t400s vs t400 vs t500

Any thoughts on T400s vs t400 vs t500? Any compelling reasons for the price justification? Does it make sense to dive into T400s from the perspective of pragmatic business user?

Thoughts/Comments/Suggestions are highly appreciated

Thx

 

T400s T400 T500
<---Portability----
---Peformance--->

It's all about what you need in your Thinkpad.

 

I think the only real justification for getting the T400s is the requirement for maximum portability, but without sacraficing screen real estate and without breaking the bank for an X301 with a WXGA+ screen.

In my opinion, though, the T400 would be a much better buy for most users, as it is much more affordable and remains portable. It also has the advantages of being able to use 9-cell batteries that would give up to 9-10 hours of battery life and having reasonably powerful switchable discrete graphics.

The T500 would be the best choice if you either need more graphics performance or you want more screen real estate (1680x1050) - but then again, if you do, you probably shouldn't be considering the T400s.

 

its also

T400s T400 T500
<--Good Looking--

 

lol, true

or maybe...

Looks
T500---T400-----------------------------------------T400s-->

 

other justifications for the t400s could be:
-you want the new larger touchpad with multitouch
-you want the new keyboard style
-you want led wxga+ screen (currently not an option on the t400)
-you want an esata port

 

Agreed, but generally, most people would not want to fork over a $500+ premium simply for an eSATA port, for example.

The T400s seems to be a better-designed and implemented laptop, but it will take time to tell. I believe it's an excellent machine, although it may not be worth the price premium.

 

I'd wait for the T400s price to drop. You're paying a pretty hefty premium for it having been just released if you purchase one at the moment.

 

i have a T400 and i love it. But i wish i could have another T400s if i have enough money.

 

With an exception of having only integrated graphics that will prevent you from playing more advance video games, T400s is a combination of both portability and performance. If you can afford it – get it! If you are on a budget, T400 is a great value!

@BobXX: how long have yours X300 been in repair?!? Either that or you forgot to update your sig In my experience with Lenovo repair, it never took more than 5-day of full turn around to get my laptop back.

 

lol, I'm repairing it myself, just waiting for the parts to arrive. Of course, it doesn't help that the ones I need from Lenovo are backordered.

 

Or pay $26US-delivered for a flush-type expresscard e-sata??

 

Well, yeah, that's what I'm saying - although the T400s is a really sweet machine, there's not really any killer features of the T400s that would make it be worth a $500+ premium over the T400, other than the portability which could be the crucial deciding factor.

 

I know its thinner and all, but I dont see that being a big enough difference to call it alot more portable then the t400. But then again I think 17in are perfectly portable.

 

Hmm, I'm starting to notice a pattern across all these T400s threads People who recently purchased T400 tend to put down T400s as "why bother" type of deal. I'm not a psychologist, but it sure seems like a way to justify their previous purchase These are two different machines, and one doesn't replace the other, and I don't think it make sense for anybody to upgrade from T400 to T400s. But when faced with a choice of purchasing either of these, you really have to examine every option and decide what is right for you. I went through this a week ago. I wasn't looking for the cheapest config to do basic stuff; I needed fast and portable machine with integrated graphics. With an identical top component config (fastest 25W processor, biggest SSD hdd, WXGA+ screen, etc.) T400 ended up being *only* $200 cheaper. For that difference, I get a new “s” laptop design (thin, portable, cool running), better camera, headphone jack on the side (huge deal for me), multi-touch touchpad, and a lot of other new features. That's more than enough to justify difference. For a bargain deal, T400s is not an option. In other words and speaking in car terms where T-series is like Toyota/Lexus, T400 gives you a range of selection between Camry and fully loaded Avalon. But if you compare fully loaded Avalon to ES350 – small price diff will justify for itself

 

Hmm, I'm starting to notice a pattern across all these T400s threads People who are buying a T400s tend to put down the T400 as outdated. I'm not a psychologist, but it sure seems like a way to justify their purchase

 

I have a T400 but personally i think the T400s is a better looking machine. And to be honest that is enough to sway my purchase if I were to make it now. Too bad I found out about the T400s too late, right after my purchase.

 

Sorry, but reverse psychology doesn't work in this case

[joke]... now, hope you are enjoying your outdated laptop [/joke]

 

The T400s does indicate that Lenovo got a clue as far as listening to the feedback they've received about chassis design with the new volume buttons, identical hinges, centered screen, and colored TrackPoint button edges. I think the new styling will be a template for the T500 successor.

 

That's my hope exactly - the T400s (and the X-series, to a degree) were kind of like prototypes for the upcoming Tx10 laptops. I'm generally pleased with the design choices that Lenovo made, although there are some things I would personally change.

True to a certain degree. But I don't really see people criticizing the T400s for what it is, mostly it's just criticisms of the laptop's price, which I think is quite justified. For the majority of users, I don't think the T400s is worth the gigantic price premium over the T400.

 

thatrs pricing strategy. you do a little price skimming starting with the highest ask price first and work your way down as the novelty ages.

i think the t400s is allowed to be a little more expensive than the t400 @ the same technical computing specs cause it is thinner and all.