New T400- My reivew and Questions

Message

nykobing06 · #1 Post by **nykobing06** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 1:35 pm

Hey guys. Well Lenovo got me my computer and accessories less than two weeks from my initial order. Actually its just been slightly over a week.

I haven't dont much with the computer aside from checking it out-mainly build, comfort and look.

My short review:

-The computer screen is awesome. The LED backlight makes my old T42 look washed out and yellowish. The new screen is surprisingly crisp and white.

- The T400, for me at least, was a bit difficult to accept based on looks. Ive been using a T42 for three years now and though thinkpads were never known for this glamour, the T42 is sleek and very stylish in my opinion. The T400 on the other hand reminds me of a tough book. Im assuming that due to the smaller screen yet the same size keyboard and thus the top, its surrounded by a lot of "frame". This draws attention to the smaller screen which I dont think is a good look. If there were less "frame" on the sides, then the T400 would appear bigger and certainly look sleeker.

-Keyboard: The keyboard is great in general. Has a similar feel to my T42 and it feels great. However, there are flexing issues center-left and top-right. The flexing is noticeable and it looks like a combination of a less stiff keyboard and little to no support underneath the keyboard. In all honesty, it definitely not even close to being bad enough to be a dealbreaker- and I like my thinkpad keyboards!

Issues:

Couple of Issues here...
- Whenever the computer goes into sleep mode (ie. i close the lid), I can't get it out of sleep. I've tried everything from simply punching a few keys, the Fn key, escape, Fn +F4, the windows key, and held the power button just long enough so it doesnt shutdown. Has anyone has this problem? Any suggestions?

-This may have to do with the aforementioned. Last night I closed the lid (laptop still running) and unplugged the AC adapter so no power. I put both my T42 and T400 side by side and left them on battry power all night (about 6 hours). I wake up and my T400 is at 20% battery (mind you its a 9-cell) and my T42 is at 70%. Both were at 100% to start.

-I'm assuming the T400 didn't go into sleep mode? I can't remember if i saw the half moon light up on my T400 but if it did, then there's something fishy going on.

Overall:
I like the screen quality and brightness but I'm not completely sold on the 14.1" widescreen. This couple with the thick "frame" surounding the screen makes it look archaic rather than a piece of new technology. Thats just a little inconvenient but getting used to the 14.1" screen is taking some time.

If all the sleep/power issues are fixed or turn out to be nothing, I'm going to keep the T400. I like its size and weight...very convenient. However if it starts giving me a lot of trouble - similar to what a few have experienced here already- then I may opt for the T500 or just wait till my T42 completely dies.

Probably not the great review one would anticipate. I was slightly disappointed when it first arrived due to its design and the small screen but I it is growing on me. Plus I really didn't know what to anticipate with a 14.1" Thinkpad. Ive only used 15.4" notebooks.

As a precaution..whats the return policy. Do we pay for shipping back to lenovo?

Thanks guys and please feel free to ask me any questions regarding the computer.

Gotta run for now. I iwll update this later today.

sparta.rising · #2 Post by **sparta.rising** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 2:12 pm

The flexing issue is pretty highly reported, they tried to make the keyboard "lightweight". A solution to this is to replace the keyboard with a T61 keyboard, they are compatible.

I agree with the ugly big bezel. The X200 and X300 have it too. Some Lenovo engineer is a chubby chaser.

For the power issues, check out your power profile and see what the wake-up action is and the time till sleep is. Your computer might be set to max performance or presentation mode. Right click the battery and select Power Manager.

#3 Post by **ZaZ** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:05 am

You can get your keyboard replaced with a T61 keyboard which is firmer:

http://forums.lenovo.com/lnv/board/mess ... 2738#M2738

The return policy is you pay a 15% restocking fee. I think they've waived it if you buy another more expensive machine before you do the return.

nykobing06 · #4 Post by **nykobing06** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:56 am

Thanks for that information Fred.

I will certainly look into it. If the T61 keyboard is anything like the T42 then I'll get it.

By the way, I'm liking the T400 more day by day.

agarza · #5 Post by **agarza** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:19 am

I've never seen a T400 laptop.
I'm a 'lover' of old-fashioned looking Thinkpads, that's why I got a nice T61 4:3 SXGA+.
Which of your T42 & T400 is heavier?

I'd say your T400 would have a very snappy performance with a reinstallation (clean install) of either XP or Vista.

nykobing06 · #6 Post by **nykobing06** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:44 pm

agarza wrote:I've never seen a T400 laptop.
I'm a 'lover' of old-fashioned looking Thinkpads, that's why I got a nice T61 4:3 SXGA+.
Which of your T42 & T400 is heavier?

I'd say your T400 would have a very snappy performance with a reinstallation (clean install) of either XP or Vista.

I agree, with a clean install it'd be very fast. However, I'm encountering problems with its sleep mode. For four days, without a solution in sight, I have been unable to bring this computer back from sleep mode. When I put it into sleep mode, I can pull it out. However, when it goes into sleep mode due to inactivity or closing the lid, I can't get it back out.

As far as the T42 and T400, the T42 is larger at 15.4" and likewise, weighs more. However, the T400 with the 9-cell comes close...but then again I have nearly 8 hours unplugged with the 9-cell.

I like the laptop but this sleep issue is severely impacting my confidence in this machine.

sparta.rising · #7 Post by **sparta.rising** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:48 pm

If you like the machine, and the sleep problem is only particular to your machine, why just not get it fixed/replaced (instead of returning it)?

nykobing06 · #8 Post by **nykobing06** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 5:29 pm

sparta.rising wrote:If you like the machine, and the sleep problem is only particular to your machine, why just not get it fixed/replaced (instead of returning it)?

Yea, I've digressed from my original post. I'm liking the T400 very much now...as usual, Thinkpads take a while to grow on me and then I love them so much that I wouldn't trade them for anything.

My research on the sleep issue points towards a hardware (motherboard) problem. My next step is to return it for a replacement (if lenovo deems it necessary). What I can tell from the research is that those little fixes with the optical drive, antivirus, etc etc do not have a consistent success rate.

rdharper · #9 Post by **rdharper** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:32 pm

nykobing06 wrote:
agarza wrote:Note from Admin: Excessive, nested quoting removed.

Are you in battery mode, or AC mode when you go to "sleep". If in battery mode, try turning off the hybrid mode.

nykobing06 · #10 Post by **nykobing06** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:10 am

rdharper wrote:
nykobing06 wrote:

This happens in both battery and AC modes.

New T400- My reivew and Questions

New T400- My reivew and Questions

Who is online