Lenovo ThinkPad T400 Notebook - Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 2.53GHz - 14.1-Inch WXGA - 3 GB DDR3 SDRAM -

We received three solid years of good use and abuse out of this notebook before one of our children knocked over the computer table with his tricycle, which he wasn't supposed to be playing with inside the house, and then he ran over the laptop when he was trying to get away. Unbelievably, this Lenovo still worked, but the hinges were damaged, and the DVD drive no longer opened or closed, so my husband decided it was time for a replacement. His primary concern was going through airport security and TSA checkpoints with a laptop that had such visible damage (it looked like there were treadmarks across the outside of the lid).

For as long as it lasted, we hauled this baby all over the world, watched movies during long international flights, and generally treated it like an ugly stepchild. This T400 was bumped, dropped, shaken and stirred more times than I can even remember, and it still works. I'm now using it for my home-based business, nothing a little bit of duct-tape can't fix, but it's now docked to a permanent duty station, and it won't be deployed to the outside world again.

I'd hate to rain on anyone's parade, but you can find this beauty on sale at a fraction of the retail asking price it's listed for on Amazon. Any auction website or local trader's newspaper, i.e., Craigslist or Recycler, will have sellers offering this baby for dirt cheap prices. She's yesterday's news by now, but still has life left in her for a casual computer user who doesn't need the latest, fastest, best and greatest that money can buy.

I bought this computer at a comparable price about four years ago--ouch! overpriced even then!--and I'm surprised with all the new computers available by competitors like Apple and Asus. IBM/Lenovo's have a long life if you treat them properly (mine has lasted 4 years without significant problems, my dad has an laptop from 7 years ago working properly, and we had an desktop that finally broke after lightning hit it but it lasted 11 years); however, there are annoyances electrically like my sleep-mode from simply closing the laptop doesn't work 100% of the time, also opening the laptop doesn't work 100%, and the ThinkVantage software installed by default will rarely interfere with programs. Additionally, the plastic case can crack or melt and screws have been known to fall out after several years. Overall, it's a solid computer for fundamental computer use like work and school (not so for gaming or multimedia obviously) and longevity is a big plus as a computer investment.

Buy Lenovo ThinkPad T400 Notebook - Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 2.53GHz - 14.1-Inch WXGA - 3 GB DDR3 SDRAM - Now

As mentioned in an another review, great machine but overpriced at over $800. I paid about $1400 4 years ago and have a 160 GB HDD. If this one had a 1TB HDD and 4 GB RAM, it still has a dated processor which is fine unless you're doing intensive work. So around $300 as it sits and $450 with HDD and RAM upgrades would be about right. As far as durability, the Panasonic Toughbook is the only more robust laptop from other than boutique shops. After 4 years and two coffee spills and one beer spill (none of which were minor), the keyboard gave out but it stills works with an external keyboard. The hinged are rock solid but just the other day I noticed a couple of hairline cracks around the hinges on the top.

So if you're going to spend $800 on a laptop, a Thinkpad is a great choice, but you can get a much newer, better equipped one for the price.

Read Best Reviews of Lenovo ThinkPad T400 Notebook - Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 2.53GHz - 14.1-Inch WXGA - 3 GB DDR3 SDRAM - Here

The configuration i have in my T400 is Intel Centrino 2, 4GB RAM, 140GB HDD, and Windows 7 64-Bit OS. The 9-Cell Battery i have does stick out of the laptop and a bit heavy too. But holds charge very nicely (I have used it on battery for upto 3 Hours Actively). The look and feel makes the laptop more for professional use rather than Personal/Entertainment use. The performance is excellent. Been using it for past 5 months now and hasn't crashed even once (Touchwood!!). The design is pretty sleek except of the 9-cell battery sticking out (Which is obhious and understood). I have used IBM laptops before and seriously didn't find and issues with the make with Lenovo, Not sure why people complain about performance/design degradement from IBM to Lenovo. Gave 4 stars (and not 5) because of it's price factor.

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Work in an IT department, we have 100's of these and have minimal issues, HOWEVER, YOU CAN BUY ONE FOR AROUND 300 bucks. DO NOT SPEND THIS MUCH ON THAT COMPUTER!!!