T400 vs X200 outer case???

Hello everybody, im currently looking at a t400, and a x200. I cant really decide on which one i want.

Ive noticed that the x200 doesnt have the inner rollcage, which is a real down side, but something i think i can live with. But i cant live with the x200s price.

My queastion is, i see the T400 has the inner rollcage, but im wundering if the outer case(the bottom side of the laptop, and the top side of the LCD) is made out of the magnesium alloy like the x200??

Or am i miss understading this completely??

Ive been searching online for awhile now, and cant seem to find a anwser to this.

thanks

 

You shouldn't worry about the inner roll cage when choosing between a x200 and a t400. The x200 do have protective inner support but it might not be the same exact roll cage design. When you choose between the laptops you need to choose between their sizes and uses. The x200 is very sturdy so you do not need to worry about that.

 

The X200 is a smaller notebook (obviously) and as a result is less prone to flexing. So the lack of a rollcage on the X200 is less of a concern than you might first think.

 

Thanks for the replies.

Both these laptops will be able to handle what it is im looking to do, but why not get a 14inch model that has more power for the same price. Atleast thats what im thinking. Maybe ill be able to get one more year of use out of the 14in model over the 12in model due to the graphics card, etc.

Im just wundering if the T400 had the "magnesium" outter shell?? Or is it just hard thick plastic, with the rubber coating??

 

it has the magnesium outer shell.

 

The question is how much do you intend to move your laptop??

The x200 is about 30% lighter than the T400 but provides very comparable performance (weaker for games, but on par for almost everything else) at a reasonable price.

If you intend to use your laptop in only one location, primarily use the built in LCD, frequently need a DVD±RW drive, and/or intend to play games on your laptop you should consider the T400.

However, if you take your laptop with you on a daily basis, use it in lecture halls/conference tables/airplanes/your lap, and/or use a dock/external monitor when you are at your main desk (nullifying any screen advantage for the T400) you will be better served by the lighter x200.

 

Well i just bought the T400, and i hope it works out. I do alot of music production with my laptops, so i needed something with alittle bit of juice, but also something tht i can throw around alittle bit, or maybe survive having a drum set fall on it. Which is what happened to my last "work" laptop.

I still havent found out if the laptop has the magnesium outer shell. The poster above says it does, but i cannot find anything else on the web that supports this. But i guess ill have to wait for mine in the mail and see.

 

The "Personal Systems Reference" (tabook) lists:

T400: Top: Super-Elastic PolyCarbonate (SEPC); Bottom: Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Plastic

X200s: Display cover: Carbon-fi ber reinforced plastic (top),
glass-fiber reinforced plastic (side walls); Base: Magnesium alloy

My wife's T400 doesn't seem much (if any) less sturdy than my X200 tablet.