T400s officially announced.

Slightly off topic, but anyone caught in a bind over the SSD options might appreciate this:
http://www.dvhardware.net/article36401.html

Hopefully will result in at least a price drop for the older offerings.

 

too bad no discrete graphics or this would be an instant buy for me

 

is there gonna be like a t 500s

 

Came across a HDTune-screenshot in a chinese review. Quite irritating if you have a look at the announced specs, isn't it?:



source: http://translate.google.com/transla...163.com/digi/09/0629/06/5CV3I2DB001628BV.html

 

That benchmark result is too low.

The T400s review on this site had a much higher benchmark (although still below the rated 220/200 speed).

 

Yes, Kevin's reviews are always the best - and fastest !

But your screenshot shows the well known Samsung drive, the one i postet the (new?) Toshiba SSD.

http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2008_12/pr1801.htm

 

Can't wait to get mine (ESD 07/07/09), than will run any test you guys want me to

 

http://lenovoblogs.com/insidethebox/?page_id=20 - some interesting Q&A with Matt Kohut. Nothing special in the actual article, but Response section afterwards has useful info.

 

just a heads up for anyone considering buying a t400s (or any machine with an ssd)

word is that intel is going to release a new stable of ssd's in a couple weeks
these will supposedly be faster, larger, cheaper than their current offerings:
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1406326/intel-34nm-nand-ssds-launch-weeks

might be worth holding off to see what will be available

 

Current Intel deals (not from Lenovo):
x25-m (80GB) $314
x25-m (160GB) $619
x18-m (80GB) $347
x18-m (160GB) $936

Announcement about Intel new 34nm nand SSD doesn't specify if its 2.5" or 1.8" although they do hint about "to replace the HDDs in most, if not all laptops", so they might be hinting about mainstream 2.5". Either way, prices might come down, but I don't think we should expect bargains.

I still think that Samsung 128GB SSD hdd upgrade is a great deal. Performance wise Samsung is behind Intel but still at the top. I just looked at my invoice again, and by calling and ordering T400s from Lenovo over the phone versus on-line, they actually applied 25% discount. So this $240 upgrade cost me really $180. And even if you use 15% e-coupon, it’s close to $200 for 128GB SSD drive. Still a great deal!

 

I've read just about all the online reviews and maybe it's b/c I was paying close attention, but most of the reviews said that the screen had great brightness and colors, but a constrained viewing angle. This was my experience with the T400 wxga+ led...I simply could not find a sweet spot when watching a video, esp. in dark scenes. When reading a webpage it seemed fine, though. But I watch more and more of my video on a laptop screen, so this is a big important thing for me.

 

Check it out. I love how they go through every single part of T400s. There are more videos on the right side.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMhIJgwDFls&fmt=18

Also, I heard rumors circulating around new ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 and possibility of dedicated GPU?!? In its spec, Multiple video ports: 1 VGA monitor, 2 DVI, 2 Display Port and Video controller. What do you guys think? On a go using integrated GPU, and if you are really into 3D gaming or 3D intense graphics (CAD, etc.) - plug into docking station and use external GPU connected to multiple displays

And last but not least, another interesting review I came across in another forum: http://forums.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=77991

 

they've had an advanced dock with a graphics card in it for quite some time
but the card is nothing even close to good for 3d gaming
basically something to give a couple of dvi ports, iirc
i think the t400s version of this dock is the same thing

if you want the ability to plug your laptop into a desktop gaming video card
check out the discussion here on the vidock 2 http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=390634

 

What are the chances that the t400s will get a decent vid card? I'm holding off on a laptop for this. I really like the new design in the t400s

 

there is no chance
the t400s will not get a discrete video card option

 

What about a t500s, will that come out soon and will that have discrete vid?

 

I think the "s" designation is for slim. A 14" laptop is a more suitable form factor for a slim and light model. Also, because of the increased heat, it is doubtful that we'd see a discrete graphics card in a slim and light laptop. I could be wrong, but the chances of a T500s are "slim"

 

I don't care if it is super slim, i mainly wanted the keyboard, speakers, mic design.

 

Its a shame it cant hold a 2.5" drive. What a downer.

 

Agreed. That was one of the things that held me back on purchasing an X301. However, I think 1.8" drives will probably become more mainstream in the future (Sandisk is making both 1.8" and 2.5" versions at all capacities for their upcoming G3 SSDs). Of course, it isn't so great for early adopters, but in the long run, i don't think 1.8" will be such a deciding factor.

 

Well it does...sorta. I plan on getting the T400s and installing an X-25 SSD in the ultrabay. I use a similar arrangement in my T60 and it works very well.

 

That is an option.

Although I would recommend a 1.8" SSD (e.g. x-18M) and a 2.5" HDD for bulk data storage if you need both speed and space.

Of course if you already own an x-25M then you are in a bit of a bind.

 

Ya and then you lose the CD/DVD drive in the bay. Its a lose-lose situation. I was shocked to hear it didnt hold a 2.5" drive in such a large laptop. I mean come on, NETBOOKS even have 2.5" drives in them. Poor decision on Lenovos part.

 

Are you able to boot your OS from the ultrabay hard drive?

 

My T60 will boot from either.

 

Got my T400s today - super slim and super fast The only thing, coming of 15" flex view screen on my T42 and T60, I need to get used to this new display. Colors feels a little washed out and not as rich.

BTW, here is a crystal disk mark of my Samsung 128GB SSD MLC hdd:

 

Impressive. Those numbers for you 128GB Samsung SSD are quite a bit higher than the original review unit. Yours may have a newer firmware that performs better for small random writes.

 

It's unfortunate that small read and write speeds are not really improved compared to older Samsung drives. Those are the speeds that really matter.

 

The next step will be to run graphics test to compare Intel GMA 4500MHD to my ATI x1400 and ATI Radeon 9600 I have on other laptops. Any recommendations for a good video benchmark test? I actually read somewhere that 4500MHD is on par with x1300/x1400. Curious to see it myself. I just wish I can find an equivalent of Omega drivers for Intel which I have running on my other ThinkPads with ATI video card

 

They are improved compared to older drives, the screen shots above and if you check the older review, prove it. The MLC drives were always below their SLC counterparts. Besides they are still a whole magniture higher than any HDD. They're not the fastest but overall they are very fast (fast enough) AND much cheaper than any other solution per GB. And btw the X18-E doesn't exist... yet, only X18-M right now.

I think most people use 3DMark (which version I'm not sure, I just pick 06 lol). As long as the resolutions are the same on both notebooks, then you can compare them evenly.

 

i read somewhere that optical drives will soon be replaced by SD slots since they require less space and capacities for storage are increasing. so with all this extra room freed up with not having a optical drive, think about the possibilities that the space could be used for

 

I am 100% on board with this. The rapidly cratering prices and exploding capacities of SD cards allowed me to step from a two spindle T40 to a single spindle x200. I'm also using a 1.8" main drive (w/ 2.5" adapter) as they are lighter and perform superbly.

However, a lot of people still need optical drives for watching DVDs and some other tasks (I prefer ISOs and Daemon tools, but to each his own).

 

Did you order a webcam with your T400s ?

I am wondering if it actually comes with a 1.3 or 2mp cam

 

i'm pretty sure it comes with a 2mp camera.

 

Yes, got webcam with mine. Not sure how to check MP# Tabook clearly states 2MP, so I assume its a typo on Lenovo site. I wonder if I take a picture and open it in some editor where I can see data, maybe that will give a clue about MP count?

 

Is there specific software for the webcam? If you can take a screenshot with your webcam and the picture is 1600×1200 (1920000 pixels), then you have a 1.92MP (approx. 2MP) webcam.

 

the new design is definitely an improvement.
just wait for the next T4XX, which should include this design but will be even better than the t400s.

EDIT: More appropriately, the T5XX

 

Ditto! Camera is 2MP, was able to take 1600x1200 and it came out pretty good!

... updated my sig already

 

Most likely they will adapt new design and introduce next Intel processor family/chipset. But better than T400s? not sure about it. These are apples and oranges. T400 will still be a thicker laptop with an option for discrete graphics, while T400s still be slimmer/lighter and with integrated graphics.

 

How much worse is the screen compared to your flexviews? Is the contrast ratio at least okay? Are dark scenes in videos viewable without too much shifts and inversions?

Also, which screen FRU did you get? There seems to be 2 possible options according to the service manual.

 

I know that screen part number is 44C7944, not sure if its the same as FRU number? Where can I find service manual?

The screen is just different. I can't comment on videos since I haven't played anything yet (didn't spend too much time with T400s). "Worse" is a relative term. Coming off 5-6 years of using T42/T60 with flexview I’m just used to dark screen and rich colors. T400s is too bright, colors seem to be a little washed out, viewing angle is not as good as flexview. I had brightens level adjusted to my liking, and than had to change it several times once I went to other websites with a white background. I don’t think there is anything wrong with T400s screen, I have seen similar on a number of other laptops. I think contrast ratio is adequate. When I get a chance to view some video clips, I will report back on it.

I wonder if anybody else with T400s or X300 or T400 with a same screen can chime in with their comments about it?

 

I just got my t400s today but so far I don't really have any complaints about the screen. I am switching from a glossy 17" screen on my Dell Inspiron 9300. Reading what people say about the screens on ThinkPads made me expect the worst but I just watched a couple short videos and it's much better than some other screens I have seen recently. I haven't had much of a chance to play around with the laptop yet but so far the colors and screen quality have impressed me based on my expectations.

 

The type of your T400s is 2801-xxx ?

I am kind of hesitate to order due to the 1.3MP on the order site.

 

Flexview is an IPS (or PVA) screen I believe, it would be 10x better than any TN panel on the market. Unfortunately, I don't think there are any notebooks that have this type of screen. Compared to other TN panels, it's average to above average.

It's 2.0MP confirmed (on previous page).

 

FlexView is IPS. FFS and PVA operate under similar trade names and provide similar benefits. There are no conventional notebooks available with FlexView style displays at present but almost all tablets have a display of either an FFS or PVA type.

 

Any word on how long we might have to wait for the T400s to start shipping with intel SSDs? Checking this thread once a week with bated breath and an itchy purchase button trigger finger..

 

I could be wrong, but thought Intel ssd option should be available mid of July. Try calling Lenovo directly to inquire about it. This is not going to be a cheap upgrade (in comparison to Samsung), but I'm sure it will be cheaper than buying it from outside.

 

I am wondering why the current configuration of T400s 2801 on Lenovo website has not show up on the july tabook yet.

 

Does it really matter? Users have them in their hands and if you have any questions/concerns, just post and ask them.

 

that's what i was asking,

anybody ordered a 2801 yet, the initial batches when it first appears on Lenovo website are not 2801's