T400 questions (laptop, docking and monitors)

[jrcade]

I have been doing much research the past few weeks on a new workplace computing environment. Knowing that the highest end graphical work I will do will be in Adobe CS4 (mainly photo editing + small amount of work in InDesign), I have just about decided to go with the Lenovo T400 because the majority seems to be in agreement that this laptop can easily handle those items in addition to Windows 7 Ultimate with no issues -- please feel free to affirm those sentiments.

That said, what I am looking for now is direction related to the system I want to build, which must include docking and monitor options. If I pursue the T400, what are the docking and monitor options offered by Lenovo like? Do they dock easily with the battery options (say the 9-cell) attached? Are the 24" monitors they offer of good quality?

I've been debating pretty hard on this. I've also looked at the Dell M2400 as an option, but they just aren't getting good reviews. However, Dell's monitors all seem to be very solid. I actually just purchased a Dell XPS 8000 desktop (which got great reviews) with 23" HD monitor for home and am quite pleased with that setup. But I'm just not sold on Dell's laptop lineup like I am Lenovo's. Oh, FYI, I'm currently using a T43p for work which has been very solid for five years, less one motherboard blowout during warranty.

Lastly, I know the T410 was just released, but have heard it's not much of an upgrade from the T400. Any thoughts there?

I know that's a lot to chew, but thanks for any input...

[dr_st]

I would go for T410 over T400 - it does offer some performance upgrade and some features. Then again, one might wait for the first couple of reviews before jumping on one.

Whatever you get, you can get a docking station (probably the mini-dock), but you should be careful here, since T400 and T410 use different type of docks, so you should get the compatible one. As for monitor, no reason to limit yourself to Lenovo. DELL makes some very nice desktop LCDs, which Lenovo doesn't seem to be doing of late. All of their recent models are TN+Film.

[zhenya]

Since the T410 is really an incremental upgrade from the T400, likely there is not much to worry about with picking one up right now. Primarily, you get the new generation i5 or i7 processor, which, while not substantially faster than the Core2Duo in the T400, it is a bit of a step up, and at least you are getting the brand new technology, rather than a processor design that is 3.5 years old at this point. You also get an LED display (the T400's listed currently have ccfl displays). Also, because of the change in the docking station, if you end up owning another Thinkpad down the road, there is a better chance that you'll be able to re-use the dock. Historically they have been compatible for at least two generations of machines. The 9-cell battery fits in the dock just fine.

As for the monitors, get whatever you like at the price. There is no reason to buy Lenovo monitors unless you want them.

[jrcade]

Thanks for the input. Couple of other things:

1) There has been some debate in the forums over whether the T410 offers switchable graphics or not. Any insight?
2) Does the T400 offer the one powered USB option or not (where you can charge a cell phone or other device while the laptop is sleeping)?

Thanks.

[zhenya]

Lenovo's site certainly brags about the Nvidia switchable graphics, so it would certainly appear that it is so. Of course you have to choose the model with the discrete graphics to get this benefit. In my (admittedly limited) research of the relative merits of the integrated Intel vs. the discrete Nvidia, it did not appear that the Nvidia offered much, if any, improvement in benchmarks. Do you have a specific graphics card need? If not, or if you are uncertain, it is likely you'd be better off saving the money or putting it towards an upgrade that will benefit you more clearly (such as a SSD).

Since the Lenovo site is specifically making a big deal about the powered usb port on the T410, I would assume it is not a part of the T400, where it is not mentioned. I don't have one on my desk at the moment to check for you.

[dr_st]

Primarily, you get the new generation i5 or i7 processor, which, while not substantially faster than the Core2Duo in the T400, it is a bit of a step up, and at least you are getting the brand new technology, rather than a processor design that is 3.5 years old at this point. You also get an LED display (the T400's listed currently have ccfl displays).

You also get a machine that's: a) not ugly, b) has plush 6-cell battery, c) has DisplayPort and eSATA