Lenovo W520 Owner's Thread

Speaking of upgrades. Since most orders are for the i7-2720QM. Will anyone upgrade their CPU (i7-2920XM & +) at a later date? The manual seems to offer the possibility...

 

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Possibly - and part of the reason I was happy going for the 2720 was that it is possible to upgrade.
However, because Lenovo only offer a 3 year warranty in the UK I went for the cheaper processor and expect the machine to have a 3 year life. I would otherwise have gone for the top of 2920XM, a 4 year warranty, and a planned 4 year life for the machine. I need to have the security of the next day on site warranty in case the machine gives up at work.

It's also fair to say that the difference in performance between the 2720 and the 2920 is relatively small whereas the difference in price between the 2720 and the 2920 is huge (over £1100 in the UK)!

Cheers. Dave

 

Except the 2920xm is unlocked and who wouldn't OC an unlocked, xtreme edition processor? I say it's well worth the money.

 

Absolutely - although until a few people have done it and reported what sort of results they're getting it's a bit of a gamble for $1800! If the chassis cooling can cope with getting a big gain in performance then I'd look to pick up a 2920 later on.

 

Yes, that is my plan. If the prices come down enough or if I see one on eBay in the next 2-3 years then I might buy it. I suspect the Quadro 2000M video card will become obsolete far sooner than the i7-2720QM.

I also wonder if a workstation-class notebook with a Quadro 5010M in a user-upgradeable MXM configuration will be made.

 

1. Hmm, I just realized that my order shows estimated ship date of 5/11/11. Reading through other posts, most people have had theirs within 2 weeks. How accurate is that date? And did anybody else get a ship date almost a month out? Seems a little crazy...

2. Also, I've been trying to figure out if I should've ordered the 2000M. There seems to be so little information out there about it. I will use the machine primarily for development, with multiple VM sessions, etc., but would like to be able to play an occasional game and work on home HD video. $250 just seems like a lot, and 2000M's TGP is 10W higher. Anybody with a more in-depth explanation?

Thanks!

Polbit

 

I may be wrong here because I've never ordered a Lenovo-based ThinkPad before but I suspect that the shipments are coming over in large pallets with dozens or hundreds of machines, clear customs, and then go on their way domestically via UPS. If that's true then it looks like your order didn't make the 4/21/2011 batch of machines. It's completely possible that I'm totally wrong. It may as simple as picking a component that has delayed the build.

 

Nope. The shipments are per machine. As far as the accuracy is concerned, you never really know. They maybe short on a part like a particular screen. That happened on the W510 and the FHD screen when they first came out.

 

I asked about my order (to ship 4/20), and I was told there was a backorder for the color sensor that they are trying to resolve soon.

 

All the stores offer pixel error tests. Is it worth the money? Does anyone know about any pixel errors on Thinkpad displays?

 

Here we go. I ordered color sensor and was thinking - "Why did my ship date change from April 21 to 25th?" Now I know. I hope they would not change it again to later time...

 

You are so lucky the rep let you change your order. My rep said there is NO WAY to add something to my order even though I ordered on Apr 11 and wanted to change it on Apr 13. The laptop had a ship date of Apr 21st.

hrana: please post about the 1600 RAM. I haven't purchase my extra RAM yet and would like to know if there is significant difference and if mixing and matching will be an issue.

 

A Quadro 5010M Would be great! Otherwise ViDock it is. Do you think higher CPUs will be available for the w520?

 

Quadro 5010m with 100W TDP will just barely work in a !7' monstrosity.

 

Hi was looking around for reviews on the w520 and I ran across this, Lenovo ThinkPad W520 4276 (42762QU) - Laptops / Notebooks
slightly better deal than if you were to upgrade it online including the 10% discount from LOGICBUY10

 

Thanks for the info.

The VI Dock thread looks like lot to digest, but I'm going to chew through it starting this afternoon.

After looking at the MXM list, it turns out that I've considered most of those systems, but ruled them out either due to system size (17" systems just aren't practical for me much of the time) or because they are sold by companies that I don't trust to provide the level of support I want. If there were a Clevo seller that was big enough to offer comprehensive on site support, their 15.6" systems might be in the running, although I have more confidence in workstation class builds and driver setups (In particular the Clevo and ASUS dead pixel issue is a big red flag).

 

Hi guys, I'm hoping to cancel my UK order and order a 4276-2QU preconfigured system from the US instead, to save some money.

Does anyone know what the difference between UK and US keyboards is? I have read that the enter key is smaller on a US keyboard? Does anyone know the part number of a replacement keyboard (UK keyboard) which I could swap out with the US one? (and perhaps sell the US keyboard on eBay). Also regarding the power cord, will i just plug in a US-UK plug adaptor or can the part of the power cord which connects to the wall socket be changed to a UK one more easily (using a diff. cord)?

I stand to save something like $500 by going this route.

 

According to the tabook, there is no fingerprint reader on this model.

Is there an extra "u" key on the UK keyboard?

The US AC adapter is rated for 120-240 V and (50/60 Hz) so it will work in the UK with a simple plug adapter.

 

Extra "u"? Ive found the parts list in the repair handbook re the keyboard, any idea why there are 3 FRU no's listed?:

U.K. English 45N2100 45N2170 45N2240

 

It is not a good deal.

 

That was a feeble attempt at humor (or "humour" as you might spell it). I didn't realize there was a UK keyboard (we use the same alphabet after all). Is this to accommodate the £ symbol?

 

My machine's ship date in 4/21. It's coming via UPS Ground. By the time I order the RAM and the machine gets here it could easily be the end of the month. I'm just giving everyone a heads up but I *will* post the RAM experience.

We'll never see a Quadro 5010M in the W520. If Lenovo hasn't killed of the successor to the W701ds then it *could* show up in that but I wouldn't count on it. The 5010M will be in HP and Dell 17.3" workstation laptops.

It's fairly obvious that nVidia has shifted their strategy with mobile workstation GPUs. It is no longer a game of putting in the fastest part in a machine. They now suggest various GPU models based on screen size (and as a result resolution). The trade-off is between good-enough performance for the resolution for today's software versus battery life. Power hungry parts like the 5010M will be recommended for 17.3" notebooks where battery life is less of a concern. The fastest recommended part for the 15.6" market is the 2000M. While I'd like the option of having a 5010M in a 15.6" system by a Tier 1 manufacturer, it seems like people like me are in the minority.

There are a few differences in key placements. You might want to Google or Wiki for an image to compare (EDIT: nevermind I attached an image below). Also, the UK keyboard has a pound symbol versus a dollar symbol. They should be easy enough to change. Years ago I picked up a 17" Dell XPS monster laptop in the US for a friend in the UK. We swapped the keyboards without too much of a hassle.

There are quite a few differences. The main one that annoyed me was the "@" symbol. I found an image below of UK keyboards as I remember them.

 

Yeah, and to get the bigger Enter ("return") key. Theres a used on eBay for £1.59 (pocket change) so might just see if it works/is in decent condition.

Im getting a 4276-2QU - $1977 exc. VAT when it arrives in the UK. Anyone got any ideas if/how I could get a better deal? I'm pretty sure there's no way I can use visaperks outside the US.

 

Oops that's actually just for one key. But yeah, theres a pic of w520 UK keyboard layout in the auction 45N2170 English Key IBM T400 T400s T410 T410s T510 W510 | eBay UK

Still a bit confused as to why there are 3 FRU part no's listed in the parts list, and whether there is any difference between them

 

I think the shrunken left shift key would trip me up the most.

 

Actually, all the keyboards have 3 FRU numbers. I would call Lenovo and ask.

 

I'll call Lenovo tomorrow

 

I am thinking to get a w520 with RAID 0. Does anyone know if I can upgrade it to RAID 0 SSDs by simply replacing HDDs to SSDs in the future?

 

I don't think any of the RAID controllers support data management and TRIM.

 

Short answer: No.

Long Answer: There is no "simply replacing" here but it is possible. To migrate a RAID array from HDDs to SSDs would require you to backup all the content on the W520 to another location. Next you'd swap the HDDs with SSDs. Then you'd create a new RAID0 array on the SSDs. Finally, you'd restore all your data onto the SSDs.

In my opinion running RAID0 by itself on anything but a system used for experimenting is foolishness at its finest. RAID0 with near-realtime incremental backups would be the only way I'd ever consider running this sort of configuration with my important data but even then I wouldn't. Also, who carries around an external HDD at all times? I certainly don't. I'd either run 2-3 drives as JBOD or I'd run 1 mSATA boot on its own with 2 HDDs in RAID1 in the W520.

 

I'm getting a constant on and off high pitch noise coming from under the VGA ports area between the hard drive cover and the fan area even after I have shut down my w520. I googled it and did made sure my usbs were on auto shut off to save battery and supposedly stop the noise but it didn't work since it's already set to it. When it's plugged in it usually doesn't make the noise anymore but it's constantly high pitching when on battery. "Anyone have the same high pitch noise?"

I was doing some troubleshooting and suspect that it is the PSU making the noise. I plug in the power cord and the noise becomes a lower constant pitched noise. If I were to pull the power plug the on and off high pitch noise would start up again. If I were to pop out the battery and put it back in the on and off pitch noise would then stop. Keeping in mind I have started up the W520 and shut it down while on battery.

Made another thread. Can't delete this because I can't find the delete option.

 

Hi, folks. Future W520 owner here... I've ordered the following from Lenovo Canada:

ThinkPad W520
Intel Core i7-2720QM (Quad-Core) Processor (2.20GHz, 6MB L3,1333MHz FSB) with Intel Turbo Boost Technology up to 3.3GHz
Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)
15.6" FHD (1920x1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare display, with Wireless WAN Antenna
NVIDIA Quadro 1000M Optimus Graphics technology (2GB)
4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) Fingerprint Reader, Smart Card Reader
320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
DVD Recordable
9 Cell 2.8Ah Li-Ion Battery
Broadcom Bluetooth 3.0 with antenna
ThinkPad 1x1 b/g/n
Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable
1 Year Depot/Express Warranty​

Total: $1264 CAD + tax.

Normally, we pay more for computers and electronics (and cars, and many many other things) than Americans, but it looks like this is a pretty good deal compared to other prices posted here.

I switched to a Macbook for a couple of years, but I'm looking forward to coming back to Thinkpads.

 

In US dollar, about $1210.
What if you added 2000M, 500GB HDD, 3yr on-site?

 

For "Micro Hard Drive"
Intel 80 GB Micro Solid State Drive, Serial ATA has been added at $333.
It looks much more expensive than newegg. Dunno why lenovo charges ridiculous price for memory and this.

 

Then it's $1673 CAD (about $1735 USD) + tax.

 

That sounds great deal to me. Did yo call a rep or just used website?

PS. I didn't know nowadays Canadian $ is more valuable than US$. lol

 

We get royally screwed in terms of prices in most things. Our dollar is better then the US (and has been comparable for a while) yet we still pay more for almost everything and usually it is not a little it is a lot

 

Just the website. I used the IBM Family & Friends Purchase Program (FNDEPP), which has a 20% coupon for the W520 right now. The prices I listed are all after the coupon discount is applied.

 

Is anyone using Adobe Premiere Pro? It would be useful to know how the W520 works with PPro, and especially how Nvidia Quadro 2000 works with the Mercury Playback Engine (MPE) in PPro CS5.

Could any of the current W520 owners perform a Premiere Pro Benchmark test at PPBM5 Benchmark ? There are currently a few W510 results listed, but like most notebooks, they not particularly good results.

Any other feedback on video editing with the W520?
Thanks.

 

I just went on FNDEPP and priced out the computer I just ordered -- came out to 1564.52 Canadian dollars = 1621.7658 US dollars before tax. Since mine came out to $1571.43 USD before tax, the rep (or at least my rep) is apparently still better. However, FNDEPP pricing is pretty good for web pricing, and it's amazing for international pricing AFAIK.

 

At this link Lenovo Coupons, Coupon Codes, ThinkPad ideaPad Coupons from LogicBUY you will find a 10% off coupon (Lenovo - Additional 10% off ThinkPad laptop over $899 plus free shipping!). I don't know if it will work with what you already have as a discount. But it might be worth your time to check it out. First row, fifth box down. Enjoy

 

I just checked the Adobe PPro system requirements site Tech specs | Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5, and was surprised to see that with the new PPro CS5.5 update, they've included the Quadro 2000M GPU as an approved card for their graphics acceleration. That's great, meaning Adobe has tested it with PPro and supports it.

 

Im pretty sure that is a US coupon I tried it before doesnt work in Canada

 

I'm curious why you went to Macbook, and why you're now going back to PC. I've occasionally considered going to Mac for graphics (probably 80 to 90 % +/- photographers, etc use Mac) and particularly for Final Cut Pro video options. Yet I can't quite find a compelling reason to switch to Mac. I'd be very interesting to hear your thoughts.

 

Yep, I have same question

 

I tried Mac mostly because of the operating system. OS X is excellent...well ahead of Windows in many aspects. It does have some drawbacks too, obviously. But generally speaking, I've enjoyed using the OS.

The hardware has been a different issue, though. In the last 3 years, I've purchased a Mac Pro (desktop powerhouse), a Mac Mini, and a Macbook Pro. The Mac Pro had a video card failure, the Mac Mini's CD-ROM drive died, and the Macbook Pro's power adapter died out of warranty. I've been a Thinkpad user for over a decade (still have a T43 that I use from time to time), and I never had these kinds of problems on my Thinkpads...or even my Dell or no-name desktop PC's, for that matter. The Apple hardware is flashy, but I've found it to be less reliable than my Thinkpad experiences. It's frustrating to pay so much more and then get saddled with problems. I had to buy this power adapter as a replacement when mine died; check out the reviews and see how terrific Apple's engineering design is.

I priced out a 15" Macbook Pro with specs similar to the $1264 W520 I've ordered... it comes out to $2249 CAD and the screen resolution is only 1440x900.

(I'm keeping Macs for my wife and one for the kids. But the W520 is going to replace both my Mac Mini and Macbook.)

 

You can get 1680x1050 on a MBP 15.4"
You just have to order on Apple's website.

 

It's a $100 upgrade. The point is that you can almost get 2 W520's for the price of a similar MBP. The OS isn't worth that much to me.

 

exactly I never get it beyond that point even to look at mac shack...

why you want to spend so much where you can have two or maybe three windows pc. Also my average HP laptop is working fine since 2004 for fraction of what mac cost...