Build and Design
The ThinkPad T430 continues Lenovo's tradition of nondescript all-business designs valuing form over function. The exterior is covered in strong carbon-fiber reinforced plastic which doesn't flex. It has a finely textured surface while the back of the lid is slightly rubberized. There's not a hint of glossy plastic to be found; remember, the T430 doesn't have to look good on a display shelf at Best Buy.

Build quality is superb and amongst the strongest of any notebook we've tested. The chassis is all but impossible to flex thanks to the metal roll cage supporting the inside of the chassis. It's not something you would find on a consumer-class notebook (or most lower-priced business notebooks, for that matter). The display hinges are metal and control the displays' tendency to wobble quickly.

Ports and Features
One way to tell a true business class notebook from an entry level or consumer model is by the variety of ports included. This ThinkPad T430 is a true business class notebook; it includes the expected USB ports but also has DisplayPort (albeit a mini version), a SmartCard reader (a option), an ExpressCard/34 slot (good for adding 3G cards) and a pair of fast USB 3.0 ports. It's not missing much - eSATA, whose purpose has been largely eclipsed by USB 3.0, and HDMI, which isn't usually found in the business world.