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    Switching to the W520 series? b/c of small w510 problems

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by ComputerNewb, Apr 1, 2011.

  1. ComputerNewb

    ComputerNewb Notebook Consultant

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    Hey guys,

    I recently bought a thinkpad w510 and I am extremely happy with it.
    Now that the w520 is out, I can get it for roughly the same price! as I did for my w510 for about $1,600

    W510 W520
    i7 820 i7 2720/2820 (increases price by 200)
    FX 880m Quadro 2000m
    FHD screen " "
    4gb RAM " "
    320 Harddrive " "
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit " "
    . . .

    So other than battery life, should I change to the w520? Move around a bit.
    I bought the w510 because I needed a computer with a good graphics card to do programming, photoshop, and a bit of gaming on the side (XD).

    Actually, I know that the w520 uses a 170 watt battery brick, does that mean the actual laptop is heavier?

    Could anyone tell me any other compelling changes so that I should get the w520? I plan to use own this computer for about 5-8 years so I somewhat need a future proof computer.


    Here is another thread completely. I noticed some quibbles with teh current w510 I have.

    1. Screen - my t61 laptop never had any marks made from the keyboard. However, today I saw the Thinkpoint press on the screen and leaving a mark. Is this due to different design?

    2. Screen- towards the bottom, I can see two pieces of black plastic on the screen. The inside one is glued down while the outside one is not. Is this normal?

    3. Turning on- always turns on when I connect to an outlet OR if I have an external display attached but turned off and turn computer to sleep, once I close the lid, the computer turns back on with the external monitor on. Is there a way to disable?

    Thank you for your time,
    Steven Su
     
  2. ComputerNewb

    ComputerNewb Notebook Consultant

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    Actually, the bottom part of the screen flexes way too easily..between the two hinges.
     
  3. pkincy

    pkincy Notebook Evangelist

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    Interesting. You mean you can not charge the computer while it is off?

    There goes my method of using a small brick on the road.

    Perry
     
  4. erik

    erik modifier

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    there is a setting in the BIOS that will allow the system to turn on when an AC adapter is plugged in.   disable this feature if you want to charge while the system is off.
     
  5. ConnectDon

    ConnectDon Notebook Consultant

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    Screen Issues:
    1) TrackPoint impression - try removing and resetting the cap. That may lower it a bit. Also, your W510 may hold the screen closed tighter than your T61 did.
    2) LCD bezel - see here for a diagram of the bezel. I think you're seeing the tabs that are shown on part #2, but I'm not sure based on your description.
    3) Flex - Again, I'm not sure, but there's no reason to think it would be different on the W520.

    Don