T400 CPU advice

[rlgm]

Buying a T400. Will be running XP, and in addition to all of the Office applications,...do use many CS4 applications...Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Flash....but not a full time graphics person.

option 1:
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9400 (2.53GHz 1066MHz 6MBL2)
Genuine Windows XP Professional (preinstalled via downgrade rights in Windows Vista Business)
14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ CCFL Backlight, Camera
ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 with 256MB
3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
250 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Intel WiFi Link 5300 (AGN) with My WiFi Technology
6 cell Li-Ion Battery

or option 2:
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W

The only difference in this option is the processor...no Bluetooth and no camera. Difference is under $90. May use Bluetooth...if there...camera probably more a frill. Money well spent on the processor?....or better off with the 8600 and putting toward a faster hard drive? Thanks in advance for any opinions.

[archer6]

Greetings and Welcome to the Forum !

I would choose the 2.4GHz processor, unless you plan on keeping the computer more than two years. And then only go to the faster processor if you think you will truly need it. I would spend the money on a 7200rpm hard drive as that along with your planned 3GB of memory will make your new ThinkPad very quick. I have a T400 with this exact configuration (no bluetooth, or camera) and compared to my full blown W500 workstation which I use for extremely intensive graphics work daily, the T400 performs very nicely. I believe you will find the configuration we are talking about is ideal for your needs. I really like my T400 it's a great model.

Cheers...

[rlgm]

Thanks...looks like this forum is a very helpful resource. I appreciate your thoughts...and will be getting the 2.40. Based upon how much people seem to like the T400...am quite looking forward to my own. Thanks again.

[zenit]

I ordered myself something in the middle..the P8700. 2.53ghz frequency, 3mb cache and 25W power consumption. I believe it was $36 extra from P8600 at the time when I ordered it. Seemed worth it for me at the time. Computer runs very well and is fast with this thing.