Thinkpads Forum

Hello ThinkMasters!
Recently I was thinking about buying Thinkpad T400 or T500. I've been searching on e-bay the best offers with ATI switchable graphics. Few hours ago new offer came up. It has no OS installed so the guy who sells it doesn't know if it's the model with ATi or just single intel gma 4000 series. He only sent me the model number and serial number:
TYPE 2056-CTO
S/N L3-ADT3W
ID:2056W2J

Now here's my question: Do any of you know, what graphics does it have? in Lenovo index (http://www.lenovo.com/psref/pdf/indexw.pdf) i've found it should be (Switchable) or (Switch). What exactly does it mean? Are there any differences between "switchable" and "switch"?
Thanks in advance!



PS. Sorry for any mistakes, eng is not my native language.

Welcome to the forum.
These are the specs for that machine ex-factory:
T500 (2056-W2J)
Based 2056-CTO: P8400(2.26GHz), 2GB RAM, 160GB 5400rpm HD, 15.4in 1680x1050 LCD, 256MB ATI Radeon HD3650, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn, WWAN option, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, FPR, 6c Li-Ion, WinVista Business 32

Your machine dates from February 2009, and is out of Lenovo warranty.

Bookmark this page: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/landing.page?
Then enter the TYPE or PRODUCTID in the Quick Path field.

Not sure how many other LCD manufacturers Lenovo used for the T500 series but IMO and in general if you are okay with a high resolution screen I suggest going with the T500 WSXGA+ screen. The T500 I am working with has better contrast (better rendition of dark imagery in video and photos; more favorable viewing angles) compared to the T400. Of course this is subjective but my T400 has decent enough graphics for school work and if I tilt the screen angle just right then a video

If graphics count then the WEI for my T400 is 4.8 with W7-64 bit while the T500 has a WEI of 5.9 (held back by my platter hard drive and 4gb of RAM). A more thorough analysis and benchmarks for each card are presented here:

ATI Radeon HD 3650
ATI Radeon HD 3470

The CPU and graphics specs of the T500 I am working with are:

T500
T9400 (2.53Ghz)
4gb RAM
320 gb Seagate 7200rpm HD
15.4in 1680X1050 LCD
256MB ATI Radeon HD3650

Per your question about 'switchable' is that you can switch between Intel integrated graphics and ATI graphics in your windows desktop without having to restart your system or an entrance into BIOS each time you wish to use either graphics processor. You will need to install Lenovo power manager driver, Lenovo power manager program, and the switchable graphics driver (incorporates ATI and Intel in one driver). To switch you would right-click on the battery symbol on the right side of the taskbar and you will see some options- one of them for 'switchable graphics.' Choosing switchable will initiate ATI graphics and the screen will turn off for a second and then back on and you will notice that the Intel graphics icon is replaced with the ATI catalyst icon in the taskbar.

One mention also is that the T500 I am working on arrived with a BIOS version 1.16 which is near 5 years old. The latest BIOS revision is 3.24. The difference between 1.16 is significant enough for me to update. There have been numerous additions, tweaks, and fixes to warrant a BIOS flash for me. I am comfortable doing a BIOS flash so it was a no-brainer for me.

Good luck in your search and purchase