Switching graphics chips, dilemma R or T400

[PRAGUEGUY]

Hi,

1.
I have a great dilemma choosing btw. R and T400.

the R has a much better price to quality ratio, as it seems to be very close to the T version
However, it is the little things that count...the last little bits, which tilt the balance in favour of theT.
Any thoughts on this? Has the distance in quality between R and T400 moved at all with the latest, Win7 models?

2.
Second thing. Most specs show that one can switch between internal and extra graphics. ON the T series.
Can I just confirm, can one switch between onboard and external, on T400, latest versions with Win7?

To what degree is this a benefit? It is supposed to save battery life and run cooler /more silent with onboard graphics, but arent the T laptops cool anyway, even with the discrete card? I am planning to buy a config with ATI Mobility Radeon 3470
256 MB discrete chip, I read that the Ati chips may run hot

Thanks a lot for your comments

[Colonel O'Neill]

The new R series is still thicker than the T counterpart, although the difference is much less. I have also read things about the R keyboard being better, but can't comment about that.

I can confirm the switching between Integrated and Discrete on Windows 7 (64-bit), and it functions almost flawlessly (occasional glitch, usually due to exotic software or usage) despite multiple attempts during the beta trial (which may have left undesirable bits). This probably also applies to 32-bit.

The Integrated card is nice for non-gaming or intensive work because it produces significantly less heat. At the moment, my discrete card runs at 45 degrees doing simple office level work. I'm pretty sure the GPU and CPU share a heatsink; my CPU idles around 42-44 on Discrete, but 38-40 on Integrated. So definitely a temperature difference, although not too major. I can say that during gaming (Left4Dead and Crysis), the temperatures top out at around 55-57 for me, and the CPU almost always registers hotter than the GPU according to TPFanControl.

I can get 4-4.5 hours on a 6-cell at low brightness (3 to 6 of 15 bars) and on Integrated doing regular word processing. I did also manage to play Crysis on Discrete for a total of around 2 hours.

I love my T400, and the Samsung screen isn't a problem, but the yellow camera issue (corrected using Cyberlink YouCam) and the lower quality Chicony keyboard are a bit uncharacteristic. I can live with the keyboard, but it is a far cry from the NMB of my parents' T60.

[PRAGUEGUY]

the lower quality Chicony keyboard are a bit uncharacteristic. I can live with the keyboard, but it is a far cry from the NMB of my parents' T60.

are you saying that the t400 has a bad keyboard? thats a key reason for buying TP.

the machine with the specs below is supposed to have LED backlight screen.

Is there any way I can check, what keyboard my piece has?

- anybody has experience with the external Ultra nav travel USB lenovo keyboards, thx.

tem: NT084f3
Brand: LENOVO
Warranty: 36 months
Product number: NM38HMC


http://www.alza.cz/EN/lenovo-thinkpad-t ... 142592.htm

[Colonel O'Neill]

I definitely prefer my parents' NMB keyboard; I make almost no errors on it, despite rarely using it or any other keyboard. However, the Chicony still beats every other keyboard on my friends laptops, by a long shot. My primary issue with it is that it is slightly louder than I'd like it to be, but is still really nice for typing on.

I'm not sure how to check the detailed specs on that; I'd assume it wouldn't lie about the LED backlight.

[PRAGUEGUY]

thx

Is the Led backlight a great benefit? some people seem to think so in forums

[ryan1212]

I have a T400 with switchable graphics, and I have yet to actually switch to the AMD\ATI controller from the integrated intel. I wish I would have saved some money and just bought an R series thinkpad in retrospect. The intel X4500HD is a pretty decent graphics chip unless you are trying to run the latest games.

Also my T400 was bought through the outlet, so it has a T6x chicony keyboard installed instead of the original. It does not bother me much at all, except it is a little noisy. Also newer T400 have an extra bracket that eliminates the keyboard flex problems people initially complained about with the T400.

Since mine is from the outlet, it has a Samsung CCFL panel from a T61\T400 series instead of an LED screen. The only advantage to LED that I see is slightly lower power consumption and better brightness. I am happy with the WXGA+ panel I have, although it is not much brighter than the panel on my past T40 was. Using it outdoors is impossible.

I personally would wait a few months until the T410 comes it, it is likely the T400 and the T410 will be sold side by side for at least a a few days like what happened with the T61 and T400s in summer 2008.

[PRAGUEGUY]

ad Ryan:
One of the reasons I want the T, is that it is available also at a higher resolution...
1440 x 900
which the R does not have
as I say, T seems to be economically not too rational, in particular, the T vs R 400,
as the R 400 seems to be closer to the T, than the fifteen inch R/T difference

I dont know..the T is "bought" reserved for payment in cash, but I am still hesitating...

[PRAGUEGUY]

I have just found a cheaper version of the T400,by about 14% or 200 USD, that is for cca 1360 usd equivalent incl VAT,

it is cheaper, has a higher resolution led backlit display, but

has a slightly slower processor and lacks discrete graphics

Procesor - frekvence (GHz)

only 2.26
instead of 2.5 Ghz of the more expensive one
might just be a good deal I wont play games on the machine
might run cooler what do you think?

[T400plus]

Sir,
Try to get from my country.As we are very near the producers and they like our market we get the Lenovos cheaper here. Only they dont sell the LED models or the 3 year warranty models. If you fall for what they sell In India , give it it a thought if they give you a world warranty.

[PRAGUEGUY]

thanks..
that is so, I have in the past bought audio equipment from the USA, as everyghing is cheaper there, also due to taxes

however, I guess I will just fork out what they ask for here... you must remember, there is transport cost,
VAT, and customs duty.
in my country, VAT and customs are charged on purchase cost+transport cost....
not worth the hassle IMHO