About to buy the T400, last minute questions.

I'm about to pull the trigger and become a first-time t400 owner

I still have a couple of last minute questions before I make the purchase, as I reside in Canada and it's not possible for me to try it before I buy it, so I am a little nervous about a seemingly blind $1000 purchase. These are my current questions and my decisions, if anyone's got a suggestion just shoot it my way. Anyway, here goes.

1) Is the 5300 wifi option really necessary over the 5100? I have heard about some driver issues but they were resolved (?), so I was recommended by friends to choose 5300 over 5100. I know it's only a small difference but I don't enjoy paying for nothing.

2) I have read that T400 does have flex on its keyboard, SOMETIMES. If I do receive a set of keyboard with a lot of flex, is it possible to return it without the restocking fee? And if I choose to, how could I change it to the older-generation keyboards without flex?

3) Do the batteries lose their life quickly? From your personal experiences with your 9-cell battery, do you lose a significant amount of battery life after say a year of usage? Because if so then I'd rather go with a smaller battery for the smaller footprint. I am using this laptop primarily for school.

4) I'm hoping the WXGA+ resolution doesn't have text too straining on the eye after a few hours of reading text. I know there's been many threads about this already.

5) Should I get the "enhanced" package (+$40) that gives Win7 Pro + WinXP Recovery CD?

So far it's something like this:

Operating system: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 1
Operating system language: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 - English 1
Display type: 14.1" WXGA+ TFT w/ LED BL 1
System graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 with 256MB 1
Total memory: 4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 (2 DIMM) 1
Keyboard language: US English Keyboard 1
Camera: with Camera 1
Hard drive: 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm 1
Optical device: DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Slim 1
System expansion slots: Express Card & Smart Card Slots 1
Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth PAN 1
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters: Intel WiFi Link 5300 1
Modem: Yes - AMoM 1
Mobile Broadband: Integrated WWAN upgradable 1
Battery: 9 cell Li-Ion Battery 1
Power cord: 90W AC Adapter; NA, LA, (2pin) 1
Language pack: English US Publication

I don't want to wait for the T410 as I prefer older platforms because I feel they are more stable. I need this laptop for Sept, 2010 . I apologize if some of these questions have been asked over and over. I have done some research but I am looking for some answers that may best fit my situation. I am most grateful for any help I can get from the experts on this awesome forum

 

I'd recommend an upgrade to 7200rpm HD. I just ordered mine today too, the upgrade is well worth it imo.

 

1I will not be able to answer all of the questions, but I bought one recently and I went through some of the same dilemmas.
1. I chose the 5100 option since the difference was minimal from my perspective - others may differ.
2. There were initial reports of the keyboard flex, but I read here that they have added extra support to the chassis and it is better now. You can always get a T61 keyboard from eBay.
3. I actually chose the 4 cell battery to save on weight - but that is because I generally use a computer plugged in on a desk. The six cell may be a good compromise - you may check the forum for how much time people are getting with that.
4. Texts on a WXGA+ on a 14.1 was too small for me. My other computer is Mackbook Pro and it is all right on a 15.4.
5. Your choice really - 7 Pro/ XP pro is a $30 upgrade anyway.

A few other things: I chose the integrated graphic option since it is more than enough for my use. The 3470 is not powerful enough for games, but of course you may need one for professional graphic use. Also, I found the camera to be quite bad frankly - but it may be enough for Skype etc.
Hope this helps. Others shall have their opinions as well.

 

Out of order...

My 1.5 year old 8 cell on my X61s is still taking over 100% factory charge. It came to me not quite taking a full charge, but over a couple weeks it worked it's way up. And I'm really not good to my battery, I don't do full cycles to calibrate or anything.

If you get one of the new lightweight keyboards, just call them and ask for a replacement. Tell them it really interferes with your typing, and people have had pretty good luck getting replacements sent.

The 5300 can handle an extra stream on 802.11n, three vs the 5100's two. That's up to an extra 150Mbps on a router that can handle three streams, configured for optimal bandwidth. I don't know if the 5100's issues are still lingering.

I wouldn't worry about WXGA+ on a 14" screen. Remember, a laptop's screen is a lot closer to your eyes than a desktop's screen usually is. Also keep in mind that they offer the same resolution on a 12".

Do you need to get on a domain? Do you need a virtualized XP compatibility mode? If not, you'll probably be happier with Win7 Home. If you plan to run Windows 7, just get 7. If you find you just don't like it, or it isn't ready for your needs, you can obtain an XP disc and downgrade yourself with the key they give you. That's another reason to get Win7 Pro, though, I don't think Home has downgrade rights (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

If you don't need it until September...
Think of it this way, the T400 was a major redesign. It is a new platform, and the T410 will most likely be a fairly small evolution with minor fixes and tweaks. By August you'll be seeing the price dropping of the T410 significantly, and getting back to school sales on top of that. It won't be as inexpensive as a T400 now, but likely worth it.

 

you do not need the big battery as you will lug around the larger bat and the AC anyway. This is along with all your textbooks. Unless you are the size of Shaq and can carry it like its a ballon then I think you are setting yourself up for medical bills and arthritis later in life.

Get the 7200RPM drive as mentioned by the other poster. If you want you can also get the smallest 5400RPM and swap it out by buyimg your own. It's more cost effective.

The ATI card adds to my case against a big battery because Loonovo will give you the largest AC brick and thus you dont wnat the huge batter. On integrated they ship it with the smaller AC brick. Do you game? Might want to reconsider if you need discrete graphics although its nice to have for sure.

 

My advice is if you don't need the laptop until september 2010, you will be doing better by waiting, as a rule of thumb, technology always gets cheaper, and by that time, you'll find laptops that will outperform easily what you are buying today at the same price.

 

A couple of points:

1. I would recommend the 7200 RPM harddrive.

2. Have you considered Ebay. This vendor has been selling T400 with similiar config with 3 year warranty for $890(minus 10% bing cashback) for the last couple of months.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Lenovo-T400...iewItemQQptZLaptops_Nov05?hash=item3efab881a0

3. I don;t think you are better off waiting. The T410 will have a 16:9 display which would be a big negative plus would be a lot more expensive. right now is one of the best times to get a laptop.

4. Unless you get a bad battery they last a year plus easily. Maybe 2+ years.

5. I doubt you will ever use XP once you use Win 7. It is decent enough.

 

1) Is the 5300 wifi option really necessary over the 5100? I have heard about some driver issues but they were resolved (?), so I was recommended by friends to choose 5300 over 5100. I know it's only a small difference but I don't enjoy paying for nothing.

I have a 5100 running Windows 7 Pro x64 and I have no issues with drivers

2) I have read that T400 does have flex on its keyboard, SOMETIMES. If I do receive a set of keyboard with a lot of flex, is it possible to return it without the restocking fee? And if I choose to, how could I change it to the older-generation keyboards without flex?

The T400 I got in October had a flexy keyboard. It was the new style keyboards with a bunch of holes in the plate and it did flex noticeably. I called them and they sent me a new T61 style keyboard that didn't have as many holes and is rock solid.

3) Do the batteries lose their life quickly? From your personal experiences with your 9-cell battery, do you lose a significant amount of battery life after say a year of usage? Because if so then I'd rather go with a smaller battery for the smaller footprint. I am using this laptop primarily for school.

I can't answer this because I have only had mine for a couple months.

4) I'm hoping the WXGA+ resolution doesn't have text too straining on the eye after a few hours of reading text. I know there's been many threads about this already.

I love the resolution of my WXGA+ screen. I came from a 15.4" WUXGA screen and the text was minuscule and straining on my eyes, and text with WXGA on a 15.4" and even a 14.1" screen looked ridiculously huge to me. The WXGA+ screen is perfect for me.

5) Should I get the "enhanced" package (+$40) that gives Win7 Pro + WinXP Recovery CD?

The recovery disks Lenovo sent me don't work and neither do my recovery disks I burned myself. I guess I'm doing something wrong? Anyway, I bought an upgrade disk of Windows 7 and I feel that it's better that way since you can do a nice clean install (no bloatware).

 

1) Is the 5300 wifi option really necessary over the 5100? I have heard about some driver issues but they were resolved (?), so I was recommended by friends to choose 5300 over 5100. I know it's only a small difference but I don't enjoy paying for nothing.

Personally I went with the 5100 and it works flawlessly when the intel software isnt installed (only the driver). I dont have range or stability issues in vista or windows 7.

2) I have read that T400 does have flex on its keyboard, SOMETIMES. If I do receive a set of keyboard with a lot of flex, is it possible to return it without the restocking fee? And if I choose to, how could I change it to the older-generation keyboards without flex?

You may get lucky with a rep that will send you a t60 series solid keyboard. But to be perfectly honest unless you're an 800lbs gorilla you wont notice any flex. I sure haven't out side of pressing REALLY hard.

3) Do the batteries lose their life quickly? From your personal experiences with your 9-cell battery, do you lose a significant amount of battery life after say a year of usage? Because if so then I'd rather go with a smaller battery for the smaller footprint. I am using this laptop primarily for school.

Im coming up on a year of ownership and I still get the same 8-10 hours of battery I did from day 1. I have to be honest that my wattage usage is up with windows 7 but then again I only did a rough power plan setup and can squeeze a little more if tinker with it.

4) I'm hoping the WXGA+ resolution doesn't have text too straining on the eye after a few hours of reading text. I know there's been many threads about this already.

I spend 8+ hours at work looking at my t400, then at home its another few hours of work there and no issues with eye strain so far. WXGA+ on a 14.1 is touted as the one of the best screen size to resolution combos on the market. Personally Id love a 17in WUXGA or at least a 15.4 WUXGA, but for now the WXGA+ on my t400 will.

5) Should I get the "enhanced" package (+$40) that gives Win7 Pro + WinXP Recovery CD?

That is a personal call there. I already had several copies of XP and I am a vista/windows 7 fan anyways so I went with vista business only.

As stated in a previous post you should wait til summer 2010. There will be deals on much more powerful laptops for the same price as they are now. So unless you absolutely have to have a laptop now waiting would be the best thing to do.

 

Thanks everyone for your replies! They're especially helpful and are really giving me a lot to think about.

I will definitely go with the 7200RPM harddrive now that I got so many recommendations to upgrade it. I have thought about this before, but I also read (on this forum) that the difference in upgrading to 7200RPM in terms of performance is minimal while it generates a lot of heat. But you guys convinced me otherwise (I'm reading some of your specs too )

The main reason that I don't wish to wait for the T410 is that rumours are it will be 16:9 "HD" widescreen and there could be bugs associated with the new platform in the first couple of months. Although it is for Sept., 2010, I sort of want to tinker around with it a few months prior to fix up all that I wish to fix before school starts. So assuming I want it around June, I was thinking maybe now would be a superb time to buy (with the 35% off coupon ($1350+ configuration) on the Canadian Lenovo website). Does anyone have anything to say with regards to Needmore4less's suggestion for me to wait?

I will go with the WGXA+. "WXGA+ on a 14.1 is touted as the one of the best screen size to resolution combos on the market" (liquidxit2) convinced me. It seems that only sg4472002 believes that the text is too small. I am hoping it will be okay. I love screen room, and I guess worst case scenario I will Ctrl & + in Firefox.

I am kind of concerned about the keyboard. It seems to be, based on your replies, that it's a hit or miss situation with Lenovo reps. The legendary Thinkpad keyboard is one of my biggest reasons for choosing a Thinkpad because I type a lot on keyboards (and I can't stand Mac keyboards). Is the keyboard easy to change if I were to purchase a T60 keyboard from eBay? I am no expert with laptops.

The 8-10 hours of battery life over 2 years is just sexy

I appreciate Ethyriel's insight on the wifi options. I will go with the 5300, should better routers become the norm in the near future. (Even though I am currently fine with a wireless G connection )

Thank you all again so much for your help. I can't wait to get my hands on a Thinkpad T400/(possibly 410).

 

The only reason to wait is if you dont need it now then why not wait to get newer tech for the same price. Wanting to tinker is understandable.

As for the keyboard the one I have is a dream to code, email and just generally type on. I prefer it to pretty much any keyboard option out now (including external), but then again I have always been partial to laptop keyboards anyways. If you see flex or just are bothered by it you can call lenovo and ask for the older solid keyboard and you may get lucky. But like I said mine has been nothing short of a dream to use.

 

I would say if you have the time to wait, just wait. With the T410 coming out, the price on the T400 is bound to drop. Also Many people are waiting for the WXGA+ High Brit to come out on the T400, so waiting might introduce more options available for the T400.
My 2 cents.

 

yup if you dont need it now and are focused on getting the system you configed now at a lower price the transition to the 410 is the best time to purchase. u also leave yourself and option to go with the 410 anyway. would say your timing is off.

 

Worst case with the keyboard is that you need to put some self adhesive felt or cork pads on the roll cage under the keyboard to strategically support it. People have been doing this sort of thing with laptop keyboards for years on lesser machines. It's kind of sad that it's come to this with Thinkpads, but at the same time, most people are happy with them, and they are significantly lighter.

 

Well.. if you give a good sales pitch with Lenovo I heard they will sedn you a T61 keyboard which is rock solid

 

I believe they may have switched completely to the T61 style keyboard. I ordered a T400 back in May or June, came with the "holey" keyboard. It had an issue with a "clicking" key about two months ago, so I called Lenovo for a replacement, and they sent me the much sturdier (and also noisier) T61 style keyboard. I never mentioned any issue with the flex at all, so I assumed these are what they use now.

Of course, the flex on the old keyboard was still nothing compared to most laptops. I used to have a white MacBook, so any keyboard is nice.

 

They went with the one with holes to save money and weight, mine was a may 2009 build and I don't notice any clicks or flex unless I stand on the keyboard.

 

I actually intended on buying a laptop six months ago when Intel's original release was set. The new Intel generation has some things to consider. I was waiting for the likely inclusion of Displayport (seriously only VGA on a T400?). It also supposedly can do PAVP and HD audio.
That's more of the fun stuff.

The new Intel CPUs are a pretty big leap forward, too. I was also looking forward to the AES-NI because i use encryption in a variety of places. I think they are also a bit lower in power consumption, yet still relatively faster.

Finally I honestly think that Lenovo wil release a higher resolution LCD panel that is wider in pixels, but the same in height (900px) for their 14" models.

The disadvantage for you being a student, you won't see this sort of low price on a T410 for a LONG time. Though you might get lucky in the summer.

 

Thanks for your replies.

Like hceuterpe said, I doubt I'd be able to find a T410 at the same price-to-performance ratio as the T400 right now, (I doubt even after they're released that the T400 would drop this low, since I kind of stalked the SL410/510 progress a month or so ago to learn the price pattern). I also hear that the i5 chip runs much hotter and uses more power, as does the nVidia video chip. It seems that the screen size will be preserved however, on the new panels, which is a relief should I decide to wait. But my main concern is really the keyboard. To be honest, the C2D chips (like the P8600 or 8700) is more than powerful enough for my word-processing occasional-photoshop and email-web-movie-music activities

Thanks again to everyone who is helping me make this tough decision.

So if I get a flexy set of keyboard, I just call them up and complain and they will send me a T61 keyboard + backplate? That seems very nice of them it would be even better if I could tell them in my order to install the T61 keyboard to begin with. Saves a set of T400 keyboard too.

 

Well, the backplate is part of the keyboard. And they'll ask you to send the old keyboard back. What they'll do is send you the new keyboard and include a label in the box to send the old one back at no charge.