thinkpad w520 build quality

I was just wondering if the reputation of superior quality that thinkpads have is exaggerated or really a large factor. I'm thinking about getting a w520, but it is a couple hundred dollars more expensive, with about the same specs. Is it worth it?

 

It's a pretty big point for ThinkPads. More specifically, the W520 is very solidly built; it'll handle bumps and bruises no problem.

What was your other alternative that was several hundred dollars cheaper?

 

I made a thread about this on the "what notebook should I buy" forum. But I reposted here to get some specific feedback from thinkpad users.
Maybe not several hundred, but a couple hundred or so.

 

Compared to the other laptops you're looking at, the W520 has a much better build quality. Typically, business laptops are more durable with a better build quality compared to consumer laptops. Other laptops with a similar build quality to the W520 would be the Precision M4600 and 8560w. If you don't mind the extra weight and somewhat weak battery life, the 8560w can be had for fairly cheap.

 

It is a very solid laptop. The soft touch cover could be scratched easily by a sharp object, but you just have to be careful about that. It is otherwise very solid feeling and stiff.

 

I agree the w520 feels like it could stop a bullet from the way it's built.

 

Bullet? Definitely not. Don't get me wrong, but, the W520 feels less solid than I thought it would before buying it. That being said, it is infinitely better than consumer laptops. I had an unrealistically high expectation for the solidity, to say the least, though.