Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
Ok, after using a x60s last night and being very impressed by it, I now have a much greater interest in the T400 than when I just saw pictures on the net (which make it look ugly, not 'classic').
Before I finally make up my mind for as to what machine to get though (between the T400 and Dell E6400) I'd like to know the issues that the machine's have to make sure that I can live with them.
The keyboard, for example, must be as solid as they come, and so I was happy to hear that many are being shipped now with a T60 keyboard.
The Thinklight I have been informed has been fixed with the addition of some new grooves.
Now, what other issues were/are there? Is there a common issue with the video switching being unstable? I'm going to buy with hybrid graphics because I'm going to use hybrid graphics.
Thanks
Michael
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Morien,
These are the only problems I note for my T400:
- Chance of getting a [THREAD=351826]sub-par LCD panel[/THREAD] (Samsung)
- [THREAD=343792]Switchable graphics driver bug[/THREAD]
- Constant, extremely high [THREAD=339028]DPC latency[/THREAD] from Optiarc DVD-RW drive
The poor-quality LCD is the biggest offender for me right now. From all I've read, there is a night-and-day difference between the two panels Lenovo uses for the WXGA+ LED display. The consensus is that the LG is quite superior to the Samsung. Unfortunately, I received the Samsung in my T400. See the link in my first point above for discussion.
The switchable graphics bug is extremely annoying when it occurs. In my personal experience, it happens less than once a week. I do use my T400 a lot, most of the time in the dock with a monitor on DVI. The reason I don't see the problem often is likely because I don't "tempt fate": I stay away from changing too many video settings or using 3D games. While I believe the current situation is unacceptable, I'm currently tolerating it while I wait for the driver update that will solve this once and for all. From the looks of it, this update may be forthcoming (see the thread).
The high DPC latencies caused by my Optiarc DVD-RW drive are causing me random audio skips. As soon as my screen swap is finished, I'm planning to swap DVD-RW drives as well (I'm going to try the Matsush*ta). The workaround I'm using in the interim is either disabling the ODD in Device Manager or waiting 10 minutes for Power Manager to disable it anyway. Usually, I wait for Power Manager to take care of it because I found that disabling the ODD through Device Manager prevents Power Manager from starting on the next reboot.
Tough choice
Incidentally, I made the same choice you are making and chose the T400. Actually, what made my decision was an [THREAD=341918]unresolved audio problem[/THREAD] with the E6400. Since part of my intent for a notebook is audio recording, this was unacceptable. I don't think the problem has been resolved. Ironically, I didn't anticipate having to deal with the issue on the T400, but hopefully I can solve it with a different DVD drive.
For the record, I think the T400 is a stellar notebook. If faced with the choice, I would buy it again. The keyboard is extremely sturdy (I got an NMB), the design is quite solid (except for a bit of flex around the optical drivetypical in many notebooks), and the feature set is extensive (I particularly like the switchable graphics). My brother compared my T400 to his T61p, and he noted that the T400 shows improvement in build quality.
My only regrets so far:
- I didn't pay the measly $30 extra during configuration to add the $160 AT&T WWAN card. (If you don't want it, order it anywayyou could probably sell it to a poor sap like me.
) Note: as far as I know, it has GPS functionality like the one on the E6400. - I didn't buy an on-site warranty (a bummer because of my screen swap).
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Not necessarily. I think it might depend on which agent you talk to. The screen is the tough issue. You have to press your case firmly (don't be rude), and you may have to call several times. If the agent authorizes service, request that he/she put the FRU of the other screen on the service order for replacement. This is, of course, assuming your notebook comes shipped with the Samsung screen. Note that the jury is still out in my case—my notebook is still on its way back to me. I don't know what they did to it. (This is one reason why on-site service is better.)
About the DVD drive: I don't know yet. I have yet to make the call. I'm going to complain that I can't play a CD in my notebook without sporadic audio skipping (which is true). Since it's a customer-replaceable part, they may just send out the part with a return envelop for the malfunctioning drive. If so, I will request an FRU for one of the other 9.5 mm DVD-RW drives in the parts list (there are three).
Oops! That won't work. Thanks anyway!
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Cool.
I think when I order I'll talk to a sales rep and just make it clear to them what parts I do want.
I'm looking forward to my new laptop
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As far as I know, you can't do that. Don't let me stop you from trying, though.
That video has been [THREAD=336088]discussed before[/THREAD]. I think it's unduly negative. Try watching the video with no sound and without reading the comments. The "problems" are not as "serious" as the reviewer makes them. If you want a "rock," go and buy a Panasonic ToughBook. ThinkPads (even the recent T series) are still more durable than many of the alternatives.
The outside of the lid does have a "rubber" finish (same as the T61 or similar models).
Again, if you watch the video without sound and comments, it does not look bad, like the reviewer makes it sound. The palm rest does have some flex because it is plastic. This is Lenovo's design philosophy: strong skeleton, more flexible skin. In contrast, Dell seems to take the opposite approach in their current E-series Latitudes: weaker skeleton, strong skin. The lack of exterior "flex" in these models may give the impression of a stronger build quality, but which of these designs is actually more durable? I don't know. That video scared me at first, too; but in the end (for me), it holds no water. There are certain weaker points that I'm sure Lenovo will improve in later models, just as they improved certain things over the T61. Nonetheless, I am happy with my T400.
To be fair, I have not personally seen a ThinkPad older than a T61p, and I have not seen any of the current E-series Latitudes. -
Let's agree that they both are first gen and therefore have room for improvement (I'd say they both suck, just being polite
).
I'd prefer a dual lamp Sony screen in a T400/T500 but you can't always get what you want. -
What census? Did I miss something? I've been monitoring this forum for a month now and have gotten the clear implication that people prefer the LG to the Samsung for the
T400 WXGA+ LED display. The LG apparently isn't great but far superior to the Samsung model, from what I've read.
Please correct me if I'm wrong; I don't want to spread misinformation.
By the way, my T400 still hasn't come back from service yet. If the screen swap is successful, I'll be able to put first-hand experience behind these words. -
Thought I would add my $.02 to the OP's question.
My first-hand take on a T400 (it's actually Cheetah's, but I've gotten to play with it a fair bit, one advantage of a brother getting a new ThinkPad ):
Anyway, the overall build is very, very good. They improved a few "feel in the hand" aspects over my T61p, such as the right side of the notebook is a bit stiffer due to the beveled edge, which is something that isn't bad on the T61 by any means, but could be improved a bit. The plastics largely don't make any "creaking" noises, notably in the palmrest area at the front of the notebook; they stiffened up the snaps around this area significantly, which I'm very glad to see as it was my only real pet peeve on my T61p for in the hand feel.
Overall structural quality is the same excellent standard that ThinkPads are known for and the same as the T61; this area didn't really need any obvious improvement.
Keyboards are now the same great part numbers that the T6x series has been using for a while now, so there's nothing to worry about in this regard.
Now to the screen. Keep in mind that he has the WXGA+ LED screen option here which has two part numbers that Lenovo has qualified for use for this option. More specifically, it's the Samsung panel.
I can not stress enough how bad the *Samsung* panel is that Lenovo uses in almost every characteristic that determines whether a panel is usable. I've only ever seen one other notebook with a panel even slightly as bad, and it was a cheapo Compaq budget consumer-line laptop.
I'll just break this panel's characteristics down into points to make it easier to read.
Subjective contrast (the first main aspect that determines panel usability):
Otherwise known as one of the main things that makes you able to either use your laptop for a full workday straight or want to rip your eyes out.
This is probably where this panel does the worst. About every color is washed out to a huge degree, almost to being pastel versions of the color they're supposed to be. Black is not even slightly black, it's gray and this is regardless of which way you tilt your head. There are some colors you can't even see, e.g. some of Vista's lighter grays.
Brightness:
One area where this panel is actually not bad. It's a 250 nit panel which is more or less the sweet spot for most people.
Viewing angle (the other main aspect of what determines usability):
Or the lack thereof. Let's face it, TN panels (which is the only type used in notebook today) are not that great for viewing angles. However, with this panel Samsung ripped a new one. Horizontal are pretty bad, but not terribly much worse than average. This could be lived with. What is unforgivable though, is the vertical viewing angle. Or complete lack of. There is *no* sweetspot whatsoever on this panel, no angle where the image looks remotely the same from top to bottom. I've seen a lot of LCD's (laptop and desktop) and I've only ever seen a single panel that was anywhere close to this bad, let alone on a premium business notebook.
Pixel structure and grain:
This one's for the picky out there and I mention it for completeness sake.
I'm glad to see that Samsung has improved in this area. They used to be notorious for the amount of anti-glare coat they would slather on a lot of their panels (known as sparkle or grain by most people); this panel is pretty much "clean" in this aspect.
Pixel structure (ie, if the image is "smooth" and you can't obviously see the pixel grid lines, if you can see them, this is annoying if you sit closer than 1 1/2- 3 ft. or are just picky ) is good unlike a small handful of Samsung's I've seen.
Overall Samsung has improved some aspects of at least their 14.1" WXGA+ LED panel, but in the two most important areas that make a panel good or bad to most people, they have failed miserably. I'm not even going to get into backlight bleed or default color balance as backlight bleed is irrelevant when the vertical viewing angle is so bad that you can't tell what's backlight and what's shifting. Add to that most notebook LCD's are badly calibrated from the factory; so those aspects have no bearing in this case.
This brings to mind the LG vs Samsung debate that we had here on the WSXGA 15.4" panels a few months ago. In that case, I had and used both and they were comparable for most people. I can see why Lenovo qualified both of those panels for use as the Samsung was usable (not *good* if you have high standards, but certainly not horrible); however unless the panel my brother received is a defective Samsung (which I doubt based on what I've seen) I can't see why Lenovo qualified this part for use other than the need to multi-source LCD's and possibly price.
So yeah, great notebook in almost every aspect except for the LCD if you get the Samsung.
Shame on Lenovo, they produced such a good notebook in the T400, but left it up to a factory lottery whether you get a notebook with a usable LCD or not.
Sorry for the long read.
T400 - Any issues to know about?
Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Morien, Feb 15, 2009.
