t400 build opinions

[godbreath]

Right now I have a configured t400 with the following specs:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor P8700 (2.53GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2)
Genuine Windows Vista Business 64
14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ LED Backlight
ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 with 256MB
2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
160 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Intel WiFi Link 5300 (AGN) with My WiFi Technology
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
6 cell Li-Ion Battery
2764: 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller

for $956 before tax and $1,052 after tax

is this a good build and price?
i plan on adding in another 2 gb, and maybe replacing the hard drive later

the only thing keeping me from buying the t400 is the slim chance that there might be an updated version with better graphics by september
do you think that is possible?

[archer6]

The only way we can help you, is if you tell us what you are using the computer for. Based on your choice of 64-bit Vista, I would drop the 5400rpm HD for a 7200rpm as the cost difference during configuration is not that much more. I would have another 2GB of 3rd party memory ready to install upon taking delivery of the computer as your OS will need it. Once we know what you want to do with it then we can refine the suggestions.
As far as waiting to buy in hopes of better graphics, I would only wait if you have no need for it now. Anything is possible, but waiting for the perfect machine is futile. A perfect example is the early T400's which had soft flexible keyboards. I did not buy mine until Lenovo fixed them, and it was worth the wait as I got one with the improvements made.

[godbreath]

i will be using this computer in college
my major is computer engineering

also it is $44 to upgrade to a 7200 rpm which is not worth it seeing how 320gb 7200rpm harddrives are going for around $80

and i do not REALLY need a new laptop right now
i just think it is really convenient to have a laptop to take around with you. right now i only ahve a desktop

[godbreath]

anyways i just ordered it
estimated ship date is 5/29

[LambertJohn]

14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ LED Backlight

How were you able to order this particular screen? I haven't seen it available on Lenovo's Web site for months.

[godbreath]

How were you able to order this particular screen? I haven't seen it available on Lenovo's Web site for months.

i had a saved cart of a t400 configured with the wxga+ LED back in jan
it allowed to to checkout using that saved cart

[LambertJohn]

i had a saved cart of a t400 configured with the wxga+ LED back in jan
it allowed to to checkout using that saved cart

That's very interesting. I do hope they are able to fulfill your order. My understanding is that there are no WXGA+ LED screens to be had by Lenovo. Except maybe for repair purposes. I wonder if Lenovo makes an exception for "saved carts." I guess you'll find out here in the next few weeks. Good luck with your order.

[zenit]

WXGA+ LED screens have been available the whole time through educational ordering, there was just a delay back in april.

I ordered one on april 27th and received it on may 7th. The machine was built on may 4th. I think lenovo is just trying to avoid
another shortage by limiting orders.

Having used both LG and Samsung versions of this panel, i have to say that both of them are not very good. Bad contrast and viewing
angles all around. If i was to do it again, I would order CCFL version.

[archer6]

My understanding is that there are no WXGA+ LED screens to be had by Lenovo.

T400 ThinkPads with WXGA+ LED displays _ARE_ currently available on the US website. Get one while they last.

I watch the site closely and they do sell out rather quickly. At that point Lenovo removes them as a choice, until they are back in stock, which can be weeks to months based on my experience.

Cheers...

[godbreath]

T400 ThinkPads with WXGA+ LED displays _ARE_ currently available on the US website. Get one while they last.

I watch the site closely and they do sell out rather quickly. At that point Lenovo removes them as a choice, until they are back in stock, which can be weeks to months based on my experience.

Cheers...

did they sell out already?
or am i just not seeing it

[archer6]

I did not see them tonight. That is the result of just one of two reasons.
1) They ran out
3) Another Lenovo error on the site.

I would check again, first thing tomorrow.

[LambertJohn]

T400 ThinkPads with WXGA+ LED displays _ARE_ currently available on the US website. Get one while they last.

I check the Web site every single day, and have yet to see WXGA+ LED screens as an option. Either they come and go in a 20 minute window, or they're not available and haven't been for months. Either way, it's ridiculous what you have to do to get one from Lenovo. You can get them all day long from Dell (not a pitch I promise). Why does Lenovo have such a hard time satisfying the LED screen needs of its customers?

You'd think that if this screen was in such high demand, Lenovo would go to extraordinary measures to guarantee its availability. You know, go in partnership with LG or Samsung to help satisfy the demand together. Sales = profits...right? For Lenovo to assume that we as customers are checking the Web site every 10 minutes to see if the XWGA+ LED screen is available in some short window of opportunity, is just bad business practice.

Of course, all of this is my opinion only. I got tired of waiting for Lenovo to get their LED screen act together, so I went out did something else. I wonder how many others in my position have done the same thing?

Back to my original observation - I don't think a saved cart from January automatically means you're going to get an WXGA+ LED screen. I hope I'm wrong however. Let us know what you end up getting.

[neenee]

Even though LED screens may no longer be available on the official Lenovo website, you can still find preconfigured systems here and there on the internet. For instance, the German company I ordered my T400 with in November 2008, still has at least two different models available with the LED backlighting and WXGA+ (1440x900).

Perhaps it's an option for people in the US to order their Thinkpad from Europe? Though that might create some warranty problems.

[godbreath]

my order was shipped today
how do you check what parts it comes with before i get it?

[LambertJohn]

I wonder if you'll actually get an LED screen. Or if Lenovo will slip in a CCFL screen in its place. Let us know what you find out when it arrives.

[godbreath]

I wonder if you'll actually get an LED screen. Or if Lenovo will slip in a CCFL screen in its place. Let us know what you find out when it arrives.

When I checked my parts on the Part Lookup page, it says that my laptop has the samsung LED screen