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Editors' rating
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$1,984.00
Design and features
Lenovo has been a business mainstay for many years due to a design that rarely makes big changes — rather only tiny improvements to a proven success. It also builds laptops that have the structural integrity of a tank, making it a favourite among sysadmins since it's likely to last longer than any other laptop out in the field short of say, a Panasonic Toughbook.
The T400 continues this trend, with the same familiar keyboard, red trackpoint and touchpad navigation (each with its own mouse buttons, although the trackpoint gets a middle mouse button whereas the touchpad is limited to left and right), magnesium alloy roll cage to protect against drops, and a spill resistant keyboard. It's also got ThinkLight Illumination — a white LED mounted at the top of the 14.1-inch, 1280x800 screen which points down to light up the keyboard in dark situations. It's not as good as a backlit keyboard and can be a little distracting, but it's better than nothing at all.
There's even small touches like symbols to the left of the keyboard, so you know what ports are on the side without having to turn your head or lift the laptop up. Shortcut buttons are minimal, with mute, volume up and volume down being pretty much it, apart from Lenovo's ThinkVantage button which loads its Productivity Software while in Windows, or if you hold it down when powering up starts the rescue and recovery process.
On the left are two USB ports, gigabit Ethernet, 56Kbps modem jack, VGA out, ExpressCard 54 slot and a seven-in-one card reader. The right-hand side features an extra USB port and the DVD+-RW drive, the front a rare 1394 port, headphone and microphone jacks. Inside it's run off a Core 2 Duo P8400 at 2.26GHz, with 2GB RAM, a 250GB hard drive, ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 and for networking the usual 802.11n. Bluetooth is not included unless you add AU$15.40.
Software-wise, Lenovo bundles InterVideo's WinDVD for watching DVDs, a trial of McAfee SecurityCenter, Microsoft Office 2007 trial, PC Doctor 5, Roxio Creator Business Edition for disc burning, and a giant swathe of its own software for doing such things as connecting to wireless, managing battery usage, data protection and updating the system. By default, and what allowed it to fall under the price, it comes with Windows Vista Basic — the upgrade to Vista Business costing AU$132. There's also no webcam, costing another AU$27.50 to have one included.
Performance
The Radeon gives the Lenovo a leg up over its Intel-integrated graphics competitors, giving a 3DMark06 score of 1065. It's not as powerful as the Dell E6400's Quadro NVS 160m, but it still means decent video acceleration and basic 3D capability. More importantly, its PCMark05 score of 4636 shows it has more than enough grunt to handle most office tasks.
Turning off all power-saving features, turning screen brightness and volume to maximum and playing back an XviD file drained the battery in one hour, 31 minutes and 36 seconds. It's a disappointingly short result, although to be expected for a four-cell battery — you'll want to be springing for a larger six- or eight-cell battery pack for this one.
Lenovo's ThinkPad T400 is an attractive proposition for any laptop buyer, but you buy into Lenovo for a price. Dell offers more for less, but in terms of lifespan, you can guarantee the Lenovo will survive more catastrophic accidents simply due to its exceptional build quality. Wait for a sale, then buy, buy, buy.
Specifications
General | |
---|---|
Packaged Quantity | 1 |
Platform Technology | Intel Centrino 2 with vPro Technology |
Built-in Devices | ThinkLight |
Embedded Security | Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip |
Operating System | Microsoft Windows Vista Business |
Processor / Chipset | |
CPU | Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 / 2.53 GHz |
Number of Cores | Dual-Core |
Cache | L2 - 3 MB |
64-bit Computing | Yes |
Data Bus Speed | 1066 MHz |
Chipset Type | Mobile Intel GM45 Express |
Features | Intel 64 Technology, Intel Dynamic Acceleration, Intel Trusted Execution Technology, Intel Virtualization Technology |
Cache Memory | |
Type | L2 cache |
Installed Size | 3 MB |
RAM | |
Memory Speed | 1066 MHz |
Memory Specification Compliance | PC3-8500 |
Configuration Features | 1 x 1 GB + 1 x 2 GB |
Technology | DDR3 SDRAM |
Installed Size | 3 GB |
Rated Memory Speed | 1066 MHz |
Storage | |
Interface | Serial ATA-300 |
Optical Drive | DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM removable |
Type | none |
Read Speed | 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD) |
Write Speed | 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD±R DL) |
Rewrite Speed | 16x (CD) / 6x (DVD±RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM) |
Type | portable |
Memory | |
RAM | 3 GB (1 x 1 GB + 1 x 2 GB) |
Max Supported Size | 8 GB |
Technology | DDR3 SDRAM |
Speed | 1066 MHz / PC3-8500 |
Form Factor | SO-DIMM 204-pin |
Slots Qty | 2 |
Empty Slots | 0 |
Environmental Parameters | |
Sound Emission | 36 dB |
Display | |
LCD Backlight Technology | LED backlight |
Resolution | 1280 x 800 (WXGA) |
Widescreen Display | Yes |
Color Support | 16.7 million colors |
Monitor Features | anti-glare |
Type | LED |
Diagonal Size (metric) | 35.8 cm |
Color Support | 16.7 million colors |
Display Resolution Abbreviation | WXGA |
Hard Drive | |
Type | SSD |
Capacity | 128 GB |
Audio & Video | |
Graphics Processor | PCI Express x16 - ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 / Intel GMA 4500MHD |
Integrated Webcam | Yes |
Sound | Stereo speakers, microphone |
Audio Codec | CX20561 |
Input | |
Type | TrackPoint, UltraNav, keyboard |
Features | spill-resistant |
Communications | |
Wireless Protocol | 802.11a/b/g/n (draft), Bluetooth 2.0 |
Wireless Controller | Intel WiFi Link 5100 |
Wired Protocol | Gigabit Ethernet |
Optical Storage | |
Drive Type | DVD SuperMulti |
Type | DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM |
Form Factor | removable |
Processor | |
CPU Type | Core 2 Duo |
Processor Number | P8700 |
Manufacturer | Intel |
Clock Speed | 2.53 GHz |
Modem | |
Features | V.92 upgradable |
Floppy Drive | |
Type | none |
Battery | |
Cells | 6-cell |
Technology | lithium ion |
Run Time (Up To) | 6.5 hour(s) |
AC Adapter | |
Input | AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) |
Connections & Expansion | |
Expansion Bays | 1 x Ultrabay Slim |
Slots |
1 x ExpressCard/54 (1 free) 2 x memory (0 free) 1 x CardBus (1 free) |
Interfaces |
VGA 3 x USB 2.0 Modem LAN Microphone input Headphone output 4-pin FireWire Dock |
Header | |
Brand | Lenovo |
Product Line | Lenovo ThinkPad T400 |
Model | 2767 |
Localization | English |
Packaged Quantity | 1 |
Compatibility | PC |
Networking | |
Max Transfer Rate | 56 Kbps |
Data Link Protocol | Bluetooth 2.0, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n (draft) |
Wireless LAN Supported | Yes |
Wireless NIC | Intel WiFi Link 5100 |
Miscellaneous | |
Color | black |
Integrated Options | ThinkLight |
Security | Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip, fingerprint reader |
Features | Intel Active Management Technology (iAMT), ThinkPad Roll Cage, ThinkVantage Active Protection System, administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) |
Compliant Standards | AS/NZS 60950-1, BSMI, CB, CCC, CER, FCC Part 15 B, GOST, MIC, MPR II, MPR III, NOM, RoHS, SASO, UL 60950, VCCI-II, cUL |
Monitor | |
Diagonal Size | 14.1 in |
Software | |
Microsoft Office Preloaded | Includes a pre-loaded image of select Microsoft Office 2010 suites. Purchase an Office 2010 Product Key Card or disc to activate preloaded software on this PC. |
System | |
Platform Technology | Intel Centrino 2 with vPro Technology |
Notebook Type | notebook |
Platform | Windows |
Hard Drive Capacity | 128 GB |
Dockable | Yes |
Embedded Security | Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip |
Security Devices | fingerprint reader |
Dimensions & Weight | |
Width | 13.2 in |
Depth | 10.6 in |
Height | 1.3 in |
Graphics Controller | |
Interface Type | PCI Express x16 |
Audio Output | |
Compliant Standards | High Definition Audio |
Manufacturer Warranty | |
Type | 3 years warranty |
Mainboard | |
Data Bus Speed | 1066 MHz |
Chipset Type | Mobile Intel GM45 Express |
Environmental Standards | |
EPEAT Level | EPEAT Gold |
ENERGY STAR Certified | Yes |
Physical Characteristics | |
Weight | 5.07 lbs |
Operating System / Software | |
OS Provided: Type | Microsoft Windows Vista Business |
Type | Adobe Reader, Fingerprint Software, McAfee VirusScan Plus with SiteAdvisor (30 days of virus definitions), PC Doctor, Roxio Creator Business Edition, Roxio My DVD, ThinkPad Utilities, ThinkVantage Access Connections, ThinkVantage Client Security, ThinkVantage Productivity Center, ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery, ThinkVantage System Update, Windows Live Search, Windows Live Toolbar |
Video Output | |
Discrete Graphics Processor | Yes |
Graphics Processor | ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 / Intel GMA 4500MHD |
Graphics Processor Series | ATI Mobility Radeon HD, Intel GMA |
Video Memory | |
Installed Size | 256 MB |
Notebook Camera | |
Integrated Webcam | Yes |
Expansion Bays | |
Total Qty | 1 |
Service & Support | |
Type | 3 years warranty |
Service & Support Details | |
Type | limited warranty |
Service Included | parts and labor |
Location | pick-up and return |
Full Contract Period | 1 year, 3 years |
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