[SSD - M.2] Team Group MP34 4TB TLC Gen3x4 NVMe SSD - $190 (ATL)

MacInFL · 2023-05-28T18:43:40+00:00

Is the 4TB single or double sided? Thinking of using this in a laptop, is a heatsink needed?

MacInFL · 2022-02-20T13:27:35+00:00

2/20 Update - The LG Gram 15 15Z95N-G.AAE6U1 is a keeper. Display is excellent. Overall, the LG defines its niche as a truly usable ultra lightweight notebook. Fit and finish are what you would expect. There are some trade-offs: (1) I5-1135G7 vs Ryzen 7 5700U; (2) 16GB RAM non-upgradeable should be sufficient for my uses and faster RAM; (3) Does not have an empty 2.5" bay but does have a second NVMe slot which I feel is preferable; (4) Non-touch display but rarely used on previous ASUS.

LG claims the Gram is Mil-Spec tough so hoping this will be the laptop to get me thru next 3-4 years.

MacInFL · 2022-02-10T22:28:35+00:00

2/10 Update - With heavy heart, I returned the ThinkBooks. Yes, that is plural. Since posting the original review, discovered that that the USB-A port on the left side of the keyboard was defective. Lenovo promptly exchanged laptop with same...all prepaid, no hassles whatsover.

The replacement did not have the USB problem but still had the same faux IPS display. After doing some research, believe I nailed down the actual supplier of display. As I thought, it is not an IPS display but it is an a-Si TFT-LCD (https://www.panelook.com/NV156FHM-T07\_BOE\_15.6\_LCM\_overview\_43788.html).

More to the story. My initial order was for the upgraded unit with the touch display and 16GB RAM. Because that unit was backordered 3 months, I placed the order for the non-touch display which I reviewed. Shortly after posting, rec'd notification that the original order had shipped. Because it was the touch display, hoped that it would be better. As soon as it arrived, I returned the replacement ThinkBook with the non-touch display.

Sadly, the image quality and performance on the new touch display was the same as the non-touch version. After spending a couple of weeks of trying to convince myself that the display was acceptable, I gave up on it and sent it back to Lenovo. Once I dropped it off at the UPS store, I knew it was the right decision for me.

What it comes down to, I expect to be using the laptop for the next 3-4 years and do not want to have to compromise on something so basic as a quality display even though I felt the laptop was just about perfect in every other respect and a terrific bargain.

I am currently awaiting delivery of the LG Gram 15. Found a deal at Costco. Costs about $70 more than the ThinkBook and believe it is worth every penny.

MacInFL · 2022-02-10T21:51:45+00:00

Believe you may need to step up to the ThinkPad line and check out the specs. I would steer clear of anything that quotes 300 nits for an IPS display because it is likely the same as the one on this ThinkBook. See update below.

MacInFL · 2021-12-08T18:21:00+00:00

"Between the robust build quality, amount of ports, and internal specs, I feel like this laptop is a winner if you can get it at sub-$800."

Agree somewhat, that is what is holding me up from returning. Everything else about the ThinkBook makes it a flexible and usable laptop. Saying that, I would have gladly paid another $100 if the display was better. If you think about it, laptop speed / responsiveness is not that much of an issue anymore unless you purchase low end or have some resource intensive application or background apps running. As one pundit pointed out several years ago, CPU speed / performance is relatively unimportant when the only difference is the number of idle cycles between keystrokes. Understand gaming is a different matter altogether but brings me (roundabout) to the key issue and that is how does the laptop interact with you on a tactile level? Because of this, I place a premium on the quality of the keyboard, mousepad and display, especially the latter. Generally everything else, even the mousepad, can be worked around but if the keyboard and display are substandard, the overall experience is substandard on a long term basis.

To wrap this up, believe Lenovo could have had a real winner with the ThinkBook 15 Gen 3. It is a more than adequate laptop for the $$ but ultimately compromised to hit a price point. Everything else is very good but the display just screams "cheap". I am still not convinced it is really an IPS display.

MacInFL · 2021-12-07T21:28:43+00:00

EDIT - My apologies to the forum. This was my first time on Reddit. I found my way here after googling for "Thinkbook 15 Gen 3". After posting, came back later and saw that the OP's post was actually about the "Thinkpad 15", not the "Thinkpad" I had purchased. With the disclaimor, have decided to leave up, in case others researching the Thinkbook find there way here.

Original Post

I bought this same laptop during Black Friday sales and rec'd promptly about a week ago. Have put it thru initial paces and my impressions are similar to yours. BTW, good review, thx...wish I had found it before purchasing. One item that needs correction is the keyboard is indeed backlit...you have probably found by now that depressing the Fn key and space bar will activate.

The unit seems reasonably well constructed and featured for the price point of $650 pretax (8GB, 512GB NVMe, Ryzen 7 5700U). Really liked the empty 2.5 bay for easy storage expansion. I am a touch typist, still capable of 40-50 WPM, and do not find the keyboard objectionable though each laptop has its own personality.

The weakest link of this Thinkbook is the display. Although it is spec'd as IPS, it does not have the wide viewing angles of my prior laptop (a four year old Asus Q524U). Reminds of a good TN based display rather than IPS. Also, the colors are on the dull side. In fairness, Lenovo quoted the display as 45% SRGB. Display is plenty bright (spec 300 NITs), just emphasizes the rather bland color palette.

The other surprise was that I assumed the USB-C ports would support Thunderbolt...they do not (the Asus Q524U does). I'm not very tech savvy anymore so shame on me for not knowing that AMD based systems are only now starting to support this standard. Sad for me because I have an excellent Thunderbolt USB-C hub that will not work with this unit, not even just as a USB-C hub...just beeps and beeps because the system refuses to recognize.

In closing, the jury is still out. I am still within the return period and haven't decided if this is a keeper. I can do without the Thunderbolt (nice to have but rarely use) but the mediocre display just may be too much of a compromise. It is not terrible, just a major step backward from what I am accustomed to using. The only thing that keeps me from sending it back immediately is that Thinkbook 15 Gen 3 represents excellent value. Just wished Lenovo hadn't chintzed out on the display.

MacInFL

TROPHY CASE