Thinkpads Forum

OK, I've got 2 units and need to choose 1 for my personal use. The other will be used at work for the normal, relatively undemanding business tasks (MS-Office, etc). I can mix-n'-match components and have first dibs on whatever I want to max out the machine I'll keep. Here's how the units stack up:

W530
CPU: i7-3720QM
memory: 16Gb
Nvidea Display adapter: Quadro K1000M
Camera: yes
Fingerprint: yes
OS: Win 7 Enterprise
Display: 1980x1080

530
CPU: i7-3820QM
memory: 16Gb
Nvidea Display adapter: NVS 5400M
Camera: no
Fingerprint: no
OS: Win 7 Pro
Display: 1980x1080

Obviously these units are very, very similar. The which would you want as your base machine? Any meaningful pros/cons other than the obvious, like RAM slots for the W530? Thanks!

I am posting this reply from a W530 and I can tell you its a beast, quickest computer ive ever used.

I have 2 W530's one for personal and one for work. I don't know about the T530, but I am very happy with the W530's have both maxed out with 32 GB, 2x 1 TB 7200 RPM HD's. One uses Express Cache and the other boots from a 265 GB mSata SSD. I do lots of Virtualization work and need lots of RAM and Storage. I am very happy with these machines and close them over the W540.

W530 hands down!

If I were you, I would sell both and get W520 with Quadro 2000M card and FullHD IPS scree, but that's me, and I already have such a machine, good for work and above average gaming too

Khipata wrote:
If I were you, I would sell both and get W520 with Quadro 2000M card and FullHD IPS scree, but that's me, and I already have such a machine, good for work and above average gaming too

Huh?

The screen on W520 is the same as the one on W530 - presuming FHD - and it's NOT IPS unless you've swapped a (potentially) compatible LG Philips panel in yourself...

That is EXACTLY what I did, cost me $140 shipped Plus 32 GB RAM, 20GB SLC SSD , 180GB MLC SSD and 750GB Hybrid HDD.

Khipata wrote:That is EXACTLY what I did,

Plus 32 GB RAM, 20GB SLC SSD , 180GB MLC SSD and 750GB Hybrid HDD.

I understand everything apart from 20GB SLC SSD in that setup...

Having said that, back to the topic:

My choice - if I were in OP's dilemma - would be the W530. For obvious reasons, nothing hidden or mysterious there...

I have Linux mint on that SLC drive for dual boot, very convenient and does not wear much. Just in case all the others fail

And yes, it plays Crysis (famous cliche statement) on above average settings