Lenovo W520 Owner's Thread

new W520 unboxing vid is up at Youtube, (while U wait) YouTube - Lenovo Unboxed: ThinkPad W520 laptop

 

Is it pathetic I just watched this

 

Has anyone ordered with a HD+ (1600x900) screen received theirs recently? I have this sneaking suspicion they are on backorder, and why mine hasn't shipped yet.

Anyone?

 

This is one of the reasons I returned my w520. There are problems with the Quadro 2000m/Intel graphic subsystems. Either the drivers are not stable or one of the subsystems was defective. I attached one external monitor with DP the other VGA. I often got incorrect information from one or another of the Graphic Control GUIs often all 3. Often when I tried to identify the monitor I would get incorrect information. IE monitor listed would get the wrong number according to the GUI.
Sometimes I would get incorrect number of monitors listed as being attached.
In several instances the single monitor attached would not get a signal at all.

In many instance I could get the configuration I wanted only by resetting everything by attaching or un-attaching certain monitors in a certain sequence.
Once configured any change in the settings, extend, duplicate external laptop, monitor only, etc would cause the entire configuration to revert to some other configuration that would persist until I removed one or more monitors (with or without a reboot)

I have checked around and have found there to be many other problematic Optimus arrangements mostly buggy drivers.

Prior to returning the unit I spent what I thought to be an excessive period of time with support trying to deal with this issue to no avail. Lenovo has no knowledge base set up yet for support of this product

There are quality control issues with current lenovo products. Plese see earlier in this thread about the loose batteries. That I also experienced.

I realy wanted to like this unit but sadly it failed to meet usual standards for function and build quality. Never mind the useless support.

If I were you I would open a ticket with support immediately. You have only 21 days from initial shipment to have any hope at all for a refund without 15%restocking. You will have to have a support instance open with significant work done with a tech for Post Sales even to consider a full refund. Even with the support ticket open they will push back and try to get you to have your machine service first.

Also Mythlogic has blue rays that will fit. You just have to swap out the bezel with your DVD

 

No, the 2620M is only a dual core processor, whereas the 2720QM processor is quad core. Lenovo will build your computer with a completely different motherboard. This cheaper mobo will also only come with 2 DIMM slots also, so if memory upgradeability is an issue for you you will need the 2720QM or higher. The quad core motherboard has 4 DIMM slots.

 

You know what they say about assumptions, right? I assumed that because the W520 included Optimus, it would work. Apparently that is a bad assumption and there are two types of Optimus. The one you need is Hybrid Optimus and the W520 doesn't have that capability.

Hence the reason it isn't listed in the support article from Lenovo.

Why Lenovo did this is beyond me.

 

The power brick is big, it is the size of a real brick. I am not sure if I want to carry that around with me.

 

^^^ Congrats. Vista, eh?

(Edit: Replied to ZaZ's post about ordering an X220i and running Vista on it.)

 

Guys, mine should arrive on Friday so, I can not test it yet. However, did you try to set graphics to discrete only in the BIOS and install latest nvidia driver?

 

Whoops, wrong thread, but I flippin' love Vista.

 

Yes before I returned my w520 I tried the different bios settings no luck still flaky

 

good news for those in Canada for those that still want the visaperks.ca deal the previous offer expired but the new one is the same as the old one (at least for the W520)

 

I've ordered 12GB of this Kingston 4GB 1333MHz PC3-10600 MacBook | Ebuyer.com (to use with the 4GB in the Laptop when it ships).. Same thing?

Also - Here's what i've ordered (note the Graphics card.. I'm not expecting to do much graphically - need the workstation more for Test Environments in VMWare more than anything, want it to be a decent laptop though..)

Still have the opportunity to change my order so grateful for any input (got 80GB mSATA and 12GB Ram as above waiting to go in it.

- Intel Core i7-2720QM Processor (2.20GHz, 6MB L3)
- Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
- Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 English
- 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
- NVIDIA Quadro 1000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
- No Color Sensor
- 4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
- Keyboard UK English
- UltraNav with TrackPoint & touchpad plus Fingerprint reader
- 720p Camera
- Internal RAID - Not Enabled
- 500 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
- DVD recordable multiburner
- Express Card Slot & 4 in 1 Card Reader & Smart Card Reader
- 9 cell Li-Ion Battery - 55++
- Country Pack United Kingdom with Line cord & 170W AC adapter
- Bluetooth 3.0
- Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN)
- Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network upgradable
- Language Pack UK English
- Express Card Slot & 4 in 1 Card Reader & Smart Card Reader

Edit - Just noticed after posting that link that the memory i've ordered is for a MBP... Damn you google products...

 

G'day,

Just wanted to say thanks to hrana, kimlocal and ukieandrew for passing on the details for their sales reps. Just completed my order - couldn't get quite as good a deal as you guys but I'm still very happy with the final price. I'm an Aussie and IBM AU haven't even got the w520 on the website yet, and the starting price for the w510 is around $3000!! So once again, thanks gents, much appreciated!

Here's my config for $2018 excluding tax:
> Intel Core i7-2720QM Processor (2.20GHz, 6MB L3)
> Display type 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
> System graphics NVIDIA Quadro 2000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
> Color sensor
> Total memory 8 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
> Pointing device UltraNav with TrackPoint & touchpad plus Fingerprint reader
> Camera 720p Camera
> Hard drive 500 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
> Optical device DVD recordable multiburner
> Battery 9 cell Li-Ion Battery - 55++
> Power cord Country Pack North America with Line cord & 170W AC adapter
> Bluetooth Bluetooth 3.0
> Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN)
> Express Card Slot & 4 in 1 Card Reader & Smart Card Reader
> LENOVO THINKPLUS 3 YEARS - ON-SITE

 

You guys are so lucky. Mine is definitely not shipped. I just tried calling Lenovo again to see what my status is. I was on hold for 15 minutes and finally gave up.

 

I just watched the clip as well. The power brick doesn't look too bad. Can someone who owns the W520 tell me how much it weights. I am going to be lugging mine all over the place. Also, does anyone know if the W520 will fit the Wenger Synergy backpack? Some review said the 15.6" laptops may not fit or will be an extremely tight fit.

 

This isn't a BIOS or driver issue. It's by design. The W520 is designed to run only 2 external monitors with the dock.

Unfortunately.

 

I noticed you mentioned Hybrid Optimus was required for driving more external monitors, and also in other posts some mention that the T520 could drive 3 external monitors, does this mean that the T520 has Hybrid Optimus while the W520 does not?

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Congrats! Now you have to play the waiting game.

I can tell you tomorrow afternoon because that's when my system will be delivered!

Remember, the W520 is coming with the 9 cell which protrudes out the back which will make fitting the laptop a major pain. I can't speak to your specific backpack but I almost want to order the 6 cell for wide bag selection. I could then carry both the regular 9 cell and 9 cell slice batteries for my machine.

By the way, has anyone else noticed that both Buy.com and NewEgg are out of the 80GB mSATA drives? NewEgg's stock of the HyperX DDR3-1600 RAM disappeared yesterday and came back today. Buy.com is out of the memory. I wonder if it's all the Lenovo folks snatching them up?

 

Strangely, that is correct. See Lenovo Support - ThinkPad Multiple Monitor Configurations: NVIDIA Optimus technology for their official supported configurations.

 

Nice. Now for the waiting part. My order got shipped a week early. Having it sent to work. Should be here Friday...when work will be closed for a holiday :/ Might need to stake out the UPS guy to get the goods.

 

It fits that backpack perfectly. The W520 is the same size as the W510 and I have been using that particular backpack with the W510 for over a year. My W520 is in my Wenger Synergy right now.

 

Heads up... NewEgg has Patriot 4GB DDR3-1333 modules on sale for $34.99 each with coupon code EMCKFHJ29 for the next 90 hours. You could pick up 3 modules for a little over $100 for a total of 16GB of RAM. That's a pretty phenomenal deal for RAM that should work in the W520.

 

Thanks, Great info!

 

Looks like the right memory spec, will it make a difference? Have any UK users received their machines yet? If so it would be nice if someone could confirm the exact stock memory being used.

Can anyone definitively confirm that it is fine to use 3 * 4GB modules? (i.e. they don't "run in pairs").

Has anyone ordered a sleeve for their machine? I'd like to get a hard sleeve, like the Booq Vyper M3 ( http://www.booqbags.com/Laptop-Slee...rd-laptop-sleeve/Vyper-M3-macbook-pro-sleeve), but the specs look like it'd be too tight and it definitely wouldn't fit with the protruding 9 cell. Anyone know of a similar nice quality compatible product?

 

With respect to the multiple monitors on the new docking station issue, can anyone confirm that the W520 can drive the laptop display and two DVI-D displays connected to the ports on the docking station?

The rep. in the unboxing video claims the W520 will work in that configuration.

However, the support page for the docking station says that one of the monitors would need to be connected to the VGA port on the docking station. Is that really true?

 

curious what your config was but man you are lucky

I wonder how they determine shipping dates. Mine moved up 2 days to May 2 from May 4 since yesterday

 

Even luckier now as I just checked the ups tracking and the delivery got pushed up to today. So I won't need to stake out the ups guy on friday.

System components

• Intel Core i7-2720QM Processor (2.20GHz, 6MB L3)
• Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
• 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
• NVIDIA Quadro 2000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
• 4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
• UltraNav with TrackPoint & touchpad plus Fingerprint reader
• 720p Camera
• Internal RAID - Not Enabled
• 320 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
• DVD recordable multiburner
• Express Card Slot & 4 in 1 Card Reader & Smart Card Reader
• 9 cell Li-Ion Battery - 55++
• Country Pack North America with Line cord & 170W AC adapter
• Bluetooth 3.0
• Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN)
• Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable
• Express Card Slot & 4 in 1 Card Reader & Smart Card Reader
• 1 year TPP (Oh $hit Insurance)

 

The only extras I have are the centrino ultimate quadro 2000 and 1 dimm for the ram instead of 2. Here is hoping mine will ship earlier then it says as well. The estimated shipping being updated to 2 days earlier I hope can be taken as a good sign

 

The docking station has "left side" and "right side" display connection ports as well as a separate VGA connection port. Both the left side and the right side have a DisplayPort and a DVI connection. The idea is that you can use one of those ports on each "side." I'm currently using a DisplayPort connection on one side and a DVI connection on the other, but I can test later today if I can use a DVI connection on each side.

 

Well, if anyone figures out a jerry-rigged way to support 3 external monitors with the W520, please let me know.

 

Well, my ship date, which was April 22, has dropped off the web site, and in a chat with Lenovo they indicated it may have shipped, ( Yes, I have 2 day shipping) so I am getting anxious.

I ordered an OCZ 120 GB Vertex 3 SATA 120G from Amazon ( $301.25), after RMA-ing my Intel SSDMAEMC080G2C1 80 GB Internal Solid State Drive after reading performance reviews here and other places.
The issue is that Amazon is lookin as FAR OUT AS JUNE 6! for delivery.

Does anyone else have some alternative vendors that will ship it ASAP!


Also, am looking into a ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 - 170W, any best vendor suggestions? When the DVI's left and right are in play, does the VGA still work? I know that won't get 3 digital displays, but that would get 3.... (I know, 2 + 1 not always =3)

Finally, any other confirmed Power supply options for Aftermarket? I'd really like to pick up another charger, and an Auto/Air adaptor would be great, but with the new 'tip' on this one I can't find any that are a 'for sure' fit.

 

Thanks! I ordered 4 of these, and I'll just pull the OEM Lenovo DIMM and sell it locally (for at least $50)... Sure beats paying Lenovo's price for the upgrade from the factory.

 

My original ship date was supposed to be April 26th. I ordered on April 13th. Mine just arrived. I too did the 2 Day shipping.

I canceled my Intel 80GB mSata drive too because of the write performance. Found the Renice and also one made by a company called MyDigitalSSD on Amazon. These both have the same specs and performance:

Performance:
- Max Read Rate: 260MB/sec
- Max Write Rate: 200MB/sec

Makes me wonder if they are from the same manufacturer.

 

Hi All - this is an active thread!

I was initially deciding if a T520 would be a good machine for me. I had decided that the W520 was more graphics power than I needed, A smaller power brick and less battery consumption seemed far better for my travel/mobility needs. After reading a bunch of threads though, I'm thinking once again of the W520 before making the final decision and order. Perhaps you people can help.

Here is a summary of needs, and present T520 configuration planned.

Should I stick with T520 or go W520? RSVP and thanks.

Here's what I'm doing with it:
- business – office suite, some MATLAB, heavy Outlook use, usual web access, mostly the “publication” end of science work. Heftier calculations would be left to servers, but might want relatively mild MATLAB calculations, and some 3-D graphics (but not hefty CAD stuff).
- docked laptop serves as desktop replacement, carry the laptop off to meetings often and don't want to worry about carrying any power brick. Laptop needs to run quietly (esp. low fan noise) due to use in meetings.


Here’s what I need/value most:

1) Great, matte display – high resolution (so 1920x1080 FHD is a must. Is it very good?)
(I do like the “old” 1600x1200 aspect ratio – but can’t get that anymore it seems)
2) Great keyboard – love my present T42p keyboard – hate flat, mushy keyboards
3) Great battery life with good performance (with WIFI on) – T520 has the 9 cell slice battery. Being able to run > 10 hours with 6cell + 9cell slice sounds GREAT
4) Trackpoint is VERY important – and not some bad substitute that non-Thinkpads have
5) Solid build and feel (one person complained badly about the T410 feeling “hollow”)
6) Quiet fan / overall quiet operation is VERY important (loud fans embarrassing at meetings)
7) on-board camera is a plus

Any help greatly appreciated. Would like to order in the next two days of possible.

------------------------------
Planned configuration:

System components
- Intel Core i5-2540M Processor (2.60GHz, 3MB L3)
- Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
- Microsoft Windows 7 XP Mode - English
- 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
NVIDIA NVS 4200M Graphics with Optimus Technology, 1GB DDR3 Memory
- 4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
- UltraNav with TrackPoint & touchpad plus Fingerprint reader
- 720p Camera
- 320 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
- DVD recordable multiburner
- Express Card Slot & 4 in 1 Card Reader
- 6 cell Li-Ion Battery - 55+
- Country Pack North America with Line cord & 90W AC adapter
- Bluetooth 3.0
- Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN)
- Integrated Mobile Broadband – Upgradable

Accessories
- ThinkPad Battery 27++ (9 Cell Slice Battery )
- ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3

3rd party add-ons:
- extra 4 GB RAM
- (optional) 256 GB HDD (to use a sole storage drive)

 

I bought a preconfigured "Topseller" model (4276-37U) from a dealer in Los Angeles on Monday morning (4/18) and received it yesterday (4/20). I'm in the process of prepping it and did notice that Lenovo has posted a new NVIDIA Optimus Display Driver for Windows 7 dated 4/20/2011. My unit has a manufacture date of 4/7/2011.

Since it came with 8GB RAM, I don't plan an immediate memory upgrade. I originally planned to put an Intel 310 mSata SSD in the WWAN slot but decided to hold off (partly due to supply issues and specs) in favor of a 2.5" form factor SSD, probably an Intel 510 ($275 for 120GB @ newegg) or OCZ 120 GB Vertex 3. Since I also need the larger capacity of a regular HDD, I plan to move the 500GB HDD to an Ultrabay adapter. I am also planning to swap a BluRay burner in the Ultrabay in place of the DVD RW drive that came with the unit.

I don't have a dock, but do plan to use an existing monitor that supports both VGA and DVI interfaces and have also ordered a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter so that I can hook it up to my 73" 1080P HDTV.

 

Could you provide link to new NVIDIA Optimus Display Driver for Windows 7, pls?

 

Lenovo Support - NVIDIA Optimus Display Driver for Windows 7 (64-bit) - ThinkPad T420, T420i, T420s, T420si, T520, T520i, W520 (NVIDIA Optimus models)

 

Thanks Thors. Does it feel strange carrying it with the 9cell poking at you? Does it have a lot of room left for books and junk? I was just going to drop by Staples to compare the Synergy with the Pegasus.

 

What the heck! I ordered mine on April 11 with ship date April 21. The ship date dropped off for no reason and now Lenovo said it may ship in the week of April 21st. Why are you guys getting special treatment???

 

Thanks, Thors you beat me to it.

 

I can carry a ton of stuff in the Wenger Synergy. There's room for books, cameras, ipad, you name it. I used to carry two ThinkPad T61p's in mine along with hard drives, power supplies, and all sorts of other stuff.

Do you already have the backpack? I haven't really shopped the market lately but it was one of the best backpacks made.

No, it doesn't poke you.

 

FYI The latest Nvidia Verde 270.61 WHQL release is newer and works fine. No INF file hacking required. Can be downloaded from NVIDIA driver 270.61 WHQL - LaptopVideo2Go Forums and offers more features.

A quick test with the Optimus test tool reveals that the automatic switching works better than ever. Can be downloaded from Optimus test tools finally in users hands - LaptopVideo2Go Forums

Cheers

 

Currently, I carry a no-frill-all-cloth backpack. It fits my Latitude D600 with a small amount of room to spare. It will be too small for the W520. Sounds like Synergy will do for me. Thanks.

 

What are your machine specs? Did you get the Color Sensor? Also where are you located?

 

I'm in the same boat - I ordered on the 8th, was supposed to ship on the 20th, and now it's in limbo - APPARENTLY because of a motherboard connector part. I have been ASSURED 10 times 'till Sunday that nobody is getting preferential treatment. My a$$. They said "week of 4/20" yesterday, 5/11 today, and now "week of 5/15" later today. I've got a sales manager trying to source me a machine "in my area", whatever that means.

No sensor, stock HD, stock CPU, stock HD+ screen, stock, stock, stock minimal. Maybe if you order loaded, you get bumped to the top. Didn't consider that one...

I'm in Oregon.

 

I got my matched Samsung RAM and Intel mSATA 80GB today from Newegg. Installing it tonight (made the R&R disks the other day in preparation). Not too concerned about Write speed, since I am moving the pagefile, MY Documents, etc. to the HDD.

 

Does anyone with the W520 have the built-in modem? If so, can you please post the pertinent info from your order? Thanks!

Mine came with a blank blocking the slot which has left me quite annoyed as I was told the system came with a modem (yes some of us still need them). I've left a message with my sales rep.

 

Cool!

My ram and the 80GB mSATA arrived from New Egg a couple of days ago: as far as my W520 shipping - well I did get confirmation that my extra power adapter is on the way

Let us know how the install goes - and if you have the chance, a semi-detailed write up for the hacks like me would be much appreciated!