The T400 improves on its predecessors as far as features and raw power, maintains the same ergonomics, connectivity and quality built that make it a corporate darling and manages to add a few 'fun' capabilities that could make it attractive to the individual shopper.
The best things the T400 has going for it are:
quality build that promises reliable performance
good CPU and business graphics performance
fast memory
impressive and extensive power saving options
docking capabilities
fast 7200 RPM SATA HDD
great keyboard
Centrino 2 WiFi, Bluetooth for wireless
Gigabit Ethernet, modem for wired networking
3 USB ports, FireWire (when docked, 7 USB ports are available)
decent 1280x800 (some models even better) display
very cool running
compatible with previous models' power supplies and docking stations
The few shortcomings worth mentioning would be:
gaming graphics performance average at best
battery life while improved over previous models would barely allow playing a movie
design, while very functional can't be called 'attractive'
lacks a built in camera
Reality is most people looking for a laptop have no idea what a ThinkPad is unless they happen to work for some large to huge corporation. This because ever since its beginnings IBM and now Lenovo designed and marketed the ThinkPads as corporate laptops. They threw in everything that a business user may want and omitted most of the (fun) stuff that regular 'consumers' may be looking for to keep the cost down. But, like everything else, ThinkPads evolve and improve too and the T400 comes a long way toward meeting not only 'big corporate' demands but of those looking for a personal use solution as too. Well... maybe I'm getting carried away here but it's probably fair to say that the newer ThinkPads, the T400 included can be a good choice for small business user as well as for the large corporate client.
BUILD AND DESIGN
The T400 is yet another example of ThinkPads light, solid build. I've only had this one for a little over one month but I've had the T60 it's replacing for almost 3 years of nearly 24/7 utilization.
My laptop typically moves to and from office several times per week, gets docked and undocked thousands of times, may stay on for many days at a time, sometimes it spends weeks between reboots. Within the same day it may be running on 2 different docking stations and running stand-alone, with DC power or on battery, wired to the network or wireless or sometimes both, outputs video to several traditional monitors, sometimes to 2 displays at the same time, its own display or a projector, have numerous USB devices (external hard disks, security tokens, thumb drives) plugged in and out, and so forth. The T60 was able to withstand all this stress for 3 years with only its internal fan being replaced once in 3 years. I don't know if the T400 will be as solidly reliable but, by the way it feels, I am quite confident that it's likely to be the case.
Like all ThinkPads, there's very little flashy or cute in a T400 the expected all-black, titanium (I believe) case, same sharp corners but still light and still built in a way that suggests 'quality' and 'reliability'.
PERFORMANCE
Since our corporate IT imaged Vista Enterprise on my laptop, it's probably worth noting that my T400 scores 4.7 on the Windows Experience Index this means that it supports all Vista features well. The lowest scoring components are 'graphics' at 4.7 which is only average and not suitable for graphics-intensive games but just about everything else is top notch. Here are the scores:
5.3 Processor
5.7 Memory
4.7 Graphics
4.7 Gaming graphics
5.8 Primary hard disk
Microsoft states that "The scale of the Windows Experience Index ranges from 1.0 to 5.9" so everything other than graphics is all the way 'up there'.
This is what I got in my laptop:
Total amount of system memory 2 GB RAM
System type 32-bit operating system (Vista Enterprise as imaged by our IT dept.)
Number of processor cores 2 Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 at 2.40 GHz
64-bit capable Yes
Hard disk(s) 160 GB SATA, 7200 RPM
CD/DVD drive
Display adapter type ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3400 Series
Total available graphics memory 996 MB
Display resolution 1280x800
Network Adapter Intel(R) 82567LM Gigabit Network Connection
Network Adapter Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100 AGN
Those concerned with battery life can switch off the Radeon and use the MobileIntel 4 Series Express chipset for that somewhat lower graphics performance.
I am planning to add 2 extra GB of RAM soon and upgrade to Windows 7 and will update my review if and when that happenes.
When compared to the T60 it replaces, the T400 represents a very significant improvement in raw CPU power, graphics performance and display. In runs a lot cooler and its lasts longer on a battery charge.
RATING
I am very happy with this laptop's compatibility with the older power AC adaptors and even the older docking stations such as the Lenovo ThinkPad Advanced Mini Dock Docking station. The Centrino 2 WiFi is an improvement over the Centrino chipset on the T60 I know because, with my WiFi router in the basement, I can now connect reliably from my second floor bedroom while the older laptop couldn't always make the connections. The T400 running so much cooler is not only an indication of improved battery life but it's also a comfort issue when my laptop sits... on my lap, which it occasionally does.
5 stars are well earned because the T400 succeeded in making on of the best business laptops even better.
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I can't say more about this machine because I have used it for six months now, using it to setup my entertainment center and hooking up the CPU to my tv and coming up with hi-def picture and sound. I will say the processor for this machine was originally intended to run Windows Vista so the processor sucks up unnecessary RAM, so word to the wise invest in upgrading the ram and hard drive, and you end up with a top of the line machine.
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