A buncha questions

Alright, lots of stuff to ask. I'm a student currently attending High School, planning to go into post-secondary (something in computers or 3D graphic design) and I need a new laptop. My 5 year old budget R40 is starting to go on me slowly but surely. First, the LCD inverter died, then the LCD cable, now the system is starting to overheat like crazy. Regardless, I can't stand using such a weak piece of crap anyway. Anyways, I know I want a Lenovo. Having used Thinkpads since I can remember I love them.

For starters, I'm curious as to why the T500 for Canadians does not have a WSXGA+ LCD display. Little odd isn't it? Another question about LCD screens, is the WXGA+ display on the T400 for Canadians have the LED backlight, oddly enough the website doesn't specifically list the option.

Alright, next on the list, does anyone know where I can get the Ideapad Y530 40512YU, shipped to Canada? I would just get a relative to send it to me but the Canadian dollar is doing pretty pathetic at the moment and the conversion would make it go skyrocketing.

Now, one last question. What is you guy's opinion on which laptop I should get? I'm stuck between the Thinkpad T400 or T500 and the Ideapad Y530. As long as it's a Lenovo I don't care, but I just want to get the opinion of others. I'd pretty much get them fully loaded, upgrade the RAM and HDD myself, the only thing I probably wont get is the Blu-ray (only because of the price, otherwise I would definitely get it). I've also considered the W500, but that's just a little too much. I'd like to spend, at most about $2000 (CAD). I think I'm leaning more towards the T400 but I'd still like to hear some other people's opinions first.

I know, fair bit to ask for a first post but I just want some info and advice.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

well for graphics, i would go for something from apple. they have solid computers and if your software won't run on the mac osx system( highly unlikely, pixar uses macs for all of their movies) get either a macbook or a macbook pro. i hope this helps. lenovo doesn't offer too many graphically oriented laptops and the ones that they do, aren't cheap. hmm, perhaps you should fill out the FAQ? that will greatly aid other who wish to help you . hope i helped!!

 

Graphics and display port - t500
portability and battery life - t400 with led
CAD - w500

both t400 and t500 are business laptops, so they are better than consumer laptops like y530. why dont you get a basic t500 or a w500 and get it shipped to canada? also check the lenovo depot for some good prices.

 

Despite what many people think I've never had any problems running Adobe's creative suite on my Windows Vista Gateway. It's MUCH faster than the 2.4 GHz 20" iMacs my school bought, brand new, this year. I would go with the Y530 or Y510. I really like them much better than the thinkpads. My friend's thinkpad's plam rest (blanked out there completely, sorry, forgor the word O.O) cracked before it was a month old. His was a T61p though... The Y530 doesn't look so blah like the thinkpads, it's a pretty attractive computer and has plenty of pep.

 

T400 for mobility
W500, M4400 for graphics power

 

$2000 CAD is a lot. I'm looking at getting a T400 with the nicest options, except for the LED screen, and it's looking like around $1400 CAD, and that's before EPP and coupons.

 

Ya, just to mention, I'll never get an Apple . Sorry, could never stand em. Anyways, thanks for the advice guys. It's down to a W500 or a T400. I'm leaning more toward the W500 now. I'd rather sacrifice a bit of portability for power. Of course, the W500 costs about $500 CAD more, but I suppose a bit of patience will pay off. Thanks a lot guys.

 

If you are looking into 3D graphic design, then you should probably consider the W series (W500, or W700 if you're crazy).

The W500 offers a WSXGA+ and even a WUXGA display option that is great for working with graphics (not needed for games/text based work, but fantastic for graphics and multitasking).

The drivers on the W500 (drivers seperate FireGL and Radeon) are also better for 3D design. Most high end CAD and 3D modeling programs are hardware accelerated if you have a graphics card that accepts OpenGL calls from the application. The FireGL (and QuadroFX) does this, but the Radeon usually does not.

I suggest you look around a little harder on price. I have seen some people discussing on this forum that they were seeing the W500 for very nearly the same price as the T400 (usually an educational discount in the States). If you look hard enough you should be able to find a well configured W500 for much less than $2000 CAD.

 

If you're not moving it much go for the T400. If you're ordering from Canada check redflagdeals.ca or other sites for coupons. You should be able to save an additional 10-20%. I bought one with the LED backlight, but they recently removed it from the site during the last sale. I went through visaperks.ca and got a 2 gb ram chip for $75 CDN. My machine just shipped with a Seagate drive. I was surprised. I replaced it with a 320 GB Seagate that I ordered from Canadacomputers for $115 CDN! I've also got an ultrabay that I intend to throw the 160 GB Seagate that came with the box as a backup drive. I'd call them if you want the backlit LED. If you order it grab one of the coupon codes so that you can get at least another 10% off. Good luck in school.

 

Thanks for the help guys. I managed to find this website which seems to have a wide selection of Thinkpads for a fair bit cheaper than Lenovo, all in CAD. It's Networksupply.ca if any fellow canadians wanted to know.