T440p Owner's Thread

The other issue with 7260AC has been persistent wifi drop-outs. I experienced them, even with the newest drivers directly from Intel, but after I upgraded to an AC router, they magically disappeared. Funny, that.

 

Oh you just wait a while, they'll be back. Never came across a bigger piece of sh-t wifi hardware than the Intel 7260AC. People shouldn't buy that thing, period.

 

Apparently Lenovo thinks that as well, since I notice they're offering only the 3160 AC in several models now, whereas they offered the 7260 AC before.

 

Well, I got rid of my t440p as soon as I got it. Never used such a bad notebook, and I have been through a lot of notebooks. The only suitable option for my situation was a Clevo W230ST based notebook. That also came with the Intel 7260AC. I tried that card for 2 months, but didn't get through one day without dropouts. Really ridiculous, and Intel just couldn't get a decent driver out there, I tried them all. When used in Linux I never had problems with it, but under Windows it was cr-p.

I sent it back for a refund and got me a Bigfoot Wireless Killer N1202. Never seen a better wireless connection in my life. Gave me the full 100Mb download through my fiber isp (100Mb is the maximum for my subscription) combined with my Asus AC66U. I didn't even know that was possible without a wire... And it finally gave me monitor mode possibility in Linux (airmon-ng).

So your best option is to toss that Intel cr-p, and get something worth your money. Something with an Atheros (Bigfoot N1202) or Broadcom chipset, because they do know how to make good stuff. Intel never showed me a decent wireless interface.

 

I don't get it - I have a 7260AC (t440s in this case), none of the APs (including my router) that I connect to are 802.11ac (which supposedly solves the problem), and I'm not getting random dropouts. Maybe I'm on a later driver revision than you guys? The worst I've seen is the wifi not working when resuming from sleep, which required disabling/reenabling it in Device Manager (and finally, disabling power saving in there to fix it entirely). Windows 8.1 x64 here.

 

Not everyone is suffering from the problem. But if you do a Google search on "Intel 7260AC dropouts" you will see there are a lot of problems with the card for almost a year (!) now. I just don't trust Intel anymore with the wireless stuff. I also had dropouts with my bluetooth on this card, so I was completely done with it.

 

I just purchased a T440p. It had an HDD that I'm replacing with an SSD. The operating system is Windows 7 Pro, installed using downgrade rights from Windows 8.1 Pro. I did a clean install to the SSD from a retail Windows 7 Pro disk and all went well, with one exception. The Synaptics touchpad driver is crashing. After booting and logging in, a Synaptics info box pops up with the message that "Synaptics Touchpad 64-bit Enhancements has stopped working". The problem details show that the problem event name is "APPCRASH" and the application name is "SynTPEnh.exe". When I use the "Mouse" control panel, I get another error box popping up saying that it can't communicate with the touchpad and, though the UltraNav tab is present, I can't interact with it.

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the driver with no success. During my first clean install, the UltraNav drivers were installed as part of running Thinkvantage System Update. I did a second clean install where I installed the UltraNav driver before running TVSU to install other drivers but end up with the same problem.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm in the process of installing from the recovery media for Windows 7 Pro, to see if the problem persists. I didn't have this problem with the original installation that came on the HDD. Thanks much!

 

I did a clean install on mine with a downloaded iso, using the CoA number that came with the laptop. (Mine came with Win 7 Pro.)

I installed all drivers that I could from Intel and vendors, but I did put the Synaptics driver on from the Lenovo site. It is v 18.0.7.40, 4/7/2014. It works fine.

I installed Lenovo Update just as a means for seeing what there might be that's new, but I don't use it to install drivers. I have no Lenovo utilities other than Power Manager installed, because I wanted to set charging thresholds.

Drivers from Lenovo include trackpad, hotkeys, camera, fingerprint, and cardreader.

Other than that, it's a pretty clean install.

Something you've got on there is conflicting. What's it look like in Device Manager?

 

I think that this is the key. I have an AC router and the wifi card works great.

 

I have an AC router and kept having problems, so that's not the key. Use Atheros or Broadcom chips for wifi and don't use Intel, that is the key.

Verzonden vanaf een Galaxy Nexus met CM10

 

Thanks for the reply. Installing from the Windows 7 Pro recovery media fixed the problem. I decided to just call it good and not try fighting the problem with the clean install. From what I recall of the Device Manager report when I was trying to diagnose the problem is that it showed everything as fine with the UltraNav device. It seems like the problem wasn't the driver but the "SynTPEnh.exe" program that kept crashing on boot. Looking at the Task Manager list of processes shows it running now just fine.

 

Whatever. Mine works as expected after educating myself about how to configure both adapter and router. Well, some trial and error, too.

Lenovo's whitelist won't allow some of those other cards, anyway.

Lex, the readers here are aware of the problems you had with both of your devices, and we also appreciate the troubleshooting and information posts you made here about it. I think you've convinced yourself, however, that the AC+ThinkPad combo simply won't work and that is just not the case.

 

Google it yourself, it's sh-t hardware. Atheros and Broadcom have proven to be reliable. And they have way better Linux support.

But if you're happy with it, go be happy and don't go telling people they need to buy more expensive stuff. It's annoying and you're not helping people.

Verzonden vanaf een Galaxy Nexus met CM10

 

Commander Wolf/Another photoguy,

I was wondering if you could comment on how the T440p compares with the E6410, now that you've been using the T440p for a couple of months. Still satisfied?

I'm typing this on my own E6410, four years old now and am looking for replacement. It has been a great workhorse for me, but Dell doesn't offer customization any longer, so I'll have to take my business elsewhere. I'm a researcher, doing a lot of satellite data processing, often data sets of +100 million points. A lot of my work I'm doing on a supercomputer, but I would like a powerful notebook for the 'lighter' jobs. I've been looking around for quite some time now, the T440p with its quad-core looks like the only option for me out there.

I'm not doing any photo/video editing, but since I'm working most of the day on my notebook, screen quality is important. Not using a docking station or external screen.

Your thoughts would be very much appreciated!

 

Hi all guys!
I've read almost all the thread in those days, cause i'm really intrested in purchasing a T440p

I'm really scared reading this thread, cause really it seems this laptop is cheap made and has problems of fans and evend bricks! (never heard on a laptop O.O)
Now my configuration would be:
16gb ram
i7-4710MQ
500gb hdd (that will go in the ultrabay and place my ssd in main slot)
No discrete graphics, no need/want just the hd4600 will be enough
No webcam
No fingerprint reader
No smart card reader
Backlight keyboard
9-cell battery
14" fHD Screen (hoping for AUO!)
intel AC wireless

My plan is to use it with Linux only (no dualboot) and for extensive session of work (so the 9-cell)

Is it really that bad of a laptop? Are there any alternatives at around the same weight and battery-life and CPU power?

Thanks and regards!

 

Honestly, you can find bad things written about every laptop ever made without much effort. The perfect laptop, as always, remains elusive. People on forums tend to be enthusiasts as well and are more likely to bemoan any problems, perceived or otherwise. I don't think there's a lot of choices for 14" notebooks with quad cores.

 

Yeah I am reading also other owner0s thread of other laptops and I can see many people moaning about problems

A question to the owners!
I'm planning an MQ CPU with a 9cell battery, for basic workflows what battery life do you get? Is it at least 6h?

Thanks!

 

For what it's worth, I love my T440p. In the time I've owned it I've only had a handful of complaints:

Fn+Ctrl key placement is awful. I switched them in the BIOS but now my Ctrl key is very small and my Fn key is wide. Less than ideal.
I personally adore the quick access to F-key functions (volume up/down), but hitting the actual F keys themselves is annoying.
No media keys (play/pause/next/previous)
LG IPS screen is ugly. Tons of burn in and problems. I've tried asking Lenovo to swap it out for the AUO but every time they send a tech over he has an LG screen. I haven't tried in a few months, maybe I'll try again.

I have the 4800MQ with the 6-cell battery, and I regret not getting the 9-cell. I only get about 2.5-3 hours of battery life on Windows 8, so I'd imagine with the 9-cell you'd get 4.5-5 hours on power savings mode.

 

Well seems fine to me
I really don't use the f1->f12 keys when programming so it's ok for me to leave them that way, for ctrl/fn swap I think will be annoying yes :/

About the battery, I will use linux so I think with the 9cell I can get like 6-7h seeing that my actual laptop does 2h 45min on windows and 4h and 15min on linux with similar use!

Thanks for the reply

 

There must be something wrong with your setup if you can only get that much battery life.

On a 4700MQ with a 6 cell battery running Windows 8.1 (Lenovo Y510p), I can easily get 4 hours. If I am more conservative, I can make it up to 5 hours.

Either you are doing very heavy tasks, or perhaps there is an app/process eating away at the battery in the background.

 

Sorry another question to the owners

Is the M.2 slot SATA3 (6gb/s) or it's PCIe (10gb/s) ?? It's very important cause I'm planning to buy some superspeed ssd for it (along with a sata3 ssd I already own)

Thanks and regards!

 

I think it's SATA3.

 

It's the latency, not the throughput, that makes SSD fast.

 

Just purchased a brand new T440p basic spec off eBay very, very cheaply. I've also purchased a core i7-4600m and an FHD IPS LCD. Swapping out the stock Core i5 was the easiest CPU upgrade I've every done on a laptop. Replacing the LCD was also a doddle, it's a great display as well much better than the stock 1366x768 TN display.

I know I'm in the minority but I'm loving the keyboard and new trackpad. I understand why many dislike it, especially if you're a trackpoint user. However I've never used the trackpoint myself and find the new trackpad works really well.

The T440p is a great little machine, I've been struggling with an XPS 9530 for months, very, very unreliable and it's great to use a laptop that just works really well.

 

That's a relief to listen to this Congrats for the new lap!

Yes I know that, but from what I read PCIe SSD have also a greater IOPS so maybe in 2-3 years if I want to give a little boost to the machine I will be able to if it was PCIe

 

Where did you buy the new CPU and screen? Any chance you could provide links to both?

EDIT: I found the 4700MQ on newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116970&cm_re=i7-4700mq-_-19-116-970-_-Product. and amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Mobile-Processor-i7-4700MQ-2-4GHz/dp/B00E0NWW22. Do you know if any T440p system should be able to take any CPU that Lenovo has an option to ship with?

 

According to the parts list Lenovo did offer the i7-4700MQ (FRU: 04X5374) as an option on the T440p so it would be safe to assume this processor would work on this system.

 

My advice is to just get a large capacity SSD. I bought a bay adapter and put the shipping HDD in there as a second drive, and I was disappointed. First, it's noisy. I could hear the motor noise through the keyboard. Second, it makes heat. Bay adapters don't vent heat well and it just rises up through the keyboard. Eventually, the right side of the laptop is warm. Not hot, per se, just annoyingly warm.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, in reality it really is enough for me the ssd I already have (256gb) I was putting the hdd in the ultrabay cause I really don't use cd/dvd in years and did not want to leave a hole in the laptop ahah xD

 

Just received a new t440s after my t410 started flaking out. The old trackpoint was great and the track pad ok. The new pad is really much better but, as others have noted, the trackpoint seems to be downgraded with the loss of real buttons and incredibly loud clicking of the pad. Also, I have noticed my finger gets strained if using the trackpoint too much.

On the old trackpoint you could adjust the force sensitivity. On the current driver (just updated to latest to make sure no changes) there is no such setting. Any ideas?

 

My T440p should turn up early next week, i bought a cheap BNIB from ebay to replace my ageing XPS m1330!

It's a low'ish spec (i5-4200m, 4gb, 500gb, standard screen etc..), so i plan on doing some upgrades once it arrives, 16gb ram, 256gb SSD (m100 probably) & 1080p screen. CPU maybe sometime in the future.

Are these machines fussy with RAM or will any pair of the right spec work?

Thanks
Steve

 

Hi Guys, I just got my t440p for a couple of days. So far so good. The is only one thing I am a bit frustrated. After starting the OS (win 8.1), heat starts from left side of my keyboard and then disperses toward the left palm rest and the touchpad. I have updated all the drivers to the lastest. And also 've tried win 7. But the problem is still there... Anybody here has idea? Really appreciate it!

 

I've been using G.SKILL F3-1600C9D-16GRSL in mine for the last year. I don't think it's picky on RAM, as long as you get the right type.

 

Is it really a problem?

Heat generation is normal and usually noticeable by hand in a laptop, especially when utilizing the CPU and GPU more. As long as your fan is kicking on to cycle the air, there's nothing to worry about. Unless it's getting alarmingly hot. What temps are you getting, and what CPU/GPU do you have?

 

Thanks for your reply. I would not have posted it here if I am fine with it. The temp difference between left and right of the keyboard is more than 10 degrees... That heat also hits the left palm rest and touchpad... somehow annoying... My model is i5 with no dedicated GPU.

Right now I am using TPFancontrol for a higher fan speed to get lower temperature. But that brings up fan noise.... So far, it seems no perfect solution...

 

Thanks for the reply, after my laptop arrived i went ahead and bought 16GB of Corsair Vengeance RAM which is working fine. Along with my other upgrades, this laptop is nice and quick, the 1080p panel i fitted made a massive difference

The only thing i don't particularly like with this laptop is the click-able track pad, i would much prefer a non click-able track pad with a couple of button at the bottom instead. Not really a massive problem though, i'll probably get used to the track pad over time.

 

If you don't mind my asking, what temps are you getting? I've got an i5 also, but the upgraded GPU as well. I haven't taken mine out of the dock for a few months, though. I'll have to check mine for a comparison. Is the temp getting high like that while on battery, too? Or just plugged in?

 

Hi guys

I got a new t440p from ebay, switched the HDD for a Intel SSD and also ordered a FHD IPS display for it.

I'm thinking of upgrading the ram also can you guys recommend me some good options ?

Thanks!

 

Back in the day ThinkPads could be finicky about memory, but those days are over. When I buy memory, I usually go used on eBay for the best pricing. You've got 45 days to dispute it should it not work out and the chances you'd lose a dispute on eBay are practically nil.

 

If I want to add 4gb more of ram to my existing 4gb, do they have to match exactly the frequency? the one I have is PC3-12800 800mhz

Thanks

 

@ mikeb.84. My experience with mismatched frequencies is YMMV. Some Thinkpads handle it fine and others (even within the same series) may throw a BSOD or refuse to boot to desktop. Not sure what downtime would cost you but in all practicality I would play it safe and purchase a stick with matching frequencies.

 

I'm sporadically having the problem where a relatively fully charged battery won't turn back on unless it's plugged back in first.

The laptop is typically hibernated on a full charge and won't turn back on an hour later unless I plug it in first. I have 2 135W AC adaptors (home/work) and both usually do the trick for making it turn on, but it's somewhat embarrassing not to be able to boot up without an AC adaptor.

Anyone else have or have fixed this issue?

 

Any rumors of a T450P? After returning my T440s last year I might try again if they consistently put decent FHD screens in the T series this time instead of the LG garbage.

 

I bought a T440p last month and just swapped the LCD panel with the AUO version. I'm reporting my findings before and after the switch.

My model arrived with the (expected and much maligned) LG display (LP140WF1-SPK1). I had hoped for AUO but this was not the case. Anyway, the LG display wasn't as bad as some of the earlier ones reported here and from videos posted. Sharpness and colour seem good to very good - no problems after calibration. The "spot light" effect is still there but to a lesser degree. Light bleed was very minimal. However, viewing angles are not great - you need to position your head dead center - and this was a deal breaker for me. Brightness changes significantly around 20-30 degress from center.

I did some research and decided to give the AUO display (B140HAN01.2) a shot. It was less than $100. I ordered from ALI express Wholesale Product Snapshot Product name is Brand new A+ B140HAN01.2 Laptop LCD LED Screen for T440P T440S matte surface 1920*1080 14.0" Full HD. It arrived after 3 weeks; they shipped the 1.2 version (and not 1.1).

I took some photos and videos of the LG display before I installed the AUO display.Replacing the LCD panel was easy (though, I had a scare when the screen turned off in a few seconds after booting the laptop - the issue went away after I reinstalled the LCD).

After a day of use and careful comparison with the former LG, these are my comments:

1. Viewing angles are definitely improved. Brightness changes very slightly off center. This is the main reason to get the AUO display.

2. The spot light effect is greatly reduced, though not completely eliminated. I could have lived with this on the LG if the LG had better viewing angles.

3. Colour and sharpness of the AUO is looks "about the same" as the LG.

4. Light bleed is about the same as the LG. Very minimal and nothing to complain about.

5. No dead pixels on the AUO. The LG had only one.

In short, it is definitely worth the upgrade. There is hope if you received an LG display; you can swap it out with minimal cost.

 

Curious about that as well. The subtle changes in the design of the T450 (non-p) are all positive IMO, but I want a quad-core processor and FHD screen.

 

Hello,

I just bought a T440P. Quick question: is it normal that my lid sort of slops quite a bit when I hold it upwards, i.e. hold the machine by the hinge side?

I came from T420 so I did not expect this.

Thanks in advance!

 

Do you mean this by any chance?

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/T400-T500-and-newer-T-series/T440s-lid-not-flush-with-body/td-p/1538256

 

Hi there,

It is similar but my T440P is fine when sitting on a desk. What I am concerned about is when I hold the machine by the hinge side and the lid upwards(like when you would normally carry a laptop on the go), the lid tends to "open up" a bit. And when I shake the machine in that position, you can see the lid is quite flexy.

Thanks

 

Hi fellow T440p owners, I have a touchpad related question. My T440p touchpad has a shiny or polished of orb in the middle and is seen only at an angle with light shining on it. Is this normal in the t440p. Your replies are appreciated.

Sample pic from net mine is a bit bigger orb: http://imgur.com/u06Dt47,bZa7Qm4,rnfxZBg,tEfsNmR

Its not oil as no amount of cleaning is making it better. Minute particles of paint were coming off on the initial week of use. My brothers t440 shows the same wear and previous z400 had the orb in the middle too.

looking for your experiences and comments to sooth my OCD.

 

i am very good thinkpad t440p and i thinks i will use it in along time