Thinkpads Forum

Just thought that I should mention that I'm selling my i5 MacBook Pro 15 and swapping in a T510. True, true.

While the MacBook is gorgeous, I just haven't found much need for the Mac specific apps and I do occasionally get tired (and worreid) about the spinning beach ball. I've mostly been using it with VMWare Fusion to get to a Windows OS.

I picked up a barely used, high end T510 via Craigslist. I was a little concerned that the display was only HD+, but with the Windows taskbar placed to the right side, I have nearly as much vertical space as with the WSXGA+ LCD. Plus the LG panel is very bright with really good viewing angles.

I started my search with the W510 model, but had reservations about battery life, heat and the large, 135W power supply. I think this Optimus T510 machine is just about perfect - already up to 8GB RAM & an SSD, with a fingerprint reader it will be perfect! It's quiet, fast, uses a 90w AC adapter and has really good battery life.

ThinkPad T510 (4314-DEU)
Intel Core i5-560M processor (2.66GHz to 3.20GHz), 2GB RAM, 320GB 7200rpm HD, 15.6in HD+ 1600x900 LCD,
Optimus Dual Auto-switching Graphics w/Intel HD & 512MB nVIDIA Quadro NVS3100M,
CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, WWAN optional, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav,
Secure Chip, Camera, 9 cell Li-Ion battery, Win7 Pro 64, 90w AC adapter

Update: I added T520 to the title because I picked up a model very similar to my T510, both are just great machines.

ThinkPad T520 (4240-49U)
Intel Core i5-2520M (2.50GHz to 3.20GHz) processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB 7200rpm HD, 15.6in HD+ 1600x900 LCD,
Optimus Dual Auto-switching Graphics w/Intel HD & 1GB NVIDIA NVS4200M,
CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, WWAN optional, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav,
Secure Chip, Fingerprint reader, Camera, 9 cell Li-Ion battery, Win7 Pro 64, 90w AC adapter

The T510 is a great machine. I have loved mine since the first day it arrived. HD+ via LED backlit screen is perfect.
It runs quietly, with no heat detected anywhere. It's a great example of modern technology.

Glad you like your new T510.

The T510 is indeed a great machine and, to me, has an understated beauty. I've been enjoying mine for nearly two years now. I configured mine with a dual-core i7 and FHD screen. Late last year, I bought a caddy, moved the 500GB HDD to the Ultrabay for storage, and put a SSD in the primary bay. The performance boost is phenomenal.

Surely it is a great machine. I got mine from eBay UK, upgraded to FHD, 8G Ram, it runs application smoothly. You know, I used to have Sony Vaio P11, which is a different world, though Vaio P is much smaller in size, but most things cannot deliver.