Thinkpads Forum

Hey fellas,

I'm making the push to upgrade from my T60 to the new T400/T500. I was wondering if I could get some advice on deciding between the two.

Whichever I choose, the specs of will be the same for the following:
Vista Ultimate w/XP downgrade, 2.8Ghz T9600, 2GB DDR3 (will buy my own 2GB of RAM elsewhere to save), 250 GB 7200RPM

The difference for me is in the size and the graphics card. The T500 is bigger/slightly heavier and comes with a better GPU (I would choose the WSXGA+ CCFL) versus the smaller and lighter T400 with a slightly inferior GPU (I'd pick the WXGA+ CCFL). I don't think I can bring myself to use a WXGA screen since I've been using my T60's WXGA+ 14.1" screen for the past 3 years.

I would like to play some of the more modern games (not Crysis). Games like Company of Heroes (which runs alright on my T60, albeit sluggishly), Warhammer 40K, Left for Dead, CoD4.

The price difference b/w the 2 is about $60. $1290 for the T400 and $1350 for the T500.

Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Any thoughts on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

The T500 WSXGA+ CCFL panel is said significantly better than any other T400 / T500 panel. The T500 is better in any aspect than size / weight so you have to ask yourself if you carry your notebook that much and if, if the weight of 0,5 kg will make that much of a difference. Notice that you can put out the optical drive for reducing around 0,3 kg of weight.

So I went and checked out the T400 model at my nearby Micro Center, although they didn't have the T500 model I was able to see the comparable W500. I went ahead and placed my order for the T500. Thanks for the input. =)

The T500 and W500 are identical just the inside is different (another gpu and maybe some other small changes). I am glad to could help you and wish you a good time with your new T500!