Impressions of a T40 owner...

[nicowju]

People have been asking me for my opinions on my T40, so I guess I'll post them in a thread... yea...

I got my T40 around the beginning of April, and I've been using it almost everyday since then.

Specs are:
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Model#: 2373-92U
P-M 1.6GHz
512MB DDR RAM
80GB, 4200RPM HD (16MB cache; fast)
14.1" SXGA+ LCD
32MB ATI Radeon Mobility 9000
16x10x24/8X CD-RW/DVD
Integrated Bluetooth+Modem
10/100/1000 (yes, Gigabit) Ethernet
IBM Dual-band 802.11a/b Wireless (Mini-PCI) - best choice for wireless options on this, I think
9-cell battery
that IBM security thing
WinXP Pro
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Sure it's not the cheapest machine, but I think I definitely got what I paid for, and I got a really good deal on it (paid a total of ~$3000, including shipping and stuff at Thinkpads.com--great guy to deal with, BTW)
--------------

Here are my current impressions of the machine:

1) I haven't encountered any heat issues. Even after using it for hours on end (plugged-in and on battery), it does get warm to the touch, but it never got warm enough that it would be uncomfortable to place in your lap. And speaking of which, the battery life on this thing (using the 9-cell battery) is nothing short of amazing (I've gotten over 6.5 hours with wifi on!). The weight isn't an issue (it's around 5lbs with the battery, so it's not heavy at all)

2) The screen is amazing (1400x1050); the fonts are small, but I'm used to that (I run one of my desktop LCD's at 1920x1200 and the CRT at 2048x1536, so I may be a bit biased ), but it's extremely crisp and bright. At 1024x768, of course, it doesn't look as good as the native 1400x1050 resolution, but is still workable (I like more stuff on my screen, so I stick with 1400x1050).

3) I haven't done much gaming on it, but for 2D games it works great (of course); I've run some OpenGL and DirectX apps on it, and they run fine (I've got the 32MB Radeon 9000 on mine, not the 64MB FireGL in the T40p).

4) Keyboard and build quality are unparalleled; I haven't yet found a laptop that's as sturdy or solid as this, nor a keyboard that feels as good as this one (the key travel, response, and feel are really nice; I can type almost as fast on it as I can on a regular desktop keyboard... so that's around 90-100WPM). And I've used/dealt with Dells, Toshibas, Compaqs, Powerbooks... pretty much anything (I currently live in a dorm, and people have all sorts of machines here).

5) The Wifi mini-pci mine came with gets really good reception and is really fast. Yea. Nuff said. Wifi=Great

6) This thing is thin and light! 1" thin! It came with the 9-cell battery though, so there's that bulge at the back... I'm probably going to get a 6-cell in addition so that it's more convenient and lighter for carrying to class (difference in weight between the two batteries is only around 0.3lbs though, so it's not that much; just the added size). Also looked at the CDRW/DVD UltraBay, and I can't believe how thin this thing is (9.5mm).

7) If you're going to be carrying this thing around though (I don't see why you would get a thin and light if you didn't though, but feel free to prove me wrong) I've noticed that if enough pressure is applied to the top of the casing, you have the problem that many pbooks had/have with the keys coming into contact with the screen, so I recommend that you get a Laptop Screen Protector; I just ordered one myself. Also found on IBM's site this info for Cleaning the screen

8) Some people asked me to take pictures, so here they are: T40 pics

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask me; would also like to see other T40 owners' opinions of their machines.

Stickied to the top because I want this laptop.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[JZilla]

Great review and congratulations.

Edit: By the look of your old "thinkpad", I think you deserved an upgrade.

 

[adam4925]

I was thinking about getting a T40(p) but I had nearly decided on getting a Dell D800 but your review made me think again.

Do many people use their laptops more for games or for work? I was leaning towards the Dell because it had better gaming specs but if I'm not gaming then the rest of what I'm doing isn't really all that power-intensive.

Ahhh! I can't figure out which one to get!

 

[nicowju]

I got the IBM because of the build quality, battery life, and weight (or lack thereof), combined with the power
Granted, I could have gotten a Dell or a Toshiba or something for less money, but would I be as happy as this IBM?
Oh, the IBM software is really good, too

 

[OldSpooky]

Glad to hear that the build quality is still top notch. I read on IBM's website that the LCD cover material has been changed to magnesium (used to be Titanium reinforced ABS plastic). How is the new LCD cover?

Also - when the notebook is sitting on a flat table surface, is the cover parallel to the table surface or at an angle? (this is an odd question, but sometimes I put papers or other light objects on top of my machines, and I don't want things sliding off).

 

[nicowju]

the new LCD cover still feels very sturdy (feels sturdier and nicer than the T23's and T30's I've played around with), and has a very nice texture. You won't have to worry about anything sliding off (it's textured and feels a bit rubbery, and so stuff shouldn't be sliding off. When it's flat on a table though, if you must know, there's a very slight slope (doubt it's more than a couple of degrees), so it's not a problem anyway. Also like how the restore image (restore CD equivalent) is stored on a separate partition on the HD; makes restoring to a clean system very easy and fast. Although maybe I wouldn't have minded restore CD's anyway; I'm going to call IBM about that tomorrow and see if I can get the CD's.

 

[littleLouie]

Thanks for the review... I have a t40p on the way.. been waiting for shipment for a month now.

I was very upset to see that its plagued by marks on the creen like the powerbboks are. This was one of the main reasons Im switching from powerbooks. I had a screen full of marks, scratches and scuffs from the keyboard hitting the screen when it was closed.

Im surprise this defect want mentioned in any reviews... but based on your observations, I find this very disappointing. I went with the Thinkpad for durability, not to carry a cloth around witht the laptop so the screen doesnt get ruined

On another note, if you push lightly on the LCD casing does it distort the LCD? (push behind the screen). My powerbook screen would have white smudges or faint areas on the screen from things pushing againt the case when it was being carried. This was just terrible.

Again, thanks for the review, and I hipe that the problems you mentioned are not as bad a the powerbooks. Please let me know.

thanks

 

[bharok]

I dont see that model on IBM's site
I remember having seen it a few weeks ago though

 

[bharok]

Does the hard drive seem slow since it is 4200 RPM

 

[nicowju]

Pushing on the screen does not distort the LCD at all (I've seen this problem on a lot of Dells and a few Compaqs, and even a bit on a T23), but I'm happy to report that the problem's not here at all.
I'm sure that as long as you carry the laptop in a proper laptop bag/case or something, it should be fine. The marks aren't that bad, but they're just a bit annoying since I had to clean it off once. I'm guessing that they didn't mention it in most reviews because they weren't subjecting the laptop to prolonged, everyday use (well, to be honest, I'm probably treating it rougher than I should; I'll be getting one of those Swiss Army Warehouse computer sleeves at some point to protect the machine), so I'm thinking the problem will disappear
IBM seems to have taken this model off their website (no idea why though; the G1U is still there). The 80GB does not seem slow at all, compared to the 5400RPM 40GB's I've used on some Dells.
Here's a spec sheet I found on IBM Canada's website (no idea why it's no longer on the US website). Seems to be accurate as far as I can remember.
Oh, and the machine is virtually silent when running

 

[bharok]

Yeah, I found the spec sheet too . Specs for 237392U

I just called up IBM and asked if i could still order it and the woman on the phone said yes.
So, I have no idea why it is missing on the
site.

EDIT: The phone number is: 1-888-SHOP-IBM x7000

 

[littleLouie]

Well, it's good to hear that the problem isnt "that bad" still a little worrysome to hear none the less.

I'm telling you, I treated the powerbook like a baby and the screen wrecked itself. I really wanted to not have to baby this thing, and believed that was the case due to all reviews pointing to the excellent build quality and no mention of the screen scratching from the keys. Hopefully this is a problem unique to your laptop and not all t40's.

then again, at this rate, who knows if they will ever ship mine... its been over a month of "yes sir, we show that it should ship in 1 - 2 weeks".


arrrrggg. [(

 

[littleLouie]

Well, it's good to hear that the problem isnt "that bad" still a little worrysome to hear none the less.

I'm telling you, I treated the powerbook like a baby and the screen wrecked itself. I really wanted to not have to baby this thing, and believed that was the case due to all reviews pointing to the excellent build quality and no mention of the screen scratching from the keys. Hopefully this is a problem unique to your laptop and not all t40's.

then again, at this rate, who knows if they will ever ship mine... its been over a month of "yes sir, we show that it should ship in 1 - 2 weeks".


arrrrggg. [(

 

[Kangaroo802]

is getting the version with dualband WIFI neccesary? The 237394U comes with the Intel PRO 802.11b one.

There's a $50 premium on the one you bought.

Most of the places i go to only have b. Do you think a is something you'll use a lot?

 

[nicowju]

I guess there isn't really a reason to get the one I have (and you get the Centrino sticker if you get the 237394U... if you really want that ), but it's just that I've heard that the IBM solution is superior to the Intel one (reception or quality or something like that; don't remember exactly what). So if you really don't need 802.11a and such, might as well just get the Intel. I'm really happy with mine though

 

[Kangaroo802]

this WIFI is integrated correct? IBM probably just tells us that theirs is better to charge us more =) I dont think 802.11a is taking off though, i believe the next thing will be g

 

[bharok]

is there anyway you could add 802.11g in the future and still make use of the internal antennas
also what is a good firewire card since the T40 doesn't have one

 

[Kangaroo802]

adam: the dell may save you some $$$ but the reviews and from what i have seen in the dells is that the build quality isnt that good. Dells feel cheap, and the IBMS dont.

As for gaming the 64 meg in the dells is a significant difference. However, if you want it for gaming i wouldnt recommend you get this one anyway, you could sacrifice some weight and get a more powerful one like the dell or a sager.

 

[littleLouie]

If my screen smudges from the keys when I carry this thing mark my mords, I will throw it against the wall as hard as I can until it breaks top little bitty pieces.

i will them purchase a cat and never use computers again!

 

[bharok]

about what would a 32MB ATI Radeon Mobility 9000 compare to in the desktop geforce line. (just to get an idea) would it be able to play FPS games once in a while at decent speeds.

 

[nicowju]

I just ran 3DMark2001 at default settings (1024x768x32) and got 4937 3dmarks. Not bad, IMHO, for a laptop. Everything appeared really smooth, too

 

[bharok]

I was thinking of getting that same model so, are there any accessories that I should get with it? did you get anything with it? ( from IBM's site when ordering it)

is there anything you dislike about it. (other than price and screen possibly scratching due to the keys)

 

[nicowju]

Nothing else that I've really found that I dislike about it (well, it doesn't come with 802.11g, but that's not really a problem yet...); I'm going to be ordering a 6-cell battery (just so I have slightly less to carry around when I don't need the life of a 9-cell), and you may want to consider getting the Ultrabay Slim polymer battery (if you think you need all that extra battery life). Other than that, there's nothing that you really need

 

[littleLouie]

have you still been having problems with the keys pressing up against the LCD?

I swear I am going to throw my t40 into oncoming traffict if it exhibits this.

 

[nicowju]

Ever since I started carrying it in a "real" laptop sleeve in my bag, the problem's pretty much disappeared