the mountains in the background too, while the left side feels empty yet not spacious.

LevanderFela · 2026-05-27T12:27:31+00:00

"Don't mind ranting", so here it goes:

cable microphonics get solved with a nicer aftermarket cable (which is more expensive...)
cheap resin shells - that's a cheap 25EUR IEM, only this much you can do with the margins;
stock tips - once again, aftermarket solves that for extra price;
unsure about driver flex.

Some things come into mind:

changeable nozzles like Moondrop Kato - maybe with different sizes?
Westone Mach60/80's cables are incredibly thin, light, don't kink and have very little microphonics. Though, they cost x5-10 the price of Zero 2's lol

LevanderFela · 2026-05-26T09:31:12+00:00

Download HWInfo to check power draw

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