Lenovo Thinkpad T470s 14 inch FHD (1920x1080) IPS Backlit LED Laptop (Intel Dual-Core i5-6300U, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, HD 520) Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, RJ-45, Type-C, Windows 10 Professional (Renewed)

The unit I received is good cosmetic condition. I found only a few spots where the finish is worn, but nothing really too significant to complain about. The laptop booted right up and went into set-up mode. After the initial set-up I noticed that the screen brightness was not adjustable. The brightness slider would go up and down but the intensity stayed constant at a rather dim setting. After numerous Windows updates this brightness issue persisted. In the set-up window there is a pull-down labeled something like “Other Updates” where I found numerous Intel driver updates, one of them being a display driver update. This is the one you want to use because it corrected the brightness slider issue. Now the brightness is adjustable from low to very high intensity. The laptop boots up quickly and runs quietly and only gets slightly warm to the touch once you get your power profiles set. The CPU temperatures rarely get above 90F even while number crunching a real-time Planetary Orbit Calculator I use often. The next test will be running a Software Defined Radio front-end that is FFT intense to decode radio signals for audio listening. I will report back if I encounter any issues with this application although I don’t expect any since other Intel I5 based PCs run this software well enough. Now on to the batteries. There are two batteries in the T470s. Bat#1 is to supposed to drain first, then automatic switching lets Bat#2 take over. I have not been able to test the switching feature yet, but I did notice that my laptop has 4 to 5 hours of operating time indicated after a fresh charge. These are supposed to ship with batteries that still have at least 80% capacity remaining, so that would be around 8 or 9 hours of operation. I will update this review when I have more data on my batteries or if other events warrant an update. Overall, I like this laptop and I expect I should get good service from it. If you are looking for the reliability of a Lenovo, and don’t need the latest and greatest, I would recommend this unit to you.

Design & Build Quality.The ThinkPad T470s sports Lenovo's trademark ThinkPad design for durability and functionality. The laptop has a black chassis made from premium materials. It is light and slim enough to be simple to take with you for professionals on the move. The quality of the build is tough enough to withstand the daily use of the laptop computer.Screen.One highlight of the T470s is the 14 inch Full HD IPS display. The 1920x1080 resolution produces clean images ideal for work that requires attention to detail. The IPS technology provides wide viewing angles and accurate color reproduction for collaborative work and multimedia consumption.Performance.With a Intel Dual Core i5 6300U processor and 8GB of RAM, the ThinkPad T470s features of good overall performance for numerous purposes. Whether you are working on spreadsheets, surfing the net or even using multiple applications at a time, the laptop offers rapid performance. The 8GB of RAM handles multitasking well and the processor can slack on most business applications without a hitch.Keyboard and Trackpad.The keyboards on Lenovo's ThinkPad series are known to be excellent, and the T470s is not an different. The keyboard is comfy to type on and features evenly spaced keys and excellent key travel for long typing sessions. The trackpad is responsive and has multi-touch gestures. The iconic TrackPoint in the middle of the keyboard also provides an alternative navigation option that many users appreciate.Connectivity.Connectivity with the ThinkPad T470s consists of USB 3.0 ports, a USB-C port, an HDMI port and an SD card reader. This variety of ports means you do not have to buy extra adapters to hook up your peripherals and outside products. A USB-C port makes it future-proof as well - securing faster data transfer and charging.Battery Life.Battery life is a crucial element for professionals on the move and the ThinkPad T470s excels in that respect. The laptop can easily last 8-10 hours on one charge according to usage. This very long battery life lets you work all day without looking for a power outlet once again.Pros and Cons.Pros:Durable and light weight design.Clear Full HD IPS display with good viewing angles.Reliable performance with Intel i5 and 8GB RAM.Great keyboard and trackpad.Good connectivity options.Long battery life.Cons:Integrated graphics may not be sufficient for intensive graphical tasks.Limited storage in the base model.Speakers could be louder and more robust.The Lenovo ThinkPad T470s is a powerful option for business individuals searching for a strong notebook for work. Its robust build, sharp display, comfortable keyboard and long battery life make it an ideal business companion. It isn't recommended for graphics-intensive applications but is very good at delivering a productive user interface for most professional applications.In general, the ThinkPad T470s is a decent laptop computer for the cash and also a great purchase in case you need a rugged laptop in a portability sense.