Recommendations for T40 replacement?

[MeatyOgre]

Hi.

My much-loved T40 is doomed because of the dreaded graphics chip defect. I have "McGuyvered" it for years now but it is becoming less and less reliable and I think it's finally time to replace it. I know I can take a chance on a replacement motherboard but this just seems like it'd be akin to Russian roulette.

So what I'm looking for are suggestions for a good replacement.

I use my T40 for travel. So I don't need a super powerful machine to replace it. What I need is a Thinkpad that is hopefully as sturdy as the T40, i.e. able to take some minor bumps & shocks, has at least 2 USB ports, a built-in Wi-fi + an ethernet port, and most important: it must have the red "eraser head" mouse, and it should hopefully not have any major known manufacturing defects like the T40. I hope to be able to use it for years.

I would prefer not to have a "2-in-1" (detachable screen) and I don't care if it has a touch screen. I wouldn't use it.

I hope I'm not asking for too much. I have done research on my own but the trouble is I can't easily find defect reports for all of the various models. It's my hope someone knowledgeable here can recommend a model or two that I can consider for this replacement need.

Thanks, I look forward to any info.

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

Three quick questions:

a) How important is the 4:3 format to you ?

b) How much are you looking to spend ?

c) Which OS are you intent on running ?

[MeatyOgre]

Thanks for the welcome & offer to help.

a) 4:3 format isn't a must.

b) I'd prefer to spend under $500. The lower the better.

c) Windows 7 (64-bit)

[ajkula66]

Well, depending on your keyboard preferences somewhat obvious choices are T420/s, T430 and T440/p. Any of these would fit your budget and likely be above your needs as described.

These are 14" widescreen systems and should be comfortable enough for travel, especially for someone who's used to T40.

Good luck.

[MeatyOgre]

Thanks very much for the info. My research indicated the T440p to be the ideal choice. And indeed, I was able to buy the computer + some nifty upgrades for under $500.

Coincidentally, my T40 started having other problems last night on top of the graphics chip defect. I was barely able to backup all my important files before it crashed & started refusing to power on altogether. R.I.P. T40.

[TPFanatic]

As a trackpoint user make sure you follow RBS's instructions for replacing the Clickpad with a usable 3 Button Trackpad. viewtopic.php?f=68&t=126860

[MeatyOgre]

Oh yeah. That was one of the upgrades I bought. Definitely don't wanna suffer with the clickpad after all the lousy reports I've been reading about it. Thanks.

[MeatyOgre]

Can any of y'all recommend a website that sells new, authentic screen replacements for the T440p? I mean higher quality ones, to replace the stock screen, like any of the models mentioned in this article...

https://octoperf.com/blog/2018/11/07/th ... ers-guide/

I don't really want to take a chance on eBay or Amazon as there's too big a risk I'll get a crappy offbrand product and have to return it.

Also, is there a T440p-specific version of TPFanControl? If so, where can I download it? And, is it even "needed" / recommended for this model? I know it helped me with my T40 and W520.

Thanks in advance.

[RealBlackStuff]

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/EXACT-Innolux-N ... 1770042657
Seller has been confirmed several times to deliver the real deal.
Ask him via eBay message anyway, to confirm that you get exactly that screen and NOT a "compatible".
If you stay with 37W CPUs like i7-4702MQ or i7-4712MQ you won't need TPF.
My T440p has the i7-4702MQ and the fan comes on only once in a blue moon.
Highest temp. I have seen on it is well under 70 C.

[MeatyOgre]

Great, thanks for the recommendation. The screen arrived the other day, I installed it today and that was the final upgrade I'm performing. This is an awesome laptop, I'm very pleased with it.