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Used ThinkPads are still tanks. My personal laptop is a used one, a 2017 model, and it still runs well, just slightly below the newer models which I use for my work. If you're going to be doing some heavy coding, you'll still be fine.

Wouldn't recommend Dells or Frameworks. You don't need an Apple for college work either.

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Could you recommend a thinkpad model you feel is built like a tank?

I bought a used t540p 5 years ago and it's been the crappiest laptop I've ever used. Terrible display with about 15deg of visibility. Flimsy plastic parts that broke in multiple places during replacements. Display randomly got damaged while in my bag, keys constantly falling off, even after fully replacing the kb when keys just stopped functioning, worst trackpad ever, RAM just started failing.

Honestly the framework is practically macbook-quality in comparison to a used thinkpad IME but maybe I'm looking at the wrong series or era?

I use a 470s for my personal model and a p16 for work. Perhaps it depends on the previous owner, but yours seems like a one-off situation. In my case, I found a local reseller who sold mostly ex-corporate laptops that were used for a couple of years tops, and the ones they sold were in mint condition. The p16s we buy are brand new though.

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