T400 PC Card versus Media Reader

Trying to get to the bottom of this “flex” issue in this part of the notebook…

Has anyone RECEIVED a T400 with the PC Card and, if so, are there simple plastic blanks in the empty slots? Or are there little spring loaded plastic doors instead?

For those that RECEIVED a T400 with the media reader instead, are you unhappy with it? Does it look bad? Is there too much flex in this area? Does it seem flimsy?

No speculation please. I really only want to hear from those who have seen/own the T400—and I know I can buy a third-party media reader.

Cheers and thanks.

 

I'm sure this thread will help clarify this issue for a lot of potential buyers. I ordered a T400 with the media card reader and will report my findings when I receive it.

 

I received my T400 today. I'm happy with the media reader. Looks fine.

While I hate to say "never", the chances of my purchasing any PC Card accessories is as close to zero as possible. Anything I would buy will be Express Card. And while sure I could buy a PC Card media card reader, the small cost to have it part of the laptop as worth it to me.

Flex in the area? Sure there's some if I work at it. Not a big deal to me; corner area of a system will have stresses and if there's no give you get cracks someday. IMHO some folks are a wee bit too wrapped up in flex.

 

which one is the media reader..the 4in1 or the 7in1

 

Thanks for taking the time to chime in—I hope other owners will as well. There just seems to be a lot on this for some reason and I wanted to set the record straight.

 

There’s only one media reader and it goes by both names—7-1 when you order it and 4-1 in your order details.

 

I thought the same thing, but I'm glad I stuck with the PC Card slot because I plan to get this: http://sewelldirect.com/Duel-Systems-DuelAdapter-Cradle-ExpressCard-to-PCMCIA-Adapter.asp

If nothing else, it's an extra, although slower (1 Gbps), expresscard 34 slot.

 

Neat gadget. I'm still happy with my choice given that in the three years I've had my previous laptop I used the PC Card slot exactly... zero times. While I may surprise myself in the future, I don't forsee needing more than the one slot.

 

Not sure why you need the PCMCIA to Express Card adapter, because you should already have one Express Card slot on the machine. If you have more than one Express card, it then makes sense.

I got the PC Card & Express Card selection because I want the flap, not the blank. And I don't really need media card reader.

 

So you own a T400 with the PC Card and the little spring loaded plastic doors instead of the simple plastic blanks? If so, mind posting a picture?

 

I think you will have a flap on your PC card slot, but still have a blank in the express card slot.

 

That's just funny. While I'll use it occasionally, I don't really need the media card reader. I didn't like the looks of the flap and preferred the use of a blank slot filler.

Proof that personal taste is a significant factor in many of these choices.

 

Do the flaps even exist?

 

Does no one own a T400 with the PC Card? If someone does I’d really love a photo of the PC and Express Card slots.

Cheers.

 

Is this true? I thought the images looked like blank inserts, but the way people talk about the media reader blanks made me thing it was a flap for the expresscard slot.

 

Has anyone received a PC Card + Express Card T400 yet? I don't think it's been answered whether the PC Card + Express Card also has plastic inserts, or if they both have flaps.