rate my potential T500 configuration

I've learned a lot reading through posts in this forum the past few days, and I think I know what configuration I want. I've never owned a laptop before, so I'm seeking your advice on what to purchase. I'm a student, and I'll mostly be using the laptop at home but might take it to class once in a while. These are the specs for the T500:

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
15.4" WSXGA+ TFT, w/ CCFL Backlight
ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 with 256MB
3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) [no fingerprint reader]
No Camera
160 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
No Intel Turbo Memory
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
7 in 1 Media Card Reader
Express Card Slot & PC Card Slot
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Intel WiFi Link 5300 (AGN)
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
No UWB WPAN
6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Country Pack North America with Line cord & 90W AC adapter
Adobe Digital School Collection for Vista 32
3 Year Standard Depot Warranty
3 Year ThinkPad Protection

Total Price $1,137

My questions are:
1) My first instinct was to get the T400 because of its smaller size. However, when I went to the campus store to check out the demo units, I saw that the 6-cell battery makes the depth of the 2 laptops equal. So I decided I might as well get the T500. My analysis of the advantages of each:
T400: offers LED backlight. Also, slightly more portable: its width is 1" less, and probably weighs about a pound less.
T500: larger screen, better video card, the ability to output DVI. also, no battery sticking out the back and wasting space
The prices of the T400 and T500 would be pretty close. For T500 owners: how portable do you find this laptop, and do you think I'm making the right choice in selecting the T500 over the T400?

2) Any suggested changes for my CPU, RAM, HD setup?

3) I don't think the webcam is something I'd use, but I'm not sure. What are your opinions of the webcam? Should I get it just in case?

4) I don't own any bluetooth accessories, and generally I don't like cluttering my computer with things I don't use. But it seems potentially useful. Should I keep it or get rid of it?

5) Is anyone familiar with the Adobe Digital School Collection? If I cut that software bundle out, I'd save $60. The Lenovo website doesn't say what it includes, but if I look it up at Adobe's website, they say it contains Acrobat 9 Pro and Photoshop Elements 7, which seems like a good deal. Does anyone have experience with this bundle, and if so, could you please share your thoughts on it? Would I receive any CDs with the software?

6) What cable or adapter do I need to output to DVI with the T500? Where on the Lenovo website can I find this?

7) Any recommendations on a travel case for the laptop (whether purchased through Lenovo or elsewhere)?

8) Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and thanks in advance for your help!

 

1. you can buy the t500 with LED screen. except for the weight and battery life, there is not much of a difference between the two. the t500 is a better deal with the graphics card, bigger screen and the display port
2. get 2gb(1 dimm) and upgrade later by yourself. 2GB DDr3 is 60$ at new egg.
3. getting an internal webcam is useful for skype or any other video chat applications. if you use any such apps then it might be a good idea to get an internal camera rather than tug around an external one, also you can free up an usb port by getting an internal one. read that the drivers are not so mature, but they will get better over time
4. if you don't need bluetooth, don't get it. but you might think about adding up a bluetooth mouse or keyboard in the future (connecting the t500 to a 42 inch plasma, sit back and enjoy )
5. no idea
6. there is a displayport to dvi port adapter at http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10419&cs_id=1041911&p_id=4827&seq=1&format=2. i am getting one of these.
7. i am getting a belkin slim back pack. i wont be carry much other than the laptop, wacom tablet and the accessories. it is priced 34$ in lenovo cpp site.
8. get a 9 cell battery. it sticks out the back but gives you 7 hours of working time with the t9600, x4500 and vista. but you may get more battery with the p8400

 

Get 1GB of memory then add an additional 2GB stick. That's the most 32 bit Vista can use anyway.

Get the 80GB 5400RPM drive. You can buy a 250/320GB drive for what Lenovo charges for the upgrade to 160GB drive. Sell the old one or buy the ultrabay and use it for backups.

You might want to look at the warranty guide.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'll get the webcam and bluetooth - they're not that expensive and maybe I'll find a use for them. And martinmach, thanks for the monoprice link!

As for RAM, if I get 1x 2GB DIMM, I would save $30.80 with Lenovo, and upgrade elsewhere. But from what I've heard, 4 GB RAM in Vista 32 is no better than 3 GB. I think $30 for the extra 1 GB DIMM is reasonable.
If I get 1x 1 GB DIMM through Lenovo, I would save $84.70. If I buy a 2GB DIMM from newegg for $60 plus shipping, it's a slight cost savings, but the reviews for that memory are mixed - I might have to deal with an RMA.
I think I'm going to stick with the 3 GB from Lenovo and not deal with installing it myself.

For the HD, I think I might go down to the cheapest option and then buy a 320 GB 7200 RPM drive from newegg.

Today I'm going back to the campus store 1 more time to compare the size of T500 vs T400 again. If anyone else has advice before I make a purchase, I'd love to hear it. Thanks again for the help

 

I had the same problem as you, after researching laptops for 6 months or so I came down to a HP DV5 Series or Thinkpads T Series. Then I made a decision to buy either a T400 or T500 Thinkpad. I bought the T400 last week after going to Microcenter to look at them closely. Yes, the T500 has a better graphics card and a displayport (which I hate the T400 doesn't, I believe Lenovo does that on purpose), but you need to ask your self only one question, will you carry your laptop a lot or just occasionally.

As for the display port, unless your going to be watching movies on a big screen HDTV, the displayport won't matter. The better graphics card on the T500, well, no one should be buying a Thinkpad for gaming anyway, so that shouldn't be an issue.

I bought the T400 with 1 GB of memory and will be upgrading to 4 GB from new egg. I also configured it with a 80GB hard drive, I might or might not get a 320GB from new egg. Do I really need such a huge drive anyway. Probably not.

 

looks good, I would get 4 gig of ram.

 

Get the Camera even if you don't think you need it. It's free. Get bluetooth. You might need it and it's cheap. Get 2gb one stick. You can add another 2gb cheaply if you need it. Forget the 3 year warranty. I assume you're paying extra for that. Forget it. Buy it on a major credit card. You get 2 years right there. That's sufficient. Extended warranties are the biggest waste of money. Google it if you don't believe me. Also, the 15 inch is a significantly bigger notebook if you want to carry it around. Not really portable at nearly 6 lbs. Get the T400 with a 4 cell if you're worried about battery stickout. Personally at nearly 6 hours who cares if the battery sticks out a bit with the 6 cell. It's worth the aesthetic loss for the extra juice. Get the T400 with a backlit LED. If you're not going to be moving it much then the T500 is your machine. If you are then the T400 is a better choice. It's not just the weight, it's also the size. 15 inch notebooks don't travel as well.

 

The camera and BT are worth getting simply for resale value down the line even. And they aren't that expensive of options otherwise.

 

Hi sketo8,

Can you let me know how/where did you get this configuration for such a price? If there exists any link, do post it here.

 

Thanks for the input, everyone. After comparing the sizes again yesterday, and reading your suggestions, I'm leaning toward the T400 now. I don't really need the more powerful graphics card - it would just tempt me to be unproductive. I think I'd prefer the improved portability.

I would be purchasing the laptop through my university - I have to log in to my school account to access these prices, so unfortunately there's no link that I can forward.

For the warranties, the 3 year standard depot warranty is included in the price. I can't reduce this warranty (but I could increase it for more money). This warranty covers damage due to malfunction. The 3 year thinkpad protection costs $96 and covers damage due to drops and spills. The reason I need a new computer is I recently knocked my printer off my desk, falling onto my old P4 desktop computer, and now I can only get the computer to boot up some of the time. Laptops generally take more abuse than desktops, and I think $96 is reasonable - if I bought a laptop at newegg or bestbuy the price for this level of protection would be around $250. As long as the laptop isn't stolen, these warranties would guarantee I don't have to buy another computer for 3 years.

I will get the camera and bluetooth.

For the T400 I see that the Intel 5350 wireless card is an option, and I'm thinking of getting it instead of the 5300. Does anyone have experience with this card? I wouldn't be using Wimax now, but it seems useful in the future.

For the hard drive, I'll probably go with the cheapest option and buy a 250 GB drive to install myself (320 GB is overkill). For the RAM, I haven't decided what to buy vs install myself. I still need to figure that out.

Thanks again

 

How can you get such price? 3 year protection just $96????

epp? cpp? or other ecoupon?

Thanks!

 

I'm not sure what epp or cpp are, but I didn't use a coupon. I would be purchasing the computer through my university, which must have worked out some kind of arrangement with Lenovo.