SL Series TD Views/Opinions...

Hi!

Couldn't find a SL series thread about user reviews. So here it is...

Well, I purchased my first TP few weeks back, my earlier notebooks were a Compaq and a Tosh. Had some hardware problems with compaq, but Tosh more of less was ok (have it for 3-4 years now), except for the recent problem with the LCD, not being able to maintain it's position . So bought new TP SL500 that hopefully will last little longer. So far in the first few weeks, more or less i am satisfied with it. The keyboard is really good, though I don't use it that much (use an external keyboard) but still it's better then any of the notebook's keyboard I've used. I am not too fond of the shiny top of my TD, but guess I can live with it. With my earlier notebooks, they both make noise when the HD is accessed, and this TP is not different and I just hate that annoying noise. For that very reason, will get a quieter and a lower capacity HD (the current one is from Hitachi 250GB, 5.4kRPM). Then there is this fan that never stops even when running on battery, even though my TP is built on this new Montivena platform (T8600 CPU & PM45 Chipset with discrete Nvidia 9300m GPU). Hepefully, Lenovo will in some driver updates.

Something that I realized recently, even though this Montivena architechture supports DDR3, I can't use DRR3 (was one of the reason getting this CPU & Chipset combo) since Lenovo didn't implemented the DDR3 interface. Someone at NBR replied to another thread of mine, that the DDR3 & 2 use the same interface, and I thought I'll upgrade my notebook in year or so to DDR3. Anyone knows, if its possible/easy to change the interface/slots at my Chipset? Can this be done by Lenovo?

Lastly, the LCD , its a WSXGA+ TFT (non LED) display & i am really happy with it, no complaints there .

my 2 cents...

 

Thanks for the thoughts. Running in low power mode if you don't need the extra juice will help with the fan noise. If there's any settings for lowering the power to the card when not in need of it, that might be worth looking into.

The screen's arguably the most important part on a notebook. Glad it's worked out.

 

Reduce fan noise. Open up Power Manager/Battery Maximizer. Go to the advanced tab, and select reduce noise dynamically for the fan. I use this on my x200, and it is dead silent in normal operation. You also should consider switching to the integrated graphics (same utility) when on battery as this should reduce power usage, heat buildup, and consequently fan noise.

Sadly, all hard drives make noise, and this problem is exacerbated by how quiet some Thinkpads are. Your only real solution to this (and something I am considering in the future) is to go with an SSD, it is silent because it has no moving parts. You may also gain performance and/or battery life, but to me the lack of noise, and increased resistance to shock is the main reason to consider an SSD, the price and low capacity is the main reason not too (at least for now).

DDR2 and DDR3 are NOT pin compatible. The Montevina chipset supports both, but the motherboard only supports one or the other. You are actually better off with the DDR2 at the moment, because DDR3 gives you almost no performance benefit, and the very low cost of DDR2 will allow you to put in 4GB of RAM today and this will have a real performance benefit (I am waiting until DDR3 prices drop before I upgrade from 2GB to 4GB).

 

Thank you both for the reply. jonlumpkin, i am not sure if i have this reduce noise dynamically option for my SL500, I'll have a look when i get home, will update this thread then. There have been lots of people (guess almost everyone with the SL500) complaining on the lenovo board about the fan kicking in even on a cold start. Could be that the X200 has this option to reduce noise.

Yeah, i too planned to get upgraded with DDR3 in a year or so, but i guess i am stuck with DDR2 with this notebook. Is it possible that somehow i can or the lenovo support can change the interface from DDR2 to DDR3? since the CPU and mobo supports it.

 

forgot to add, that SL500 series dont have this dual graphics card option. You can either opt for Intel's builtin or Nvidia's discrete graphics card 9300M.

 

Hey,

I'm thinking about buying an SL-400. I can get the configuration I want for $700 with the e-coupon.

Would you recommend the SL-series? I'm between the SL-series and R-series. The price difference is about $200, I'm not sure if the R400 is worth it.

Thanks!

 

Well, I guess the main difference is the rollcage and the shiney top, not sure though if you can get R400 with LED backlit. Except of that the keyboard (another major reason in buying TP) is the same. You can get T400 with DDR3 configured (well that might turnout to be not so much of a performance boost). But the performance is not much different, i guess the CPU and motherboard combo is the same. You'll get the feeling belonging to real TP club with a T series for an extra 200$ , dont know if it's worth it.

 

To access the reduce noise dynamically, you probably need to switch to advanced view. It will require some digging in the settings but I am pretty sure you can find it. It is also necessary to configure each profile independently, as the settings for fan noise are not global. I am using Vista Business 64 and that may change the power manager software installed, but I am pretty sure you should have the option of controlling fan speed.

It is highly unlikely you can convince Lenovo to switch the interface on your laptop because it would necessitate an entire system board replacement (expensive). You misunderstood my statement on upgrading my RAM. I wanted (and specifically asked a CSR for) a DDR2 x200 so that I could afford to get 4GB (2x2GB) of RAM today. Only DDR3 was available on the x200, despite the fact that review models had DDR2. Therefore I got a single 2GB DDR3 module, and will add another one when their prices fall (DDR3 is currently 3x the price of DDR2, and marginally better at best).

Are you sure that the SL does not have switchable graphics? I was under the impression that ALL Montevina chipset equipped Thinkpads had switchable graphics if a discrete GPU was chosen (T400/500, W500/700, and I thought SL series). However, it is possible that I am mistaken.

 

Hello,

I use Lenovo SL400 47U setup - P8400 / NV9300M / Fujitsu 160GB / 2GB RAM / Vista

Here are my thoughts about this computer after few weeks using it :

- Case seems to be sturdy but some parts are not to well assembled - i have needed to "reasseble" some parts like hdd cover to have them right in place. Palmrest despite its not shiny, is prone to marks form hands etc. Keyboard is very silent, and i very much like the ultranav, which in my opinion makes navigating much simplier than touchpad.

- I don't think that location of ports, which are hidden, is an issue for more-than-few-weeks-user. After a while i get used to it, and now i find ports with first try without looking for them.
One complain i have about speaker output socket - using 6,3 to 3,5 jack connector is impossible, because its case is to thick to fit, i tried to remove expresscard plastic insert, but it allows to connect some bigger adapter only to microphone socket.

- WXGA+ LCD panel is very detailed and can be set very bright.
It's really badly calibrated - color palette is bluish. I used the hardware calibrator to change it and the difference is huge. Vertical viewing angles are so small, that i have to readjust the screen almost every bigger move.

- I don't like the continuos noise of this laptop - after few minutes of work it starts to work loud and never stops. I tried to use different power plans but nothing work, there's no simply any difference between lowest and highest settings. I updated bios and power manager to the latest versions and it seems that power manager doesn't have "reduce noise dynamically" option, even if Lenovo site says that SL should have it. The strangest thing to me is that computer at all tests is described as not loud or even very silent, but I have completely opposite experience.

- I think it was bad move to name it Thinkpad - not because it's bad computer, but because it's all the time compared to way better Thinkpads. When compared to competitors costing same money it's in my opinion good choice. It's good 14,1" laptop with trackpoint, matte screen and simple look - now I can both have digital lcd output for work and not be ashamed by fancy design at business meetings.

 

miks is right, there is not option to adjust the fan noise level. On my notebook, it's just a notch below the max level for AC Settings, and in the system settings, I can't find any control to adjust it. Guess we'll have wait for the Lenovo guys to update it.

 

miks, could you please add how did you calibrate your LCD?

 

I borrowed hardware calibrator to make custom ICM profile. You put it on the screen and it do the job.

miks

 

Thanks miks and n000b for giving me a review of the SL.

I found a R61 Refurb with similar specs and price - which would you recommend?

I don't know if I could deal with the fan noise issue as you both have described and I don't like the glossy lid or the lack of a lid lock.

 

Well, if it's in a good condition (dont have any exp with Refurbished ones) & of the same specs, then get the R61 . Also, make sure that the LCD is of the resolution (the higher the better if you ask me) as the comparable SL series.

 

Hi a4anish,

In my opinion, comparing the specs and functionality of similar SL500 and R61 on paper, SL is better only when you need digital screen output built in.

miks