400S or 400?

Wife told me this morning to purchase her a new laptop.
She would keep it at her desk for work....maybe bring home occasionally.

I'm stuck between the 400 and the S model right now

400S = $1600
tax title and license out the door thru the contractors site.
-SP9400 2.4GHz, 2 GB ram
-64G SSD
-6 cell
-WXGA+ TFT backlit
-Bluetooth
-Wifi 5100
-MS office basic (student not offered for some reason )
-1 yr basic Warranty

400 = $1600
-P8700 2.53GHz, 2 GB ram
-128G SSD
-6 cell
-14.1 WXGA TFT High Nit, w/ LED Backlight, Camera
-Bluetooth
-Wifi 5100
-MS Office Student
-2 year Warranty

Looks like I get way more for the money with the older 400.
-Is the SSD worth the extra cost?
-Processor on the S looks better

Is this a no-brainer.....is the S model just that much better?

Thoughts?

 

If you want a more portable system, 400s.

If you require high nit, your only option is the 400 then.

I just got the 400s and love the weight and portability of the system.

I also didn't need/want discrete graphics. With all of the issues nvidia had with it's graphics chips, because I don't need any additional graphics, I'm very happy with the integrated only.

Oh and SSD is worth it. This is my first SSD system and it's awesome. Very quick, very quiet, very cool (hard drives get very warm).

As far as the processor goes, you probably won't feel a difference between the two at all. SP9400 is newer and has some newer features that won't be utilized by your average office user.

Oh and the 400s display is LED backlit too, you don't mention that below.

 

I also have a T400s and love it for basically the same reasons as Tobyg above. But basically the added cost mainly makes sense only if you are carrying it a lot. Sounds like your wife will only be moving it around occasionally so I would go with the T400. IMO don't worry about it being "older"... it is still very modern machine.

btw not sure what they are charging for the non-student Office 2007 you mentioned in the T400s config. But you can get it from Amazon for $70 so you could just remove Office from your Lenovo order and install it yourself (easy).

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Office-Home-Student-2007/dp/B000HCZ8EO/

 

If she's (mainly) leaving it at her desk, go with the T400 - way more bang for the buck. Cheaper, with more options, including some for far better performance. The T400s is a fine machine, to be sure, but you're paying a premium for portability, which:
1. isn't the primary consideration in this case and
2. you get plenty of in the T400.

 

Great suggestions and thanks Pavlova for the ms office amazon tip!

Edit...
I don't really understand what OS To put on it.....I will definately be going to win7....but dunno what my factory platform should be Vista or XP?

 

OK...
going with the T400



Display type
14.1 WXGA TFT, w/ CCFL Backlight, Camera
14.1 WXGA TFT, w/ LED Backlight, Camera [add $42.50]
14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ LED Backlight [add $42.50]
14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ LED Backlight, Camera [add $68.00] [Lenovo recommended]
14.1 WXGA TFT High Nit, w/ LED Backlight [add $102.00]
14.1 WXGA TFT High Nit, w/ LED Backlight, Camera [add $127.50]

however I'm not certain about which Display to get? Is this one worth $68 more? 14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ LED Backlight, Camera [add $68.00] [Lenovo recommended]

lil help?

 

I went through the same dilemma, but I decided against the T400S for the following reasons:

1. Much less bang for the buck compared to the T400 (for the same price).
2. Limited screen options (no high res.)
3. Battery looks to a unique system specific design.
4. Negligible difference (in practice) in weight.
etc.

Too many things working against the t400s. It is a specialized machine intended for certain segments (on-the-go and egoistic types )
You did the right thing by going with the 400.
4.

 

Go with the WXGA+ with LED and camera. You will be so much happier in future. $68 is nothing for a machine that will easily last 3 years.

 

I dont know if I would call the 400s more portable. The weight and size are negligible imho. Personally id go for the regular t400 and get the wxga+ screen with LED as it really makes the t400 shine.

 

muchas gracias Fellas!

 

The T400 uses ATI graphics... and the SP chip is just a smaller and soldered on version of the P chips.

The T400s has the same high resolution as the T400 (WXGA+ LED) and also has eSATA. But unless you have money to spend or travel a lot (the 1lbs would be felt), I would also go for the T400.

 

ATI = discrete. Intel GMA4500 = integrated into the chipset.

As far as SP vs P, I was more referring to 8 vs 9 series. Actually, the only real difference between 8 and 9 seems to be the cache. SP9400 has 6MB cache, P8700 has 3MB cache. I'm comparing the two processors he had initially picked in his two systems. That and the SP of course is a smaller version of the P, as you stated.

 

1) The T400s has fewer screen options because it only has the best choice: the higher resolution LED display. The only thing you can't get is the high-nit one, which is a CCFL (thicker and heavier). It comes down to preference, there.

2) The weight isn't negligable, it's 1 lb. Sure that's not a ton in the grand scheme of things, but it is 20% shaved off. If you carry it around a lot or travel much, it can be important. It's also a fair bit thinner.

3) Newer Keyboard.

That said, I think the usage the OP describes is more suited to the T400, especially when considering it's a fair bit cheaper (can't argue computing bang-for-buck).

To the OP - Consider it in two pieces. You pay an extra $42.50 for the LED vs CCFL, an extra 25.50 for the higher resolution, and an extra 25.5 for the camera. You can't get all the combinations, but decide which ones you're willing to pay for, and which are important to you. (note that the low-res CCFL without camera doesn't seem to be an option, or at least you didn't list it).

I personally thin the LED screen is worth it, as is the higher resolution. That option does have the choice of not getting the camera, so you could save the 25.50, if you wanted to.

 

Thanks Pem.....!
I'm going with the LED
-14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ LED Backlight, Camera [add $68.00] [Lenovo recommended]

 

Nice choice. T400 still a very fine machine, I'd get one if I got the funds actually.

 

Can't comment on whether or not you should get the built-in camera.

I'd recommend either the WXGA+ LED or the high-nit LED. The WXGA+ is a higher-resolution screen. Some people like that. The high-nit screen is brighter. Both are supposed to have better viewing angles than the base screen. You'll want to ask her opinion on which is more important (might pop in to a store and see how WXGA looks compared to WXGA+ on a 14" screen).

After you decide on that, you can choose the camera option.

You probably don't need to upgrade the processor. Most people would never be able to tell the difference in performance, and the base processor uses a liiiiiiiittle less power, which translates to longer battery life when she does use the battery.

 

Don't forget to apply coupons http://www.notebookreview.com/deals/ so you can save at least 10%-15% off your final price.

T400s has WXGA+ w/LED by default and it is lighter and has by far superior keyboard and other extra features. But it’s not as versatile because it lacks video card and battery expansion like T400. And you will be able to configure T400 for much cheaper than T400s. Although I'm very biased and consider T400s to be the BEST, I think in your case it will be more practical to go with T400. Good luck!

 

Personally I'd go with the T400s and also get the ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3....sweet. Probably because I already have a T61 and a T400 is a little too similar to it. But I like the thinness and lightness of the s, overall design is awesome...everything I want in a portable full fledged notebook. Yeah it costs, but it's the latest and greatest no doubt. As for it's integrated graphics, it's perfect especially for low heat and power use. I would get a Vidock 2 if I wanted more GPU power for games.

 

Also, note that the T400 has no digital output, while the T400s has DisplayPort.

 

T400s are built to higher standards than the T400... almost to old school thinkpad standards. The T400 is built down to a cost.

 

While I'd prefer the T400s, the 1.8" drive is a pain. There are few drives of that size available and they are more expensive than 2.5" ones.

 

Would be much nicer if Lenovo offered a better screen on the 400s

 

I'm curious, better in which way?

 

They offer a high nit one on the T400 but don't do so on the T400s.

 

That's why you get the Intel X18-M for the same price as the X25-M...

 

At least one side is happy.

 

To Make life just a bit easier....
I've just decided to wait another 6 weeks....until Windows 7 comes out.....to make this purchase!