Just received my T410s - observations

[s2kdriver80]

The single aspect of the order process that impressed me most was the short shipping transit time.

FARMINGDALE, NY, US 07/19/2010 11:58 A.M. DELIVERY
07/19/2010 6:38 A.M. OUT FOR DELIVERY
FARMINGDALE, NY, US 07/17/2010 2:07 A.M. ARRIVAL SCAN
UNIONDALE, NY, US 07/17/2010 1:29 A.M. DEPARTURE SCAN
UNIONDALE, NY, US 07/16/2010 9:13 P.M. ORIGIN SCAN
07/16/2010 5:05 P.M. PICKUP SCAN
07/15/2010 4:05 P.M. CARRIER AND CUSTOMS RELEASED
US 07/15/2010 4:05 P.M. CARRIER AND CUSTOMS RELEASED
CN 07/14/2010 8:40 P.M. DEPARTURE
07/14/2010 8:30 P.M. RECEIVED INTO UPS SCS POSSESSION
US 07/16/2010 6:00 A.M. ARRIVAL
07/14/2010 10:03 A.M. BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED

It was shipped out from China on 7/14 and got here to my destination in NY on 7/19 - that's just 3 business days! Apparently, they do not first ship the ThinkPads to the warehouse in KY anymore?

Anyway, some unpacking observations. First of all, don't know why they decided to brand the huge "ThinkPad" logo on the outside of the box (the same confusion as to why Best Buy delivers some of their high end electronics in their "Magnolia" branded trucks - like hey, come rob my house lol ). When turning the box over, I heard an unpleasant clunking noise and I was like uh oh not good. Turns out it was just the sound of the power adapter moving around. They were too cheap to seal the power adapter in plastic wrap. If there was a tiny hole in the box and it was raining out... not good. The computer is held in place by just 2 styrofoam brackets. You'd think they would put a little more padding as insurance given that they ship this box halfway around the world. It's one thing if this cost a few hundred dollars.

The build quality of the computer seems pretty decent. The chassis is definitely firmer and torsional rigidity exceeds that of my T41p. However, when viewing the computer from the side with the lid closed, the lid isn't totally flush with the body and bends. For example, if you closed the lid and looked at the notebook from the left, you can see the lid bowing up at the point right above the USB port. Also, that thick black sticker in the battery compartment was placed without much care and it was bunched up in the middle, forcing the battery to not sit flush with the body. I had to remove that sticker and reposition it myself. Little things like these that make you wonder if the rest of the computer was constructed with an "I don't give a [censored]" attitude.

I suppose these practices are widespread in the industry and will have to settle with the least of all evils. People in general seem satisfied with their ThinkPads and from my own experiences, I've been happy owning them. I'm sure this will continue in that vein. Will power on tonight, play around, and report back.

[ausmike]

The single aspect of the order process that impressed me most was the short shipping transit time.
1)
FARMINGDALE, NY, US 07/19/2010 11:58 A.M. DELIVERY
......................
It was shipped out from China on 7/14 and got here to my destination in NY on 7/19 - that's just 3 business days! Apparently, they do not first ship the ThinkPads to the warehouse in KY anymore?
Anyway, some unpacking observations. First of all, don't know why they decided to brand the huge "ThinkPad" logo on the outside of the box (the same confusion as to why Best Buy delivers some of their high end electronics in their "Magnolia" branded trucks - like hey, come rob my house lol ).
2)
The build quality of the computer seems pretty decent. ........... Little things like these that make you wonder if the rest of the computer was constructed with an "I don't give a *****Expletives removed by Moderator*****" attitude.

..... I'm sure this will continue in that vein. Will power on tonight, play around, and report back.

Hi Paul ;
Congrats with your NEW PURCHASE !!!

1) - to even write and complain !!!! >>>now that We all know that you live in "FARMINGDALE, NY, USA " AND HAVE ALREDY TOLD the WORLD about your fancy laptop and "top of line HD TVS"s ,,,,maybe you want to just add the Street NAME & Number ,,, and put a sign " take what you want on frount lawns !! >lol<

KY = W/house for Lenovo? humnnn ,,,,,someone better tell the folks in NC - Tech Park that info ! LOL

2) QUAITY - yes from the tdays of T4x being MADE BY IBM ONLY .... I have seen a SERIOUS DROP in "quality" of mfg / As'bly of TPs in general. I have filled out numerious report of the 'facts and given specific examples of errors omitions defects etc' but seems LeeeNOOOvo dont care@!@ and we buy close to 1200 laptops a year from them for business use.

Lid problems you mentions is a 'classic example' of NOW lacking quality. I would call SALES and get them to add that into your "post order comments"
....and you are entitled to RETURN/SWAP within 7 days of receipt.

Hope you checked out your 'switchable graphics' card DOES WORK !!! > mine clearly diddnt work!

Cheers _ enjoy your NEW TOY !!

[dr_st]

...from the tdays of T4x being MADE BY IBM ONLY...

T4x were made by Lenovo. But still under IBM's control in some way.

[ausmike]

hiya Doc* ,,, didnt know u worked for IBM ? did you?
Curious?

[w0qj]

Shortly after the IBM Thinkpad T43 was launched, Lenovo took over the Thinkpad franchise.

Thinkpads T42 and before that was 100% IBM.

[dr_st]

Thinkpads T42 and before that was 100% IBM.

Yes, but Lenovo was still manufacturing them.

[s2kdriver80]

Hi Paul ;
Congrats with your NEW PURCHASE !!!

1) - to even write and complain !!!! >>>now that We all know that you live in "FARMINGDALE, NY, USA " AND HAVE ALREDY TOLD the WORLD about your fancy laptop and "top of line HD TVS"s ,,,,maybe you want to just add the Street NAME & Number ,,, and put a sign " take what you want on frount lawns !! >lol<

KY = W/house for Lenovo? humnnn ,,,,,someone better tell the folks in NC - Tech Park that info ! LOL

2) QUAITY - yes from the tdays of T4x being MADE BY IBM ONLY .... I have seen a SERIOUS DROP in "quality" of mfg / As'bly of TPs in general. I have filled out numerious report of the 'facts and given specific examples of errors omitions defects etc' but seems LeeeNOOOvo dont care@!@ and we buy close to 1200 laptops a year from them for business use.

Lid problems you mentions is a 'classic example' of NOW lacking quality. I would call SALES and get them to add that into your "post order comments"
....and you are entitled to RETURN/SWAP within 7 days of receipt.

Hope you checked out your 'switchable graphics' card DOES WORK !!! > mine clearly diddnt work!

Cheers _ enjoy your NEW TOY !!

Thanks for the welcome.

I might be mistaken about the KY detour, I don't know. I read a few posts online about people complaining that their shipment from China was being held up at Lenovo's KY warehouse.

In reality, my bowing issue is very minor and I doubt most people would notice. I just have a picky eye like many people on here. If I go through the hassle of returning it, I'll have to wait until another one is manufactured and then something else might be wrong with it.

Out of the box, my T410s was set up to run in the nvidia mode. How do I know? I right-clicked on the batter meter and for switchable graphics, the mode was set to "high performance" and not "energy saving". That means I'm in the nvidia mode, right? Also, how would I check to see if it works properly?

Thanks.

[s2kdriver80]

Also, the T410s literature claims 21mm (about 0.8 in) for the thickness. I get that figure when I measure at the thinnest point by the front. If I go by the middle and the rear thickness, it is exactly 25-26mm or 1 inch. And that's not counting the rubber feet height.

False advertising? Or are the new T410s models thicker now?

[Danoc]

False advertising? Or are the new T410s models thicker now?

PDF http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/con ... _T410s.pdf

Dimensions
• Starting at 21.1 mm x 337 mm x 241.5 mm (6-cellbattery)

[ausmike]

Hi Paul;
Sorry was juz havin a tease @ ya ,,,, its all Good !!

umm I crrently dont have the T410s TP > so cannot write the CORRECT & PRECISE STEPS that Lenovo has had prescribed to switch and check. I was one of few (un)lucky ones to order the "First Batch" of them where the 'switchable' part didnt work due to BIOS not being done correctly/incomplete ..... etc

From what I remember ... you have to switch in Bios , save & reboot to get 'std' card etc etc

I also used the "everest ultimate' Apps - whioch helps me often to verify what is 'installed' vs what is actually 'working'. However I kinda borrowed this tool from the teckies @ our company......
Thats how I was (P***) @ Lenovo when I first got my T400 with switchable graphics (now as T410s) and yet my conterpart in JAPAN got his at same BATCH and his was working..... so Yip we can talk all day about Lenovo Quality ,,,, but then S**T happens !!

Another way to check = load some GAMES and play them ,,, you will see the LAG and Differance in rates of refresh etc ,,,, but I am no gamer !!


Maybe HarryC (a moderator here) can suggest some more teckie tricks for you to check that ,,,,
Nothing like putting a new TOY to test !!


Enjoy

[s2kdriver80]

Dimensions
• Starting at 21.1 mm x 337 mm x 241.5 mm (6-cellbattery)

Yea those dirtbags at Lenovo. Assuming that "starting" verbiage was referring to different T410s' (e.g. multitouch vs normal) is more realistic than believing that it meant the thinnest part of the SAME laptop. That's like saying that the Ford Econoline Van at the thinnest part has a starting height of 6 inches if measuring just the height of the front bumper rather than listing the more useful maximum spec of the height dimension at around 6-7 feet or so lol. Oh yea, they should also exclude the wheels and tires of the van if they go by Lenovo's (and other manufacturers') omission of the rubber feet in their measurements hehe.

[s2kdriver80]

Hi Paul;
Sorry was juz havin a tease @ ya ,,,, its all Good !!

umm I crrently dont have the T410s TP > so cannot write the CORRECT & PRECISE STEPS that Lenovo has had prescribed to switch and check. I was one of few (un)lucky ones to order the "First Batch" of them where the 'switchable' part didnt work due to BIOS not being done correctly/incomplete ..... etc

From what I remember ... you have to switch in Bios , save & reboot to get 'std' card etc etc

I also used the "everest ultimate' Apps - whioch helps me often to verify what is 'installed' vs what is actually 'working'. However I kinda borrowed this tool from the teckies @ our company......
Thats how I was (P***) @ Lenovo when I first got my T400 with switchable graphics (now as T410s) and yet my conterpart in JAPAN got his at same BATCH and his was working..... so Yip we can talk all day about Lenovo Quality ,,,, but then S**T happens !!

Another way to check = load some GAMES and play them ,,, you will see the LAG and Differance in rates of refresh etc ,,,, but I am no gamer !!


Maybe HarryC (a moderator here) can suggest some more teckie tricks for you to check that ,,,,
Nothing like putting a new TOY to test !!


Enjoy

Not a problem man. The good news is, my switchable graphics seem to be working.

[ausmike]

Paul;
Glad to hear ,,,,the Graphics is working for you> cools yip newer 410s rocks! > specially with i7 w/SSD & Switch Graphics (which is kinda NOT avaliabe @ Lenovo site now) ,,,,,I have had the PLEASURE of having this (model 2901 series) for a while now.....

I am not a game person but I did play WOW & FLOWER (a Ps3 redo 4 PC ).... ok ok its obvious amNOT A GAMEBOY!) ,,,,, the overall experiance & refresh rate on SL = just as good as the rest of 'em !!!, >very very niceeee !!!

However > the biggest MOST MOST shocking - was when I did same games on W701 va SL501 (W701 = top of range (non DS) with the same i7 as t410s; ...... NOT SO GOOD!!
but then I know W&T Series are not GAMING MACHINES !!!! ,,,,,,,,, but the cost of these; should atleast almost makes one to even put ANY GAMES on there !!! LOL !!

SL = P8700<SL bought as a Lenovo outlet website>..........
> my other link = http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=89203


DANG ,,, DOUBLE DANG ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,<shock horror>

Conclusions:
...if every I had to buy a mchine with PERSONAL FUNDS ........ it not be a T Series NOR W Series NOR anything else ,, but the cheapest SL or L series ..... and via OUTLET WEBSTIE....

Reason :
COST = $420US of the SL machine - model 2847 - with FP + 5350Wifi + 2,0Camera + 320/7k HD + std intel HD4500 system board with P700 and WIN7x64 - 4GBRAM .........and its a REFURBISHED MACHINE ............ and seems they out together the best of the best parts for this ONE OFF !!! ........

LUCKY ME !!

[ThinkTay]

Paul;
Glad to hear ,,,,the Graphics is working for you> cools yip newer 410s rocks! > specially with i7 w/SSD & Switch Graphics (which is kinda NOT avaliabe @ Lenovo site now) ,,,,,I have had the PLEASURE of having this (model 2901 series) for a while now.....

I am not a game person but I did play WOW & FLOWER (a Ps3 redo 4 PC ).... ok ok its obvious amNOT A GAMEBOY!) ,,,,, the overall experiance & refresh rate on SL = just as good as the rest of 'em !!!, >very very niceeee !!!

However > the biggest MOST MOST shocking - was when I did same games on W701 va SL501 (W701 = top of range (non DS) with the same i7 as t410s; ...... NOT SO GOOD!!
but then I know W&T Series are not GAMING MACHINES !!!! ,,,,,,,,, but the cost of these; should atleast almost makes one to even put ANY GAMES on there !!! LOL !!

wow, you sure you are not a gamer? because you sound like a gamer to me. in fact, every comparison you make is based off games.

That, and you actually like the ipad...a product that would be better served as a high-end cutting board than a computing device

[Yossarian1]

To the OP I saw a link on this or the Lenovo forum about the "bow" you describe in the lid. From what I've read it's a design feature not shoddy manufacturing. My new T400s seems at least as good as my old X40 road warrior in build quality, time will tell.

[afuiw]

...

The computer is held in place by just 2 styrofoam brackets. You'd think they would put a little more padding as insurance given that they ship this box halfway around the world. It's one thing if this cost a few hundred dollars.
...

Also, that thick black sticker in the battery compartment was placed without much care and it was bunched up in the middle, forcing the battery to not sit flush with the body. I had to remove that sticker and reposition it myself. Little things like these that make you wonder if the rest of the computer was constructed with an "I don't give a *****Expletives removed by Moderator*****" attitude.

I suppose these practices are widespread in the industry and will have to settle with the least of all evils. People in general seem satisfied with their ThinkPads and from my own experiences, I've been happy owning them. I'm sure this will continue in that vein. Will power on tonight, play around, and report back.

With respect to packaging, my T43 was also held in place by two styrofoam pieces when it was shipped from Lenovo a few years back so no difference with the T410s.

Not entirely sure why Lenovo can't take a similar approach to Apple where product information is engraved somewhere on the machine. I suppose the Windows sticker is obligated to be there, but it would have been nice for Lenovo to minimize the number of physical stickers on the bottom of the machine.