T400 SD card Reader

I bought a T400 without the card reader not longer ago and would like to have the option of using SD cards, so I went to Lenovo's website to see if they offered that part as an accessory but couldn't find it. I called Lenovo a couple of times but the people who answered didn't really know this - they told me it should be available but I kept on getting transferred between the Parts and Hardware Support. My question is: do you guys know if I can get the factory SD card reader aftermarket somehow? I bought the laptop on eBay so I really didn't have a choice.

 

I think getting one of those USB dongles that allow you to plug in an SD card would both be cheaper and an easier solution. Unless you really want it built-in?

 

Yeah... I much rather have it built-in, I just don't know if it's even possible to get it since it doesn't seem to be one of those parts like an HDD or optical drive that you can easily install. At least I was unable to find it on Lenovo's website.

 

There is a Expresscard slot card readers.

http://www.expresscard.org/web/site/cons_wtb.jsp

These are the types are that are available, also you can use the USB version, if you don't use them that much. I have recently snapped off a couple of these usb versions, so i decided to get a PCMCIA and Expresscard version for the laptop.

 

Yeah, I guess I would have to go with an Expresscard if all fails, but does anyone know if I can get the factory Lenovo SD reader part somehow?

 

if you install those card, i think you would need to change the PCMCIA/Expresscard slot cage. Trust me the PCMCIA or Expresscard slot card reader (they sit flush in the slot like the OEM part) works exactly like those OEM reader. Since you can't boot from these Lenovo SD slot there is no real point of installing them, and i don't think these parts are CRU, if you do replace them you will void your warranty.

 

I guess I am going to go with one of these since they seem to be readily available. One question though: what are you referring to when you said they would void my warranty, the OEM part or these aftermarket parts?

 

your laptop warranty.

 

Right, but you mean installing those 3rd party expresscards would void the warranty? Why is that? Aren't they just like any other part, let's say, an HDD?

 

Trust me, save yourself a lot of hassle and get an expresscard reader. They work great. There are also PC Card ones as well.

 

No, the third-party expresscard reader won't violate the warranty. The built-in one requires extra bits on the motherboard, and a different case (it has a slot for a reader, instead of the extra expresscard), so it's not a simple fix like changing your harddrive. Lenovo's unlikely to do this for you (new case + new motherboard), and doing it yourself would probably violate the warranty.

 

No if you are installing the Lenovo card reader in the T400 will void the warranty as you will have to change the card cage.

 

Lol that's what I was asking in my original post but I think things got a little mixed up. Okay, case solved. I am going to get an Expresscard. One last thing: do I have to remove the little hinged door or can I leave in on. From the looks of it I don't need to have the door removed to install the cards.

 

No, the door is just that - a door. It covers the ports so dust and junk doesn't get in if you don't have a card installed. When you put in a card, it flips the door up. No need to do anything on your part, since it was designed properly.

 

Cool, that's what I thought. I just wanted to make sure since the manual showed how to remove the door.