Lenovo W520 Owner's Thread

but remember I got the 2820 processor, raid 0 500gb drives and Docking station and 3 year service contract with thinkpad protection and the bottom price includes hst, which I get back sortof. I compared to dell, hp, sony etc. and from canada this is a good price.

 

Any deals on the W520 coming up?

 

Ahh... my mistake. I saw the high price and took a quick look at your list but somehow overlooked all of those. I just saw 2820qm and 1000m and drew my conclusion.

Right now until the 31st. B&N discount + Lenovo's coupon. I was going to order mine 2 weeks ago, but hesitated and the price went up. Luckily, the Lenovo discount is back now.

 

I have this adapter and I don't like it. Yes, it works - the problem that it's big enough and a little bit flimsy. if you accidentally move your HDMI cable it felt like it would break DP in laptop

 

Now the wait, immediate delivery on docking station but shipping w520 on 01/09/11

 

You got an expected ship date of 9/1???
Mine is 9/7... Must be the Quadro 2000M

 

Maybe you will get lucky, I ordered mine on 08/1, had an expected ship date of 08/10 and the actual ship date ended up being like 08/5.

 

see if it really happens, the lady on the phone said she would change from 9 days to 6 days. put a priority on it

 

While I wait for my W520...
Is anyone using the 6 cell battery? If so, what kind of battery life are you getting out of it? Since I'm selling my X200T, I'm gonna have to lug this thing around everyday and trying to minimize the weight.

Also, for those that have swapped the ODD for a secondary HDD, is everyone buying the one from Newmodeus or the cheap Fenvi units? Is there any way to get a genuine Lenovo part? If so, anyone have a part #? I searched but couldn't find anything. Thanks.

 

There is another discount for the W520 besides the normal B&N discount? Couldnt find any. Would be more than thankful for any help!

 

are you in the US?
When you go to configure your build, it should show automatically. And when you go to checkout, just click on the upper right corner "activate coupon." I think it's good for an additional 10% off.

YMMV, but I called Lenovo to try and see if I can get any additional discounts, but my rep said the price that I'm paying is employee pricing and he couldn't offer anything else.

 

I have just found this document http://www.lenovoquickpick.com/assets/files/ThinkPad%20Multiple%20Monitor%20Configurations%20using%20NVIDIA%20Optimus%20Technology%20-%20Technical%20Brief%20-%20June_10_2011.pdf and it is clearly written that W520 can run with 4 monitors configuration with the Mini Dock Series 3 model 4337! Unfortunately I have purchased the more expensive Mini Dock Series 3 model 4338 believing that double the number of ports will allow me to run 4 monitors configuration. If it is not about the documentation error, I will try to contact Lenovo and see if I could get the replacement of model 4338 for model 4337.

 

I notice no one here seems to have a dual-core model... I'm pretty sure I'll go with the i7 2620M if I grab a W520... how does the battery life compare to the quad-core model? Anyone know?

Config I want:

Core i7 2620M
4GB RAM
Quadro 2000M
160GB Intel SSD
1920x1080 LCD
Color Sensor
Bluetooth
Intel WiFi 6300N

What kind of price do you think I could get that for?

 

good choice

the i7 dual is better on battery than quad

35w vs. 45w

but keep in mind the gfx card makes a big difference too lol !

 

I just priced this with corporate mc discount:

System components
Intel Core i7-2620M Processor (2.70GHz, 4MB L3)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
NVIDIA Quadro 2000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
Color Sensor
4 GB DDR3 - 1333MHz (1 DIMM)
UltraNav with TrackPoint & touchpad
720p Camera
Internal RAID - Not Enabled
Intel 160 GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA
DVD recordable multiburner
Express Card Slot & 4 in 1 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


Price $3,205.00
Sale price $1,911.65
After eCoupon $1,720.48
Savings $1,484.52

Total $1,720.48
Use eCoupon code USXWX1EDGE0825

 

Oh, nice, much better than the ~$2,200 it comes out to for me online.

 

if you need help getting that discount let me know.....

 

Yeah, but I'm mostly getting this machine because it's my dream 15"...

A) Good battery life
B) Good screen
C) No numpad
D) Good graphics card
E) Good build quality

So I mean really for gaming the i7 dual vs. i7 quad won't make a difference at all, and the battery life will certainly be better. I have no need for 16GB of RAM and whatnot.

 

Hopefully I'll know soon.

I don't have a laptop (besides my company laptop) at the moment, and if I get this job with CSX I'll be gone for 6 weeks for training. Which means I'll need a laptop. So I'm going to ask my dad to float me some cash.

 

Is your dad the type to adopt strangers from the internet into the family ? like me say ??



btw
show him the numbers I posted and when he sees how much your saving that should help

 

So I'm no one?

My battery life is like 30mins ~ 1hr longer than what other users report.

I'd recommend you getting the SSD aftermarket instead, but I'll price it out now and see what I get. Yeah, $1720-ish seems about how much you would have to pay for that from Lenovo. And I can price out the same thing (but with a 2720QM instead) for $1766.67.

 

Honestly, the SSD isn't really much more than getting it aftermarket.

Amazon.com: Intel 320 Series 160 GB SATA 3.0 Gb-s 2.5-Inch Solid-State Drive: Electronics

It's a $320 upgrade from Lenovo.

As for 30 minutes - 1 hour longer than quad owners... what does that come to for you? I've heard these things get insane battery life, like 7+ hours?

 

and I am pretty sure if you have a prob with the ssd installed from Lenovo they will cover it under your chosen warranty term vs. self bought/install

 

Be aware that the dual core models only have two memory stick slots, compared to four slots on the quad core models. Not only will that limit your max memory, it may mean you'd pay more for the memory you'd want by paying for fewer number of higher capacity(more expensive) sticks to get to that max total.

 

Which isn't a big deal for me.

8GB is ample, even 4GB is good enough really.

 

Again, there are 4 slots, it's just that the CPU can't use all 4 and will not boot with more than slots 0 and 2 used.

 

Ok guys need some help...I've just started noticing this...when I close my lid while plugged in my screen won't turn off. I have change all settings not only in power management and in the windows side and still no go...any help or ideas with this.

 

Sealed Retail Intel 320 160GB SSDSA2CW160G3 SSD Drive | eBay

Intel 320 160GB. The lesson: shop around for a good deal, and if you can save a significant amount on a user-replaceable part, don't buy through Lenovo.

 

Anyone aware of a 12 volt power adapter that will work with the W520? The Lenovo AC/DC Combo Adapter I have works great with my T400 but it doesn't work with my W520.

Thanks!

Louis

 

If you look, the W520 uses a 20V DC-in, so I'm doubtful about one working. Though, the battery is 11.1V nominal, so it might run. However, you need at least 135W out of the adapter for the W520 to run.

 

Right. But have you ever seen one with these specs?

 

My w520 170W adapter output 20V 8.5A.
I have not measured the actual output yet, but can do it if someone needs it.

 

I am looking at installing the T50 6Gbps mSATA 120GB SSD which is sata III, does anyone know if the internal slot is sata III?

 

Sounds like the standard power supply. I'm looking for one that will accept a 12 volt input.

 

rampantdragon, have a look here mSATA SSD OCZ Nocti - hat jemand Erfahrung? - Seite 2 (use google translation to translate to english) or here http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/574993-msata-faq-basic-primer.html.
IMO, despite current Mini PCIe specification for W520 should be 2.0, mSATA is rerouted to SATA controllers and we know that W520 with current Sandy Bridge controller has only 2 SATA III 6.0 Gb/s - internal HDD slot and DVD/Blu-Ray/Caddy slot. Therefore I would expect that mSATA in WWAN slot would only provide SATA II capabilities, regardless of SATA III spec like new Runcore Pro 6GB has Runcore Pro V 6GB mSATAIII 120GB RCP-V-T5028-MC. I have ordered the Runcore one with SATA III and once I get it will post the result here.

 

So I think I may have changed my mind... now I'm thinking instead of going for the 160GB Intel SSD I'll just grab a 128GB mSATA SSD instead and stick with the 500GB HDD that comes standard. In that case I'd bump from the i7 2620M to the i7 2820QM... could you get a price on that with all the same specs otherwise?

 

System components
Intel Core i7-2820QM Processor (2.30GHz, 8MB 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
Color Sensor
8 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
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
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


YOUR SYSTEM SUMMARY
Price $3,350.00
Sale price $2,056.15
After eCoupon $1,850.53
Savings $1,499.47

Total $1,850.53
Use eCoupon code USXWX1EDGE0825
Estimated ship date: 9/3/11**

 

Thanks so much.

And I hate to be a bother, but could you do one with the i7 2620M + standard 500GB HDD too?

 

If you're really insistent on Quad Core I would stick with the base i7-2720QM, the performance advantage of the i7-2820QM to the i7-2720QM is minimal yet you're paying a $200 premium for it which is a lot.

 

And a few more questions...

...what kind of real-world battery life does a quad-core W520 get? Say web browsing with Flash and that kind of thing?

Also, is the 1600x900 LCD any good?

 

or

System components
Intel Core i7-2820QM Processor (2.30GHz, 8MB 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
Color Sensor
4 GB DDR3 - 1333MHz (1 DIMM)
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
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


YOUR SYSTEM SUMMARY
Price $3,190.00
Sale price $1,920.15
After eCoupon $1,728.13
Savings $1,461.87

Total $1,728.13
Use eCoupon code USXWX1EDGE0825

 

About the same bump as going from a 2630QM to a 2720QM, really.

And the upgrade's actually cheaper than on an Alienware M14x... on that it's a $350 upgrade.

 

Ahhh, yeah, that's much nicer. Only difference appears to be the 4GB vs. 8GB of RAM, yes? I'm fine going with 4 since to upgrade on my own is SO much cheaper.

 

System components
Intel Core i7-2620M Processor (2.70GHz, 4MB L3)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
NVIDIA Quadro 2000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
Color Sensor
4 GB DDR3 - 1333MHz (1 DIMM)
UltraNav with TrackPoint & touchpad
720p Camera
Internal RAID - Not Enabled
500 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
DVD recordable multiburner
Express Card Slot & 4 in 1 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



YOUR SYSTEM SUMMARY
Price $2,885.00
Sale price $1,639.65
After eCoupon $1,475.68
Savings $1,409.32

Total $1,475.68
Use eCoupon code USXWX1EDGE0825
Estimated ship date: 9/3/11**

 

yes they only have a few semi-preconfig options to start with, its a matter of toying around with the different options and 'base' models and seeing what the cart ends up with, then going with the best bang for the buck/cheapest

 

Once again man, thanks so much... +Rep

I don't suppose you have any idea when Lenovo will be switching to the refreshed Sandy Bridge chips, do you? Core i7 2640M, Core i7 2840QM, etc...

 

If Intel is going to refresh the lineup, it'll be Q3 going by the past generation. Q3 at the moment has 1 month left.

 

Oh, they're definitely going to.

It's been talked about for awhile, but then when Razer announced their gaming laptop earlier, the specs listed it as rocking a Core i7 2640M. So yeah.

 

no prob

 

What would one pay for w520 with an xm2920 processor, nvidia 2000m video card, 300gig hard drive, fhd screen, and 12gigs of ram with a 3yr warranty, oh and the advanced 3x3 antenna and color calibrator sensor??? And possibly a ultra bay adapter that doesn't have a gap that works flawless from newmodeus?? Quick reply on this plz...kinda curious