About to pull the trigger on a T400

Please note that I have an external HDD, so storage isn't really an issue. I'll be using this to play games (most demanding: probably Portal, Medieval II Total War) and go to class (hence the battery life). Can anyone convince me that the screen is a good choice? I read the review, but can't escape the creeping feeling that I might enjoy a prettier one.

Sorry about the formatting, I just copied and pasted. Also keep in mind that I get a student discount, so price isn't really an issue.

Also, can anybody comment on the thin AC adapter, the Belkin CushTop stand, or the Lenovo laser mouse? The high-nit screen? Thanks.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P9500 (2.53GHz 1066MHz 6MBL2) 25W
Operating system: Genuine Windows Vista Business 64
Operating system language: Genuine Windows Vista Business 64 US English
System graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 with 256MB
Total memory: 4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboard: Keyboard US English
Pointing device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
Hard drive: 128 GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA
Optical device: DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
System expansion slots: Express Card Slot & PC Card Slot
Wireless card: Intel WiFi Link 5300 (AGN) with My WiFi Technology 1
Battery: 9 cell Li-Ion Battery
Power cord: Country Pack North America with Line cord & 90W AC adapter 1

Accessories and options:
Belkin CushTop - Chocolate/Blue
Lenovo USB Laser Mouse

 

The high nit screen is supposed to have the best contrast and obviously will work outdoors the best. There's a fairly recent post here of some of the various T400 screens if you want to take a look for it. I've not seen it myself, but contrast and viewing angles are what makes for a good screen.

 

Wow, that 128GB SSD is a lot of money compared to a 250GB hard drive. Will you really get nearly $400 worth of use out of it?

For me if I weren't going to be outside a lot and this require a high NIT screen I'd choose WXGA+ over WXGA on a 14" screen any day of the week.

 

If you're using the CushTop for cooling purposes, I'd suggest getting a notebook stand (passive cooler) or one with fans. These would be far more effective, and many times, for less money.

 

I would say you make sure to include bluetooth in the config. That way you can sync a cell phone/PDA with the laptop along with using a Wireless mouse with no dongle. I thought I wouldn't use bluetooth but using it for the Bluetooth mouse alone is a GOD send. More than worth the price, which by the way is cheap, like $20.

And about the screen. Which screen(s) are you thinking of? Your config doesn't list anything regarding the screen.

 

A SSD about doubles the "value" of any notebook, IMHO, compared to a HDD. Value? In speeds, in inherent qualities of silence and resistance to falls, and in system value in reduced use of power and use fans, etc.

The question is whether buying from Lenovo gives good value for a SSD, and I don't believe it is. Better to buy a cheap HDD with the system, buy a SSD from a third party for half the price, and then use the HDD as an external backup media.

The only drawback of buying a good (and some are bad!) third-party SSD is that Lenovo do not help with any possible install problems...

 

I have the Lenovo Laser Mouse (although I rarely use it). It's a pretty standard 2 button mouse with a 4 directional wheel. It tracks well, but I don't think it's any better than my seven year old MS IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 (although it IS ambidextrous).

I'd highly recommend an SSD if you can afford it (see the link in my sig). But aftermarket (Intel, Samsung, or Indillix controller) is probably the way to go.

The thin 90 W AC/DC combo adapter is slimmer but NOT smaller/lighter. However, it does charge other devices and work in cars/planes with the appropriate tips.

As Zaz said the WXGA High-Nit does seem to be of above average quality (most other ThinkPad displays [x200T and w700 excepted]) are fair at best. The High-Nit will also be much brighter, easier to use under ANY lighting condition, and should still be fairly power efficient (almost certainly better than the CCFL at any brightness and possibly better than the standard LED at a given light output). If display quality is more important to you than resolution (it is to me), the high nit is probably the way to go.