Lenovo T530 Owner's Thread

Thread for T530 owner's missing, so as my first post here I go:
(if I somehow missed the thread, please delete or merge as admins see fit)

I don't yet own a T530 yet, because I am teetering between T530 and W530 owner-dom.

My main go-to features are FHD and a QM processor - because the T530 must be include the dedicated graphics card when being built with a QM, the prices come out similar between the T and the W.

Here are my builds:

T530

• Intel Core i7-3610QM Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
• 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
• NVIDIA NVS 5400M Graphics with Optimus Technology, 1GB DDR3 Memory
• 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
• UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader
• 320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
• DVD Recordable
• 6 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70+
• Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna
• Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200 (2x2 BGN)
• Mobile Broadband upgradable
• 1 Year Depot/Express Warranty
​

W530

• Intel Core i7-3720QM Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.60 GHz)
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
• 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
• NVIDIA Quadro K1000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
• 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
• UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader
• 320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
• DVD Recordable
• 6 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70+
• Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna
• ThinkPad 1x1 b/g/n
• Mobile Broadband upgradable
• 1 Year Depot/Express Warranty
​

I have an extra copy of W7 Ultimate lying around so Home Premium is no issue.

On the backlit keyboard - if one forgoes this option, do you at least get the ThinkLight? If true, might skip the backlit keyboard.

Coming from a 6 year old x60s (still going strong even though it was built in the early Lenovo era) - looking forward to the leaps in processing, graphics, cooling, display --- even the chiclets and extra 3+lbs!

 

I have a T530 with a backlit keyboard, and it's pretty nice. I'm not sure what a thinklight is, but it does have a light that comes down from the top of the screen next to the camera.

 

These are the prices for W530 on Lenovo UK website

Laptop computers - ThinkPad W Series - ThinkPad W530 - United Kingdom (GB) | Lenovo | (GB)

 

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That LED next to the camera is the thinklight.

 

wow 15,000 pounds - a whole lotta laptop batteries can power 4 wheels...

 

Just got my T530 yesterday. Have an SSD on order from newegg that I will be coming in tomorrow. Haven't done much on it yet since I'll be swapping out the main HD. Love the form factor, and the backlit keyboard.

 

I have just ordered a T530. I was thinking about a w530 too, but the main thing that scared me away is the huge size or the power-brick.

I got three power-adapters from my old T500 which can be reused with the T530. The W530 is delivered with a huge 180 watt adapter and i simply do not want to carry around such a beast.

Go for the W530 if you do any kind of 3d/CAD work. If not, i do not see the point in the W530.

To the new T530 owners: Could any of you be convinced to make a small review? Any bad things about the machine? How is the battery life? Is it noisy during operation?

Thanks in advance and have a nice day

 

I'll do a more in-depth review later this week after I have the SSD drive in, and have actually used it more.

I can say that the power brick is pretty big on it. It's a 135w, and is MUCH bigger than the 90w one on my E520.

 

It's pretty much the same laptop as the T520. You can expect a similar panel, processing power, build quality, and battery life. The one thing that has been significantly changed is the keyboard. And for that you can take a look at the many X230 reviews.

Viewing angles and color quality on the 1600x900 are excellent for a TN panel. I use an entry level IPS monitor (Dell U2311H) for reference. I'm glad that I didn't opt for the 1920x1080 screen, because the resolution is good enough for a supplementary programming computer for my desktop and I would not be able to stand over saturated colors in non color managed applications.

The key strokes feel extremely mushy compared to my Unicomp Spacesaver (IBM Model M clone). However, it is very good for a laptop keyboard. Feedback is great - the keys respond quickly with a clack sound. I will receive a T520 on Friday to compare with my T530.

My ear drums wanted to implode while listening to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana using the T530 speakers. I began to feel a bit nauseated. I don't have my HD555 to test the headphone outputs, but I assume that they will not be driven very well. Just turned the music back on and I feel a bit nauseated again. Voice is very clear though, which I think is all I think is important in a work laptop.

It's relatively silent compared to a desktop machine. The fans give a very soft hum when browsing the web. The only slightly annoying noise is the hard drive, when running hard drive intensive programs. Build quality is excellent as expected of a ThinkPad.

 

I too am apprehensive of the 170 brick coming from an 65W morsel, but I think I am leaning QM so towards the W530.

Looking forward to the reviews

Thanks for the review and especially for your thoughts in the keyboard. I am sure without bias it will be a nice keyboard once you get used to the new layout.

Seems there was a W530 owner's thread but it disappeared into the ether.

Finalizing my build and can quite decide on whether to get or forgo:

• fingerprint reader
  bluetooth

sounds pretty silly and the only worry I have about them is resale value. I am fine without, but do people on the secondhand market buy models that are more "decked out"?

Also lastly, I bought and almost never used a dock for my x60s. Mainly the concern being that clamping the computer onto a dock would cause cooling issues. Do people who dock experience any cooling issues?

 

Buy what you need with what you have. Forget about whoever is going to buy the used notebook from you later. Those things won't make or break a deal, nor will they bring you, say, $50 extra.

At the same time, don't cheap out on the screen and WiFi adapter (and extra RAM and, possibly, SSD if you can afford them). Those things serve you palpably every second of daily use.

 

thanks for the reply - going to skip the extras (but def go for FHD screen and WiFi) and will go the aftermarket route for (cheaper) SSD and RAM upgrades.

To those who have taken delivery - can you measure the box it came in (W x L x H)? I will be taking delivery outside the US and need the measurements to estimate shipping...

thank you!

 

might have to jump ship to the W530 (just got a pretty good quote)

any newly minted T530 / W530 reviews and impressions?

 

Go for it.

 

decided to jump ship:

• Intel Core i7-3610QM Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
• 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
• NVIDIA Quadro K1000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
• 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
• UltraNav without Fingerprint Reader
• 320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
• DVD Recordable
• 6 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70+
• Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN
• Mobile Broadband upgradable
• 1 Year Depot/Express Warranty
​

now time to obsess over order tracking = )

 

quadro K is a W not T series

 

massively regretting not getting TPP warranty. Order is placed - for after purchase warranty do I just call a Lenovo sales rep and charge the additional fee to my credit card?

 

do the new ThinkPads (Ivy Bridge) ship with Windows 7 SP1?

 

What size hard drive does the main bay accept, 7mm or 9.5mm? I know the T430 series can only take 7mm drives, but does the T530 series have the same limitation?

 

No. The T530 uses nearly the same chassis as the T520 and the main bay of the T530 can accept 9.5mm drives.

 

Should be ordering mine in canada soon, possibly even tomorrow. I'll do a review/unboxing once I get it, and I'll post the specs once it's finalized. Has anyone tried an eGPU for it yet?

 

How much battery life should I expect from the 530? Trying to decide if a 6 cell will do me, or if 9 cell would be more convenient.

 

(No edit button? What is this sorcery?!?)

Another question: I apparently don't have the best eyesight, so 1600x900 is about the best resolution I can handle comfortably.
Is there a point in getting the 1920 x 1080 screen and turning the resolution down, or should I just get the 1600x900? Am I likely to notice a difference?

 

The 1920x1080 is a 95% gamut screen as opposed to 60% gamut on the 1600x900, so it technically a better screen, but I don't know if it's $150 better. The difference between them is very apparent to some, not so to others.

 

you can go the FHD resolution with the 125% dpi setting. It will give you the large screen real estate with eye-friendly size OS fonts.

here is a link on how to change the setting in W7:

DPI Display Size Settings - Change - Windows 7 Forums​

 

Yeah i wonder what the diffrent bettwen hd+ and fhd, of corus fhd fits almost all adobergb color space, but in my opinion no tn screen can replace good external IPS panel, so i thinking about HD+, and the question is this two panels have the same contrast and black parametrs and only diffrnece is color gamut?

 

HD+ is 1600x900
FHD is 1920x1080

 

i just realized i'm in the wrong thread. Thought this was the W530 thread. Whoops

V V V What he said V V V

 

The FHD screen is the same in the T and W

 

Wouldn't the color quality of the FHD panel be worse, because it does not have a decent sRGB emulation mode? Any application that is not color managed will have very obviously oversaturated colors.

 

I am thinking about buying a T530 with a budget of 800-900 dollars.
I5 processor and HD+ screen. Will this be enough for 1-2 years to come: word/excell/powerpoint, web browsing, youtube, and some online video watching.

I don't have the money to upgrade to FHD screen. Will this still make me love this laptop?

 

Do you really need a T530 for the intended usage? A x220 with the IPS screen would be sufficient.

IMO you cannot go wrong with either one. I just got my X220 (my third thinkpad) and love it.

 

Why did you choose a x220?

I'm new to the lenovo scene. I've been hearing good reviews about the thinkpads T520/530 so that's my only reasoning really!

Can any T530 owners list some pros/cons for me? This will help the decision making process.

Thanks

 

Why all want the FHD screen it is nice of course better color gamut, but everything is so tiny, we can increse dpi, but not all of the software is working with that. I think HD+ panel is best for 15 inch screens.

 

Sorry I mean x220/x230. I choose X220 after reading the review of X220 vs MBA

MacBook Air Vs ThinkPad X220 Comparison - the Gloves are Off!

I guess I am off the topic here.

 

Can any T530 owners list some pros/cons for me? This will help the decision making process.

I'm thinking about getting an i5 processor with the HD screen not the FHD.
Does anybody have a T530 NON-FHD? Is it worth the $200 investment?

 

If you won't go with the FHD then at least spend the $50 or so and get HD+, do yourself that favor

 

Well, at least, select the HD+ 1600x900 option.

(Edit: OCM beat me to it. )

 

Will get the HD+. Is there a significant difference between the HD+ and the FHD? Mostly using it for Office activities and watching some online videos.

 

Of course, there is. But we all try to work within your budget.

 

It's not worth it. The FHD screen will only benefit you if you run graphics applications that support higher gamuts and benefit from a higher resolution. Even then, an entry level IPS monitor will be superior. I'm currently using a 15.6" screen with 1600x900 resolution. Sitting about a foot and a half away, I wouldn't be able to look at the screen comfortably if the text were any smaller.

 

Thank you derp. Could list me some pro's/con's overall from the laptop?
How is the keyboard? Is it nice?
My budget is around 800-900 bucks. You think the T530 will be a good pick for me?

 

I have a question. I have a t530 and messed up by creating the recovery disks toa USB HD and compounded my error by erasing the q: drive recovery partion.

I reinstalled windows 7 pro and it seems the battery levels I have now are nowhere near what I had befrore this happens. Would I need to order the recovery discs from Lenovo or should I have another fix? Thanks in advance.

 

Well, I just got my T530 today and am loving it. I am upgrading from a T60p and the feeling is certainly different, the T530 is _much_ lighter and made of different plastics, I'll get used to the change pretty quickly. The keyboard is very nice, Except for the 6 row layout, I think I like it better than the classic.

As for the screen, I got the FHD upgrade and don't think i'll ever regret it. I've got good eyesight and thus can benefit well from it at 100% DPI, I guess one of the drawbacks would be sites like facebook or wired being oriented in a more vertical fashion waste a lot of screen real estate. If the FHD is too expensive or you think you wont take full advantage of it then just go for the HD+.

I might write a full review with pictures later, not sure yet.

 

I ordered the T530 today. Hope it will be a great laptop for me.

What drivers did you guys install?

Did you do a clean Windows install? I am pretty nervous, because I don't want to mess up my laptop lol. I have a Windows 7 CD that I used for my desktop. Can I use that CD and use the activation code on the back of Thinkpad to activate it?

 

What kind of battery life are people getting? I'm planning on getting integrated graphics, HD+ screen, and either a SATA or mSATA drive. How much or a difference would there be between a 6 and 9 cell?

 

Hope it will serve you well.

Copy the C:\SWTOOLS folder onto a USB flash drive. That's your collection of Lenovo-provided drivers and apps for the T530.

Why are you considering a clean Windows 7 install? Is it because you plan to replace the stock HDD, or install a mSATA SDD for boot? In general, you don't need to (re)install Windows. But if you want to, you can use your existing installation CD, together with the COA key. After installation, open Device Drivers, go down the list of drivers, point to the saved SWTOOLS folder on the flash drive and tell Windows to search the subdirectories for the right driver for each device.

And it's always good to make a set of Recovery CD/DVDs at the earliest convenience.

 

Any benchmarks with 5400m?

 

Anybody know how the T530 1600x900 viewing angles and brightness compare to FHD, and to T430 1600 x 900 ? Have bounced from T430s w/ i7 to W530 with FHD and now to T530 w/i5 1600x900 with HD4000, partly to save $ and I don't like the E430 HD screen at local retail store and read viewing on T430 HD+ is similar. Since the ideal lenovo for me (T430s with great screen) doesn't seem to exist, might as well save some $ on a compromise.

Update: let me guess at the answer based on extensive experience with the T60WS (1680x1050) and T60p (1400 x 1050) and 10 minute experience with E430 HD.


Viewing angles scoring, 10 = best
T60p = 9.5
T60WS = 8
E430 = 2.5

Brightness:
T60p = 7
T60WS = 8
E430 = 8

Usability:
T60p = 9
T60WS = 9
E430 = 4 (annoying)

Awesomeness:
T60p = 7
T60WS = 9
E430 = 4

I'm guessing the T530HD+ is similar to the T60p screen, the T530 FHD is similar to the T60WS, and the T430 HD+ is similar in viewing angle to the E430.

 

I have a T530 connected Thinkpad Mini doc plus 3 and when I connect external sound system I get alot of clicking noise from the speakers, however when I connect to the T530 directly no noise. The clicking noise seems to happens before and after alert tones.