t400s Headset combo-jack splitter?

Question about the T400s. I know it has a Headphone/Microphone combination port, that can take standard 3.5mm headsets. However, I'm wondering if there are any connectors that can take a preexisting headset with headphone+microphone as separate 3.5mm plugs and combine them into the single jack. Searching has proven mostly unfruitful, I get a lot of "plug in your headset, and it adds a microphone" or "split into 2xaudio connectors" adapters, neither of which would work.

Anyone seen these around? They can't be particularly hard to manufacture...

 

I think you'll have to make one yourself. I don't think there's much of a market for such adapters. I think they figure most people would just use the built in microphone, or use iPhone type headsets, or use Bluetooth headsets, or whatever.

 

That's a pity. The couple of times I've tried to re-solder any headphone cables, it's been a massive PITA. Any one else have ideas?

 

Does the T400s have separate headphone out, microphone in jacks?

 

Just looked on the Lenovo homepage. Only one audio in/out jack. Didn't even know about this before. This is bad audio wise, big time.

 

Have you tried contacting Lenovo to see what they recommend?

 

Yes, it's a single audio jack, standard for many headsets, but it's sometimes nice to have separate headphone/microphone components, if you have an older, but still quality headset. It's not especially bad, since regular headphones will plug in and work exactly as expected; there are only problems if you want to use your own microphone.

I did call and ask, but the guy wasn't particularly helpful - he told me the machine had a microphone (two, in fact!) built into the screen. I told him I knew, but that sometimes you want to use another one. I guess I could try again, and see if I get a different rep.

 

So I called up and asked again, the guy was more helpful. He suggested a USB adapter, kind of like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RJV6N4...e=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B000RJV6N4
(Neither he nor I endorse it; he didn't specify one, and that was just the first I found).
Seems like a decent alternative solution.

 

The smaller x301 has separate audio out and microphone in jacks, I don't understand why Lenovo chose the combo jack on the physically larger T400s. This is a major bummer.

 

they did it because lots of business users (their target market) have iPhones or Blackberries with 1/8" combo headphone/microphones. easy to plug those into the machine and be able to carry on Skype conversations.

btw, the dual microphones on the t400s are *great*. I use them with Dragon voice recognition, and the quality is surprisingly good.

If you have a t400s and really need separate components, the dock has them.