[SpookyZalost]

@ lain: that's why I've been eyeing the Lenovo T450, the GPU, CPU, Display, Memory, HDD, all are upgradeable in it, if you can get the parts, to the point that a laptop bought for $100 could equal a 1K laptop for $600 after upgrades lol.

I actually got a T430s for my girlfriend a while ago. 300CAD but it also came with 8GB RAM and a 300GB SSD. Not too bad, especially for value.
Refurb thinkpads are great, just gotta make sure the refurbisher is competent, since I've seen a bunch of refurbs that completely break (screen popping out of frame entirely/fractured plastic) for one reason or another.

I used to use a W500 at home, but more recently switched to a raspiberry pi based solution.

not enough adaptability with the ports and ran a bit slow.

still cyberdecks are a ways out yet.