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We interrupt your regularly scheduled weekend for this important announcement: the closeouts on “last generation” Lenovo PCs continue and today we bring you two awesome deals.
The Microsoft Store sells Windows PCs directly and thus has a stock of Lenovo’s previous products which are now being marked down 40%. A well loaded ThinkPad T400s is going for $929, while the normally $1600+ ThinkPad X301 is only $959. The T400s is the same one we featured last week for $1161, so you can now save more than another $100 on this beast.
You can check out the full specs of each machine below, but notice that both use a 1.8-inch 5400rpm 120GB hard drive. With this low of a price you may want to spring for an SSD, even with a nearly $500 Intel 160GB you still come out cheaper than a comparable model new from Lenovo.
If these two models don’t tickle your fancy, a number of other “last generation” PCs are 40% off through the Microsoft Store for a limited time. Browse them here.
Microsoft Store 40% off coupon code: MSStore-PC-40%
Original coupon expired, new coupon code: MSStore2-PC-40%
ThinkPad T400s 2801-AQU $929 after 40% coupon
- Core 2 Duo SP9400 2.4GHz; 4GB DDR2; 120GB Hard Drive; DVD+/-RW
- DisplayPort; eSATA; 6-cell battery; 2MP webcam; 3.91 lbs; Windows 7
- 14.1″ WXGA+ LED-backlit LCD; Ergonomic keyboard; Spill-resistant keyboard
- Click here to buy
ThinkPad X301 2777-MSU $959 after 40% coupon
- Core 2 Duo SU9400 1.4Ghz; 2GB DDR3; 120GB Hard Drive; DisplayPort
- 6-cell Battery; 13.3″ WXGA+ LED-backlit LCD; Gigabit Ethernet
- 3.3 lbs. ; Bluetooth; Webcam; Ultra-thin DVD burner; Windows 7
- Click here to buy
SSDs
If you are interested in an SSD, you can view all the latest deals on SSDs at LogicBuy by clicking here. The new Intel drives are a safe bet for maximum performance for your dollars, but I recommend Anandtech’s latest article on SSD for a good overview of the latest drives in the market.
MS Signature PCs
One last thing to remember about these models is they are Microsoft “Signature PCs,” meaning they have almost no third party software installed and a more streamlined first-setup experience. You also get 90 days of software support from Microsoft, handy for the person who isn’t very familiar with Windows.
Lenovo IdeaCentre D400 1TB Intel Atom Windows Home Server (30131AU) on sale for $499 - $30 off - 
New low price. Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 (30116CU) 21.5" All-in-One Destkop PC cut from $799 - $150 off -
Ultra Small Form Factor Lenovo IdeaCentre Q700 Desktop PC (30151MU) on sale for $649.99 - $50 off - 
12.1-inch Lenovo ThinkPad X200T Multi-touch Tablet PC (7448CTO) on sale with $540 instant discount and 
15.6-inch Lenovo G550 29586PU Laptop with pre-loaded 
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Isn’t the Intel SSD 2.5″ form factor? If so, I don’t believe they will fit in these Thinkpads then.
That’s correct. At least, the one linked is the 2.5″ drive, which won’t fit in either the T400s or X301. The X18m G2 is rumoured, but still isn’t available anywhere…
You guys are absolutely right, my mistake. I’m updating the post now.
Except your link is still for a 2.5″ drive…
I have a G1 2.5″ 80gb in my T61 and it is great. G2 is better but the difference is not all that much. You can get a 1.8″ G1 under the Dane-Elec label from Newegg (search for x18-m). It’s possible there is a logicbuy referral link too.
What’s Dane-Elec relationship to Intel? Is the X18 the same as the Intel drive except under a different label?
Hi,
Thank you for the info about this deal.
But i want to buy the X301 on Microsoft Website and i don’t find where to enter the promotion code to pay it 959$
The X301 has a price of 1109$ on Microsoft Store.
Thank You
You have to go through the entire checkout process to enter the coupon code I believe.
None is absolutely right. Dane-Elec makes a kit that allows you to retrofit your notebook with a Gen1 X18-M 80GB SSD. The kit (available here) is cheaper than most places that sell the drive by itself, so it’s a pretty good deal and one of the only options for adding an SSD to a 1.8-inch drive system.
I am unable to get the $959 promotional price for a X301. It lists at microsoft.com for $1,059. I went through the checkout process up to the final “confirm order,” and the price I would pay is $1,205 including taxes
On the last page BEFORE you confirm your purchase details, there is a field for a “Promo Code.” This is where you enter the coupon code
Just bought a T400s from there. Great deal, free shipping or overnight delivery for only $12. Only heads up – it comes with Windows 7 Home installed in *64 bit* mode. Kind of odd.
The original coupon code has expired and a new one has been updated in its place!
Is the X301 capable of accepting an ultra-bay for a second hard drive? Was thinking of using an SSD for the main hard drive and the HDD that comes with it as a second one for storage. I don’t really need the optical that much. Thank you. If yes, is it hot swappable? Thank you.
I dont believe there is any option for the 7mm ultrabay for a HDD adapter.
I also bought the X301(from the MS store, but before the 40% coupon).
Overnight shipping is ridiculously cheap, but you have to pay tax.
Also, note that it comes with a DVD drive and a 6-cell battery (extra $200 through lenovo)!
It comes with W7 Home Premium 64-Bit which is kind of nice. I bought 2gb stick of ram from Newegg for $40, popped it in, and no problems. 4gb of ram is nice
Coming from an X41-Tablet, the 5400rpm drive in this is a huge step up! Some people will gripe about the performance, but day-to-day office tasks it performs perfectly fine. I will look at upgrading to an X18-M, but I dont know if I want to sacrifice the hdd space and the g2 drive is too expensive (nearly 50% of the cost of the laptop).
All in all, if you are thinking about buying this laptop BUY IT!!
Very snappy and oozes quality. Definitely a premium ultraportable
i would say the price is too much but i really liked the laptop and i wish i could have this…
[...] One of our readers even chimed in on the X301 he purchased from the Microsoft Store, so check out their comment if you were considering a [...]
This looks like a great deal…is there a more specific options list?
Which wireless card is included or is there not one installed?
Wireless is definitely included, but unfortunately there’s no way to know which right now. I tried looking up the specific MTM’s listed there, but they aren’t in Lenovo’s PSREF docs. You could try calling Lenovo sales, but I doubt even they’d be able to find the info. It is likely in some product manager’s spreadsheet somewhere, not easily accessible by the outside world.
Thanks for confirming the wireless period. I figured it might be difficult to track down specifics for a “special dealie” like this.
May definitely end up ordering one (or two). Think they’ll cancel the MS Deal if they catch wind I plan to put Linux on it?
I may have found some info…the MS Store lists it as “Lenovo-ThinkPad-T400s-2801-AQU” in the URL and the support page for the 2801-AQU:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/quickPath.do?quickPathEntry=2801AQU
That unit lists “Original description: SP9400(2.4GHz), 4GB RAM, 120GB 5400rpm HD, 14.1in 1440×900 LCD, Intel 4500MHD, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, Bluetooth, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, Camera, 6c Li-Ion, Win7 Home Premium 64″ so that at least narrows it to an Intel part w/ “agn”…that would lead me to guess Intel 4965AGN? Might make sense that given the price it’s an older part?
Great detective work!
Looking through the PSREF docs, none of the T400s configs there have the 4965. Almost all are 5100, with a couple having the 5300. I’d guess the 5100 myself.
Yes, I think you’re correct and it’s not the 4965AGN. I jumped hastily to that conclusion due to the phrase “Intel 802.11agn” wireless and the combined T400/T400s driver page listing the 4965″AGN” as a potential part. However, I couldn’t find any reference to an actual T400s with a 4965AGN either.
Thanks!
Just closing the loop…ordered 2 of these and they arrived mid-week.
Overall, quite pleased! Nice machines.
Might be my favorite thinkpad since my t600
Any idea if Bing Cashback would combine with the 40% coupon?
Probably so. I’ve never seen an instance where cashback was nullified by a coupon applied in the cart. Can’t hurt to try.
John’s right, can’t hurt to try but don’t go in expecting the cashback. Bing states on their website that a coupon nullifies the Bing Cash Back.
http://www.bing.com/shopping/pages/faq.aspx?FORM=R5FD3#WhatAreSomeOfTheLimitationsForGettingCashback
Ah yeah, makes sense, especially not being able to dip from MS twice
I bought the X301 with this deal, and I’m returning it!
The screen display looks horrible. Coming from a T60, the display is just plain unacceptable.
Depending what T60 you had, you’re probably right. If you had a 15-inch Flexview T60, almost every display out there will look like crap. I’ve said a number of times I don’t care for the X301’s display or compromises in performance, where the T400s has a much better display and is just as portable IMO. See my comparison of the T400s & X301 here.
Hi John,
I indeed have a 15-inch Flexview T60, and after doing some research in stores that sell computers around me, I’ve indeed realized that all other display look like crap compared to what I have right now. Thanks for the comprehensive review. I wish they still have that T400s deal, but oh well. I wonder if they will give me the price difference between 40% to 50% off if I decided to keep my x301.
Sam
Just had my boss pick up the T400s for himself. Came in today. Its just like John mentioned; there’s virtually no bloatware and it booted up real quick. Comes with the Win 7 64 bit system and thats gonna cause an issue for some of the applications we work on here. But we’ll figure something out.
Sweet deal overall and thanks a million for posting it John!
Glad it worked out! The T400s is a great machine too, IMO.
Hi all, long time reader of the site and considering upgrading from my X60t to one of these- would anyone know what the included warranty is with this machine?
that is somewhat of a catch, in a negative sense. the warranty begins upon manufacture. my machine arrived yesterday; it was manufactured 21 october 09. so, the one-year warranty only has nine months remaining. otherwise, it is a pretty good deal. as you can imagine, it has a lot of microsoft paraphernalia and just the basic lenovo supportware. i will give it to a nephew in college. my personal X301 purchased from lenovo last july is top-of-line, so the one from microsoft is somewhat of a letdown because there is no ssd, wwan or three-year warranty…
You are actually entitled to the full 1 year warranty from when you purchase the machine. You can check your warranty at this website and if it is listed as started, you’ll need to contact Lenovo support. I will follow up with the correct procedure on how to get this resolved.
Jason, John, thanks for your help, appreciate it.
Thanks, John. Look fwd to your help, and I will call Lenovo support. Upon receipt of the machine I promptly checked the warranty on the website, and it is listed as ending in October 2010…
[...] originally posted this deal a couple weeks ago and there was a T400s that was included in this deal. It looks like Microsoft has sold enough [...]
Did you buy a ThinkPad from this deal and find your 1 year warranty is already started?
Customers who want to reset their warranty start date based on proof of purchase need to call support – for ThinkPads in the U.S., 800-426-7378. Support will then transfer them to the customer entitlement team who will provide instructions and a fax to send a copy of the proof of purchase to.
The proof of purchase should be from a reputable reseller, and should include the date, and the MT & Serial number.
[...] deal first appeared a couple weeks ago with a 40% off coupon and just a couple days ago bumped up to 50% off. [...]