WTB ... TP W530

[FrankK-F]

My fully loaded W500 is out of gas as my apps need more capacity ... am looking for a healthy machine in reasonably clean shape, with the following preferred content:

i7-3940XM, -3920XM, -3840QM ... CPU preference order
FDH display (any IPS version?)
Nvidia Quadro K2000M Optimus
Express Card/34 slot
Smart Card Reader
Multicard Reader
170W AC adapter
W7-64 S/N (I have MS disc for W7-64 Pro)

Everything else is "don't care"

Why a W530? Somewhat future proof and the last in the series with a reasonably useful dock, the 433835U, for my purposes. My W500-W7-64-Pro had the last good dock with an expansion slot which is populated with a 4-port SATA board; and now I am scratching my head how I will connect my two 2.5" RAID drives plus my two 3.5/2.5 HDD/SSD docks. And both my A31Ps are still chugging with XP-SP3 and on their docks with expansion slots busy with frame grabbers for machine vision cameras and vertical apps.

FK-F
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[Khipata]

In your place I would buy W520
Better machine in my opinion.

[FrankK-F]

Thanks, Khipata.

Could you elucidate on your preference for the W520?

[hhhd1]

unlike the w530, the w520 have better keyboard layout, and also have modifiable bios if you want to install a custom wireless adapter.

the w530, have added a security chip to the battery, to require only lenovo issued batteries to work, so after-market batteries won't work.

(modifying bios isn't impossible, but require extra tools ..etc)

[FrankK-F]

Thank you, hhhd1.

* The keyboard issue seems like a minor point ... perhaps a personal preference at this point.
* The BIOS and wireless issue ... I have been using a Netgear router in my office ... no problems anticipated.

However, when I consider the CPU ... the W530's chips look like a big jump beyond what the W520 offers.
What only the W520 has is the eSATA connector ... something that is very important to me as I have 4 external storage devices with eSATA only. And the "483835U Mini Dock Plus Series 3" ... compatible with both units lacks an eSATA connector.

A head scratcher for me as I don't want to dump my two RAIDs plus my two HDD docks ... I am looking for a USB3 to eSATA adapter/dongle, a 1-4 solution if such exists.

[Khipata]

hhhd1 pretty much nailed it. Besides, W520 is cheaper now than W530

[fatpolomanjr]

Only benefit a W530 might have aside from slightly faster CPU at that configuration is better integrated graphics. Lol

[mr.motoring]

I have a top-of-the-line W530. Sending PM...

[FrankK-F]

Hi, Mr. Motoring ... looking for your PM.