T-Series buying advice - Mainly T440p

[rjashall]

I am looking to replace my venerable T60 - it's not looking too healthy at the moment. I'm looking at the T440p - while this will be my main computer the T4540 is probably going to be a bit big for when I do need to lug it around. I'm prepared to spend about £1300 on laptop and would really appreciate any advice anyone might have on specs. I will be doing some gaming, video editing and audio work and using a mix of windows and linux, though mainly windows.

Screen - I presume FHD is the option to go for and will that be okay with Windows 8.1 in terms of legibility?

Processor - in terms of the i5 is it worth going for the 4330M, and is it worth maxing the memory to 16gb?

In terms of adding an msata - any recommendations - can I just install on in the slot, and is the best method to ask for a set of recovery discs when I buy the laptop and then do a clean install? Any msata recommendations (looking at a plextor or samsung 250gb)

Is the ultra dock worth the extra money over the pro dock?

I am tempted by the backlit keyboard option - are there any downsides to this.

Finally does anyone know if I order from now will the fan problem be sorted.

Any views much appreciated.

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

I am looking to replace my venerable T60 - it's not looking too healthy at the moment. I'm looking at the T440p - while this will be my main computer the T4540 is probably going to be a bit big for when I do need to lug it around. I'm prepared to spend about £1300 on laptop and would really appreciate any advice anyone might have on specs. I will be doing some gaming, video editing and audio work and using a mix of windows and linux, though mainly windows.

I'll offer the same piece of advice that I've been giving to everyone who had previously used a ThinkPad since the *40 series came out: try to test the machine in person before purchasing it if at all possible. The changes in keyboard/TrackPoint setup are drastic enough to warrant such an advice.

Screen - I presume FHD is the option to go for and will that be okay with Windows 8.1 in terms of legibility?

If you like W8, the answer is "yes". The FHD screen is very good regardless of the OS choice.

In terms of adding an msata - any recommendations - can I just install on in the slot, and is the best method to ask for a set of recovery discs when I buy the laptop and then do a clean install? Any msata recommendations (looking at a plextor or samsung 250gb)

There is NO mSATA slot on the *40 series so you won't be able to add a drive that way...

I am tempted by the backlit keyboard option - are there any downsides to this.

I found the keyboard to be lacking travel when compared to the older models, even the chicklet ones on the *30 series. Once again, try before you buy if you can.

Good luck.

[Ibthink]

Screen - I presume FHD is the option to go for and will that be okay with Windows 8.1 in terms of legibility?

That depends highly on your preference concerning the ppi - FHD on 14" seems to be fine with most people, but some may find it a bit small. However in general, the FHD screen is the way to go, not only because of the resolution, but also because of the quality (the 1600x900 displays are only TN...).

Is the ultra dock worth the extra money over the pro dock?

That depends on one question: How many external displays do you want to use? The only real advantage of the Ultradock is the addition of one DP and one HDMI-port.

I am tempted by the backlit keyboard option - are there any downsides to this.

Not at all. But one important point to consider maybe: There are two different keyboard manufacturers for the new ThinkPad keyboards, Chicony and LiteOn. Note that the LiteOn backlight keyboard seems to be much better.

Finally does anyone know if I order from now will the fan problem be sorted.

According to Mark_Lenovo, the new fans will be in stock in April - as spare parts. I think if you order now, the chances are not low to receive one without this problem.

There is NO mSATA slot on the *40 series so you won't be able to add a drive that way...

There is an M.2 slot, so he will be able to add a drive that way - just M.2, not mSATA. The biggest available 42mm M.2 SSD in UK seems to be this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/128GB-ZTC-Armor ... 2+SSD+42mm However, if the TE chooses to build in a M.2 SSD, he will loose the LTE option.

[ajkula66]

There is an M.2 slot, so he will be able to add a drive that way - just M.2, not mSATA. The biggest available 42mm M.2 SSD in UK seems to be this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/128GB-ZTC-Armor ... 2+SSD+42mm However, if the TE chooses to build in a M.2 SSD, he will loose the LTE option.

OP has asked *specifically* about the mSATA drives which offer a lot more than the 42mm M.2 ones, not only in the respect of storage space available but also the manufacturers supplying drives in this format.

None of the top tier SSD manufacturers offers a M.2 SSD in the 42mm form.

[pianowizard]

That depends highly on your preference concerning the ppi - FHD on 14" seems to be fine with most people

We ought to be very careful with recommendations concerning pixel density. I have been told on numerous occasions that even FHD on 15.6", which gives 141.2 DPI, is too high for many people. (Of course, I am referring to users who stick with Windows' default scaling settings.) FHD on 14.0", which corresponds to 157.4 DPI, makes things much smaller. rjashall, I strongly urge you to try a Windows laptop with a comparable pixel density first. Off the top of my head, 10.1" @ 1366x768 or 155.16 DPI is the closest and reasonably easy to find -- many of the best netbooks have that. If you can't find one, the next best resolution to look at would be 15.4" @ 1920x1200 meaning 147.0 DPI, which I know for a fact is already too high for most users. If you can handle 147.0 DPI very comfortably, then FHD on 14.0" is probably fine, though this isn't guaranteed. If you can barely tolerate 147.0 DPI, then you should forget about FHD on 14.0".

[rjashall]

Many thanks for the replies - I had missed the difference between m.2 and msata, so that is useful to know. It looks like so.me samsungs ones are coming that might be a good option, but can't see anywhere to buy them in the UK yet. I don't mind losing the lte option, and thought it might be a nice idea to put the os on the m.2 ssd and use the hard drive for storage. Very annoying that the new ultrabays are't easily swappable though.

Thanks for the tip on the FHD - sounds like the way to go but will try and have a look.

In the meantime perhaps it would be an idea to find a place in London that can repair my T60 (hard drive has gone, so accessing everything through a USB linux stick at the moment).

[pianowizard]

Thanks for the tip on the FHD - sounds like the way to go but will try and have a look.

If you can't find a FHD T440p, or 10.1" @ 1366x768, or 15.4" @ 1920x1200, look for FHD on 13.3" which gives 165.6 DPI. If it looks okay to you, then FHD on 14.0" would definitely be fine as well. Many ultrabooks have FHD 13.3" screens. My Sony Pro13 has such a screen and I don't mind the small text and icons, but that's just me.