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Hey people. I've noticed that alot of people are posting threads asking help on chosing a notebook/laptop and I thought it would be a great idea to share with you some information and thoughts on a notebook that I've just bought.
Here it is! The Lenovo Thinkpad T500.
The box.
Lenovo is the company that acquired IBM's PC/Notebook business. I think most people are aware of this now. Thinkpads are sold now with Lenovo's badge/logo on them.
Thinkpads generally come in 3 different series. The R, T and X. There is also the new SL and Lenovo's own Ideapad but I won't include them because they are very different to the original Thinkpad design. Lenovo also makes a W series as a premium/high end workstation laptop but they priced it out of the market.
My T500 is a 15.4 inch lappie and the latest in the T series Thinkpads. I perfer the T because it is more slim-lined compare to the R and generally come with more warranty. X series are portable laptops meaning they have smaller screens and also cost a lot more. T therefore is the balance that I was looking for.
Still in plastic wrapping
Cables, Battery, and driver CDs
I've recieved a smart-chip 6 cell battery with my laptop. According to google, The battery have build in chip to manage charge/release cycles. I don't really know what this means but it could only be good because batteries degrade overtime.
The cover.
Thinkpads have anti-scratch cover. I personally would never buy a notebook with a glossy cover. They look pretty but will be annoying after a while. Not to mention the fact that they reflect light and smudges.
Matt screen
This type of screen is pretty much standard on all workstation/business laptops. Reason being that they don't reflect.
IMO Thinkpads have the best laptop keyboard ever. The keys are spaced well and also have nice feedback from pressing. Lenovo also discontinued IBM's practice of not including a mod4 key (windows key) on their keyboard. I personally perfer them not to label the new key with a Windows icon but what the hell. Some people haave complained that the new T500 lappies have a flex problem; I personally do not experience this problem.
By default, It is pre-loaded with Windows Vista 32 bit. My machine also came with Windows XP 32 bit downgrade disks. I don't really care as I plan to install Ubuntu on it very soon.
I should mention here that Thinkpads have traditionally enjoyed great support amongst Linux developers; unfortunately T500 and T400 still have a few issues that needs to addressed by Linux.
Yet another pic.
An interesting feature of T500 and It's smaller cousin T400 is that they come with switchable grahic. What this means is that you can switch from dedicated ATI HD 3650 to the integrated intel graphics to extend your battery life. This is no doubt a great feature but it is only useable on Vista. In XP or Linux, you have to manually set the graphic card in BIOS or the OS will just use whichever is detected first on the bus.
-- Writting this blog is actually taking longer than I expected. I will update this tomorrow with more pic and feature reviews.
 
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Maybe I should rename the title to laptop review or something. Is the term notebook not really used in US?
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my father works in IBM so i've been on thinkpads my entire life. they are great computers. they get the job done and they last forever. i'm actually typing this on an IBM t30 since my main computer broke. the thing is i just don't like the design. how hard can it be to make a laptop less boxy? our laptops look almost identical even though yours is the t500 and mine is the t30. that being said... performance>looks.
congrats on your purchase. make sure you uninstall the bloatware that comes on lenovo computers (that annoying game app which comes with RUNESCAPE HD!!!!)
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I think IBM's lunchbox design is genius. It is so great in fact that they do not have to change it to compete in the ever changing market.
But I admit you either love or loath the boxy design. I see it as part of the Thinkpad experience. If they ever changed it, it would be a real turn off for Thinkpad die-hards.
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On July 25 2009 23:14 haduken wrote:
Maybe I should rename the title to laptop review or something. Is the term notebook not really used in US?
Honnestly, I hear lot of people who say "notebook", just my opinion. Anyway, good notebook!
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51485 Posts
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have fun removing all the craps lenovo preinstall on their laptops ahah ^^;
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Nice, thanks for the review! I'm actually waiting for my T400 to get shipped, can't wait to test it out!
GTR: It really depends on the specs. My T400 cost 750$ from Lenovo's outlet and came with 3gb RAM, switchable graphics, 320gb HD, WXGA+ res screen with CCFL backlit and a P8400 processor (2.26 Ghz C2D). Great deal given the quality of these notebooks.
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My T500 retails at $2600 AUD normally. When I say normally I mean the price on Lenovo's website. It's hard to pin down an exact price because Lenovo always have coupons and sales etc.
Nevertheless, I bought the machine for $1148 AUD LOL. It was a one day special sale.
This is more or less the right price ( given that Lenovo cost nearly twice as much here than US).
It also costs more to get it in China, go figure.
It is really a great deal.
P8600 2.4GHZ
2GB DDR3 1066
250GB 5400rpm
ATI HD 3650 with hdmi output and intel switchable graphics
6 cell battery.
1680 x 1050 wxga+ screen
3 years warranty
I plan to add more RAM to it later and buy a 9 cell battery. Intel graphic on low setting get me close to 6 hours; 9 cell will give me at least 7 hours.
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X301 is overpriced. the ultra low voltage CPU is really just an underclocked core 2 duo. I can get an X200s for half the price that do basically the same thing.
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On July 26 2009 00:05 kemoryan wrote:
Nice, thanks for the review! I'm actually waiting for my T400 to get shipped, can't wait to test it out!
GTR: It really depends on the specs. My T400 cost 750$ from Lenovo's outlet and came with 3gb RAM, switchable graphics, 320gb HD, WXGA+ res screen with CCFL backlit and a P8400 processor (2.26 Ghz C2D). Great deal given the quality of these notebooks.
T400 is a bit too small for my liking. I owned a t42 before this and I don't really like the 14 inch screen. T400 is more portable though and is slimmer.
Another great thing about Thinkpads that I forgot to mention:
They are silent and I mean SILENT. Running on full performance, you would hardly notice the fan running. Great engineering there.
Toshiba and HPs business offerings have nothing to compete in the accoustic department; the extra cost totally justify the purchase.
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hey i have the same mouse as you 
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On July 26 2009 01:23 haduken wrote:Show nested quote +On July 26 2009 00:05 kemoryan wrote:
Nice, thanks for the review! I'm actually waiting for my T400 to get shipped, can't wait to test it out!
GTR: It really depends on the specs. My T400 cost 750$ from Lenovo's outlet and came with 3gb RAM, switchable graphics, 320gb HD, WXGA+ res screen with CCFL backlit and a P8400 processor (2.26 Ghz C2D). Great deal given the quality of these notebooks. T400 is a bit too small for my liking. I owned a t42 before this and I don't really like the 14 inch screen. T400 is more portable though and is slimmer. Another great thing about Thinkpads that I forgot to mention: They are silent and I mean SILENT. Running on full performance, you would hardly notice the fan running. Great engineering there. Toshiba and HPs business offerings have nothing to compete in the accoustic department; the extra cost totally justify the purchase.
Well I still haven't got my T400 yet but I'm currently using a 10" netbook. I'm pretty sure a 14" 1440 x 900 screen will be enough for my college needs.
Btw. What do you think about the new T400s? Do you think the extra thinness and lightweight design is worth the premium price? I mean it's a hell of a notebook but it's about 500 bucks more on the same specs...
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I like it and It would be a good alternative for people thinking about getting the X301 or X200. Price wise I doubt people would mind unless it is outrageous. Thinkpads are generally more expensive compare with other vendors anyway.
It is lacking in the graphics department tho so I doubt it would be popular amongst college students. However as a portable workstation it's great.
If I didn't get such a great deal on my T500 I would totally consider the T400s.
What battery did you get with your T400? From memory, the default battery is only a 4 cell. 6 cell would hinge out?
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I've gotten quite interested in a SL500, what are the main differences between the the T and SL series? Also, are there any other brands with similar keyboards as the Thinkpads?
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tbh I don't like the cunt-mouse.
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On July 26 2009 02:24 ZerG~LegenD wrote:
I've gotten quite interested in a SL500, what are the main differences between the the T and SL series? Also, are there any other brands with similar keyboards as the Thinkpads?
The most apparent differences are the chasis design and the lid cover. The traditional Thinkpads covers are made of Titanium and is very rugged and scratch resistant. This design choice hasn't changed through the years as a testament of it's success and acceptance.
The SL500's cover is a glossy plastic cover. It looks great at first but very easy to scratch and leave finger marks on.
Hardware wise, both will come with the standard Centrino and Centrino 2 setups. You will find that the majority of SL500 will come with a mid-range graphic card. T series however do have option to attach an additional docking station (This is a feature mostly underestimated). A docking station is a very nice addition to any workstation laptop. SL do not have this option.
SL are also bigger and thicker and do not have the same engineering merits associated with the traditional Thinkpads. The build quality still beats most of other vendor's competiting product though. But the price of SL is unattractive considering it's target market. IMO SL is a redesigned version of R that focus on the home/student market.
T is a premium business range. It sits above the R and below the W. I hope this gave you a perspective on what to chose. Majority of T machines come with 3 years warranty however this will vary depending on your location. SL as far as I know come with 1 year warranty by default.
AFAIK, the Thinkpad keyboard design is patented. However, some people say that the quality of the Thinkpad present day is inferior comparing against the older days.
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On July 26 2009 03:13 haduken wrote:Show nested quote +On July 26 2009 02:24 ZerG~LegenD wrote:
I've gotten quite interested in a SL500, what are the main differences between the the T and SL series? Also, are there any other brands with similar keyboards as the Thinkpads? The most apparent differences are the chasis design and the lid cover. The traditional Thinkpads covers are made of Titanium and is very rugged and scratch resistant. This design choice hasn't changed through the years as a testament of it's success and acceptance. The SL500's cover is a glossy plastic cover. It looks great at first but very easy to scratch and leave finger marks on. Hardware wise, both will come with the standard Centrino and Centrino 2 setups. You will find that the majority of SL500 will come with a mid-range graphic card. T series however do have option to attach an additional docking station (This is a feature mostly underestimated). A docking station is a very nice addition to any workstation laptop. SL do not have this option. SL are also bigger and thicker and do not have the same engineering merits associated with the traditional Thinkpads. The build quality still beats most of other vendor's competiting product though. But the price of SL is unattractive considering it's target market. IMO SL is a redesigned version of R that focus on the home/student market. T is a premium business range. It sits above the R and below the W. I hope this gave you a perspective on what to chose. Majority of T machines come with 3 years warranty however this will vary depending on your location. SL as far as I know come with 1 year warranty by default. AFAIK, the Thinkpad keyboard design is patented. However, some people say that the quality of the Thinkpad present day is inferior comparing against the older days.
Thanks. Sounds sweet to me; I don't care at all about the design and the SL500 goes for a third the price of any R,T or X series in Sweden.
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I'm on an R400 atm, it's a solid piece of machine.
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On July 26 2009 01:53 haduken wrote:
I like it and It would be a good alternative for people thinking about getting the X301 or X200. Price wise I doubt people would mind unless it is outrageous. Thinkpads are generally more expensive compare with other vendors anyway.
It is lacking in the graphics department tho so I doubt it would be popular amongst college students. However as a portable workstation it's great.
If I didn't get such a great deal on my T500 I would totally consider the T400s.
What battery did you get with your T400? From memory, the default battery is only a 4 cell. 6 cell would hinge out?
I bought the 6-cell battery and yeah, it hinges out a bit, but it's not as bulky and heavy as the 9 cell so I guess it's bearable. Although I'd like it to flush in instead of sticking out, but I think a 4 cell won't give me enough battery life (nowadays 6 cell is default for normal notebooks).
I also thought about the option of swapping the DVD drive with an ultra bay 3 cell battery, but ended going for the 6 cell since DVD can be quite handy specially if you want to format and install everything from scratch.
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On July 26 2009 01:13 haduken wrote:
3 years warranty
I highly recommend anyone going with Lenovo/IBM to go for a 3 year warranty. IBM traditionally has had really, really good customer service, and I don't know if it's changed since Lenovo bought their consumer laptop/desktop line, but I've been treated pretty well everytime my laptop has had a problem. My laptop is the X61 Tablet:
It's not their most recent laptop lineup, but I still like it a lot. I've now had it for almost 2 years, and over the 2 years, I basically brought it to class with me every day, and directly took notes on it (which is really a lottt of wear and tear on it). Whenever I've had issues with it, the warranty service just took care of it:
1st time: Screen hinge broke. I called them on Friday, they said they'd overnight a box with prepaid shipping back to them to me. It came Monday (Sat, Sun don't count as business days). I packed my laptop in the box, dropped it off at a local UPS, and it came back on Wednesday. Total time without laptop: 3.5 business days.
2nd time: Tablet pen got stuck inside the laptop. I called them Monday, got the overnight box Tuesday, and got my laptop back on Friday - with a new Pen ($30 by itself). Time without laptop: ~4.5 business days
3rd time: AC adapter stopped working. Called them about it on Thursday, got the new charger on Friday. 1 day turnover.
Basically, my 3-year-warranty that cost me around $120 has paid itself over like twice already.
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I'm still using my T61p and Im happy about it.
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yeah i got a t61p as well, really like it.
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I have a t400 and it works great :D
sturdiness is useful for when I accidentally whack it on walls and stuff :p
Biggest problem I have is lack of a way to clean the screen. Does anyone have any suggestions?
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51485 Posts
how the hell you get that for more than half price fuck.
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I like the boxy rugged/mat look - its a man's machine by excellence. None of that shiny, colorful, artsy-pantsy design stuff.
T61 ftw baby :-)
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On July 28 2009 19:20 GTR wrote:
how the hell you get that for more than half price fuck.
You know what they say. It's not what you know; it's who you know.
One small irritation thing I've found with my laptop. The lid cover don't close fully. It wobbles if I press the cover. -___-
Maybe it's just my luck or maybe Lenovo has really botched IBM's engineering.
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