T400s Review by ptrn

[ptrn]

There are some bizarre (and some interesting) things going on here. The keyboard is of course what is most bizarre... I agree with the reviewer's assessment that the changes don't seem to be for any purpose but to change it. What's the point of the oversized ESC and DEL?

Yet the thing that I'm least sure about is the oversized Enter key. When did they start (return to?) this sort of layout? Is this normal? It seems very odd to me. Maybe this is the UK layout?

Also, perhaps I'm the only confused person on this, but what's the extra button to the right of the volume keys? Is that to mute the mic?

I like the combined audio jack, and especially that it's on the side - one of the main reasons I didn't go for a T400 for my use. Other updated ports are a plus, and the new dock connector may be useful, especially if it extends to the X302, which is still the size/weight factor I'd prefer.

Any photos of the right side? Anything to see there but the optical drive?

To be honest, I forgot the right side in the moment of enthusiasm I can try to get some updated pictures by tomorrow, including the right side.

Anything else that people want me to take a shot of? Oh, and I'll try to find out more about the battery issue

By the way; the new, strange button. I think I mentioned it in the review, but if not: I think it's for muting the microphone. Makes sense when you look at the symbol, any how

Edit: If I remember correctly, there's nothing on the right side. Just the ultrabay. Again, I'll recheck this tomorrow

[MidnightSun]

The keyboard is the UK layout (based on the looks of the Enter & Backspace keys), so it will be slightly different from the US version.

I'm glad Lenovo finally adopted those USB/eSATA combined ports though. Asthetically, I wish the ridges on the bezels of the current T-series were kept on the T400s though.

[dearyuxiao]

The Integrated Graphics really disappointed me.

If there is no discrete graphics on T400s, I'd rather to buy T400.

[useroflaptops]

wow. This is all good news. It looks like lenovo made changes that fixes most of the issues I'd otherwise have with the new T series, which are: centered screen, mouse buttons, on/off et al buttons, and hopefully the keyboard flex also.

Firstly from the looks:

I think I like the new button designs on the on/off switch et al. I think it is certainly a dramatic improvement from current buttons.

I think I like the new mouse button design. It seems like the mouse buttons are thicker on the side than in the inside portion where the other mouse button meets on the symmetry axis thus making a U shaped valley in the center. I wouldnt know if I prefer that or the current where the thickness is even throughout until I try it I suppose. Undoubtedly the design is certainly better than the current. The fact that they brought the red stripes back is also definately good news. I am wondering if making the center mouse scroll button equal size to the mouse click buttons is better or not? Both for practical, design and an engineering perspective in terms of reliability over time. Might be a non-issue. Looks wise its ok though.

I don't know about the large escape and delete key. I think I would prefer the old layout where the insert is on top of the delete key. I also think I prefer the horizontally longer enter key present in current keyboard layouts although I know this type of enter key shown in the pictures of the t400s has been tried in the past. But its just that it seems most of the keyboards I use nowadays (across more then 4-5 different brands) all have similar layouts. DOnt know if this is the keyboard country layout issue.

Another plus I think is that the headphone jacks are back on the left side!! A huge plus in my opinion.

Unfortunately for me the T400s comes without the discrete graphics apparently? (hope its not true) but if thats the case it means I cant buy it anyway as I'd prob need the discrete graphics. But I think this new release deems former glory status of the thinkpad t series to me, just like the new X series improved. The current T series has its ugly sides but this one seems to be a thing of beauty.

I'm wondering if I can order this keyboard and get the normal T400. I might like their centered screen too.

[jaredy]

The Integrated Graphics really disappointed me.

If there is no discrete graphics on T400s, I'd rather to buy T400.

Well that's why you have that option. It is suppose to just be another option. Cooling would be more of an issue with a thinner laptop.

[dearyuxiao]

I just noticed that there is no wireless antenna on T400s

[vert]

I just noticed that there is no wireless antenna on T400s

what do you mean? theres wifi and wwan.

[sgogeta4]

The Integrated Graphics really disappointed me.

If there is no discrete graphics on T400s, I'd rather to buy T400.

Then don't get the notebook then, it's for a different market. Almost all the new thin and lights will use integrated graphics. The ones that use discrete will be low end GPUs.

[k3davis]

Is there a hardware switch still present for controlling the wifi radio? I think this would be handy, though I've never had it (still on a T42... hard to give up ) so I can't say it's a priority. The standard T400 has this, I think.

[useroflaptops]

Yea about that.. I think I like the software controlled wifi on/off better.