On the fence U330 vs. T400

I'm debating between the T400 and U330. Originally I was going to go with the T400, especially with the deal that started yesterday. Priced out with the lowest processor, 2gb memory, WXGA+ LED, cdrw, 6 cell battery, 160gig 7200rpm, wifi 5300, plus 3 yr warranty it was 1087.05 with tax.

Then the U330 came out last night. Priced out, I get bigger HD 250 gigs but 5400rpm, 13.3 screen with LED but lower res (WXGA), 6 cell included in thin form factor, plus 3 yr warranty for $1059.

To me the ideal laptop is the x300 but with discrete graphics and better processor, so naturally the form factor on the u330 is appealing to me. But I would much rather have a WXGA+ rather than the WXGA. I don't mind the 13.3. And the glossy doesn't bother me that much . . . yet.

Care to comment on whether I should go for the T400 with the hi res screen but heavier/bulkier versus the U330 which is thin and light without the higher res screen?

 

I was in a similar spot, but I went with the T400. Higher screen res was more important and a bit more horsepower. I think the shiny screen would have pissed me off too much. My parents have it on a Dell and I can't stand it.

The U330 definitely wins out style wise, but I'm not getting a laptop for the 'coolness' factor. I'd much rather have the proven Thinkpad durability.

 

Glossy is very annoying. And having that resolution is a must for me in that form factor. Of course im waiting for my x200 right now (res. downgrade!).

 

Argh, now the price is essentially the same between the two with the 7% deal. $1059 for the u330 and $1088 for the T400. Screen vs. wt/size?

 

I think it depends on if you want a smaller laptop.

Though the T400 is not huge at all I'm sure the U330 is smaller.

T400 is definitely going to be built better and feel sturdier.

T400 also has the trackpoint if you like that. I don't think U330 has that.

I personally prefer matte screens. Glossy screens can be annoying indoors if your light source is behind you. Get Glossy if you love looking at yourself all day. Though in the long run you'll probably get used to it.

I would not get the U330 with a WXGA screen. A 13" should have a WXGA+ option in my opinion. I am hoping it will come in as an option later. Anything smaller and you might as well go to a 12". But, that's personal preference.

 

If you need more multimedia features, then go with the U330, it also has a HDMI port. And for durability, the IdeaPads are built pretty strong too. The last IdeaPads are built better than the TP R series imo. Although I'd like to have WXGA+ on 13.3, but WXGA is really not that bad, 90% of the 13.3 laptops out there use WXGA. I believe only the X300 and the new Sony Z have a higher resolution screen.

 

the u330 is like a beauty!
anyone knows how the R3640 works?

 

I would say U330 is the Macbook killer
1) Better processor
2) A LOT better graphics
3) Better looking in my opinion
4) DDR3 RAM
5) Under $1k with CPP discount

 

Helloo,

The U330 isn't that much lighter than the T400. I believe the specs say its about 4.6lbs? The T400 4-cell is 4.7lbs (most people will get 6-cell tho). I don't like the fact that you cannot customize the U330 at the moment

 

But it's smaller and thinner.

However, you're right about not being able to customize. The last IdeaPads weren't customizable too. I always liked the IdeaPads even cannot be customized, but for sure it would be great if we can.

 

I hate to throw a wrench into things but are you guys using this coupon code?

USPIDEAPAD15



It's 15% off.

IN addition, when ordering, go through www.live.com. That's an additional 10% off via the MS cashback program. Save some cash!

I'm actually on the fence myself but my Sony SZ is definitely showing it's age and the U330 comes out to $975+tax in addition to the $97.50 cash back I get. VERY tempting. Aaargh.

 

How do you get the cashback thing to work? I go to live.com and type in lenovo u330 or lenovo laptop or some other combo, but I never find a u330 option to buy with the cashback symbol.

Can you give detailed instructions please?

I can get it down to $908.28 using cpp and USEIDEAPAD5 on a base model.

 

I'm not sure if it work's with cpp. Could you kindly explain to me what that is?

That said, to get the Live going go to:

www.live.com

Click the cashback option on the upper right. Go to the Lenovo store (there will be a list of vendors that support the cashback program, Lenovo of course being one of them). You have to go through that link and sign into your live account.

 

CPP and SPP are discounts given to contractors and shareholders. You can do a search in google for 'lenovo cpp' and get a better idea. I've seen on several posts that there may be some legal ramifications if I post more so I'll leave it at that.

But you can use the above info and purchase without a problem.

BTW, your coupon code doesn't stack with CPP but the one I gave does.

 

I'm looking over the base model. It doesn't come with wifi? Hmm, that's something that is a must upgrade. It almost makes it worthwhile to spend the extra money for the rest of the goodies the other model comes with.

 

are all thinkpads matte screens?

 

I believe so. The R61i had a glossy option though. It still may.

 

I am in the same situation too. I like the portability of the u330 but I also like the higher res, and better build quality of t400 as well. Choices choices.

I never bought a lenovo made computer before... I did use my school t61 for a few weeks though. I thought the build quality was phenomenal compared to the usual dell/toshiba laptops. If I buy an ideapad, will I regret it?

Lot of people seem to have negative opinions about ideapad. Is it that ideapads are bad compared to thinkpads or is there some other fundamental flaw with the platform?

 

I believe most of the negative comments for IdeaPads are coming from the ThinkPad fanboys that actually don't even use or own an IdeaPad. The IdeaPad's build quality is actually very good, I can tell you that it is better than any TP R series I've seen/used, and I've owned/used both. ThinkPad and IdeaPad are targeted to different market, one for business users, and the other for home and entertainment, and IdeaPads are Lenovo's top of the line non-business series.

 

I am assuming that we know nothing about the speakers for the u330 atm? How are the speakers on the t400? does it include a bass?

I am also on the fence..

 

Well the U330 has dolby digital sound so maybe it has better speakers than the T400? I don't know if that's a safe assumption.

As for the wifi built in the base model, I checked the website earlier and it said wifi upgradable. Now that I check it again, it has the intel 5100. I'm wondering why the heck they would make a laptop without wifi built in these days. I'm going to have to confirm with the sales rep tomorrow.

I think I'm going U330! Hope this turns out okay.

 

If I had to guess, I'd say the U330 has superior sound quality.

 

I'm in the same boat as well. I was initially looking at the Sony Vaio SR but I've crossed it out due to the Lenovo's price advantage with the CPP.

Would the U330 be better for gaming?

 

I can say that the T61 both 14" and 15" do not have good speakers. They are only passable in making sounds come out of your notebook. Most notebooks don't have very good speakers, but I'm not sure about the Ideapads since they are supposed to be geared more toward multimedia/entertainment.

 

The SR would be better for gaming. It has a slightly better video card (SR has the HD 3470 vs U330's HD3450) and it has a far more superior CPU especially if you get a higher end SR. But even the base SR would be better than the best U330 available in the US.

The CPU is important because both notebooks have a "weak" dedicated graphics card. The HD3400 series should just barely produce playable framerates for Crysis on the lowest settings.

 

CPU's do not increase FPS noticeably at all. Your lucky to get maybe 1-2 FPS with a jump in Clockspeed say from a P8400 to a T9600

 

Well... I caved in.

HD 3470 has GDDR3 memory. HD 3450 might have GDDR2. But since they're both are better than a 8400GS with GDDR2 memory, which in my opinion in plenty good already, performance is sufficient.

That flush 6 cell, standard memory card reader, sub-$1k price, and 4.3lb weight sealed the deal.

 

Will you write a review on it admlam?

 

aah tat $878 for a U330 is really getting to me too. haha

 

A CPU substantially helps when the GPU is the bottleneck. Obviously upgrading the GPU has better returns but you can't quite do that in a notebook. When you already have a strong GPU, then yes you will barely notice the difference.

For instance, I had the chance to compare two Dell XPS M1330s. One with the T9300 (2.5GHz) and the other T7300 (2GHz). Both have the 128MB 8400m GS card (relatively weak) and pretty much everything else the same. The T7300 was able to play Crysis (low settings of course) between 10-25 fps. The T9300 was able to hold at around 25-30 fps. So yea, very little increase on maximum fps but it was able to maintain higher framerates overall.

 

If I get it before someone else beats me to it, and the site lets me do an official review. =P

I didn't use Live.com. It's only a $36 difference after tax. And quite frankly, I rather save some money now rather than wait 60 days for just a little bit more.

 

admlam, will the U330 become your primary computer? meaning is that what you will be doing most of your computer related stuff on? or do you have a desktop around that you use.

cause like, i am going to be a freshmen at Northwestern and I was wondering if i get the u330, and not have a desktop there, would i eventually get really tired of working on a 13 inch.

thank you~

 

I'm already using a 12" Averatec as my primary computer with its dim-yellow tinted LCD for biomedical engineering -- reading pdfs and writing MATLAB scripts.

13.3" WXGA (1280x800 resolution) should be fine. It's the same as a Macbook, and lots of people don't seem to have issues with that.

 

StrikeX2, you could always use an external monitor and keyboard when you are not out and about with your laptop.

I've totally given up desktops. I don't even use a desktop at work. The only thing I miss is the insane processing and graphical power desktops have over laptops. But laptops are sufficient as long as you are not planning to play the latest games.

 

Does someone know what is the difference between "Smart Card Reader" and "4-1 Media Card Reader" in the T400 customization? Which formats support each one?
Thanks for your help.

 

4-in-1 media card reader is what you want. A smart card reader is a security authentication device that a few businesses use.

 

I saw some threads on the Lenovo support forum about people having their Ideapad hinge broken. What's your take on the hinge design and its robustness?

 

Hmm... the delays on the U330 is giving me time to doubt getting it. But I got an awesome price for mine. >_<

I've always wanted a Thinkpad. But the T400 has some shortcomings in my opinion (non-flush 6 cell, 1.47" thick). But while the U330 addresses those particular issues I listed (flush 6 cell, 1.37" thick), it's not perfect either since its glossy and not a Thinkpad -- for instance, pushing on the lid will cause the LCD to ripple. Anyone wanna sway me either way?

 

I''ve been using this notebook for a week since, unfortunately the speaker is not very good. Quite soft compare to my old Toshiba M100.

Other than that it's a very good notebook overall.

 

woah.. you managed to get your mits on a u330?

Hows the heat and battery when watching a dvd on it

 

You are right it comes with the Intel 5100. How can a laptop without wifi lol.

 

The hinge i feel it should be fine, although not like thinkpad which is using metal. So far so good, easy to open yet not too loose.

I've played games and watch movie. The heat is barely there. It's very cool. I choose this machine because of it not being a nvidia, the previous batch of notebook with nvidia the heat is insane. The batt life is very good! Every evening after work i use it at home it last me the whole evening without charging. I only leave it to charge when i go to sleep. I watch movie plug in so i cannot comment. I will do a test and feedback here probably tonight on the batt life.

Haha, i am surprise too, usually is US will get the latest notebook before us Asian get it. It was launch here during a PC show 2 weeks ago. My configuration is slightly different, it came with a P8600 CPU and 320GB HDD instead. But a lot more expensive, i pay for 1800 US dollar. Although i get quite a few freebies due to the PC show promotion. Computers in Singapore is very expensive, well everything here is expensive.

I ever think of getting the T400 or the Sony SR because both are using ATI card (nVidia No No) but the fact that both doesn't come with HDMI disappoint me. I use thinkpad T61 at work so i know it's very good machine less the screen brightness. Now that the it comes with LED screen but too bad it doesn't have HDMI. And i saw review that the keyboard lamp is now bad design which blinds you instead of illuminating the keyboard, yet another disappointment.

 

Anyone know why Lenovo still offers the P7350 processor for the US market atm. In fact, a P8400 CPU is configured for the U330 in other regions like zeofire pointed out....anyone know the reason behind this?

 

Sorry i gave wrong info, my spec is P8600 not P8400.

 

Actually, it's the other way around, for brands like Lenovo, Sony, Fujitsu, etc., Asian countries will get them first. I think only Dell and few other brands that the US will get the stock first. Glad you're happy with the U330, I'm about to pull the trigger, but now it looks like the Bluray will be an option, so I will wait a bit and see.

 

U330 sounds very good with the 13.3" screen, HDMI, and switchable graphics. The problem is you are getting a way better deal for T400 than U330, and T400 has a significantly better battery life with the 6-cells or 9-cells. I have read in the Chinese review that U330 would get a bit warm, I don't thing T400 will have that problem. If I pay something like 300$ more for my T400 than U330, then I would go with the U330.

 

Bah... decisions decisions. With the new sale that ends today the price difference between the T400 and the U330 is $11.

U330: 1.14" x 12.5" x 9.33"
T400: 1.47" x 13.20" x 9.4"

U330(6): 4.30 pounds
T400(6): 5.30 pounds

When searching for an Ogio laptop bag the variability in bag weight was about one pound... which leads me to believe this difference may be negligible.

U330: 2.0GHz
T400: 2.26GHz

I doubt I'll notice the difference between these two.

U330: 13.3" WXGA Glossy
T400: 14.1" WXGA+ Matte

I will be in a classroom and outside setting so the Matte screen should give much better visibility.

U330: Radeon 3450
T400: Radeon 3470

Once again this is a secondary issue and either card would be fine for me.

 

The high light visibility concerns me the most. The sale is over so I guess I'm sticking with the U330

 

I have already canceled my order on T400, got me aggravated with all the delays...still doing business with Lenovo despite the shipping delays for good deals...just pulled a trigger on U330 hoping it will start shipping by october

 

Dont get your hopes up too much. I ordered mine on 8/20 and people who ordered before me have had theirs delayed further. Apparently due to a battery shortage.