Verdict T440p and T540p?

So I ordered a T540p early this month and it came just before Christmas.

Was immediately disappointing with the amount of flex the screen could do. Furthermore there was a crack on one of the side panels near the DVD drive resulting in flex around the keyboard.

Some keyboard keys were fairly chunky sounding and some would stick in place. I want to say I got a bad batch but I am not sure.

The quality isn't to the level I was expecting (not to mention 1080p screen doesn't come with IPS when using T540p but it does come with the 1080p screen on T440p).

Any ideas?

This laptop was intended to be my dads replacement for his two P4 desktops from yesteryear.

Alternatively I've entertained the thought of getting him a W530. Sadly I don't want to wait for more months as I waited months and months until the T440/T540 were finally released in Canada before jumping on the purchase

 

Why not just RMA the T540p, just wondering?

 

I too just received a t540p with the 3k display and I agree the keyboard is perhaps just OK. Mine came with the Fn key stuck down, I fixed it by removing and reinserting so it's good now but I do question the quality control for the keyboard. It's also a real departure from the older style that I have on my X220, I am trying to like it and and will probably get used to it. It doesn't flex or bounce but the feel is totally different.

The fit and finish is similar to my X220 and shows some rough edges on the front and other areas where panels don't line up perfectly. It's certainly not a mac as far as that goes but seems solid enough.

The screen flexes but it is a pretty big screen and without making it much thicker I don't know that you're going to be able to eliminate that.

If you're not happy with the display (and your keyboard is really faulty) then it's probably best to send it back. The TN display is probably not going to change with a new one so you'll have to decide if you can accept it or want to bump up to the 3K display or another machine altogether.

So far I am enjoying the 3k display but have to admit it will be up to each user to decide if it's the correct display for a 15" laptop based on how you use it. I am currently running mine at 1600 X 900 with no text scaling, which works pretty well with my aging eyes. Running this display at less than native resolution is really quite satisfactory. 1920 x 1080 looks a tiny bit crisper but text is just a little smaller. At native resolution the text is very small but crystal clear. Depending on the programs you use, running native and bumping up the text size may be a great way to run this display. I just haven't had enough time to check out all apps etc to see how it all looks.

 

It is being returned, deciding whether I have made the right choice and whether should re-order the same model or not

 

Honestly the T540p with FHD display has very few redeeming qualities. The 3k display is a different story as the 3k display makes the machine for me. Then throw in Wireless AC, Gobi 5000 and a Quad Core Processor and Lenovo's great warranty and you have a different experience altogether. But for the casual user those things may not be important at all and if not, the T540p may not be a well suited machine.

You mention the W530 but you must be referring to the W540?? The W530 would be a good candidate as well as the T530 with FHD display. Both of those machines for the average user I would say would be better than the Tx40 series. The T440p would be okay with the FHD IPS but the text may be too small for your dad. You'd have to decide if that resolution in a 14" screen would be okay.

 

I agree with your sentiments

My dad doesn't seem to care about IPS despite my efforts to show him why it matters. For him he prefers 15" over 14" and doesn't want to spring for 3K IPS display. That leaves T540p, T530, W530, non-IPS 1080p displays as options. A little unfortunate if going with T530 because the best price I saw that was in May last year.

W540 I don't know when is release date, given we waited so long for T540 to show up. I expect W540 to have same build quality as T540p. I see the same trackpad and everything else in the design the same too. Its possible the W540 base 1080p display is IPS

 

Do NOT count on that, since it's not.

The best display out of all of your options was offered on W530, *presuming* you are lucky enough to get the proper V4 one, and not anything else.

 

Oh ok. So the W540 is a lower quality display than W530 v4?

How do you know if you get V4? On Canadian website can still order W530 direct from Lenovo

 

Yes.

You don't until you receive the machine. It's a gamble.

 

I've had good luck with both ebay and Lenovo Outlet for like new / refurbished Thinkpads as well. The W530 FHD screens are pretty good, there are variances between different revisions they put out or panel makers, but in general they are all fairly decent and probably all better than the W540 FHD.

I had a hard time deciding between my W530 and T540p. The W530 is a great machine. If it wasn't for the 3k display in the T540p I would've stuck with the W530. Ergonomically it just feels like a more well crafted and durable machine.

 

The return is en-route to Lenovo. Needless to say, they're worth giving a second chance with regards to the current build quality.

If the next one doesn't meet expectations then I will be back on the hunt for a laptop with high build quality and good screens.