T400 vs T400s

I will start with the fact that I am not a gamer at all.

I like the look of the Thinkpads and need to ugrade my laptop. I want a machine that can handle 4-5 hours running basic functions and multitasking. I absolutley hate a low machine when multiple windows are open. I am also picky about the screen...I like a good quality screen. I wil lmainly use for internet, email, DVD watching, .264 movie watching. I have put together this T400s:

Intel Core 2 Duo SP9600 processor (2.53GHz 1066MHz 6MBL2)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
Display type T400s 14.1WXGA+ LED B/L
Intel GMA 4500MHD
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 (2 DIMM)
250GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm, 1.8" Low Halogen
DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Slim
5-1 Media Card Reader
6 cell Prismatic Battery
65W AC Adapter; NA, LA, (2pin)
Integrated Bluetooth PAN 2
ThinkPad b/g/n Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe

My questions to you are:
1. Will I need the discrete graphics of the T400 for my needs?
2. I appreciate the slimer footprint of the T400s, is the T400 really that much bulkier?
3. Sort of a side note...should I look at the SSD 128GB drive option. Knowing that I will upgrade the size down the road (to cost prohibitive right now)?
4. Am I missing any connectivity options going with one versus the other (i.e. HDMI, DVI, Displayport, etc...)?
5. IS the processor of the T400s comparable to the T400 (P or T series chips)?

I appreciate any help with this as I want to make a decision in the next couple days.

 

1. Movie run fine with the 4500 MHD.

2. http://www.thinkpads.com/2009/07/27/thinkpad-comparison-t400s-vs-t400/

3. The T400s use the 1.8 inch hdd size, while the T400 use the 2.5 inch, which is cheaper.

4. T400s got eSATA and Displayport, the T400 don't.

5. T400s use better processor, they produce less heat and more energy efficient.

 

Intel 4500 might actually be a positive compared to a dedicated video card considering you don't game and the 4500 has better battery life compared to the dedicated. I have swichable graphics in my T400 which i never use(always set to 4500) because of the battery life.

Unless you are planning on going with the SSD, the T400 with it's 2.5 harddrive gives you more options. Faster 7200RPM harddrive...the latest gen uses almost the same power as 5400RPM harddrives.

Does the T400s come with an optical drive?

 

thanks for the thoughts lead_org and comp_user

Curious why I would be carryong around an external drive? Doesn't the T400s come with the ultrabay slimdrive?

if I want to employ a fast external HD do they both come with an option on them (esata, etc...)?

 

If you go the T400s + 1.8" SSD with the T400s, suggest go an aftermarket option. It's been noted tha Lenovo's T400s comes with either a 1.8" Samsung or Toshiba SSDs. Both reasonable performers, but can get better performance at a cheaper-than-Lenov-charge price with a 1.8" Runcore ProIV (Indilinx) or 1.8" Intel X18M G2.

 

yes the T400s have an optical drive and eSATA, but eSATA requires additional power source. It also comes with Displayport.

 

Thanks!!

On the customize/build page I am working with I have 1.8" 250GB 5400rpm drive standard and have the 128GB SSD for an additional $31 (minus 30% discount) so it seems worth it. If I want to upgrade down the road then that is an option obviously.

 

If the difference between a 250GB 5400rpm HDD and a 128GB SSD is only $31 then I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you go for the SSD. The SSD will perform far better and 128GB really is quite a lot of storage. If you need more space than that down the line, I would suggest you swap the optical drive for a secondary 2.5" HDD (e.g. a 500GB 5400RPM model for <$100).

 

that's what i was thinking...

If i did that would I have an option for an external optical drive through a connection port? Kind of new at this stuff

Thanks J

 

Check nando's post:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5106978

 

That's not true. They are smaller - that's it (same TDP as P-CPUs).

 

hmm... wait for the new T-series?

dare i say; the design of the t400/t500 (not the t400s) looks really dated.

still... out of those two, i pick the t400. because of the reason:

-cheaper
-more powerful (cpu and discreet graphic)
-can be configured with high capacity battery 9-cell.
- 2.5" HDD, standard size, easy to find a replacement.

 

back to the SSD question...

I have done a lot of reading and the Sammy/Toshiba stoch drives don't seem to be that great (when compared to Intel models). Correct me if I am wrong here...but the SSD is a 1.8" design doesn't seem to be that common. Intel 160GB is hard to locate even (tried off the Intel page and it says no on-line sellers).

Any thoughts on the Lenovo SSD options?

 

The T400s can be optioned with the ULV, which is not available on the T400.

 

Compared to a conventional hard drive, either is fantastic. For a $31 upgrade cost, it's a great deal.

If you do want to upgrade to another SSD aftermarket, the best choice is the Intel 80GB drive - it's more readily available compared to the 160GB drive, although both are in low stock right now.

No, it cannot. The T400s uses exclusively SP processors, which are basically shrunken P-series processors.

 

i would suggest t400s - thinner, lighter (0.5kg, or a pound, lighter), screen in the middle, awesome new keyboard, more future-proof (if you buy dockings), louder speakers, multitouch touchpad.

screen isn't great if i'm very honest, but then neither is t400's.

also you can probably get the sp9400 instead - probably cheaper, and no real difference in real life, both get the same amount of cache, or fsb, or functions, etc - the only difference is a 153.33MHz in clockspeed.

i would also recommend the ssd if it's only $31 - even if you plan on buying an aftermarket one (intel!). the resell value of the ssd would definitely be greater than the hdd, therefore help funding the aftermarket ssd

 

my bad, i thought the SP processors were the new ultra low voltage processors.