W530 Owner's Thread

I went with the 1600x900 on my W530 build. While I really liked the clarity, and brightness, of the FHD screen, the 1920x1080 just starts to make icons and controls really small.

While most text sizing can be increased or decreased in Chrome or Word, etc, all the controls do not resize. On the FHD panel, things like the ribbon in MS Word, the system tray, and other controls aren't as easy to navigate.

Would have liked to have gotten it though.

 

The laptop wouldn't post? whatever that means.. it was either send it back to them or to get it repaired for six days... Ill take a brand new unit every day

 

Can't wait to receive mine. Just ordered it tonight.

 

I'm thinking about buying one with these specs: Lenovo N1K2AMH W530 ThinkPad - notebooks | Icecat.biz

I'm going to use these programs:

-Maya
-Zbrush/Mudbox
-Houdini
-Alias automotive
-Adobe CS5
-V-ray

Would that be overkill? The laptop is for school and they estimate the price around 1000 euro. (This one will cost me ~2200 euro)

 

can somebody recomend me a hard drive 7200 rpm at least 1 TB to replace mine with when my system comes in.

 

At least 1TB? Only up to 1TB in 2.5" form, at this time. 7200rpm? Unlikely.

This Seagate 1TB 7200rpm has 15mm height and won't fit in the W530. Most 2.5" drives have 9.5mm height. This one is 1TB 5400rpm 9.5mm. This one is 500GB 7200rpm 7mm.

An option is to install the large HDD in the UltraBay for storage and have a small SSD in the primary bay as boot/OS/apps drive.

 

If you want a HDD, the 750GB 7200rpm Hitachi is one for consideration. I have one in the ultrabay of my W510.

 

Hi, guys

I wanna customize a Thinkpad W530, but when it comes to
Optical device: 2nd 320GB HDD, 7200rpm with Bay Adapter, what does Bay Adapter look like?



Is it ThinkPad 12.7mm Serial ATA Hard Drive Bay Adapter III, Part number:0A65623 ,

please see the detail on ThinkPad 12.7mm Serial ATA Hard Drive Bay Adapter III | 0A65623 | Lenovo | (US)




Could anyone who got the W530 help me conform that is it exactly the one 0A65623? Your kindness will be appreciated.

Regards!

 

That's basically what it looks like. I have a similar looking model from NewModeUS, except it's silver for most of the part (except faceplate) and there's no plastic "flap"

Also, since you're getting that straight from Lenovo, you're also getting that 320GB drive as well. Both of them will arrive pre-installed inside the W530.

 

Anyone using a Logitech M510 mouse? Just got mine in but the receiver won't fit in the USB port... fits perfectly in my other laptop but not with any on my W530.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

It works to a certain extent.

See:
W520 keyboard in W530?
forum.thinkpads.com • W520 keyboard in W530?

If it doesn't, demand that they provide software to get the keyboard working. If you get that; let us know!

 

I think it might... which graphics card you getting in it? the k1000 or the k2000... if you were to save money, you could get a w530 with the 3720 instead of the 3830 without that large of a dropoff of a price

 

Just recieved mine yesterday! Loving it Will post more details later.

 

Description
ThinkPad W530 - 1 Year Depot Warranty
Processor: Intel Core i7-3610QM Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
Operating system: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
Operating system language: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 - English
Display type: 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
System graphics: NVIDIA Quadro K1000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
Total memory: 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
Keyboard: Keyboard Backlit - US English
Pointing device: UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader
Camera: 720p HD Camera with Microphone
Hard drive: 320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Optical device: DVD Recordable
System expansion slots: Express Card Slot & 4-in-1 Card Reader
Battery: 6 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70+
Power cord: 170W Slim AC Adapter - US (2pin)
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN
Language pack: Publication - US English

Accessories and options:
2Yr Base Warranty Extension Edit


$1,130.63

Is that a good deal? Should I get bluetooth 4.0? I don't use any device that uses bluetooth currently. Any feedback on the build will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

That depends. Is this going to replace your current W520? The performance gain will be very narrow.

(you have errors in that signature; it's not 1900x1200, but 1920x1080)

 

I sold my W520 last month.

I'll fix the signature once I get my W530, thanks for the heads up

 

i'd get bluetooth just in case. Also probably windows 7 pro.

 

Bluetooth sure, but there's no reason to go for Win7Pro unless he wants to add more than 16GB of RAM.

 

Remote desktop, easier network sharing, better cooperation with Windows Home Server, etc.

 

Or want a fully exposed interface to manage with via all of the advanced tools
Or domain join
Or group policy
Or Windows XP mode
Oradvanced backup and restore
Or location aware printing
Or App locker
Or BitLocker
Or DirectAccess
Or BranchCache
Or Boot from VHD

I could go on...

 

I didn't get Windows 7 pro because I will upgrade to Windows 8 Pro in October. Whether you get Home Premium edition or Windows 7 Pro - you get an upgrade for Windows 8 pro...so I figured I'll save $40.

I decided not to get bluetooth...and save money to replace my HDD with 256GB SSD. Waiting for a deal on Samsung 830 or Sandisk (which was on $159) few days back.

I'm excited...can't wait. Keyboard better not disappoint, but I trust the opinion of several readers here.

 

Anyone here know how/if I can set up hardware-level encryption with my W530 and my Samsung 830 SSD? Or is it only possible with the HD I originally got with the machine?

 

Quantum, check the Hardware forum. There's a lot of helpful stuff in there, it helped me with setting up my ssd

 

All right, here are my specs:

i7-3820QM CPU
2GB K2000M GPU
20GB of RAM (4GB factory, 2x8GB of Carsair Vengeance Added)
500 GB HDD (5 partitions)
320 GB HDD (In ultrabay, 3 Partitions)
32 GB mSata SDD (Added to WWAN spot aftermarket, partitioned for OS cache and for some programs)
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N Wireless Card
Bluetooth 4.0
FHD Screen
Backlit Keyboard
9 Cell Battery
Colour Sensor
Fingerprint Scanner
720p Camera

 

Btw just curious - why do you think performance gain will be very narrow? Isn't ivy-bridge faster and more efficient than sandy-bridge?

 

10% faster in most cases.

 

Still, that 10% can make a difference if you constantly use demanding programs.

 

I don't just think it, I am sure of it. Look at reviews and benchmarks of the W520 and W530. The German website Notebook Test, Laptop Test und News - Notebookcheck.com has very nice reviews of both. The performance gain is very narrow. The biggest gain is in energy consumption under load. On all other battery life tests the W520 even slightly outperforms the W530.

That is equal to the desktop Ivy Bridge CPU's; idle energy consumption didn't drop an hair.

The price premium on the W530 is bigger than the performance increase (at least in Europe at the moment). I wasn't willing to pay ~=>20% more for 10% performance increase with a crappy 6-row keyboard.

Also; when you spend a part of the price premium on an SSD you get a W520 that's much faster in a lot of scenarios than a W530 with a HDD.

At the bottom line though it was the keyboard that made the real difference for me. Getting used to 6-row would be a complete mess and one giant frustration to me. Not to mention the time lost might at times be more than 10%

 

Fair enough. But, I sold my W520 for $1150 (bought it for $1250 last summer - kept it in great condition, and sold it on cragislist). So, for addition $60 - I was able to get a refreshed model, with Ivy-bridge, better graphics card, and 2 year warranty and lost 9-cell battery (which I didn't want anymore) and bluetooth (which I didn't use once on W520).

Also, I sold my W520 with only 4GB in it, so I'll be able to upgrade my memory in W530 to 16GB without making addition purchases. I already have a 128GB SSD though I'll look to upgrade that.

In my case, I feel it was totally worth it even if I don't gain anything in performance.

 

1333MHz RAM for a CPU that can take 1600MHz RAM?

 

Yeup, there is hardly any noticeable difference between the two. I rather just save money and upgrade my SSD.

 

I agree. SSD is a better investment than the non-difference between 1333MHz and 1600MHz.

 

It does make the performance gain of the W530 even smaller.

Prior to BIOS 1.37 the W520 could use 1600 MHz RAM too btw.

 

...difference between 1600 and 1333 is not noticeable. It doesn't matter.

...oh and the performance of the speakers in W530 is several times better than of W520.

 

Yes, but before you can even notice that you have to use them, lol.

The W520 has a eSatap/USB combo port; the W530 doesn't. The only way to add that is with a protruding Expresscard or a non-protruding expresscard but a cable with two connectors on the laptop side.

 

Or you could read the results at anandtech.com rather than spend money on it and then realize that it didn't make a difference. That will be pretty stupid.

Ppl still use eSata? Lol didn't know. There is a reason why newer laptops don't have eSata port.

Anyway, like I said - I sold my w520 for $1150 and bought 530 for $1210 with 2 year warranty. I write a lot of algorithms and intensive programs and in spare time watch movies on it - something which is difficult to do on crappy w520 speakers - so for me - the upgrade is well worth it.

Can't wait for my W530, enjoy your w520.

 

You do know that you can just download the Dolby software and install it on the W520? Makes them sound nearly like the W530.

Yep, eSATA's still around. I use it for my HDD dock since my other option was to use USB 2.0. Nope...

 

Nope didn't know that, but the only thing I'll miss about W520 is the 7row keyboard.

I'm pretty happy to have a brand new laptop with better performance (even if it's small improvement), two year warranty, better efficiency, better sound right out of the box, better graphics etc. for $60 difference.

For me, it was an easy decision.

 

Hello guys, just joined for discussion / fun.

Using computers since almost 20 years, I decided to get a W530 as main system (except games and data graveyard which my rack server build will overtake).

i7 3820QM, 32 GB DDR3 1600 Corsair Vengeance (no problems and low latencys), Kepler Quadro K2000M, 512 GB Samsung 830, docking station w/USB 3.0 and so on here..

eSATA(p) is a very nice thing to have, even in the actual time. It offers less latencys than any USB connection, less CPU usage and direct access to SATA feature commands.

But with USB 3.0 and things like UASP instead of simple Bulk Only Transfer protocol usage, it is possible to use USB 3.0 without much latencys and CPU usage, as well (even with 2 devices on one port which is possible with several port docks).

So for me it doesn't matter, that eSATA(p) is not longer offered on the W530 and the USB 3.0 docking station.

About the 1600 MHz vs. 1333 MHz RAM: There are several applications and usages which get a pretty nice boost from this clock rate increase, as long as the latencys don't raise too much (which nullifys the effect more or less then).

One wouldn't see much increase in usual user stuff, opening programs, loading, writing, surfing, etc. - that's true. But if you use databases with random access priorities stored in a RAM drive, the internal HD 4000 graphic processor of Ivy bridge for encoding/transcoding and such, you will notice quite a boost (10-20% I experienced myself).

And because of Optimus it's a good thing being able to use the integrated GPU for simple or featurewise fitting tasks, as it eats comparable less power than the Quadro (K2000M at least, I guess the K1000M is a little bit less hungry).

But as I said, for random daily use, it is no must to include 1600 MHz RAM in your shopping cart, only in some applications it will result in quite a nice boost. (And no, "Benchmarks" are not, in any wise, comparable with those applications as they fail to create the same environment like the real usage does.)

Much regards,

Wolf

 

By the way: I received my Ultrabay caddys a while ago, I ordered those NewmodeUS caddys for my ThinkPad W530:

2nd HDD or SSD Caddy Lenovo ThinkPad W510, W520,W530, W700,W710 [TP-W510-T510] - $46.75 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks

They were purr-fectly crafted, well packed and the international shipping took only three workdays to me in europe. Outstanding!

I also had a ThinkPad W510 some years ago, together with original Lenovo caddys. They were ways worse, scratched, the finish was not nearly as perfect as those NewmodeUS caddys.

I also had a cheap $16 china caddy that time from eBay, which was better looking than the original Lenovo one.. except the PCB, which was better on the Lenovo one.

But regarding the NewmodeUS finish, I, as perfectionist, have to say, I was really impressed. Also the slot cover plastic fits very nicely and looks like it should be there. Not to mention they got a nice blue status LED which I was missing on nearly all others.

I had not found a single scratch or loose screw, not even one fingerprint, on them. Only thing I noticed was the first 2-3 inserts/ejects, they hung a bit on one location, but after that everything goes absolutely smooth.

Just so W530 owners know they fit also and are well-made, as it seems that Lenovo doesn't really care about producing fitting, featurerich and good-looking caddys for HDDs/SSDs for their W-line.

(And no, I am not getting paid for advertisement, I just searched a good caddy, gave them a try and good stuff deserves being mentioned in my opinion.)

By the way, I was thinking about an eGPU x2 PCIe 2.0 Lane solution combining ExpressCard and the WLAN slot over a MiniHDMI cable with inofficial (not allowed by HDMI group) plug-to-outlet-pigtail.

Means, an additional small pigtail connection into the Ultrabay slot, modifying a NewmodeUS caddy to include also an short pigtail and routing it on the free space in the side of it to the right side of the laptop.

Only problem I noticed is: Where the hell do I find those inofficial disallowed mini-HDMI type C male plug to female connector pigtails with 15-25 cm length? I found them to female normal size HDMI, but they are too big..

But this is going a bit off-topic, sorry.

Much regards,

Wolf

 

Wolf, that actually was an interesting take on RAM factor. Nice setup too btw. Call it curiousity, but will you be investing in a mSATA SSD? I found its a nice addition.

Also, is anyone else having problems getting the colour sensor to work? Mine looks like a plastic square, but i was assured it was one by Lenovo reps...

problem is i downloaded the software from lenovo, but am starting to suspect that the w520 software is either dated or the sensor actually isn't there. I'm in the middle of some free-lance work right now, so I don't have time to gut the computer, so if anyone else is having this problem, drop me a line.

 

That plastic square is a "bezel" and not the color sensor. You're right: "the sensor actually isn't there."

Nice Lenovo reps, eh?

 

Hello there, esotericdesignstudio!

Thanks! Yes, it is a very nice machine, love it, but can't use it like intented right now as I am rebuilding the workroom and so have no place to use it. So I am using a netbook actually.

Like I said, I had the W510 before with a i7 720qm? if I remember correctly, but it didn't support AES-NI and was outstanding slow compared to the actual i7 2. and 3rd gen processors.

Else than that I love those ThinkPads, I don't use them "rough" but they are still (even under Lenovo) pretty reliable and powerful, workhorses to say.

About the mSATA: I am a bit unsure which way to go - eGPU or just a semi-powerful S.2011 rack server with another partition for gaming only, which is less hassle, less driver work and over all more reliable and safe. Depending on which way I go (I can still play mobile with the Kepler Quadro K2000M as it is pretty powerful in games), I am setting my two MiniPCIe/mSATA slots to use.

I think, using the W530 as it is and the ExpressCard slot for a sound card solution, port adapter or something like that while using it for the main important tasks and play mostly on the rack server is a better solution for me.

Then a mSATA 256 GB Crucial M4 would be possible, which is quite fast, too. Not that it is really necessary - having an 512 GB Samsung 830 in it and possible another 512 GB laters in the Ultrabay caddy.. or an backup-place-HDD there, its possible without much hassle.

The problem with the two slots are the PCIe lanes - if I will use an eGPU and want to combine both x1 (EC and miniPCIe) to x2, I have to modify it alot. And find another WLAN solution based on USB (the nice Ubiquity SR71-E is based on PCIe and not USB, too, unfortunately, even as it would be usable by changing the card identifier code to some whitelisted one, but it works only in the WLAN slot, then, too..).


About your color sensor: I have one and I can tell you, that it feels a bit like a little glass dome, semi-transparent with the technic behind it. It feels half-round if you use your finger and touch it. If it is flat and black, plastic only, it is not there (the sensor).

I am not absolutely sure which model it is as I couldn't test it out extended time (due to my no-room-problem), but in the preinstalled Windows 7 Prof. it was installed and the tool worked fine (tried it once, tested every feature basically to find out if something has problems).

The RAM I used and tested extensively is this one:

Corsair Vengeance SO-DIMM 8GB PC3-12800S CL10-10-10-27 (DDR3-1600) (CMSX8GX3M1A1600C10) | Geizhals Deutschland

It's a german price comparisation website, so don't wonder about the language. But the product identifier is there so it should be easy to find the same modules around the world.

It had absolutely no problems, I also tested it with three RAM test tools for 2,5 days total, other than showing a weird base clock rate while on battery (but working without problems, just wrong read-out data with Memtest86+) everything works as expected.

There is also the same RAM in a kit of two available: Corsair Vengeance SO-DIMM Kit 16GB PC3-12800S CL10-10-10-28 (DDR3-1600) (CMSX16GX3M2A1600C10) | Geizhals Deutschland

Maybe that one might be less expensive in your location than two single modules, so I post it also for the product code. Apart from the price and 2 instead of one module it should be exactly the same modules.

I also thought about adding a WWAN card as intented to the mSATA slot (uses USB, works fine, antenna cables are preinstalled on my model so plug&play basically, just need a lenovo whitelisted GOBI 3000 from eBay). Will see which way to go in the end.

Much regards,

Wolf

(BTW: One thing I would greatly appreciate were, if Lenovo adds in the quite spacy room for the HDD where 12mm or even 15mm HDDs? would fit height-wisely if one has the right cage/rubber strings for them, a second SATA connector wired in future models, so one can mount two 7mm SSDs as example head-on-head, which would use the room perfectly then.)

 

Ah, short addendum:

The two module packs linked in my last post show different latency timings (27 vs. 28) but that's a wrong listing, looking in the shop information they are both 10-10-10-27.

Another short edit: As far as I know only the quad core i7s will support 4 modules with 8 GB RAM each, while the dual core versions use two "dummy modules" and can only use two modules total.

But as I don't possess a dual core model, I can't check this out in detail, sorry. Only what I remember from the technician manual PDF and the shops website information prior to my purchase.

Much regards,

Wolf

 

Yes, people still use eSata since it's still the fastest and most efficient way to connect storage devices. Even eSATA-II beats USB 3.0 when it comes down to performance. If you include CPU use, USB is junk. eSata was specially designed for use with external storage, USB was not.

The reason the latest bunch doesn't have it anymore is probably because the eSata marketing failed. There is too much confusion among the (on average) rather dumb public. The presence of a ridiculous number of almost identical connectors (eSata, Power eSata (5V and Dual Voltage) and the eSata/USB combo port.
I must say; the same public that wouldn't even notice the change to 6-row keyboard since they never use any keyboard shortcuts, F-keys or other keys located on the 6th and 7th row.

I think it's especially lame that eSata is not included because the SATA connection is available on the Intel chip. It just isn't used now.

But for $60; yeah, good deal!

 

If I am not totally wrong, the chipset offers still 2 + 2 SATA connections (where two should be SATA 6Gb/s and two 3 Gb/s) and the BIOS of the W530 still lists all 4.

So if one needs eSATA, why not buy the older W520 docking station with one eSATA port which was replaced with one USB 3.0 port in the newer version.

I guess it should work as the physical availability on the laptops side is there, but I am not sure if the docking connector works that way, to ensure both possibilities.. means the pin out might be not there, I don't know.

About the 6-row keyboard: Every decision has its advantages and disadvantages, I see both and accept the new keyboard.

Much regards,

Wolf

 

Thanks Wolf. i was pretty sure, but didn't want to jump the gun.

I actually decided to forgo the WWAN card and install the mSATA SSD there, fit quite nicely. As far as eSATA goes, that was a disappointment. But, PCI will fit it, so...

But thats an interesting idea with the docking station. I'll have to look up the specs pon the W520 one and compare it to the W530. See what i can find.

 

I must be fortunate that I didn't own any previous lenovo laptops... i find the new keyboard to be very good

 

I used some older models of the W- (W510) and T-line on work, fixed a loose cable on a x220t for a friend and I think, regarding the typing, feeling, etc. the new 6-row keyboard is not worse.

They are ways better than those keyboards on most consumer level notebooks I have to work with (because of fixing them) pretty often. Even as in the last years the quality of the typing-feeling on those consumer notebooks got a bit better in my opinion. No laptop keyboard can beat a mechanical full-size desktop keyboard for me, but they are not "bad" because of that.

The missing keys will probably disturb those which are used to the old layout, that's true, but I use alot of different keyboards, ranging from notebooks to netbooks to stand alone systems and so I have to be flexible.. nearly every keyboard differs somehow, even more in the notebook sector.

But there's a good thing with the new keyboard, too: it has a backlight, which works fine - and still possesses the ThinkLight (at least on my model), so it's a nice add-on feature.

I still use an external keyboard on the laptop(s) while working with them stationary, as it's the best choice for alot of special key presses without the need to use multi-key-shortcuts in my opinion.

Much regards,

Wolf

 

No ctrl-break is annoying to me....it's used to abort an agent run in one of my apps.

I do like the overall feel of the new keyboard better and can type faster...just hate the new layout that was made for non-technical users