Trying to decide between T500 and T410i

I've been looking to buy a laptop for software development work. Most of the new laptops I've seen are either too expensive, have ridiculously low resolution, or have crappy battery life because they're gamer laptops. I decided to start looking at used business-class laptops instead, since their specs are more similar to what I need and they're more durable (so buying used is not a big deal). Based on my search T500 seems like the perfect machine, and it looks like I can get it on eBay for around $500 (I'd prefer the 1920x1200 version).

However, just recently a friend told me that he bought brand new T410i a while back with 1440x900 resolution and is thinking of selling it since he barely uses it. He mentioned that he could sell it to me for $350. I'm definitely considering buying his laptop instead, since it seems like a pretty good deal. But I'm concerned because I heard Core 2 Duos are more efficient than first generation i-series Intel processors, and indeed he mentioned that his battery life is horrible. I also won't be getting as big of resolution as T500 (which would help with software development quite a bit, Eclipse is usable at 1440x900 but really shines at 1680x1050+). I was hoping to get some advice on which one you guys would recommend (I mostly care about resolution, battery life, and being able to use it for a few years)? To summarize my dilemma here are the pros of each over the other:

T500:
-awesome resolution (I'd love having 1920x1200 or even 1680x1050)
-better battery life (than my friend's T410i)

T410i:
-newer, can use longer without needing a new laptop
-LED screen
-great price (don't think I'll be able to get T410i anywhere for this price)

 

Not knowing the exact configurations of each notebooks, but with "software development" in mind, I'd say this:

1. The T500 is not "old." If you get one with C2D T9xxx CPU, plus max 8GB RAM and Windows 7 64-bit, you'll enjoy its great performance for a few more years. The 1920x1200 resolution is great.

2. The T410i with first-generation Core i3 is an ordinary notebook. Its higher 1440x900 resolution option just cannot give you the development space you need. (And this panel is only okay, not great, when compared to the FHD 1920x1080 panel of the T510.) Price? You may feel good getting a bargain for $350, but the feeling may not last long.

Between those two, get the T500.

 

Tip about the 1920x1200 T500/W500: the brightness really isn't all that great on the screen. It's rated at 150 nits which is the same as the QXGA screen compatible with some older Thinkpads such as the T60. The standard 1680x1050 screen on the T500?W500 is rated at 200 nits.

If I were to settle for brightness that low, I would want to actually go for 2048x1536, modded into a 15" 4:3 Thinkpad T60/T60p.

The Dell Latitude E6500 / Dell Precision M4400 had much better high-resolution options than the Thinkpads did. Both offered a 1920x1200 display with two CCFL backlights rather than just one (rated at 350 nits, 75% color gamut), and the 1920x1200 RGBLED display which I have (300 nits, >100% color gamut, glossy)
You could probably find a couple of these laptops in the Dell Outlet.

 

I thought the 1920x1200 option was W500-series only, with the highest density T500 @ 1680x1050?

I have used Dell/Lenovo W/UXGA 15.4/15" screens for 12 years or more, and love the highest available resolution - but many prefer 1680x1050 - and definitely stronger back-lighting is better...The T500 1680x1050 is apparently brighter than the W500 1920x1200. However, @ full brightness I find the W500 WUXGA just fine - I even turn it down at night under artificial light.

 

Err, yeah the T500 didn't offer WUXGA, but it is possible to install a WUXGA panel into it.

 

Yep, the 1920x1200 screen is only available on the W500, not the T500. With a new battery, you may be able to get better battery life on the T500 than on the T410 (I could squeeze out ~7.5 to nearly 8 hours when my 9-cell 84Wh battery was new!). The WSXGA+ screen on the T500 is also very nice, albeit not all that bright (and it is a CCFL display, so it takes time to get to full brightness)--that said, for indoor usage, I use it at 12/15 brightness and it's plenty bright enough.

That T410i would be an awesome deal. Although it doesn't have as great battery life as the T400, it should not be horrible by any means. My friend with the T410 with a Core i5 could get 7 or so hours from the 9-cell (94Wh). If I were you, I'd go with the T410 simply because it's a great deal on a newer system--plus, it's more potable, if that matters to you.

 

$350 for a T410i is going to be tough to beat, and I doubt you'll be able to find a WSXGA+ equipped T500 for that price. I paid $500 for mine a few months ago and felt like I had lucked out; most of them out there have WXGA displays.

Unless you're doing 3D-intensive work, absolutely need the high-res screen or want to game(if the T410i only has integrated graphics; the T500's ATI HD3650 is marginally more powerful than the Nvidia option on the T410) I think the T410 will be a better fit and you're getting a very good deal on it.

 

Uh... It works fine for me.

 

Honestly, ThinkRob, I don't give a hoot what works for you. I was answering the OP's question in considering the OP's needs.

By the way, I use a T410 too (plus other ThinkPads big and small). And I don't give a hoot what I have.

 

I prefer 1920x1200, but 1440x900 is still way better than 1366x768 and 1280x800 for things like programming. My university sells discounted Thinkpad T410's with 1440x900 (and T510's with 1600x900) and a lot of CS students use them. (They also sell the Dell E6410/E6510 with 1280x800 and 1366x768, and I'm hoping they'll "fix" that next year when they sell the E6420/E6520 and sell both with 1600x900)

 

E6520 should have an option for Full HD+ (1080p).

Comes down to whether you want a 14.1" notebook or 15.4". Being in college, 14.1" IMO is the best balance of power and lightness.

 

I think that is excellent advice! If you will be carrying the notebook around constantly, go for the 14.1".

I find the 15.4" OK for occasional transportation, but now carry a little 12.1" one-pounder when on the road.