New Potential ThinkPad Owner Needs Help

Hi, for the upcoming Spring semester of college, I've decided that I'm getting a laptop to help with my studies. I've pretty set on getting a ThinkPad, but still have a few more decisions to make. Decisions that hopefully ThinkPad owners can help me make.

After some shopping, I found two laptops that I really like, but can't make a decision.

One is a SL410 at Best Buy. Here's the link to it. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+-+ThinkPad+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Centrino%26%23174%3B+Processor+Technology+-+Matte+Black/9569497.p?id=1218126040764&skuId=9569497&st=lenovo&cp=1&lp=1

$649.99

The other is building a T400 from Lenovo.

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W
Genuine Windows 7 Professional
14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ LED Backlight, Camera
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD with vPro
2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Intel WiFi Link 5100 (AGN) with My WiFi Technology
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
4 cell Li-Ion Battery
7417: 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller

$755.65

If I am to order a laptop from Lenovo, I'll upgrade the ram to 4gb total and a larger and faster harddrive for less than what Lenovo charges.

Obviously one is cheaper than the other, by almost $100.00, however after the upgrades, I could potentially be looking at a $200.00 difference. As far as I know, the SL410's cpu does not support virtualization and is somewhat slower than the T400's CPU. Also, the SL410 lacks a rollcage.

I guess to sum everything up, is the price difference worth it? Also, can anyone comment on the quality/build of the SL410? Thanks.

 

Get the T series.

 

Get the T400. The SL is more of an Ideapad than a ThinkPad and the quality just isn't there.

 

Yup...The superior quality of the T is worth the extra dough... If you can save a couple of bucks by selecting Home Premium instead, do it.

 

Yes, as the others have said, T series hands down. Well worth the money IMO.

 

Never mind I see you already configed it with B-tooth. Maybe add another year to your warranty and get moms or pops to use the card to purhchase making it three years. The SL is consumer junk. Get the T bro.

 

T. definitely.

 

You could also look at the R400. It's slightly thicker and heavier (and therefore probably less "sexy") than the T400, but otherwise very nearly the same machine.

 

if he can afford the t, i don't see why he should also consider the r

 

Uni students can get W7 for $29 or something like that. Dumb the OS the HDD and the memory down and get it elsewhere.

The business and engineering ladies like the T. If you are going to be a campus playa mack daddy then you have to show the bling bling.

 

with cpp pricing (pw's out there...) + the USPBLKFRIDAY coupon, your t400 config comes to just $672.43 (+ tax & ship). get that. also, for them girls.

 

Some reasons:

1. It's nearly the same computer, might as well price it out to see if the savings are significant.
2. The extra thickness helps it run cooler and quieter (though the 25W TDP CPUs in both T and R run exceptionally cool anyway.)
3. Just because you can afford a pricier model doesn't automatically make it the best choice.
4. Buying a laptop for its presumed s3x appeal is probably misguided. (But what do I know?)

 

well they are vaild points...i'm just slightly irrational, in a "i can afford an s-class, but noooooooo, e-class is cheaper and it's just as good" way

 

I apparently know very little. When I finally managed to phrase the question in a way that didn't creep out my wife, she allowed that, all other things being equal, she would be more likely to strike up a conversation with the guy using the thinner laptop. She then very sweetly pointed out that clearly a guy's laptop (and car) are not at the top of the list of considerations, because at the time we met I didn't have a laptop (it was a certain number of years ago), and I was driving a beat-up multicolored old hooptie. (OK, those are not her exact words.)

But getting back to the question at hand: Would [gender of your choice] find you more attractive with:
(a) Thinner, lighter laptop
(b) Slightly thicker, heavier laptop + $x
It appears from my exceedingly scientific study that the answer is (a). Even those who might prefer (b) have no way of knowing you have those $x still in your pocket. Because dangling the cash from a string would be so gauche.

 

Who cares? Why do people automatically assume that because it doesn't look like a thin light laptop that it is thick and heavy?

 

After some googling, I found a way to get a great deal on my setup. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. My next question is, what CDs does the T400 come with? OS discs, software, drivers, etc etc.

 

no cd's i believe

 

Please read ZaZ's excellent ThinkPad Sticky.

 

Let's try to stay on-topic in here . . . thanks. I had to delete a bunch of posts.

 

Heh, guess I should have gone there first. Thanks.