The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    W500 Canada huge price drop - take the plunge?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Bossmonkey, Sep 10, 2008.

  1. Bossmonkey

    Bossmonkey Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi guys,

    My first post but I have been visiting and absorbing information for a while now.

    Lenovo's Canadian site seems to have dropped the price of the W500 by a pretty good margin. I can now get the following configuration for $1256 CAD with a friend's EPP code:

    Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9400 (2.53GHz, 6MB L2,1066MHz)
    Genuine Windows Vista Business
    Genuine Windows Vista Business - English
    15.4 WUXGA TFT
    ATI Mobility FireGL V5700 with 512MB VRAM
    2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
    US English Keyboard
    320GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
    CD-RW/DVD-ROM, Ultrabay Slim
    Express Card & PC Card Slots
    Integrated Bluetooth PAN
    Intel WiFi Link 5300
    Integrated WWAN upgradable
    9 cell Li-Ion Battery
    90W AC Adapter; NA, LA, (2pin)
    English US Publication

    The question is, should I do it? I have been hearing that lenovo might release an LED backlit screen for the W500 soon and that is something I really want.
    Any opinions?
     
  2. Xirurg

    Xirurg ORLY???

    Reputations:
    3,189
    Messages:
    7,375
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    206
    looks really nice for that price!
     
  3. heavenfire

    heavenfire Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    27
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    You can check the W500 datasheet on lenovo.com, and you will find there is no LED option for W500. I think lenovo will not add LED as an option for W500 recently.
    LED will be an option for T500, and some pre-config T500 model with LED panel has come out. However, nobody here knows when LED will be available when seft-configuring...
    Therefore, if you need a laptop and choose W500, there is no need to wait for LED. You can buy it.
     
  4. Lew

    Lew Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    193
    Messages:
    733
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    It boils down to the difference between Need and Want.

    If you need the system now, then get whatever best fulfills that need.

    If you don't need the system now, then it becomes a question of whether the benefit of getting a W500 now exceeds the benefit of waiting for the possible release of a WSXGA+ or WUXGA LED backlit option. You may be waiting weeks or months; I'm no expert but I don't think 15.4" WSXGA+ LED backlit screens even exist yet. Do any other laptops offer LED backlighting in 15.4 WSXGA+ or WUXGA?
     
  5. vengance_01

    vengance_01 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    61
    Messages:
    1,062
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    you are correct are fas I know only large LED screen is the 17inch WUXGA screens in LED. Dell and apple are using them. In the 15.4 inch segment, just WXGA+ LED screens like the ones seen on MBP's.
     
  6. Bossmonkey

    Bossmonkey Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks for input guys. I think I will buy it in that configuration. I don't think LED will make a big enough difference to counter savings of $750.
     
  7. vengance_01

    vengance_01 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    61
    Messages:
    1,062
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    No if you need a workstation class with machine for cad, thats a fantastic considering the screen and componets.