SL510, Y550 Selection Dellima

Having trouble with the build process offered by Lenovo on these 2 units.

The Y550 offers the:

nVidia Geforce GT 240M graphic card with 1GB memory

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2)

3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz SODIMM Memory (2 Dimms)

15.6 HD WLED Glossy, 1366*768

My question is whether this is a good match up since they don't offer a T9 series processor.

Usage is : level 2 games, vid/photo edit using Visio and Adobe ,streaming audio recording w/RePlay/Pandora and general multitask functions with windows7 pro.



The SL510& SL410 offer:

Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9600 (2.8GHz, 1066MHz, 6MBL2, 35W)

3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD

15.6" HD, VibrantView WGXA 1200 x 800

My question and usage are the same for this unit but with more emphasis on the Integrated graphics realizing that it will consume quite a bit of memory usage. I've not heard good benchmarks on the Intel 4500. But will it accommodate my usage effectively without burden to the system config.

I'm not a gamer but i do operate with sometimes more than three programs in use at the same time. The dvd player will be running HDMI output, Torrents active, Word or Vision active, and usual internet browser(s). The big thing is the streaming audio.

My confusion lies with Lenovo for the most part because in reality the online build process and selectability are user friendly. Until you begin to look at critical detail.This has been big learning curve.
Lenovo"learn more about processors" indicated T9orP9 best for gaming and other multibusiness CAD usage.But yet they don't offer t9 in conjuction with
nVidia Geforce GT 240M graphic card on the Y550.Is this because they feel that since its dedicated with 1GB own memory that the p8700 is good enough with 3MBL2.??
The SL510 as mentioned before is offered with t9 but yet config. with poor gaming integrated intel4500 video card.??
The T and W series I don't have a budget for.

 

Sorry to cross post, but here's my answer....

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5536937&postcount=17

 

From your stated usage, you do not need a discrete graphics card. It will only use more power (therefore reducing battery life and generating more heat).

Likewise, however, you also do not need anything more than perhaps a P8600 or P8700 processor. Beyond that point, there will be minimal, if any difference in performance gains for your usage. Out of all these laptops, I would probably recommend, with hesitation, the SL410.

What is your budget? Perhaps we can manage to find a nice R- or T-series Thinkpad for you - those are built much better than the SL-series Thinkpads.

 

olaf675.............Thank you for feedback and supply of data links, this will make selection making more confident. Good luck w/ your choice and hope to view feedback on here once you turn & burn.

MidnightSun.........Thank you for the input and I will go thru the data links provided by olaf675 for the T500.
Can you comment on the DVi port vs. HDMI ( on the T500)