Searching guidance about an all-rounder notebook [less than $2500]

[600X]

What part of what I said did not make sense? I said that I loved and favoured Lenovo specifically for their keyboards. If they switch to chiclet style even for the W series, then I dont find their models more special than those coming from other brands. What's wrong in that?

The W520 has a NVIDIA Quadro 2000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory, isn't that too much CAD oriented? I thought that card would not perform correctly for gaming. Also, at the end I need to get the laptop to ship to Luxembourg. I don't know from where I can ship the Lenovo there (that's why I was thinking about the Dell M4600 before).

Then I must have understood you wrongly. Sorry for that.

The Quadro 2000M performs excellent in Games! See for yourself here: NVIDIA Quadro 2000M - Notebookcheck.net Tech

Believe me, you will not find anything better. Since it's a ThinkPad, it will last way more than 5 years.

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I need to order my laptop next week, no later than that. Is it still worth it to opt for the m4600 or the w520? Or should I go for the new msi ge60? I'm so confused, there's not much time left. :/

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I will order my notebook in exactly 6 days now, so I'm already starting to make some possible configuration list. From the UK website,

ThinkPad W520 - 3 Yr Depot Topseller Warranty - £1,851.15 vat inc

Processor: Intel Core i7-2670QM Processor (2.20 GHz, 6MB L3)
Operating system: Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
Operating system language: Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 English
Display type: 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
System graphics: NVIDIA Quadro 2000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
Color sensor: Color Sensor (What is that?)
Total memory: 8 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboard: Keyboard US English International with a Euro symbol
Pointing device: UltraNav with TrackPoint & touchpad plus Fingerprint reader
Camera: 720p Camera
Storage subsystem: Internal RAID - Not Enabled (what is that?)
Hard drive: 500 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Optical device: DVD recordable multiburner
System expansion slots: Express Card Slot & 4 in 1 Card Reader
Battery: 9 cell Li-Ion Battery - 55++ ( I want to opt for the 6 cell, but it's not on the option list, can something be done?)
Power cord: Country Pack United Kingdom with Line cord & 170W AC adapter
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 3.0
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters: Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN)
Integrated mobile broadband: Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable
Language pack: Language Pack WE (FR/GE/IT/IT/DU/EN)
Microsoft productivity software preload: Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010 (Europe) - English
+ 3 year Onsite Next Business Day
+ Kensington MicroSaver 64068E Security Cable Lock

Is this a good config? Or should I adjust some things? Please guide me.

[600X]

Looks good. Since you want to use your Notebook for 5 years, I would consider upgrading to 5 or at least 4 yrs of Warranty. You can always sell a new 9c for a good Price and get a 6c instead.

The Color Sensor automatically calibrates the Display to show colors correctly.

To save some Money, I would choose as little RAM as possible and upgrade it myself. You can have a maximum of 32GB. (4x8GB)

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Looks good. Since you want to use your Notebook for 5 years, I would consider upgrading to 5 or at least 4 yrs of Warranty. You can always sell a new 9c for a good Price and get a 6c instead.

The Color Sensor automatically calibrates the Display to show colors correctly.

To save some Money, I would choose as little RAM as possible and upgrade it myself. You can have a maximum of 32GB. (4x8GB)

Is it easy to manually upgrade the RAM?

I'm searching for the individual parts on ebay, they are rather cheaper there. Is that a way I can replace my 500GB HDD with an aftermarket SSD, and then use the 500GB one as an external via some sort of case or something?

I see the 6 cell battery is also cheaper on Ebay. For how much will a 9 cell go?

[600X]

A 9c ususally goes for about 70-100€ (new). You can easily exchange your HDD for an SSD and use the HDD as an external one. You can use 3 Drives at once. (HDD+ Ultrabay + mSATA) RAM can be upgraded easily as well. You have 4 Slots.

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A 9c ususally goes for about 70-100€ (new). You can easily exchange your HDD for an SSD and use the HDD as an external one. You can use 3 Drives at once. (HDD+ Ultrabay + mSATA) RAM can be upgraded easily as well. You have 4 Slots.

Okay I'm a newbie, so:
1. How to use the internal HDD from the notebook as external? What should I buy to do that? I was thinking of getting an SSD from Ebay, don't about the types and brands also. :/

2. I googled Ultrabay and mSATA, and got to this website. What I understood is, if I used the Ultrabay option, I will have to remove my DVD drive out of the notebook and replace it with a caddy containing a SSD, right?

3. Is there any specific type of RAM to be bought? On a local store here in my actual country (Mauritius), I see that 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM are at about $34 each (I forgot to enquire about the brand). If I need to buy a specific type, I will get it from Ebay.

[600X]

1: You need to get a Casing. You can buy one very cheap at pretty much every Tech Store. I have this one and am very happy with it: http://www.amazon.de/Icy-Box-IB-290S...371263&sr=8-10
You can also get a cheaper model if you want to.

2: Why don't you just use the normal HDD Slot? The Ultrabay Option is only necessary if you want to have 2 SSD's. The Samung 830 is a good and reliable SSD. It's not as expensive as the Intel ones as well. Avoid Kingston and OCZ. I have been hearing bad things from them. (freezes etc.)

3. Any DDR3 SO-DIMM with 1066 to 2133MHz is okay. You can get 2x4GB of Kingston RAM for 40€ in Germany. Avoid Corsair! It can cause some problems. http://www.amazon.de/Kingston-ValueR...5371635&sr=1-2

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1: You need to get a Casing. You can buy one very cheap at pretty much every Tech Store. I have this one and am very happy with it: http://www.amazon.de/Icy-Box-IB-290S...371263&sr=8-10
You can also get a cheaper model if you want to.

2: Why don't you just use the normal HDD Slot? The Ultrabay Option is only necessary if you want to have 2 SSD's. The Samung 830 is a good and reliable SSD. It's not as expensive as the Intel ones as well. Avoid Kingston and OCZ. I have been hearing bad things from them. (freezes etc.)

3. Any DDR3 SO-DIMM with 1066 to 2133MHz is okay. You can get 2x4GB of Kingston RAM for 40€ in Germany. Avoid Corsair! It can cause some problems. http://www.amazon.de/Kingston-ValueR...5371635&sr=1-2

1. Amazon does not ship to my country. Is this a good alternative to your case?

2. I find one Samsung 830 on ebay, this. Is that a reliable price? I need to read more about this SSD 'brand-compatibility' with the W520, I hope there is a thread for this here.

3. RAM issue is cleared!

[600X]

1. Any case will do. As long as you don't plan on dropping it.

2. Looks okay, it says you can return it within 30 days, so it should be ok. Price seems a bit low, but i guess SSD's are just getting cheaper. I would really try ordering from amazon, I have never had any Problems with them. (perhaps amazon uk?) It's much safer than ordering from sellers on ebay. The safest of course would be to buy the SSD in a store, but then it does cost quite a bit more. You will need to make your own choice on this.