ThinkPad P70 Can’t Run Windows 11 – Is It Worth Upgrading?

Saul Goodman on 15/05/2025 - 08:46
Last edited 15/05/2025 - 08:47

My current work laptop is a ThinkPad P70. It’s been great, but it says I can’t upgrade to Windows 11. It still runs okay, but things are starting to slow down a bit. Canva, in particular, gets laggy and it’s starting to be a real pain.

I run a small online store and use a 34" ultrawide monitor, so I need something that can handle multitasking and just runs fast and smooth.

Budget: I’m happy to spend up to $4,000.

The screen size is where things get tricky.

When I travel, I need at least a 16" screen to do anything, and 17" would be even better. But if it’s that big, it also needs to be fairly light. If I can’t find that balance, I’m okay with a smaller screen even if it’s on the heavier side. In that case, I’d just bring my personal laptop with me instead. It’s large and slim and can still handle most tasks, though it’s also starting to show its age - but I don't do much work while travelling anyway.

So ideally, I’d like a big screen that’s still light enough to travel with. But if that’s not realistic, I’ll consider other options.

Would really appreciate any suggestions. Or should I just stick with what I’ve got a bit longer?

Computing Computer Laptop Lenovo

Comments

  • MS Paint on 15/05/2025 - 08:55

    Try a fresh W11 install using Rufus and see how your current unit runs.

    Backup everything first.

    • Saul Goodman on 15/05/2025 - 09:01

      It says the processor is not compatible (i7-6820). Does knowing that change anything?

      • Geoff897 on 15/05/2025 - 09:13

        Schneegans.de is abit easier than rufus.

        Create usb from windows install tool
        Copy script to USB
        F12 usually to boot USB

        Make sure to tick bypass Windows 11 requirements check (TPM, Secure Boot, etc.)

  • Geoff897 on 15/05/2025 - 09:06
    +2

    As above use rufus to remove hardware restrictions or schneegans.de unattended installer.

    https://schneegans.de/windows/unattend-generator/

  • barge-in hunter on 15/05/2025 - 09:17

    I’m usually a pc person but if you need to do creative stuff on the move, then a MacBook Pro would be a very safe bet. Most creative software these days is either available on Mac or web based (like Canva). Gaming on the other hand, is still a windows use case (for the moment)

    $4k will get you a 16” mbp - beautiful screen, as portable as a big laptop gets, and stacking sales and discounted gift cards could take you up from the base model too.

    • CheapandUsed on 15/05/2025 - 09:54
      +1

      Gaming on the other hand, is still a windows use case (for the moment)

      C'mon SteamOS!

  • JIMB0 on 15/05/2025 - 09:49

    Look at the LG range of Gram laptops. They are so lightweight you'll think it's not a real laptop when you pick it up. They make a big 17 inch model that is under 1.5kg. Good high resolution screen and long battery life.

    • Saul Goodman on 15/05/2025 - 10:27

      My personal is the LG Gram Thin 17 inch and only 1.34kg, but that was bought in 2019 so getting pretty aged now. Was unreal when it came out. That's probably what I woud buy again for my personal.

  • MS Paint on 15/05/2025 - 10:40

    @geekcohen - I'm waiting, don't let me down man!

  • freefall101 on 15/05/2025 - 10:40

    I'd look at getting a portable monitor, you can get them to pretty much any size these days and they're not too heavy - more about fitting into whatever your laptop bag is. Then you get dual screen wherever you are.

    I used to travel a lot for work, I couldn't live without one.

    • kiitos on 15/05/2025 - 18:03

      What's the use case for them? It seems like it would be awkward to use on a plane, for example.

      • freefall101 on 15/05/2025 - 19:22
        +1

        Anywhere you're setting up on a desk/table. Terrible on a flight, but IMO a 17" laptop would be a struggle outside business class anyway. But anywhere else you're working where you don't have a monitor on site it's brilliant.

        I used to be an accountant, particularly audits (where it was often 10 hour days on-site at a client for a couple of weeks) I couldn't have worked without one. 15+ years ago we used to take monitors with us, power brick and all. It's nice having a single USB cable these days and a slim portable monitor.

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