T520 or W520? Which would you choose?

[CDKUTTNAUER]

I am ready to replace me T61p with XP Pro, with a new ThinkPad or Apple MacBook Pro. I have heard that Windows 7 solves most of the problems with XP that gotten so many people to move to Macs. Based upon several items...keyboard, Trackpoint, dual DVI monitors with wireless keyboard & mouse....I think I better stay with a ThinkPad. But, with the new models hitting the streets, I can not decided between a T520 or a W520.

I like the better discrete graphics (1920 x 1200), have 2 HDD's, when in the office have in a docking station with 2 DVI monitors with wireless keyboard/mouse. Power business user, not a developer or creative person....but would like to do more with it in the future....photo editing, Adobe suite, etc. Most importantly, want faster boot time and better standby mode.

Welcome your thoughts on which path you would take.

[ausmike]

,,,,we use lot of TP (1200+sets), mostly top of line W Series ; stil built to last!
so in short......
I would strongly recommand.....buy W520 series , as you indicated (power user) - its best option for you. FOR Power Users - ALL APPS run like breeze ,, and also added options to do RAID with a Beter DISPLAY OPTION -Video CARD ...(both has SSD options)

FYI... currently T520 = web orders = removed
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... on=nomatch
(maybe be due to Japan EQ - supply issue)

be it very breif , hope this

helps

[ssd_thinkpad]

In the new Tx20 models you can install three hdds:

- sata hdd
- ultrabay sata hdd
- pcmcia intel 310 ssd

You can either install a hdd pcmcia or wwan pcmcia on your T/Xx20 model.

[ausmike]

for FULL REFERANCES" and SPEC's of Options refer to PSREF here.....

[thinkstone]

I was in a similar situation and I chose to go with the W520.

Main reasons:
- W520 has USB 3.0 ports, while T520 only seems to have USB 2.0 ports.
- Not much difference in weight and size.
- More RAM capacity in W520 (not sure I'll need it, but nice to have).
- The somewhat longer battery life of the T520 (according to specs) wasn't important for me.
- The availability of cpu options seemed more limited this early in the release cycle for the T520.
- Having 2 GB video ram in the discrete graphics on the W520 vs. 1 GB on the T520 is a nice boon.
- I found a model that I liked at a price I found very reasonable (for a Thinkpad).

[Colonel O'Neill]

I think the W520 and integrated T520's are pretty good; the discrete NVS4200M is supposedly based on the GT 520M which isn't spectacularly better than the integrated.

Someone really needs to figure out a manual switching system for Optimus.

[Q-Ball]

The 'manual' switching system for Optimus is you, the user, closing all windows that use 3D effects, and switching to Windows Aero Basic (including the Sidebar, so no gadgets for you!).

I don't know if this changed with a new driver release.

Not all programs use 3D- to find out the ones that do, download a tool that lets you do that (can't remember but it was a test suite- a program that says if the Quadro is enabled or disabled, and another program that tells you what's keeping Optimus active.

Besides, at least for Canadian EPP (yup, the 'IBM Friends' section), the T520 with quad-core is MORE expensive than a W520 with the same processor!
Go figure.