T410s recieved

I just received my thinkpad today, and I have to say this thing is beautiful I want to thank everyone that answered all my concerns. I know for the past few weeks I've pretty much spammed the boards here. Just about everything is perfect on this notebook, except maybe the screen. This thing feels and looks amazing .

 

Congrats! Sounds exciting! If possible, can you comment on the battery-life of your machine after you have tested it? And, could you also share your assessment of the keyboard?

Thanks

 

Love my t410s. Be sure to wear sunscreen if the brightness is on 15.

Regarding the keyboard, I am now very used to it. It is of course the same keyboard as my W510. Using my T61p the other day was strange. I had to look at the keys a bit because the layout is slightly different. You don't really notice until you go back to a downlevel keyboard.

I do like the feel of the T61p keyboard more. NMB rocks.

 

Good to hear graycolor. It's always exciting when you get something as fun as a new notebook

Btw, I saw in another topic of yours that you study Electrical Engineering. I'm doing the same degree and am currently trying to make a decision on which notebook I should buy, based around my degree and the software I use in regards to it.

I'm leaning more so to the Thinkpad X201, owing to its acclaimed portability (plus I like all the flashing LEDs on the monitor heh). But lately I've been reading into the T410(s), and them having a slightly larger screen than the X201 (which is 12.1inch) plus the optical drive, has me questioning whether I really should go for the T410 related series(?) What my ultimate query is, why did you choose the T410s, as opposed to say the X201 (if you looked into it)?

 

Amazing isn't it? Looks slim, feels even slimmer!

 

I can't comment on the battery life as of yet and I won't be able to test it for at least a few days. I did however ask about the battery life before, you can search one of my previous post. The general consensus is worst case 2 hours best case 5 hours on standard 6-cell. With average getting 3-4 hours so about 3:30 some closer to 4 hours. Unfortunately for the keyboard I cannot compare it to any other full-sized Thinkpad, I see you have the R400. I can however compare it to the dell d630, dell d620, hp dv5t, thinkpad x31, thinkpad x41. Dell has the worst keyboards I have used so far. Of the remaining three I liked the feel of the x41, however it was a little cramped (non fullsized). I have to say the T410s has the best keyboard of any notebook I have used. It does not require as much force as the x41 and is not too soft like the dv5t. Whenever I hit a key I know I'm punching it in. No flex on the keyboard except on the key closest to the bottom right (the -> key). I do use it often when searching the web, however it is not a problem.

If you or anyone else has questions don't hesitate to ask.

From the start the software used in Electrical Engineering will not push the CPU. So any "modern" notebook can handle 90 percent of EE software. If it can handle CS5 you can be sure it's good for EE. The only problem software would be autocad which would a require workstation notebook, you thought Crysis though try autocad in 3d. Fortunately, at my University we have yet to use it, and I'm more than 90 percent sure we will only use the 2d side of autocad. This was the case for my brother who completed his B.S. in Civil Engineering. I am still uncertain that integrated graphics will handle autocad in 2d, but I have a dv5t with 9600m gt to fall back on, that I have tested and everything was smooth. So I suggest for the next notebook you get make sure it can handle at least 2d autocad, and have something to fall back on if you need to.

EE is not heavily based on the software side like computer science or computer engineering. We are however expected to have decent knowledge of computer languages. This is subjective, but programming on a 12.1 inch screen just doesn't feel right I have to be constantly scrolling to see what I typed. This was not fun when programming in machine language. I've heard many have no problem programming on 12.1 inch screens so this may just be me. Compared to a 14 inch their is a huge difference in screen size, when I was on for 8 hours (yes I procrastinated) to finish my final I had neck pain even when using a 15 inch screen I can't imagine the 12 inch be any better. Programming on 12 inch was tough, but when it came to typing lab reports it was unbearable. I needed at least 2 windows side by side, this I could not do on a 12 inch. I have however heard the new high resolution screens can do this. So I suggest you should go out and try out them for yourself. This has been my personal experience with smaller screens for others it may be different. Sorry, I couldn't help you out much here.

In regards to DVD drive, yeah I used it like once or twice it does make things easier, but it's definately possible to live without. If you have another computer with a DVD drive create an image of the CD/DVD (I use imgburn free) and just use the image file (daemon tools lite also free) to install.

When I was deciding between the T410 and the T410s I really considered the weight this time. Carrying the dv5t (5.8lbs) to class everyday was annoying. I am rather a small guy 5'8" so this might not be a problem for you.

 

Enjoy your T410s, graycolor! You sure did a lot of probing before getting it.

1. Every ThinkPad T should be as thin and light as this one, or at least try hard to come close.

2. 3 ~ 3:30 on standard 6-cell is more like it. 4 ~ 5 hours are laughable, given the unnatural settings.

3. The keyboard is good as it is. Those who have used older T's will miss the "classic" feel (which is still there with the X201).

4. You are very observant about the minor flex around the bottom right area.

5. Watch out for the Fn and Ctrl keys.

 

(1) I have a 6-cell battery lasts for about 5 hrs.

(2) The original keyboard with the R400 was not very good. It flexed quite a bit and was the perforated type. It was replaced by Lenovo under warranty (I think) and at my request. It is the solid back plate keyboard.

Thanks. One quick question: You referred to my R400 and said it is not a fullsized keyboard. I thought the T4xx"s" also had a full-sized keyboard. Most likely I am wrong, but I thought I'd just clarify this point.

 

I was speaking in the context of the T410s itself.

I was thinking of T41, T43, T60...

 

Sorry about that, the wording must have been a bit confusing. Now that I've reread my sentence it does sound like what you said. What I meant to say was that the t410s is the first full-sized Thinkpad keyboard I've used, and that I can't compare properly compare keyboards with my older Thinkpads like the x31 and x41.

 

Could you comment on your T410s hardware configuration? Which GPU is in use? What drives are in the machine? What are you typically doing during the six hours? Is the six hours a constant on state?

Could you also comment on the power profile in use. Are you using a Win7 x64 supplied profile, x86, a Lenovo Power Manager supplied profile, or a custom derivative of one of those?

Thanks

 

Hes using R400

 

oh well, then nevermind.

 

This is what I'm worried about. My current notebook has a screen of 15 inch so going down to 12.1 inch will be new. I played around with an X201 at a local store though. Typed a few things in notepad and it seemed ok to me. Thanks for your input anyhow.