Lenovo W520 Owner's Thread

[nbshif]

Hi, I've decided on the W520 thanks to the helpful "what notebook should I buy" forum. I was just wondering before I ordered if this is a good price for a CTO and if there is anything wrong with this model that I should look out for.

I bought a X220 for my dad which I really like, and I believe this has the same or similar keyboard. I decided on this over other 15.6" because I wanted something pretty powerful but the most important is the matte screen (Hp Envy looked niced, but color issues/reflective would drive me crazy I think). Also I really like the Thinkpad design

Lenovo W520 - Estimated total: $1,376.15 (Coupon code "PRESIDENT")

Intel Core i7-2760QM Processor (2.40 GHz, 6MB L3)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
NVIDIA Quadro 1000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
4 GB DDR3 - 1333MHz (1 DIMM)
UltraNav with TrackPoint & touchpad plus Fingerprint reader
320 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
DVD recordable multiburner
9 cell Li-Ion Battery - 55++
Bluetooth 3.0
ThinkPad b/g/n
Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable
4270 : 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller

[Kaso]

Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN (in lieu of ThinkPad b/g/n)

[kpresler]

Hi, I've decided on the W520 thanks to the helpful "what notebook should I buy" forum. I was just wondering before I ordered if this is a good price for a CTO and if there is anything wrong with this model that I should look out for.

I bought a X220 for my dad which I really like, and I believe this has the same or similar keyboard. I decided on this over other 15.6" because I wanted something pretty powerful but the most important is the matte screen (Hp Envy looked niced, but color issues/reflective would drive me crazy I think). Also I really like the Thinkpad design

Lenovo W520 - Estimated total: $1,376.15 (Coupon code "PRESIDENT")

Intel Core i7-2760QM Processor (2.40 GHz, 6MB L3)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
NVIDIA Quadro 1000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
4 GB DDR3 - 1333MHz (1 DIMM)
UltraNav with TrackPoint & touchpad plus Fingerprint reader
320 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
DVD recordable multiburner
9 cell Li-Ion Battery - 55++
Bluetooth 3.0
ThinkPad b/g/n
Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable
4270 : 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller

If you use the Barnes and Noble discount (http://shoplenovo.i2.com/SEUILibrary...AffinityPortal), which you don't even have to be a BN employee to use, you should be able to get it with the 160GB Intel SSD for about the same price (or get your existing configuration ~$150-200 cheaper).

I'd second the suggestion for the upgraded WiFi

[nbshif]

If you use the Barnes and Noble discount (Lenovo - Barnes and Noble Gold), which you don't even have to be a BN employee to use, you should be able to get it with the 160GB Intel SSD for about the same price (or get your existing configuration ~$150-200 cheaper).

I'd second the suggestion for the upgraded WiFi

Thanks for the help. I realized when I tried to sign up for the B&N discount that I already had an account which I used to by my dad's X220.

So, I just got a quote from an online sales guy for $1,350.65 after I told him my specs and that the PRESIDENT coupon code stopped working. I have no idea what the price would have been because I only spec'd it out without the B&N discount.

I was pretty happy with that price until I realized there was a 320gb 7200rpm instead of the 160gb ssd! I'm pretty sure I told him the 160gb when I gave him the specs.. but they didn't email me a copy of the chat so I don't know how to check

So yeah- it's the same exact price I get if I configure it myself. Maybe I should call and see if I can get a better deal tomorrow?

I'm also curious which Intel SSD is used- because I have a 160gb Intel 320 Series SSDSA2CW160G3K5 in one of my pcs now and I'm wondering if it's the same. RAID 0 would be pretty sweet...

[sdt]

What mSATA are most W520 having the most success with? I am debating between MyDigitalSSD 128gb and the Intel 80gb mSATA.

[kpresler]

Thanks for the help. I realized when I tried to sign up for the B&N discount that I already had an account which I used to by my dad's X220.

So, I just got a quote from an online sales guy for $1,350.65 after I told him my specs and that the PRESIDENT coupon code stopped working. I have no idea what the price would have been because I only spec'd it out without the B&N discount.

I was pretty happy with that price until I realized there was a 320gb 7200rpm instead of the 160gb ssd! I'm pretty sure I told him the 160gb when I gave him the specs.. but they didn't email me a copy of the chat so I don't know how to check

So yeah- it's the same exact price I get if I configure it myself. Maybe I should call and see if I can get a better deal tomorrow?

I'm also curious which Intel SSD is used- because I have a 160gb Intel 320 Series SSDSA2CW160G3K5 in one of my pcs now and I'm wondering if it's the same. RAID 0 would be pretty sweet...

I'm under the impression that this is the Intel SSD that they use as well. So, if you don't mind loosing the DVD drive, then you can get an Ultrabay caddy and install the 2nd SSD instead. I'm not sure if you can set up RAID on it, or if that has to be configured through Lenovo--you'd have to ask them about that.

If you didn't already know, the PRESIDENT discount has expired by now. Even if you had a price quote, it's still gone. Quotes are valid for 30 days, but, at least according to the email I received last night when I tried to get a quote, the eCoupons expire at their normal time :/ Sorry about that one

I guess it can't hurt to try and order by phone. Here are instructions for trying to get a better deal via phone for ordering an Alienware/Dell laptop, but you could try the same techniques with Lenovo as well. Realistically, it can't hurt

[astrohip]

What mSATA are most W520 having the most success with? I am debating between MyDigitalSSD 128gb and the Intel 80gb mSATA.

I have the MyD-SSD 128, and have -zero- problems. Installation was a snap.

[Kaso]

So, if you don't mind loosing the DVD drive, then you can get an Ultrabay caddy and install the 2nd SSD instead. I'm not sure if you can set up RAID on it, or if that has to be configured through Lenovo--you'd have to ask them about that.

RAID 0 or RAID 1 must be selected at CTO time. You cannot enable RAID if you have originally ordered without RAID. (On the other hand, you may disable RAID if it was originally configured.)

[nbshif]

RAID 0 or RAID 1 must be selected at CTO time. You cannot enable RAID if you have originally ordered without RAID. (On the other hand, you may disable RAID if it was originally configured.)

Well that sucks! Oh well

If you didn't already know, the PRESIDENT discount has expired by now. Even if you had a price quote, it's still gone. Quotes are valid for 30 days, but, at least according to the email I received last night when I tried to get a quote, the eCoupons expire at their normal time :/ Sorry about that one

I guess it can't hurt to try and order by phone. Here are instructions for trying to get a better deal via phone for ordering an Alienware/Dell laptop, but you could try the same techniques with Lenovo as well. Realistically, it can't hurt

Thanks for the tip. I actually got the quote without (edit) the PRESIDENT discount. I actually didn't get a discount at all! It's the same price as I get if I configure it out myself with the B&N discount right now. I'm going to call and see if I can get a better price, it's worth a shot!

edit----

Just considering my options.. but I think I would miss the usb 3.0, 4 DIMM slots, and gpu on the T520...

T520 (THINKDEALS + B&N): $1,386.79 (with 160gb ssd)

Intel Core i7-2760QM Processor (2.40 GHz, 6MB L3)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
NVIDIA NVS 4200M Graphics with Optimus Technology, 1GB DDR3 Memory
4 GB DDR3 - 1333MHz (1 DIMM)
Intel 160 GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA
DVD recordable multiburner
Express Card Slot & 4 in 1 Card Reader
9 cell Li-Ion Battery - 55++
Country Pack North America with Line cord & 135W AC adapter
Bluetooth 3.0
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN)
Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable

W520 (B&N): $1,350.65

Intel Core i7-2760QM Processor (2.40 GHz, 6MB L3)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
NVIDIA Quadro 1000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
4 GB DDR3 - 1333MHz (1 DIMM)
UltraNav with TrackPoint & touchpad plus Fingerprint reader
720p Camera
Internal RAID - Not Enabled
320 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
DVD recordable multiburner
Express Card Slot & 4 in 1 Card Reader
9 cell Li-Ion Battery - 55++
Country Pack North America with Line cord & 170W AC adapter
Bluetooth 3.0
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN)
Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable
Fingerprint Reader

W520 (B&N) with 160gb SSD: $1,529.15

[pchome]

Have anyone had his Lenovo order delivered on Saturday before? Mine shipped today but my calculations say it would be here on Saturday but I know that there is an extra charge for this type of delivery and do not think Lenovo paid that though I paid $25 for the expedited shipping, so just wanna know if anyone received package on Satrurday before?