mikej11

So are the lenovo thinkpads a good idea for a college student? i'm thinking about getting the t400. i really like the computer but its really expensive and only want to get it if i know it will really work for me.

how are they in terms of portability (with a 6 cell battery)?

i don't even know if im going to have the computer for more than two years. btw i'm an engineering student.

DelfinoM

Thinkpads are very nice for engineering students, however if your going to do heavy CAD work(depends on specific major), a W series thinkpad may work out better(same as T series except the video card is optimized for CAD). I have a T500 and it's great, a tad heavy(7.5lbs or so) with a 9 cell battery but a T400 is smaller so it's lighter.

modestmelody

The W is totally unnecessary. The T400 with discrete graphics will be fine, anything that needs the Ws power you'll probably do in a computer lab or you should just buy a desktop instead.

The T400 is basically the best built consumer laptop out there-- it's milspec, passing all the military ruggedized tests without being considered "ruggedized". Right now there is a code USPBANNERS which will take 10% off of your total. You can easily spec out a great T400 with discrete graphics for under 1k that'll keep you going for four years easily.

U.W. Student

I am also considering getting this computer, but I don't know exactly how I would need to customize it to fit my needs...can anyone help?

Lenovo - Customize - ThinkPad T400 with integrated graphics - Components

I don't do any gaming or anything like that. I mostly just go on the internet and use the computer for school, but I do have a lot of documents and pictures and music, so I might need a large hard drive, I think. I will be commuting about six hours per day until I get a room at my college, so battery life is important (I am pretty sure I will go for the nine cell battery).

I have no idea about which processor to pick. Not sure which hard drive/rpm to pick either.

I also have no idea which "system expansion slot" to pick.

Would the "Intel® Turbo Memory hard drive cache" be worth the extra fifty dollars?

My original price range was going to be about $750 but I wouldn't mind going over that if it was really worth it and the computer would hold up well (i.e. last through four years of college, preferably longer, and work really well) I would really prefer not to go over 1k though, if that's possible.

ThisCouldBeHeavn

don't get the Turbo Memory

virtuoso_735

I have an R400, which is almost equivalent to the T400 except it's just a bit bulkier. If you want a better price I'd suggest you check out the Lenovo outlet website. I got my "refurbished" (as far as I could tell, it was as good as new) Thinkpad at a highly reduced price and there have been no problems with it.

DelfinoM

Many of those refurb units are quite dated in terms of what they come with. May be best to get a new t400 to last a few years in college, especially since they are to be replaced with the t410 in a few months.

Chipmoney

Some are, but you can get a refurbished one with great specs for a lot cheaper than a new one.