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How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 3:43 pm
by Bimm3rcc
Hi guys!

It has been an annoying long and frustating rollercoster deciding between the x220, t420, t520 and w520.. its been a month i think :roll: .. However, since going from a t420/t520 i5 and no OS to a w520 with quadcore, USB 3.0 and win7 is only a 240$ upgrade i thought it was worth the money.. Considering i plan on having this baby for more than 3 years.

These are the specs:

Lenovo Thinkpad W520
Order Number: NY54KGE, model 42844KG

Processor:
Intel Core i7-2670QM 2.2GHz-3, 1GHZ (Turbo mode), 6MB L3 1333MHz frontside bus

Memory:
4GB (1x 4GB) PC3-10600 DDR3 1333MHz, 4 slots, 3 slots free

Hard Drive:
500GB SATA 7200U

Display:
Matt 15.6 "TFT color display, HD + LED (1600x900, 60% color gamut) with integrated camera (HD 720p)

Graphics:
2GB NVIDIA Quadro 1000M N12P-Q3 (automatic switch to Intel HD Graphics 3000 at low system load)

Drives:
DVD Dual Layer Multi Burner Ultrabay Enhanced 12.7mm

Network / Communications:
Intel WiFi Link 6300 AGN WLAN

Bluetooth 3.0
Integrated Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000
56K Modem

Interfaces / Slots / Safety:
Fingerprint Reader
ExpressCard (34mm)
1 x DisplayPort
1x VGA DB-15
1x AC adapter
WWAN (UMTS) ready
Expansion Docking
combo audio / mic jack
Ethernet 10/100/1000 RJ-45
4 USB (1x USB 2.0 Powered, 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB2.0 Combo)
Firewire
4in1 Card Reader (MMC, SD, SDHC, SDXC)

Other:
Security Chip
Turbo Boost
Pointing device: multi-gesture touchpad + trackpoint
Full size keyboard German

Battery:
9-cell lithium-ion battery (55 +) with up to 10.8 hours battery life (manufacturer information).

Software:
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64
Microsoft Office 2010 Ready

Warranty:
3-year on-site manufacturer service, 1 year carry-in warranty on battery


How does this sound? :)..

I'm a chemical engineering student and will be using programming and simulation software in addition to office programs at the university. Though i will always be near an outlet, i went with the 9 cell anyway because it was in the package. I will probably get and extra 6 cell and then remove the ultrabay dvd drive for when i need max portability.
Also i wouldnt mind take it with me on vacation to watch some HD movies ect :D

I know its a bit overkill, but i think this will last my many years and not get out dated, as opposed to t420/t520.
also i will probably sell me desktop PC when i get my hand on this.

Let me know what you think :)

Re: How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 5:44 pm
by Soul_Est
That entire configuration for that W520 you're looking at getting is great except I would opt for the 1920x1080 just so that you can fit more information (lines of code, simulations, documents) on the screen at the same time. Aside from that, I believe you have a system that will last you a long time.

Took me a month to settle on a W-Series system myself although I'll be getting a used W500 due to budget constraints.

Re: How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 6:12 pm
by Bimm3rcc
hi Soul,

Thought about the FHD, but its another 265 $ upgrade and i just don't really think i will be needing it. Worst case scenario i use my external monitor at home if i really need it, also if i decide next year that i need it, i can saw i can buy a FHD panel on Ebay or amazon, that i just can replace for less money than the upgrade costs.. :thumbs-UP:

Re: How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:09 am
by Soul_Est
Very good point on buying the panel on eBay. In that case then, I say pull the trigger on purchasing that powerhouse! :mrgreen:

Re: How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 11:12 am
by PeterNY
Nice choice. I would plug in 8GB RAM myself for Windows 7. It will just work so much faster. FHD is nice as well and Lenovo sometimes puts it on sale or you can talk them down on price. The good thing about buying it in your configuration is the warranty aspect.

Re: How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 11:48 am
by Bimm3rcc
Hi, thanks to you both.

All this talk about the FHD got me a bit in doubt now :).. I will buy this laptop in europe with student discount, which gives me about the same price as a laptop bought and imported from USA.
The W520 listed up there costs about 1680 $.. With the 6300 WLAN bluetooth fingerprint 9cell and onsite.
How ever out of curiosity i saw that i can get a T520 with FHD panel for 53$ more (Same specs as W520 except i get a vPro i7-2620M processor, and also a smart card reader however i wont use it) :o ..
Now i dont know what the vPro stands for. But an i7 dualcore is still very very sufficient for my needs.

As far i see it the pros and cons for switching from W520 to T520 are:

Pros:
Smaller power brick
FHD
Better battery life

Cons:
I loose 2x USB 3.0
Perhaps worse resell value and perhap worse "future-proof"
No Quadcore
Downgraded graphics card

How ever what do you guys recommend ?
Let me know what you guys think. I wont do any graphics work, and i rarely use USB devices

Re: How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 12:17 pm
by Soul_Est
I would still recommend the current W520 configuration that your looking at. The resale value will be higher than a T520 with a FHD display and it will be more future-proof especially with the quad-core processor for your programming and simulations. vPro is an Intel technology for remotely managing and securing laptop and desktop systems:http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ ... neral.html. As for not using USB, how will you be backing up the system is case something happen to it? USB 3.0 comes in very handy for that when you use compatible drives.

Either way, you can't really go wrong. :thumbs-UP:

Re: How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:55 am
by Bimm3rcc
Couldn't help myself.. :)

Bought that w520 :) :) :) :) :banana: :banana: .

Bought it with the same specs, plus a 6cell battery extra for 6,5$ (on sale, crazy right?) and topload case and 15" sleeve plus lenovo headphones at displayport to Dvi adapter.

Can't wait!

Thanks for the advice :).. you are right, the t520 would drop too much in value. And i bet with the t530 and t430 they would probably come with a bigger upgrade like 3.0 USB in addition to ivy bridge. how every i think the w530 would have minor upgrades, probably only processor / graphics.. just my intuition :)

Re: How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 2:56 pm
by PeterNY
Go for the FHD and 8GB W520! Live a little! :)

Re: How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 4:50 am
by Bimm3rcc
Hey.. some of us are poor students here.. not some corporate rich folks :wink: :wink:

Re: How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:09 am
by Soul_Est
Bimm3rcc wrote:Hey.. some of us are poor students here.. not some corporate rich folks :wink: :wink:
I'm in the same boat; hence why I've settled on the W500 (if I can still find one close by...).

Re: How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 10:28 am
by Bimm3rcc
hi guys..

I ordered the w520 last saturday. and they havent send it yet with UPS :( eventhough the buyer told me they would send it tuesday and he doesent reply to my email. What should i do?

PS: luckily i havent paid yet. i selected pay on arrival with ups option

Re: How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 12:05 am
by Soul_Est
Bimm3rcc wrote:hi guys..

I ordered the w520 last saturday. and they havent send it yet with UPS :( eventhough the buyer told me they would send it tuesday and he doesent reply to my email. What should i do?

PS: luckily i havent paid yet. i selected pay on arrival with ups option
I would recommend waiting and seeing what happens. I'm quite glad you didn't pay for it yet.

Re: How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:32 am
by PeterNY
I would cancel the deal. 8)

Re: How do you like this w520 config?

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 2:42 pm
by Bimm3rcc
nevermind now.. the package is in the hands of UPS i will receive it next tuesday