T400 vs T500 questions

Hello, I am getting my husband a laptop for Christmas and I have narrowed it down to either the Lenovo T400 or T500. I'm trying to see which one would be best for him and I'm hoping you can help me out!

From all the research I've done so far on this site, this is how I've broken down the decision:

T400 pros:
- most portable
- best screen (good resolution and LED lighting)
- lowest in price?

T400 cons:
- no Displayport
- weak graphics

T500 pros:
- best graphics card
- Displayport
- up to 1680x1050 resolution (i.e. most screen real estate)

T500 cons:
- heavy, big
- screen options are not great(either a low res LED or a high res fluorescent lighting)

I think he'll use this as his primary computer so I definitely think the extra features of the T500 will be good. I'm a little confused as to why the T400 only has VGA out. That seems very outdated and I'd rather not buy a dock in addition to the laptop. Also, the graphics on the T500 are significantly better than the T400. My husband doesn't play games very much but it's always nice to have the capability to do so down the line - and I think the T500 is more future-proof in that regard.

However, the T400 does have a really great screen. The T500 really misses the mark here. You can't have the best of both worlds in terms of resolution and LED.



So I suppose what I'm asking is: is the great LED screen of the T400 worth losing out on the video out and graphics card features?

And secondly, what are your opinions on the T500's low-resolution LED vs the higher resolution but non-LED screen? Is the T500 LED screen as great as the T400 LED screen so that it is worth losing out on the higher resolution?

FYI: my husband will use the computer for office applications like Word, Excel, PDFs, and some photo editing. As far as gaming, I have no idea what games he plays but it would be great if we didn't have to get a separate machine just for gaming

 

I would get the T500 in the non LED 14.4x900 resolution for an all rounder. LED is nice, but doesn't do you much good if the internals can't drive a game you want (I'm assuming he is a gamer here and that the 3650 will perform significantly better). My Asus is 16.8x1050 but I would like to drop it down a notch in res.

 

If mobility is not a main factor, get the T500. It has more features (like gaming and DisplayPort) when compared to the T400. But if mobility is a big factor, get the T400. (Furthermore, if mobility is of utmost importance, look into the X-series ThinkPads.)

In regard to the screen resolution options on the T500, it depends upon the individual.

Some people have a hard time reading on a 15.4" screen with 1680x1050 (WSXGA+) resolution, where as other people find it perfect (i.e. me). Higher resolution screens make everything look smaller (with the screen size staying the same).

Other people (i.e. my father) like a 15.4" screen with the lower 1280x800 (WXGA) resolution.

As a side note, the LED screen on my T400 is pretty decent.

 

Your husband will love you even more if you get an LED screen. I'm just waiting for the T500 to come out with a higher resoloution LED and then I'm snagging it.

 

Thanks for the input! I think I am leaning towards the T500 right now, just because I think it's a better value (and mobility is not a factor).

The only thing now is to decide which screen to go for. I would like to wait for the higher resolution LED screen but it seems like nobody has any idea if Lenovo will add it? That's a shame, because the MacBook Pro has a great 15.4 inch, high resolution LED screen that would be perfect on the T500.

 

I, very much, concur with Pacmandelight. In comparison to the T500, the T400 is a little more focused on being more portable (but not as much as the X300 series). Personally I’ve owned notebooks with both 15 and 13 inch screens and the 14” screen, for me, is the perfect balance between the two. I like to think the 15-inch screen is great if you use the notebook for longer periods—whereas someone with a 13-inch screen might find its smaller size somewhat frustrating after working on the system for eight hours a day.

Hope this helps. Your husband is a very lucky man—I hope the woman I marry spends this much time researching the gifts she chooses to get for me.

 

If I were you, I would get him involved in the choice. A notebook computer is a very personal thing, and what suits a user's needs and wants can vary wildly.

 

not neccesarily. any laptop a woman would buy me is good enough.

only problem is...

what would i get her in return?

 

Get the LED screen no question.

Only other question is will this be a machine that is primarily left on a desk, if so get the t500. If it is a machine that is going to be used in bed, couch, brought to and from different places then get the t400.

Both are great machines. Anything smaller than 14 is a little bit of a strain on my eyes and I'm only 24.

 

So after subtly asking my husband about his usage preferences, it seems like he'll be using it primarily on a desk. Also, I think the T500 will be better suited for him in terms of features.

The only thing now is to decide which screen to get. All our computers at home are 14" WXGA so maybe the LED WXGA would be fine. What's the consensus on the T500's LED WXGA screen? As good as the T400's LED screen?

 

The main appeal to the LED screens is the power saving and brightness. For a large 15.4" panel, I would not want a 1200x800 resolution screen. Everything would be far too large, but this is really another personal decision. If your husband has poor eyesight, he might actually appreciate it more. It is also my opinion that I prefer higher resolution screens as well, so you might want to subtly hint about that too.

If power saving isn't a concern, a CCFL high resolution lcd would be perfectly fine.

 

I still think it would be better to have him involved rather than picking something for him.

 

I second that.
It's not like you're getting him a sweater. He'll have to use the computer for years, for many hours a day, and won't be able to switch.

It's not a watch, either, where functionality is shadowed by looks.

The screen is the most important factor in choosing a laptop. And since you've not decided on that, get him involved, I say.

The non-LED screens are okay, but they will need to be replaced in 3-4 years. My old Dell was red after 3 years.

personally, if my girl got me a computer I didn't like, and I had to use everyday, I'd be grateful and a tad annoyed at the same time.

 

Hey everyone, which laptop is thicker? T400 or T500? I've been reading a lot of posts and can't find real comparable measurements. How thick is the T500 exactly at its thickest point? Thanks!

 

Holy thread resurrection.

I've rather surprised you've not been able to find the dimensions of the T400 and T500 laptops.

The T500 is 0.1" thicker at the minimum thickness and they're the same at the maximum thickness.

See lenovo.com for the rest of the info. Its very easy to find: Home > Products > Laptops & netbooks > ThinkPad laptops > T Series > Tech Specs

 

I wasn't about to find anything consistent. But you've clarified everything. Thank you!