Thinkpads Forum

I've had my original IBM T21 TP for 8 years now. I've repaired it (new MB for BoD problem) and upgraded components, taking it about as far as I can (see my sig).

I've started investigating the T400 by reading some of the topics here and at other websites to see if this new Lenovo TP is worth serious consideration.

I came across this YouTube video where an unknown user gives his review of the T400. It seems to go along pretty well until near the end. He ends up not recommending it mostly because of the flex and cheap feel of the case (bezel/palm rest) and the feel of the keyboard.

I was just wondering how some of you who own a T400 compare your own experience with the opinions expressed in this video. Is it a fair assessment of the T400?

Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8sOO-8LP4E

There's been a few people who've posted that review asking whether the T400 is any good. I think one YouTube video does make a trend, which is I suposse is why you're here.

FredGarvin wrote:There's been a few people who've posted that review asking whether the T400 is any good. I think one YouTube video does make a trend, which is I suposse is why you're here.

Exactly! I have more faith in the opinions of the members here than an unknown reviewer on YouTube.

Unlike myself, many of the members here have owned several different model TPs over the years. Add that to the fact that the TP is now made by Lenovo, what do past IBM TP owners think of the Lenovo T400? How does it stack up?

it's really great, it just takes a while to configure and once you do that, then its one of the best laptops for its price in my opinion. i am still configuring it and what not so... but it's really great, light, small with great screen resolution. it will be even better when windows 7 official comes out

I have an A20p and a T61p. I can say that the A20p is rock solid and the T61p has a lot of flex. However, the T61p's protection comes from the internal magnesium alloy ribcage which the A20p does not have. This was done in order to accomodate better wifi connectivity. Compare it with a crustacean vs. a vertebrate. While the crustacean is hard on the outside, it is soft on the inside. The vertebrate (my T61p) does a very good job protecting the internal components of my system. Although the flex especially on the top left corner of my keyboard is apparent and annoying, it is something that I can live with considering the poor alternatives of other manufacturers such as HP and Dell, especially Dell. The guy on the video talked about how the screen bezel was pulling away from the screen. Well, this also is happening to my A20p, and it is not happening to my T61p. I assume that the T61p and T400 have similar build qualities.

I went from a T43 to a T400 and I've been very happy with the experience. The biggest drawbacks are the limited vertical viewing angle (compared to the IPS Flexview screen in the t43) and the lack of video outputs (I actually lost an s-video port coming from the T43 and gained no new digital output). Everything else about the T400 is great. The keyboard flex on the left side of the keyboard is only noticeable if one applies heavy pressure to one of the keys, something that never actually happens while typing. The LCD screen, (I have the 1280x800 screen) is bright and clear. I get around 4 hours of battery life out of my 4 cell battery life which is also great.

Regarding T400 keyboard flex... This was raised by users a few months ago because the lighter keyboard backplate in the T400 (produced with many holes drilled in it to create a perforated pattern) resulted in some minor additional flex. Lenovo initially rejected user concerns last year with "The historical stiffener plate was removed because we discovered a superior method to provide overall keyboard stiffness. We shifted from a stiffener plate to a stiffer chassis. The net impact is a more rigid keyboard and less weight." Many users thought this response was merely marketing spin and I understand that Lenovo has since recognised the issue and was considering installing T400 keyboards with solid backplates instead, ie stop drilling loads of holes to reduce weight!

As I'm thinking of getting a T400s (not a T400) in about 3 months time, I'd be interested to know whether or not the T400s also has a swiss-cheese backplate on its keyboard?...

Thanks for the replies about the LCD bezel, flex and the keyboard. I could especially relate to the "crustacean vs. a vertebrate" analogy. I also read this topic where users were switching out to a T61 keyboard - http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=78629

I've tried to compare the differences between the T400 & T400s, but I must be missing something. What makes the T400s worth twice the price?

I would have no problem staying with WinXP Pro and skipping the whole Vista experience since I an familiar with XP Pro. I have XP Pro on both my desktop and the T21 and they just work! I'd be willing to pay their $79 "downgrade" price on the T400 and wait for the free Windows 7 upgrade, hoping that its better than Vista.

The T400s is thinner and lighter than the T400, which always costs more.

FredGarvin wrote:The T400s is thinner and lighter than the T400, which always costs more.

So the difference is more physical than functional, then. Well, since I'm retired and hardly ever travel with my TP, that's not that important to me... not important enough to pay twice the price, anyway. If I was still running through airports to catch the next plane, yeah, maybe.

Thanks!

nikki605 wrote: So the difference is more physical than functional, then. Well, since I'm retired and hardly ever travel with my TP, that's not that important to me... not important enough to pay twice the price, anyway.

I'd advise you to take a look into the T500 then. It's around the same price with bigger display.

I've had three different generations of Thinkpads (see sig) and the T400 is my favourite because it comes close to matching the power, in it's time, that the T41p and all 'performance' models had. When I do rarely use my T41p you have to marvel at that resolution (1400x1050) and mine didn't even have the IPS panel or the 1600x1200 resolution panel - that's the one noticeable difference in relation to time - widescreen just isn't as good for a lot of tasks, application developers and web developers are having to adjust to these movie letterbox formats.

The T400 is actually lightning-quick and way better with temperatures and battery time than the T61, I needed the power of switchable graphics and it really is my work horse. It's made my desktop defunct.