Thinkpad T510 Owners lounge

Last rumor was mid-April, so might not want to put too much stock in that.

 

Battery life? I am ordering a T510 i5-540M integrated graphics. Any experiences to report on battery life with 6 or 9 cells on such a machine? Thanks

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfKeTRAa328

 

I seem to get around 5 or 6 hours with my i5-540M with integrated gfx and 9-cell battery. This is mostly browsing, MSN chatting, a bit of YouTube streaming, etc.

In the end though, it can vary a lot. If you're doing a lot of CPU-intensive tasks (encoding video, large software project compilations, statistical analysis, 3D modeling etc) then you'll get significantly less time from a charge. Also, how you tweak your settings in Power Manager can have an impact.

 

With the 9 cell and tweak to stop the CPU noise, I get around 6 or so hours of battery life. Usually including Chrome, MSN, Visual Studio 2008, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver.

Without the tweak you can get over 7 hours.

 

Yes, i don't know whether i have ever done something or not, after several days usage of T510, i just forget about the noise and sometime it really could not be heard any more. So in my opinion if we could make full use of our laptop as a useful tools, maybe we could not ignore some shortage of tools itself, after all, the purpose of tools is to be served people. lol

 

That's why usually after i bought something, i would not be that careful about the forum and those FAQ question on the service forum. Have fun guys.

 

The problem is that its such a high pitched noise, I could never stop hearing it. The noise gave me a pretty acute headache. So doing nothing wasn't really an option... I had to get rid of the noise or it was going back.

 

I just noticed tonight that when I use Fn+F6 to bring up the Communication Settings screen and the webcam kicks in, that the CPU Whine noise gets a lot louder and more annoying. Closing the screen, it goes back to the normal amount. I repeated this a few times and every time it was the same. Interesting.

 

Does the screen look different between with or without WWAN Antenna?

 

So my T510 arrived yesterday and I spent the rest of the day installing software and just using the computer. I didn't do a clean Windows install BTW.

First impressions are:

• Much lighter than my Z60m

• Much sleeker than my Z60m

• Much less flex (all over) than my Z60m

• The T510 is really fast - Windows 7 is running very nicely and startup is very quick (1:40)

While the T510 is no ultra-portable, I don't think I would mind carrying it around, especially after having to lug about a Z60m (with Titanium lid) for 4 years. It's no monster in terms of size, although I guess a lot of people would say it looks quite thick.

A couple of software issues, and I'm hoping someone ahs come across this before....
In Thinkpad Power Manager it tells me about Battery Maintennance and how I should not charge the battery up to 100% all the time, and only start charging when it drops below a certain percentage. This is what I did with my Z60m and it realy helped the battery; after
4 years I still could use it on battery for 1h20m!!! BUT.... Power Manager doesn't actually give me the chance to change these battery charge settings anywhere. Can anyone help, perhaps with a brief walkthrough?

Thanks in advance,

LennyOvo

 

i have power manager 3. go to the "Battery" tab. Click Battery Maintenance, change to whatever you want.

 

There is no battery threshold option if you're using 3.12. They said they're gonna bring it back in the next release - but who knows when.

 

The current version doesn't have it for the 510 series but it will be added soon. From what I also understood if you leave it on automatic it will adjust according to your usage (ie: fully charge if you've been using the battery, and change to more a preservation mode if you haven't used it unplugged in the past week or so). I think the graphic in the task bar changes slightly based on which mode it's in.

 

I'm using Power Manager 3.12 and can still set Charge thresholds under Battery Maintenance. Maybe it's unavailable on newer systems - I'm using a T61.

 

Well--I figured I should join into the conversation... I ordered my T510 March 26 to replace my ailing and failing R60. The original ship date was estimated at April 27 (ugh), but to my pleasure it has actually shipping March 31!

Of course, it is crossing the ocean in a Junk which should take several weeks, and then cross country by pony express...

m

 

I'm using Power Manager 3.13 and there is currently no option. Thanks for all the replies.... I hope Lenovo will bring the charge thresholds etc. back as manual settings in later releases, but it's good to know that it is probably doing it automatically anyway.
Cheers!

 

Where is power manager 3.13? It doesn't show up in System Update

 

It certainly should not. The Antenna is just some wire behind the LCD screen in the lid of the laptop.

 

They're using dirigibles now instead, but then they have to touch down in Chile and switch to pirogues after crossing the mountains on llamas

 

Dirigibles...pirogues...llamas... What a fascinating modern age we live in...

m

 

I just did the following:

Lenovo Thinkvantage Toolbox >> System Health >> Latest Software and Driver Updates >> Get Lenovo Updates
This launches ThinkVantage System Update 4.00.0009
I included all of the recommended and optional updates and now I have Power Manager 3.13.

 

The T510 v1.15 BIOS is available. I updated using the ISO CD method, and the system appears to be working fine. No issue with losing Windows Validation, and Windows update still works. But I expect future installs using the Lenovo Rescue discs I created will still require manual activation.

One key difference: during POST, if I use the ThinkVantage key, instead of the selection menu, this BIOS version goes directly to Rescue and Recovery. To get into the BIOS setup, I now need to hit F1 instead. Same probably applies to boot device selection. A bit more direct, just not intuitive.

 

Really?! That's interesting, coz the version on ThinkVantage download page is still 3.12

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-61432.html#productivity

 

would there be any negative effects in keeping the fan on maximum constantly?

 

Just the obvious. More noise and since it's a mechanical part it might wear out faster. It will still probably last a few years though.

 

great, its nice being at 30C!

i downloaded the performance tab for nvidia system tools. i created a profile with minimum clocks and a rule to set it when the screen saver is up and to apply the default clockspeeds when the screensaver comes back. is this less effective than the default hidden settings?

 

Hi Guys

I placed an order for a T510 on Monday, and the oreder status is still showing as 'Submitted'. Is it normal to stay like this for a whole week ? I also don't have any estimated shipping date.

I'm in the UK if it makes a difference.

Cheers,

Ian.

 

I just tried to install an Intel X25-M G2 SSD 80 GB in a new T510. It does not fit though because there is a rectangular plastic peg just above the connector that collides with the plastic frame on top of the SSD. Any advice on how to proceed?

@lkpcampion: I noticed in your signature that you have just that configuration. Did you assemble that yourself?

Thanks in advance!

 

I have the same setup, T510 with X25. All I did was
a) remove the HDD from the bay
b) remove the rubber from the sides of the HDD
c) unscrew the cage from HDD
d) screw the cage on the SSD so that it's lined up identical to how the HDD was lined up
e) put the rubbers back on the sides of the SSD
f) put the SSD in.

Maybe the cage is misaligned? Or upside down?

 

Thanks for your help! Orientation and position of the cage are ok, nothing is bend. It's the peg, after all!

After looking at that peg for a while, I realized there should be a reason why there is a hole in its head. Using a paper clip, I could easily pull it out. Now the X25 fits just fine.

I just wonder why my T510 has one, while other obviously don't...

 

Wireless Problems

On my T510 which has the Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6250 AGN, I just installed a new Linksys WR120N Router.



In Windows 7 "Wireless Network Connection Status" it shows speed as 144 Mbps. In "Access Connections" speed is 78 Mbps.



Anyone have any ideas?

 

I remembered last time u said u had gotten rid of that noise? after the exactly settings several steps? anyway, i have done that, but i didn't work, so i just ignored the noise. :>

 

Mine didn't. At least, I don't recall one.

Wouldn't mind knowing your impressions once the SSD is running.

 

When I do those key presses it brings me to the web page for driver updates, not System Update.

I have a T510 also I wonder why the difference?

 

asdfasdfasdf

 

Ordered my t510 31 March, and it arrived today! Truly a thing of beauty...

m

 

Another few (potential?) bugs in the ThinkVantage software on my new T510:

1. In Power Manager (basic mode) it tells me "Power Used" is always 500 watts or higher!!!! I am running from the mains, but still! I think it should be running on 100 or less, correct?

2. Yesterday when I awoke my computer from sleep I wasn't able to change the screen brightness any more.

3. And for good measure I just want to mention that in my old Z60m I also had a recurring problem with bluetooth.... about 6 months after an OS reinstall the bluetooth devices would always stop working, and didn't appear in Access Connections any longer.

So I'm worried about the ThinkVantage software. I hope it holds it all together this time!

 

New T510 here. 4314-2PU.

Core i5-540M 2.53GHz, boost to 3.06GHz
4GB RAM (2x2GB)
15.6 HD+ screen
2mp camera
500GB 7200rpm hard drive
DVD-RW
Intel 6200 wireless
Bluetooth
Fingerprint reader
Windows 7 Pro 32
9 cell battery

Thinkpad Mini Dock Plus Series 3
Extra power cord
Thinkpad Sleeve for 15" notebooks


Windows Experience Score 4.9 (Aero graphics was lowest part of scores, the rest are in the 6's)

I'm coming from a X301 that I utterly hated (Screen, keyboard, touchpad, lack of dock, I think the SSD is flaking too). The screen on this T510 is great, color is vivid and crisp. I probably could have gone FHD on a W510 but for the price of the T, you get one hell of a machine. I'll probably throw a SSD in later this year as I am missing that speed from my X301.

This thing is pretty big, so that will take some getting used to esp with the 9 cell sticking out. I might get a 6 cell just to lighten that load a bit as I do take my laptop around with my daily.

The keyboard I find quite good as well. Quiter then the X301 and definitely more solid. The key travel is a little softer or something.. it's nice. The big delete key is a little weird but easy to get used to.

I have heard the distortion in the sound when going through the Windows 7 initial computer setup screens. I turned it down a little and I don't hear it now. I have to go back through the thread here and see what the fix was, if any yet.

I also have the 15" Lenovo Thinkpad sleeve. It fits with the 9 cell installed and can put some other papers and whatnot in there, pretty roomy. It's an ok sleeve. I'm a sucker for stuff with logos on it.

All in all, I love it. Great price, great speed (for the price), great screen--will have to see how the size/weight goes for me.

-m

 

Congratulations on your new laptop!

Would you mind posting some pics of the screen for us? Thanks a lot!

 

These are full size, so I linked them instead of posting them. Hope they work.

https://invisik.egnyte.com/h-s/20100410/68bd2d8f66aa4ed9
https://invisik.egnyte.com/h-s/20100410/07fa6ace25054dc3
https://invisik.egnyte.com/h-s/20100410/6426f0806800456d
https://invisik.egnyte.com/h-s/20100410/a03c9aa308fb4e8c

-m

 

thanks
Your screen looks very nice indeed.

Are FHD screens still shipping with the t510 btw?

 

I don't know of any pre-configured models on the psref/tabook that have FHD. Only on the W510 do I see FHD options. Maybe as build to order it's an option.

It's a shame they don't have them on the T510... I like the battery life of a Core i5 but want the FHD!

-m

 

Depends on the country. I can spec out a T510 with the FHD screen in Australia. That option was never removed. Of course 4 weeks plus wait time... I would rather have a t510 with an i7-620 and FHD than a quad core FHD W510.

 

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this--sorry if it should be elsewhere.

I have a new T510 running Win7 Ultimate; everything's great, except for one problem: when the computer goes into standby/sleep, and then resumes, Access Connections is disconnected from my wireless network. It takes three or four attempts to get it to reconnect, which is really a pain.

I have the latest version of Access Connections, and I can't find a setting that seems to prevent this. The wireless adapter doesn't turn off--I have it set so it doesn't power down. This happens when it is on AC; haven't tried on battery, but I can't imagine that would make a difference.

Advice/suggestions? Thanks.

m

 

Not sure if this would be acceptable to you, but:
I stopped using Access Connections on Win 7, and so far Windows' built-in WiFi functionality proved to be convenient and quite usable.

My old T42p using XP and AC has the same problem you described. It started out as troubles reconnecting to my home network from standby (I always had to "repair" the connection). Eventually not even the repair worked, and I had to resort to wired connection. Strangely the wireless connection continued to work when I'm in my university.

 

Not unacceptable, but also not preferable. Given the general absence of response, I have a suspicion that it's just how it is, and no work-around.

Thanks for the suggestion.

m

 

hi everyone. this forum has been very helpful. i'm about to order a t510 but had one question. do any of the RAM configurations have a module that's soldered in? i feel like i read that somewhere about the t410 or t510.
Thanks again!!!!

 

Nope. When my T510 was taken apart, all RAMs are removable.

 

Yeah I don't recall seeing any config with soldered memory. The T510 has two DDR3 DIMM slots, one under the access panel on the bottom of the unit, and one under the keyboard.