Lenovo Thinkpad T410 Owner's Lounge

Hello all,

After much pondering, I have bought a T410 . It's the 2518-4JU, so discrete graphics and a 9-cell. I'm mostly happy with it, but I do have a few gripes. I've searched on these forums but haven't found much definitive info on them. I'd be happy if anyone could answer these or point me in the right direction.

a) I got a Samsung screen . Generally it's ok, the brightness is pretty good, but the screen just seems slightly 'blocky' and blurred sometimes. Are there tweaks that one can do to minimize this effect? Or should I install different drivers like the Omegadrivers?

b) Would it be worth buying an LG screen and replacing it myself? Is the difference in quality that marked? Has anyone ever done a review (with pics) of LG vs Samsung screens for the T410?

I found an LG screen at this link: link

If I buy it and replace my screen with it, would I void the warranty since it doesn't have an official Thinkpad part number? The screens with official Thinkpad part numbers (say at thinkpad-parts) seem to be much more expensive (around 300$).

c) I was slightly surprised to find that the discrete graphics runs somewhat warm and I can feel the warmth on the palmrests. I looked into downclocking the NVIDIA GPU to reduce power dissipation and was able to get it to manageable levels. However, nTune and the NVIDIA control panel seem slightly buggy to me. When I saved my profile to downclock the card on startup, it ran into issues with the Baseline.npe script/profile that downclocks the card to minimum whenever it is inactive for 30 seconds. Does RivaTuner (or something else) work better for controlling the clock of the GPU?

d) I also got one of the "hyperactive fan" models. Using TPfancontrol certainly helps, but it would be nice if Lenovo fixed their BIOS on this note. My current BIOS version is . Would updating to the latest 1.34 BIOS help me at all with regards to the fan issue?

e) Curiously, my T410 came with Windows XP installed, but with Windows 7 recovery disks that could be used to change it to Windows 7. Is it possible to install Windows 7 and keep the Windows XP recovery partition to restore to factory if necessary? If I end up having to mail this laptop to Lenovo for warranty service, do they require the laptop to be reset to factory before doing so?

Thanks!

 

a) Check for power management issues on the display drivers - if you have a brand new T410 it may use Optimus and basically use the Intel HD and/or the Nvidia based on the application. Intel HD has a low power mode which is visible mostly on battery and does have an effect of blurriness like you describe. I don't know about this on Nvidia.

b) My LG is ok.. I've never seen a Samsung to compare. I think you'd break the warranty though.

c) pass

d) No. All BIOS on the T410 run the fan faster than you think it needs. You might find that is the cause of (c) if you are slowing it down.

e) I'd make the XP recovery disks and then wipe the drive completely and install Win7. You could always go back if required, but you won't need to.

 

Is this an OK Deal for T410 ==> $794.29


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60Y5846 SBB GEN WIN 7 HM PR 64 US ENG
45M4798 SBB 14.1WXGA+TFT,W/LEDBACKLIG.
45M4788 SBB IN.GR.M.A.5700MHD-AMT,TPM
42X6309 VBB 4GBPC3-8500 1067MHZ2DIMM
45M4839 SBB KEYBOARDUS ENGLISH
45M4801 SBB ULNAV(T.POINT+TOUCHPAD)
45M4834 SBB CAMERA SUBCARD
45M4828 SBB 500GB HARDDISKDRIVE7200RPM
45M4820 SBB DVDREC8XMAXD.L.U.SLIMS.ATA
45M4815 SBB 6CELLLI-ION BATTERY
41W1787 SBB CPK NORTH AMERICA
44C8733 SBB THINKPAD B/G/N
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45M4874 SBB LANG.PACK US ENGLISH

 

can someone recommend me a thinkpad, these things a sweet, id like to have one as a secondary notebook. pre owned would be nice ? what are somethings to look for ?

 

Can someone tell me how the NVS 3100 will play CSS? @1440x900 of course .

I am planning to buy the T410 tomorrow with:
Processor Intel Core i5-560M Processor (2.66GHz, 3MB L3) Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Operating system language Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 US English Display type 14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ LED Backlight (WWAN antenna) System graphics NVIDIA NVS 3100m Optimus Graphics 512MB DDR3 with AMT Modem 56K v.92 Designed Modem Total memory 4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM) Keyboards Keyboard US English Pointing device UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) Hard drive 500 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm Optical device DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA) Battery 6 cell 2.6Ah Li-Ion Battery - Dual Mode Power cord Country Pack North America with Line cord & 90W AC adapter Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters ThinkPad bgn Wireless Integrated mobile broadband Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable Language pack Language Pack US English

For $853. Is that a good deal? I'm applying a 10% off coupon and the sales rep is taking around $50 off for me. Are there any coupons that are more than 10%? Thanks.

 

I don't see a webcam listed there - don't know if you wanted that or not.

That's about as good a price you'll get at the moment for that build.

Don't know what your use is, but I like the fingerprint reader add-on which is normally around $20. Allows you to secure your system better.

 

All I will be using it for is school work, watching videos, and playing CSS. I wont need a webcam and I really have no use for a finger print reader. Do you know how CSS will run on the 3100m @ 1440x900 res? Thanks

 

Just bought it . Will be joining you guys very soon. Should I condition the battery and reinstall Win7? Does Lenovo come with a lot of bloatware? Also, is it worth it to do a clean install or should I just remove the applications that I think are useless? I have never done a clean install before so I am worried that I might miss a driver and mess up my whole laptop. Thanks

 

You don't need to do anything to the battery. Thinkpad battery management is probably the best of any laptop made.

While Lenovo doesn't load tons of junk, I have to say that I always wipe and install a clean Windows simply so I know the state of the machine.

If you've never done that though, I'd simply save yourself the effort and just uninstall anything you think you don't need. The default build is actually pretty good.

 

First time poster as I'm new to this forum, but I've been reading through this thread and there has been some very helpful information. I'm in the market for a new laptop, but it looks like I will be a first time thinkpad owner. After looking through the models, it looks like I may be set on the T410 as well.

As of now this is what I'm looking at:

Processor: Intel Core i5-560M Processor (2.66GHz, 3MB L3)
Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium 32
Operating system language: Windows 7 Home Premium 32 US English
Display type: 14.1 WXGA TFT, w/ LED Backlight (WWAN antenna)
System graphics: NVIDIA NVS 3100m Optimus Graphics 512MB DDR3 with AMT
Modem: 56K v.92 Designed Modem
Total memory: 4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboards: Keyboard US English
Pointing device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
Camera: Camera, 2.0 MP
Hard drive: 250 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Optical device: DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
Battery: 6 cell 2.6Ah Li-Ion Battery - Dual Mode
Power cord: Country Pack North America with Line cord & 90W AC adapter
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters: Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000
Integrated mobile broadband: Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable
Language pack: Language Pack US English

For: $917.36 including a student discount and another christmas time e-coupon

Thoughts?

Also I have some questions:

-Is Windows 7 Professional really that much better (from my understanding it basically just has xp mode), also 32 bit vs 64 bit? I know Vista had some issues with 64 at the start.
-On Display type there is the option I have, and then another option for 28$ that says the same thing but with "WXGA+" with the plus at the end. What is this upgrade, is it worth it at all?
-On the RAM it's the same price 4, should I go with 4GB that's 1 DIMM or 2 DIMM?
-I know it has been talked about quite a bit in this thread, but 6 cell vs 9 cell. Is the 6.6 hours of battery life with 6 cell and 11 hours with 9 being extremely optimistic, or are these realistic numbers? Getting a solid 5 hours or so would be a huge improvement over my Sony Vaio.
-On the WiFi card, is it worth spending the extra money on the more expensive cards such as the Intel Advanced or Ultimate? Or is the regular one get the job done fine?
-How is the overall picture quality with the screen? I use the instant streaming on Netflix regularly, so that is something important when it comes to a laptop. It's unfortunate that there isn't an HDMI output on the T410.

 

Others may know better, but XP mode is the only benefit I can foresee. You can utilize other virtualization software to essentially get XP mode (Virtual Box worked for running GRE Power Prep on my girlfriend's Win 7 Home Premium Vaio).

32bit has restrictive limits on RAM. Something like 3.5GB or 4GB max. 64bit allows for 4GB+, and it is a free option.

WXGA+ has higher resolution. 1440x900 I believe.

1 DIMM is the better choice if plan on upgrading your memory later. With 2 DIMM you have to replace 2 x 2GB sticks of ram, whereas with 1 x 4GB you merely need to add another stick.

6.5 hours is accurate for an X201 with thrifty power settings and 6-cell. For a T410 I would imagine the 5-6 hour range being more accurate.

9-cell would likely be around 7.5-9 hour range. I don't actually own a T410, so someone else may know better.

I have not noticed any improvements in reception from my Intel Wireless-N 1000 versus my sold Acer's 6200 Intel card. Connection is supposed to be more reliable the higher up the line you go. The upgrade is not too pricey, so probably worth it for the 6200, but IMO not enough to get the 6300.

Streaming 720p or 1080p content is easy for Intel HD Graphics and such a powerful processor. You won't have a problem. However, screen and picture quality depends on if you consider contrast, black levels, viewing angles, etc. In that case someone that actually owns a T410 could answer that question better than I.

[/QUOTE]

 

Hi All!

I have an "extra" problem with my T410, above the palmrest issue.
I bought my laptop about 2 months ago, and it randomly makes a clicking noise, "stops" the HDD for about one second, and right after that, it beeps one time. I think the beep doesn't come from the speakers, neither the PC speaker. It also stops Windows for about one second, I can't move the mouse, and can't type in anything (it buffers the typed text, and writes it out after the stop).
This is getting worse in the past two weeks, it makes this noise and stopping about on average every five minutes.
Does anyone of you have (near) the same problem?

The config:
-The HDD is a Seagate Momentus 7200.4, 320GB.
-i5-520M(2.4GHz), 4GB RAM, 320GB 7200rpm HD, 14.1in 1440x900 LCD, Intel 5700MHD, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, WWAN option, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, FPR, Camera, 6c Li-Ion, Win7 Pro 32

I've taken a video about the problem:
YouTube - Lenovo T410 HDD Stop Random Beep Issue

In the vid, the noises can be found on these times:
0:50
1:24
1:50
2:03
2:41

Sorry for the length of the vid, but I coldn't cut it...

Thanks!

 

Similar answers to the other poster...

As a student with this laptop, go 64bit Windows 7 Premium unless Professional is free. Only 64bit Windows can use all of the 4GB. Get the 1 DIMM option if the same price.

I prefer WXGA+ as it offers more space on the screen.

You'll need the 9 cell battery to get 5 hours. It sticks out a little at the back but I think is worth it if you work mobile often.

On the Wifi any will probably do. Intel is probably a little better and is faster the higher the model number, but only if you're using 'N'. Most of the world is still using G so you'll not often benefit.

You can get DisplayPort to HMDI adaptor so that won't be an issue.

Netflix and other video works easily on this laptop. Especially given your choice of Optimus. In fact unless you're planning on light gaming, I wouldn't waste the money on that option. For day-to-day use the Intel HD is more than adequate.

Fingerprint reader is a good option for security (storing IE login passwords).

You'll enjoy the laptop! Good choice.

 

I have a T410 that I ordered back in April. It's a 9 cell battery with discrete graphics and I get about 4:40 on battery. That's pretty good but I guess I should have gotten an integrated graphics instead for the longer battery life. You should definitely get longer battery life if you're using integrated graphics.

 

So in total you got 60% off? Thats great!

 

50 Dollars not percent.

 

Sounds like the Active Protection System is stopping the HDD because of abrupt movements of the laptop. Try adjusting those settings.

 

Thanks, but that was the first try to solve the problem.

It's not the APS's fault, for two reasons:
- I turned the APS off first, and it kept doing this stopping+beep
- The notebook is on my desk, which can't do abrupt movements.

I think, the HDD makes this problem. The ThinkVantage's HDD Targeted Read Test and the Conveyance test failed in 3 minutes.
Furthermore, the HD Sentinel tells that the condition of the hard drive is 69%...

So probably the problem is that something is trying to use the HDD, but it can't find the data in that sector, therefore it freezes out for 1-2 seconds.
I'll contact the support tomorrow, and I'm going to take my laptop back them, to change the HDD to a new one.

Anyway, thanks for the comment.

 

Doesn't the t410 have a switch to use either the integrated and the discrete? all i series cpus have integrated graphics in them.

 

nVidia's Optimus is only available for the T410 produced later than October.

 

Gurus,

Just got my T410. Installed ubuntu 10.10. All looks good but for one thing. FAN Keeps running and i can smell something burning through the FAN exhaust. This looks more like the smell of fresh electronics rather than something actually burning.

My question is is this normal and does the fan run all the time when using ubuntu on T410

 

Roger here uses thinkfan on Ubuntu. It is normal for the fan to run harder than you'd expect on the T410, but tools like that can put you in control.

I can't say my T410 smelt like burning, but new electronics does, as you say, sometimes smell odd to start with.

 

So if I order mine now, I will get it with switchable graphics? It will have the nvidia and intel card?

 

You have to order the T410 with

of course!

 

When you guys press the volume/mute button, do you guys get the on-screen display AND some weird green/grey bar at the bottom right over the notification area? Not a big deal but its just annoying and looks silly having two different volume bars move. I also didn't notice before and I think it started happening after I used thinkvantage system update. It must have installed something.

NVM figured it out. it was my microsoft keyboard being dumb and installing a program. THANKS GUYS

 

The only point which keeps me from buying the T410, is that I have read the screen quality is not that good.

I am watching a lot of movies, therefore a good screen would be useful. What do you ppl think?

 

Wow I can't believe this but I'm running CSS @1440x900 High settings 2xMSAA at ~100fps. Lowest 80 highest 120. On tge NVS 3100m 512 ram

 

Thinkpad screens are typically non-glossy screens which means they are not reflective and better for working on for long hours, however with that does appear to come with a compromise on the color front.

I think Lenovo have 2 or 3 screen sources for the T410 (LG/Samsung). You don't get to choose which you get, and the Samsung is not regarded as highly as the LG.

My T410 has the LG which is still not as vibrant as your typical glossy screen, but is perfectly acceptable to me. The brightness is good and if you apply a tweak to the color profile on the graphics card it makes it closer to what you'd expect. Not perfect, but perfectly acceptable.

At the end of the day, whether a screen is 'good' enough can only be judged by the viewer.

Something I'd add is that in all the posts I read here, not many complain about the screen, so for the average person I'd say they must be fine.

 

You can definitely watch... but you might miss the contrast of those in consumer grade laptops if you have used these before.

If I wanted to to watch a lot of movies; I'd go for those laptops with better screen contrasts like those from apple. But thats just me.

I'd suggest you go to a store and compare watching a movie side-by-side on both laptops.

 

Cheers, well I am currently using my HP elitebook 6930p, which also has the MATTE screen. I can watch movies quite well on it. I havent seen the lenovo t410 in flesh, but have read from reviews that the screen is so so...and therefore decided to ask your guys opinion.

 

T410 has an absolutely terrible screen. Horrendous color reproduction, zero contrast, and literally has to be viewed head on at a very specific angle to look anywhere close to right - tilt it even slightly and it will discolor beyond the point of usability. Oh, and forget about ever being able to see the entire screen correctly. There is no viewing angle at which a point in the screen will not be discolored.

Honestly, there is really very little reason to get a Thinkpad these days. Beyond just the screen, build quality has declined tremendously from the T60 era. Components are sub par, but still priced at a huge premium over the competition. To make matters worse, premium components like high end switchable graphics cards, which are available on even bargain brands like Acer, are not available on the supposed top of the line Thinkpad for any price. Instead buyers are treated to a workstation chip which struggles to best integrated graphics.

Battery life is terrible, about 3.5 hours on the lowest screen brightness and power settings. And that's with integrated graphics, and a large and heavy battery. Somehow the competition is able to squeeze out 6-8 with physically much smaller batteries. Because of all the power the computer wastes, it gets hot enough to feel it on your lap, even while merely sitting on the desktop with the CPU being downclocked through the power settings.

Oh, and forget about watching movies on this thing. The speakers are barely audible, and anytime they try to play high pitched sounds, they squeak and distort. You would probably be better off watching your movie on a netbook or your S-AMOLED/Retina smartphone.

Lenovo is coasting on the reputation of the Thinkpad. The computers are now overpriced pieces of garbage, bested by most bargain basement brands in engineering, specifications, and quality. Save yourself the disappointment, and don't get a Thinkpad.

 

@ gmstbfla...I think you are referring to the T410s.

 

Hes a troll, show me comparable laptop spec and battery size wise that squeezes twice the battery life out of it than ThinkPad is able to and with only one battery installed.
There is no such laptop for this money and even cheaper ones tend to suck at something here and there.
As many have said, you cant have it all and the cheaper the laptop is the more you have to leave out in order to make it cheap, so I doubt that besides netbooks there are laptops cheaper than TP with twice the battery life (well, even most/many netbooks barely can surpass some of TP's battery life numbers - X200/T400 have really long battery life) and packed with features and be famous for build quality and customer service.

 

Troll alert. Thinkpads still have the same rigidity as the old IBM ones. They only use cheaper materials to reduce the price but that doesn't mean that it is any less durable. Heck, some plastics are tougher than metal.

 

Amazon.com: Acer Aspire TimelineX AS4820TG-7805 14-Inch Laptop (Black Brushed Aluminum): Computer & Accessories

I have this sitting right next to my T410. It gets twice the battery life of the T410, despite having a physically much smaller battery AND an a bona fide graphics chip. Oh, and it's battery actually stays securely in place rather than wiggling like a cheap piece of Chinese junk.

The ONLY area where it feels less solid or rigid than the T410 is in the screen hinge, the rest of it, it is at least as solid, if not moreso.

 

This is laughable. There is no build quality area in which this T410 even comes close to my T60p. Every. Single. Area. Is inferior, with easily noticeable losses in hardness and rigidity. The palm rest on my T60p feels as solid as a rock, but I can flex this palm rest with barely any pressure.

You can call me a troll all you want, it's not going to change the fact that Lenovo no longer supplies a product worthy of the premium they charge. I've spent a lot of money on their products, but this will be the last computer I buy from them unless they dramatically change their design philosophy. They need to start making products that have less minuses and more pluses. A blue Enter key and a ThinkPad logo in the bottom right isn't going to cut it.

 

Paradoxically, a large number of Acer machines are also made in China and could, following your observation, be referred to as "Chinese junk". But then that would negate your assertion.

From what I have read on this forum, it is the T410s that sometimes allows for the criticisms that you are leveling. As for the T410, I have personally checked out a machine that friend recently bought and it has none of the problems that you list (though my friend's machine has the integrated graphics option).

 

For some odd reason, when I bring up CPU-Z and Speccy, my Ram is displayed with a max frequency of 533MHz. Is that normal? I ordered 4gigs of DDR3 1066MHz ram and these two programs are displaying 533 max. odd

 

it's normal, 533x2 = 1066

 

I thought each stick of ram would be operating at 1066MHz each not 533. Thanks

 

533 MHz is correct. 1066 is MT/s.

See MT v MHz here: DDR3 SDRAM - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Please. The Timeline keyboard sucks and the screen is terrible. If you want to rant and compare machines, do a proper comparison.

There are certain aspects of the Acer and ASUS machines I like, but they haven't yet built a machine that has me switching.

 

What problems on the T410s? I am typing this on one.

 

hello,

i am curious if any owners of the t410 or t410s running windows 7 64-bit, and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 5700MHD option (not NVIDIA switchable GPU) has successfully used intel's wireless display on their TV?

thanks in advance

 

Not personally, but if you have the Intel Wifi and Intel HD, it should work.

From here, it says "The ONLY way to get it to work is to completely uninstall the Nvidia drivers, and running purely off the IntelHD graphics chip - with this, the WiDi works..."

So one assumes that someone has got it running on a T410s. T410 is basically the same components so should also work.

 

The screen on the Timeline might be terrible compared to my 24'' SPVA, but it is leaps and bounds better than the piece of junk on this T410. Colors on it actually look somewhat correct, and the screen actually has some contrast. Unlike the T410 who has zero contrast, leading to a constant washed out look, completely incorrect colors, and a viewing angle so poor that even head on colors at the top and bottom are different than colors in the middle.

As for the Keyboard, I'm using both and the Timeline is perfectly fine. The T410 keyboard might be slightly better, but it hardly makes up for all of the other gross and obvious deficiencies of the machine vis-a-vie the Timeline.

 

What brand is your LCD?

 

Does anyone have a problem with "CPU Whine" noise
in T410 or this is problem only for T510/W510.

 

If I turn up the volume super high I can hear a small amount of noise of data transfers around the unit somewhere. Small kind of occasional chirping above the low hiss. You probably know what I mean if you're into sound quality. No whine though.

I got a Sony last year which I returned because of CPU whine; was glad the T410 didn't have it.

 

you sound like you work for sony.