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    Canada-LED available again/price change - what do you think?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by dinsdale, Nov 18, 2008.

  1. dinsdale

    dinsdale Newbie

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    Hi folks,

    I need a new laptop for programming. 1024x768 on a X41 is just no fun anymore :mad:

    I have been watching the Lenovo Canada website for some time. Last couple of days the LED options were not available which is a definite dealbreaker for me. Now it seems though they are available again but base prices of some models seem to have changed quite a bit. T500 discrete graphics seems to cost +$200 all of a sudden and the T400 with discrete graphics is cheaper than the integrated Version ... *** ???

    Anyway, what I feel is the best deal right now is a quite basic T500:

    I'll be installing Linux anyway so integrated Graphics is not that important as long as I can attach a second display. The rest (HD/RAM) would be upgradable down the road. I'd like to get an SSD but only the US has a current 250$ for 64GB offering which I would consider.


    Code:
    ThinkPad T500 - 1 Yr Depot Warranty
    	
    Intel Core 2 Duo processor P8600 (2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2)
    Display type 		15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
    System graphics 		Intel GMA X4500
    Total memory 		2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 (2 DIMM)
    Keyboard Language 		Acnor Canadian French Keyboard
    Camera 		Integrated Camera Module
    Hard drive 		80GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
    Optical device 		CD-RW/DVD-ROM, Ultrabay Slim
    System expansion slots 		Express Card & PC Card Slots
    Bluetooth 		Integrated Bluetooth PAN
    Integrated WiFi 	Intel WiFi Link 5300
    Mobile Broadband 		Integrated WWAN upgradable
    Battery	9 cell Li-Ion Battery
    Power cord 		65W AC Adapter; NA, LA, (2pin)
    
    Subtotal:  	$1,574.00
    Savings 	-$547.46
    Estimated total:  	$1026.54 CAD + TAX
    
    
    what do you think? Should I stick around some more and wait?
     
  2. dinsdale

    dinsdale Newbie

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    Just realized the WSXGA+ screen is actually NOT LED!! - In this case a T400 is probably the better option for me.
    My apologies, someone might be interested though.
     
  3. i5aac

    i5aac Notebook Consultant

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    Well I actually do see the T400 LED backlight available. However, they still do not seem to have re-enabled the built-in webcam.
     
  4. ernstloeffel

    ernstloeffel Notebook Consultant

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    your t500 ccfl is wsxga+ (1680*1050), the t400 has only wxga+(1400*900). being a programmer and coming from wuxga and lurking for a new laptop as well, i can tell that 1400*900 is not a really good choice for many programming tasks these days. i've currently set my screen to 1400*900 time and again for a couple of weeks now to check if i can get along with that resolution (i was besides others considering a dell with a 15" wxga+ led and a t400 14" with wxga+led). result: it sucks.

    in MY opinion wsxga+ is far better for todays bloated IDEs like eclipse, vs,..
    i have to scroll more often with the lower res, plus i really lose overview and and thus efficiency. i still wish there was a 4:3 screen.

    edit: you said your 1024*768 res is no fun anymore. since the t400 isn't a 4:3 screen, it has only 132 more vertical pixels (900). that's not much of a difference.
     
  5. philosopherdog

    philosopherdog Notebook Consultant

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    You should be able to get 10% off with this coupon CAPPREBOXINGDAY . If the discount changing in 21 days you can invoke price protection. If you want the LED I'd call them. That feature has been back and forth for a couple of weeks. I'd go for the switchable graphics card if nothing else.