Thinkpads Forum

You're spoiling that T400!

Not too sure about the USB express card choices. My T500/T400 are homebound so I use a dock which gives me (4) more USB ports, a rear mounted mic and speaker jack, serial port, etc. The nice thing also is the T400 and T500 use the same dock so it works out pretty nicely for me

I did have a USB express card thing-a-ma-bobber way back when but I do not recollect the brand. I am pretty sure I got whatever was reasonably costing, if the seller had a good feedback, and if there was a decent return policy as well.

I wish I had space for a dock but I don't think it would be too steady on a laptop stand, I was reading a few reviews about the usb express cards and it seems like in order to use them for the 4 port versions you still need a extra port or some external power.

:-/

This weekend I'm not sure if I should get the 750GB hard drive or upgrade to 8GB from the 2GB installed now. While I have nothing on my drive in the Ultrabay (150GB 5400) I will be installing about 30 GB worth of programs on it in a few and those programs suck up a bunch of memory when loading.

You can use the same AC adapter that currently powers your T400. The only variable AFAIK is that if you have discrete graphics you will need to use a 90-watt 20-volt adapter as the GPU requires more power vs the integrated graphics. I was lucky when I went dock shopping. Some seller was offloading them for cheap! I even got the price lowered as they had a "buy now" and a "or best offer." I submitted a best offer and got one for $12 shipped w/the keys included (to lock the ThinkPad to the dock).

emeraldgirl08 wrote:You can use the same AC adapter that currently powers your T400. The only variable AFAIK is that if you have discrete graphics you will need to use a 90-watt 20-volt adapter as the GPU requires more power vs the integrated graphics. I was lucky when I went dock shopping. Some seller was offloading them for cheap! I even got the price lowered as they had a "buy now" and a "or best offer." I submitted a best offer and got one for $12 shipped w/the keys included (to lock the ThinkPad to the dock).

This one just only has integrated video which is not a big deal since it's not for gaming anyways, but that's a nice price for a dock, lol if I only had the desk space... I think my mom might be better off with a dock she keeps hinting she wants a Thinkpad now.

Your mom has good taste then!



Well got to get back to work. Finals are here (finished two courses as of last night) and have 3 more to go! Good hearing your T400 worked out! Have a good evening

MikeCL wrote:... any thoughts on a USB express card? I gather most are all pretty much the same?

You may want to read this thread :
http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopi ... 8&t=108201

GACrabill wrote: You may want to read this thread :
http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopi ... 8&t=108201

Hmm never thought that would of happened..

Time to undress her now and change the USB ports




While I'm at it might as well put some arctic silver on the CPU to replace what's on it now.

New ports are in but I have to go back in again because one of them is not working, must of missed one of those tiny soldering points.. Having said that after removing the keyboard I have some serious flex on the left side of the keyboard it's annoying now.

btw I added AS6 to the cpu and video and total temps dropped at least 10 c at full load, before I was hitting 78C and now I only hit around 62 c Idle temps are around 35c

well ugh I think the seller (ny-compu-tek) forgot to send the BT card with the order, I had place both in the cart as one order and the indicator strip and the card has the same tracking info but all I got today was just the indicator strip :-/

I was looking forward to trying out the bluetooth plus I need to take the laptop apart again

Also going to have to really get a 120GB SSD I've only got about 30 GB left out of 60 and good thing I have my samples stored on the 2nd drive as it's already taking up near 50GB, my 750GB WD black drive will be here Monday.

Uhmm ok looks like I might have to switch to the WXGA+ screen.. the music program I run is really lacking on space.

well after some back and forth dispute I will finally be getting the bluetooth card I ordered along with the new indicator strip I paid for but never received.

emeraldgirl08 wrote:I was lucky when I went dock shopping. Some seller was offloading them for cheap! I even got the price lowered as they had a "buy now" and a "or best offer." I submitted a best offer and got one for $12 shipped w/the keys included (to lock the ThinkPad to the dock).

I didn't realize they were that cheap. I'm bidding on one now just so I can have the line out audio jack on the back instead of the middle of the front.

The front was not bad for audio it works well for music making, I just wish it was not in it's current location but more offset.