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    Saw a W500 at the pawn shop for $299

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Min, Mar 27, 2012.

  1. Min

    Min Notebook Geek

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    T9600, HD3650, 1920x1200 display, 4 GB RAM, forgot to check size of HD

    The display was beautiful, but somewhat dimmer than the T410 they had, but still better-looking than the T410's display

    My question is, under Device Manager the HD3650 was shown, but with a exclamation mark symbol. I thought the W500 came with the firepro V5700, which I realize is a driver-optimized version of the HD3650. Why isn't the OS picking up the firepro?

    Also, is this a good deal overall?

    I'd like to have a low-cost CAD-capable machine.
     
  2. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    The WUXGA display on the W500 is nice, although the brightness is a bit sub-par (150 nits, versus the WSXGA+ display's 200 nits).

    I think several W500 owners did have some issues with the GPU being recognized as a FirePro card, but I do believe a combination of BIOS and video driver updates did fix the problem.

    And you didn't post the price, so it's hard to say whether it's a good deal ;)
     
  3. Min

    Min Notebook Geek

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    Thanks for your input.

    (Price is in the thread title) ;) But they were selling it for $299. I could probably talk them down a bit as pawn shop people don't know a thing about computers (they just see ugly boxy black laptop)
     
  4. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Oh shucks, didn't see that. $300 is a fair price depending on the state that it's in; if you can get it any lower it'd be even better.
     
  5. formerglory

    formerglory Notebook Evangelist

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    Not a bad price, I would have snagged it up, probably even without haggling.

    Let us know if you buy it and if you manage to talk down the price a bit.
     
  6. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    I believe the WUXGA screens used on the W500 were rated at 175 nits, but the general consensus is that hte WSXGA+ LCDs were better quality wise.
     
  7. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    at 300 dollars it is a fair price.
     
  8. Quanger

    Quanger Notebook Evangelist

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    I wouldve bought it at $300. Try and haggle them first, or at least ask for no tax.
     
  9. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    It's probably hot. Tell them $125 or you call the cops. :D