Which Thinkpad?

[DLX34]

Hi all,

New here as is obvious by my post count.

I've been looking for a new laptop and have my heart set now on getting a Thinkpad. Originally I signed up to ask if there are any of these laptops that DONT have the option to enable/disable virtualization in the BIOS, but thought while im at it I might as well see if anyone can help me decide which one is best for me.

Virtualization is important as I use Virtualbox for testing OS's, and my current laptop doesnt have this feature so im being extra cautious.

Ill be using the laptop for both business and pleasure. The business end being Virtualbox and Web Design, the pleasure being watching movies, music, streaming and the occasional photo editing. I am not a gamer.
Id like it to be quite robust and have a longer than normal life span to it, so I dont mind paying extra to ensure a long lasting laptop, ensure might be the wrong word as nothing like that is certain, but you get the idea.
Budget is £600 to £800.

Apologies if this is in the wrong section or if asking for help like this isnt normal, this will be my first Lenovo so I just want to get it right! Thanks.

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum.
Can you provide some more info please, like screen size (widescreen or 4:3), screen resolution, RAM requirement, dedicated or integrated graphics, tablet or regular laptop?
To give you an idea of what is possible if you prefer 4:3 format, look at this: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=108691
I'd be quite happy to build you such a machine.

[DLX34]

Thanks for the welcome, and yeah I realised after posting that I should have mentioned screen size and whatnot.

Preferably 15"+ screen, with the highest resolution possible within my budget. Im used to working with widescreen so would probably just stick with that, although im not against change if the advantages of 4:3 match my needs better.

RAM : at least 4GB

HD : Doesnt really matter as I will not need much space on the laptop to save things (i have a home server), but obviously for speed purposes an SSD would be my preference.

As I mentioned, im not a gamer and will just be doing some photo editing and web design, so i would think integrated graphics would suffice for my needs.... but you can correct me if im wrong!

Tablet is not really a requirement, but I dont think there is any convertible available thats 15"+ anyway so that answers that. Would like to try out Windows 8 but Windows 7 is fine.

[twistero]

If virtualization is important to you, you should probably choose a relatively new ThinkPad, starting from the Core i generation. AFAIK no Core 2 Duo CPUs have VT-d, and only some have VT-x. That means machines in or newer than the T#20 generation.

Then, considering your need for large, high-resolution display, your choices are T510/520/530, W510/520/530. All of these have 15 inch 16:9 displays up to 1920x1080 resolution depending on configuration. The ##20 machines have the classical 7-row keyboard layout, while the ##30 machines have a new island-style keyboard with 6-row layout.

[DLX34]

Thanks for that, I was looking at the T5## and W5## ranges, but most of the ones I saw were ever so slightly (to largely) out of my budget. Ill keep on looking though. Thanks again

[twistero]

Whoops. I made a mistake: ThinkPads have had Core i since the T/W510 generation.

Anyways, check the Marketplace section of this forum

[RealBlackStuff]

Please check the new messages at the top of this page.

[TTY]

... but most of the ones I saw were ever so slightly (to largely) out of my budget.

Lenovo now offers rebate (eCoupons) in the on-line shop on their web site. It's now possible to configure a T530 within the price range you mentioned.

[RealBlackStuff]

Problem is: Lenovo does not recognize/accept foreign (speak: non-US) credit cards in the Outlet...

[TTY]

Problem is: Lenovo does not recognize/accept foreign (speak: non-US) credit cards in the Outlet...

I wasn't referring to Lenovo's U.S. Outlet, but to the regular on-line shop at Lenovo's UK web site.

[DLX34]

Thanks for the info, I didnt realise I could keep it below £800 on the official site! Just do make sure, do all versions of the T530 have the virtualization option?
Only asking as im going to be going with the 'low end' i3, dont want to shoot myself in the foot!

[twistero]

Theoretically, you could find out the exact CPU in a configuration, then look it up on Intel's website.

[DLX34]

I found the info needed on the intel site and the one I was looking at does have virtualization, ordered.