Thinking of getting thinkpad t400 for university next year

[jimmydu444]

Hi there

I am getting a laptop for university next year and have decided to get a thinkpad t400. I am pretty much illiterate when it comes to computers and would like to ask for your inputs on a couple questions I have about my future purchase.

First of all, is there a possibility that a newer version of the t series will come out before sept of this year?? As well, I will be using dual booting linux/windows on my laptop and as far as I know, I really do not care very much for windows vista and knows that there is a slim chance of windows 7 being released and perinstalled on the thinkpad before I have to purchase one.

Secondly, I will be primarily using my laptop for very basic schoolwork ie. text/web surfing/video. What would be the best specification set up for someone like me?? As well, I will be using this in university dorm and was wondering if i needed the "accessory wares" such as bluetooth, wireless card (which one should I choose???) , system expansion card and optical drive????? Also, my eyesights are not as good as I would like them to be and one of the main reasons why I chose the thinkpad is because of its matte screen, because of this, I was wondering if you guys could enlighten me on which screen type is best for my eyesight and what is the difference between the different choices???




I know this is a lot to ask and I thank you in advance for your input and efforts C=

P.S. I am going to be ordering this from Lenovo canada online and was wondering at what time of the year (before september 09) should I be buying my laptop for the best price and discount???


Thank you

[JaneL]

First of all, is there a possibility that a newer version of the t series will come out before sept of this year??

Welcome to the forum and to the hardware life cycle.

Yes, there is always a possibilitiy of new versions coming out the day after you buy something. That's life in tech; get used to it.

The best way to buy a computer is to determine your needs and pick a system that fits your needs at the best price you can find at the time that you need it. Chasing the tech lifecycle will make you crazy.

[jimmydu444]

err thanks for your reply, but i was referring to any known possible replacements.

[andyP]

err thanks for your reply, but i was referring to any known possible replacements.

That's exactly the problem. We know that there will be replacements, but we just don't know when. At best you can read up on Moores Law and buy when the "price is right"

Happy hunting

[winston.oyy]

Hi dude. Since your need is before September, it might be better for you to wait till then. This is especially so when Intel is considering delaying or forgoing Nehalem platform, which means new Thinkpads might be only available at the end of this year.

On the other hand, news have leaked that laptops shipped with Windows Vista from 1 July 2009 is eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 7. So it's more prudent to buy after that date so you won't be locked in with Vista should you dislike the OS. An additional OS option is always better.

Winston

[jimmydu444]

^

Thanks for the great advice. I guess I don't NEED a laptop since I can always use the one at school, but I am going to have to buy one eventually, just want to make sure I pull the trigger at the best time for me so to speak.

Can anyone please enlighten me on the different specification options available and which one might be the best for me??

I am just really concerned about getting things like bluetooth that I might/might not need and dvd burner and etc.

[T400plus]

buy their W 500 series. Tp preserve your eyesights use a higher resolution screen .i.e. xg+, sxga, sxga+.uxga..
buy one with a led screen and not the old generation tubelight lcds.It will be lighter
to carry and show the movies better....Buy 9 cells only if you are adapt at weight lifting exercises.
dont buy extra memory from Lenovo, upgrade it from the market[learn how to remove that memory before calling for warranty repairs].
buy with 3 years [all of earth] warranty.
Above all dont expect any useful help from their helpdesk.[repent before calling them]

if you are looking for cute light laptops then get a feel of their X series.
dont buy till the last moment and lookout for their coupouns to save on their hefty price...[you get sometimes 20-40% off].
....

[Marin85]

dont buy extra memory from Lenovo, upgrade it from the market.

...and the same applies to the HD

[ZaZ]

What are your needs? Some bring their notebooks to school and leave them on their desks, in which case a larger notebook might be preferable. Others take them to class everyday, which puts a higher importance on getting a smaller more mobile notebook.

[sparta.rising]

If you are going to be using the laptop in class and carrying it around campus, do NOT get the W500... or any 15" or larger screen. Desk space can be small, you'll be walking miles a day with it, and people I see with 17" screens are really hiding behind them, whether they want to or not, its really ridiculous. Go 13" or 14", best compromise of performance and portability.

If you are careful with your hardware and aren't a hardcore gamer, this laptop should last you all 4 years of school. But you are a student, so unless you are filthy rich, price should be a big concern, especially when it can be easily lost/stolen/broken. Since you are doing basic tasks, you can just go with the slowest available processor. You should be fine with 2GB RAM. If you are a student, you might want a large hard drive, dorm networks have a lot of... file sharing... Buy the accident protection for at least 4 years. There is a huge chance that your idiot roommate or neighbor will spill beer on your laptop. Or someone will be playing fruit baseball and an orange will splat against your screen.

Depending on your university, battery life may or may not be important. if you want to use it in a large lecture hall without lots of power adapters, you'll want a large battery. You don't want to lose power in the middle of the day or find yourself slaved to a wall to recharge. but if your classes are small and well-connected, there might be a power outlet at every seat (like my grad school, the building was built 2 years ago).

As for accessories, bluetooth is nice. I just picked up a bluetooth mouse and I'm enjoing the convenience. I know a lot of people that use them in class, but to me it seems kind of ridiculous (my classes have a small number of people and lots of desk space). Its nice to have a printer, but not necessary, your dorm will probably have a computer lab. Check to see if your roommate might be bringing one. Speakers are great. laptop speakers really stink and playing music and movies on your computer is fairly popular (of course when I lived in a dorm, it was before flat panel TV's with computer inputs).

Don't buy a "computer" backpack or messenger bag (ie brands like Lenovo, Targus, etc). They are #1 targets of thieves. Just buy a normal backpack (like a North Face or cheaper) that has a laptop pocket.

[perplex]

I was in the same boat a couple of months ago. I was wondering a T series or maybe an X6x. Then I had a browse on eBay for X300 out of curiosity [as the price brand new was very high at that time], then saw a reasonable price for an ex-demo unit. However, this ex-demo was as good as new and I think it was new, but just had that description.

Get an X300, you won't regret it . I replaced the optical drive with the 3 cell optical bay battery too for some more battery time. It really is a superb machine.

[archer6]

For your needs in general, I might suggest the T400. Far less expensive than the X301, and their is a list of processors you can choose from, all of which are much faster than the X301 series. I would take a look at what the school suggests for general configurations and go from there. Once you have chosen your configuration I would watch for one of the ongoing eCoupon specials on the Lenovo site and compare it to what the school pricing is like. This will provide you with the lowest purchase price.

Good Luck!

[T400plus]

decide the type of computing you would want, select the models, then weigh them (as you would have to carry them , no..).
You will know what to buy. T400 with 9 batteries is a iron trunk , with 6 cells is a light weight purse. With a led backlit screen
(if avilable in your country) it is excellent for those videos you woud like to see on the screen