T400 First Thoughts

Message

lew2 · #31 Post by **lew2** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 1:16 pm

Tony Chan wrote:For archer6/wswartzendruber, or anyone who is using T400 : did you ordered with a 6 cell or the 9 cell? Really tempted to get the 9 cell but am not sure if that will make it "feels" a lot heavier. Also, can I re-use the ultrabay battery or dvd writer from my T60?

Six cell in my case. It's rare that I'm away from an outlet for more than three or four hours of usage, so why carry the extra weight/bulk all them time when I'd need it rarely?

I think the ultrabay battery can be reused. DVD writer cannot; they changed the Ultrabay connection from PATA to SATA. Best to see the "tabook" for specific part #'s for the T400/T500 accessories as compared to what you have or what was available for the T61's.

Tony Chan · #32 Post by **Tony Chan** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:00 pm

lew2 wrote:DVD writer cannot; they changed the Ultrabay connection from PATA to SATA.

Oh ok.. thanks. So I guess I better order the DVD writer with my T400 then. Lenovo website says ordering dvd writer will delay the order by 3 - 4 weeks though. Guess I've to wait a bit longer now.

Thanks for the quick response.

#33 Post by **archer6** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:09 pm

Tony Chan wrote:For archer6/wswartzendruber, or anyone who is using T400 : did you ordered with a 6 cell or the 9 cell? Really tempted to get the 9 cell but am not sure if that will make it "feels" a lot heavier. Also, can I re-use the ultrabay battery or dvd writer from my T60?

When I get a new ThinkPad I usually get both, and yet I find that I usually end up using the smaller battery as it keeps it light, always offers enough run time (I use a lot) and I'm usually around an a/c outlet enough during the day or evening, even when traveling.

wswartzendruber · #34 Post by **wswartzendruber** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:13 pm

Tony Chan wrote:For archer6/wswartzendruber, or anyone who is using T400 : did you ordered with a 6 cell or the 9 cell? Really tempted to get the 9 cell but am not sure if that will make it "feels" a lot heavier. Also, can I re-use the ultrabay battery or dvd writer from my T60?

I got whichever one doesn't stick out any.

Tony Chan · #35 Post by **Tony Chan** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:14 pm

I think both 6 and 9 cell sticks out. Only 4 cell version is flush which although I like very much but probably not enough for my usage. I ended up ordered T400 with 6 cell this afternoon and if I need more, I just try to use the ultrabay battery from my T60.

Btw, I order from Lenovo Canad and my second confirmation email says schedule day is Sept 24, 2 days from today !!! I think it WILL change though.

Thanks for all your responses.

Tony

Czechnology · #36 Post by **Czechnology** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:50 pm

Does the 6cell battery really stick out? I've thought it's just the 9cell one... That's why I've ordered just the 6cell

Tony Chan · #37 Post by **Tony Chan** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:11 pm

I'm pretty sure 6 cell sticks out, although not as much as the 9 cell. The new 9 cell also sticks out with an angle so you can not open the laptop to 180 degree.

Czechnology · #38 Post by **Czechnology** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:18 pm

Hm, that means i'll probably have to buy a 4-cell one

I'll see how bad it is.

Afty · #39 Post by **Afty** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:31 pm

The 6-cell does stick out. There is a thread on the official Lenovo forum with pics:
http://forums.lenovo.com/lnv/board/mess ... d.id=13811

#40 Post by **archer6** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:19 pm

Czechnology wrote:Hm, that means i'll probably have to buy a 4-cell one
I'll see how bad it is.

I mistakenly used the word "both" in my earlier response about batteries, as I travel extensively, thus have a need for a variety of battery sizes. In this case I have the 4, 6, and 9 cell batteries. The 4 cell is indeed the only battery that is flush with the back of the computer. This is the battery I use the most, as I prefer the look, the feel when carrying it around the office, or home, and the lack of bulk. I will not quote battery life as it's so dependent on usage, however I will say that I find it to be the equivalent to the battery life of my T60 on the standard flush fitting 6 cell battery.

Hope this helps.
Cheers....

Tony Chan · #41 Post by **Tony Chan** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:31 pm

archer6, how's the 6 cell compares with 9 cell? Does it "feels" a lot heavier with the 9?

#42 Post by **archer6** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:14 pm

Tony Chan wrote:archer6, how's the 6 cell compares with 9 cell? Does it "feels" a lot heavier with the 9?

I would describe in a few ways. First, it's just bulky, and yes it's certainly heavier. The balance is off as the weight bias is towards the rear when one carries it around. While I tend to be a bit obsessed (a bit? who am I kidding...lol) about having choices when it comes to batteries, thus I get them all, at the end of the day when I'm not traveling extensively, I still end up using the smallest, battery that is flush with the back of the computer and keep it the lightest. This holds true for all my T, X, Z, R series Thinkpads. After all when I get honest and ask myself do I really _Need_ to take such a large battery, when a/c outlets are so prevalent, I simply end up using the smallest battery in whatever ThinkPad I'm using that day.

Finally something to think about.... especially for those of you that hate to carry the power brick around, I use a 65W power adapter that is designed for the X60 series for all my ThinkPads when out and about. It's vastly smaller and lighter than the 90W full size power adapter that comes with the T/R/Z and other series. It's also very inexpensive to buy. It will keep any ThinkPad charged enough to use for anything other than full power, long computing sessions on a T60p workstation for example. Here is a link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834995032

Afty · #43 Post by **Afty** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:18 pm

FWIW I believe the T400/500 come with the 65W power adapter if you have integrated graphics. My T400 and my wife's T61 15", both with integrated graphics, came with the 65W adapter.

#44 Post by **archer6** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:48 pm

Afty wrote:FWIW I believe the T400/500 come with the 65W power adapter if you have integrated graphics. My T400 and my wife's T61 15", both with integrated graphics, came with the 65W adapter.

Ah ... good to know. My T400 came with the conventional 90W perhaps by mistake. I will have to call and check on it. Thanks for the word on that.

Cheers

Tony Chan · #45 Post by **Tony Chan** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:39 pm

I think we have a lot in common. I also have 2 battery for most of my Thankpads. I use the small one everyday except when I'm on a plane or need to use it un-plug for all day. I also have the ultrabay battery but they die quickly. When I read about the T400 battery time I am hoping I can finally use 1 ( 6 cell ) everywhere I go, with the help of a ultrabay from my old T60.

As for the power adapter, the 90 Watt cost a bit more, and charges a bit faster, so you might want to keep it and get a extra 65 watt for travel. They cost around 30-40 I think.

#46 Post by **archer6** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:55 pm

Tony Chan wrote:I also have 2 battery for most of my Thankpads. I use the small one everyday except when I'm on a plane or need to use it un-plug for all day. I also have the ultrabay battery but they die quickly.
As for the power adapter, the 90 Watt cost a bit more, and charges a bit faster, so you might want to keep it and get a extra 65 watt for travel. They cost around 30-40 I think.

Yes, you are quite right. I do as a matter of fact, have many power adapters, I have two of each type so as to be able to leave one at home and one permanently in my laptop bag. As far as the run time of the Ultrabay battery, yes I too find that it's quite disappointing, however in retrospect I should have expected that, since the amount of space is very minimal. Therefore there are not many cells in such a thin slice of a battery.

Cheers...

Czechnology · #47 Post by **Czechnology** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 5:13 pm

I have ordered the Lenovo Slim Adapter... Any comments on that one?

#48 Post by **archer6** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 5:27 pm

Czechnology wrote:I have ordered the Lenovo Slim Adapter... Any comments on that one?

A what? Please be more specific.
"I have ordered the Lenovo_____ for my (laptop model) to use for ______

Czechnology · #49 Post by **Czechnology** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 5:49 pm

ThinkPad and IdeaPad 90W Slim AC/DC Combo Adapter

#50 Post by **archer6** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:58 pm

Czechnology wrote:ThinkPad and IdeaPad 90W Slim AC/DC Combo Adapter

This highlights one negative change that Lenovo is responsible for.
They have stripped the specs in terms of size, weight, etc from the web site pages for accessories. Thus one has no meaningful way to identify any specifics, for the purpose of comparison and decision making.

T400 First Thoughts

Who is online