Looking at a new laptop

[oeuvre]

Hey, so I am selling a lot of laptops and phones, etc. and using that money to buy a new laptop. Right now I have a T42 that I plan on selling to you guys and a T60 that I will keep as my backup laptop (cause you never know, right?)

Requirements:
i7 Intel CPU
32GB RAM (Will buy online separately, if it comes with 4GB RAM I don't care as I'll upgrade it anyways).
Dedicated GFX
SSD (is there a performance difference between mSATA SSD and a regular SSD?)
HD (500GB 7200RPM or better, 7200RPM is a must)
1920x1080 resolution (My MacBook Pro I sold had 1920x1200 and it's totally spoiled me).

One thing I don't like about the new ThinkPads is that they changed the layout... really the biggest deal for me is the back and forward buttons next to the arrow keys. I use them on a daily basis. So that got me thinking maybe I should look at the W520?

About the SSD and HD thing... I'll most definitely buy my own SSD (120 or 128GB SSD) and install that into the main bay. I could install the HD into the UltraBay and use the DVD burner as an external, right?

[ZaZ]

The benefit of a SSD for most uses is the latency. The difference in the latency between a mSATA SSD and a regular SSD is negligible. Unless you put a heavy load on the controller often, this is where a SATA III drive will offer better performance, I say get the mSATA because you can keep the optical or add a third drive. 5400RPM drives tend to run quieter and use less power. Plus, they go up to 1TB whereas 7200RPM drives are limited to 750GB at the moment.

If you want 32GB of memory on the W520, you'll need the quad core version because on it has four memory slots.

If you want the old keyboard, only the W520 has it. I personally think the new keyboard is very good once you past the layout, which some cannot.

[oeuvre]

I want to install Windows on the SSD and I really want to stick to that...

I probably could live with 16GB RAM which is still a glorious amount of RAM. I think the T530 isn't bad for the price and looking at Lenovo Outlet's prices compared to the W530 it would save me hundreds of dollars for similar hardware.

[underclocker]

Definitely either a T520/T530/W520/W530. Note that the huge 170w AC charger is required for the W520/W530 models. Not so with the T-series and not a big issue if you do not travel with your laptop. It is something to consider because many people complain about it.

[oeuvre]

How does this T530 look?
http://outlet.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/co ... EL-2359CTO

This +16GB DDR3 1600 RAM (2x8GB)
bump up the HD to a slightly bigger drive
128GB Crucial M4 SSD

Total comes around $1550 or so. Not pulling the trigger yet - wanna hear feedback first. Thanks.

[ZaZ]

Do keep in mind all outlet purchases come with a one year depot warranty that cannot be upgraded via normal methods. You must buy a post warranty extension and it's considerably more expensive. There's also no option for IWS or accidental coverage if you care.

[oeuvre]

Don't really care much for warranty, as silly as that sounds.
I take good care of my laptops, hence why they last so long.

[oeuvre]

Another thing, my mom wants to buy a new laptop too as her Asus broke on her.

She doesn't want to spend more than $900 and wants something under 4 pounds. I pointed her at the X230 with i5, 4GB RAM that I can upgrade for cheap... any of you have experience with the X230? Also, where's the best place to buy them?

[ZaZ]

You may read my review here.

Usually the cheapest place to get them is from Lenovo with coupons, though you may have to wait for good coupons to get the better pricing. The Outlet if you don't mind the one year non-upgradeable warranty is another option. Prices yin and yang in the Outlet too. Again, patience may be required.

[oeuvre]

Alright cool, thanks for the info ZaZ. Will let you guys know what she ends up with.

As for me, I am pretty sure I'm going for the T530 and will buy RAM, SSD and possibly HD off newegg.

I just have a couple questions...

Can I get an mSATA SSD and boot Windows 7 off of it? That way I can keep the HD and DVD drive.

Or would it be better to get a regular SATA III SSD and throw the HD in the optical drive bay?

[ZaZ]

Yes, the mSATA is bootable in Sandy Bridge ThinkPads and later. I have that set up in my X220i. It's quite slick. I would say get the mSATA just because then you can keep the optical or get a third drive if inclined.

[oeuvre]

Alright that's awesome. I was thinking actually W530 would be a better buy cause for similar spec'd as the T530, it weighs slightly more, better gfx, up to 32GB RAM as well. Thanks again, ZaZ.

http://i.imgur.com/fcUhE.jpg

[TTY]

Can I get an mSATA SSD and boot Windows 7 off of it?

This is from the T530 user guide:
"Note: If your computer is equipped with both a hard disk drive and an mSATA solid state drive, you are
not recommended to use the mSATA solid state drive as a bootable device. The mSATA solid state drive is
designed and developed for “cache” function purpose only. If you use the mSATA solid state drive as a
bootable device, its reliability is not guaranteed."

[oeuvre]

I ordered a W530 spec'd exactly the way it was in that image...

and 32GB RAM, 128GB m4 mSATA SSD.

I read this
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-Th ... d-p/851239

It seems that others have been using their W520/530 running Windows off the mSATA without any issues.