T440s Owner´s Thread

Did anyone with the LG FHD display (LP140WF1) calibrate theirs and are willing to share their color profile? Perhaps if not any of the T440s owners someone from the T440p people with this display, if they're reading here, too?
Thanks!

 

You kind of threw me here.... doesn't the T440s have a 14" screen, on which the max res (full HD) is 1920x1080?
You could also go with the HD+ screen (1600x900).
Or did I miss something entirely?

 

You are missing step #11....What to do when the T440s corrupts the Samsung 840 Pro.......

T440s is killing Samsung 840 pro SSD's - Lenovo Community

 

Based upon this thread, I decided to go with the FHD Touch screen. I just see too much possible future use of the touch screen to not get it. Also, the touch screen seems to indicate an AUO screen which is (I think) still the better of the two. When we bought this same laptop for my wife, I did the RAM/SSD upgrade myself. It went incredibly smooth.

The only issue I had was trying to boot a Windows 8.1 Pro install from USB stick. Whenever I chose the stick, the machine wouldn't boot from it. I came to find out (from this forum) that my problem was the silly UEFI BIOS being set to SECURE BOOT. If I had turned that off, I would have been able to do the fresh install I wanted. But that was really the only issue with the upgrade process.

Several others have been saying this, but I thought I'd add my worthless opinion. I've read lots of bad things about the Samsung 840 Pro SSD and this particular laptop. That's why I purchased the Samsung EVO for the wife in her T440s. However, just yesterday, I read that the EVO SSD uses TLC memory modules and that these have a poor lifespan? So I opted for the Intel 530 240GB SSD (which supposedly has MLC memory for longer wear). Install should be identical. I'll let you guys know if there's anything weird with it.

 

I just posted this in the T440P thread, but it bears repeating here; the reduced lifespan of TLC is completely inconsequential. I'm fairly convinced by the calculations they did at Anandtech: AnandTech | Samsung SSD 840 EVO Review: 120GB, 250GB, 500GB, 750GB & 1TB Models Tested

For my own part, I've installed Windows 3 times, copied over around 350Gb of media twice, amongst all of my day-to-day usage...... I have basically managed 1Tb or writes in 1 month. Even if I keep writing at the same rate (which I won't, because I rarely replace all my media files, so this is a gross over-estimation), I will manage to expire 1000 write cycles on the 1Tb drive in 83 years.

So for me, the money savings and the benefits of eDrive in the EVO, FAR outweighed any real or perceived lifespan issues of TLC.

 

Drat. I thought the issue had been fixed. Figures. Maybe I should just consider another laptop, and see if I can find a matte screen cover that I can attach that will still work with touch screens. Sigh.

 

i hope that a fix will be available sometime in the near future. planning on snagging the Pro 256gb version when it hits the $120 mark.

 

after a few months, my trackpad is wearing out - I have already tired cleaning it but no luck
anyone else experiencing this issue?

here are some pictures:

 

Ok, reading through the 840 Pro stuff it sounds like some people have had luck just doing a clean install of Win8 (as opposed to using the recovery media). Since I already have the drive I could try that. But, how do I do it? My understanding is they no longer give you the product key, and I'm assuming if I make the USB key using the laptop itself then it is going to have all the extra Lenovo stuff, and would not be a clean install. Is there a way to do it? Or do I have to go buy a new copy of Win8?

 

It's not wearing out. The plastic is just absorbing oil from your fingers.

 

The same happened to my T440s (when I still had it) within a few weeks. Its not wearing out...its just oil from your fingers and you really gotta scrub it hard with a damp microfiber cloth to get it out. I now have a X240 (and same fingers ) but this issue does not happen on it. Maybe they use different materials for the X240 touchpad.

 

It appears that Lenovo is "burning" the Windows 8/8.1 key into the UEFI/BIOS. You can however grab a free program that will tell you what key you're currently using on your laptop. Magic JellyBean Key Finder comes to mind.

You can then obtain a Windows 8/8.1 ISO (from where ever you want, legit or not) and when you run the install, it will grab the Windows 8 key from the UEFI/BIOS and you should be good.

 

I just received a replacement AUO panel directly from Lenovo support, so they're back in stock if anyone has been waiting to get a replacement. I've posted before and after galleries in the LG/AUO screen thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/743388-t440s-lg-auo-screen-replacement-2.html#post9584984

 

Oh, wife complained yesterday of another "Please Wait" screen on the T440s on a wake from sleep. I had installed the Password Manager that someone recommended, but I guess that didn't help. I'll have to check the Event Log and see if there's any mention.

 

Hey guys,

When you guys have your brightness setting on 30% or lower, does the screen auto dims by itself when browsing the internet? It will usually do that for a brief moment that'll last for maybe 5 seconds then the brightness will stabilize. I hope it's not a defective inverter.

 

I have had fairly constant communication with Lenovo about this over the past few months and my understanding was there was never an 'out of stock' issue, merely a supply issue and a queue. How long has your case been open to get the panel replaced?

Mine often does this - not sure what the cause is. It also often gets a weird gamma shift which I think is related to the Intel drivers.

 

Check the video drivers for stuff about auto dimming and power saving. I know that every time I update my x120e's video drivers, I have to turn off that in the AMD video driver. (And it drives me crazy in no time at all if I don't.)

As for ISOs, you can download a 8 or 8.1 ISO off Microsoft's site with your product key (you need a keyfinder to get it in the first place, burned into the BIOS). If you've got an 8 key and want 8.1, use the 8 key for the 8 installer, start downloading, then kill it and run the 8.1 installer. Then, use the generic 8.1 key to install, and there's a command (slmgr maybe?) that lets you swap your actual 8 key in. You should be activated at that point. I did this with a 8 Pro key I had lying around.

 

For people who have docking stations what is your opinion about them? I am thinking of picking up a Ultra or pro due to the digital video outputs (basic sadly only has VGA, which I think should of at least of been displayport, hdmi, or dvi at minimum). I have read that about issues getting it to dock correctly due to the design but have not seen that many people taking about them.

 

Control panel
Power options
Change plan settings
Change advanced power settings
Display
Enable adaptive display brightness
OFF

 

I first called them right after I got my machine on Jan. 2nd. For the first three weeks I was trying to go through a local ASP. The first time I tried to get a panel sent directly to me was the 3rd week of January. I was told that the AUO was "back ordered" at that time. They sent me LG panels twice despite the ticket specifying the FRU for the AUO. Each time they had to create a new ticket for me. Finally when I called yesterday, they sent out the AUO right away and I received it this morning.

 

Did they mail you the bezel?

 

We have several of the ultradocks. No complaints except from mine which has largely been fixed with the latest firmware updates.

I think the actual docking is perfectly fine once you get a general sense of where to place the laptop. Mine is somewhat out of the way tucked under my desk and I have no trouble. Overall, with Windows 8 the experience is by far the best I have ever had - I can undock/dock under almost any circumstances and it works quickly and without issue every time.

 

No. I requested one the first time I called, but when they sent me the wrong panel, no bezel was included. I didn't bother asking for one when they created new tickets. I figured that I can get one later once I actually get an AUO installed. It turns out that I was able to reuse the same bezel. I removed it pretty carefully, and it's still completely flat after reinstallation.

 

Thanks, but I've had this thing off since day 1 when I noticed the auto dimming issue, but it hasn't worked.

I just found this in the Intel Graphics settings. Hope this is the culprit!

 

Yeah, those settings should be linked. But turning off the Display Power Saving Tech should do the trick.

 

Hmm, crazy. It's not linked on mine; I did the change on the advance setting for each Power Profile too! Anyways haven't seen any dimmings in the past hour so far so great!

 

Lenovo forum moderaters have now resorted to banning users who are posting things which are unfavorable to Lenovo. Earlier this morning I posted about how my previous post from last evening and another user's posts (Global) from yesterday had been deleted. Global's posts were about class action lawsuits and implied warranties etc and were not violating forum TOCs at all.

Now I have been banned since I pointed out that my forum post was also deleted without any just cause. Those of you who subscribe to the T440s - LG or AUO display thread would be aware of the discussions going on there around Lenovo's reluctance in admitting the display issues.

This is may not be the right thread for this post but since most of you here participate in T440s display issues thread on Lenovo's forums, I thought I would make you all aware.

 

Sadly, nothing unusual - they often remove posts there, they are pretty quick in doing so if they think a thread is going off-topic, a bit too quickly if you ask me (and I also think you shouldn´t have been banned for something like that). However, the mods don´t work (andyP for example) for Lenovo.

I hope Mark_Lenovo already has informed the teams that choose the screens for the T-Series, as he once said. The only thing we can don in the moment: Continue to post the comparison pictures and wait for Lenovo to react.

 

Hey folks, on the Lenovo Canada website, the 6 cell (47 Whr) batter is $5 cheaper than the 3 cell (23.2 Whr) battery. Lenovo and its crazy pricing strategy

 

not sure why the 6 cell is cheaper but if anyone's selling their 3 cell, i might be willing to buy.

i like to carry my notebook around without protrusions on the underside and carry the 6 cell in the car or in the bag. it's interesting that the 3 cell is 3 times less the capacity as the 6 cell alone.

 

How much is the bulk of the 6-cell (72Wh I'm assuming) an issue in your opinion? How much do you take this laptop with you?

 

its all preference. when im sitting down doing work, its fine and great. the angle the machine tilts doesn't bother me. just not a big fan of stuff sticking out when im carrying my laptop around or putting it away in my bag. i prefer the uniformity-flatness-all-around look, again, all preference. when you're using the notebook on a table or desk you wont even notice it. battery life sure outweighs everything for me and most.

 

Would you say it's actually a problem when it's in your bag though? I was thinking of getting the 72Wh version myself, seeing as I'm starting college in the fall. I'm still not sure exactly what I'll need though.

Also, when working on battery for a while do you let the external battery run down to 5% (or whatever it likes to do before switching to the internal battery), do you pull it out manually, or is there a software setting to change this?

 

im ocd so yeah it bothers me. if it were me, i would do the 3 cell and the 6 cell. keep the 6 cell in the locker or car and keep the 3 cell on as the primary. i have a locker at school so keeping the 6 cell works out great for me when im staying late at school and when i dont feel like hanging out in the computer lab. 3 cell and 6 cell is the way to go.

i try not to dip into the internal battery. however, with the 6 cell battery, im usually down to 25% at the end of the day, plenty of usage. with the 3 cell im pretty sure you'll end up always draining it. both combined wont give you the life of the 6 cell alone.

 

I was also looking into getting 2 batteries like that, but I won't do that if it costs me $100 to buy a 23.5Wh battery.

What kind of realistic life are you getting on it? I suppose the internal could be treated like reserve (like you're doing) and as a UPS when plugged in. (If I'm planning to be plugged in for a while, discharge the external a bit, then pull it out - except for the gaping hole in the back of the laptop.)

The only thing is that I tend to carry the power brick with me, and plug in where convenient - with those habits, do you still think it's worth having the 6-cell? I'd like having it just for peace of mind (not to mention battery wear over time), but it is a bit bulky...

 

4-8 hours should be expected from the two 3-cell batteries. Double that when using the 72Whr version.

The bigger battery does add a considerable amount of bulk, but it should also prevent you from needing to carry the power brick throughout the day no matter what your usage.

 

The battery life is fantastic in my opinion. I get 6 hours on average and only have the 3-cell. I'm considering upgrading to the 6-cell but can't find where to buy it. Can anyone tell where I can buy it?

 

i average 12-14 hours from internet, netflix, youtube, ms office; no bluetooth; power option on balance; around 50% brightness

 

This is a bit of an off topic question but maybe it could be related to some hardware. Has anyone here ever got stuck at the "please wait..." on logon screen (windows 8.1)? It shows the default background but once you click or use the fingerprint reader it gets stuck in that "please wait", after say 30s it goes back to the previous screen and the process repeats indefinitely.

I had to force a reboot and try again.
When it happened, I noticed the internet icon had an X maybe this could be related to Intel's ac wifi?

Edit: Ignore my post, this seems to be a common problem with windows, most likely connected to skydrive (perhaps in my case it hang since I didn't have a connection). Thanks anyway.

 

This is a SkyDrive issue?! That explains a lot. Wife got the T440s and Office 365 for grad school. She got 365 shortly after the T440s arrived and this "Please Wait..." screen happened. It happens sporadically. Is there any way to get rid of this issue? Thanks!

 

I'm not sure, it didn't happen again. But I saw many complaints online of it being related to skydrive. One of the solutions proposed was: open the dialog window (win+r) and run the following command: taskkill /f /im restoreoptin.exe
If you can't open that try logging in with another user (win+l) and run the command. (source: Fixing)

That is not a permanent solution though (maybe find a way to prevent the .exe from running on startup - that if that's the source of the problem).

 

What are your habits like in a web browser? (I tend to open several tabs at once and then read them one by one - really a habit from the DSL days that I need to get out of. As a result, I tend to get a bit less battery life than reviews estimate.) Also, and do you have touch? It seems like Lenovo's estimates might actually be accurate this time around.

 

i normally have a few windows open and maybe 5-10 tabs per window. i didn't go with the touchscreen on mine. it has the 4200u processor, 8gb ram, 120gb ssd. the ssd should help with battery life but how much time i really cant say.

 

What SSD did you get? Thing is, I don't think SSDs change things too much - maybe half a watt average in some cases, which won't be all that much of your total usage (though it's something). I'm thinking about getting a Crucial M500 myself - the 840 Pro is too expensive, and I'd rather not have the TLC of the 840 Evo - particularly seeing as I like to keep things for a while if I can. The write speeds on the M500 could be better (even the 240GB variant), but reads are up there near the SATA max just like any other modern SSD.

The thing about touch is that it's known to have a decent impact on battery life, but I want it there just in case. It sounds like you can turn it off (and actually save power) if you hit the right HID item in device manager, though I don't know if that actually works.

In any case, the machine doesn't feel at all slow for you then in normal use?

 

I get upwards of 10 hours with a 3+6 high capacity cell config. Got the FHD touch, i5-4300u. I added 8 gigs of RAM and switched out the HDD with a Samsung 840. I'm mainly in class lectures, so my use is some web browing (always 3+ tabs) and a few Word/PPT/PDF docs here and there.

I've never felt that the machine was sluggish by any means. It's my school's internet that bothers me more.


Just a random thing I noticed:
The CPU package idles at around 3W (from CPUID HWMonitor), but it sometimes drops down to about 1W if you let it sit for long enough. It also seems to stay at 1W if you put it into airplane mode or let the wifi card enter it's power saving state. At that 1W level, I see the calculated battery life jump up another 20-30%, which is cool. But at the same time, this only happens from a cold boot. When I resume the machine from sleep, it never enters such a low idle state. Still haven't found out why that's the case.

 

Hi, how do i get media keys (Play/Pause, Rewind, Forward) on the T440s? Can some setting be done such that I can press FN+Down arrow to get it to pause/play?

 

Hmm, so either your usage is different from the other guy, or touch really does make that big of a difference. (The difference is consistent with other touch vs non-touch comparisons for other laptops I've seen though.) I still think it's amazing that the Air is that much more efficient (12hrs with 54Wh or something), but then again, it lacks touch, has a low-res screen, and a lower clock CPU... plus, OS X hardware optimizations.

I'm assuming you never have issues with HD video (even with poor hardware acceleration) or multiple monitors then? Sounds like you can drive 2 external monitors (mDP and VGA) off it since the internal display is eDP and thus doesn't count against the usual limit of 2, though if you could confirm that that would be great. I'm thinking that I may as well add 8GB (the stock 4GB isn't enough for me, so I'd need to upgrade anyway), though I'm worried about the impact of single-channel RAM on graphics. Then again, considering how weak the onboard graphics of C2D machines 5+ years ago were, and how those still suffice for HD video, I might just be OK. I'm hoping to keep this for 5+ years though, which is my main reason for considering full voltage, discrete video card machines. *shrugs* A friend's 4 year old Walmart special cheapo HP G62-347NR never felt slow for normal use (well, up until it died not long ago - plus, the battery was loosing ~20% per year). I looked at the benchmarks for its CPU and GPU, and those are weaker than I thought.


Have you checked the clocks in CPU-Z when this happens?

 

to be honest, it's fast maybe in terms of having multiple programs opened (chrome, word, pandora, autocad or solidworks) but it doesnt seem faster than my old processor (p8800) with the same ssd with everything opened. however, my old system was on windows 7. in my opinion, the perfomance feels decent, especially the price we're paying for these machines; i really wished this machine was snappier than my last machine (lenovo ideapad y430). maybe it wouldve been faster if it wasnt for the low voltage cpu, or maybe my last machine was already fast. i didn't feel like spending extra money on the i7 because i didn't need the best of the best. maybe in the future if i can snag one for $1000 in good condition and sell this one.

besides the performance gripe i personally have, i do love my t440s - its light, its sleek, the battery is out of this world, the screen and resolution is great, and it feels solid and expensive.

 

I finally decided to pull the trigger on this machine, when I got a deal I couldn't refuse. Found it on eBay for 1279. Its a Refurbished system (anyone have any experience with these?)

I have the following specs.
FHD 1080p IPS
i7-4600U
8GB
16GB SSD+500GB
Win7P
1Year Warranty

I think it was a pretty good deal, what do you guys think? Also, is a refurb, like new? as in new case ? or does it have scratches and signs of wear?