t400 and x301 comparison

i know the t series are more performance based, but how does its build quality compare to the x301/x300? is it light years behind? close?
right now this is the biggest thing between me being sure it can take daily abuse

 

Considering that ruggedness is your primary concern and that the T500 is listed as one of your "dream laptops" in your sig, I'd say the T400 is the obvious choice. For that matter, why not go with the T500?

I can see how it would be hard not to choose the X301, though. That is one super thin and light machine. Though it is a sturdy machine, I don't think it compares to the T-series in that regard.

 

Performance-wise, the X301 is actually "light-years" behind the T400, on a CPU and graphics basis. Of course, the X301 is much thinner and lighter, but unless you're constantly on the road and can't be bothered carrying the T400's weight, the X301 is probably not worth the price difference.

Build quality wise, they're both true Thinkpads, and both have the roll cage (I believe), so they will both be very durable.

 

Not sure I’d quantify the performance of this as “light-years” behind. The X301 just leverages some hardware that’s focused on being low-power. It still shares the same modern memory, video, wireless and other components with the T400.

 

You say daily abuse...but doing what? That would help answer your question. Also is price at all a concern?

 

i at first had the t500 as my first choice, but after a bit of searching; the quality has obviously dropped. i feel the x301has proved itself worthy to look into more, but it lacks a decent gpu(or at least i dont need the best in the world) and has an outrageous price but its only given that it is so high end. even the elitebook has proved itself with a video of a group of people putting weight on it and having a person stand on the weights stacked on the laptop.

 

price will be considered, but i want to be sure the t series can 'walk the walk'.

 

What do you need the video card for? Gaming is out of the question and for modeling and engineering you'd want to look at the w500. And what has dropped so drastically in the T500 that is of concern to you?

 

well i wouldnt run very intensive games. ill probably stick to conquer online and starcraft. i think the x4500 could handle both very well, but the x301 is outside my bounds when it comes to purchasing. so far a bit of people have addressed their thinkpads with flex in a number of areas. i just want to at least bury the hatchet a little by getting a comparison between the ruggedness of the t400 and x301 since their closest in size

 

Yes the X4500 should be able to run all that stuff. Go on youtube i remember seeing a video with both of the notebooks in it i think it was a comparison or something.

 

i'll check it out soon once i have access to a computer(psp is tight yet it sucks so much)

 

I'm using a T500 and an x301 now, I've had a similar notebook, (size/weight), Z61t to the T400.

It's a tough call, I wouldn't want to part with either of them, here's how mine are getting used right now ...

If I'm at my desk, or if my eyes are tired from a long day of reading I'll choose the T500, if I'm heading out the door I always grab the x301, or if I'm sitting on the couch or moving around the x301 is the natural notebook to grab ... but yet I can't give up the T500, it's keyboard, speed, screen size ... they're all some of the best computers in their class I think.

Post what you decide on.

 

it would be great if i could get both, but hey..cant have everything =p

i was wondering unique; is there a difference between the build qualities of your thinkpads(one better/less/same?)

your uses for each make complete sense and ill probably use my laptop for all of those things

 

the x30x series is regarded as being the best built of the current line.

 

There's no doubt that X301 is the top notch of all of the current Thinkpad line.

 

yup i have always had a form of faith with those, but if they are out of my limits, i expect the next best thing to not be lightyears behind. a crash test would totally convince me. im leaning to the t400 as of now