Thinkpads Forum

(yes I know that model isn't strictly covered in this forum, but was hoping for some views)

I am looking for a new - and fairly high powered - laptop and was about to order the T530 on spec, when I suddenly came across a large number of negative comments regarding the keyboard.

As a longstanding Thinkpad user I a concerned about the change in style, but remain open to the possibility of change and improvement.

Does anybody have any experience of this they can share, or for that matter on any other aspects of the machine relevant to my purchase decision?

Many thanks!

You'll have to test out the new layout yourself, that's honestly the only way to go.

If you're not a touch typist, or don't use the shortcuts extensively, you may end up liking it.

T520 is really not that much weaker than T530, and offers a conventional keyboard layout. Just a thought.

Good luck.

Thanks very much for your helpful comments.

Unfortunately I can't find a UK stockist within easy reach hence my remark I was looking to buy on spec.

I am looking for a machine with 16gb ram (and a quad-core i7) so I can use it as a full desktop replacement running several virtual machines, but understand the T520 is limited to 8gb which rules it out.

However, I have also read comments regarding overheating on the T530; do you have any experiencee of that?

Again thanks very much for your helpful advice.

No, the T520 will take 16GB of RAM. The 8GB limitation is applicable to T510.

Quad-core models will take up to 32GB, presuming 4 RAM slots.