Lenovo W520 Owner's Thread

You're right, I mixed up the "store" or whatever's on the bottom of that page (glassman701) with the seller's name at the top-right (uq511).

Thank you. Good to know.

 

I got the same caddy from uq511. seems to work fine with SATA II. The package took nearly 4 weeks to get to Montreal, Canada.
I stuck sth in the gap to make sure dust doesn't get in, but it doesn't look too good!
The other thing that bothers me a bit is that the LED stays on, and flickers a bit when in use as opposed to the other way around!

I have yet to test it with a SSD SATA III. I was waiting for Corsair force series 3 which turned out to be a bummer:
Corsair recalls its 120GB Force 3 SSD due to 'stability issues' -- Engadget

 

Anyone know if the 2 mics on this laptop can be used for ventrilo when not setting infront of the pc, like if I have it in a dockingstation and sit with a 3. party keyboard and mouse and screen. Should be a lot better than my zalman clip mic I hope?

 

The microphones are on the display. You can use them that way as long as the display is open, facing you, and reasonably close to you.

 

Will it use both for cleare sound or do the software have to support that?

 

I imagine that's built into either the hardware or the driver and is not reliant on the software using the microphone.

 

Stay AWAY from the 1.37 BIOS update STILL on the lenovo download area. That update should have been pulled in April.

I guess Lenovo likes to replace motherboards.

I haven't seen this happen yet with the W520's.

 

Lenovo still hasn't released an updated BIOS for the W520 that fixes all of the problems we've reported to them. I wonder how long it'll take them to get it right. *sigh*

 

If you are anywhere where sandstorms are common it won't matter if you work inside or outside.

 

Just in case you want to increase your storage to 1TB and not worry about if the disk will fit or not in the caddy or in the main bay, looks like very soon it will be possible, Samsung just released a model with 9.5mm high.
Samsung-Unveils-Terabyte-Hard-Drive-Notebooks

 

Just curious, where do you see the 1.37 BIOS update? On the website I still see the 1.25 update that supposedly breaks 2720.

 

Anybody have a recommendation of a good Lenovo rep to ask for?

 

Hey, I have ordered a W520 with the standard 4GB of Ram. I'm looking to get another 4gb to match it as its cheaper than upgrading through lenovo. Anyone point me to a cheap yet suitable module?

How about these:
Corsair Value 4096MB (1x4096MB) Memory Module Kit 1333MHz PC3-10666 DDR3 DIMM 240pin CL 9-9-9-24

 

Although this is the W520 owners thread, the context was for the W510 since the poster was remarking about the W510 horror story there. You will see it under the W510 downloads and drivers.

 

Now if they'll just make a 7200rpm version.

 

Heh, the original poster was me with my W510. Actually been very hesitant to update to the latest BIOS for this machine even before looking up the horror stories of 1.37.

 

so what you are saying is that we should wait and see what other people's experience is with any new BIOS updates? as much as I love bricking my PC, I kind of need it.

 

Here are my golden rules:

1. "If it aint broke, don't fix it"
   
2. Look first at the change log for the BIOS update to see if there are any fixes that happen to fix something you are seeing with your machine. If there is something, then consider it.
   
3. Never use the windows app and .exe to update. I know they have fixed "most" of the problems running it on x64 versions of Windows, but it's apparent they haven't fixed all of them. Although the CD update process can also brick a machine, there is a higher success rate.
   
4. If you are out of warranty on your machine, you are just asking for trouble. See rule number one. If you continue anyway, see the following rule.
   
5. Move forward if you have enough money to buy another machine.

 

My norton trial just ran out so I am looking for good free options

How is microsoft security essentials ?

 

I use MSE and it's a great, free AV program. Much better than Norton since it's less bloated, plus is also faster than my family's choice of AV (Webroot).

I also use Malwarebyte's AntiMalware as well. You will be happy with either (or both).

 

it would be prudent to do a full backup before doing any driver or bios upgrades. it also might pay to wait a few days after they are released to download them. the bluetooth drivers that were released a few weeks back crashed several machines, mine included, and were then removed. luckily i had an image to restore from.

 

Anyone selling their 1x4GB stick?

 

just ordered my W520

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
NVIDIA Quadro 2000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboard US English
UltraNav with TrackPoint & touchpad plus Fingerprint reader
720p Camera
Internal RAID - Not Enabled
128GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA
Optical device: DVD recordable multiburner
System expansion slots: Express Card Slot & 4 in 1 Card Reader
Battery: 9 cell Li-Ion Battery - 55++
Power cord: Country Pack North America with Line cord & 170W AC adapter
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 3.0
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300
4 Yr Onsite Warranty Next Business Day

it all came to $2083 + tax

Thanks to all those who contributed to this thread, made it much easier for me to shop for mine.

 

Congratz, and welcome to NBR. How did you manage to get all that for $2k?

 

What office 2010 version pre-installed on w520? professional or standard?

 

Unless you change your order on the config page, it'll come standard with the Starter edition of Office, which only includes a basic (and ad-supported?) version of Word and Excel, nothing else.

 

That can be a tough rule to live by these days. Folks seem to jump on the 'latest' without looking at even if there is an upside, a feature added or a problem fixed. The version number is higher, so it must be better, more shiny, and have extra Unicorn horns.

I first learned this lesson with Video drivers, than with Window Media Center updates. At this point, I look towards my VM machines to load the new stuff, if it even passes the 'does it do anything for me' test. Now, that doesn't work with BIOS, so for those I really need a compelling reason.......


AND all that being said, as soon as I get a hint that the next W520 BIOS fixes either my non-existant turbo boost and/or my extra 60 seconds warm restart with my Intel 510, that puppy is getting burned to a CD and loaded!

 

Same here!

 

i totally agree with what everyone here says about upgrading software with reckless abandon but some upgrades are hard to resist.

 

I agree as well. Unless something is wrong with my machine, I don't feel like I need to install updates for my hardware. Windows Update, on the other hand, I typically run (for the security updates, of course).

 

Thanks and good to know. Because I have both versions’ software myself, first I think maybe I can just use the new key to make it work but actually couldn’t. Finally I had to remove preinstalled one and reinstalled mine again.

 

Thats where my VM's come in to play.
And with 16 gig on the 520, having a whole slew running at once is a snap.
I can snapshot a machine, load the latest and greatest version of (fill in the blank), and give it a whirl for a few weeks to make sure it has no unforseen consequences....

Works great, except, for BIOS-es......


OH by the way, I "resolved" my turbo boost issue.

Intel Turbo boost monitor --> Settings --> "Run at Startup" --> UNclick!

 

Does anyone have experience with the Intel® Anti-Theft Technology supported by the new generation of Intel Chips used in the W520
Intel Anti-Theft Technology
and the different services, e.g. "Computrace by Absolute Software" and "Computrace LoJack for Laptops" (also by Absolute Software)
Absolute Software | LoJack for Laptops: Product Features

EDIT: Video looks good: Intel Anti-Theft Technology - Lojack For Laptops Video (demo on a Lenovo T400)

 

In case anyone here is getting that annoying Open GL 7 error with Adobe PPro or AE, it's the Nvidia driver. I updated to 275.33 WHQL (for desktop 270.73 or higher) direct from Nvidia and it went away. It may be some time until Lenovo official drivers reach that base level.

 

Do you mean Nvidia Version 275.33?
http://www.nvidia.com/object/win7-winvista-64bit-275.33-whql-driver.html

 

Oops, fat finger. That's the right one. Thanks!

 

I believe Quadro Nvidia cards need "Verde" drivers not "GeForce" and get the notebook version. (But the GeForce and Verde files seems to be the same, just switch to notebook.)
NVIDIA DRIVERS 275.33 WHQL

 

Sadly, after being in the depot and coming back with the same USB problem, I just RMA'd my second W520 since April 10 and picked up an IMAC and IPOD. Feel a bit like a traitor, but I really grew tired of technology that didn't work. Take care friends! I have learned much from you... Maybe one day we will meet again!

 

hathdan, forum rules say that NBR members cnnot post contact information for company reps. You might want to remove the email address

 

I have a question about the dock station. Can I have a earlier edition dock station and power the W520 with the source DIRECTLY to the laptop to use the laptop with the dock? The Mini Dock Plus Series 3 170W costs $200+ but I can get a dock for W500 or T400 for less than $100. The dock station itself can be powered by its original power source. Is this possible? Thanks.

 

The dock and connecters changed from the T400/W500 series to the W510/W520. No, that dock will not work.

 

You mean the physical connection between the laptop and the dock changed?

 

Yup. The docking port is in a different spot. Plus, the new docks (T400s and newer) are thinner and do less than the old (T400 and older) do.

The T510 (and by extension every 15" chassis since, so the T520, W510 and W520) is built on the (newer) T400s design.

The T400/T500/W500 is built on the old T60/T61 case design.

 

how do the VERDE 275.33 DRIVER "version numbers" line up (if they do) with the Lenovo issued Quadro drivers? Mine show a date of 2/2/2011 and a version 8.17.12.6696

 

Thanks a lot, that helps.

 

275.33 = 8.17.1 2.7533

 

Does anyone know what laptop backpacks will fit the W520 such that no part of it sticks out of the "pocket"? I have a bag that fits 15" widescreen laptops and fits the W520, but it sticks out of the pocket so when I'm carrying the back around the laptop's side edge and corners have a chance of rubbing around in the bag, usually against the zipper, and now my corners are rubbing down. The thing also tilts slightly in the bag so that the bottom digs into my back.

Does the Wenger Synergy fit the laptop completely within the sleeve (eg nothing sticks outside of the sleeve opening)

 

Not completely but it doesn't rub on anything on the inside either.

 

Oakley Kitchen Sink backpack works quite well for the W520
Oakley KITCHEN SINK BACKPACK | Oakley Store

I keep my laptop, charger, sunglasses, 4 hard drives, gym shoes, body spray, gym clothes, flashlight, a plethora of cables, ratcheting screw driver, laptop screw driver set, zip ties, cable finder, and more crap all in the backpack. Nothing rubs the laptop nor causes anything damage in there.

 

Do these drivers support Optimus?