Lenovo T530 Owner's Thread

I have Exactly the Same issue with my headphone! I thought the Dock is compatible?

Also have the Mini Dock Series 3 plus

 

Can anyone who got the T530 with dGPU and quad core confirm whether or not it throttles on battery?

 

So it must be the Docking Station we need to complain to Lenovo about this

 

I did some research, I think I have the wrong docking station. I bought the 433830u, but i really need the 433835u for the T530. I order one today I'll get back to you if that solves the problem.

 

For those who are interested, some tentative 9-cell battery life stats:

First, my system specs:
Processor: Intel Core i5-3210M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.10 GHz)
Display type: 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
System graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000
Total memory: 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
Battery: 9 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70++
Power cord: 90W AC Adapter - US (2pin)
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters: Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200 (2x2 BGN)

Next, a description of my test, which was partially conducted while a power outage occurred:
- Brightness set to 10
- No change to default power management settings (settings were stock)
- Wifi was connected for 50% or less of the time the test was conducted
- Test was conducted by running video on my computer in Media Player Classic for the entirety of the test's duration
EDIT: Forgot to mention that the sound was muted the entire time
- This was my second discharge of my battery (well, not quite second since my mom plugged my laptop in sometime during its first discharge... not sure when)

Results:
- Battery lasted 6h 37m
- Computer entered hybernation at 5% charge (when I plugged in the computer it woke up and resumed the video)

 

Can you elaborate on that? Was MPC using the GPU or CPU for decoding? Bitrate? Codec?

 

For one thing, I forgot to mention that I had the sound on mute.

As for the rest: MPC appears to be rendering with the Intel HD 4000 graphics (remember, no dedicated GPU, so... Apparently the video is 1280x720 (though I was running it fullscreen), x264, CRF 20.0, ~3000 Kbps (the video also has subs).

 

Thanks for the info everyone. I was hoping for crazy battery life, as I just read a review of the T430 where they reported 15 hours battery life with the nine cell.

I am curious how much the T530 weighs if anyone knows? Thanks

 

Keep in mind that it'll likely have a MUCH higher battery life if all you're doing is browsing the internet or composing documents and not, you know, watching video or playing games or whatever. Also, this was at 10 brightness, too.

 

Can anyone comment on this?
new T530 - is this normal? - Lenovo Community

Thanks!

 

Mine doesn't have those issues, my only concern is the backlit not illuminating the entire row of function keys, it spreads out from the F6/F7 to the right and left and doesn't quite reach the delete key, but this is how the backlit was designed.

 

Well I got the 433835u and the clicking problem still exists very annoying

 

Oh. My. Dear. Lord.

I was typing today, and my "i" key detached from the keyboard. There's a little tab on the back that seems to have snapped off, so I can't get the key back on properly.

I called Lenovo support and they have to replace the ENTIRE keyboard. They're sending me a box and I have to ship my whole laptop back. Less than two weeks after receiving my computer and it's already on its way back to Lenovo.

Does anyone know if there's a place where I could buy just an 'i' key? The part that connects to the computer is okay -- it's just the part on the key that's broken.

Ugh... -_-

 

I'm not sure of the new chiclet style keyboards, I know with the older ones you can just pop back the key with minimal fuss. But even so you shouldn't need to send the whole laptop back to Lenovo to get it fixed, being consumer replaceable part Lenovo should send you the new keyboard and it's a 5 minute job to fit it in yourself.

Have a look at the T530 Hardware Maintenance Manual if you need some reference on the procedure.

 

Please. Do. Not. Send. Your. T530. Back. If. You. Haven't. Already.

You can do the "repair" yourself (simple) after receiving a new keyboard from Lenovo.

 

Well there's definitely something broken on the key, so there's not much I can do to get it back on without a new one. It won't click in all the way anymore. :/

Any way I can convince Lenovo support to send me a new keyboard? I already called support and they said they'll be sending me a box to send my computer back. :/ Should I try calling them back and asking them to send me a keyboard? I've replaced keyboards before myself (on my old Macbook Pro after a cereal spill disaster) and it's not difficult at all.

 

Recently, a T430s user tried to remove the keyboard (to install more RAM) and, in the process, broke a key. Lenovo sent a new keyboard.

Just tell them, "A key fell off. I need a replacement keyboard."

The repair people may cause random damages that may make you like your new T530 less. In this case, you can handle the repair yourself and avoid unwanted hassles (and waiting and promising and waiting, without the laptop). I'm sure you can manage to work without that key.

 

Does the 9-cell stick out in any way that makes the laptop awkward to use?

Edit: Also, can any current owners tell me which brand of memory Lenovo uses?

 

The battery sticks out about an inch or so from the back. It's really not akward at all in terms of use.

As for my whole keyboard issue, I'll try calling them back again and asking them to send me a new keyboard. At the very least if I do it that way I can keep the keys from my old one in case it happens again.

I've already got a case number and everything, but I can hopefully get 'em to change things and send me a keyboard instead of a box (or both, if it comes to it).

 

When requesting the new keyboard just mention that it's a Customer Replaceable Units (CRU) part and they should get the hint. When my keyboard went funny the rep over the phone told me it's a CRU part and shipped me a new one overnight. I didn't even need to return the broken keyboard, they just told me to keep it and do whatever I want with it!

 

I'm getting some nasty random crashes on my new T530. (Full post about it here http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/675603-t530-going-back-defective.html)

Anyone else see anything like this?

 

Anyone notice that the Dolby Advanced Audio software is no longer available for download? Was up there a few days ago...

Drivers and software - ThinkPad T530

Is that Dolby Advanced Audio even hardware? I'll bet dollars to donuts that it is just a software optimization. Dolby then licenses the software out to PC manufs and they write code that checks for certain manufacturer IDs before installing.

 

Update on the whole keyboard thing:

I was able to get Lenovo to send me a new keyboard, but according to a call I got from them today the part s backordered and will take at least 6 days to get here. Originally it was supposed to take two. Makes ya wonder why it's back-ordered...

 

Hey everyone, wondering what you think of my specs. Intended for some gaming, and then schoolwork type duties. Does anyone know what that nine cell battery does for the battery life? Thanks

ThinkPad T530 - 1 Year Depot Warranty Edit
Processor: Intel Core i5-3320M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz) Edit
Operating system: Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit) Edit
Operating system language: Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 - English Edit
Display type: 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready Edit
System graphics: NVIDIA NVS 5400M Graphics with Optimus Technology, 1GB DDR3 Memory Edit
Total memory: 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM) Edit
Keyboard: Keyboard - US English Edit
Pointing device: UltraNav without Fingerprint Reader Edit
Camera: 720p HD Camera with Microphone Edit
Hard drive: 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm Edit
Optical device: DVD Recordable Edit
System expansion slots: Express Card Slot & 4-in-1 Card Reader & Smart Card Reader Edit
Battery: 9 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70++ Edit
Power cord: 90W AC Adapter - US (2pin) Edit
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna Edit
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN Edit
Integrated mobile broadband: Mobile Broadband upgradable Edit
Language pack: Publication - US English

 

My T61 got sent in for repair for a failed logic board a month ago, and the part has been backordered for weeks without an ETA. Lenovo customer service gave me a call the other day and decided to just replace it with a new T530 !

Specs are:
• Intel Core i7-3720QM Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.60 GHz)
• Genuine Windows 7 Professional (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
• 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
• DVD Recordable
• 9 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

The T61 was used for some server stuff in my apt, but now I have to see what I can use the T530 for, and whether it'll replace my MBP or if I'll just sell it off. Pretty excited!

 

^^^ that is such great news! The photography gods certainly are looking out for you

 

That's impressive, especially since that T61 had to be close to end of warranty.

 

That is great news FormerGlory! That is some great service if you ask me.

 

I extended the warranty beyond the 3-year Depot that I had originally gotten with it, since I knew that these units have had trouble with the NVIDIA cards onboard.

 

Hello, I've been lurking for a while and I'm trying to decide between a T530 (which will probably be sufficient for me) and a W530, mainly between the 5400M vs K1000M vs K2000M. Games aren't an issue, but CUDA performance is. I'm thinking that the double-precision performance of the Fermi NVS 5400M may actually be higher than the Keplers, which I know have reduced double-precision performance.

Could I bother someone with a NVS 5400m to run CUDA-Z (while on AC power, in case it matters) and post the results? Download cuda-z from SourceForge.net

Mainly just on the Performance page, the Single and Double Precision MFLOPS numbers.

I greatly appreciate it. I'm hoping the T530 will do what I need. Seems to be considerably cheaper since it has things like Win 7 Pro (which I need) and the backlit keyboard (which I want) for free, while that's almost $100 more alone on the W530.

(crossposted in W530 thread, I guess should be obvious why...)

 

I am curious to ask you if you received the same price for warranty upgrade that you would get if you added it when you purchased the machine. Also, did you call to add add it or did you do upgrade it yourself using the website?

I disagree with you on the price. W530 with same or sometimes even higher specs is always almost cheaper than T530 (I know that it loos weird but it is very true) but you have to compare them when they are both at regular price or both with some coupon and you will find W530 cheaper? If you ask why, I do not have the answer for that

 

EDIT: The big cost increase I was seeing from T530 to W530 was because of the sale they seem to be having on NVS 5400M's, the upgrade was only $50 instead of $250.

 

I ended up paying almost $300 for an additional year of Depot repair plus accidental damage coverage. I ended up calling them last year and they offered it to me, so I took it.

 

What?! That's too much for an additional year even with ADP. If one initially gets 3 years onsite + Priority + ADP, it is around $150. Cannot imagine you paid $300 for an additional year!

 

See, I had three years of just depot, no accidental. Lenovo offered ADP with the extension, so that's what upped the price.

But, that's all moot now. The new T530 comes with just 1-year depot, but I'm planning up upping it to 3-year depot, maybe with ADP.

 

Looking for some instruction on mSATA use. I want to install mSATA drive and use it as a cache.

I've found a guide for the physical installation of the mSATA.

Can anyone tell me if I need to do anything other than the physical installation? Will it automatically be used as a cache or do I need to install/configure for mSATA used as a cache?

Edit: Is this what I need to do after physical install? : http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/sb/CS-032826.htm

 

The mSATA drive should just work and be seen by Windows with no problem. The Windows installer disc should also be able to see the mSATA drive as well. This was the case with my T420, and it should apply here as well.

 

Well I ordered the T530. They seem to have a sale on the NVS5400M ($50 instead of $250) right now, so that made a big difference between the T530/W530 for me. That allowed me to get Bluetooth, Ultimate-N, and 3 year onsite & TPP.

Can't wait.

 

Nice deal. Wish they had that offer in Canada right now! Let us know what you think!

 

Could someone who opted for the 9 cell battery please let me know what the weight is with it versus the 6 cell? Thanks!

 

I have a question to the T530 owners: Does your T530 have a color sensor bezel in the palm rest?

Mine did and I contacted Lenovo about this. They gave me the option to send the unit back or refund a certain amount, I opted for the latter.

I had then purchased a palm rest from IBM, FRU 04W6818 (no FP, no CS), in order to change the palm rest myself.

It just arrived today and to my suprise it also comes with a color sensor bezel.

I am wondering do all T530 now come with this bezel?

 

Mine doesn't have it, but it does have a fingerprint reader, does yours?

 

No, it doesn't. Maybe only the T530 without fingerprint readers do have the bezel.

Looking forward to hearing from others.

 

This may not be relevant, but my T510 had no fingerprint reader and no color sensor and it had the hole in the bezel.

 

Mine, too. Worse, the bezel in the T530 palmrest is much bigger.



Why quirks like this?

 

My T530 did not have the bezel but had the fingerprint if this helps.

 

Another keyboard update:

The new keyboard is in, but I haven't installed it yet. In the meantime, I'm now also missing a "R" key on my keyboard. Same issue - little plastic clip on the back broke. Hoo boy.

You can see the missing part on the top left of the keys.

 

Whoa! Did you go into battle with that laptop?

 

Talked with Lenovo to check the status of my T530, and found out I have 30 days from the ship date to upgrade my warranty to 3-year Depot w/ TPP. If I keep it, I'm definitely upping my warranty.

 

Hey everyone, Lenovo Canada has a 3 day back to school sale on right now, and I just configured a T530 with a 1080 screen for 1250, the only thing stopping me is battery. Can anyone give a real world report on their battery life (and whether you have the six or nine cell?) Thanks.