Thinkpads Forum

I haven't been around here in quite some time and I'm sure this question has been asked and answered before (I just can't seem to find it using the search)... so here it goes.

I will be upgraded from a T60p to a W520 fairly soon and was wondering whether any of these T6x accessories/peripherals work with the W520:

• 9-cell battery
  60/90W power supply
  ultra-bay HD adapter
  mini-dock

From the limited time I could spend on researching this it looks as if they will not work (except for maybe the 90W power supply will charge the battery if the W520 is not powered on). But can anyone confirm that these parts are incompatible with the W520? thx.

You are correct, just the 90w adapter for utility purposes. The normal Adapter for a W520 is 170w

Hi basketb,

You and Harry are both right about the power supplies. As far as the battery goes, Lenovo lists the 9-cell packs for the two units under different FRUs. The only thing I could think of would be a dc voltage or wattage difference. The mini-dock will work just fine, however if you do not have the model 433830U your multi-display options will be limited. Just make sure you use your 170W adapter with the dock. And sorry, I know nothing about the ultra-bay adapter.

ThinkW520 wrote:Hi basketb,

. . . The mini-dock will work just fine, however if you do not have the model 433830U your multi-display options will be limited. Just make sure you use your 170W adapter with the dock. . . .

This is great news. I just ordered a W520 today and have been preparing myself to plug everything into the actual unit (and order a displayport-to-DVI cord) due to my lack of desire to spend $270 for the new mini-dock. However, I have two T60p mini-docks (Type 2504, FRU 42W8299 and FRU26R9063).

Basketb - Can you confirm your T6x mini-dock worked with the W520 (and 170W power cord)?

This seems implausible. The 170W adapter has little bumps inside the barrel at that prevent it being inserted except into jacks with matching indentations. I know my docks for the T61 don't have those jacks.

It seemed to good to be true to me.

Anyone else with experience on this topic?

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but neither the dock, battery or ultrabay adapter will work with the W520
MDH

What MDH said.

The battery design changed between W500 (which was T60-compatible) and W510 (W520 is same as W510).
The dock and docking connector design was changed in the same transition.
The Ultrabay was changed even earlier (W500 already uses SATA Ultrabay).