4-Cell Battery - T400

Hey guys,

I'm considering purchasing the T400 with these specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W
  
• Genuine Windows XP Professional (preinstalled via downgrade rights in Windows Vista Business)
  
• ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 with 256MB
  
• 3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
  
• UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
  
• 160 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
  
• CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
  
• Express Card Slot & PC Card Slot
  
• Intel WiFi Link 5300 (AGN) with My WiFi Technology
  
• Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
  
• 4 cell Li-Ion Battery
  
• Country Pack North America with Line cord & 90W AC adapter

I am getting it for school, and I will be unplugged for about 1 hour and 20 minutes each class, but I will have 2-4 hours of free time in between classes that I can use to charge and game. There are a lot of outlets at my school. Is it ok that I get the 4-cell? I really prefer batteries that sit flush rather than stick out like a sore thumb!

Thanks

 

If you only need 80 minutes then the 4 cell will work. It should last 120-240 minutes depending on activity.

 

Awesome, thanks!

 

Just another quick question, how long would the 6-cell last compared to the 4-cell?

 

about 50% longer.

 

Will net you about 2-2.5 hours more. I recommend the 6 cell for you...the upgrade isn't that much more and I think it is worth it.

 

I'd also recommend the 6-cell, it sticks out just a little bit but will net you about 5-6 hours depending on usage.

 

The six-cell is only a small amount more. I personally think it's worth the extra security, and I'm speaking as someone who doesn't like things that stick out either, and still never notices it with the six-cell battery on my T400.

Other suggestions I'd make:

-Go to 2GB of RAM in 1 DIMM. It's easy and cheap to add a second 2GB DIMM aftermarket, even if you need to do it a little later.
-Back down to the Intel WiFi 5100 (or even the base b/g/n WiFi) if the savings allows you to afford a DVD writer over a combo drive. I think it's a worthy choice, and that you'll still get decent WiFi performance.

 

I agree, get the 5100, I was a bit apprehensive at first but the 5100 works great at school and at home as well.

 

Also, I got the integrated graphics T400 a little over a month ago, and wish I would have spent the extra $10 on the 7-in-1 reader.

I second the 5100 wifi, mine works great.

The 6-cell is probably worth the upgrade as well, especially if you are thinking about cutting it that close time-wise.

Josh

 

One can always get either a PCMCIA or ExpressCard x-in-1 card reader afterwards Greater flexibility.

 

How difficult is it to install more memory on a ThinkPad? Will XP Pro recognize 4GB of RAM? What about when I upgrade to Windows 7? And I have at home a NETGEAR WGR614 54 Mbps 802.11g Wireless Router will the 5100 work well with that? And what's the difference between 5100 and 5300?

Barrage of questions sorry lol.

I will most likely just order the "Enhanced" T400 with discrete graphics. Here is the list of specs with recommended upgrades people have mentioned in this thread:

• 
  System components
• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W
• Genuine Windows XP Professional (preinstalled via downgrade rights in Windows Vista Business)
• ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 with 256MB
• 2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
• UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
• 160 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
• DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
• Express Card Slot & 7-1 Media Card Reader
• Intel WiFi Link 5100 (AGN) with My WiFi Technology
• Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
• 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
• Country Pack North America with Line cord & 90W AC adapter

Total price: $962.10

What is the difference between an Express Card and PC Card? I read on the Lenovo site that the Express Card is just an upgraded version of the PC Card.

 

If you have a screwdriver, less then 5 minutes.

Only a 64 bit OS can address 4GB of memory. If you want to utilize 4GB, you will need a 64-bit version of Vista, XP, or 7.

The differences between the 5100 and 5300 is that the latter supports faster throughput rates on wireless N. Since you use a wireless G router (and most campuses do to) it's probably not a worthwhile investment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ExpressCard

 

I get about 2 hours out of mine 4 cell battery and that's with a 7200 rpm drive and a ati graphics card. The brightness is turned down about 2 notches...

 

Thanks for your help, I'm quite unfamiliar with some things haha.

Also, this is sort of off-topic and it's for anyone to answer but will the T400 be able to run games like Half-Life 2?I am not into the very recent games that demand a lot but older games like StarCraft, CS: Source, and Half Life 2.

 

Installing the RAM is easy, I just had a little trouble reattaching the front plate and get it all aligned and snapped in.

 

I bought my T400 to be able to run some games as well. That's why I got the ATI card. I can play BF2 and a few other older FPS on low settings very well. The frame rate is very acceptable and smooth...

 

Your statement on a 64-bit OS is incorrect, though a lot of people have that misconception.

Only a 64-bit (Windows) OS can allocate 4GB to programs. However, 32-bit Windows can address 4GB of RAM. It can only allocate 2GB (or 3GB if you use a special command-line switch that runs on startup) to a single application (known as user-mode processes); however, the remaining RAM is allocated to kernel-mode processes and drivers.

Note that if you run more than one program, Windows can allocate more than 2GB of RAM.

As for 5100 vs. 5300, while throughput can be higher, probably the bigger bonus is slightly better range and interference robustness. Still, a MIMO-enabled G router (at minimum, since MIMO is a requirement with Wireless-N but optional with G) is required to truly take advantage of it.

 

I have the 4 cell battery and i get about 2.5 hours on it on average. 3 hours if i set the settings on the lowest. (lowest lighting, processor speed etc). I think if you're a student like me, get the 4 cell. Saves a bit of room in the book bag and its alittle lighter. I absolutely HATE things sticking out, so i opted for the 4 cell for weight and asthetics.

 

That's why I got the 4 cell as well. My friend has the 6 cell and I hate how that thing sticks out the back...4 cell is plenty. At least 2-2.5 hours out of it, that's plenty...

 

Thanks for all the responses and help!

Edit: found the right forum

 

I have a 4 cell and a 3 cell ultrabay battery. Internal graphics kills my power quicker, but still get 1.5 hour plus another hour with the 3 cell. Very handy if you like extra power without a fat battery sticking out.

 

ya... 6 cell would be worth it... and it barely sticks out... you will love the extra time...and if not now... then later..!
on the other hand... 4 cell will last you 2+ hours...
good choice on laptop