The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Another Configuration Advice thing.. T400

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by efesach, Oct 23, 2009.

  1. efesach

    efesach Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi guys, I'm about to buy my first laptop, and I need all of your professional opinion. ;)

    It's a T400, and I'm hoping here it'd last for some 4-5 years. What do you think about this purchase? Is there anything excess I don't need, or anything I should add? Thanks a lot!


    [​IMG]
     
    efesach, Oct 23, 2009
    #1
  2. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

    Reputations:
    1,571
    Messages:
    8,107
    Likes Received:
    126
    Trophy Points:
    231
    i would just get the P8400 CPU, or the cheapest T9xxx CPU. Use that money to extend your warranty to 3 years.
     
    lead_org, Oct 23, 2009
    #2
  3. ckx

    ckx Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    297
    Messages:
    352
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Seconded. If you plan to keep the machine for 4-5 years, CPU speed does not matter that much in the grand scheme of things. Getting a good warranty is much more important.
     
    ckx, Oct 23, 2009
    #3
  4. efesach

    efesach Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks. I just find a 10% eCoupon, so I was actually considering upgrading my CPU lol.
    Is the Intel Turbo Memory 2GB worh it? I read a few negative reviews, but they were all over a year old.

    EDIT.
    This is what are offered
    So you guys recommend the P8700?
     
    efesach, Oct 23, 2009
    #4
  5. miner

    miner Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    1,326
    Messages:
    7,137
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    No, skip it...have it on mine and there isnt much difference. It might help in certain specific cases with lower amount of RAM but overall with 4GB RAM there is little use for 2GB turbo memory.
     
    miner, Oct 23, 2009
    #5
  6. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

    Reputations:
    6,668
    Messages:
    8,224
    Likes Received:
    231
    Trophy Points:
    231
    Yes, do not waste your money on Turbo Memory. The P8700 is a powerful processor, likely more powerful that most people need.
     
    MidnightSun, Oct 23, 2009
    #6
  7. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

    Reputations:
    1,571
    Messages:
    8,107
    Likes Received:
    126
    Trophy Points:
    231
    the speed difference within the P8xxx series are small, since the speed gain is purely from more clock cycles, which in this age isn't as important more L2 cache, lower TDP and better instruction set.

    So you should either get P8700 (purely because that is the lowest that is offered on your laptop) or otherwise go with T9600.
     
    lead_org, Oct 23, 2009
    #7
  8. efesach

    efesach Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Ok guys, I finally pulled the trigger and ordered it!

    Thanks to everyone for their time and advice. I definitely appreciate it!
     
    efesach, Oct 23, 2009
    #8
  9. cn_habs

    cn_habs Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    886
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Congrats!!

    On a side note, I doubt any laptop out there is going to last 5 years without your having to replace some parts.
     
    cn_habs, Oct 24, 2009
    #9
  10. Broadus

    Broadus Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    124
    Messages:
    669
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Good for you! You should be well pleased.

    Bill
     
    Broadus, Oct 24, 2009
    #10
  11. ckx

    ckx Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    297
    Messages:
    352
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yes. I still use my X30 as my main computer, and I have two things replaced in 6+ years of daily use.
    1. I have an LCD panel replaced under warranty because the original one developed a bright spot that is visible in all-white background, and
    2. I replaced the original 4200rpm 20GB disk with a 5400rpm 100GB disk.
    Those replacements are not strictly necessary; I bet the computer would still work with all the original parts. But I think cn_habs is right: if you do keep a computer for a long time, some replacements or upgrades are inevitable.
     
    ckx, Oct 24, 2009
    #11
  12. efesach

    efesach Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I'll definitely be looking forward to the next time I buy a laptop, let it be 3 years or 5 years.
    Thanks everyone! I'll be lurking around this forum for a looong time. :)
     
    efesach, Oct 24, 2009
    #12