Thinkpad SL300 vs. Thinkpad T400

if you had to choose between just these two laptops, and you could customize them any way you wanted to, which one would you choose and why?

 

T400 no question. I've seen the SL500, not the SL300 and was not impressed in any way in comparison to the T series. Quality, feel, look, etc. T just felt better quality. I was choosing then between a T400 and an X200 and went with the X. But between T and SL...T all the way.

 

I'd go for the T400 due to the improved build quality, higher resolution screen options and matte cover. I'd equip it with the P8400, 3GB RAM, base hard drive (upgrade it on my own later), 1440x900 LED backlit display, and the HD 3470 graphics. This provides a great balance between price/performance while maximizing battery life.

 

The T400 for sure, no questions asked. The SL is not a real thinkpad in my opinion.

 

The T400 has a real ThinkPad keyboard.

 

Like you mean being able to flex?

Anyway, the T-series is lighter and thinner. The SL series looks very bulky and the build is more fragile than the T-series. The T400 is more refined and has better ergonomics overall.

 

Just my own personal opinion here, but they never should have made the SL series. It's sort the more consumer oriented ThinkPad, but the R series easily could have filled that role, with the glossy screens and such. They'd probably be around the same price when you factor in the R series uses better parts. Plus it offers better quality in my opinion. I got to review Lenovo n200 a few years back. It had a good, not great, glossy WSXGA+ screen. I always thought that would be a great fit for the R series if you wanted to make it the consumer ThinkPad. You could still offer the traditional stuff if people wanted a less expensive ThinkPad.

 

wow, that's a lot of comments i didn't see as many problems in the sl300 as some of the more experienced users here. my only real complaint against the sl300 is that it uses the nvidia geforce 9300m, which is potentially defective (the overheating problem that nvidia cards have); nobody has been able to say with certainty that it is or isn't, so i guess i have to play it safe by getting the t400 with ati graphics unless someone can show otherwise.

 

t400.

the t61 i bought my cousin had the defective 140m. and lenovo will not fix it if its out of warranty.

plus you dont get the roll cage and gps.

 

ok so my 140m was modded and completely overclocked. still works

my cousins was not overclocked and died on him.

lenovo sucks in this regard. luckily my visa card covered it and got me a new t400. very happy with switchable gfx. i get 9 hour battery life

 

At least that can be remedied - there's nothing he can do to fix the SL series keyboard layout!

 

Most people here would pick the T400 over the SL series.

T > R >>> SL.

 

what do you mean it can be remedied? it sounds like the keyboard for the t400 is replacable if you find that it flexes or otherwise don't like it. i took a look at the pictures in the review on this site. it looks as though there are a lot of holes on the back of the t400's keyboard. even if you were to replace the keyboard, wouldn't taking away the holes result in overheating?

 

None of the thinkpads before had any issue with overheating. The new T series (61 and newer) has some of the best cooling system out there. One of the reason for bunching is to cut the weight.

 

if the keyboard flexes, can you replace it with a better one then? has anyone tried? and would it void your warranty?

 

Replacing the keyboard does not void the warranty. You just undo a couple of screws, unplug a single ribbon cable, and pop in a new one.

If the keyboard on a T400 flexes it is very easy to replace. The keyboards from the T400, T500, W500, x200, T61, R61, T60, R60 are all compatible. I have heard that NMB keyboards from the T60/61 are the best (although they lack stripes). I am very satisfied with the Chicony on my x200 though.

However, the SL series is THE ONLY THINKPAD with a 6 row keyboard. Therefore, if it flexes (I believe it does), you are SOL as there is no possible replacement that doesn't flex.

 

cool, is there an official way to order these keyboards if it does flex so i don't have to go through ebay? they do sell these in lenovo's online store right?

 

There's a guy selling the best keyboard for Thinkpad laptop in the Marketplace and you don't even know it

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=322896

 

So my T61p already has the good keyboard? Or would I gain anything changing it?

 

but how did this guy get his hands on the keyboard? i would prefer to order directly from lenovo if it's something this small. i don't do paypal.

 

It appears Lenovo is finally dealing with this issue. They seem to be switching to older T61 design on the new T400, T500, W500 systems.

According to message 108 on this thread, customers "who are unhappy with the feel of their keyboards may send me (Tim_Lenovo) a Private Message to arrange receiving a keyboard based on the alternate design (FRU 42T3143 or equivalent P/N for the language required)".

This should help people get a firmer board, although you could still get a NMB, ALPS or Chicony of this design (they are all the same in Lenovo's eye).