Thinkpads Forum

I am thinking about replacing my existing T61p with a new T series. My current environment is:
o Prefer high resolution displays....like 1600 x 1200 with DVI monitors
o While in my docking station, I use 2 DVI monitors...one via the docking station and one using an iVillage PCMIA card
o I have a 2nd 160GB HDD in the Ultrabay (42T1460)

Questions:
1. Would the T410/T510 be the right choice? If so, what display would be recommended (FHD)?
2. I assume I can not use my existing docking station. Which docking station supports 2 DVI, thus avoiding the current PCMIA?
3. Is my existing 2nd HDD compatible with the new T410/T510? I am thinking about getting the 128GB SSD.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

1. As much as I know, the T4 and T5 are equally in terms of speed. The difference is not even the price. The W5 has more gpu power which you most likely do not need. You should know if you need the screen size or a more portable notebook. The T4 displays "suck" in my opinion where the T5 has a display option which provides you with better contrast - you are most likely used to better displays.

3. I bet you have a sata hdd. This hdd is compatible with the T4/T500 thinkpads. You need to buy a new "hdd ultrabay" as much as I know.

I am not sure how often do you need the notebook without the additional displays. And how you transport it. The T5 has better display options. The T4 - especially the T4s is smaller but has a horrible screen. If you do not need the screen estate you might consider a x20(1) and an plug in an external sata hdd in the existing sata-port (I think you can use your existing one). Then you can use your both displays when you are at home and carry up to nothing when you are away. The vertical screen size of the 12 inch notebook is minimal, though. Not so much better with the other notebooks - you really should check out how small the screen will be - cut out a paper with the possible screen sizes and put them against your displays. That makes you wonder.

If you have not bought the T410 or T510 you should wait. The new T, W etc are all coming out in March and they have might be a better buy (USB 3.0, potentially no hissing noise, better speakers etc). My experience with the T510 has not been good...

Would you recommend a W510 over the T510 (soon to be W520 & T520)?

There is, unfortunately, no mention of USB 3.0 on the T420/T520 data sheet from Lenovo. However, there is a eSATA port which handles most of what I'd want from USB 3 and, unlike USB 3, is actually found on my current external hard drives. A couple of companies offer a USB 3.0 ExpressCard which should work if you don't mind the extra cost and ugliness of it hanging out the side.

An ExpressCard USB 3.0 has about half the bandwidth of an onboard USB 3.0, which is a significant consideration.

1. You can verify that your T410 is "Mobile Broadband ready" by:

a) Verifying this using the tabook, call up the specific model number, and drill down to see if it has a Mobile Broadband antenna permanently attached to your LCD module**. Sorry, you will have to ask around this forum to see where can you obtain the latest tabook from Lenovo/Thinkpad...

b) Your sales literature (or web page screenshot) should clearly state "Mobile Broadband ready" or something to that effect.


2. Honestly, may I suggest you just bite the bullet and buy a T410 model with built-in Mobile Broadband Gobi, save you a lot of hassle down the road, and it really is not that expensive!

I did phone Thinkpad on this point, Thinkpad staff said clearly that "if your T410 does *not* have a pre-existing Mobile Broadband antenna built into your computer, Thinkpad is not allowed to add this in later on for you. Be warned!

Colonel O'Neill wrote:An ExpressCard USB 3.0 has about half the bandwidth of an onboard USB 3.0, which is a significant consideration.

That's definitely an issue for my T61p, but hopefully the T520 would have ExpressCard 2.0 which seems to be designed specifically to support USB 3.0.

What about the Ultrabay? I was just looking at the Dell Inspiron E6520 and they're offering a USB 3.0 media bay option for <US$50. I suppose the Ultrabay may contain nothing more than a SATA port and a battery terminal... Lenovo doesn't seem to ever do anything else with it.

UltraBay subwoofer, anyone?

Colonel O'Neill wrote:UltraBay subwoofer, anyone?

That's a fun idea for a project to try with a failed DVD housing Lenovo didn't need back... but I haven't been able to easily locate a 9mm thick driver. Unfortunately, the acoustic characteristics of ribbon speakers are exactly opposite what you'd want for a subwoofer. And they're delicate. Maybe an array of drivers like those already used in notebooks. Might have to run a cable inside to the main speakers, too.

In an online chat, a Lenovo rep confirmed that the Expresscard slot in the 520 is the same as in the 510, so no version 2. Oh, well