T410 or T410s ?

With the coupon available on the banner of this site here's the two main configuration I'm interested in :

Code:

T410s (CAD 1510.50$)

 	Processor  	 		Intel Core i5-520M Processor (2.40GHz 3MBL3 1066MHz)
	Operating system 		Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
	Operating system Language 	Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 - English
	Display type 			14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ LED Backlight
	System graphics 		IT 5700MHD, i5-520M AMT
	Total memory 			4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 (2 DIMM)
	Keyboard Language 		Canadian French (58) Keyboard
	Pointing device 		T400s UltraNav with Finger Print Reader
	Camera 		        	Integrated Camera Module
	Hard drive 			128GB Solid State Drive
	Optical device 			DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Slim
	System expansion slots 		5-1 Media Card Reader
	Battery 			T400s 6 cell Prismatic Battery
	Power Cord 			65W AC Adapter; NA, LA, (2pin)
	Bluetooth 		        Integrated Bluetooth PAN 2
	WiFi wireless LAN adapters 	Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200
	Language pack 		        English US Publication


Dimensions	14.1W" (WxDxH): 13.3" x 9.5" x 0.83–1.02"; 337 x 241.5mm x 21.1–25.9mm
Weight 		6-cell: starting at 3.94 lb (1.79kg)

Code:

T410 (CAD 1314,75 $)

 	Processor  	 		Intel Core i7-620M Processor (2.66GHz 3MBL3 1066MHz)
	Operating system 		Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
	Operating system Language 	Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 - English
	Display type 			14.1" WXGA+ LED w/WW Ant
	System graphics 		nVidia SG 256MB, AMT
	Modem 				Yes
	Total memory 			4 Go PC3-8500 DDR3 (2 DIMM)
	Keyboard Language 		Canadian French (58) Keyboard
	Pointing device 		UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader
	Camera 				Integrated Camera Module 2.0MP
	Hard drive 			128 Go, SSD
	Optical device 			Graveur de DVD UltraBay Slim
	System expansion slot 		Smart Card Slot
	Battery 			6cell High Capacity Li-Ion Battery TWSL
	Power cord 			90W AC Adpt; NA, LA, (2pin)
	Bluetooth 			Integrated Bluetooth PAN 2
	Integrated WiFi wireless 	Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200
	Language pack 		        English US Publication

Dimensions 	14.1W" (WxDxH): 13.2" x 9.4" x 1.1–1.3"; 335.5 x 239mm x 27.6–31.9mm
Weight 		6-cell: starting at 5.0 lb (2.27kg); 9-cell: starting at 5.35 lb (2.43kg)

Basically the "s" is 200$ more with a lower cpu & gpu but with 80% the weight and 0.3" thinner. I've always tough I'd be getting the 410s but I'm starting to reconsider. Are the difference worth 200$ more ?
Also is the nVidia SG , switchable graphic ? (Like the card support it + the think pad board support it)

 

Since you are CAD, try using coupon code CAPREDFLAGDEALS35 on the T410. Its a huge savings when > 1500, which you've done. Should drop another 500 or so.

 

whoa you can save 500 dollars? Nice.... i wish someone could give me an Australian code that allowed me to save 500 AUD...

 

Thanks ... actually I already had a -25% coupon so the 35 off give me another 10% (-589 instead of -420) but the red flag coupon is valid only on the 410 hmm...

Do you know when it expire ?
I still havent solved if it's worth downgrading the format to upgrade the inside ...

Is the screen on the 410 better than the one on the 410s ? I've heard the 410s use the old 400 screen.

 

More details here. You may need to use the affinity link for it to work, not sure...

Not sure about expiry. But that deal is as low as I've seen, so if you're ready to decide, best to move quickly. Wish I had that deal.

Not sure about the screen (others here know more), but I would suggest getting the "+" version (as you have done) with the higher pixel count. I have the HD+ on my T510 and no complaints.

 

Speaking of coupons, have any of you ever used a coupon which can be used in the UK? If yes, where should one look for them? Thanks.

 

I am in the UK, you can find lenovo UK coupons on this site: lenovo UK coupons

 

Thanks. Much appreciated. +1 rep.

 

Sorry. Double post. Deleted.

 

i vote for the t410s if it is within your budget
other than the poor screen and battery life, i really love it
you'll get a poor screen with the t410
so the t410 is probably only the right choice if you need the extra battery life or extra budget dollars

 

Just got to see my First T410s today, and I was really impressed by it.
Looked amazingly sturdy, professional and the owner (heavy developper) had no complaint. His was SSD mounted so it helpd, and he also used an external Screen, but overall, he was more than glad. I was impressed.
Don't know if that helps though

 

The T410 uses a 2.5" drive, while the T410s uses a 1.8" harddrive. 1.8" SSDs were once hard to find or more expensive. I think that's less of an issue now. It's more a question of weather the lighter T410s is worth the price to you.

I'm not sure which SSDs lenovo is using on their thinkpads now. You should look into it. The intel ones aren't that much more, and are still the best performers, I think.
The two intel SSDs are pretty close in price.
2.5" SSDs
X25-m G2 160GB $450 CAD at newegg.ca

1.8" SSDs
X18-m G2 160GB $520 CAD at newegg.ca

X18-m G2 160GB is $412 USD at provantage.com

Ofcourse if you buy an SSD from a third party you would have to install windows on it. There are guides on this site on how to do that, I've never done it myself though.

If you don't need the Nvidia graphics card you could save quite a bit by going with integrated graphics. I personally think integrated graphics are underated, but that's just me, I'm not a big laptop gamer.

Here's what I configured on Lenovo's Canada site, using integrated graphics.
Using coupon code CAP30OFFT

Intel Core i5-520M Processor (2.40GHz 3MBL3 1066MHz)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 32
14.1" WXGA+ LED
Intel GMA 5700MHD, AMT
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 (2 DIMM)
UltraNav with No Fingerprint Reader
250GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Slim
6cell High Capacity Li-Ion Battery TWSL
Integrated Bluetooth PAN 2
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200
No WWAN support
1 Year Depot/Express Warranty

Price after coupon: $917.25 CAD

Add the X25-m G2 160Gb from newegg.ca for $450 CAD

Total = $1367.25 CAD

 

Here's a T410 config more like yours.
I havne't checked if visaperks.ca can get the price down anymore.
From lenovo's canada site.
using coupon CAPREDFLAGDEALS35 from here

Price = 1087.45 CAD

ThinkPad T410 - 1 Year Depot Warranty
Intel Core i5-540M Processor (2.53GHz 3MBL3 1066MHz)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
14.1" WXGA+ LED w/WW Ant
nVidia SG 256MB, AMT
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 (2 DIMM)
UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader
128GB Solid State Drive
DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Slim
6cell High Capacity Li-Ion Battery TWSL
Integrated Bluetooth PAN 2
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200
None
1 Year Depot/Express Warranty

 

"Ofcourse if you buy an SSD from a third party you would have to install windows on it."

Not if you do a System Disk backup on Windows 7.
Renee

 

this is bad advice
win 7 really needs to be installed from scratch on an ssd
you can't just take an image of a hdd install and restore it onto an ssd

 

Thank you everyone !

Installing W7 from scratch is actually something I've done 3 time past weekend and may actually do with the new laptop anyways (depending of the crapware pre-installed.)

Is the integrated graphic ok to do ligth CAD work ? (Eg it may be slow but the software will run (esp CatiaV5) )

So I have ordered the 410s and hope to be an happy customer.

The main reason I wanted to switch laptop is that I have a perfectly usable 4yr old dell (top spec at the time) but the thing is like 7 lbs so it's not exactly portable.

Thank you all for your help.
It may be just me but I'm not really looking for aftermarket upgrade on a brand new laptop. On my old Dell the only thing I added was a new battery after 4 yrs.