T410s switchable?

Sorry if this has been answered...I have looked for the answer. The current graphics on the T410s tech page on Lenovo say that the system is switchable. They list it as this:

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD, Intel Core i5-520M Processor (2.40GHz, 3MB L3, 1066MHz FSB)

Is this switchable? If not...does anyone know when it will be? I'm waiting to order mine.

Also any idea why the Intel 160 SSD is not an option?

thx.

 

Switchable graphics was an option orginally for the T410s with the i5-540m processor, but since that chipset got pulled, we are waiting for it to be offered again. When it's back, it will be listed with the Nvidia 3100 512mb card.

Last most of us have heard, it'll be back at some point in april.

 

Thx! any idea on the 160 SSD? That would be my perfect config!

 

Lenovo works with SAMSUNG not intel for the SSDs....

 

isn't the current 80 an Intel?

 

80 and 160GB SSDs = Intel
64, 128, and 256GB SSDs = Samsung/Toshiba

 

will we be able to order the 410s with a 160 intel? thx

 

Some models offer Intel, some don't. Check Lenovo's website. If it doesn't, just get the cheapest option and get one yourself. Just make sure to get the 1.8" version (X18-M) for the T410s (1.8" primary drive bay).

 

I'm getting really close to ordering a T410s but would still like more info from the experts on whether it's worth waiting for switchable/discrete graphics vs. integrated? All the posts and articles I have read leave me a bit undecided...is there any conclusive answer to which is best? Thx.

 

What are you using your laptop for?

 

and of course if you opt for an Intel SSD then you then roll the dice as to will it be a G1 or G2 drive. Frustrating.

 

Using my laptop to run my business on...primarily lots of outlook, excel, word, database, web, skype...etc etc...

Just like the discrete vs integrated...I can't get conclusive thoughts on G1 vs G2...whether it makes a difference in my real world situation. Would love to be able to order it with the 160GB Intel though (any ideas if they will add that?). thx

 

Why not just get an after market.

 

truth be told...i'm not very good technically! not sure I would be able to do it w/o screwing something up! so for my purposes would 80GB without Trim (G1) be very disappointing? Is there anyway to guarantee G2 on ordering? thx much.

 

As the machines they are shipping now are being reported as G2 (as mine is), I doubt they would be likely to go back to G1 drives. This is probably not an issue in either case.

 

I don't think there's anyway to guaranteed. Even if there are 50 (or even 100) people telling you they've got/heard about getting G2 drive from Lenovo, you can still be the 51st or 101st to get a G1 drive unless Lenovo specifically write it out that you are purchasing a G2.

I wouldn't take the risk if I were you. It might seem cheaper to upgrade through Lenovo, but with a more well-ensured quality of the drive you're getting (in terms of which version/brand), I'd go for 3rd party.

You can hardly screw anything up as long as you can use a Philips screw driver to take out 2 screws and slide out the hard drive cover. For the hardware part, it's nothing more complicated than the LEGO any 10 years old plays; for the software part, if you're not tech savvy or just want to be lazy, just restore the Lenovo factory system - all you need to do is, while with your original HDD, to go to Rescue and Recovery to burn a factory image DVD. Then swap the drive, slide in your DVD and follow the recovery prompts from there.

 

Some users here on NBR have reported recently receiving new models with G1s.

 

I don't understand how you guys reached the conclusion that buying an aftermarket SSD is cheaper than upgrading through Lenovo.

I recently ordered a T410s and the upgrade to Intel's 80GB was $70 extra. On newegg etc it costs $200+ to get the same drive. I know you're gonna say sell the 250GB drive but the thing is: no one wants those drives anymore.

 

Usually, Lenovo charges a couple hundred for upgrades...

 

Well, many people might not want the drive, but there's always a price. I'd bet you could sell it on ebay for $70, that's half of the difference right there. Here's one that sold for that price, at half the size:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Toshiba-MK1229G...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3efe2f2117

I'd also be willing to pay a bit for the security of knowing that I'm going to get a G2, instead of an unknown that Lenovo might give me.

And finally, some people might want the 160GB drive, instead of the 80GB one that's offered. It's like buying RAM. You rarely want to do the OEM upgrades.