Lenovo ThinkPad T400s
Manufacturer: Lenovo Part number: CNETLenovoThinkPadT400s
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The T400s is the lightest 14-inch ThinkPad yet from Lenovo--just be ready to pay for the convenience.
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CNET editors' review
Lenovo ThinkPad T400s price range: $1,599.00
- Reviewed by: Scott Stein
- Edited by: Dan Ackerman
- Reviewed on: 06/24/2009
- Released on: 06/23/2009
The good: Lightweight; strong construction; great keyboard and touch pad.
The bad: Expensive; no discrete graphics; SD card slot doesn't come standard.
The bottom line: The T400s is the lightest 14-inch ThinkPad yet from Lenovo--just be ready to pay for the convenience.
Although Lenovo has been reinventing itself as of late with its IdeaPad and Netbook lines, they're still a company known for boxy, business-end ThinkPads. There's no shame there: the ThinkPad was revolutionary in its time, and the iconic (if plain) design defined the modern business laptop. It also put Lenovo on the map after taking the brand over from IBM.
Despite having similar looks to its predecessor, the new 14-inch T400s is markedly thinner and lighter than the original T400, creating a highly portable machine that still packs a full-powered Core 2 Duo processor under the hood, unlike the ultrathin X301, which uses an ultra low-voltage (ULV) version.
Lenovo claims that the T400s can withstand a truck running over it (or so the company has advertised in some viral videos). While we haven't run over our test unit, we can say that it feels great in a backpack, is thinner than it looks, and if it weren't for its lack of discrete graphics, it could be one of the best all-around mainstream laptops we've encountered. One major drawback, though, is price; starting at $1,599, it makes MacBooks seem like budget laptops by comparison, and they are: the $1,199 13-inch MacBook Pro has superior graphics and better connectivity for a lot less. Other ThinkPads cost about half the price, so the premium here is considerable. Of course, this does include Lenovo's suite of business and security-minded software and hardware--which is a must for many business buyers (and often rules out consumer-level laptops from consideration).
| Price as reviewed / Starting price | $1,964 / $1,599 |
| Processor | 2.5 GHz Core 2 Duo P9600 |
| Memory | 2GB, DDR2 RAM 800MHz |
| Hard drive | 128GB SSD |
| Chipset | Mobile Intel GM45 Express |
| Graphics | Intel GMA 4500MHD |
| Operating system | Windows Vista Business SP1 |
| Dimensions (WD) | 13.2 x 9.4 inches |
| Height | .83 inches |
| Screen size (diagonal) | 14.1 inches |
| System weight / Weight with AC adapter | 3.94/4.56 pounds |
| Category | Mainstream |
Like the ThinkPad X301, the T400s incorporates a carbon-fiber "roll cage" into the laptop skeleton, offering strong-but-light protective armor to the components. In casual office and travel use, the laptop felt pretty durable. Even though it's a 14.1-inch notebook, it manages to weigh less than 4 pounds and is 0.83 inch thick, despite having a DVD burner drive (a Blu-ray drive can be added for an extra $560). Lenovo credits this to the carbon-fiber chassis, but whatever the magic is, it works. The feel of the T400s is very comfortable, something Lenovo has quietly been an expert on for years. The extremely thin screen lid opens and closes smoothly on its hinge, and opens to a completely vertical position.
The keyboard on the T400s feels great, and makes no compromises on its size, having a perfect combination of springiness and click to the keys. Oversize Escape and Delete keys on the top of the keyboard are a nice touch, and the volume control buttons, while not terribly exciting, are in easy reach. When typing on a desk or on our laps, the laptop's weight felt just right, and the ample plastic palm rests were comfortable. One of the biggest improvements: the touch pad, covered in a matte textured finish, is one of the most responsive we've used, and also is one of the best at executing multitouch commands like two-fingered scrolling. The T400s is one of the few laptops remaining to also offer a pointing stick, and it also has its own set of discrete buttons over the touch pad. It's a nice option, but the rubberized nub sits between the G and H keys and gets in the way of our typing.
The 14.1-inch screen runs at a resolution of 1,440 x 900, which is standard for a high-end screen this size (many less expensive 14- and 15-inch laptops have 1,280x800 displays). It looks bright and crisp, and text is very easy to read on it. It's also matte, which is more than half of the reason why text is so readable in any light, and is an option we wish more laptops had.
The stereo speakers, which Lenovo claims are boosted from the T400, sound fine but don't get very loud. Dual microphones built into the lid on either side of the Webcam are made with better sensitivity to ambient noise than previous ThinkPads, with an eye to better VoIP speakerphone conversations. To continue the VoIP support, a light-up mic mute button and a function key for camera/mic settings have also been added.
| Lenovo ThinkPad T400s | Average for category [mainstream] | |
| Video | VGA-out, DisplayPort | VGA-out, HDMI |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone combo jack | Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks |
| Data | 2 USB 2.0, 1 USB/eSATA combo port | 4 USB 2.0, SD card reader |
| Expansion | ExpressCard/34 | ExpressCard/54 |
| Networking | Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optional WWAN | Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optional WWAN |
| Optical drive | DVD burner | DVD burner |
In the ports department, the T400s comes with a sufficient but not spectacular spread of connectivity options. Two USB and a combo USB/eSATA port (one USB port is always on for charging when in standby) plus an ExpressCard/34 slot are offered, but there's no FireWire and, oddly, no SD card reader (although one can be added in place of the ExpessCard slot for $10). However, there are a relative plethora of video outputs: VGA and DisplayPort are both included on the T400s. Also included are a biometric fingerprint scanner and a one-touch ThinkVantage button for launching a help center, and a resource toolkit. Connectivity options include not only 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, but WWAN and WiMAX3 upgradability.
The T400s, being a business-oriented machine, is focused on the CPU instead of the graphics card. This means a 2.53GHz P9600 Core 2 Duo, but paired with an integrated Intel graphics solution--something you usually don't find in mainstream laptops in this higher price range. In our multitasking, Photoshop, and iTunes encoding tests, the T400s wasn't quite as speedy as some consumer-oriented systems with comparable CPUs, but the differences weren't dramatic and the T400s had only half the RAM, at 2GB. Business laptops such as the T400s often have security features running in the background (many managed by Lenovo's excellent ThinkVantage software suite), which can also eat up CPU cycles.
The T400s battery, however, ran for 3 hours and 38 minutes on our video playback battery drain test, using the included six-cell battery. That's impressive for a laptop of this size, although the power-saving solid-state hard drive helps in that regard. Note that our battery test is a tough one, so you can expect longer life for casual Web surfing and office work.
Lenovo includes an industry-standard one-year parts-and-labor warranty with the system, which can be upgraded to three years. Support is accessible on the phone and online, and Lenovo's built-in ThinkVantage also does a good job helping target and troubleshoot problems right from the laptop.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
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System configurations:
Lenovo Thinkpad T400s
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo TP9600;
2048MB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz; 128MB Mobile Intel GMA 4500MHD; 128GB Toshiba Solid State Drive
Dell Studio XPS 16
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8600;
4,096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz; 512MB ATI Radeon HD3670; 320GB Seagate 7,200rpm
Lenovo Ideapad Y650
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8600;
4,096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz; 256MB Nvidia GeForce G 105M; 320GB Western Digital 5,400rpm
Sony Vaio AW170Y/Q
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9400;
4,096MB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz; 512MB Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT; 320GB Hitachi 7,200rpm
User reviews
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The only one of its kind
by szkazmi on June 29, 2009
Pros: Weight, Keyboard, LED Screen
Cons: Price, No Embedded Graphics
Summary: A 14" laptop with a reasonably high-res screen of 1440x900 at under 4 lbs! This is almost unique in industry (with one exception noted below)
MacBook Pro 13" is 1280x800 ...Summary: A 14" laptop with a reasonably high-res screen of 1440x900 at under 4 lbs! This is almost unique in industry (with one exception noted below)
MacBook Pro 13" is 1280x800 resolution and is 4.5lbs. MacBook Pro 15" is same resolution but is 5.5 lbs.
The one laptop which surpasses T400s is Sony Z series VAIO. You get a whopping 1600x900 resolution in a 13" package with dedicated switchable graphics, all for well under 4 lbs. Of course, VAIO Z series about $500 more than Lenovo T400s.
The T400s does not have dedicated graphics card, but for most people it is a non-issue. Even those who do medium duty Photoshop, and other graphics manipulation work, there is plenty of juice with Intel dedicated graphics. However 3D graphics professionals and game players will have to look elsewhere
I would personally go for Sony VAIO except that Sony does not have a track point and the keyboard is childish. It is not bad, but comparing my own typing performance on a Thinkpad keyboard with Sony keyboard (and similar MacBook keyboard) the Thinkpad wins by a big margin.
Yes, the price is comparatively high but give it a few months and it will be more inline with the rest of T series.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Nice But Way Too Expensive
Pros: Thin, light, Nice Keyboard, LED Backlit Screen, SSD Drive, Thinkpad Quality
Cons: For me, the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is the price. I can get the original T400 for so much less. Or a Macbook for that matter. I could care less about the video card. I'm not a gamer.
Summary: I'll love it when I can afford it. Hope they bring the price down soon.
Summary: I'll love it when I can afford it. Hope they bring the price down soon.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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very very pleased experience
by tt6368 on September 30, 2009
Pros: very fast with the ssd option, excellent temp control.
unbelieveable build quality,
best keyboard and trackpad EVER.
relatively thin and light considering what it can do.
not that expensive with lenovo's constant sales, i got it for around 1300.Cons: no hdmi. displayport isn't that popular yet.
Summary: the ultimate business machine. i've owned almost all it's competitors, from sony z to dell xps to macbook and so on. nothing even comes close.
Summary: the ultimate business machine. i've owned almost all it's competitors, from sony z to dell xps to macbook and so on. nothing even comes close.
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just got one, amazing!!!!! love with it!
by titanrao on September 27, 2009
Pros: slim!! unblieveable quite
Cons: no yet, still testing
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a light, strong, serious machine for home and travel
by Saecula on September 14, 2009
Pros: great keyboard with more intuitive design, lovely touchpad, good experience with technical support, LIGHT!, nice sound and display
Cons: the price, lid is perhaps a touch flimsy, needs added wrist support for extended typing, trackpoint isn't perfect
Summary: While I don't purport to be an expert on laptops, I love the T400s because it seems quite sturdy and well-built, while being blissfully lightweight (at least the body ...
Summary: While I don't purport to be an expert on laptops, I love the T400s because it seems quite sturdy and well-built, while being blissfully lightweight (at least the body feels solid - not so much the lid, but it seems that was consciously compromised to reduce weight).
Granted, the fact that I upgraded from a 2003 machine may make the T400s seem more glorious to me than if I had had a newer laptop. However, I needed a real business machine that would be adequate for everyday use and still be highly portable, and this seems to fit the bill. Quiet, doesn't run hot, and decent battery life too. Really liking the bigger delete key.
When something went slightly wrong with my keyboard and I called customer support (it ended up fixing itself anyway), I got another keyboard in the mail in a flash. That was kinda nice. -
Great computer + 40% sale from Lenovo = Happy techie
by SilverRivers on July 25, 2009
Pros: Really sturdy computer. (My T400 has fallen off of my bed onto tile a few times, but has no battle scars.)
Multi-tasks well
Speakers sound great for a Lenovo. They very rarely peak out even at max volume.Cons: Matte paint, while pretty, shows greasy fingerprints and dust.
All 3 of the USB ports run vertically
Windows Vista is a problem on its own. I feel that the problems that I run into on a daily basis are the fault of Vista and not the computer itself.Summary: I had been watching the T400 for awhile, but the price was scaring me off, but Lenovo had a 40% off 3-day sale and I leapt on it. I got ...
Summary: I had been watching the T400 for awhile, but the price was scaring me off, but Lenovo had a 40% off 3-day sale and I leapt on it. I got the T400 almost entirely decked out (no blu-ray) for $1300 which I was absolutely fine with! ThinkPads are known as business computers, but my T400 can handle gaming fairly well. The only way I can tell that it's having any trouble with my games is that it gets ever so slightly warm. This computer runs exceptionally cool at all times unlike so many other laptops I looked at. I love this computer and it has served me well in the 6 months that I've had it.
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Best laptop I ever bought
by rsergeant on August 18, 2009
Pros: Fast, light, long lasting battery, excellent build quality (compared to other recent laptops), runs Linux, NetBSD while others force you to use MS crap.
Cons: It's pricey, but in Belgium Dell, HP and Apple are too. Still have to pay to MS crap, just to format the disk after unpacking the machine.
Summary: I especially like the fact that it runs things not MS without having to be an expert at setting them up. The best you get from other brands is a ...
Summary: I especially like the fact that it runs things not MS without having to be an expert at setting them up. The best you get from other brands is a crappy and slow Linux distro, which they modified so badly it is barely upgradeable.
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best Laptop I have ever owned. Even Runs Crysis!!
by kruegmeister on August 6, 2009
Pros: Battery Life is Amazing.
Keyboard Light is Nice.
Does not Get Hot on your Lap (Laptop...) My old HP was quite the opposite.
TrackPoint & Touch Pad Mouse. I like the little Pointer style Mouse :)Cons: Speakers are Good, but the Don't Rock.
Summary: I buy a lot of Laptops for my Business.
I have bought a lot of Toshiba, Dell, HP through the Years.
Our Old Toshiba's were great, then 3 Lemons ...Summary: I buy a lot of Laptops for my Business.
One more Con to some will be the Lack of a Memory Card Reader.
I have bought a lot of Toshiba, Dell, HP through the Years.
Our Old Toshiba's were great, then 3 Lemons in a row...
Dell has always been a little hit and miss.
The HP's were mostly miss... that and they Run Soooooooo Hot.
So when I bought this Lenovo ThinkPad I was amazed.
Everything worked very well.
My exact model is a T400 2765-T6U, it came with Windows XP and a License for Vista when I am ready to upgrade (NEVER!!)
It has the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 Video Card.
I saw MaximumPC review said it did not Benchmark Well for Games???
Well, I can Run Crysis on this Laptop!!! at 1440x900 and Everything on Medium.
I also put Half-Life2 on and Ran the Lost Coast BenchMark.
My HP DV9000 used to get 23 Frames per second, This Lenovo gave me 78 !!!
I have had it for 6 Months now with NO problems.
The One Problem I had with a lot of other Laptops is sometimes stuff would just not work exactly right. My Toshiba's would be set from the Factory to Go into Sleep Mode, yet NONE of them could wake from the Sleep mode??? Kind of odd???
This Laptop Sleeps well, Hibernates Well.
I actually set my Power Button to Activate Hibernation which has me booted up in no time.
The Fingerprint Reader is nice. I use it to Log in, but I turned off the Firefox Extension since I like the way Firefox Remembers the Passwords for sites when I am not going to purchase something, so I prefer not to have to swipe my finger that much.
The Battery I have on mine is a 9 Cell. It hangs out the Back a little, but WOW does it last a LONG time!!! I use the Energy Star Battery Setting and I get 6-10 Hours depending on what I am doing.
One Night I ripped some music off a couple CD's, Uploaded Several Movie's I took on my Video Camera to my Webspace. Burned 4 DVDs of my Band's performance for the other guys. Then Surfed the Web for the Remaining time. All in all it was around 7 Hours... and I would call that Heavy Use...
Updated on Aug 6, 2009
My Model had a PCMCIA Slot instead of a Reader.
I actually wanted the PCMCIA slot for my Allen Bradley PCMK card, so it did not bother me, Plus I have a PCMCIA Memory Card Reader that Plugs in when I need a Memory Card Reader.
Updated on Sep 23, 2009Wow are you guys Conspiracy Theorists or What.
I do own this Computer and you guys need a life.
Just go buy an HP or a Dell if you don't believe me. I was Trying to be Helpful to others. Seeing as I have "Actually" owned HP and Dell and Toshiba and Have had many Problems with those Laptops, My T400 has been Awesome and Still is. I am not saying I have Tried EVERY computer out there, I'm just saying my T400 really is the Best Computer I have ever owned. Perhaps I was lucky and got a good one... Who can say. But I still love my T400.
Also the T400 has multiple Models, I got mine in April 2009 so I guess it was not 6 Months it was 4... SORRRRRRYYYY....
Now just relax Conspiracy Theorists JessicaInPink & BelkyB1 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Hardware spec
by wing2299 on June 25, 2009
Pros: Fast, light weight, strong
Cons: High price
Summary: I believe T400s uses DDR3 and also it comes pre-install with Vista Professional instead of Vista Home Premium.
Summary: I believe T400s uses DDR3 and also it comes pre-install with Vista Professional instead of Vista Home Premium.
0 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The WORST NOTEBOOK EVER MADE!
by JessicaInPink on July 28, 2009
Pros: none - this machine is a glorified calculator
Cons: The fact that it was made is the biggest con ever by a manufacturer
Summary: Just don't buy it. You will be on the phone for days. It looks like crap. Poor performance.
It is a glorified calculator!Summary: Just don't buy it. You will be on the phone for days. It looks like crap. Poor performance.
It is a glorified calculator!1 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Lenovo
- Part number: CNETLenovoThinkPadT400s
- Bottom Line: The T400s is the lightest 14-inch ThinkPad yet from Lenovo--just be ready to pay for the convenience.
Sustainability
- Greenpeace policy rating (Sept 2009) 2.5
Manufacturer info
- Lenovo
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Lenovo products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/
- Address:
1009 Think Place, Morrisville, NC 27560
