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    A few questions about the T530 before ordering

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by cosrocket, Oct 5, 2012.

  1. cosrocket

    cosrocket Notebook Evangelist

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    I am seriously thinking of ordering a T530, but I have several questions about it. I’d appreciate it if you guys could answer these questions for me

    1) Is there an UltraBay battery for the T530? I was thinking of getting it with the 6 volt battery and UltraBay battery if there is. I’d prefer not having a battery sticking out the back of the T530 (like the 9 volt battery does) if I can help it.

    2) If I replace the HD with an SSD, does the T530 come with a system restore disc or separate Windows disc? I want to make sure I can reinstall the OS, drivers and all software that ships with the system.

    Also, should I order the SSD cache with the standard HD? Even if I swap out the HD that comes with the T530, I wonder if it’s just worth it to order the cache so if I ever put the original HD back it would still be faster. Or is the stock HD with the SSD cache quick enough and replacing the drive with an SSD not necessary.

    3)Is the T530 going to be replaced with a new model when Windows 8 is released? If it is I might wait, but if not I’d just go for it.

    I appreciate any answers you guys can provide. Thanks
     
    cosrocket, Oct 5, 2012
    #1
  2. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

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    1) The T530 is not designed to accept an UltraBay battery.

    2) There are typically two ways of duplicating the factory image on the stock HDD. One way is to create a set of factory recovery discs (3 DVDs, or 1 CD + 2 DVDs, the first being the boot disc) as soon as you set up your system for the first time, then "restore" onto the SSD after you have swapped the stock HDD with it. The other way is to use a cloning mechanism, like this one, to replicate the image onto the SSD externally, then put it in the main bay.

    Do not order the 16/32GB mSATA cache. It is not worthwhile to have a cache: SSD will be much, much better. If you prefer mSATA SSD (to the usual 2.5" SATA SSD), order it and install it yourself. One option is to use mSATA SSD as your boot/OS/apps drive and keep the stock HDD in the main bay for file storage. Another option is to use a 2.5" SATA SSD in the main bay as your boot/OS/apps drive and move the stock HDD to the UltraBay caddy adapter.

    3) No idea.
     
    Kaso, Oct 5, 2012
    #2
  3. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    3) Lenovo typically updates the ThinkPad line once a year... considering the T530 just came out, I would be really surprised if they refreshed it before Haswell next year.
     
    Commander Wolf, Oct 5, 2012
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  4. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Lenovo like most manufacturers update their systems when Intel releases a new platform, which will be next year some time. I would suggest picking up the mSATA SSD and keeping the platter drive in the main bay. If you want a Windows disc, you may download one here.
     
    ZaZ, Oct 5, 2012
    #4