Thinkpads Forum

If you go to www.lenovo.com and configure a X61 (or X61s) now, you will notice that the options include T7300 (2.0GHz) and T7500 NV (2.2GHz). However, the T7500 NV is actually $20 cheaper!

Two days ago, when I ordered my X61, the options were T7300 and T7500 (no NV designation). The faster processor was $140 more expensive.

Can someone shed some light on why there is this counter-intuitive price difference? I feel a little cheated that I am paying more for a slower processor.

Folks over at NBR forums are facing the same problem. I called Lenovo, and like some of them did, got no useful answer. Some reps say it stands for "normal voltage", but we all know the T7xxx processors are all normal voltage. Some reps say the T7500 NV process will be bundled with the STD screen vs the TFT sceen for non-NV processors. But I thought all Thinkpad screens are TFT?

Some others online speculate that these are factory refurbished processors. There are also those who think that the NV processors are "no virtualization" (which could be the case). Or "no ViiV".

What is it?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=179158 - NBR reference thread for your reading.

EDIT: Fixed link.

it really is "No Virtualization".   the intel T5250, T5450, and T5550 come without intel virtualization technology and are listed as "NV" processors.   check specs in the latest tecbook.pdf under socket P mobile processors, then google "T5250 NV" for some evidence.

btw, it's "merom" and not "memron" like in your signature.

rhema83 wrote:If you go to www.lenovo.com and configure a X61 (or X61s) now, you will notice that the options include T7300 (2.0GHz) and T7500 NV (2.2GHz). However, the T7500 NV is actually $20 cheaper!

Two days ago, when I ordered my X61, the options were T7300 and T7500 (no NV designation). The faster processor was $140 more expensive.

If you can configure the exact same specs at a lower price in a saved quote, I think you could have them match the price, given you do this within a specific range of time. If it isn't the case of lower price with same specs and you feel strongly enough about it, I think you can simply cancel the order, and order again under the configuration and price you are happier with. If you consider this I would make sure and save the quote, first and foremost.

erik wrote:it really is "No Virtualization".   the intel T5250, T5450, and T5550 come without intel virtualization technology and are listed as "NV" processors.   check specs in the latest tecbook.pdf under socket P mobile processors, then google "T5250 NV" for some evidence.

btw, it's "merom" and not "memron" like in your signature.

I stand corrected.

so how does NV disadvantage us? is virtulization even a benefit for a common user?

eyecon82 wrote:so how does NV disadvantage us? is virtulization even a benefit for a common user?

Use VMWare, Virtual PC, Xen or the like? If not, then the loss of virtualization is no loss to you.

"NV" indicates Normal Voltage processors. Note that the X Series does offer LV processors as well. Obviously there's not much point for NV to appear on other product lines as they do not use LV CPU's.

gator wrote:"NV" indicates Normal Voltage processors. Note that the X Series does offer LV processors as well.

BTW, just to make this unequivocably clear, a question was put to Lenovo and this was the definitive response.

Cheers,

Bill B.

so its not "no virtulization" as others described it as?

eyecon82 wrote:so its not "no virtulization" as others described it as?

No, it is NOT "No Virtualization".

ahh..i see..the folks over at NBR are claiming it as no virtulization

gator wrote:No, it is NOT "No Virtualization".

Then how do you explain the price difference, and the existence of both T7500 and T7500 NV on the same customization page?

The X61 does not offer LV processors. Only the X61s and X61t do.

rhema83 wrote:Then how do you explain the price difference, and the existence of both T7500 and T7500 NV on the same customization page? The X61 does not offer LV processors. Only the X61s and X61t do.

NV is used to indicate Normal Voltage processor, it's not a real designation, I heard it will be changed soon since normal X61 does not utilize it and only "s" and "Tablet" versions do.

About the price difference between T7300 (+$50) Vs. T7500 (+15), imagine lenovo ordered an equal amount of stock for both but the former became more popular option among customers to buy and the latter overstocked with every new coming in batch, in marketing it is a way to cover losses. In addition at the end of each quarter, customer needs are studied, probability of chosen options (by customers) are calculated. For instance if a customer opts for T7500 processor, based on the system results he/she will go for a bigger battery or for a bigger HDD.

By the way I only saw T7250 NV, T7300, and T7500 NV, not sure where you're finding T7500 & T7500 NV.

gator wrote:"NV" indicates Normal Voltage processors. Note that the X Series does offer LV processors as well.

bill bolton wrote:BTW, just to make this unequivocably clear, a question was put to Lenovo and this was the definitive response.

according to intel phone support, "NV" either refers to No Virtualization or NVram.   nothing was said about Normal Voltage even when i specifically asked about it.

lenovo must be using their own nomenclature on this one.

it makes sense but i'm still confused.

erik wrote:it makes sense but i'm still confused.

Confusion was what caused the question to be formally put to Lenovo for clarification... and we now have the definitive response.

Cheers,

Bill B.

ryengineer wrote:NV is used to indicate Normal Voltage processor, it's not a real designation, I heard it will be changed soon since normal X61 does not utilize it and only "s" and "Tablet" versions do.

About the price difference between T7300 (+$50) Vs. T7500 (+15), imagine lenovo ordered an equal amount of stock for both but the former became more popular option among customers to buy and the latter overstocked with every new coming in batch, in marketing it is a way to cover losses. In addition at the end of each quarter, customer needs are studied, probability of chosen options (by customers) are calculated. For instance if a customer opts for T7500 processor, based on the system results he/she will go for a bigger battery or for a bigger HDD.

By the way I only saw T7250 NV, T7300, and T7500 NV, not sure where you're finding T7500 & T7500 NV.

First, I am skeptical of Lenovo's explanation. I called them when I first ordered my X61 and two reps gave me two completely different answers. Second, I don't think overstock is the reason. Lenovo can sell the T7500 on other ThinkPads. In fact, if you configure a T61 now, the T7500 is still $100+ more expensive than the T7300. If it is indeed an overstock issue, T7500 should be cheaper across the board. Lenovo can even take T7300 out of the lineup temporarily to sell the stock of T7500.

Then again, nobody really knows the real answer. You are not wrong to choose to believe in Lenovo's answer. I am just not very convinced.

You should wait till it changes to order. As I said before I only saw one T7500 with NV which is the same processor as to say T7500 contradictory to your seeing two T7500 with and without NV.

rhema83 wrote:Then again, nobody really knows the real answer.

The real answer is provided above, and your suppositions do not survive contact with Occam's Razor.

Cheers,

Bill B.

bill bolton wrote:The real answer is provided above, and your suppositions do not survive contact with Occam's Razor.

Cheers,

Bill B.

Alright, then I guess it's just bad luck that when I ordered, nobody on NBR or thinkpads.com had the answer, and the Lenovo sales reps were equally clueless. Peace out.

What was the *real* answer again?

That it means "normal Voltage" in contrast to .... normal voltage??

The "real answer" from Lenovo:

I have confirmed that they added "NV" to indicate those are Normal Voltage processors, considering X Series does offer LV processors as well.

They can give them pet-names and different colors if they want but it makes no difference.

If its starts with T its always a normal Voltage CPU.
Low Voltage CPUs start with L, Ultra-Low-Voltage with U.

Didn't this thread start because they gave some T-Series CPU the NV suffix (which they apparently not even explain) and others not?

It is not even a possible option to chose low-voltage or normal-voltage since this is determind by the Thinkpad-Models (x61/x61s).

I think the real answer therefore should be "ignore it, it means nothing, (they suck)".

I left out part of the quote. Here is the quote in it's entirety.

I have confirmed that they added "NV" to indicate those are Normal Voltage processors, considering X Series does offer LV processors as well. Obviously there's not much point for NV to appear on other product lines as they do not use LV CPU's. Just a little skip in consistency, hopefully we'll be able to get it changed back.

schmolch wrote:They can give them pet-names and different colors if they want but it makes no difference.

If its starts with T its always a normal Voltage CPU.
Low Voltage CPUs start with L, Ultra-Low-Voltage with U.

Didn't this thread start because they gave some T-Series CPU the NV suffix (which they apparently not even explain) and others not?

It is not even a possible option to chose low-voltage or normal-voltage since this is determind by the Thinkpad-Models (x61/x61s).

I think the real answer therefore should be "ignore it, it means nothing, (they suck)".

Actually, this thread started because of the T7500 NV processor being cheaper than the T7300 on the X61 customization page.

But now that it is clarified, any potential buyer should be aware.