Thinkpads Forum

As in my other posts, I am using the computer for Business software, web surfing & video editing with Corel X3. Which is best bang for dollar?

T-400 (7417-CTO) -- $450 Used
Intel vPro Centrino Core 2 Duo processor P8400 (2.26 GHz)
3GB RAM
300GB hard drive
DVD Ultrabay slim drive
Intel Integrated Graphics 4500MHD
14.1-inch, 16M colors, WXGA+ (1440 × 900 resolution) TFT color
Windows 7 Ultimate
Extended battery (new)


T-410 -- $750 -- Brand New
Intel® Core i5 processor i5-520M(2.4GHz)
3MB cache
320GB, 7200 rpm, 9.5mm high
MicroSATA Generation 2 interface
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
DISPLAY:14.1" WXGA (1280 x 800) 16:10 aspect with LED Backlight
WWAN antenna
Intel HD Graphics
Optical device: DVD Recordable
Ultrabay Slim System expansion slot:With Smart Card Reader
6 cell Battery
Genuine Windows 7 Professional (32 bit)
3Yr Warranty

Get the T400 then invest some of the $300 you saved in another gig of memory and an SSD drive.

If you're doing video editing, I don't think the CPU in the T400 would be enough.

An SSD probably isn't the most advantageous here because video editing would thrash the swap file (bad) and probably leave lots of intermediate files that use up precious write cycles.

A better solution would to be to go buy a 500GB Scorpio Black (really fast with sequential reads for grabbing large video files and large capacity), and tack on a nice 16GB SD card for use with eBoostr (about $40 I think). This ends up cheaper than an SSD, about as snappy, and with a lot more capacity.

Other than the price difference, the most significant difference will be that the T400 has a battery hanging off the back and probably will weigh 5.3 lbs. The T410 will have its 6 cell battery completely flush with the base and weigh just under 5 lbs.

The T410 models are really nice. The T400 models are like T61 14" WS models; not bad performers, but not a great design.

Since it is your money, I like the T410

I second underclocker. I really like the design of the T410 but hate that of the T400. The T410 also has a better port selection (added an extra USB, eSATA and DisplayPort). However what bothers me with that particular T410 is the low screen resolution. T410 does come with 1440x900, but it will be more expensive naturally.

dr_st wrote:. However what bothers me with that particular T410 is the low screen resolution. T410 does come with 1440x900, but it will be more expensive naturally.

I've bought the same and this resolution is unseenable,you're scrolling all the time and the screen is horrendous.

Colonel O'Neill wrote:If you're doing video editing, I don't think the CPU in the T400 would be enough.

An SSD probably isn't the most advantageous here because video editing would thrash the swap file (bad) and probably leave lots of intermediate files that use up precious write cycles.

I video edit daily on my T400s with a Core 2 Duo in CS5, while surfing the Internet and with an email program open, and it's more than enough. As for the SSD, you should have a separate scratch drive, anyway. Just pop the original HDD in the UltraBay and you're good to go.

As for your decision, the issues raised on the number of ports and the battery are important ones. That would probably make the decision for me, more than anything else.

I got the person down to $400 on the used T-400. I was also able to source out a T-60 with decent specs but low screen resolution for $300. I can't believe it's taken me so long to make a decision on a used computer. I was originally going to keep the new Edge 14 with the AMD for $575, but I think I should pull-the-trigger on the T400. The battery on the back will suck, but I think it's still the best bang for dollar compared to the Edge 14.

Are the graphics switchable on the T400 7417-CTO?

Any last input and thoughts?

Well for the price difference then definitely get the T400. If the money is not a issue then might as well get the T410 (if the screen resolution wasn't bothering you). I for one try to avoid that resolution like the plague. I had a T410 and sold it partly for that reason. To upgrade it to the WXGA+ version is gonna cost you another $100 or so. For general usage, the Core i5 goes unused but it would definitely help in apps that need that pep. There is a big difference (to me) compared to a Core 2 Duo (i had the samething in the T400).

We've got a bit of a cross posting going on here, but for $461 plus tax, I'd take the Edge 14 over the T400. I've owned 100+ ThinkPads and only two Edge machines (the X100e - a.k.a. Edge 11 - and the Edge 15), but you can't beat this machine in the Lenovo Outlet, assuming the slightly lower resolution LCD works for you. Edge models are not ThinkPads (lower quality plastics, less features), but they are nice machines for the money.

I woudn't buy the T400. If not the Edge 14, I'd wait for either a better priced T500 or a T410 or a T400s or T410s!

Edge 14 - $461.60 (free shipping)
Processor Intel® Core™ i3-330M (2.13GHz, 3MB Cache)
Operating System Genuine Windows 7 Professional 32 - English
Keyboard/Pointing Device UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
Total Memory 4GB (2 X 2GB) PC3-8500 DDR3 1067MHz SDRAM SODIMM Memory
Hard Drive 500GB, 5400RPM Serial ATA 2.5" Hard Drive
Display 14.0” WXGA HD (1366 X 768) LED, W/ Camera
Graphics Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator HD
Optical Device DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer
Battery 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (Up to 4.5 Hours Run Time)
Ethernet/Wireless Intel® Centrino Wireless-N 1000 (1x2 bgn)
Mobile Broadband No WWAN Supported
Bluetooth No
Integrated Camera Yes
Color Matte Black
Fingerprint Reader No
Form Factor Laptop
Limited Warranty 1 Year Limited