Lenovo W520 Owner's Thread

[Thors.Hammer]

By any chance have you compared it next to the FHD screen?
Also I noticed that the specs under your signature is the same one I will be receiving (when it comes in). What is your opinion on the laptop you configured?



My eye sight is pretty good and I'll be using this laptop for watching movies, games, internet browsing and light photo editing (photoshop and fireworks).

I noticed that most people are getting the FHD screen resolution and was curious as to why. I would hate to get the HD+ and then regret not getting the full screen of the FHD.

I compared the W510 with the HD+ and the FHD side-by-side for over 30 days. I think given your eyesight and the roles you mention, you will be perfectly happy with the 1600x900 resolution screen. The HD+ screen is bright and has much better screen angles than the 14" model ThinkPads.

The FHD screen is brighter and has superior color space support. When properly calibrated it is superior to the HD+ in every way but comes at additional cost. The standard full retail upgrade is $200 USD and for me it's worth it.

It's pretty hard to advise you what to do. Follow your heart.

[damannoa]

I compared the W510 with the HD+ and the FHD side-by-side for over 30 days. I think given your eyesight and the roles you mention, you will be perfectly happy with the 1600x900 resolution screen. The HD+ screen is bright and has much better screen angles than the 14" model ThinkPads.

The FHD screen is brighter and has superior color space support. When properly calibrated it is superior to the HD+ in every way but comes at additional cost. The standard full retail upgrade is $200 USD and for me it's worth it.

It's pretty hard to advise you what to do. Follow your heart.

I got you. I'm sure it would be nice to have the FHD but the extra $200 for a little higher screen resolution is hard to justify. Also my GF is the one who got it for me. Not sure how I can get them to up it a FHD at this point.

[lijwing]

I got a problem with the USB 3.0 Port. When I connect an external USB 3.0 hard drive to the USB 3.0 port, the light on the external hard drive is on, but the disks are not displayed on the disk list, nor can I found it from Disk Management. Any similar experience? Thanks.

[lijwing]

I got a problem with the USB 3.0 Port. When I connect an external USB 3.0 hard drive to the USB 3.0 port, the light on the external hard drive is on, but the disks are not displayed on the disk list, nor can I found it from Disk Management. Any similar experience? Thanks.

Never mind, it is solved by disabling the USB 3.0 power management controller from the Host Controller Driver.

[huberth]

Never mind, it is solved by disabling the USB 3.0 power management controller from the Host Controller Driver.

Does disabling the USB 3.0 power management controller have any adverse effects?

Edit: I just found out that there is a standard color coding for USB:
blue: USB 3.0
yellow: always on USB 2.0
combo USB/eSATA USB 2.0 or 3.0?

[badhabit_wb]

is this a normal score? pcmark

Result

[kirayamato26]

Does disabling the USB 3.0 power management controller have any adverse effects?

Edit: I just found out that there is a standard color coding for USB:
blue: USB 3.0
yellow: always on USB 2.0
combo USB/eSATA USB 2.0 or 3.0?

It might drain more power when you don't have any devices in, besides that, I doubt it. eSATAp uses USB 2.0, I'm pretty sure.

[dimm0k]

This is why I would rather buy online and not deal with "humans". I really don't like to play these games.

I hear ya... thing is, usually if you put in enough work you should be able to reap some benefit. In this case however...

[kirayamato26]

WOW!

Ok, I just found something that may solve everyone's issues with quiet volume on the W520. Open the Smart Audio control panel (with headphones plugged in), click on the headphone on the right, and it'll ask you if you want to disable the limiter, click yes, voila, the volume is MUCH louder. Found it by total chance, I just randomly clicked on the thing for no reason.

Disclaimer:
If you go deaf, it's not my fault.

[huberth]

is this a normal score? pcmark

Result

Normal PCMark is 9,970
Lenovo ThinkPad W520 Performance and Benchmarks

Your combination of SSD and i7-2980 doubles it up to 18.474. Whew!!!