A new recommandation ?

[padpod]

Hi, I would need a Thinkpad recommandation.
My current notebook is a vaio 13" (1280x800), Pentium M 1.73, 2G ram.
It is powerfull enough but slightly too small and noisy (fan powers on @ 50 degrees with a disturbing low pitch).

I am looking for bigger screen estate (at least 900 pixel height, width doesn't matter), quiet, low autonomy is fine (~2 to 3 hours), with enough power to be usable during few years (internet and editing text files).
I am thinking about a T400 with 1440x900 screen, is it good enough or should I go for a T410 or anything else?
Regarding the T4xx series, are fan getting noisier over time? Should I plan a replacement (with the heatsink or just the fan) or a just a good clean?
For a T400, since it is quite old I wonder if second-hand genuine lenovo battery are better than a generic third-party battery ?

regards,

[Medessec]

A T400 will be quite a jump over your current laptop- if you believe your current Pentium M laptop is powerful enough for what you do, then I'm sure you'll love the extra go-go the T400 has to offer.

The T400 is a pretty good idea for you since you say your Vaio is slightly too small... and although a T400 with a 1400x900 screen will be hard to track down, I think that'll suit you as well.

The T400's fan isn't particularly known for getting louder over time... if you get one with a quiet fan already, especially one that has been refurbished(new fan), you'll probably never have to worry about it if all you do is internet and typing. Even if it gets noisy, new fans for the T400 aren't difficult to come by(especially on this forum) and if you're not afraid to undo a few screws, peel apart your Thinkpad and follow some instructions, it's very easy to replace too. Keeping your fan clean with dusting(either with an air can or air compressor) is a good idea.

In my experience, there's no issues with buying either Genuine or Third-party batteries, except the Third party batteries are far more unpredictable. They *can* hold as good a charge as Genuines, but most of the time they hold slightly less. And they age a lot faster than Genuines. I would personally recommend you stick with Genuines, if you plan to use this laptop a lot, and if you can afford it.

[brchan]

I agree, the T400 should be able to suit your needs very well. There is only one thing to be careful with when using the T400, and that is to be gentle when unplugging/plugging devices into the USB ports. The plastic tabs inside the ports can be prone to breaking.

[padpod]

Thanks for your advices. I will take a T400 then.

I would personally recommend you stick with Genuines, if you plan to use this laptop a lot, and if you can afford it.

I will try, but indeed they are pricey, after checking on lenovo site, a brand new 6 or 9 cells battery for a T400 are roughly the same price as a second hand "A ware" T400 with WXGA+ resolution...

There is only one thing to be careful with when using the T400, and that is to be gentle when unplugging/plugging devices into the USB ports. The plastic tabs inside the ports can be prone to breaking.

I would take care of that but it is not my main concern, I just really need one bootable USB; if in need for more USB ports, I could still rely on an expressCard for that.

[dr_st]

Welcome to the forum.

Keep in mind that the 6-cell battery for the T400 sticks out the back of the laptop, and God forbid if you end up with one of those 9-cell monstrosities. If a battery that sits flush is important to you, you are stuck with a low-capacity 4-cell on these models.

Don't get new batteries on Lenovo's site - that's for certain. Amazon sometimes has good deals on the genuines, and of course you can also get a non-genuine for much less.

Genuine:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_ ... battery+33

Non-genuine:
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-k ... %20battery

[padpod]

I now have a good looking and relatively quiet T400. Except for the left Ctrl key (which makes me nuts), It seems good enough for my use. Thanks for advices on USB ports, I will use an old usb pcmcia card (I need some horizontal USB anyway).

Soon, I may upgrade to an ssd. I have a spare intel 330. I saw many bad comments on SandForce, but I still wonder what is wrong with it?
Should I use this ssd or invest in a new one ?

[Temetka]

Here's some info on the SandForce based SSD's:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SandForce

https://communities.intel.com/thread/33953

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4973/sand ... able-today

To be honest if it were me I would get a Samsung EVO or PRO SSD and move on. I know some sites say the SandForce issues are a thing of the past and some others still report issues. I can't have my primary data storage device having issues. Crucial also has some pretty good SSD's out there as well. But from everything I have read, Samsung still seems to rule the SSD market in terms of speed and reliability.

Glad you got yourself a T400. I haven't used one, but I have read dozens of reviews on them as I was considering picking one up. I instead got a T410 which is an awesome machine IMO. That being said, I hope your T400 provides you with years of awesome service.