Thinkpad T410's outershell

[LodenCorp]

I know many of you like this rubberized feel on the outside of the T410 but i'm confused. Why would they put this rubberized feel if it scratches so easily? My friend has one and he just put it in his backpack and when pulled out, you can see the darker shade of black under neath and the edges are shiny. Why don't they make the whole laptop this type of black? I think it looks much nicer all one tone instead of a lighter tone on top that can scratch the coating off so easily. Anyone know any tricks to get it this way? Thanks.

[Harryc]

They do make this type of laptop, it's called an R400 (I'm typing this on an R500..same ABS plastic). Lenovo stopped making R's with the T400, so there is no R410.

[dr_st]

Heh. I haven't touched or seen an R400 in person, but I imagine it will feel exactly like a T400, since they use the same materials (SEPC/CFRP). R500 with PC/ABS is a totally different story.

[Harryc]

Heh. I haven't touched or seen an R400 in person

I haven't either, so I just assumed it was ABS. I am guessing from your post that it is not. So I suppose the SL series would be the next closest thing.

[Colonel O'Neill]

R400 is same material as T400 and the R500 is the ABS variant.

Anyway, back to the topic:
I too have wondered why they use the rubbery paint. It does feel nice and doesn't have any defined reflections on it. It does tend to leave little scratches, which for the most part can be rubbed away using my thumb and a little bit of pressure. The corners wearing off does suck though.

It's probably one of those brand defining things that they don't want to change just yet. TBH, I didn't quite like the matte black finish on my X100e; it scratched just as easily, and the scratches were more visible.

[LodenCorp]

Yeah the rubberized is good and all but I'd much rather have a matte finish with no rubberized coating. I just hate that feeling, sure it might scratch easier without it but with rubberized coating, you can scratch the rubber and the plastic under it so 2 things. What do you mean rub it away? I have this little 2mm circle that is shaved away so no rubber really. Over time, would the whole thing be shaved off or would it have tons of scratches? I'm really not liking this rubberized feeling and would like a case but not sure what case to get. Don't want to spend too much. Thanks

[Colonel O'Neill]

The little minor scratches on the large exposed surface can usually be rubbed away. The corners, well, they're pretty much that; they get worn off over time. However, I figure as long as I don't pick at it, it won't expand from the corners, and it hasn't so far. I've been using a laptop bag for most of the ownership of my T400, and have recently transitioned to a laptop sleeve (fits absolutely perfectly in a 15" sleeve) and I put that in my bag.

The matte plastic (non-rubberized) on the X100e scratches just as easily but is more evident. If you scratch all the way through the paint to the substrate, then I dunno where you're putting your laptop.

[LodenCorp]

This one 1-2mm circle spot I have won't go away. It's a darker shade and not rubbery. No matter how much I rub, it's the same.

[Colonel O'Neill]

Well it's a circular spot, so I don't think it classifies as a scratch, but more as a scrape. If it's a perfect circle, then I'd suspect some sort of chemical reaction. If it's not rubbery anymore, then it must be all the way through to the plastic substrate, which means that would've taken some serious gouging. Post a picture?

[LodenCorp]

Well it's a circular spot, so I don't think it classifies as a scratch, but more as a scrape. If it's a perfect circle, then I'd suspect some sort of chemical reaction. If it's not rubbery anymore, then it must be all the way through to the plastic substrate, which means that would've taken some serious gouging. Post a picture?

Yeah i'll show you a picture but I don't think it's that bad as you explained it. It was just in my backpack. I'll post a picture later when I have time. It's just an annoyance to me.

[lead_org]

they are used for the same reason why new blackberry uses rubberised finishes, which is to increase the grip level.

R400 uses the same top case with rollcage as the T400. R400 and R61 14.1 inch laptops are basically a T series variant that uses a thicker bottom casing.

[Tony Chan]

Someone once told me that there is a kind of spray paint that can repair the scratch and wear but I did mark down the name. Anybody know what they are and where to get it?