So finally got my hands on the T400 I'd ordered for my significant other (every gadget I order is generally for her ;-). I had debated and researched (meaning browsed the net a lot) on whether to go in for the 13 inch Macbook Pro or a T400. The primary driving factor turned out to be the end use of the laptop (development machine - .NET to be precise). Got a good deal through deals2buy.com (with a 128GB SSD to boot!).
Here are the specs for the T400:
- 2.26 GHz Intel Core2Duo (P8400)
- 3GB RAM
- 128 GB Solid State Drive (Samsung)
- 14.1 LED Backlit - WXGA+ TFT, W/ CAMERA
- Windows Vista Home Premium (yeah I know)
The only reason I got Vista Home premium was that Windows 7 had not been released when I ordered. Though I now have the option of ordering that online (some free Lenovo upgrade program - free as in beer + shipment). Haven't got around to doing that yet.
So - first impressions: The machine feel light, in fact feels lighter than the 13" macbook that we've got.
The display is really good - had a direct head to head comparison with the macbook and the Dell Latitude 620 (my office notebook) and it is bright!. The machine is also fast! Owing to the fact that I haven't loaded anything on it yet, I guess. Not too impressed with Vista though - can't wait to get my hands on Win 7. The plan is to then load all the development software after that. Battery life seems to be pretty decent (on a 4 pack li - it now shows 3:57 mins left, after 20 odd minutes of typing).
The machine is really quiet! In fact it is more quite than the macbook. The keyboard is great (tactile feedback is really good). I had read about flex issues with T400 keyboards - don't find any flexing here. The only thing I don't like is the noise the keyboard makes. I would be ok with it - can't say the same about someone sitting next to me though. The keyboard light (a nifty little feature that I haven't seen on other laptops yet) is also pretty decent - it casts enought light to be able to type in darkness.
All in all - I think it has been a good buy (spent around $1200)- but time will tell. Next step is to load it up for the better half to get cracking on - and then I'll get my (ahem) macbook back!
2 comments:
Cool! (1200 bucks sounds a tad expensive...but hey, it's an IBM (read Lenovo) what else you'd expect)
I am using a Lenovo X60 model (I don't own it) for over 800 days now...the only issue I faced is that it sometimes hangs up on me...the TP just freezes and a hard reboot is the only way out. (may be it is to do with Win.doze).
The battery life is great for the first year or so...then onwards it starts depleting rapidly. You can then no longer rely on the onboard power guage.
TIP: An IT guy here told me to never keep the TP on mains supply after a 100% charge. After a full charge, always let it drain all the way to say 10% before you put it back on the mains. That, it seems, increases the battery life.
@Abhijeet - The cost is high primarily due to the LED backlit display (~100 more) and the 128 GB Solid State Drive (~300).
Thanks for the tip on the battery!
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