Just as the X300 series exemplify portability, the T400 series is supposed to represent a balance between power and performance. What this really means is that the T400 is a larger, heavier and cheaper notebook with a slightly inferior finish to the X300. The term inferior was meant relatively in the above statement and the T400 is well built and feels solid; but perhaps being larger doesn’t feel as dense in-hand as the X300 did and the difference in price is evident with the quality of materials used. It also feels a little more plasticity than the X300; owing to the use of slightly lower grade materials than the X300 utilizes in the construction of its outer body. Once again this matte black finish may not be to everyone’s liking but we feel the inside is a little better looking as the black finish looks a little brighter. The screen sports a de facto resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and with a diagonal size of 14.1-inches, this seems a little low resolution, especially when compared to the 13.3-inch, 1440 x 900 pixel display on the X300.

Powered by the new P8400 which is part of the new Montevina platform the T400 is snappy; but comes with just 1 GB of RAM (DDRr3). We figure Vista users should look for at least 2 GB of memory and cannot figure out why Lenovo chose to supply just 1 GB; unless it was to keep the price down. The hard drive is a regular 5400 rpm, 160 GB offering. The T400 also makes do without any sort of discrete graphics offering favoring Intel’s trusty old GMA 4500. Priced at Rs. 68,000, the T400 is very competent for the build, specifications, functionality and features it offers. Anyone who is used to the build of Lenovo’s ThinkPad’s will not be disappointed. We wish for a GeForce 9300M-class graphics solution and an HDMI port; which would make this notebook more of an all-rounder but as it is the hardware on offer is good enough for its target audience.

Just as the X300 series exemplify portability, the T400 series is supposed to represent a balance between power and performance. What this really means is that the...