Prospective T400 Buyer

I am looking at getting a T400 for school, but had a few quick questions.

This is how I have it spec'ed out.

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W
Genuine Windows Vista Business w/ XP Downgrade
14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ LED Backlight, Camera
ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 with 256MB
2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
250 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
No Bluetooth
Intel WiFi Link 5300 (AGN)
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
9 cell Li-Ion Battery
2764: 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller

It is $1179.04 with Student Discount + the 10% off code from the main site.

I was thinking about getting a spare 6-cell battery with the savings, but was wondering if it was cheaper to buy it at another time, or if I should just do it now. And would it be detrimental to just leave a spare battery without using it? (as in, would it reduce the total life of the battery by just leaving it laying around?)

Another question, is the Intel WiFi 5300 good enough, or would it be helpful to get the 5350 (I'm talking for general usage on campus, if it would pick up signal better, or use less power, etc. I'm not sure what WiMax is either, if someone could explain).

Also, I heard a lot about the Keyboard not being good, and a replacement option? Is this something I should pursue before ordering, or have they changed the keyboard out for the better one by now? I noticed that the original post about it was removed from the Lenovo site.

Lastly, is there a way to make sure I get the good LCD (seems to be the LG), or should I just wait and see what I get?

Sorry for all the questions, but I asked none about my ASUS C90S when I ordered it and it remains one of the worst purchases of my life, so I am hoping not to have any more issues with a new Lenovo.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

Ha, forgot one more question I had, the discrete graphics switching, is that still only possible in Vista?

And would there be any sort of significant battery life increase by choosing XP over Vista?

Thanks again

 

Is this a pre-configured machine or CTO? If it's CTO I'd suggest dropping to the P8400. The better CPU has little marginal value. I would get the minimum hard drive and memory and upgrade it yourself. The memory will cost less and you can get a 320GB 7200RPM for what Lenovo charges for the upgrade to a 250GB 5400RPM drive.

How much battery life do you need? It's in my experience cheaper to pick it up later, though things can yin and yang depending on supply.

Lenovo is switching over to the older keyboards. Chances are that's what you'll get. If not and you don't like the keyboard you can get a replacement.

I'd skip the WiMax unless you think there'll be service where you're at.

You cannot request a LCD so you're stuck with what you get, but I wouldn't give it much thought. People here tend to be overly anal about things, which gives a skewed perpective. Who knows you may like it. If not you can request a replacement.

 

Okay, I think I can help on a few of your questions (not in exact order of your original post):

1. First, flex is subjective, so you may actually end up being happy with your keyboard once you get it and test it out, especially since I read that Lenovo has reverted to the old keyboards of the T61 in any order of a T400 or T500. However, if not, there are ways of obtaining a new one. Here is a link to the information:

http://forums.lenovo.com/lnv/board/m....id=3069#M3069

And a few more links regarding the keyboard:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=308039
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=329838

2. Getting the WiMax 5350 AGN means nothing if your campus/area has not yet implemented WiMax technology. I'd suggest getting the option anyway, however, because it seems to be the future (though some disagree). WiMax should be better at picking up and maintaining a signal once implemented and 'perfected,' but as mentioned before, that's meaningless to you if it hasn't been implemented where you live/work/study.

3. This you may not want to quote me on, but I think the "good" LCD screen is hit-or-miss, from what I've read. Maybe some other more knowledgeable board member can speak more intelligently on this aspect.

4. As far as battery is concerned, I'd just get the 9-cell if I were you. Just a week ago, it was $99 on Lenovo's site. Now, however, they've reduced the price to $70. I plan on going for it when I put in my order. I know that doesn't quite answer your question exactly, but it's worth a thought.

 

what does CTO stand for?

 

Custom to order. Means you customized it on Lenovo.com.

 

Customized to order

 

A few comments. First, switchable graphics is only available on Vista. With XP or Linux, you need to select which graphics card you want in the bios, then boot. If DirectX 10 is important, I believe that this is also Vista only. I went with Vista business x64. I chose 2GB on 1 stick then upgraded with another 2GB Micron stick to get a full 4GB.

I have basically the same model that you list, but with bluetooth, and a 5300 wifi card. I've had it for a month now, and have had no problems with either hardware or software (MS Office, and a few games).

In terms of the battery, I went with a 4 cell battery. This is the only battery that will not "stick out of the back". The runtime meter states that I should expect about 2:30 in life, with Wifi going, and a bright screen. You should think about your usage patterns, and whether the greater weight and size for a 8-9 hour life is a good trade for you.

I've replaced the KB with a T61 type, and honestly have not noticed a great deal of difference -- the KB is pretty good in both cases, IMHO.

I received an LG screen, and I'm not sure that there is a way to prespecify. My impression, based on looking through this forum is that most of the new T400s are coming with LG screens -- I may be wrong about this. But, I like my screen.

The only thing I don't see you list is an extended warranty. You may want to consider this.

I like my machine thus far -- good luck.

 

I'd probably keep the P8600 (I don't think it costs much more than the P8400), but would advise against the T9500 because I think it is overpriced and will get slightly worse battery life/run warmer than the P8400/P8600).

The Wi-Fi 5300 (or even 5100) should be more than enough for your needs. Both of these do 801.11 ABGN, the difference is that the 5300 has more antennas (3x3) than the 5100 (1x2), although the effects of this remain unproven (I get great range/speed with the 5100).

WiMax is a high speed Metropolitan Area Network, a possible successor to 3G WWAN (EVDO/GSM), and is currently only offered as a subscription service in Baltimore as XOHM. It's possible that it will eventually expand to where you live. However, your university most likely has full Wi-Fi coverage, and thus you will have little to no use for WiMax.

You should get only a single DIMM of RAM. This can be 1GB if you plan on immediately upgrading to 3GB yourself, or a 2GB DIMM if you intend to upgrade to 4GB or 6GB as prices allow (requires Vista x64). Similarly, a smaller hard drive is a good choice as you can get a high quality replacement at a lower price than Lenovo charges for upgrades.

You might want to consider Bluetooth. This will allow you to use wireless peripherals, sync/tether phones, and use other devices. It is far better to have this built in than trying to add it later.

I would generally advise against buying two batteries right now. Li-Ion batteries have a shelf life, and they will lose charge from the date of manufacture. Just get yourself the 9 cell, set your charge thresholds to minimize excessive cycling (batter maintenance tab in power manager), and use it till it no longer provides enough charge. After 1-3 years you may not be satisfied with the battery life of the 9 cell anymore (it will decrease over time), you can then buy a replacement and use the weaker 9 cell as a spare for flights and similar situations.

I would also tend to recommend Vista (I use 64 bit and have very few compatibility problems) as your primary OS. Only Vista supports switchable graphics, and in my experience I get slightly BETTER battery life in Vista than I do in XP (about 1 watt lower consumption). Vista is also very snappy as long as you throw enough RAM at it (2GB is minimum for good performance, more is better).

A 3 year depot warranty may also be a good idea. This will cover you if you have any trouble with the LCD, motherboard, DVD±RW, etc. and helps extend the service life. I had a 3 year warranty on my T40, experienced a motherboard problem after about 2.5 years, got it serviced, and it worked for me for another 2.5 years until I gave it to a family friend and got an x200.

 

It's not worth even $50, my opinion of course. The extra MHz will make no difference in day to day usage.

 

think long about whether you want discrete graphics(switchable).

i wasnt really planning to get discrete when i first planned th purchase, thinking i want efficiency and wont play any games.

well the posters here convinced me to get discrete anyway...

i never freakin switch to high performance. i keep the graphics at energy saving ALL THE TIME because i want maximum battery life when on the go, and when on AC, i dont bother to switch to high peformance because theres no point for it anyway.

 

Yeah, we sometimes forget that this forum is all about enthusiasts and, as such, everything must be the absolute best, highest end stuff. Sometimes, that just isn't necessary for the average user. I actually find myself in the same boat as you were in: trying to decide if I need discrete graphics or if I just want discrete graphics. Knowing myself, I'll most-likely end up getting the discrete graphics and then probably wondering later why I did.

 

Ordered it today, added bluetooth, as suggested, and just went with the 160GB HD, eagerly awaiting its arrival.

Glad I'll finally have a laptop with more than 30 mins of battery life (you fail ASUS C90).

Thanks for all the help!

 

Good for you and good luck. Be sure to keep us updated on how you like it and all that once you get to play with it.

 

I hope you enjoy it (I love mine). Ya know that dirty joke, "Once you go black you never go back!", yeah, that applies to Thinkpads.