T440 considered "low-end" now?

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albo · #1 Post by **albo** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 9:23 am

Hi Folks,

I'm looking for a thinkpad for a friend, and thinking about a future purchase for myself as well. I was reading up on the new T440 models, and was surprised to see that they're now being considered as "low end". (See http://www.dailytech.com/Lenovo+Shows+F ... e33300.htm). I'm not sure what this exactly means, but it does seem that discrete graphics aren't offered in the T series now (at least as far as I can see when you're building your machine online). Also, seems like you can't get the internal cache drive option in the 440, when you can in the 440s. All the different options are a bit confusing, but in the end, what's most confusing is Lenovo's apparent switch-up of their model lineups.

So, if I'm now looking for a top-end machine in terms of a combination between power and size (e.g. I don't want to get a 440p as it's too big), should I be moving on from the T-series?

Thanks for your thoughts...

wolfman · #2 Post by **wolfman** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 11:29 am

No you wouldn't move on from the T series, you'd move up in the T series... to the T440p where you'll find options for cache drives, discrete graphics, quad core processors, full HD (1920x1080) IPS display options, ultrabay, 16gb of RAM support, etc. E.g., the "top end" of the T series line. You can configure one here: http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/th ... ies/t440p/.

Regarding the T440p being too big... here's some interesting stats for you:
T440 starts at 4 pounds, T440p starting at 4.1 pounds (4.7 pounds typically configured)
T440 is 0.8 inches thick, T440p is 1.1 inches thick

So for 0.3 inches of additional thickness and 0.6 pounds of additional weight you can get all of the particular specifications you need (and all kinds of additional options you didn't mention). That seems a reasonable trade off to me and the differences in size / weight specs seem to be a nit. But everyone has different opinions...

AnakiMana · #3 Post by **AnakiMana** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 7:00 am

I have a T440p and it's not big at all. I guess you could always find something smaller... Yeah, it's not crazy thin. It's like "normal-thin" for a laptop, whereas the T440s is super thin (at the expense of better cooling and internal space for options). I'm also hearing a lot of complaints about the T440s touchpad being really loud. The p model has a different pad and mine is very quiet. I had the option to configure with internal cache drive, but opted out because I'm going to upgrade to an SSD as my primary drive, which makes caching worthless as a speed booster. Lenovo removed it as a config option due to low stock, but it will surely be back.

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albo · #4 Post by **albo** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 8:20 am

Thanks all - ill take a look at the 440p. I imagine the 440s dropped the ultrabay? In any case, those looking for a "good" laptop should probably drop the straight 440 as an option and stick with the 440s or 440p...

AnakiMana · #5 Post by **AnakiMana** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 12:49 pm

albo wrote:Thanks all - ill take a look at the 440p. I imagine the 440s dropped the ultrabay? In any case, those looking for a "good" laptop should probably drop the straight 440 as an option and stick with the 440s or 440p...

Yes, the 440 and 440s lack UltraBays. The 440p has a new type of UltraBay and there's an adapter for HDD/SSD & the standard optical drive it comes with, but it doesn't appear that a battery option will be available for it. I don't think the T440p has the circuitry for it. Fortunately, I get great uptime with the 9-cell at over 10 hours of typical office-type usage. So I'm not too upset, I guess.

About the straight 440, I agree, it doesn't make sense to choose it. I bet they hardly sell any of those.

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