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    Thinkpad T500 or Ideapad Y530?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by cparker09, Mar 30, 2009.

  1. cparker09

    cparker09 Notebook Geek

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    For the past two weeks or so I have been set on buying a T500 for college in the next couple of months when I got the money. I configured it to be at about $138 with the student discount and buying a HDD and RAM upgrade on newegg.com. However, someone just posted an Ideapad review that made me interested in them. I had always worried that they weren't as durable as the Thinkpads, but the review seemed to say otherwise.

    I do a decent amount of gaming and want to future-proof the computer to a point that it won't be laughable in 4 years. I realize nothing will be great, but at least passable. The main differences between the two computers are the screen resolution (T500 has WSXGA+ and the Y530 has WXGA and is glossy). The Ideapad has a 2.40 GHz processor with a 3MB cache and the Thinkpad has a 2.53 GHz processor with 6MB cache. The final, and probably largest, difference is that the graphics cards are in different classes according to notebookcheck.net. The Ideapad card seems to be much less powerful than the HD 3650 that is in the Thinkpad. The Ideapad also loses out on switchable graphics.

    Are there any reasons to consider an Ideapad over the Thinkpad. The Ideapad is nearly $400 cheaper, but is it worth losing resolution as well as graphics capability?
     
    cparker09, Mar 30, 2009
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  2. HerrKaputt

    HerrKaputt Elite Notebook User

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    The Thinkpad should be considerably better built. I would definitely pay the premium for the T500. That's the second laptop I would get if I wanted a 15-inch laptop, first would be the Dell M4400, but that one is pricier.
     
    HerrKaputt, Mar 30, 2009
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  3. haquocdung

    haquocdung Notebook Virtuoso

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    the answer is pretty obvious for you already.
    you already know the difference between them in term of durability and specs. if you are really into gaming, good graphic card is a must. therefore, thinkpad win., and yes it's worth every penny for the upgrade.
     
    haquocdung, Mar 30, 2009
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  4. cparker09

    cparker09 Notebook Geek

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    Thank you guys! As I was going through the data the answer seemed to be pretty clear, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

    So I'm back to my plan to buy a T500. Thanks!
     
    cparker09, Mar 30, 2009
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  5. HerrKaputt

    HerrKaputt Elite Notebook User

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    No problem :) and enjoy, that's one of the best laptops around!
     
    HerrKaputt, Mar 30, 2009
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  6. nomanland

    nomanland Notebook Consultant

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    I think the choice is obvious you already know what you need to buy.
     
    nomanland, Mar 30, 2009
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  7. haquocdung

    haquocdung Notebook Virtuoso

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    give us some pics and comment when you receive the system :)
     
    haquocdung, Mar 31, 2009
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