My Impressions of T400

[panorama]

Brand New Sealed System: 2.26Ghz, 160 GB 5400, 2 GB RAM, Integrated GMA, WXGA CCFL, Intel 5100 AGN, DVDRW, 6-Cell.

Good things:
The machine performs well. When I have installed appropriate software and codecs it can play HD movies without lag. Since I was upgrading from x60s, having built-in optical drive is a plus and also the larger screen size (14.1). Wireless was pretty smooth, it picked up existing networks and connected immediately, no hang-ups, or connection loss. I like the LCD lid it feels good and solid. T400 from the outside looks good .

Bad things:
Here are some pictures of good quality built T400 built (don't think so).




I think while lenovo is trying to deliver a cheaper system with good specs, thinkpads are suffering from poor quality my X60s feels much better. Another thing Lenovo has abandon Think System Update which sucks.

[Performa636CD]

Maybe it's just me, but those seem like really nit-picky complaints.

[LambertJohn]

I have to agree. Very nit picky! You're never going to find the perfect laptop out there. Every one has some sort of imperfection. That's just what you get with mass production.

[Brad]

In 1997 when 770's were $7,000 there were no issues like you describe.

Today when T400's are around $1,000 or so there are issues like this. Of course I would like no issues and $1,000. Can't I have my cake and eat it too?

Brad

[Performa636CD]

In 1997 when 770's were $7,000 there were no issues like you describe.

Today when T400's are around $1,000 or so there are issues like this. Of course I would like no issues and $1,000. Can't I have my cake and eat it too?

Brad

I don't think it's wrong for one to want their cake and eat it to, but one needs to understand that getting massively improved hardware for a fraction of the price has it's costs (poor choice of words, I'm sure).

[panorama]

I am just curious, that if thinkpads lids are so nicely built and generally the whole body built why not just put a little more effort and have things done nicely. I dont like LCD to frame gaps especially when the dust accumulates it becomes harder to clean. etc... I think these little things can be improved with not so much cost. My x60s does not have gaps like those. Maybe other dont have these issues.

[archer6]

We each have our own standards & expectations, which I respect. I'm certainly not going to judge or criticise someone. What I will say based on my years of buying a huge number of new ThinkPads, from IBM & now Lenovo, is that I have yet to see any significant (or not so significant) decline in materials, components, or build quality since Lenovo has taken over. And believe me I've watched closely as I am very picky. Recently I bought a W500 CTO, that had some issues not too much unlike the examples provided by the OP. One of these issues was a rather seriously bowed (warped) bezel around the display along the bottom edge. Was that an example of cheaper quality? No. It was an example of something that got past quality control. Just the type of mistake that any company could make. I contacted Lenovo and explained what I observed, they were quite eager to exchange it for a new one as soon as possible. Just five days later the new one arrived. It is one of the most well built ThinkPads I own. So the point is simply to give them a chance, instead of assuming something that might not be true. We all make mistakes, it's how we choose to handle them that matters. In this example, Lenovo performed every bit as well as the old IBM.
.
Cheers...

[AndersBP]

We each have our own standards & expectations, which I respect. I'm certainly not going to judge or criticise someone. What I will say based on my years of buying a huge number of new ThinkPads, from IBM & now Lenovo, is that I have yet to see any significant (or not so significant) decline in materials, components, or build quality since Lenovo has taken over. And believe me I've watched closely as I am very picky. Recently I bought a W500 CTO, that had some issues not too much unlike the examples provided by the OP. One of these issues was a rather seriously bowed (warped) bezel around the display along the bottom edge. Was that an example of cheaper quality? No. It was an example of something that got past quality control. Just the type of mistake that any company could make. I contacted Lenovo and explained what I observed, they were quite eager to exchange it for a new one as soon as possible. Just five days later the new one arrived. It is one of the most well built ThinkPads I own. So the point is simply to give them a chance, instead of assuming something that might not be true. We all make mistakes, it's how we choose to handle them that matters. In this example, Lenovo performed every bit as well as the old IBM.
.
Cheers...

Couldn't agree more!

Just got a brand new T400 2765-21G, and i think it's just as perfect as my old T40. You can't make everyone happy

BTW - The "hard plastic sticker" - Haven't that been on many thinkpads over the years?

[Performa636CD]

I am just curious, that if thinkpads lids are so nicely built and generally the whole body built why not just put a little more effort and have things done nicely. I dont like LCD to frame gaps especially when the dust accumulates it becomes harder to clean. etc... I think these little things can be improved with not so much cost. My x60s does not have gaps like those. Maybe other dont have these issues.

Your feelings are understandable, but I don't know if resolving the issues you've noticed would require only a "little more effort" by Lenovo.

And plus, if anyone is going to gripe about aesthetics, think about Apple users like me. We're actually paying for the aesthetics, so having flaws like you've mentioned are especially annoying. However,it doesn't really bother me too much, unless it hurts the laptop's functionality.

[wswartzendruber]

Meh, who cares about stuff like that. I've literally been cramming my T400 in my backpack for over eight months now. Nothing wrong with it. It's a launch model, so all it needed was the keyboard change. It's been tugging along perfectly. Couldn't ask for better.

[Radioguy]

panorama, with all due respect, those pictures gave me a chuckle. The "issues" you cite exist on most every TP I've seen after the T4x era.

I only wish I could afford your T400 problems.

[warreng24]

BTW - The "hard plastic sticker" - Haven't that been on many thinkpads over the years?

Yup. The "hard plastic sticker" is present on my T42. And yes, it does have a slight color variation from the rest of the black plastic. And, that color variation will improve (or get worse) over time (depending on if you're glass half full or half empty kind of person).

[Mack]

I can agree about the adhesive, doesn't look satisfactory.

[Randle]

its true - if you want perfection there isn't anything
if you want good looks - buy an apple
if you want something that functions really well - buy a thinkpad!

I love that they haven't changed their styling

In fact - looking at my T43 I have the same screen gap (but have had no issues), I have the same join marks on the expresscard/pccard slots, but the plastic panel is better. Maybe fixing the colour of that panel would be a nice touch, but if you want 100% no gap, get a computer with a screen that has one of those stupid glass reflective covers over it!