Choosing between T430 and T440p

[WBruce]

I would like to order a new T440p which I understand is the successor for the T430 to replace my ailing T410, but the reviews are discouraging me.

Here are my issues:

Advantages of the T440:

• I can buy directly from Lenovo with my company's 40% discount and configure it exactly the way I want it.
  It is the latest technology, probably a faster CPU etc.

Disadvantages of the T440:

• There are no buttons for the trackpoint.
  I have to buy a new docking station
  I can't use my old power cords
  Apparently the keyboard layout has changed

Just thought I would get some thoughts here before making a final decision. Lenovo is sold out of T430s, so if I buy one, I have to go elsewhere, ebay, amazon, best buy, etc.

A mitigating factor is that I use the docking station most of the time, and when I don't have the docking station, I still use an external mouse most of the time, but occasionally I do have to use laptop keyboard and trackpad, and the reviews I'm reading seem to be very bad.

Suggestions?

[ZaZ]

I don't believe the T440p keyboard is all that different from the T430, but it's the trackpoint that's changed more dramatically.

Another plus for the T440p is you can get it with a FHD IPS LCD, which is a much better screen than anything offered on the T430. If the T430 had the T440p LCD, you'd have a winner.

I'd take the reviews with a grain of salt. Users either tend to love or hate it, but it's difficult to get a balanced opinion. Even the pro reviewers, having done it myself, you get the notebook for a few weeks or months, trying to get the review out as soon as possible, making it more difficult to give an in-depth opinion. It's kind of a quick take. If you can somehow try a new ThinkPad with the buttonless trackpoint setup, that might help you decide whether you like it or not. Good luck and welcome to TPF.

[bblumberg]

If you are a TrackPoint user, you will very likely hate the T440p. I find it to be virtually unusable because you need to hit the buttons at nearly the farthest edge from the centerline for the clicks to reliably register. I find this particularly egregious when trying to right click. The keyboard is about the same as the T430.

Other than this issue, the screen is very nice (I have the 1080p model) and the computer performs well enough. I replaced the stock hard drive with a 1TB Samsung drive.

Bruce

[AIX]

That was the main reason I've bought the T430 and not the T440p: the (buttonless) trackpoint. I am an exclusive trackpoint user and the buttonless trackpoint drew me back, after I've tested it on an X240. Regarding the old power cords - there arecable adapters you can buy -so it is not that bad.

[WBruce]

I am a trackpoint user, but only when I don't have a mouse available or don't have space on the desk. I actually prefer a trackball where the ball is controlled by the thumb. I had to quit using wireless trackballs and mice because I have a 2 year old that will hid them, throw them in the garbage, or dismantle them. I went and bought the cheapest Microsoft USB mouse I could find ($14.95). When he gets older, I'll go back to the trackball.

Also I use the docking station a lot at home. At work I just plug an external monitor into the VGA slot and a keyboard and mouse into the USB ports.

The trackpoint is important to me, but not important enough to stop me from buying it if the computer is otherwise better than the T430. I use it mostly when I'm in an airport lounge or something like that. I'd say 98% of the time I'm using an external keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

I have a 1 TB drive in my T410 and I would buy another one for the T440p (or T430 if I decide to go that route). I also have a 2 TB external drive that is USB 3, so upgrading to the USB 3 on either of the two machines is going to be a big improvement.

The main reason I kind of would like to go with the T440p is that the 430 is no longer available directly from Lenovo and that means that I can't configure it the way I want it nor can I bundle software with it.

It's disappointing that I can't use my existing docking station. But maybe it's time to upgrade that too. I know I can get an adapter that allows me to use my existing power supplies. I understand there are three docking stations available to chose from. Has any of you had any experience with those?

Thanks to all for your input and thanks for the welcome. We used to have a Thinkpad Forum on CompuServe, but AOL came along and destroyed all that.