Just received a T400....

Okay ... I just was given a hand-me-down of a T400 (it is 2 years old or so) after it's previous user upgraded to an HP Elitebook 8440p.

So I upgraded the Ram to 4gb (yes, yes - I know: 3.5gb max, etc., etc.) and did a factory restore, windows updates galore, and the rest.

One thing I did not do was install much of the "extra Lenovo software" in the restore process - pretty much only the drivers and the hotkey functions. Anyhoo, I have been quite surprised at how crisply the machine is performing since I did the previous restore (this would be the second restore I have done).

Now I know the Ram obviously makes a difference, and clean installs move quickly at the beginning, but I seem to remember the previous restore moving quite a bit slower.

So my question to other thinkpad users out there is: has anyone else either experienced or heard of the "extra Lenovo apps" (business apps, not just "bloatware") slowing the system down noticeably?

For the record it has a T9400 cpu, 4 gb of ddr3 and a 250gb sata hard drive.

 

The Extra lenovo app do slow it down, to what point I can't recall. I usually only install the bare essentials from the update manager after a clean install, like access connections and power manager since those are the only two that I use on a regular basis

 

Power Manager is good. Access Connections is useless: it only adds wasteful candies to what Windows already does.

 

I have Power Manager + System Update + Lenovo ToolBox + hotkeys + active protection and I don't find my machine being slowed down in any way.

 

The only app I add is power manager. With the ccfl screen I have seen single digit wattage use on it. Other then that I would just install drivers and let windows handle the rest.

 

I would also get whatever it is that lets you use the Fn+Function button keys. Easy eject, presentation director, and all that is pretty useful. Of course you'll also need the trackpoint driver too.

 

The eject feature works natively with windows 7.

 

hmmm? I wouldn't know. The EasyEject interface is very convenient for me with vista.

I noticed you didn't list active protection; I would get that software for your hard drive. I've never used rescue&recovery but that may also be useful.

 

I like the giant signal strength bars that is highly visible on the task bar. Is there anyway to get it without Access Connections on Win 7?

 

I would skip the ToolBox if you are paranoid.

 

if you like that green/yellow signal indicator (that takes up quite a bit of space) then you have to stick with Access Connections.

 

the t400 can take a max of 8 gigs of ram.

 

Oh? That's interesting ... maybe down the road when RAM becomes even cheaper I will take advantage of this! Thanks for the tip....

Also thank you to everyone who has given feedback thus far - it is appreciated!

 

The T400 isn't 3.5GB max unless you're running a 32-bit operating system. I've had 2GB, then 4GB, now 8GB in my T400, and all of it shows up in Windows 7 x64. An 8GB DDR3 upgrade is relatively inexpensive at the moment.

Software I'm running from Lenovo

Power Management Driver/Power Manager (useful, and essential if you have Switchable Graphics)
System Update
Fingerprint software
Communications Manager (helps with customizing your webcam/mic for conferencing)
UltraNav utility
Hotkey driver

 

Why is that?

 

I am way more familiar with Dells, just ordered my first TP in over a decade. That being said, I think ANYTHING you install that has a service that runs all the time will slow your computer down. Maybe not much. In fact you might not even notice it if it were just one. But it is cumulative. If you install the full boat of factory apps and run some benchmarks you will see a rather large difference between that and a Windows and drivers only load. I prefer lean and mean. After all, I want the horsepower under the hood and all the extras just take away from what I get to use.

Jonesy

 

I agree as it worked great for me with vista too. But with windows 7 it does not require a driver to work hence the native comment.

 

I don't think even Windows 7 can do all the things Access Connections does.

For example I need to set specific DNS server when I am connected to a certain Wifi network, otherwise, I want to use the DHCP provided DNS servers. Access Connections can handle this for me automatically, without the need to hand set anything. Windows 7 to the best of my knowledge cannot do this.

Of course if you do not need the extra things it provides then it is sufficient to use only the default Windows features. But it does not mean those features are useless or candy only.

 

Not everyone needs the advanced features of Thinkvantage Access, but there are many features that the software provides that only advanced users would use (but it is not completely useless if you have a use for it or know how to use it).

 

Agreed.... But not all apps are well coded, as you no doubt know.

Also agreed ... I would not use the advanced features the apps might provide in any event.

 

Just upgraded to Windows 7 Pro 64 bit, and am getting that extra bit of Ram as well as the switcheable graphics card feature.

For some reason, though, the bluetooth drivers are not installing.

On the previous XP installation the FN+F5 keys brought up the interface whereby one could turn on and off the wifi and bluetooth modules.

I have installed the Hotkey module, and other hotkeys work (like brightness, thinklight and the volume buttons) but the above mentioned interface is not popping up. Can anyone tell me what this app is that shows the wireless interfaces I mentioned? I already have all the drivers, so that is not a problem - I just forget which one it was!

 

Duh - never mind ... it is the hotkey driver as opposed to the app.



Rassa frassa....