- Jun 6, 2003
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Over the past month or so I?ve been looking for a new laptop to use primarily for law school. Since I already have a full desktop and file server, I didn?t need a desktop replacement or high-end graphics laptop. Basically, my only requirements were portability with enough battery life to last at least 4-5 hours each day and it had to be a full laptop instead of a netbook.
Originally, I narrowed my list to include the Apple MacBook Pro 13? and 15?, Lenovo ThinkPad T400 and T500, and Lenovo Thinkpad X200 tablet. After my research, I ended up getting the T400, and here is my mini review.
My first thought after removing the laptop from the box was how solid the T400 felt, especially around the display. All of my previous laptops over the past 8 years or so have been company-purchased Dell Latitudes, and none felt this solid. There is very little flex when lifting and moving the laptop: something which cannot be said about the Dells. However, I am a little disappointed with the overall fit and finish of the plastic used for the T400. While very solid, the plastic used for the majority of the body just looks cheap and reminds me of the low end black Dell Inspirons. Of course, the similarities stop there.
Aside from the overall feel, some of the items that stand out in terms of quality are the rubber feet and display hinges. Both are rock solid and components which are often sub-par on many laptops. By far the best component is the keyboard. I?ve never used one of the legendary keyboards on the older ThinkPads so I cannot compare them to the keyboard on the T400. However, compared to the Dells, the T400 keyboard is much improved. The keys feel solid like a desktop keyboard rather than flat and unresponsive like most laptop keyboards I?ve used (the MacBook is the worst offender, and one of the main reasons I opted not to get a Mac).
Performance-wise, I don?t have any complaints. It?s a fast laptop, but all business (i.e., no gaming). One feature that I like and which works surprisingly well so far is the dual-graphics processors. Using Vista x64, I can switch between the integrated graphics and discrete ATI card in a few seconds without any problems. I don?t know of any other non-Mac laptops that currently have such a feature.
My only real regret with this laptop was getting the WXGA high-nit LED display rather than a standard CFL display but WXGA+. While the LED display is nice (and boy is it bright), it is tough switching from the WXGA+ on my old Dell. In comparison, all of my windows are huge and my desktop is so small.
So, if you are in the market for a new laptop, and need something in the 14? range, check out the T400. It?s not the lightest laptop, but it?s powerful, and very well built.
I tried to keep my review brief and to the point, but if you have any questions, let me know and I'll try and answer them.
Originally, I narrowed my list to include the Apple MacBook Pro 13? and 15?, Lenovo ThinkPad T400 and T500, and Lenovo Thinkpad X200 tablet. After my research, I ended up getting the T400, and here is my mini review.
My first thought after removing the laptop from the box was how solid the T400 felt, especially around the display. All of my previous laptops over the past 8 years or so have been company-purchased Dell Latitudes, and none felt this solid. There is very little flex when lifting and moving the laptop: something which cannot be said about the Dells. However, I am a little disappointed with the overall fit and finish of the plastic used for the T400. While very solid, the plastic used for the majority of the body just looks cheap and reminds me of the low end black Dell Inspirons. Of course, the similarities stop there.
Aside from the overall feel, some of the items that stand out in terms of quality are the rubber feet and display hinges. Both are rock solid and components which are often sub-par on many laptops. By far the best component is the keyboard. I?ve never used one of the legendary keyboards on the older ThinkPads so I cannot compare them to the keyboard on the T400. However, compared to the Dells, the T400 keyboard is much improved. The keys feel solid like a desktop keyboard rather than flat and unresponsive like most laptop keyboards I?ve used (the MacBook is the worst offender, and one of the main reasons I opted not to get a Mac).
Performance-wise, I don?t have any complaints. It?s a fast laptop, but all business (i.e., no gaming). One feature that I like and which works surprisingly well so far is the dual-graphics processors. Using Vista x64, I can switch between the integrated graphics and discrete ATI card in a few seconds without any problems. I don?t know of any other non-Mac laptops that currently have such a feature.
My only real regret with this laptop was getting the WXGA high-nit LED display rather than a standard CFL display but WXGA+. While the LED display is nice (and boy is it bright), it is tough switching from the WXGA+ on my old Dell. In comparison, all of my windows are huge and my desktop is so small.
So, if you are in the market for a new laptop, and need something in the 14? range, check out the T400. It?s not the lightest laptop, but it?s powerful, and very well built.
I tried to keep my review brief and to the point, but if you have any questions, let me know and I'll try and answer them.
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