ThinkPad SL510

I'm thinking of purchasing a fairly low-end SL510 with T6670 and 2GB ram. The reviews seem OK, but I'm a bit worried by references to hinge problems and usb socket failures.

I know it's a subjective question, but can anyone offer any opinions about how well one of these would stand up to mainly desktop use, but regular movement between desks with regular opening and closing of the lid?

Years ago I had problems with Acer hinges with cracks on the plastics, but recently have stopped ever carrying a laptop by its lid. I've had no problems with recent Acers, but prefer the feel of the Lenovo's I've had (eg a 3000 N100).

I'm hoping to use the machine to replace a G550 as I need an Expresscard slot to provide me with a way to get a firewire option.

Any comments about this model would be very much appreciated.

 

Desktop top use they are fine. But i would imagine you would find a T500 (which has the CPU class) and use that. The T500 would also hold value better then the SL series.

The T500 has a native firewire 400 plug in the front.

The T500 also has a Expresscard54 slot which allows you to use many different kinds of expresscard on the market.

 

Hmm, that's interesting. The T500 does look like a much better machine, but the only one I can find at a comparable price is a manufacturer refurb T500 2241-A87, and the vendor gives very little detail on their websites. The machine comes with XP Pro and a small HD. I need to have it run Win 7, but that should be just a case of installing it. I'd actually prefer XP, but I need Win7, but I suppose I could put in a larger HD and have a go at dual-booting.

Other negatives are that it seems to be pre-LED backlight, I don't see a camera, it seems to have Connexant audio, which I hate, and I'm not sure about the WSXGA screen, as I'm old and the eyesight prefers bigger letters.

Any comments about the list or the machine, or a pointer to a detailed spec of that particular T500 would be really useful.

Thanks again for the heads-up.

I

 

I've had my SL410 for a couple of weeks now, and love it. Perhaps it was my thread you saw, where lead_org warned me of the breaking hinge/USB port problem. I think as long as it stays on a desk, and you're not plugging/unplugging stuff all the time, it should be ok.
So far it's been a great system, surprsingly fast for being two generations old tech. If you can find an SL410/510 for ~$400, I don't see why you shouldn't get it.

 

Thanks Roger, yes it probably was your thread, and I'm looking at roughly that price even after the tax here in the UK.

Can I ask if you find the touchpad OK? The Alps one on the G550 isn't brilliant.

 

I've used it a little, and it seems identical to my T410's. I don't know if they were Alps, or what brand they are to be honest.