Comparing two system W520 and T520

Hi Lenovo experts, I am deciding between two custom set up of W520 and T520 and was wondering if you can give me some opinions:

1. W520 ($1767.84 after discount):
Intel Core i7-2720QM (Quad-Core) Processor (2.20GHz, 6M Cache with Turbo Boost up to 3.30GHz)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 - English
Windows 7 XP Mode - English
15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED backlight Anti-Glare display, with Wireless WAN Antenna
NVIDIA Quadro 1000M Optimus Graphics technology (2GB)
8 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboard - US English
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) Fingerprint Reader, Smart Card Reader
720p HD Camera with Microphone
Internal RAID - Not Enabled
320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Express Card Slot, 4-in-1 Card Reader & Smart Card Reader
9 Cell 2.8Ah Li-Ion Battery
170W Slim AC Adapter - North America, Latin America (2pin)
Broadcom Bluetooth 3.0 with antenna
ThinkPad 1x1 b/g/n
3Yr Basic Warranty Extension
ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 (170W) (US/Canada/LA)

2. T520 ($1680.59):
Intel Core i7-2720QM (Quad-Core) Processor (2.20GHz, 6M Cache with Turbo Boost up to 3.30GHz)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 - English
Windows 7 XP Mode - English
15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED backlight Anti-Glare display, with Wireless WAN Antenna
NVIDIA Quadro NVS4200M Optimus technology (1GB)
8 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboard - US English
320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
DVD Recordable
Express Card Slot, 4-in-1 Card Reader with place-holder cover
6 Cell 2.6Ah Li-Ion Battery
135W AC Adapter - North America, Latin America (2pin)
ThinkPad 1x1 b/g/n
Mobile Broadband ready (no mobile broadband module)
3Yr Basic Warranty Extension
ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3

So my analysis in this comparison is as follows:

System 1:
- Better video card in Quadro 1000M

System 2:
- Lighter and better battery life
- Supports one more external monitors (3 external monitors) than the W520 with the Docking station

So in summary, in terms of performance the only thing better for the W520 is its graphics card, but T520 is much lighter and more portable and also supports one more external monitor than the W520?

What do you guys think? Thanks a lot, any help is greatly appreciated!
-K

 

You didn't say much about what you want or need, which makes it kind of hard to help.

 

Looks expensive. Why are you getting RAM from Lenovo anyways?

 

Sure. I want a desktop replacement. Purpose will be for Software development, Video/photo editing and maybe some gaming. So having as much screens as possible is important because it will increase my productivity. Processing power and graphics is important as well.

In terms of how portable I need the laptop to be, I guess I won't be travelling too much with it, but if it comes in a lighter package and better battery life with the same performance I wouldn't mind that either

 

I am getting the 3 year warranty extension, maybe that's what drove the price up. That's like close to 200 bucks.

 

T520 and W520 chassis are the same. They should also have equal battery consumption (assuming both are the same CPU) due to Optimus.

 

Yes, I can see the 3 year warranty. Still looks expensive even with that factored in.

Edit:
Just configured a machine with better specs (i.e. 1080p screen, Quadro 2000M) + 3 year warranty and it came out for less. Look at this.

I think a config like your W520 should be closer to like $1300-ish.

 

Thanks man, I will look around. I should have indicated that I am from Canada.

I am not sure if I can find similar deals in Canada.....but I will definitely look around. I am actually configurable the above through the lenovo website with employee pricing already

 

I'm from Canada, too, and this the current pricing off of the SPC affinity site.

 

oh really, thanks buddy. I can't access your link from work for some reason I will try it at home tonight. SPC affinity = Student Pricing Card?

 

Yes, that is what it stands for. You can go to the SPC card's website and click on the online mall and find the Lenovo deal to get there.

 

+1

Cruial sells a 4GB Stick for a whopping $30.00

Keep in mind most compilers cannot use multiple processors (I know Visual Studio 2010 doesn't). So Unless you are writing SMP code most of your cores will remain idle.

Often you're better off getting a higher clock speed with less cores.

 

Both G.SKILL and Corsair has a 4GB module for a whopping $24.99.

 

1) If you are going to need a lot of gpu power, then the W520 has a much more able 2nd gpu. If you just need a competent 2nd gpu, the T520 is just fine (both systems will run on the identical internal gpu for general business apps)

2) To deal with the higher power needs of its gpu, the W520 power brick is bigger, though a little lighter than the T520's - so maybe a little less convenient to carry around?

3) W520 has 2 usb3 ports in place of the 2 usb2 of the T520 (both also have an eSata/usb2 and a powered-usb2)

4) T520 and the W520 are the same weight - they are, after all the same machine, with a few options different.

5) If cost is similar, there is little downside to the W520 of similar specs. Only ones I can think of are: if you don't need the gruntier gpu, when it is in use it will without good reason cost the system more power, creating extra heat and noise (fans). If cost difference is significant (as it is in Australia and some other countries - Canada?), then you need to decide whether the gruntier external gpu or the usb3 is worth the extra...

 

Thanks guys, all your inputs are very helpful so far.

For me, I would welcome a more powerful 2nd GPU, I might get into HD video editing in the future, depending on how much extra heat it produces I guess I can live with the extra heat?

The major difference I am considering now is that, the T520 supports 3 external monitors and W520 only supports 2.......I am leaning towards T520 if the only disadvantage is the slower GPU.....

T520's GPU, is that good enough for gaming for the near future? how does it compare to W520's CPU, is it significantly slower? I have heard that W520's GPU isn't really gear towards gaming, but more for applications like autoCAD?

 

Last time I checked, here in Canada, a specced up W520 is cheaper than a specced up T520. With the W520, you get 4 DIMMs instead of 2, which means you can put twice as much RAM in it.

 

I also was comparing both systems and I am glad I found your post but to be honest, the price you have is so expensive.. I got better specs than you had for a cheaper price and I am in Canada, the only difference is I picked 4 gigs ram instead of 8 gigs, but you can upgrade that to 12 gigs by buying the ram from newegg so basically the price that I had was

1673$ + tax ( includes 3 years priority on site + thinkpad protection) and the 1080P screen which should cost 200$ more.. I am not sure if your price includes tax or no..


The only reason why I canceled is I found a thread stating there are major issues with the W520 and lenovo cannot fix them! check the lenovo post ...

W520: Speedstep not working properly (on battery)!... - Lenovo Community

 

Damn where did you get your quote?

 

I spoke to a guy from lenovo by the phone, but I just noticed that your quote includes a docking station.. anyways the price shouldn't be that expensive because the priority onsite warranty + lenovo protections costs like 399$ and the 1080p screen costs 200$ as I remember.. Did u place u r order yet? if not I can let u talk to the representative and he might be able to offer u the same price...I want to order it too but I am worried it has the issues I mentioned in my previous post..its like a pentium 4!

 

If you wait for a coupon and use BN, you can get a W520 for much cheaper. Here's what I got:

i7 2720
FHD Screen
Nvidia Quadro 2000M
Color Sensor
4 GB RAM (bought 12 GB separately to get total to 16 GB)
500 GB HDD
Intel 310 80 GB
Centrino Ultimate N 6300
1 Year (will get an upgrade if needed)

Total: $1575 (not including the price for the extra RAM and SSD), without the color sensor it would have been closer to $1500

 

Here is your configuration's price with Canada's B&N equivalent.

 

Sorry for being such a newbie, but what's a B&N?

 

B&N is the cheapest way one can get a thinkpad on the net these days

You dont have to be a student to buy there.

 

yeah - this looks true, unfortunately.
i just received my t520 yesterday - and the b&n price is more than 15% less.

i have three questions:
1. the 19202x1080 screen is listed as
0A68535 SBB 15.6FHD (1900 X 1080) LED at ibm.com, and as
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready on the lenovo-b&n site. are they the same quality?
2. can i return the device for a full refund? (did not yet open the box or acquisition agreement)
3. if no return, can i get a price difference refund?

lenovo customer service has been good for me, but inconsistent, depending on who you talk with...

 

ahh so it's a US thing, B&N that is.

I got the coupon kirayamato26 used, actually I had the same one previously using the employee discount website, but I just didn't know you get more discount at checkout when you actually apply the coupon.

Still debating if I should get a T520 now with this whole speedstep/turboboost problem with W520. The fact that W520 is having this intel turboboost problem indicates that its graphics card is much better than T520's, since I have read that this problem occurs with these new intel chips when you have a powerful GPU that requires more power.......I am sure T520's GPU is good enough but I do want a top of the line laptop here that will last me as long as possible...

 

A spec'd up T520 is within like $50 of a W520. With a W520, you get USB 3.0, and a more powerful GPU.

 

Nevermind.