I think I'm going to punt and get one of these ($700) to replace it - Toshiba R835-P88: http://www.bhphotovi...3_3_Notebook.html
Processor 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-2450M Cache L3: 3MB
Memory Type: 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM Installed: 6GB Capacity: 8GB
Graphics Card Type: Integrated Installed: Intel Graphics System Mobile HD with up to 1696MB Shared
Display Type Widescreen Size 13.3" Backlight LED Aspect Ratio 16:9 Finish Not Specified By Manufacturer
Native Resolution 1366 x 768
Storage
Hard Drive Installed: 640GB 5400rpm Type: SATA
Optical Drive SuperMulti DVD Burner
Input/Output Connectors
Ports 1x USB 3.0 (A) 1x USB 2.0 (A) 1x eSATA /USB 2.0 combo with USB Sleep and Charge
Display 1x HDMI 1x VGA
Audio Integrated Stereo Speakers Integrated Microphone 1x 1/8" (3.5mm) Headphone Output 1x 1/8" (3.5mm) Microphone Input
Flash Media Slot 1x SD 1x SDHC 1x MiniSD 1
Communications
Network 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) Modem None Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n Bluetooth None Mobile Broadband None GPS None
Webcam Yes
General
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Security Kensington Lock Slot
Keyboard Type: Standard Notebook Keyboard
Pointing Device TouchPad with Multi-Touch Control
Battery 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Providing up to 9 Hours per Charge (66Wh)
Power Requirements AC: 100-240 V AC, 50-60Hz
Consumption: 65W
Dimensions (WxHxD) 12.44 x 1.05 x 8.94" / 31.60 x 2.67 x 22.71 cm
Weight 3.2 lb / 1.45 kg
There's also an R835-P89 that came out a month later. It seems identical (I can't see any difference in the specs), but might have less bloatware installed. The P89 is more for some reason.
I'm almost tempted to get 2, but I'm not that desperate (nor that flush with cash ;-). It seems to be better made than a similar Lenovo Z380 that is $100 less on Lenovo.com Just about all of these things have the same crappy 1366x768 TN screens, but that's life. (This T41 has a 1400x1050 screen. Progress... :-/ ). A USB light will cover the lack of keyboard light.
For a while I was thinking that I wanted an i7 processor, but it's not worth the extra money at the moment.
A Lenovo X220 is available with an IPS screen, but for much more money. Maybe the X230 will be compelling (out soon) - but there's no way it'll be $700.
If I pull the trigger, I'll report back after I've used it for a while. I'd probably update it to 8 GB quickly (< $50), then replace the hard drive with a SSD in the not too distant future. I'll probably hang on to the T41 - it might be useful for data logging or something down the road.
Cheers,
Scott.