New T410s multi-touch - first impressions

[FragrantHead]

I just received a brand-new T410s multi-touch, model 2912-3AG, aka NUK3AUK. This is a TopSeller UK spec. machine.

Specification

Processor: Core i5-520M, 2.4GHz / 2.93GHz turbo
Memory: 4GB
Hard Disk: Samsung MMCRE28G8MXP-0VB 128GB SSD
Screen: 1440x900, multi-touch, LED backlit
Graphics: Intel Integrated (Arrandale)
DVD burner in Ultrabay: HL Data Storage GU10N
Other: Intel 6300 wireless, Bluetooth, HSPA, 5-in-1 card reader, Fingerprint reader, Camera
Battery: 44WH
Power brick: 65W
OS: Windows 7, 64-bit

Windows experience index

Someone asked for this in another thread. The following values were taken with "out of the box" power settings, while running on AC power.

Processor: 6.7
Memory: 5.9
Graphics (Aero): 4.5
Gaming graphics: 5.2
Primary hard disk: 6.9

I subsequently set the power plan to maximum performance, but the performance index wouldn't run anymore and Windows 7 isn't forthcoming with any explanation as to why. The Winsat log file does claim to have adjusted settings to maximum performance itself during the original run, so the above should be accurate.

Boot time

The boot time of the machine out of the box (not installed any software yet) is 28 seconds from pressing the power button to Windows desktop, another 8 seconds before all the icons in the system tray are fully loaded.

First impressions

The keyboard is as good and the screen is as bad as they say. During Windows installation I discovered the Q key was loose; the key cap came off completely. I stuck it back in position and pressed down really hard, noticing only a faint click. It appears to be stuck back on successfully. The feel of the keyboard is very good. There is a little bit of flex on the right hand side, though nothing more than on my old T30, probably a bit less actually.

The screen is atrocious. I'm not fussy about the screen in my business machine, but this is noticeable, even to me. Blacks are milky grey. Though the backlight is faded in my mediocre 7-year old T30, it still, to my naked eye, outperforms this new one in terms of black-level, contrast and color vibrancy. The T410s screen also does not appear to be very sharp, but I have yet to play with the anti-aliasing settings in Windows (never liked ClearType much and it's probably turned on). Lack of screen quality was expected, but still a bit of a shock. The only good point is it's quite bright.

Thickness and weight

These are practically impossible to get for the multi-touch version, so I thought I'd post them here:

Weight: 2.1kg (accuracy of my scale is about 0.05kg)
Thickness front: 2.75cm
Thickness rear: 3.0cm

Thickness was measured with calipers, excluding feet. The front is quite rounded and the battery has a bulge, so your mileage will vary, depending on exactly where you measure. My calipers measured some of the battery bulge, so you could argue that the front is a bit thinner than I indicate.

[FragrantHead]

Screen - 2nd impression

While I'll stand by the above first impression, I'm getting used to the screen. The Thinkpad background during installation doesn't do it any favours; it's grey at the bottom, fading to black at the top, thus accentuating the backlight bleed. Vertical viewing angles are bad, but horizontal ones are really quite good. A high-contrast background picture and change from W7/Vista's ugly dirty dishwater default colour scheme helps and the brightness is welcome. I went into the ClearType option and made fonts come out stronger. The touch screen is not bad. There sometimes is a lag, but zooming in Internet Explorer is much better via the touch screen than the touchpad and much more responsive than I thought it would be watching those YouTube videos from Lenovo.

[FragrantHead]

Touchpad vs. Touchscreen

I am a historical trackpoint user, but have used a unibody Macbook recently which has a huge touchpad. Apple have this spot-on. There was never any problem with the palm resting on it, yet it was always smooth and responsive when used, all at default settings. Not so the T410s touchpad. I played around with the two finger scrolling today, trying to find a balance between responsiveness and the palm check to no avail. Compared to the Apple, the touchpad or it's drivers are simply poor. Scrolling is jerky and doesn't always respond. Occasionally it'll do a pinch-zoom instead of the two finger scroll. By contrast, I've been pleasantly surprised by the touchscreen. More responsive and allows you to flick-scroll like an iPod. End result: Trackpoint enabled, touchscreen enabled, touchpad turned off.

[prince_kassad14]

thank you so much , and congratulation for the new machine
but i have a question hope you give me an answer about it , is there is any difference between the 2 screens that the T410s support from prospective of the brightness , view angels ,sharpness , etc... i mean the overall screen quality ?
thank you so much

[FragrantHead]

I'm self-employed. My own T410s is the only one I have and the only one I'm ever likely to see. Sorry, I can't answer your question.

If you're into pastel shades, you might quite like the screen .

I forgot to mention the screen is slightly reflective as well. When my old T30 matte screen is turned off I can only make out my silhouette in the reflection. On the T410s screen on the other hand I can make out the color of my skin. It is by no means a fully reflective screen like a consumer laptop, but it is not quite as matte as my old T30. Possibly a result of the touch screen overlay.