Lenovo intros well-connected 0.83-inch thick ThinkPad T400s
By Darren Murph 
posted Jun 23rd 2009 12:01AM
posted Jun 23rd 2009 12:01AM
The Best of Both Worlds: Lenovo Combines Thin and Light With Powerful Performance in Latest ThinkPad Laptop
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – June 23, 2009: Lenovo today announced the ThinkPad T400s laptop, created to give business users a thin and light yet powerful, feature-packed PC.
Lenovo's designers sweat every detail, and the new laptop includes a series of significant enhancements invented to make the laptop more intuitive and easier to use, leading to an improved overall computing experience.
Designed for Thin and Light
Inspired by Lenovo's thinnest and lightest full-function laptop, the featherweight ThinkPad X300, Lenovo engineered its latest laptop, the ThinkPad T400s, to be super-slim at just 0.83 inches thin1 and ultra-light starting under four pounds2. The laptop achieves its skinny frame thanks to the thin 14.1-inch LED screen, solid state drive storage and the second generation Top Cover Roll Cage, which Lenovo first introduced in the ThinkPad X300 laptop. The roll cage's monocoque carbon reinforced fiber, also used in bicycle frames and airplanes, helps keep the laptop extremely light yet surprisingly sturdy. With this design the laptop weighs nearly 20 percent less than its ThinkPad T400 predecessor, also making it much thinner and lighter than the Dell E6400 and HP 6930P laptops.
"We've created products like our ThinkPad T400s laptop to bring thin and light computing to mainstream corporate users," said Peter Hortensius, senior vice president, ThinkPad, Lenovo. "We've applied thoughtful design in balancing the need for greater portability with strong performance and usability."
Loaded for Performance
The ThinkPad T Series is comprised of Lenovo's most powerful and performance-heavy laptops. The ThinkPad T400s laptop allows users to enjoy the best of both worlds – thin and light mobility without sacrificing the powerful performance they need.
The laptop comes with:
• Choices of Intel® 2.53 GHz Core™2Duo processors (standard voltage) and graphics
• Choices of solid state drive storage up to 128 GB or 250 GB hard drive storage
• 9.5 mm slim DVD burner or Blu-Ray player
• Ethernet, WiFi and optional WiMAX3, WWAN,3 Bluetooth and ultrawideband connectivity
• 34mm Express Card slot or 5-in-1 multimedia card reader
• Support for Lenovo's ConstantConnect and Protect technology that allows users to maximize integration of their BlackBerry smartphone and ThinkPad laptop
• Nearly six hours of battery life
• Supports up to two monitors via a Display Port and VGA connector
• Meets the Energy Star 5.0 criteria for energy efficiency
• Built-in USB/eSATA port
Lenovo is also introducing three new options for ThinkPad T400s laptop users who want to expand their work space by connecting to other peripherals such as mice and keyboards, printers and monitors. The ThinkPad Port Replicator Series 3, ThinkPad Mini-Dock Series 3 and ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus 3 feature new slim and sleek footprints, provide one-step "rip and go" docking and include a range of multi-monitor support while meeting a variety of needs including support for USB, Display Port and eSATA.
Design Matters
Users spend a lot of time on their keyboards, and a comfortable, easy to use keyboard plays a big role in their overall satisfaction with their PC. Knowing this, Lenovo spends a lot of time perfecting the design of its keyboard. Lenovo found the average user hits the Delete and the Escape key 700 times each a week. To help improve the typing experience, Lenovo made these buttons larger. With many people eating lunch at their desks, Lenovo tightened up the spaces between the keys to help avoid crumbs that would otherwise fall below the keyboard. Improvements were also made to the touchpad in order to help keep the laptop thin. The new touchpad lays flush with the palm rest and has a new, textured feel that allows users to feel the touchpad's location without looking down. And with multitouch technology on the touchpad, users can easily scroll, pinch and zoom through documents. Lenovo designer, David Hill, discusses many of these improvements in a video on his blog.
Because more people are using Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) for communicating at the office, at home or on the road, Lenovo optimized its latest laptop to make VOIP calls simple. There are three main ingredients for a high quality VOIP experience – the quality of the video, the quality of the audio and the quality of the network connection. For a great VOIP experience, Lenovo equipped the laptop with a two megapixel camera for better quality images and to help in low lighting conditions. Lenovo also pumped up the speaker volume more than two times greater than audio levels on the ThinkPad T400 laptop and added a convenient toggle switch at the top of the keyboard to increase and decrease volume. A similar feature can be found on the steering wheel of sports cars. Finally, Lenovo's range of connectivity options give uses flexibility in how they want to connect online.
The constant clicking of keys can be distracting when on a conference call, so Lenovo added dual digital microphones. This helps reduce ambient noise and improve speaker clarity. So users know whether they are on or off mute, Lenovo added separate speaker and mute buttons with LED lights to indicate which button is on. For an even faster VOIP experience, users can activate VOIP applications using the HotKey combination of the Function and F6 keys.
For even more convenience, Lenovo added the ability to power on the laptop with just the swipe of a finger on the fingerprint reader. And an always-on USB port keeps MP3 players, cameras and other peripherals charged when the laptop is in standby or hibernate mode.
Pricing and Availability4
The ThinkPad T400s laptop is available beginning immediately through Lenovo business partners and www.lenovo.com. Models start at approximately $1,599. The ThinkPad Port Replicator Series 3, Mini Dock Series 3 and Mini Dock Plus Series 3 will be available immediately and start at $149, $199 and $229, respectively.
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building exceptionally engineered personal computers. Lenovo's business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group's acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.
1At thinnest point.
2With 6 cell battery.
3WWAN/WiMAX Service Providers: Requires separate agreement with select third party service provider, and is subject to credit approval and applicable service agreement/terms, rate plan and coverage maps of the provider. Service is available in select metropolitan markets, not available in all areas. Service provider, not Lenovo, is solely responsible for service. Lenovo customers may be contacted after purchase to activate service. Special credit and tenure restrictions and additional charges may apply to international roaming. A network connection, third-party software, additional hardware, and/or subscription to a third-party service may be required for certain solutions/applications. Additional restrictions apply.
4Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice and is tied to specific terms and conditions. Reseller prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice
Gimme Gimme!
Sexayyy!
How did they know I was in the market for a 14.1 laptop!? Exactly what I was looking for.
So price and everything?
NIIICEEEEE ilove thinkpads
Looks pretty nice! If I were in the market for a new ThinkPad I'd probably buy this one (or splurge for the x300).
Well done Lenovo, well done.
FINALLY! Man I've been waiting for IBM/Lenovo to get wise to what the ultraportable crowd has been looking for.
The only question I have left is, what kind of GPU are they thinking of putting in this T-series? Previous iterations of the line had (at the time of release) a low-mid range GPU that can perform some duties decently. I will be disappointed to see something like an Intel GMA from the X-series make it in. Maybe IBM will take the S12's move to ION and slap it in here too?
Either way... kinda makes me wish I held out on buying my Studio XPS lappy and waiting for these to come out =(
It has an on-board Intel integrated graphics chip (4500MHD).
very nice price considering the amount of features.
Dang! This is a sweet deal but I'm happy with my 2.53GHz MacBook Pro with a 128SSD =]
How much did that cost?
...yeah, that's what I thought.
No HDMI, just DisplayPort? Ah well, its still a really nice laptop.
And if it had an HDMI port, people would say "No Display Port, only HDMI?"
Its hard to please the world. Its better than having only a mini display port, requiring an adapter except in one and only one condition.
a weaker model is available now, http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop/shop.cgi?action=enter&thispage=01000100U0113_BBG3305P.shtml&order_id=!ORDERID!
Oh man...they dropped the discrete and increased the price... :(
The discrete option is still available in the regular T400. This is like a 14" MacBook Air. You can't really expect a thundering ATi or nVidia card in there..
To be fair to the Macbook Air, it’s a 13" and the 9400M in the Air is significantly better than the 4500MHD. But I still like this T400; looks good.
still lacks a back lit keyboard. Why is the benefit feature so hard to comprehend.@#$!
Lenovos (at least my T61p) at least have an LED in the top of the frame which shines down on the keys if you wish.
Thinkpads have an overhead lamp, no need for backlit keyboards.
you prob never used a Thinkpad before, they all have a keyboard LED light, since almost a decade ago...
Sadly the x61 tablet does not. Has the labled button for it but no light :(
(latch is where light would normally be)
Backlit KBs are horrible idea. Thinkpads have a LED light that shines on the KB, it's a LOT better and more usefull solution.
As always when it comes to Macbooks vs Thinkpads...Apple think mostly about making things look good, even at the cost of usability, while Thinkpads always put user's comfort as no.1 priority.
Backlit keyboards consume more battery power, I prefer the lid-mounted keyboard LED.
i prefer the smaller 12.1 inch. ALso since lenovo made them widescreen even the 12.1 is not that small. I kind of prefer the older size.
This laptop looks good, but i think id still rather just have an x200
Just got mine two days ago and if anything, it's even better than my T400. Guess the latter will now be used as a desktop replacement machine at home while I go out and about with my T400s. I'm loving this thing!!
Hey, does it have Intel Turbo Memory? I can't find it on the website. Nor can I find the laptop on the site actually
It is an option that's available for 50 bucks but honestly, it isn't worth it, especially if you're going in for an SSD.
I got the 128GB SSD with my T400s and if anything, turbo memory would slow my system down since nand flash is much slower than the SSD's DRAM/SRAM.
It's probably a good option if you have a small HDD (not SSD) and less than 2 gigs of RAM.
How do you find the lack of "real" GPU (ie Nvidia/AMD)? That's the only glaring omission. If they can put Nvidia 9400M in a netbook, there's really no excuse for not putting it in a proper laptop.
Review right here for anyone interested
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=5097
it really gets lost in those dozens of solidly built 14" laptops that weigh significantly less then 2kg while sporting a 2.5GHz Core2Duo.
Like what? I'm looking for this kind of laptop, but they're all heavier than 2kg
WOOSH
Even thought it is very thin, Lenovo found a way to make it look just as absurdly thick as the rest of the ThinkPad series. lol
Absurdly thick? Apparently you've never seen or touched a thinkpad before. "lol"
It "looks" think. Whenever I see my Thinkpad T400, I think, "It's semirugged, so I can overlook its size and heft." Then I pick it up and I think, "not bad, actually."
It's not .83 inches all the way through. 0.83" AT ITS NARROWEST and is actually 1.02" at its THICKEST, Despite it's heinous price I was considering buying this laptop as I wanted something of similar "slimness" to a macbookpro but running windows, unfortunately this no longer the case.
http://www.lenovo.com/psref/pdf/tabook.pdf
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=78376
Thanks Zane... I guess I'll keep the XPS for my desktop replacement and use the IBM on the road, as you do as well... I am a die-hard Thinkpad lover but after giving up my T61 to my sister, I couldn't see any bonus in getting a T400... till now...
thats the way to do it, blue ray and everything for 1500, pretey!!! nice
why are they so damn big and ugly? everyone looks exactly the same and that screen bezel has got to go... god they have horrible engineers for exterior shell
... because it's a ThinkPad and they have looked like black monoliths since the dawn of time?
Thinkpads look great. They're perfect fit for any serious business. Most of other laptops including Macbooks just have a really goofy look, some like it....but seriously... walking into a court and sitting before a judge with a Macbook would be like wearing silver Nike shoes to a classic black suit.
If you prefer the futuristic sleek designs then there are plenty of other options available, Thinkpads are the only laptops left that offer classic timeless elegance, leave them be.
Being one of the strongest laptops in the market, you are very much in the wrong by suggesting that Thinkpad has horrible engineers
Also, the opinion on TP design is divided sharply. Those that like them, like them very much, while those that don't, hate it with burning passion
How is it big? The machine is thin overall, and the screen bezel is really thin, so the length and width of the machine is as small as it has to be to fit a 14" screen.
@grisgam10
that reminds me of that scene in legally blonde where she sits down in class with her ibook at harvard and everyone else has a regular laptop. anyone else? just me...?
Hmm. Well, judging by the roadmap posted last week, it's not replacing the regular T400 (a good thing), though the x301 seems a bit redundant now. Granted, the 300/301 is a great machine (I'm writing this on my x300), but for a grand less (list), nearly identical form factor (including port and battery layout), full-speed CPU, etc. I see few people picking the x301 over this. If the x300 was never introduced, the T400s would be a revolution. As it is, it's more a followup.
I'll reserve judgment on the keyboard, though it's only the 5th (fullsize) keyboard change EVER in 17 years. The big esc is a boon for vi users, I'm sure. The big del is teh sux the way newer Logitechs implement it, though at a glance, this seems smarter.
"Design Matters
Users spend a lot of time on their keyboards, and a comfortable, easy to use keyboard plays a big role in their overall satisfaction with their PC. Knowing this, Lenovo spends a lot of time perfecting the design of its keyboard. Lenovo found the average user hits the Delete and the Escape key 700 times each a week. To help improve the typing experience, Lenovo made these buttons larger. With many people eating lunch at their desks, Lenovo tightened up the spaces between the keys to help avoid crumbs that would otherwise fall below the keyboard."
...and the keyboard is still qwerty --with one key, and only one key, to occupy both your thumbs, so instead of a quick thumb press to shift or ctrl, your pinkies get to fly all over the place! Same old worthless caps lock. Same old distant backspace. It's almost as-'re-everythinged' as the keyboards on the Macbooks! Oh, hey, look, TWO pointer devices to go unused while you roll with your USB mouse. And what's the OS? ..Windows only. Yay, progress.
where's lenovo's design center??? is it still in europe or japan?
@xconan
Research Triangle Park. Between Durham and Cary, NC.