Lenovo W510 Owner's Thread

Help me out here. There is a fair price difference in the same specs between the Enhanced and the regular models. Is it really worth the price difference of $235?

 

As far as I can tell, it is actually $85 cheaper to upgrade the basic W510 to match the enhanced W510 (and that assumes you need 3G). But maybe there are some features not listed on the comparison page.

 

I was all set to order a W510, but the FHD (non multi-touch) monitor is out of stock and not an option to order, so it looks like I have to wait a few weeks.

1. How is the stock ram compared to Kingston/Crucial? I can order 6gb of Crucial for less then the 8gb upgrade option is through Lenovo.

2. Also, what exactly is the color sensor? I thought it was something primarily for photo editing/processing.

3. Does anyone have the size/weight specs?

Lenovo also told me that the computer is equipped with USB 3.0, is that correct? Are there any plans to re-introduce the Blu-ray drive?

 

USB 3.0 should be there. The color sensor is a built in color calibrator, similar to a Spyder. Blu-ray is supposed to come later on, but no time frame.

 

Thanks, can anyone confirm USB 3.0?

Sorry for the ignorance, but what exactly does a color calibrator do in practical terms? I thought things like that were only for professional photo editing, etc.

 

For the most part it is. As screen's age the color output changes slightly. The color sensor measures the output and creates a color profile for Windows to load that'll keep it balanced correctly. That way what you see on your screen is what you'll get in print. It's largely for the photo editing crowd.

 

Confirmed and correct, it is primarily for print work and photo editing.

 

Yes, the w510 has a USB 3.0 port. However the compatible dock does not. I went with an eSATA backup drive because of that.

 

W510 has 2 USB 3.0 Ports its a fact.

 

Thank you for all of the responses.

Any insight as to memory? Am I better off buying the 8gb upgrade from Lenovo? Or are after-market options like Crucial/Kingston not only cheaper but better quality? If so, is there any after-market brand that stands out as being better?

Does anyone remember how much the blu-ray upgrade option was before it was yanked?

 

I don't think it's ever been offered on the W510. I think if you look in their accessories area you might find one available as a secondary purchase, but when I last remembered seeing one there it was like 700 bucks or something crazy.

I would think any of the traditional big name brands of memory would be fine.

 

Ordered 1/26 with an estimated ship date of 2/10 but then got a shipment notification today whoohoo!!

 

Mine is HERE!!!!!!! I can't wait to get home to rip the box open!

 

getting it on 4th

 

MAN YOU MUST!!! I REPEAT MUST MAKE THE UNBOXING VIDO AND SHOW US EVERY FREAKING LITTLE DETAIL!!!!

 

Err...I'm SO not into that, but I will answer any questions you guys have - gonna probably format the thing tonight...

 

There is no much to see anyway. Thinkpad in plastic bag with red seal, battery floating around on the side compartment along with the power supply. Minimal docs. No CDs or DVDs.

 

Wow, such a grim picture of the future you paint...post-apocalyptic almost

 

I think the biggest question everyone has is FX or NVS?

 

Ok, first off, screw all of you for getting your machines before me. I blame you personally

Second, post pics and impressions. We are about to pop

Third, I'll summarize the main points in this thread in my opening post. We are getting some repeat questions.

 

for all those who received the laptops: could you please comment about the quality of the FHD panel when it comes to contrast/colors/viewing angles!

 

ok I have same question as others NVS5100m or FX880m? that should be priority for about 70% next is if FHD viewing angle are "ok" meaning no real color changes that you can see when tilt it.

 

ok I THINK i have an answer for all of you guys interested in NVS vs FX
i looked into drivers section and it gave driver only for two mentioned cards
and those were NVS3100m and FX880m for me this is guarantee for FX in my W510 and yeah almost forgot here is linky http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-74399

 

+1
And heat/noise levels.
We've all seen laptops in a box, so we don't care about 'unboxing' pics and videos!

 

While I'll figure this one out tomorrow, a request to whomever posts pics first: can you take pictures of the ultrabay DVD drive? I'm still crossing my fingers that I can toss in my SATA based Blu Ray drive after mounting hardware & bezel changes.

 

Where are you finding this price? The cheapest I have found is 25% more (at crucial.com). I'm about to order a w510 similar to yours and would appreciate a link to that RAM. Thanks!

 

Has anyone tried the enhanced experience? The few reviews I have seen don't seem to be very flattering. I also don't even see an option on the ordering page.

Also, what SSD's are the W510s shipping with? Samsung? Are these really worth an extra $280 for almost 1/3 the memory. The reliability of SSDs doesn't matter as much since all my files are backed up remotely, I am more interested in the speed increases.

Thanks for all of the help.

 

Newegg. Bought them for $182, actually.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144373


They've gone up $21 per 4GB since I bought them last week though. At that price, I'd just buy the Kingston 16000s.

 

Are you sure the 1600 will be accepted without hitch? I am myself thinking betwin 2 the 1333 cas7 and 1600 cas7 but the later comes with XMP and im not sure if there will be any use in w510 for it.

 

New tabook, still no mention of the 5100m.

http://www.lenovo.com/psref/pdf/tabook.pdf

 

Can anyone explain Lenovo's shipping procedures and what exactly their 2 day UPS shipping means in the context of something shipped from Shanghai? I received shipment notification yesterday for my W510, and looking at the tracking information this morning I see that UPS estimates a 2/10 delivery date.

 

Please also post the panel information (you can get with Everest Home Edition) if you have a FHD display. TIA!

 

I think Enhanced Experience isn't an option, it's merely a name Lenovo uses for its Windows 7 customizations that it applies to every Win7 system it ships. It's hard to compare with another mfr's Win7 system unless you happen to own both. My wife's Win7 ThinkPad SL410 boots really quickly (half the time) compared to her old Vista system, so I would say it's working.

I don't really understand the attraction of an 80GB SSD, as my current C drive, with all the apps I regularly use but no user data, exceeds 160GB. I purchased a 256GB SSD which I hope will accelerate some aging database-bound engineering applications that often take hours to run. I think at the current prices you would need a specific purpose for the SSD in order for it to be worth the expense. I'll bet prices decline a lot in the next year, though.

Something you might think about is to buy a system with a big 7200rpm hard drive now, and plan to spend a weekend about a year from now to swap it out with an SSD at lower prices. The process of reinstalling all your apps takes some time, but it isn't technically hard and will be like getting a new computer. You might be really happy with that and it will save you lots of money.

I envy the folks who are receiving their W510s today. Mine apparently has been sitting on a UPS airplane in Shanghai, or maybe is floating on the Pacific Ocean somewhere. It got its departure scan 2 days ago and nothing has happened since.

 

Similar experience here. Shipped 1/30, and delivery is expected today. Even if the 'clock' didn't start until Monday, that's still 3 business days... not 2. I believe the fault here to be Lenovo's, not UPS's, as Worldease/Expedited is not a 2-day shipping method.

 

When we purchased a ThinkPad that shipped in early January, it arrived here from Shanghai in 2 days as promised. The one I'm waiting for now shipped on 2/1 and has not yet left Shanghai. UPS just issued an exception notice saying "The airline offloaded packages" in Shanghai. So it doesn't look like I'll see it any time soon. Not sure whose fault it is, but probably not Lenovo's.

 

On UPS's page if you were to look at the fine print of international 2 day "guaranteed" shipping it states that "Certain commodities and high value shipments may require additional transit time for customs clearance." So not even UPS can actually guarantee a smooth shipment once customs is taken into consideration.

 

I'm in the same boat. Maybe airplane had a problem! Haha.

 

Did anyone get any detail on when the FHD screen would be available again?

 

Lenovo charged me twice!!! company is no longer german ;(

 

I have been trying to find out as well, since that is the only thing holding me up from ordering. The best answer I have gotten is 2-4 weeks, although no one seems to be sure.

 

That's what I'm waiting on as well. I wonder why they allow you to still order it on the T510 with a 4 week delay but not the W.

 

Just got UPS notice that it was released from Carrier and Customs this morning (Canada). I guess it should take a day or two to get to me?

 

the box is in my hands! on the box it says NVS5xxxD ?!?!?!?!

 

do u mind open it then report back?

 

Let us know what's actually inside please. Be careful though, LYuan seems to have been devoured by the w510.

 

No kidding! Lets hope that everyone's getting so blown away by how great their new machines are that they are forgetting about us! If that's not it then GIVE US SOME FEEDBACK!!!!

 

How come everyone just got their new computer then disappeared?

 

it wasnt a w510. it made kaboom xD

 

Ok...Here are some answers for some very common questions:

- Confirmed: nVidia Quadro FX 880
- Keyboard Flex - Absent
- Fan - Quiet, and during formatting, i could feel some warm air coming out...
- FHD Screen....brilliant...not quite as vibrant as the RGB LED on the sXPS16, but not nearly as reflective either because it's MATTE!

 

Sweet, now send me yours cause Lenovo won't let me order one with the FHD screen!

How's the battery life?