help please: thinkpad w530 or not?

hello

im new to this forum and im in a very complicated sittuation.

So, im portuguese, and in portugal those thinkpads canoot be configurated, so im restricted to less top configurations, like the nvidia k2000m, fhd screen, 8gb ram and ssds etc...


Because of that, i thought i could configurate a thinkpad w530 in france, since i have familly there, and send it back to them, and then, they would send the computer to portugal.

I came up choosing this brand and this model because im in industrial design, and i have to deal with phtooshop, illustrator, slidworks and 3ds max etc...

now the questions:

1 Is this the right computer for these tasks??

2 there is any problem about configurating the computer in france and send it to my familys house and then they would send it to me?

3 Is the computer reliable? i see a few custormers that has some issues with thinkpads... and i have a bit of afraid to spend +/- 2000euros on a computer that will fail or give very problems...

4 Is the Macbook pro a better sollution?

thanks e sorry if there is some errors on ortography..im not english XD

 

1:
Yes. The T530 or W530 are perfect for industrial use. However, I don't think you really need the K2000M, you should be fine with it's smaller brother, the K1000M. Unless you do some heavy rendering, it's not really worth getting the upgrade.

2:
Tell your family to make sure that the W530 is properly packed.

3:
Yes. they are extremely reliable. I have owned a few ThinkPads myself, my oldest one is from 1999 and it has lasted for over 12 Years with no Problems whatsoever. Even my newer T60 hasn't had any Problems so far. Apart from some Series-specific problems my X220i has been working like a charm as well.

4:
Uhm, no. MacBooks are more of a Lifestyle product. If you want to get some serious work done, get the ThinkPad.
Macs are good, don't get me wrong, and the Retina Mac would probably get the Job done too, but the W530 is more suitable for your needs IMHO.

AND AT ALL COSTS, GET THE FULL HD PANEL!

 

thanks a lot... yes , i already have a full hd screen on my sony vaio fw, and thats a priority...

 

Yes, I would second this:

But I get a serious chuckle out of this:

A serious number of people base their serious careers on such "Lifestyle" products. Man, am I jealous! Having fun while serving customers, making money and getting promotions.

(Disclosure: I own more ThinkPads than "Lifestyle" computers. My better half is the exact opposite, earning more than I do.)

 

We need a W530 owners thread.

Oh wait, do we have any owners?

 

Do they have qwerty keyboards in Portugal?

Anyway: you want might to consider importing from the United States. A configuration with K2000M, full HD panel etc. will come in at around €1650 euros after 19% VAT, custom costs and the bad exchange rate of today.

See:
PROVANTAGE: Lenovo 24382LU TOPSELLER W530 i7-3720QM 2.6GHz 4GB 500GB DVDRW 15.6" BT W7

 

My first thinkpad was also from 1999 and still works too.

 

W530 Owner here, performs very nicely in the Adobe suite (Photoshop / Illustrator being my apps of choice). Can't speak for 3ds max, and haven't done any 3d work in blender yet.

I had a similar dilemma regarding the Mac Retina (and also against the Dell Precision series). The Mac fell out of favour because of mixed reports on the screen colour coverage, versus pretty consistently good reviews of the Thinkpad. I also wanted a natively Windows machine - as much as I'd like to have had OS X as an option there are too many requirements to make Windows work on the Mac and 'what if's (not least of which is having to purchase a copy to install). I have doubts about the Mac's graphics card for 3d apps like Blender/3ds max - but that was unfounded gut rather than thorough research into the differences.

I genuinely don't think you'd go far wrong with either machine, but for industrial design I'd lean towards the Thinkpad.

Aesthetically.... Thinkpad all the way. The Mac has started to look dated to me, and the trump card of the Mac's lauded trackpad is mooted by having a touch intuos5. (Of course the Thinkpads all look dated, but I like this look... as irrelevant as it was to my purchase decision).

 

thanks a lot guys... one problem that i have is the german keyboard... i will buy thinkpad w530 from a german store.... how can i change or whre i have to buy the portuguese keyboard layout? here in portugal we use qwerty layout... and sincererly, i do not know any store here in portugal that can help me... i dont mind having the uk layout keyboard with a euro symbol, since they are almost the same.... thanks

 

You should be able to buy a keyboard direct from lenovo, i believe. Check their online store. you may need a bios update to use it though. I would suggest contacting their customer service reps. As far as 3D applications go, mine works beautifully running 3D modeling software. If you will be doing very intensive 3D work, the k2000m is nice, although a tad pricey.

Hands down, This is a much better buy than a mac. macs are great for graphic design, but they lack in a few key areas compared to this model.

1. No upgrading aftermarket

2. Compatibility

3. Not as durable

4. Replacing ANYTHING is hideously expensive

5. Theft factor. They are alotprettier looking, and therefore a larger target than a thinkpad aestetically.

 

I bought my X230 from a german store (I'm spanish) and I asked them if they could replace the keyboard for a spanish one, and they did it with an upcharge of 20€ more or less. You could try asking them.

 

But isn't the Retina MacBook Pro a better deal for someone who doesn't know how to upgrade their computer?

 

Thanks a lot once again... Ill go with the k2000m... I agree with you, macs are beautiful and good machines, but there are some things that mac dont have and are essential to my course. Its absolutly the best choice... And then i will put a samsung ssd 830... Thanks

 

Reallllyyyyy???? Ill send them a mail asking that... Thanks a lot ))

 

I

I understand what you are saying but since im gonna to put latter a ssd and more ram, i see in the thinkpad a better solution... And with the w530 i dont have to install another os in a new partition because o wl deal with programs that mac os dont support... But thanks anyway ))

 

In theory, yes. The reality is, though, most people who are shopping in that price range and are considering a Lenovo actually have enough computer knowledge to do basic upgrades such as RAM or HDD, which is super easy on lenovo's, or are in corporate and have access to ITS. And frankly, I liked the 2011 Mac lineup, but the retina fails to impress me. Its a bunch of bells and whistles that most applications aren't prepared to handle yet, and there isn't that much of a difference between it and FHD for your tlypical user, exempting detailed graphic design. Besides, if you realy want it later on you can buy an external screen and upgrade the internal components to handle it. Besides, With a student discount, the W530 maxxed out is still cheaper than an inferior Retina.

 

unfortunatly for me, there are no students discounts here in portugal... its only available the less expensive model with only hd screen, 4 gigs of ram and the k1000m for 1700euros... thats a lot for those specs :/

i will give 2200euros for fhd screen, intel i7 3820qm, 500g 7200rpm and the nvidia k2000m... for what ive seen, i think its a good deal for me, since its impossible for me to have student discount :/

 

The biggest Advantage of a ThinkPad (apart from durabilty) are the easy Repairs IMO.
Dead Pixel or broken Screen? Buy a new Screen from Ebay. This costs 100-200$ depending on the Screen. (You have more than 1 to choose from).
Battery low on Capacity? Buy a new one. Again, you have more than 1 Option.
RAM defective? Buy a new Stick online or in store. It's very cheap and replacing it is super easy.
Keyboard worn off and shiny? Buy a new one. Look in the HMM or watch the training Video to see how to exchange it.
Water damage or flooded ThinkPad? (example: fell into the pool) Just take out your Mainboard, soak it in Isopropanol and build it back in. If it doesn't work you can get a new Motherboard on Ebay. It doesn't cost much either, especially if your ThinkPad is a bit older.

And if you have a Retina MacBook? You'll have to send it for servicing every time. All those Parts cost allot of money then. Since the RAM and SSD and everything else is soldered to the Motherboard, they will need to exchange the whole thing, just because of one faulty RAM stick. If your Display has dead pixels for example, they will need to exchange the complete Display unit, it's one part. And what if your Warranty has expired?

 

Well, mine ran me a ~1850, with similar specs, so you aren't losing out too bad. Try calling them, I've heard they'll knock off the price sometimes and will haggle a little.

 

the store were i will buy it is cyberport.de... ill try to sen to them information about me as a student if they can cut the price, but i think not... XD..thanks anyway !!! )

 

@danielguedes:

Try eBay. American sellers have W530's with K2000M, FHD screen etc etc starting at €1400. Add your 23% Portugese VAT, customs fee and exchange rate loss and you're done at €1750

For € 2200 you get 3820QM, 500GB 7200rpm, 32 (!) GB Ram, K2000M, 9 cell battery, etc. etc. etc.
See:
Lenovo ThinkPad W530 24382LU i7-3820QM 2GB Quadro K2000M 32GB 500GB 7200rpm FPR | eBay

Warranty is international. And since it's an US seller you will get the US Qwerty keyboard by default; a better layout than the English Qwerty.

You might also check out W520's on eBay. Some new refurbs are going quite cheap.

 

is it safe to buy on ebay?? and the pc dont stay retained in the Customs House (alfandega)??

ive never done shops with ebAy, only with amazon XD..

 

Look at the Feedback of these sellers. They sell thousands of these $2000 machines without a single complaint.

Yes, why wouldn't it be safe?

I don't know about customs in Portugal, but in The Netherlands it depends on wait courier it's shipped with. USPS used to take an additional week for customs, FedEx is straight to my door, as well as UPS. FedEx does customs work themselves.

If the seller goes bad you always have the PayPal insurance. Personally I've bought for thousands on eBay, always perfect and good packaging.

You do have to buy an AC cord though, since it will ship with the American cord. The American ThinkPad adapters have the C8 AC connector. That cord can be bought in the local parts store for €5

The W520 I am typing on also came from eBay, although from a German seller. The T61 before that came from Euclid computers (US webshop, now gone; paid by bank transfer. Both arrived without problem.

 

a thousand thanks to you.. XD...thats what i will do ))


a word about thinkpad reliability?? since its my first thinkpad

again, thanks a lot

 

2012 ranking
2012 Computer Reliability Report: Lenovo Most Reliable, Acer Least Reliable, Apple Declined | Connecticut Consumer Advocate Protector Watchdog | Ct Consumer Complaints |Ct consumer Protection | Ct Advocate | Ct Consumer

2011 ranking
2011 Computer Reliability Reports: Lenovo, Asus On Top | Connecticut Consumer Advocate Protector Watchdog | Ct Consumer Complaints |Ct consumer Protection | Ct Advocate | Ct Consumer

my 13 yrs old thinkpad is still working today

 

simple and direct XD.. thanks a lot.. you ve helped me a lot really

thanks