About to order Lenvo T400 with Discrete Graphics

I'm a computer engineering student, and occasionally, I would like to do some minor 3D cad work, multimedia and gaming.

I would like to have a good amount of battery life that will last me a day on campus without having to bring my power adapter, unless I know I'm staying there really late.

so I've decided on the following specs:

Processor1 Intel Core 2 Duo processor P8600 (2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2)
Operating system12 Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
Operating system language Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic - English
Display type 14.1" WXGA+ TFT w/ LED BL
System graphics ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 with 256MB
Total memory 3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 (2 DIMM)
Keyboard language US English Keyboard
Hard drive4 250GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Optical device5 CD-RW/DVD-ROM, Ultrabay Slim
System expansion slots Express Card & Media Card Slots
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters Intel WiFi Link 5100
Modem Yes - AMoM
Mobile Broadband Integrated WWAN upgradable
Battery60 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Power cord 90W AC Adapter; NA, LA, (2pin)


Is there anything else I should know about before purchasing, or any recommendations to change the configuration?

PS: I live in Canada. I'm currently renting a place here till mid-august. How long should I expect the shipment to arrive?

 

Depending on how long a day is for you, you might want to consider the 9-cell - or even the modular battery, if it isn't too expensive w/ Lenovo Canada. Maybe consider a dvd writer unless you have an external one already?

 

Do you have a link to this modular battery? I don't remember seeing it! Thanks.

 

When you're customizing a T400, you have to go to page 3 (accessories). It's not on the main options page. Lenovo calls it an ultrabay battery.

I don't know the exact watt hours, but I think it's a 3-cell. So when you use it in the modular bay, it takes your battery capacity from 4 to 7, 6 to 9, etc.

 

My suggestions:

(1) Go with a DVD burner; not just the CDR/DVD-ROM.
(2) Add Bluetooth -- increasingly cellphones are using bluetooth, and having a bluetooth laptop mouse is really nice in not having to mess with a dongle.
(3) Consider staying with the six-cell and adding a 65W AC adapter for use on campus. That's what I typically do; works fine wit my T400, albeit I'm usually using the integrated graphics (which you can do also). With cord it weighs less than 10oz (280gm). Note that it seems there's about a 5oz difference between the 6 cell and the 9 cell anyway, so the additional weight of the 65W adapter is offset quite a bit by the 9cell to 6cell savings.

 

on the memory front I ordered 2GB (1 DIMM) and bought an additional 2GB Crucial stick for $32, the same price as an additional 1GB from Lenovo (ordered it so it arrive the same time as the computer). Not sure if you can get similar deals to Canada, but it's worth investigating.

 

+1. I went with a single 2GB stick and ordered a Crucial 2GB for $28 (free shipping).

Like others, I feel a DVD burner is worth the extra. Also consider whether you might like a webcam; easy to get initially, but not something you can upgrade to later. I use my webcam (and Bluetooth, paired with a cell phone headset) with Skype as a handy way for talking with someone for free while doing remote troubleshooting.

 

ah bummer, wish I knew about the RAM thing.

I've dropped the order yesterday without realizing that there was no HDMI port. I guess I can still survive wtihout this.

A few questions for you T400 owners.

How is the WXGA+ w/ bl LED?
Will I get shorter battery with the discrete graphics option?
How much performance gain will I get with the ATI discrete graphics option?
Should I have atleast gotten a 7200 rpm hard drive?

 

I suggest going for a 7200rpm HDD rather than the 5400rpm. You do notice the difference. It is very quiet.

The discrete gpu option is the ATI. It also comes with the Intel integrated gpu. In Vista you can swap between the two. For general computing the Intel runs much cooler and is just fine. When you need the AI just switch over. It uses a lot more power and creates more heat, so it runs the fan more. But when you need it you need it! Of course you get more battery life of a gpu that uses much less power. The combination is great.

 

Very nice. But the key is WXGA+ -- I wouldn't take lower resolution just to have LED backlighting.

Yes, running discrete graphics will shorten battery life by an hour or so. Maybe more depending on what you're doing. Also generates a noticeably greater amount of heat. Performance gain depends on what you're doing. In typical windows / office / websurfing tasks you'll see no performance difference between integrated and discrete. If you're doing CAD/3D modeling or playing games then you'll probably see a good performance gain.

Nice thing though is the discrete graphics equipped T400's also have integrated graphics and you can easily switch between them. So you can use integrated graphics anytime you don't need the dedicated GPU and thereby get additional battery life and lower temperatures.

As to hard drives, that's like the memory thing. Better to buy a 7200rpm drive from Newegg than to pay the Lenovo premium for a 7200rpm drive. For nearly the same money you end up with a 2nd drive. Add an external USB enclosure or a Thinkpad Serial ATA Hard Drive Bay Adapter II (PN43R1980) and use your existing 5400rpm drive for backups or additional storage.

 

Note that a number of today's high-capacity 5400rpm hard drives (e.g., 320GB-500GB) are a near-equal to many 7200rpm hard drives in many ways, and power consumption should be lower. After research, I bought a WD Scorpio Blue 500GB to replace the 160GB that came stock in my T400.

 

I did exactly that after reading about the WD Scorpio Blue 500GB, but found the original Lenovo-provided Hitachi(?) 160BG 7200rpm HDD quieter as well as quicker. And it had a more pleasant, lower, pitch. Not what I expected, but these things are fairly subjective, aren't they? I quickly moved to a OCZ Summit 120GB SSD, and I couldn't be happier...

 

Can anyone comment on the screen quality of the WXGA+ w/ bl LED?

How about games? Will it handle TF2 fine?

 

I've been very happy with my WXGA+ / LED backlight. The ATI graphics adapter provides richer deeper colors and the integrated graphics colors are less saturated. I prefer the more subdued/natural look of the integrated graphics color palatte. As good as any other laptop I've used.

Can't really comment on games as I don't really ever play any.

 

Do you have the LG or Samsung? Did you need to calibrate the monitor? If so, could any LG WXGA+/LED be calibrated to meet the standards of your display?

Thanks

 

I think it's the LG, I'm knew once but don't remember. I calibrated it at one point but haven't recalibrated under Win7RC. "Need" is relative. You always calibrate any monitor if you're doing photo editing. Next batch I need to do I'll likely recalibrate, but otherwise no real need.

You're last question is unanswerable. How could I possibly know that?

It's probably all moot anyway; I bought my T400 nearly a year ago. The displays shipping today are hopefully better but you can't really extrapolate the details like calibration against what they're likely producing today.