Thoughts on the Thinkpad T530?

Question

laptops

My greetings!
Actually, it's time to change the laptop, preoccupied with the choice. I am very impressed with Lenovo Thinkpad, I'm looking towards T530 (I want a 15'' monitor), configuration with i7-3520M, 8 GB DDR3, FHD monitor. Then deliver the SSD there.
It is planned to be used for scientific computing (Matlab, Mathematica), programming (Python) and entertainment (browsing, movies, not top games). The system will be Debian.
Actually questions:

• Is it worth the money (about $ 1700 - I will carry it from the USA)?
  
• What is worth paying attention to in this model?
  
• Are there any analogues besides the MacBook Pro (with a $2000 limit)? Thank you!
  

Answer 1

i7-3520M - damn that's how many people come across this. The performance of core i7 and i5 3rd generation is almost the same. It makes no sense to overpay if it's not a 4-core processor.
Honestly. I would advise you to wait for the 540th already with a new father.

Answer 2

Are there any analogues besides the MacBook Pro (with a $2000 limit)? Thanks!

Slightly glamorous, but still cool Thinkpad X1 carbon?

Answer 3

I have a T520 (predecessor to the T530) and a retina macbook. Lenovo is good, of course - powerful, strong, but thick and bulky. Carrying it with you is quite stressful, you should keep this in mind. Also autonomy is not up to par. As a replacement for the desktop - it's good, like a laptop that is always with you - hardly. After buying a macbook, I actually abandoned the T520, just as unnecessary.

Answer 4

Perhaps this option is not for you, but for myself I chose a portable thinkpad x220 with i5 and SSD on board + 24 inch monitor.
This laptop is very easy to carry around, while it is quite powerful. If you need to "seriously" work on an external monitor, it solves all problems.
The price six months ago was about $700.