New ThinkPad questions....

[poloman]

Hi,

I've just been given the go ahead to get a new ThinkPad - very excited!

I'm going to be using it for Visual Studio development along with a virtual machine or two in VMWare. No games or media as it's purely for work.

The T410 and T510 look like they'll do the job nicely, and I have a couple of questions that I cant find the answers to in reviews or by searching - hopefully someone here can help!

1. Does the base spec of the T410/T510 i5 include wireless broadband?
The customisation page lists :
Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable
Integrated Mobile Broadband (Gobi 2000 3G with GPS)

I'm not sure if I need to upgrade it to the Gobi, or if it will have wireless 3G out of the box - and selecting the upgrade brings a new SIM selection option to the page.

2. The T510 lists two displays - HD and HD+. The help on the Lenovo site covers all other panel types, but doesn't cover the HD ones - I'm assuming they're 1600x900 (but the WXGA and WXGA+ differ in resolution, so may well be wrong. FHD 1920x1080 as a thread on here states). I don't know the difference between the + and non-+. The HD+ screen is also not available (until May I read?), so that may be a factor.

3. I have found many glowing T410 reviews, but the T510 ones seem thin on the ground - is it literally just a larger version of the T410? Controversial question then - which would people recommend? I'm thinking the T510 as it will have the higher resolution and allow more development info on screen at once?

4. Does the T510 have better screen protection than the T410? Some form of roll cage? As I'll be carrying it around, I don't want to be worried about breaking it.

5. I don't want a battery sticking out of the back as I'll never be too far from power, so does the 6 cell fit inline with the back of the laptop, and does the 9 cell extend out? (I've read on here that that is the case).

And finally - the Lenovo site lists all laptops with a 2-3 week delay due to air freight issues - where would people recommend I buy from in the UK?

Sorry for just barging in and asking loads of (hopefully simple) questions! I went through loads of different brands and models and the ThinkPad range came out on top for many things - the Macbook Pro was swaying me for a while, but its lack of fingerprint reader knocked that one on the head.

Thanks!

David

[ThinkRob]

4. Does the T510 have better screen protection than the T410? Some form of roll cage? As I'll be carrying it around, I don't want to be worried about breaking it.

Can't comment on the rest, but the answer to this is yes. The T510 has both a top and bottom rollcage, whereas the T410 just has a bottom one. Furthermore, reports indicate that pressing on the back of the T410's lid can cause the screen to distort; I haven't seen any such reports for the T510. Interpret that as you may though -- as you said, reviews of the T510 seem far more sparse.

[Mutnat]

I'll chime in on a few of your questions; the rest I don't know how to answer.

2. The T510 lists two displays - HD and HD+. The help on the Lenovo site covers all other panel types, but doesn't cover the HD ones - I'm assuming they're 1600x900 (but the WXGA and WXGA+ differ in resolution, so may well be wrong. FHD 1920x1080 as a thread on here states). I don't know the difference between the + and non-+. The HD+ screen is also not available (until May I read?), so that may be a factor.

HD = 1366 x 758
HD+ = 1600 x 900
FHD = 1920 x 1080

I've personally got the HD+ screen and am very happy with it. It should be suitable for development work for sure (though mine is a personal machine so I've only played a bit in Visual Studio on it).

3. I have found many glowing T410 reviews, but the T510 ones seem thin on the ground - is it literally just a larger version of the T410? Controversial question then - which would people recommend? I'm thinking the T510 as it will have the higher resolution and allow more development info on screen at once?

The components and options are very similar. The frame is (obviously) different; the T510 shares the W510 shell. I think the heating system is different also, with the T510 taking advantage of the slightly larger internal space with a bigger heat sync and fan. (I can't verify this personally but others have said that.)

Most things stated in a T410 review will apply to a T510, in terms of performance and available options etc. The screens are definitely different, apparently in quality in addition to the obvious size differences. Few complain about the T510 screens (particularly HD+ and FHD), though I do hear some complaints about either T410 screen.

5. I don't want a battery sticking out of the back as I'll never be too far from power, so does the 6 cell fit inline with the back of the laptop, and does the 9 cell extend out? (I've read on here that that is the case).

6 cell is definitely flush, 9 cell sticks out about 7/10 or 8/10 of an inch.

Cheers!

[Navck]

Can't comment on the rest, but the answer to this is yes. The T510 has both a top and bottom rollcage, whereas the T410 just has a bottom one. Furthermore, reports indicate that pressing on the back of the T410's lid can cause the screen to distort; I haven't seen any such reports for the T510. Interpret that as you may though -- as you said, reviews of the T510 seem far more sparse.

The last time I checked my T410 seems to be as every bit good as my 15" T43. I also had the chance to see the inside of the lid and I would say that the T410's lid is still lightyears ahead of any consumer laptop there is. ABS plastic or not, engineering is what matters (Read: You can make the lid out of any material you want and make it strong as long as the engineers are competent.)

If anyone wants to debate about the "inherent material inferiority" of the T410 lid, I'll ask you to compare a polycarbonate laminate composite against pig iron of same thickness, you can feel free to make rods out of those and see which one withstands being beaten into a signpost or something.

[ThinkRob]

The last time I checked my T410 seems to be as every bit good as my 15" T43. I also had the chance to see the inside of the lid and I would say that the T410's lid is still lightyears ahead of any consumer laptop there is. ABS plastic or not, engineering is what matters (Read: You can make the lid out of any material you want and make it strong as long as the engineers are competent.)

If anyone wants to debate about the "inherent material inferiority" of the T410 lid, I'll ask you to compare a polycarbonate laminate composite against pig iron of same thickness, you can feel free to make rods out of those and see which one withstands being beaten into a signpost or something.

I never said the T410 was inferior. I don't own one, so I can't comment. I was merely pointing out that the T510 does, in fact, have a protection feature that the T410 doesn't, and that reviews have pointed to the lack thereof as a reason that pressure produces visible distortion. I don't know whether this has any practical implications; I've had ThinkPads with and without screen endoskeletons and I've never had an issue with either.

[poloman]

Thanks for all the replies - good to know I've got a handle on the resolutions.

I'm generally pretty careful with my gadgets - haven't broken one yet (touch wood!), so the T410's lack of screen roll cage won't bother me - all the reviews mention that if you press hard, you can see distortion - so I just wont press hard! (plus, I'll get a good travel case)

I'm tempted by the T510 with it's higher res screen, but as they're unavailable, I think I'll go for a T410 instead, but maximize the screen res. The 2-3 week delay is going to prove annoying as I need to get started asap, so I've found that Insight has some i7 T410s in stock - now to try and justify the extra cost to my boss!

Thanks for all the help everyone - can't wait to get started on it now!

[Navck]

Now I have no idea what those reviewers are doing but if you saw my sarcasticly biter rant, you'll see that I'm using an eraser stick to prod the LCD's back when the lid is closed. If I wasn't sure the T410 lid was strong enough I wouldn't be doing that. It already passed the same test I did for the T43 (Thumb/finger pressure on back of LCD and observe for distortions.) I used approximately the same amount of pressure as I did for the T43, but no distortions occurred on the T410, even if they would of started to show on the T43.

[archer6]

I have both T410 & T510 models in HD+ as well as the prior T400 & T500 models. In addition I have the prior years as well. I can say from first hand experience that these new models are certainly amongst the best T models I have. I prefer the T510 for it's larger display. When you have them side by side the T510 is not that much larger. I carry it or my W510 every day. I weighed them on an industrial scale & the T510 was only 0.4 lbs. heavier than the 410. It also runs a bit cooler & quieter. I highly endorse these two.

Cheers...

[poloman]

wow - that's quite a collection you have there archer6!

Thanks for all the reassurances on the strength of the T410 - I'm literally placing my order as we speak!

[GrandMasterKhan]

I checked out a T410 a few days ago. The lid is solid. It doesnt look as sleek as past T's ie T61, kinda consumerish and ugly IMO.

[pac8819]

I checked out a T410 a few days ago. The lid is solid. It doesnt look as sleek as past T's ie T61, kinda consumerish and ugly IMO.

maybe not the exact same as past thinkpads.. but it's still far from consumerish and ugly. Have you not seen all the colorful, shiny and gloss finished consumer notebooks these days? that's ugly. the macbook pro is also consumerish and ugly in my opinion compared to the older ones

Thinkpads still look understated and elegant.. and the matte black finish gives it the professional look that you can't get anymore except from maybe dell.

anyways... we're all entitled to our own opinions.

[poloman]

I like the look of them - they've evolved as I've wanted one over the years.

My plan to order backfired as it turns out the supplier didnt have stock, so I'm stuck configuring on Lenovos site vs buying the 2522 SKU from somewhere that will order in. the SKU seems pretty well priced and all the descriptions list them as having "3 year warrenty" whereas the Lenovo builder lists that as an extra £138, so I'm leaning towards the SKU again! argh!! Just trying to ensure that the warrenty is the same level as the one Lenovo offers.

[GrandMasterKhan]

[/quote]


anyways... we're all entitled to our own opinions.[/quote]
Yeah my comment was over the top braddah. It really doesnt look as compact as the T61 but I would take it hands down over anything else in that category. I think what I was trying to say is it looks less understated now than before.

[Navck]

I would say that the statement that Apple's machines are "flashy" and "consumerish" is fairly objective in describing them compared to the "plain, boring business black" of Thinkpads. To everyone's own taste, however. (There is a market of people who want function over every bit of form, so let them be that way and be pleased by the look and feel of their machine every time they use it.)

... I sadly cannot say the same about HP machines because they are trying very hard for the "designer" (The skull, geometric shape T-Shirts type, not the classy type) look to make their computers "more personal." Can't say good things there so I won't say much about them.

I however, do welcome some of the new changes to the T410 (Power button glow, new Ultranav and others that I will list when I finish my english paper.)

[NIC Burns]

I just wanted to chime in on the screen durability concerns. I have a T410 and can’t seem to find a spot on the back to apply pressure and distort the screen. Roll cage or not, the lid is well designed and should live up to the T series name.

[poloman]

Woohoo! It's just arrived (T410 2522) - trying to hold out turning it on until I get home, but its proving tricky!

[poloman]

This thing is amazing! I've been running it all night, installing and setting up a virtual XP pro machine with Visual studio 2010, and the laptop is still pretty much cool to the touch. It's running well so far!

[ThinkRob]

This thing is amazing! I've been running it all night, installing and setting up a virtual XP pro machine with Visual studio 2010, and the laptop is still pretty much cool to the touch. It's running well so far!

How's the build quality compared to the T400/T500 (or any other ThinkPads you might have lying around?)

[poloman]

This is my first ThinkPad, so I dont have any others to compare with. Overall it's pretty good - there is a slight aesthetics issue with the left hand edge when closed - the two edges seem to be slightly less than straight - I've had a look at the online reviews and it seems to be similar on the review units. Very minor. The rest of it looks perfect and its very light compared to my Dell Studio 15. Overall, very happy with it and I'm sure it'll be running years from now.

edit : Here's what I mean - slightly more warp/optical illusion in the centre over the vga port on mine: http://www.thinkpads.com/wp-content/gal ... t-side.jpg

[GrandMasterKhan]

Could be due to overightening on the base if its not an optical illusion. Maybe you an consult the manual to see if there are screws in that area from the bottom of the case. Usually its the lid being tighter on one side than the other which is the problem.
I wouldnt mess with it.

Also, people need to lighten up. Saying one's Thinkpad is ugly is not like saying one's wife or children is ugly. It's just a computer.

[poloman]

Yeah - I'll leave it as it is - absolutely no complaints with it, so no reason to go tooling around. As usual, Lenovo dropped their prices after I bought, so I could have got the custom build with 3 years on site warrenty for the same money - drat! Looking to buy a nice dock for it now so I don't have to carry the power adapter between home and the office. It's a hard life!

[poloman]

Fairly random question for you all.....

When I first used the machine, the Q drive (which has the red icon of a pc with an arrow to a cd) asked if I wanted to create the rebuild discs. I said no as I didn't have any to hand, but would do it later (I didn't choose the "reclaim hard drive space" option) - but now I have no idea how to start the copying process. I've been through all the Lenovo apps I can find on the machine, but with no luck.

Does anyone have any idea how I can create the rebuild discs?

(I created a "Rescue and Recovery" disc, but that was not what I was after).

Thanks!

[poloman]

I found it - typing "recovery" into the start menu did the trick - its located in the control panel, in case anyones looking for it. Still havent worked out how to reclaim the 10gb of space it takes up - when I try and run it again, it closes automatically saying that I've already created the discs, but doesnt offer to clean up.