Should I sell my t400s?

Hello, I bought a new t400s off of ebay. It works perfectly and everything. It has a 80GB intel G1 SSD, 3GB ram, and the 2.4 ghz core 2 duo. The performance is awesome, especially the SSD. However, I don't know if I like the typing experience, as I primarily use the machine for writing. I originally had a Sony VGN 13.3 inch laptop. The dimensions were smaller, as well as the screen, but the weight was actually about the same, if not heavier than the t400s. I like the t400s keyboard; however, I just find it's thin, elongated plasticy palm rest a but annoying. The keyboard, albeit nice an clicky for a laptop, has a deeper throw than my old Sony. I find it kind of annoying when typing because it feels as if I have to reach further for the keys. The Sony had a shorter palm rest, which made it easier to type on.



Initially, I bought the t400s because it is almost equivalent to the t400/t410 in power, but it's slim design and weight would bring it closer to the old Sony. The new 14 inch screen, and lightweight design full if power pushed me to buy the t400s over the t400/t410 and any other 13.3 inch model, which wouldn't have quite the processing power.



So, my question is, would the t410, which has the same keyboard feel easier to type on because of the added thickness. On the t400s, it feels as if my fingers fall through and hit the desk/surface the laptop is sitting on. Strangely, I find typing on my lap more comfortable than any surface. Obviously, the t410 would have the same distance from the palm rest to the keyboard, but I think the thickness, albeit heavier, would be a little more egronomical; also, the added thickness would make the reach easier. It's hard to describe, but I'm coming from a background of mechanical desktop keyboard. The t400s is like some versions of the Ibm Model M which had awesome buckling springs, but the better versions and the IBM model F had a more solid foundation-- more metal in the chassis.



That said, I am actually considering the X301 because the palmrest is shorter and from the reviews I've gathered, it has that rubberized feel to the palm rest. I think that I would like this because it has an identical keybaord to the t400s, which doesn't have much flex and the layout is superb. However, I would be sacrificing screen size, and the weight benefit would only be marginal. Really, I only want a laptop with 3-4 gb of ram, a fast processor, and a SSD... or the path of getting a laptop with a mechanical drive that will eventually be upgraded to a SSD.



Overall, I can use an external keyboard with my t400s when I am at my desk, but it isn't really practical when traveling and I need to get a lot of writing done.



I know I sound like a mixed bag, but can anyone with experience with 2-3 of these laptops give me any of which route I should choose?



Thank You.


P.S. I also posted this on Lenovo's forums... here:
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/T400-T500-and-newer-T-series/Should-I-sell-my-T400s/td-p/215291

 

Thinkpad keyboards should feel rather similar. You have an odd typing posture if you want a shorter palm rest imo...

 

Lol ok, I dont think posture has much to do with with it. I'm just coming from desktop keyboards... nothing in the way.... no palm rest. Just direct access to the keys.

 

There's no inclination on a ThinkPad keyboard which is parallel to the flat surface. Most users actually want a longer palmrest IMHO.

 

This might be a strange suggestion and it may not work for you as this would mean going up to a larger notebook(at least in terms of thickness and weight), so your mileage may vary on this.

I write quite a bit as well and spend much of my time behind a keyboard, and I've used plenty of ThinkPads in the past few years. The overall best keyboard I've ever used on one was on the T60p I sold recently. That specific keyboard had very good feedback and didn't feel as 'mushy' as keyboards on other notebooks I have used. This specific one was made by a company called NMB, and features blue 'nubs' underneath the keys as an identifying mark. These can be somewhat difficult to source, as they're known as a very good ThinkPad keyboard.

My first choice would be to pick up a standard T400(some are available with SSDs, but they can be expensive) and replace the keyboard with a T60 NMB unit... the replacement is completely drop-in, plug-in. I have an early-manufacture Model M that I use on my desktop and honestly prefer the T60 NMB unit to it. However, this may end up giving you a notebook that doesn't fit your size and weight requirements as I previously mentioned.

 

Hmmmm. I like this idea. Do you know where I can get one of these NMB keyboards new? I was actually considering the t400, but it's original keyboard I heard was treacherous.

 

I did a little of my own searching. Is this the exact keyboard you are referring to, http://www.thinkpad-parts.com/39T0958-ThinkPad.html ?

 

Put a book under the back bottom, this should slant the angle so you palm does not touch the palm rest.

 

That part is the same FRU as the NMB T60 keyboard, however from this link below: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=41755&highlight=keyboard+chicony+comparison

The keyboard you get may or may not be a real NMB, as Lenovo actually supplied Chicony keyboards under the same FRU. NMBs have blue rubber plungers under the keys, and if I remember correctly Chicony keyboards have white ones. However, from what I have been reading there isn't a huge difference between the Chicony and the NMB T60 keyboards, and both will actually be a significant improvement from that of the T400.

One of the major reasons for the backlash against the T400's keyboard was the fact the backplate has been perforated all over, apparently for weight savings. There was a limited time recall in which Lenovo replaced the perforated keyboard with the older T60/61 model which has a solid backplate. I'm not sure if the T400s has the perforations or not; you can easily check by pulling the keyboard off.

If so, I've heard that going to the T60/61 keyboard is a major improvement to the T400's keyboard feel. The only thing that's kept me from making the switch has been that I'm trying to get a genuine NMB. I'm pretty fussy about my keyboards and have been making do with the T400's standard keyboard, but I like having more feedback than this. At least it's better than the one n my M1730, which has next to no feedback and feels like I'm drumming my fingers on a desk. It's a great notebook, but not all that useful as a writing platform.

 

If only this keyboard would work with the T400s...
I'm either going to put up with this t400s, but I might go the t400 route. It may be heavier and uglier, but this T60 keyboard, whether it is Chicony or NMB sounds ideal. Originally, I wanted a Thinkpad for it's professional look and nice keyboards. I wasn't really impressed with the t400s, even though a lot of people think the keyboard is great. It's good, but I just don't know if it's great.

The only real disadvantage in the t400 for me is the off-center screen, but I think it's added weight might be a little beneficial in terms of feel... that and this T60 keyboard. The other plus side is discrete graphics. Although I'm not a gamer, it would be nice to play some games that the t400s struggles with.

In the end, I guess it is sacrificing looks for 'possible' ergonomic gains. I tried the book thing. It helps a little, but it still doesn't change everything. Is there anyone else out there that has used a t400s and this t60 keyboard on a t400? If so, is the difference really worth a change of laptops if I'm only set out for the typing experience alone? Anyway, if I do decide to change, I'm going to have to sell this thing, which should definitely cover the cost of a new t400 with a decent mechanical drive and discrete graphics. The only issue is selling it because it has been used.

 

Hmm... a possible idea might be to see if there are any T60(or T61; they use the same keyboard) systems you can check out in your local area(for sale on craigslist,perhaps?) and test them out under the guise of buying one. That way you can have at least a little time behind the keyboard of one and get your personal opinion of it. What I'm suggesting would be the recommendation that works for me; keyboard feel is extremely subjective and what might work for you may not work for me, and vice versa. Regardless of what you do I would highly recommend testing whatever you come up with in person before you fully decide.

That said, the T400 does have its flaws but in my experience the off-center bezel isn't that hard to live with, and the fact it uses a 2.5" hard drive means you have some more options than the 1.8". The switchable GPU does help if you like light games; I can even run Crysis on mine fairly smoothly if I tone down the settings quite a bit and use DX9 shaders. All in all the T400 has great hardware, but the peripherals do need some improvement.

 

Yeah, I think I should try it first. I've been checking out other options. I dont think the x301 is a good idea anymore, but I came across the Lenovo Thinkpad Edge. Although the performance would be a big loss in terms of the processor, I heard that it's keyboard was one of the best around. It may not have the lenovo T series construction and look, but it seems to be pretty darn close. Has anyone used one of these Thinkpad Edge keyboards to compare it to say a t400s or even a T60?