Currently running mint on a 15+ year old HP laptop but I want to update to a ‘modern’ second hand Thinkpad. The second hand market is just full of different model numbers and I’m not sure how to filter to what I’m after.
I get most tech basics (ram, ssh) but I’m not sure what all the models numbers, generations or processors mean.
Looking for something with a memory card spot, HDMI output and ideally touchscreen.
I don’t use it for gaming but have an ultra wide screen high res monitor (possibly 2k cant quite remember) that I’d like to take advantage of.
Larger SSD and 16gb ram wouldn’t hurt too but I assume I can upgrade them.
I don’t need the Yoga tablet style folding.
What helped me on laptop searching was that I went on cpubenchmark.net and used a CPU I’ve known and used, as a benchmark and then compared the CPUs of some laptops within my budget to know what is and isnt worth it. As you said, the RAM and SSD can be upgraded later so its really mainly the CPU you should be concerned with in terms of core specs. Dont forget to look at charging and battery life too! And remember to check repairability especially with more modern thinkpads as some models come with soldered RAM. I learned that the hard way with my current thinkpad that Im writing this on.