I need help buying a Lenovo!

Hey guys,

I have never owned a laptop before, therefore I am a complete newbie with this stuff. I want you nice people to help me make a laptop choice. I've narrowed it down to a Lenovo because I like its looks and professional appeal.

This is what i'm looking for in a laptop:

I plan to use it for 2/3 years. I want one that will still be relevant later on. I plan to do a lot of graphic designing and web page building. Watch movies as well. I don't plan to game, but I'd like my laptop to be able to play games at an "ok" level. Portability is important. Battery life is important. A quiet laptop is preferred. I think 14-15 inch screen would be ideal. I'd like one that is easy to use. This will probably replace my desktop CPU, but I don't do a lot with my desktop CPU anyhow. I need service pack 2. my budget is $1000- 1500. It would be awesome to get one under $1000. A sleek looking laptop is icing on the cake.

What would you recommend?

 

T400 w/ P8600, discrete card, High NIT LED screen, and 9-cell battery.

Can be had for around $1000 if you wait for a sale.

 

Agree with cloud_nine.

But note that T400 lacks integrated DisplayPort (may not be important to you, and you can use the dock DVI-D port if you need digital video out).

Also (if you buy refurb from Lenovo Outlet or elsewhere) there are some earlier T400's that have *only* the discrete GPU. I'd strongly recommend making sure you get one with switchable GPU (both Intel and ATI). The Intel will run cooler, quieter, and longer when you're on battery, when you don't need the graphics power of the ATI. I *think* all new "discrete" T400's have the switchable graphics.

 

For that part, I would recommend looking at an Ideapad as Thinkpads aren't exactly "sleek."

 

That is not true. T400s have only ever come in integrated graphics only and switchable graphics models. There have not been discrete-only models.

If portability is important, I would recommend the T400 over the T500. I would agree with cloud_nine's recommendations, except for the screen. That's largely your personal preference. The high-nit screen is brighter and easier to use outdoors, but it has a lower resolution (less screen real estate) while the CCFL WXGA+ is dimmer, but has a higher resolution.

 

I checked and tabook agrees with you.
Appears my wetware memory was playing tricks on me. Sorry for the fud.

Agreed. But zenit's recent post makes the High Nit screen look very attractive for its wide viewing angles (for TN) as well as its brightness, and apparently high contrast ratio. All those seem good for graphic design. But resolution may not be ideal...

 

I would point out the T4x machines, which were some of the slimmest ThinkPads, had terrible GPU flexing issues. A lot of this was due to the engineering of them to be so slim. They lacked rigidity and it wasn't improved until late in the T42 run, though all the T4x are susceptible to the flexing. In almost every regard except slimness and maybe the keyboard, the T60 was a better machine.

 

Get the T400. Buy the extended warranty, and add accident protection.

 

Depending on how much graphical oomph and mobility you need, the T500 could work as well.

 

But will you still be relevant?



just kidding. I'm probably in the minority but I think discrete graphics on notebooks are overrated, even if you can switch between discrete and integrated. I'd much rather have a T400 with a fast SSD than discrete graphics. Save the gaming for the Xbox360. Just my opinions though.

 

I will tend to disagree.

 

get a R500 or T500 with integrated gpu only. And the WSXGA+ screen - great for watching dvd's. 15.4" also is way to go rather than 14.1". these machines are quiet and very fine looking. well-designed.

 

I generally agree with this sentiment. I had at T40 with a discrete GPU (Radeon 7500). After one year the GPU had little utility and after two years it may well have been integrated. I kept the T40 because it excelled in other areas but I learned from the experience.

I now have an Intel integrated GPU and just shift the moderate gaming I do to my PS3 and desktop.

Overall I'd probably suggest a T400 or T500. The T500 has a high resolution screen and faster GPU, but is less portable. If you go the integrated GPU route then a 'R' series may he a good choice (better value).