Concerned about Underpowered Graphics on the T400

Hi All-

I'd like to ask your opinions on a concern of mine. I'm in the market for a notebook, and the T400 looks like a near perfect fit for me! However, I'm concerned by all the reviews I've read that say that the T400 has a very entry-level graphics adapter (ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 with 256MB).

Let's say that my planned uses for this machine do not include gaming. They would include a lot of "daily use" (internet, messaging, e-mail, office work), as well as some "multimedia" (photo, music, video editing/production) and "entertainment" (music and movies).

I plan to use Vista on this machine, and I am concerned because I've read that Vista is very graphics intensive. I am concerned that the puny graphics they put in the T400 will make Vista respond slowly. Also, I download and watch HD movies/shows. I am concerned that the graphics on the T400 will not be able to handle the HD content - I have to deal with that a bit on my current computer, and it is no fun to watch choppy videos!

I'd like to ask your advice to see if my concerns are warranted, or if the ATI 3470 graphics in the T400 would be able to handle Vista and HD movies no problem.

Thanks!

 

Your concerns are not really warranted. Even without the ATI card, the built-in Intel graphics chip can handle all you’ve listed here—and the ATI card is not that puny for the T400’s intended market.

 

I don't have any specific details, but I am running Vista with a less capable video card on my current desktop (Nvidia 7600 256mb). I am able to watch HD content, as well as do everything else you mentioned without issue. I think I remember reading somewhere that even the integrated Intel video will decode Blu-Ray through hardware, so even that card may be capable for most of your tasks. Yes, in comparison to some of the other modern GPUs out there this is at the lower scale, but for what you plan to do with it I believe it will be more than capable. I asked myself the same question before pulling the trigger on my T400, but after skimming a few reviews it is obvious that the T400 will outperform my current desktop. I am getting it for school, as a gift from my father, so I told him to keep it until xmas even though its sitting at his house. Otherwise I would give you some firsthand feedback.

....Treed by Blink

 

As BinkNR said if you are not gaming then your concerns are not necessary. I use my x200 with vista...Also the intel chipset can do HD playback as well. If you aren't gaming or doing anything workstation graphics-related, then don't worry about having a graphics card.

 

I can definitely run Vista very well with my T400. It can even play Fallout 3 at 1440x900 (medium-low settings) at a playable FPS, so you definitely don't need to be worrying about Vista.