If you're doing your back to school shopping early this year and you're in the market for a new laptop, you may be interested in Lenovo's early Back to School sale on ThinkPads. You can save 15% or more on select ThinkPad models through July 20 with coupon code CAP3DAYSALE. The ThinkPad lines have been refreshed and many now feature Intel Ivy Bridge processors. Here are a couple of systems we configured and like:

ThinkPad X230 12" Laptop w/Core i5-3210M, IPS Premium Display, 4GB RAM, 320GB HD - $959.65

• Intel Core i5-3210M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.10 GHz) (manually selected)
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
• 12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 3x3 Antenna (manually selected)
• 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
• 320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
• 6 Cell ThinkPad Battery X44+ (manually selected)
• Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna (manually selected)
• Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200 (2x2 BGN) (manually selected)

ThinkPad T530 15" Laptop w/Core i5-3210M, 1600x900 Display, 4GB RAM, 320GB HD - $849.15

• Intel Core i5-3210M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.10 GHz) (manually selected)
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
• 15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready (manually selected)
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
• 320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
• DVD Recordable
• 6 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70+
• Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna (manually selected)
• Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200 (2x2 BGN) (manually selected)

You can add a discrete video option to the T530 (a NVIDIA NVS 5400M 1GB) for an additional $250 (subject to another 15% off). For us, the X230 holds a lot of appeal from a school standpoint -- it has portability, very good battery life, an excellent keyboard, and great durability.

Shipping is free.