T400s: Some prepurchase concerns

I've been dead set on a T-series since, say, 2001, and was just about to buy a fully specced T400 here in Dubai until I saw that they just officially launched the T400s. Was scouring the whole city for it and finally found it

The reason I need a T series is because of my abysmal record with laptops.

1st, a Compaq Presario 2500 back in 2001. Died within a year and a half (screen hinges died and cost $1000 to change. Binned it)
2nd, a Toshiba (can't remember the model) died after a year and a half (GPU attached to motherboard died. New mobo cost $800. Binned it)
3rd, an HP dv9000 died after a year. Fixed and died again after 6 months. (Notorious GeForce issue. Note to self, NEVER buy any HP products ever again)
4th, Eee PC, still alive and kicking for the past year

Based on my history, build quality and proper cooling is KING for me. I need a laptop that'll last me 4 years. Hence my decision to buy the tanklike T400.

I'm absolutely in love with the T400s, BUT, after handling it recently in-store, is it just me or does it seem more fragile than the T400? I know it has the same rollcage and features as the regular T400, but for some reason I can't believe this svelte beauty (particularly the very thin screen) could withstand the same wear and tear a T400 (or T42 for that matter) would for 4 years.

Your thoughts?

 

Actually it uses a carbon fiber/fiber glass casing material. Actually Lenovo have demonstrated the strength of the T400s by driving a 10 ton truck (maybe slightly less or more) over the laptops, and the only thing that stopped working was the LCD. There is other various video showing people deliberately dropping it and stuffs.

Also, the T4x thinkpads are only strong when it is fully close, it is rather fragile on the base of the laptop due to the lack of full rollcage found on the later thinkpads. This also lead to many T4x GPU failing due to cracked solder connections, when the laptop is carried on its edge with the screen open.

 

With an integrated Intel, you shouldn't be having any heating isssues, esp. it's a ThinkPad. Build quality is top notch too. I would add a couple of years of warranty given your past history..

Just my .02 cents.

 

i stood on mine and nothing happened

enuf said



seriously, i really don't think the t400s is any less durable than t400, however, then main thing about choosing between the t400s and the t400 is whether you need a dedicated display card (only available on t400) and the longest battery life possible (9cell + ultrabay on t400, 6cell + ultrabay on t400s). i choose t400s because it's the flagship (very rational innit), the lighter weight, the good enough battery life (6cell + ultrabay), and most importantly, a screen in the center (that's not a lot to ask, you might think, but the t400's screen is slighly to the right, and it just looks weird imho). oh, and because i don't need a dedicated display card.

 

I second getting a bit more warranty seeing you want it for 4 years and all.