T440 Vs T440s with HD+ Screen: Any Issues in Going with T440?

Hello everyone,

Owing to a tight budget, I'm thinking of going with a T440 rather than a T440s. (Or I could get a slightly better spec'd T440 over T440s for the same budget)

I'm looking at i5-4300U/8GB RAM/256GB SSD/HD+ screen at the very least.

If I go for FHD, it's definitely T440s. But I'm just thinking of going with HD+ screen and I'm thinking why not go with T440 to fit it within my budget.

Are there any significant disadvantages to going with T440 over T440s? My priorities are: lightweight, good keyboard, HD+ or higher resolution (iffy on the FHD or higher).

I could find the following thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/737769-t440-t440s-what-s-difference.html

Also, I've gathered the following from notebookcheck's reviews of both the machines (HD+ versions).

Dimensions (in mm)
T440 /HD+: 21.0 x 340 x 233
T440s/HD+: 20.6 x 331 x 226
T440s/FHD: 20.7 x 331 x 226

Weight
T440 /HD+: 1.7 kg Power Supply: 0.25 kg
T440s/HD+: 1.56 kg Power Supply: 0.34 kg
T440s/FHD: 1.7 kg Power Supply: 0.26 kg

Screen Specs
T440 /HD+: 14.0 inch 16:9, 1600x900 pixel, Lenovo B140R102 V1, TN LED, glossy: no
T440s/HD+: 14 inch 16:9, 1600x900 pixel, B140RTN03.0, TN LED, glossy: no
T440s/FHD: 14.0 inch 16:9, 1920x1080 pixel, B140HAN01.2, glossy: no

Sreen Performance
T440 /HD+: Maximum: 294 cd/m² Average: 268.1 cd/m² Brightness Distribution: 86 % Black: 0.918 cd/m² Contrast: 320:1
T440s/HD+: Maximum: 232 cd/m² Average: 219.6 cd/m² Brightness Distribution: 91 % Black: 0.98 cd/m² Contrast: 237:1
T440s/FHD: Maximum: 310 cd/m² Average: 282 cd/m² Brightness Distribution: 85 % Black: 0.38 cd/m² Contrast: 816:1

Any thoughts/comments from the owners/users of either machines will be appreciated.

Thanks very much.

 

If you value screen quality you'll choose the FHD panel. Nothing else comes close within the 440 range.

HD+ panel is meh at best.

Your money, your call.

 

Hmm... Is HD+ that bad?

Edit: I like the FrankenPads, you've linked to in your signature. Very interesting.

 

When compared to the FHD panel, yes.

Thank you. I still enjoy them myself...:hi2:

 

I think because of my budget, I'll have to either go with an HD+ screen or maybe look at getting an E7440 with FHD display.

What do you guys suggest?

 

If you're in the U.S. you should be checking Lenovo Outlet every few hours for a FHD unit. There are also eBay sellers who sell NIB machines. HD+ would not be my choice...

While I haven't tried one myself, my understanding is that it's a fine machine with a lousy keyboard.

How about posting your budget and geographical location?

 

Thanks for your message, "ajkula66".

My budget is about US$1100; give or take another $100 if it means getting a better config. I'm in Australia, but a friend is visiting US and will be able to carry the laptop for me.

Lenovo Outlet is out of question for time constraints. I almost bought an i5-4300U, 8GB, 256GB SSD, FHD on lenovo outlet for about $1200 including taxes, but I had issues with credit card. Later on I saw somewhere on the Internet that Lenovo Outlet doesn't allow purchases via international credit cards.

Any idea, if I'd be able to get similarly spec'd machine ready to ship within my budget?

Regarding, E7440... the only thing that is preventing me from purchasing that is the keyboard flex. A colleague at work has it with 1366x768 resolution and I used the keyboard for a bit. The flex on middle right is horrible. These are the only two machines (E7440 and T440s) I have been able to shortlist.

 

I believe Lenovo in general doesn't allow purchases via international credit cards, so your best bet would be to have a friend/relative in the U.S. pay for your laptop, then for you to reimburse them.

For less than $1000 including tax, you should be able to get a T440s with an FHD screen and a spinning hard drive. Then, it would be a simple matter to buy a 256GB SSD in Australia for another ~$150 and swap it in yourself.

If you'll be purchasing in the U.S., give the Lenovo Barnes and Noble Gold site a try as well. You'll need to make an account, but then it's an easy 15% off.

On the matter of the FHD screen, I would agree with ajkula66 that it's the best panel by far, compared to the HD+ and HD displays. If text size is an issue, DPI settings should alleviate most of the issues.

 

Thanks for the excellent suggestion, MidnightSun. Appreciate it.

I was able to configure one to my desired configuration (with an FHD display) for $1360 shipped with an SSD or about $1200 with a spinning drive. The wait time is a bit excessive though (shippin in 10-12 days). Wouldn't work for me. My friend flies back on 30th

 

If your friend is in New York by any chance, he might be able to buy you one at B&H which is a brick & mortar store that carries quite a few ThinkPads.

If not...someone might be able to give you a clue if we knew where your buddy was staying.

Good luck.

 

Thank you. Yes, he'll be in New York.

I checked B&H; the FHD option comes to $1,633.11 with taxes Will it be worth it?

 

Only you can decide that...

 

Lenovo direct clearly has the better price, but I'll bet it's not as clear if you're comparing it to Australian pricing. The final decision is definitely yours to make.

 

There are some eBay sellers willing to ship overseas, though I don't what the taxes are if any. It just seems your plan is ill-conceived. Your friend won't be able to get a notebook shipped without a permanent address or pay for it without a US bank issued credit card. You could shop at brick and mortar shop, but that will likely cost significantly more, putting it beyond your budget. I think eBay is your best option, my opinion of course.

Between between the E7440 and T440s, I'd say it's a pick 'em depending on you needs, but neither is perfect. My preference would be a T440 with proper trackpoint buttons. I would have even paid more for it, but alas, it would not an option. If you're not a stick user, then it's no big deal.

The E7440 is a very nice notebook with a lot of good qualities - high quality FDH screen, three year warranty, well built, mSATA SSD+ HHD, etc., and I could get it for a lot less than the T440 with Dell Outlet coupons. Unfortunately, its kryptonite is the trackpoint, though it at least has buttons for the trackpoint. It'd not as bad as I feared, but could definitely use some work. I'm hoping with time it'll get better, but we'll see.

 

Thanks ZaZ. Appreciate your inputs.

I went with an HD+ T440s from eBay. Wasn't 100% sure about the FHD screen, plus the price difference was way too much. I'll see how I go with the HD+ screen. Hopefully, it won't be too bad.

I was seeing E7440 and T440s (HD+ screens) being sold for the same price from reputable sellers on ebay. I didn't want to risk it with sellers with not so high feedback. For me, if the price was similar there was no question of going with e7440 because of the keyboard flex I've seen on a colleagues notebook.

I should get have T440s in my hot little hands, by the end of next week

 

Just a thought...I intentionally ordered mine with the HD+ and purchased an FHD AUO via third party, thereby saving $206. Both arrive tomorrow.

 

Congrats. Yes, the waiting is the hardest part. Interestingly, I sold my X220 and it went to New Zealand, though through a shipping service as I'm not one of the sellers who ships overseas.

 

Hmm... I think I went through your thread regarding that. I've never replaced a notebook screen, so not sure if I'll be comfortable doing that.

Not related to the screen: but from what I know the T440s needs to be pried open using a pry tool even after the lid has been taken off. Again, I'm not sure if I'll be comfortable doing that either.

Could you provide an indication of how hard or easy it was replace the screen? Also, were you able to put everything back in together just like it was before you replaced the parts?

 

Honestly, there's no reason to be so timid. I've never replaced a screen either. I've only ever opened up a laptop one other time for a simple RAM upgrade. However, tonight I almost completely disassembled the T440s (I poked around to answer a few other questions I had) and returned it to original condition, save for upgrades.

My laptop arrived this afternoon. I had prepared by ordering an SSD, RAM, and this set of pry-tools: Amazon.com: Set of 5 Professional Laptop, LCD, iPad, iPod Spudgers Non-Mar Nylon and Metal Pry Open Repair Tools for Plastic Cell Phone, Tablet and MP3 Cases: Cell Phones & Accessories

I removed the external battery and disabled the internal battery via BIOS before shutting down. After loosening eight screws, I was then very careful to take my time gently prying the case open with the nylon tools, beginning from the rear near the hinges. The case popped right off with zero broken latches. From there, I plunked in the RAM and SSD very easily. This video is a fantastic guide for the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuXxQDOgVZQ

With regard to replacing the screen, this site with pictures makes it easy enough for a child (or a Waldo): The perfect commuter developer linux laptop: Replacing the display on the T440s

This post from the forum confirms the same steps: http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/743388-t440s-lg-auo-screen-replacement-4.html#post9590688

Get yourself some nylon pry tools, read the instructions made by other owners who are just normal human beings, and take your time. It will be fine.

 

Yep, it's not so bad to access the screen on most Thinkpads, particularly non-touchscreen models. A set of inexpensive nylon plastic pry tools and a bit of patience makes a world of difference.