Thinkpads Forum

I am about to buy my first laptop ever and I have decided on Thinkpad but I am stuck between the T410 vs T410s!

The main reason why I am stuck is the difference in thickness and the two form factors. Is the T410 bulky compared to the T410s? Can any T410 owner comment on its portability? Is it too thick or it too heavy for book bags?

The reason why I am leaning towards T410s is size difference.
The reason why I am leaning towards T410 is the 2.5 form factor (for future SSD upgrade)

My questions:
1. Is the integrated graphics solution powerful enough to play Hi Def content both streaming or off drive?
2. How many hard drive slots do these laptops have?
3. Do you recommend any other product line that will satisfy my basic needs: portable but very able, long battery life, strong not flimsy?
4. Do you think its overkill for a student to buy this?

I am so indecisive and I cannot make my decision and the shortage of in depth reviews is not helping!

Thank you!

If portability is a concern, I'd go with an X-series laptop. I used an X31 through my undergrad and both grad degrees & walked a few km with it each day. I've since moved on to a T410, but that's only because my computer typically sits on my desk all week until the weekend. For word processing, internet usage, and watching movies, an X-series will be fine.

A T410 is basically the weight and size of a first-year hardcover chem book except thinner and more delicate.

For portability i would go for the T410s which is a excellent choice. It's pretty light, thin, but still pretty powerful with a 14.1" screen. I tried the X301, but it doesn't support a real docking solution, less powerful CPU and smaller screen. I also tried the X200, but find the built-in 12.1" screen to be too small and you need a external CD/DVD rom/burner. To pick a X series the portability have to be extremely important i think.

The T410s give you the perfect balance between portability and still a useful and powerful computer. Also because the thin size it's looks great as well and much better than the T410 i think. The T410 look older because it's pretty thick, but still a very nice computer though. You can get a 1.8" SSD as well like the 80gb or 160gb Intel X18-M which is a very good SSD so you don't need a T410 for a upgrade to SSD.

1. I really don't know since i never tried, but i don't think that should be a problem
2. The both have a single slot for a HDD/SSD and both of them you can add a SATA Hard Drive Bay Adapter
3. I would recommend the T410s, but the T410 is a great computer as well so if you need the better graphics adapter you might consider the T410
4. No i don't think it's overkill. So if you can afford it it's a great computer and i'm sure you will be very satisfied

Here's a link which lists all the specs for your comparison.

http://www.lenovo.com/psref/

1. Probably
2. Technically 2, you have the HDD and the Ultrabay which you can fit a harddrive into or keep the optical reader in there. The T410s also does the Ultrabay battery but no massive slice battery pack.
3. I haul my T410 all the time. Mind you I have an i7-620m and discrete graphics yet I get 9 hours of battery life sometimes.
4. ...Maybe, I'm a student too. Hey, go for the educational discounts!

If you are carrying at least two textbooks in your bag already then the difference between the T410/T410s is marginal.

T410s does not have an option to run on battery all-day (unless you want to swap main batteries). Its very portable but thats partly because it doesn't offer a huge add-on battery.

2.5" vs 1.8" makes little difference to SSD drives. The intel X25-m and X18-m are identical in performance. But 1.8" hard drives suck

I find the standard 14.1" T4xx series laptops to moderately portable, but still on the large size for a laptop I'd carry with me every day. I am hoping to move to the T4xxs series as our new standard laptop because it is significantly slimmer and lighter while giving up very little on its larger brother. As noted, the 1.8" drive is not a concern IF you will be using a SSD. The Intel SSD's are available in either size for the same price. If you won't be using a SSD, go with the T410, as 1.8" platter drives are SLOW.

I love the T series, but for everyday use, I found them a bit too big for my taste. Great as a desktop machine, great carrying overall, but everyday, class to class, I pass.

Found my answer in a Thinkpad x series tablet. Actually, a pair of them (works better with 2 cause you can buy accessories and swap).

But, if you can get a T410s for ~1400 on student discount (int. graphics only), 3yr warranty, I think its worth it. Pick one up and its AMAZING how light it is.

I ordered it last week. The estimated ship date is 03/19/2009, this friday.

How accurate do you guys think that is???

What's your config? If you do get it that quickly, I'm calling conspiracy...

45M3090 VBB GENUWIN7PROFES.64
45M4918 SBB G.WIN.7PROF64US ENGLISH
60Y6838 SBB 14.1 WXGA+ TFT,LED BCKLGHT
60Y6826 SBB ITGRMA5700MHDIC2DPRI5-520M
42X6309 VBB 4GBPC3-8500 1067MHZ2DIMM
45M4839 SBB KEYBOARDUS ENGLISH
44C7947 SBB ULNVTRKP,TCHPD)FNGRPRREAD
44C7970 SBB CAMERA SUB CARD
60Y6844 SBB INTEL 80GB SLD STDR,SRATA
60Y6840 SBB DVD RCRDBL8XMAXDLLAYULBSLM
44C7972 SBB EXPRESSCARD34
44C7954 SBB 6 CELL LI-ION BATTERY
41W1787 SBB CPK NORTH AMERICA
45M3043 SBB BLUETOOTH W/ANTENNA
45M4803 SBB SBB IN.CENT.ADVANCED-N 620
44C7950 SBB INT WRLSSWDAREANTWRK UPGR
60Y6850 SBB LANGUAGE PACK US ENGLISH
45K5979 1YR ADP

bah, that config is exactly the same as mine... order placed 3/1 estimated ship 3/23 (for now). Makes no sense at all. Hope you get yours!

That T410s not going to arrive on Friday, no need to get your hopes up. I'd bet on some time in April.

The Dial-Up Modem plug is only available on T410. The T410s does not have it.

Perhaps if you travel to remote places where there is no broadband, a dial-up is an insurance backup for internet access.

This had come in handy for me with my T42, and I for one will definitely require a modem plug on my notebook computer.