Help my spec out a T400.

Ok so i've finally got the cash to buy a T400...

As far as processor, I'd like to get the 2.8ghz, but is it necessary at a $200 premium over the 2.53ghz? If not, give me reasons why.

Graphics, I think i'll be sticking with integrated. At no point do I plan on playing any games or any kind of photo editting, I'll likely pick up a new desktop in a few months which can be used for games if desired. So are the discrete graphics necessary if I dont plan to game? The only graphic intensive thing I plan on doing is playing 720p movies; not even 1080p playback is necessary since the screen isnt 1920x1200.(ironically enough, i'm downgrading. my four year old laptop has 1920x1200).

Anyway, on to HDD space. I'll likely go for a 100gig7200rpm. I dont need extra space as I have an external HDD that I use for backups and such. The 7200rpm though, will that cost me upwards of 10% less battery life over a 5400rpm?

On to battery; I'm thinking 6 cell because of the bulkiness of the 9 cell. Four years ago I bought my first laptop and it was a dell 9100. It weighs about 10 pounds and I hate the size. So when considering battery, I dont want something that will weigh me down, but will still give me around 5 hours of battery life. I dont plan on being extremely mobile and if a year down the road I do need more battery, I'll pick up a 9 cell. Sound good?

For screen I plan on getting the LED with camera so I can skype with my parents.

And lastly, bluetooth. I heard bluetooth isnt all that great, is this true? I was considering getting bluetooth so i could get a headset when skyping with my parents rather than using the integrated mic if there is one.

Anyway, please help me out with the important stuff, CPU and Graphics. Are my decisions poor, why or why not. And for those coming from a 15.4 screen to this 14 inch; Is use of the T400, in terms of screen size, fairly similar to a 15.4 screen? Or do you feel forced to adapt because the smaller screen size really did change your viewing.

 

I got one with P8600, only because the CPU is going to spend most of its life at 800MHz. I also got integrated, because I am a Linux user, and have no need for the extra GPU power. The x4500 should handle 720p. I have a 9 cell, and love it. It is slightly bulkier than the six cell, but it curves upward so it won't stick out so far. With the 9 cell, battery life is about 8 hours. I just went from 15.4" WSXGA+ to 14.1" WXGA+, and it isn't bad at all. It will be a little more noticeable with the WUXGA though. The 7200 uses more power, but not 10% hit in battery life, maybe more of a 4ish percent hit.

 

great now i'm noticing that they dont offer the 100gig7200rpm anymore.

 

Processor : I would suggest go with 2.53 Ghz and not 2.8 Ghz, Its not worth for 200 extra bucks plus the money you give would go to Intel R&D.
Best bang for buck : 2.53Ghz.

Memory : With the money for 2.8ghz you can go for higher RAM. Compare the performance increase in terms of percentage. 2.8ghz/2.53ghz = 1.106 is smaller than 4gb/1gb = 4 (110 % and 400%)

Graphics : You've already decided on the integrated one. Good

Bluetooth : I wonder who'd use those in the coming future. I might be wrong.

Battery : I have 9 cell, and I hve to admit its a lil bulky but 6 cell also *would* be bulky.

 

I for one use bluetooth all the time. I use a Microsoft BT Presenter Mouse 8000 -- get the benefits of a wireless mouse without messing with a dongle.

I also use bluetooth to sync my personal blackberry. Not a big deal for a corporate system, but its nice to not dig out a cable to sync contacts, calendar, and other items. A lot of phones can now sync contacts over bluetooth.

I believe you can use a bluetooth headset with skype or similar tools as well, but I've not tried it.

-- Lew

 

Here's what I ordered:

7417CTO THINKPAD T400
42X6350 SBB 100GB HDD/7200RPM
42X6345 SBB DVDRECORD.8XMAXDUAL,ULTBAY
42X6312 SBB EXPR.CARDSLOTXN4-1M.CARDR.
62P6054 VBB INTEGR.BLUETOOTH PAN
42X6325 SBB INT.WIFI LINK5300
42X6328 SBB INTG.WIR.WIDENET UPGRAD.
42V9338 SBB 6 CELL LI-ION BATERRY
41W1787 SBB CPK NORTH AMERICA
42X6388 SBB LPACK US ENGLISH
42X6342 SBB 2GBPC3-8500 1067MHZMEM
42X6336 SBB INT.CORE2DUOPROCP8600
42V9428 SBB PACKAGING US
44C1343 SBB 14.1"WXGA+,LEDB/L BT WWAN
43Y4468 SBB INT GRAP.M.ACC.X4500FRULBL
44C1324 SBB LCDCOVBEZLEDB/L14.1"W/OCAM
44C6783 SBB ODD SW FOR DVD REC, VISTA
44C1359 SBB MT 7417 SYSTE. LABEL
43Y3470 SBB WWAN MISCP-WWAN READYFULL
43Y3475 SBB WLAN MISCP-3X3FULL(F2
42X2659 SBB ENERGY STAR 4.0 PACK
44C1316 SBB BLUETOOTH W/ANTENNA
43Y4471 VBB GEN WIND. XP PROFESS.
42X1702 SBB BLUETOOTH SCREW
44C1318 SBB INTEG.WLESSANTENNA:14.1"
44C1356 SBB CL.PLATET400WLAN+BLUETWWAN
44C1320 SBB UWB MISC PARTS-NO CARD(H1
44C1352 SBB EXP.CARDSLOTN7-1MEDIACREAD
43Y4024 SBB BASE 2ND TOUCH INTEGRATED
44C1410 SBB MECH MISC PARTS
43Y3962 SBB NEWINTELLB2008 CENTRINO2
42V7972 SBB MS LABEL (VISTA PREMIUM)
44C1386 SBB GEOLBL.US,WLAN,BLUET.
43Y3435 SBB MW XP PROF US ENGL
42W7002 SBB FCC-ID/LABEL FOR WWAN
42V9665 SBB FCC, LABEL
41C9334 3 YEAR THINKPAD PROTECTION
40Y9134 TPP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
42X6318 SBB 14.1 W X G A +TFT
42X6313 SBB INT.GRAPH.MEDIAACCELX4500
42X6306 VBB 2GBPC3-8500 1067MHZ1DIMM
42X6355 SBB KYB US ENGLISH
42X6322 SBB ULTRNAV(TRACKP+TOUCHPAD)


It's in shipping now held up for a customs clearance at UPS in Ontario, CA. Hope it clears customs today and gets delivered tomorrow.

If I was to order one again to save money I might order it with the smaller 80GB HD. ZipZoomFly.com has a 320GB 5400RPM HD for $99.00 with a $30 rebate. After rebate, it would cost nearly the same amount to have a 320 GB HD as I paid Lenovo for a 100GB 7200RPM HD. If I did so I could have used the 80GB HD, with an external enclosure, for back up.

To save money I didn't order the camera. You have more need for one than I do. I came close to getting one.

I ordered the XP downgrade from Vista Business (it cost the same) and a 2GB memory chip. If I ever decide to install Vista Business from the Vista DVD I'd likely add more memory.

I live in California and ordered (paid for) the 3 year ThinkPad Protection. Later, I found out it is not available/valid for consumer purchasers from Calif. (or Florida). I ordered the T400 under my business name unknowing that that made ThinkPad Protection available. A purely lucky choice, not an informed one, as there was no notice on the Lenovo website. Otherwise I'd have had 30 days to request a refund. The same would be true for a Florida buyer, I think.

I checked my T400s serial number and it will have a LG screen!

 

yeh thanks. i was planning on getting vista 64 and 4 gigs anyway.

 

so my friend keeps saying that integrated gfx are not good for hd movie playback.

will the integrated gfx really put a stress on my computer, that is, 720p video playback at most.

 

My view (and this is what I did and why):

- Stick with the 2.53Ghz. $200 for the 2.8Ghz is not worth it. You only get 2 seconds more on wPrime. Better to save the money for you next laptop.
- Get the discrete graphics. Integrated graphics tend to get overwhelmed, even if not gaming. The cost differential is worth it, and the ability to switch back on the fly from discrete to integrated to save power is worth it.
- The 7200rpm drive is better. However, I would order the cheapest hard drive option (I think 80gb, 5400rpm) and install your own 320GB 7200rpm drive, which costs ~$110 (WD Scorpio Black). It's better than any option Lenovo offers. Power use difference is minimal related to battery life. Worth the pperformance.
- Get the 9 cell battery. If juice is a concern, it is the way to go. It's not that bulky, and the added weight is offset by the better life. If you want a "true" 5 hours, the 9 will get you that.
- LED screen is a good choice, if only for the brightness, but more importantly the power savings.
- Definitely get Bluetooth. Useful for A2DP (Stereo headsets), Mice, sync with PDA, etc.
- The screen is plenty big, and resolution is 1400x900 (WXGA+). I think it's worth the size and weight tradeoff of a 15.4 inch screen.


-

 

ok so i'm about to order this thing. either tonight or sometime tomorrow.

2.53ghz cpu
ati discrete gpu
vista business 64
4 gigs ddr3
led screen with camera
9 cell
possibly bluetooth

now as far as HDD, they stopped offering the 100gig 7200rpm drive which was what I wanted. i'm assuming theyre supply ran short and they took the option down. so heres my problem before i order. do i take the 160 gig 5400 rpm drive or go for the 160 gig 7200rpm. I'm questioning the decision because theres a 50 dollar price difference between the two and i'm reaching my limit of 1400 dollars with this setup as is. some people mentioned just getting the 80 gig drive and upgrading later with something from newegg, etc., but looking at newegg prices, laptop drives are priced high. all cost well over 100 bucks. what i want is something that is 7200 rpm and has around 100-120 gigs, and of course, i want it cheap.

furthermore, prices on the default t400 have risen by some amount in the past week or two. i remember the discrete setup costing around 760 dollars a week or two back, and now its up to 803. should i wait a bit and perhaps prices will go down, and the 100 gig 7200rpm will be back in stock, or should i just order now?

 

I would order the lowest hard dissk (80gb) and replace with a Scorpio 320GB 7200rpm for $112 online. Better performane and cheaper than Lenovo options.

I would also order the WWAN AT&T card for $50...it give you real GPS (no contract or SIM required), and you can always have 3G wireless broadband if ever need it.

 

i dont get how 112 is cheaper than payed 60 bucks for a 7200rpm 160 gig at lenovo.

i have absolutely no need for 320 gigs.

 

I should have clarified cheaper than the 200GB option on the site, but regardless, here is my thinking:

Taking the prices from the Levono site (not including the CPP discount, if you are going that route):

First, there is a 320GB, 5400rpm option for $131. Obviously, at 7200rpm and $112 from Tech Guys, the Scorpio is a better deal.

But let's stick with your scenario: 160GB - $71 more.

If you got the 80GB drive (lowest option), you save $71 bucks.

You get a Scorpio for $112. So you have really only paid $41 dollar more.

You sell the 80GB on eBay; likely get $20 for it (conservative estimate).

So for about $20 more, you get TWICE the capacity and higher performance than over the 160GB drive.

You may never need 320GB, but you never know.

To me, for $20, it's well worth it.

(You could also keep the 80GB drive, get a $15 USB enclosure, and use it as a backup drive if desired.)

 

yeh i think i'm gonna either the 80 gig 5400 or the 160 gig 5400 from lenovo for 20 bucks more.

later down the road i may get a 7200 rpm drive; still wish the 100 gig 7200rpm was still offered though. of maybe i'll go for the 160gig 7200 from lenovo right away. what makes the scorpion or the hitachi travelstar better than the lenovo options?

 

Yep..they change the offerings on the fly...here today, gone tomorrow.

 

its all about supply and demand. i'll just wait til they get the 100 gig ones back in stock. i'll wait a week actually, if nothing by then i'll just order whatever.

 

Just ordered this:

Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9400 (2.53GHz 1066MHz6MBL2)1
Genuine Windows Vista Business 6412
14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ LED Backlight, Camera
ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 with 256MB
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)5
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Intel WiFi Link 5300 (AGN)10
9 cell Li-Ion Battery60

If possible I'll change the order to a 100gig 7200rpm if the option becomes available anytime soon.

Cost just under $1400. If the price drops within the next 30 days does lenovo offer price matching? And surprsingly, this is just 100 dollars less than if I didnt use EPP. Wow EPP wasnt as much a savings as I initially thought.