Thinkpads Forum

can I install a HDD larger than 1tb in my w500? like at least a 2tb? and if so is a specific OS or RAM required to see/use it? and same question for w520 & w701 and how does a w701 boost RAM to 32gb can same be done for w520 since it has 4 slots too?

The system itself should recognize the biggest drive you can buy since systems since the early-mid 2000s use 48-bit LBA addressing that supports (in theory) up to a drive of 128PB. As for what it can boot to - 2TB is the max. partition size you can boot to with conventional methods. You can boot to a larger partition if you use a GPT partition scheme along with UEFI.

32GB is the max. RAM in the W520.

theterminator93 wrote:The system itself should recognize the biggest drive you can buy since systems since the early-mid 2000s use 48-bit LBA addressing that supports (in theory) up to a drive of 128PB. As for what it can boot to - 2TB is the max. partition size you can boot to with conventional methods. You can boot to a larger partition if you use a GPT partition scheme along with UEFI.

32GB is the max. RAM in the W520.

how do I get UEFI support? is it a build item or software install?

UEFI support was introduced in the ThinkPad lineup starting with the X/T/W x20 series in 2011. UEFI is a system firmware design was designed to replace standard 16 bit BIOS. You can install a disk larger than 2TB in the W701 but you'd need to split the disk into partitions such that the one you boot from is no larger than 2TB. In the W520 you can enable UEFI boot in BIOS then install your OS with UEFI support (there is a good tutorial for doing so in Windows 7, if this is your desired OS, here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18 ... s-7-a.html) on a partition larger than 2TB.

theterminator93 wrote:UEFI support was introduced in the ThinkPad lineup starting with the X/T/W x20 series in 2011. UEFI is a system firmware design was designed to replace standard 16 bit BIOS. You can install a disk larger than 2TB in the W701 but you'd need to split the disk into partitions such that the one you boot from is no larger than 2TB. In the W520 you can enable UEFI boot in BIOS then install your OS with UEFI support (there is a good tutorial for doing so in Windows 7, if this is your desired OS, here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18 ... s-7-a.html) on a partition larger than 2TB.

cool! this is very useful info. from all the videos etc I have seen researching these W series though and Lenovos support site all these models where last made over 7 years ago and most are no longer supported some even no longer have docs for accessories available like the 2503 Advance docking station and the W700 series is nearly a ghost with no accessories or anything listed like Lenovo was ashamed of its failure to meet or exceed the W520 predecessor for many reasons one being its awkward size. but mainly the W520 had many components that out performed the W7xx while using way less power/space. seems the digital scratch pad was the only option not offered besides 2 HDD bays. so for most applications the W520 had the best coverage. I think 2TB is largest HDD available for all of these models also. why didnt Lenovo just put the W520 in the bigger case with extra HDD bays and the other items except for the small side monitor with low rez. and offer a spare display exactly like main display piggyback optional accessory. since the W7xx series CPU etc never improved over the W520 anyway? and parts for earlier W5xx models are much more prominent world wide making them easy to be usable for decades like the older W and T series road warriors. ATM I own 2 old 701 butterfly Thinkpads with 2 Dock IIs plus. also one T61 and one W500 and all of these I love due to their well designed durable build and easy to modify/upgrade. I intend to get a W520 also but still question the W701 as an experiment gone array. I think Lenovo went too far off base towards cheap by the time the W series ended.

Micth

The W701 series was a 17" class machine which has a different target market than the 15" W5x0 series. As such the hardware support between them differs, just like you'd expect a difference between the 14" T4x0 and the 15" T/W5x0. In terms of hardware The W701 is most similar to the W510; the W700 being most similar to the W500. As is standard, the larger the footprint of the machine, the more features you can cram into that machine - but price, battery life and mobility are the casualties.

theterminator93 wrote:The W701 series was a 17" class machine which has a different target market than the 15" W5x0 series. As such the hardware support between them differs, just like you'd expect a difference between the 14" T4x0 and the 15" T/W5x0. In terms of hardware The W701 is most similar to the W510; the W700 being most similar to the W500. As is standard, the larger the footprint of the machine, the more features you can cram into that machine - but price, battery life and mobility are the casualties.

yep. just wish they had kept upgrading the series instead of dropping it. guess market didnt support that. seems more like the Txxx series than W as most T5xx and Rxx had lower base features like the T500. compared to W500 and W510 to W520. which made for a very small niche target of buyers due to fewer features and lower end components like CPU etc. my experiences with the IBM Thinkpads I own went the other way in that area. and I think thats why they have such a strong following still as in this forum. My 2 Sons both in IT careers have always teased me about my love of my TPs as they call them (referring to the other abbreviation for TP) as most do with high priced Business PCs. they do not see the value of grand designed products that set standards for other manufactures to strive for. its like owning a used Rolls Royce then buying a New Toyota to 'upgrade' to then expecting same for same. thats how disappointing other Laptops are after owning an IBM TP.