Lenovo W520 Owner's Thread

With BIOS 1.25 it will not work. you have to go 1.22. Just try it...

 

Yep, just downgraded from 1.25 to 1.22 and I'm seeing 3.0 GHz speeds now.

Thanks. I'm still hoping a future BIOS update will solve both the turbo boost and resume-from-sleep problems.

 

Windows power plans have always been buggy, it may be more of a Windows issue than a BIOS issue. Considering most posters seem to put a lot of emphasis on performance, which makes sense considering the laptop, you should just plan on using Maximum Performance.

 

hey guys, im about to order a w520 and so far with the B+N student discount, i get:

i7-2720qm
1080p display
2000m
500gb hdd (promotion)
centrino 6205

total: $1656.65

is that a good price? my target is around 1300-1400, so would that be fair to try to haggle?

>>>EDIT<<<

background: before calling, I placed the W520 in the cart, plus a monitor and docking station as well (told him that ill order the laptop first, then those later if im happy; mind games ).

After talking on the phone with a rep for ~40minutes, I've been able to get this deal: He talked to his manager and said that he'll be able to apply the "sign up for emailing, get 10% off next purchase" discount for my purchase (so, that knocks it down to 1490.98 for the laptop) if I buy the dock along with it in the same order, full price (~$215). Told him I have to look at other laptops (I mentioned the M4600 and the FirePro card being more powerful than the 1000M, which he recommended me to choose instead of the 2000M to lower the price at first).

I'm going to call him again tomorrow to order, and I'm hoping to try to apply the Visa discount on top of the above offer (so, 15% off total).

 

Well, this is a little disappointing..... I bought a Slice battery the beginning of May off Amazon. I put 4 whole cycles on it and it will no longer charge past 80%. It simply alternates between charging and not charging, over and over and over. The pack voltage shows like it's full, however it's really only at 80%. Fortunately, Amazon's return policy seems good, I marked it as defective and printed off an RMA. I'm guessing one of the parallel sets of cells is faulty.

Oh well, I'm actually thinking I won't get another one. The battery life on this thing can be stretched so far I don't think I actually need it.

 

I was going to get a slice battery with my initial order but then thought maybe I should hold off as I didn't want to carry around the additional weight. The 9 cell battery has more than fullfilled my needs. Might get a slice if I really need to go for more than 12 hours at a time.

 

Just about to pull the trigger on a W520. What is the benefit of the Windows XP mode for £8.40?! Cheers

 

Experience has told me to beware of cheap knock-offs with batteries. You may be better off buying it from Lenovo directly.

 

If you have some software that will only run in XP. So far everything has run great in Win7 for me.

 

It was direct from Amazon and looked pretty legit. Communicated with power manager just fine, and the Lenovo Toolbox brought up it's warranty information.

I think I just got a bad one, it was a Sanyo make, I prefer the Panasonics. I wish you could pick when you order.

 

That's the XP Mode virtual PC which you can use to run older programs that don't work with a 64 bit operating system. You don't need to pay to have it pre-installed. As long as you have the Pro or higher version of windows then you can download and install it yourself.

John

 

Holy motherf!@#$er... Finally got done reading through this mess!

 

It could be worse. We could have a W series sub forum and 1450 individual threads.

 

Well after reading through this ridiculously huge thread, I've pulled the trigger on a W520 for the 3rd time! Originally went with a rep that seemed nice and offered me what I thought was the best deal at the time. In the heat of the moment I went ahead and purchased it only to find out through some other reps that I could get somewhat a better deal through them. After too much of what they called "shopping", one rep told me I was flagged and that they all knew what I was doing so my best bet would be to contact my original rep and obtain a better deal with him. Problem is, I tried and it was his refusal that got me to keep looking. I suppose I shouldn't have placed the original order then, but it was too late. Anyway after speaking with this rep I was able to get him to cancel the original order and place a new one using the quote given from another for a slightly better price. What I thought was the best price then turned out to be another falsity when I stumbled upon the mention of the Mastercard Marketplace towards the end of this thread. Signing up for a membership and going to Lenovo through them yielded an even better price! Needless to say I went ahead with an order on my own and now will have to cancel the previous order and ensure the original is canceled at the cost of "burning" my rep. Anyway, what's done is done and with a better final price comes with an earlier ship date and the cost of being sales rep-less. Thanks kimocal and hrana for supplying me with your reps, but before ever contacting them it was too late. I was forced to deal with my original rep...

 

This is why I would rather buy online and not deal with "humans". I really don't like to play these games.

 

Can someone tell me if the full HD display is really worth the upgrade price over the 15.6HD+ (1600 X 900) LED? I got the 15.6HD+ (1600 X 900) LED because I didn't think it was necessary to get full HD on a 15.6 inch screen. But if someone could advise on whether or not it is worth the extra money I will see if they will change my order.

 

I got the HD+, it's perfectly fine for me. I could've gotten the FHD but decided against it when I thought about how small the text was going to be. The FHD has better colour accuracy and brightness.

 

This probably depends a lot on your eye sight and the role you intend to use the machine for. What will you be using the machine for? Any particular applications that could really use a lot of resolution? How are your eyes?

I have pretty poor vision. Always have. I second guess the FHD purchase all the time but I just run it at 125% DPI to compensate.

 

By any chance have you compared it next to the FHD screen?
Also I noticed that the specs under your signature is the same one I will be receiving (when it comes in). What is your opinion on the laptop you configured?

My eye sight is pretty good and I'll be using this laptop for watching movies, games, internet browsing and light photo editing (photoshop and fireworks).

I noticed that most people are getting the FHD screen resolution and was curious as to why. I would hate to get the HD+ and then regret not getting the full screen of the FHD.

 

No, I have not compared it to the FHD screen. However, I've seen some 17.3" FHD screens, and the pixels are too small for comfort in my opinion already, so shrinking that to 15.6" is going to be even less comfortable. I have pretty bad eyes, so I wasn't really keen on making them worse. This is the first real laptop that I've owned (I have a netbook).

Overall, I'm very satisfied with the purchase. It was $1091.30 before taxes. It can satisfy all my gaming requirements (some light SCII and MMOs), and runs plenty fast. 3DMark06 gives about 9230 points. The battery life is good enough for my purposes (6 ~ 8.5hrs, depending on what I'm doing, usually around 7hrs at least on balanced). It feels solid, the keyboard is great, and runs cool for casual use. I have gotten the GPU to throttle (it comes back to normal after a couple seconds), though, while running both Prime95 (4 threads) and Furmark on 1080p burn-in (CPU was around 95C, GPU was around 91C). I can't imagine any single application that would push the system that far, nor am I an avid gamer, so that really isn't an issue for me. I don't use a laptop cooler, so that might contribute to it. I plan on moving this laptop around a lot in university, so I haven't bothered with purchasing one. Yes, I know, it's a workstation and should stay on my desk, and I knew that it was going to be around 6lb when I bought it, but it is still plenty portable as long as you don't bring the brick with it. I have no problems with using it on my lap (much more comfortable than a netbook, actually). Only gripes are the lid flex (although, it is much less than other laptops), and lack of USB ports (would've liked to see 6, but nothing a $5 hub can't fix). And, more on flex, I thought the ThinkPad would've been so solid that there would be literally 0 flex, but that was proven false within the first minute of ownership; though, there is very little flex.

The main selling point of the ThinkPad for me were:
1. The traditional keyboard. A Lenovo chiclet would've been fine too, anything else is a no go for my tastes as a touch typist.
2. No glossy parts. It looks and feels like a real laptop, maybe this is because I saw my first laptop when I was like 5, and that got stuck as the image of what a laptop should look like. I can't help but feel that laptop + glossy parts = (expensive) toy.
3. The reliability of the ThinkPad brand. Honestly, I don't plan on keeping this laptop for more than 5 years and will probably replace it by the 4th year. The longest I've used the same computer for was around 3 years. But, I would like it to run flawlessly for the duration of ownership and be able to withstand a couple of accidents, knowing how clumsy I am.
4. Battery life. I wanted around 8hrs of battery life, and I can get that with the W520.

I think my next laptop will be a ThinkPad, too. It really is great all round, minus the price premium, but I'm willing to pay that for just a no gloss laptop with a nice keyboard.

 

Thanks for that in-dept review bud. +1 Rep.
I have been using Thinkpads since 2001 and I will only continue to use Thinkpads. I can't fathom getting a Dell, HP, Acer, etc. It took me a while to finally convince myself that it was time to replace my aging (but still reliable) T43. I was really considering the T420 but wanted something that could handle games decently so I went with the W520.
I got the 80gb intel 310 mSATA drive from newegg which I will be using as my primary drive. I too would like to keeps this thing for a few years before I get another one.

 

I compared the W510 with the HD+ and the FHD side-by-side for over 30 days. I think given your eyesight and the roles you mention, you will be perfectly happy with the 1600x900 resolution screen. The HD+ screen is bright and has much better screen angles than the 14" model ThinkPads.

The FHD screen is brighter and has superior color space support. When properly calibrated it is superior to the HD+ in every way but comes at additional cost. The standard full retail upgrade is $200 USD and for me it's worth it.

It's pretty hard to advise you what to do. Follow your heart.

 

I got you. I'm sure it would be nice to have the FHD but the extra $200 for a little higher screen resolution is hard to justify. Also my GF is the one who got it for me. Not sure how I can get them to up it a FHD at this point.

 

I got a problem with the USB 3.0 Port. When I connect an external USB 3.0 hard drive to the USB 3.0 port, the light on the external hard drive is on, but the disks are not displayed on the disk list, nor can I found it from Disk Management. Any similar experience? Thanks.

 

Never mind, it is solved by disabling the USB 3.0 power management controller from the Host Controller Driver.

 

Does disabling the USB 3.0 power management controller have any adverse effects?

Edit: I just found out that there is a standard color coding for USB:
blue: USB 3.0
yellow: always on USB 2.0
combo USB/eSATA USB 2.0 or 3.0?

 

is this a normal score? pcmark

Result

 

It might drain more power when you don't have any devices in, besides that, I doubt it. eSATAp uses USB 2.0, I'm pretty sure.

 

I hear ya... thing is, usually if you put in enough work you should be able to reap some benefit. In this case however...

 

WOW!

Ok, I just found something that may solve everyone's issues with quiet volume on the W520. Open the Smart Audio control panel (with headphones plugged in), click on the headphone on the right, and it'll ask you if you want to disable the limiter, click yes, voila, the volume is MUCH louder. Found it by total chance, I just randomly clicked on the thing for no reason.

Disclaimer:
If you go deaf, it's not my fault.

 

Normal PCMark is 9,970
Lenovo ThinkPad W520 Performance and Benchmarks

Your combination of SSD and i7-2980 doubles it up to 18.474. Whew!!!

 

If you are planning to use the laptop for any image / video editing, or in general running applications displaying panels / toolbars of significant size (like software development tools etc), the extra pixels of FHD add significantly more than it may seem from comparing 1600x900 to 1920x1080.

With 300+ vertical pixels eaten by various toolbars, the difference in the visible size of content being edited (like image / video preview / source code / design etc) between HD+ and FHD can be the difference between "usable on the road" and "where can I can find an external monitor" (it is for me). For video editing being able to preview HD video w/o resampling is also a big deal on its own.

That said, for general browsing 1600x900 is fine. Or may be even better than FHD (often find myself pressing Ctrl+ while browsing). Either way text is very small, and screen quality is subpar to even $200-250 22-23" IPS monitor. So it really depends whether you need to productively work in certain applications while not connected to external monitor(s).

If you do - FHD is more than worth the money IMO.

 

that's kind of what i thought. i actually had a higher score than that and when i tried to view results i lost my bluetooth keyboard and then the system bluescreened. not what caused that. i love the difference in speed with the ssd.

 

I don't have any USB 3.0 devices to test the USB 3.0 ports, but there is a thread here: W520 USB 3.0 Problem - Lenovo Community

 

I have a 1.5TB GoFlex HDD with USB 3.0 interface and it works great on the blue USB 3.0 ports.

 

It's 2.0 as it works pre-OS like the normal 2.0 port. The 3.0 ports only work after OS load with a proper driver.

 

so I have had this laptop for a few weeks now and I love the battery life. I am about to install another 4 gig of RAM and then test out Starcraft 2 just want to make sure I am doing it right and oh what size screwdriver do I need

turn off cpu
take out battery
unscrew the middle compartment the centre one on the back
put the ram in
put the screws back in
put the battery back in
start cpu again

 

I have been using it for a while and it looks ok. No problems for now.

Also thanks for others' replies. It works fine now after disabling the USB 3.0 power management functions.

 

What version number of PowerManager are you using ?

I do not see 'Balance' as an option on mine.

 

switch power manager from basic to advanced and you will find it.

 

I should have said Windows 7 > Control Panel > " Power Options"

 

You guys make some very valid points. So far no one has really discouraged me from getting the FHD resolution. From the info I've gathered, HD+ is good but FHD is much better. And if it is as good as everyone here mentioned I don't want to pass up on this. I remember when I first got my T43 I opted not to get the higher screen resolution and stuck with the 1024 * 768 resolution and I've been regretting it ever since. Don't want to make the same mistake here. I hope its not too late to change or add this option to my order. Also my eye sight is pretty good so that won't be a factor. I'll see what they say when I call them on Monday morning.

Hope I can get this....

 

Don't worry, apparently Lenovo has a massive stock of these FHD 95% gamut 15" screens. From what I read at another forum ( here) the W520's FHD screen is the same screen used in W510.

 

If you are going to be at a desk most of the time and won't need the FHD screen on the go, just save the $200 and buy an external IPS monitor.

 

Is anyone else noticing the Trackpad being a bit "Laggy"? - The nipple mouse seems to be fine.

 

Go to Start Menu >> Control Panel (Small icons format) >> Mouse >> UltraNav (tab) >> Settings (Under "Touchpad") >> Pointing >> Sensitivity >> Touch Sensitivity >> "Light Touch". That is how I would fix that issue on my T61, the W520 is probably very similar in the same process.

 

I had major reservations of going for the FHD over the HD+ when configuring my W520. Solely down to concerns re the font size etc as my main use is office programs, web and email. I ended up going for the FHD in the end and am pleased to say that most of my fears weren't confirmed. It came with the DPI set at 125% straight out of the box, both in Windows and in IE9, and it even has (recommended) next to the 125% DPI setting on Windows. At that setting font size, text etc really hasn't been an issue for me so far whilst you are still able to reap the benefits of the quality, sharpness and brightness of the FHD screen.

It's a tough call though without the benefit of seeing them both side by side! I know I deliberated for ages.

The other thing that pushed me to FHD was looking forward to the future. For example something like Windows 8 which will be out before too long would have been designed with FHD in mind I'm sure as at Microsoft, be it laptops or external displays, they're all running FHD resolutions so I hear.

 

Sooo....

I have had my W520 for several weeks. I love it!

I have installed a Intel 510 120gb SSD - No reboot/os issues.
I will be installing more memory next week likely.

I have stumbled upon a limitation of the Quadro 2000m re: Starcraft 2.

Upon starting a match, no matter the graphics whether it be on Ultra or Low, I sit > 55fps without fail (God.. Ultra gfx is quite perrrty). Once the number of in-game units start to stack up (usually around the 10-15 minute mark), the game slows to 0 - 4 fps without fail. I have attempted forced discrete, disable speedstep, disable cpu/pcie power mgmt, different gfx driver/bios versions, ... no resolve.

I have attempted to get TS from blizzard regarding this.
Their response:
"As much as I hate being the bearer of bad news, we are unable to support our games on Quadro cards. Usually SC2 won't even boot on a Quadro card, which at least speaks of how powerful your particular model is. They're specialized cards that are not meant for gaming. Again, I'm pleasantly surprised that the game plays properly for any time at all.

I took a few minutes to hunt around online for anyone who has had success getting high-end games to run properly on the newer Quadro cards, but unfortunately I came up dry. My condolences."

Sad...
Time for integrated gfx on low settings *sighs*

 

Do you have the same issue if you use the latest NVIDIA Verde driver?
NVIDIA Quadro 2000M 275.33 Released June 1, 2011
NVIDIA Driver Downloads - Automatically Detect NVIDIA Products
Direct Link
NVIDIA DRIVERS 275.33 WHQL

 

At the bottom under Note, it say:

"Notebooks supporting Hybrid Power technology with Intel chipsets are not supported by this release."

This means Optimus enabled W520 is not supported ??

OK or not OK to install ?