Back to School, T510 or W510 (Sorry, long post)

[jasonjason]

(Warning - Long Post)

Hi guys, newbie here, would really appreciate some advice. I’m heading back to school in the UK at the ripe old age of 34. Looking at a replacement laptop for my 3 year old T60 and have questions about configurations and options. I’ve looked through the forums, http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=87108 and http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=87232 in particular and still have some questions, hopefully some kind soul/s can guide me through the process. Thanks much!

Primarily use: I-net surfing, powerpoint, word and excel. No games, very rarely movies, but battery life, reliability and speed are important to me.

After looking around exhaustively, I’ve narrowed the options down to these three choices. Factoring in shipping and bundled software, I think the three options are roughly cost neutral. The UK option is out, the laptops there are way more expensive, even with shipping, unless I can get VAT refunded. Locally, the shops don’t carry the T510. Would appreciate thoughts and comments on the options.

Option 1
T510 from US at around 1350 USD (from Lenovo website, less whatever coupon I can find, shops locally don’t carry T510). Including cost for MS Office software from local university, and shipping costs, end total likely to be around 1500 – 1600USD.
Pros: Configurable, 9 cell battery, integrated graphics (better battery life), may be slightly cheaper.
Cons: Will be shipping from US with associated problems if need to return, and lack of warranty coverage in the UK (No intl warranty option available).

Option 2
W510 from local school at around 1650 USD.
Pros: Bundled with MS Office Pro (definitely using) and Adobe CS4 (worth a lot of money but I don’t use it)
Cons: Not configurable, not sure about battery life. Some websites like http://lingpipe-blog.com/2010/02/17/len ... pressions/say 3.5 hours, others like this review give an impossibly long 18 hours http://www.chipchick.com/2010/01/lenovo ... -w510.html

Option 3
T410 from local school at around 1650 USD.
Pros: 9 cell battery, bundled with MS Office Pro (definitely using)
Cons: 14” screen, which is what I had on my T40 and T60, but I’d like to upgrade to a 15”. Not configurable.

Lenovo ThinkPad T510
Intel Core i5-540M Processor (2.53GHz, 3MB L3, 1066MHz FSB) (For my purposes should I up or down this processor speed?)
Windows 7 Professional 64 (32 or 64? http://www.techspot.com/news/35624-tech ... 64bit.html website suggests that 64 is the way to go)
15.6" HD+ Anti-Glare Display with LED Backlight and WWAN Antenna (Do I need the WWAN Antenna?)
Intel HD Graphics with Always On USB
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboard US English
Finger Print Reader:
Camera, 2.0 MP
320 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
9 cell 2.8Ah Li-Ion Battery - Dual Mode
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN)
(Do I need the Gobi 2000 if the wireless broadband account comes with the external modem?)
Any recommendations which warranty would be the most useful?

Lenovo ThinkPad W510 (Not configurable)
Intel® Quad Core Processor i7 720QM (1.6GHz 1066MHz 6MBL3),
Windows 7 Professional
4GB PC3-8500 1066MHz DDR3
500GB SATA HDD
15.6" LCD Display with LED Backlight (Not sure resolution)
NVIDIA Quadro FX 880M 1GB DDR3 Graphic Card
Intel® WiFi Link AGN Wireless Network Connection
Integrated Bluetooth
Fingerprint Reader
Intel® 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet
Integrated 2MP Camera
6 cell Li-Ion Battery (Want a 9 cell battery)
3 Years Local Onsite Warranty

Lenovo ThinkPad T410 (Not configurable)
Intel Core i7-620M (2.66GHz 4MB L3, 1066MHz FSB)
Windows 7 Professional - 32bit
4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1066 RAM
500GB SATA HDD
14.1" High Resolution WXGA+ TFT LCD Panel
NVIDIA NVS 3100m Graphics 256MB DDR3
Intel WiFi Link AGN (IEEE 802.11a/g/n),
BlueTooth
10/100/1000 Mbps LAN,
Finger Print Sensor
Integrated Webcam,
9 cell battery

[GrandMasterKhan]

Based on the software programs you listed, I'm thinking your major is business, medical sciences or the humanities not EE or something graphics related. For campus use ie lots of walking and commuting wouldnt it be more prudent to get say an x201? Do you intend to keep the T60 as your portable notebook? If so the T510 stays at home?

IF what you list are your final choices the T410 is best IMO, esp. the last choice. But I think you should expand your scope. Maybe consider the x201 with the base for home use so you have a desktop and also a notebook for campus.

[AIX]

I had my hands on a T510, this thing too big (and too wide - 16:9) for my taste. I will stick with a T410 (probably better battery life), but that's just me.

[jasonjason]

GMK, actually an MBA, but close enough = 0 (definitely doesn't need too much brains). Thanks for the suggestion, will re-consider the 410.

However, I value big fonts and low screen resolution over portability, so that I don't strain my eyes (I see fine, but I'd like to minimise eye-strain over the long term). My XP display at 1024 x 768 has extra large fonts and scaled up DPI. 14 inches is fine for me now, but I'm sure I'd appreciate the extra physical real estate (please don't say that higher resolution is more real estate, that's like buying smaller furniture for the same sized room). I haven't spent any time with a 15 inch screen yet though.

I'll bring my T60 along, but not keen to sync material between two machines. Having maintained a desktop and laptop for a while, I find it a hassle, though the current ease of solutions may have improved. I'll be using an external monitor when at home.

Any thoughts on config for the T510 or 410, such as screens, memory, CPU, WWAN, 32 or 64 bit? The local shops sell the T410, though I think at a much higher price, so I may look at configuring a T410 from the US as well.

Does anyone know the summer shipping times currently?

Thanks much.

[GrandMasterKhan]

T410 with the 620M CPU, 4GB of RAM (either yourself or as ordered), 500GB 7200 RPM HDD, can get SSD later, 64-bit W7Pro or Ultimate, Bluetooth, Intel 6300 or 6250 if you plan to use WIMAX. Also get the Camera as will be away from home and can make videocalls etc. If you dont feel you need all that power then the 540M will be OK too. Also 1440x990 please as lower resolution doesnt cut it.

I still think you ought to get the x201 with the above except it wont come with 1440x990.

Carrrying a large laptop and I think the T410 is large is not practical.

If you go with the T410 or large what are you really doing? Basically you have two T60's one more powerful but both more than adqequate for what you need. What you cant upgrade is portability which is why you need a smaller notebook.

[jasonjason]

Hopefully I'll be able to get a place close to school, so carrying a bigger laptop isn't an issue. Anyhow, I find a 12inch screen too small for using for any extended period of time, so that's a non-starter.

I intend to use the new laptop to replace the T60, which is why I'm looking at the 410 or 510.

Thanks for the specs recommendations, hopefully I can find a good deal with Father's Day around the corner!

[infinus]

Don't bother with the I7-620M. It's not worth the price over the I5 and it consumes more power. It's a marginal performance increase for a much more significant price increase.

[GrandMasterKhan]

Don't bother with the I7-620M. It's not worth the price over the I5 and it consumes more power. It's a marginal performance increase for a much more significant price increase.

Braddah, I beg to differ with you. I think the i5 and i7 consume the same power with the i7 providing a major bump in performance. But at a much higher price, it doesnt really hit the sweet spot based on what most people need unless you really want the 4MB cache. If you have a top end C2D now, the i5 is a major improvement already. If you are splitting atoms kiddingly then the i7 might be for you.

[chairsky]

i7-620m does not worth the investment, though it is called i7, it is indeed an i5 w/ higher clock speed
i5-520m/540m should be enough for ordinary use

[infinus]

Major bump in performance? Show me a benchmark that shows that?!?! Don't confuse the I7 on the T510 with the quad core I7's on the W510. A dual core I5->I7 is a VERY small increase in performance for a very large relative cost.