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    T400 question

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by chipmunk_ninjka, Dec 16, 2014.

  1. chipmunk_ninjka

    chipmunk_ninjka Newbie

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    Hi,

    I recently got a T400 for 30e. I have to replace the whole screen and the keyboard bezel as it seems to have been dropped on its lid.

    It has the following specs:

    Intel P8600 CPU
    Intel Ultimate N 5300
    2GB RAM
    EXPRESSCARD/7 in 1
    DVD RW
    Ericsson WWAN
    SIM card reader
    Bluetooth module
    AMD Ati 3470 GPU

    I need a laptop for uni for the following things:

    light matlab
    C/C++ programming for DSP
    LTSPICE IV
    EAGLE PCB
    LaTeX text editor

    I will probably upgrade to 8Gb and an SSD.

    Would it be better to:

    1- rebuild with spare parts from ebay

    2- buy a second T400 off ebay and construct one pc from the parts

    3-sell the parts and buy something else ( a newer thinkpad for example)

    I also saw some posts about "frankenpads" and putting quad core CPU in them. I found this very interesting but i'm not sure it'll work on a T400. Any ideas on this?

    Thanks in advance for any advice, i'm gonna continue reading up on the subject.
     
    chipmunk_ninjka, Dec 16, 2014
    #1
  2. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    I think it all depends on your budget. For the light tasks you listed, the T400 should work adequately, although it'll be no speed demon. A quad-core won't work in the T400 as Lenovo whitelists CPUs in the BIOS, and even if you could put it in, you'll likely have serious heat issues.
     
    MidnightSun, Dec 16, 2014
    #2
  3. chipmunk_ninjka

    chipmunk_ninjka Newbie

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    My budget is quite low. I think I could stretch to 500 euros max, but i would prefer to spend less as i have other projects that need financing. I already have a desktop for the heavier stuff, so the laptop is just for using at uni, the library, train...etc.
    The thing i like about the T400 is that its so easy to take apart, though this might apply to all professional laptops
    I have no problems with refurbed/reconditioned or even trying to repair broken laptops.
     
    chipmunk_ninjka, Dec 17, 2014
    #3
  4. turqoisegirl08

    turqoisegirl08 Notebook Evangelist

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    Try asking for parts at Bill Morrow's Thinkpads Forums. In the last 5 years (has it been that long??!! >.< ) since I've been a member there it's been nothing but informative and professional. As the members are ThinkPad aficionados many treat their ThinkPads gently or often have spare parts to sell- from older 1990 ThinkPads to the more recent ThinkPad variants. Plus it is a global forum so it all works out in the end :)

    Good luck!
     
    turqoisegirl08, Dec 17, 2014
    #4