T400 good choice ? Specs included

Hey folks. Am thinking of buying the T400 as displayed below with the 2.53 Ghz processor. Am just wanting to check that WXGA is indeed a matte screen? And I guess WXGA+ is matte or higher resolution? I can get this machine or about 1.250 Euros. Does it look OK? Thanks

Operating system: Genuine Windows XP Professional (preinstalled via downgrade rights in Windows Vista Business)
Display type: 14.1 WXGA TFT, w/ CCFL Backlight, Camera 1
System graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD with vPro 1
Total memory: 3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM) 1
Keyboard: Keyboard US English International with a Euro symbol 1
Pointing device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader 1
Optical device: DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA) 1
System expansion slots: Express Card Slot & 7-1 Media Card Reader 1
Wireless card: Intel WiFi Link 5300 (AGN) with My WiFi Technology 1
Mobile Broadband: Ericsson F3507g Other - Wireless WAN card 1
Battery: 6 cell Li-Ion Battery 1
Power cord: Country Pack United Kingdom with Line cord & 65W AC adapter 1
Language pack: Language Pack UK English

 

Unless I'm mistaken, the screen should be matte no matter what resolution you choose.

Your build looks good, but there's one thing I would change. Rather than going for 3GB memory, I'd choose 2GB on 1 DIMM, then buy another 2GB stick from an online store and install it on your own. You'd have 4GB memory and it should cost you less than the factory 3GB option.

I don't really know how to convert Euros to American dollars, but to give you an idea of the savings, the 3GB option when I went to buy my T500 cost $42 and the 4GB option was $85. I can buy a 2GB stick from Newegg.com for $24.99.

 

OK for what? If you're running XP, 3GB is probably 2GB too much. Unless you've got a specific need, I'd get the lowest CPU, which is plenty for most apps.

 

To add to the ZaZ's post, if you run at 2GB, you get the benefit of being able to run the memory in dual channel. It will give you a slight, but noticeable performance increase over 3GB. Dual channel memory will help especially since you'll be using the x4500 integrated card which utilizes system memory.

 

Ok looks like I will stick to 2GB RAM for Windows XP .. the processor difference is only like 10 bucks so may just as well get the faster one ... What resolution does the 14 inch WGXA have ? 1440 x 900 I am guessing ? And I am quite sure the webcam/speakers combo is more than adequate for skype ? thanks

 

What are you planning to use it for?

 

Yes they are matte screens. WXGA is 1280x800 and wxga+ is 1440x900.

 

I would still go for more RAM over less RAM and dual channel memory. But, if I can remember correctly Intel started using flex memory on their mobile chipsets beginning with Santa Rosa which shoudl include most of the benefits of dual channel even with the 3GB memory configuration as well.

liquidxit2: correction WXGA+ is 1440X900.

 

Lol yeah typo on my part. Fixed

Oh and when I went from 2gb dual channel to 3gb in my dell I noticed no difference in performance whatsoever.

 

I don't mean to start an argument, but "matched" memory or memory of the same size is not necessary for dual-channel. It was crucial when the technology first arrived, but not now.

 

I was wondering about that...does the ram have to match for it to work in dual channel?

 

It does not have to match.

 

this is wrong, memory size has nothing to do with dual channel, dual channel is when you have two sticks in which it can be done with 3gb, (2gb + 1gb = 2 sticks of ram = dual channel)

 

Does T400 think pad suits for both linux and win xp? Will there be any performance issues, if i install win xp and linux operating sysytems in T400?
Does anybosy using T400 with both operating systems?
i appreciate ur help
thanks in advance

 

what hard drive does it have? (not listed in the specs). That potentially is going to have far more impact on overall speed than processor or RAM.