Lenovo ThinkPad T470 14", Core i5-7300U, 16GB, 256GB SSD

A tough old ThinkPad with a surprisingly generous 16GB of RAM, but that 720p screen and ancient dual-core CPU make it feel like a time capsule. Only worth it if you find one dirt cheap.

The i5-7300U is a 2-core chip that sits in the 4th percentile for CPUs in our database. That's rough. It'll handle web browsing and Office apps fine, but don't expect to edit video or run anything heavy. The 16GB of RAM is the saving grace here, it's more than most budget laptops ship with today. But the integrated HD 620 graphics land at the 30th percentile, so gaming is basically a slideshow. The 8.6/100 gaming score isn't a typo.

Stacked against something like a Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition, the T470 looks like a fossil. The Surface has a modern ARM chip, a gorgeous high-res display, and all-day battery life. Even a used MacBook Pro M4 Pro makes this thing look like a museum piece. The only reason to pick the T470 is if you need a cheap, durable machine for basic office work and don't want to spend more than a grand. But honestly, a refurbished Dell Latitude or HP EliteBook from the same era would give you a better screen for less.

At CAD 1,117, this is a tough sell. You can find newer refurbished laptops with 1080p screens and quad-core CPUs for similar money. The 16GB RAM is nice, but it doesn't make up for the ancient processor and low-res display. Unless you specifically need a ThinkPad keyboard and don't care about anything else, keep looking.

The ThinkPad T470 is a classic office workhorse that's still kicking, but this refurbished config is a weird mix. You get a surprising 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, which is more than enough for spreadsheets and email. But that 720p screen and 7th gen dual-core CPU are straight out of 2017, and they feel every bit their age.

If you care about screen quality, battery life, or any kind of modern performance, this isn't it. Go grab a refurbished Dell Latitude or a used MacBook Air instead. You'll get a better display and a CPU that doesn't wheeze when you open ten browser tabs.

The ThinkPad T470 is a reliable old tank, but this particular config is overpriced for what you get. The 720p screen alone is a dealbreaker for most people. If you can find one for under CAD 700, it might make sense as a secondary machine or a kid's first laptop. At CAD 1,117, you're paying too much for 2017 tech.