Cost (T500) > Cost (W500) Confused ???

Hi All,

My journey started with exploring various options and allmost confirming on Dell XPS but at the
last moment I dropped the ball and have now confirmed that I would get a Thinkpad T500 or W500.
Even after having read so many threads was not really able to link to what I wanted to know.

1. W500 is supposed to be the higher end version of the T series or what Lenovo claims to be the
Mobile workstation. While configuring both the models i found W500 to be $160 cheaper that too
with a better graphics card ? Does anyone know as to why,are they trying to promote the W series
over the Txxx ?

2. Another question I had was regarding the graphics card, I would use this laptop mainly for
Graphic Desgining (Posters , Banners etc). Web page designing , Software Progrming and yes
the most importanly playing the "Flight Sim X". I am very much aware that with this config I would not
be able to extract the fullest out of the game, but all I expect is playing Flight Sim in high-medium
graphics mode. For this what would you guyz suggest to go for T500 (ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 with 256MB)
or W500 (ATI Mobility FireGL V5700 with 512MB VRAM). Below I have configured both the models, do you
guyz think for my kind of use, I would need to modify the config to ADD/REMOVE RAM or Processor Speed?

Based on the feedback I would go for W500 or T500.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ThinkPad T500 - 1 Yr Depot Warranty

Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9400 (2.53GHz 1066MHz 6MBL2)1
Genuine Windows Vista Business downgrade to Windows XP Professional12
15.4" WSXGA+ TFT, w/ CCFL Backlight
ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 with 256MB
3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
160 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)5
No Bluetooth
Intel WiFi Link 5100 (AGN)10
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable65
6 cell Li-Ion Battery60
2081: 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller7

TOTAL COST : $1,590.06

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ThinkPad W500 - 1 Year Depot Warranty

Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9400 (2.53GHz 1066MHz 6MBL2)1
Genuine Windows Vista Business downgrade to Windows XP Professional12
15.4" WSXGA+ TFT, w/ CCFL Backlight
ATI Mobility FireGL V5700 with 512MB VRAM
3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
160 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)5
No Bluetooth
Intel WiFi Link 5100 (AGN)10
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
6 cell Li-Ion Battery60
4058: 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller7

TOTAL COST : $1,430.05

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

go with the w500 why no bluetooth??

 

The W500 has a professional ATI GPU with more VRAM, while the T500 has a consumer GPU, plus switchable graphics.

You might want to get bluetooth, it isn't that expensive, and could be useful down the road.

 

Lenovo may be promoting the W series since it is a "new" line of thinkpads. Before for workstation thinkpads they had the Txxp series with the p signifying the workstation features.

Just a guess.

 

W500 still has discount price (over 30% )
Mine W500 configuration was around $2100 and I paid only $1600...

 

The W500 also has an option was switchable graphics, AFAIK. The model 4061-2KU comes with both FireGL and 4500MD.

 

There has been much debate about whether or not the W-series offers switchable graphics. I know it does only because someone actually posted a picture in one of the threads. I don't think the website does a good job at stating this detail.

 

yes, I have switchable graphics option, too (but I've disabled it cause I'm using V5700)...

note: when you're using switchable graphics OS sees ~500MB less physical memory

 

Hi All,

Thanks for all your responses. So I guess the group is for W500.
As suggested by Charr and boypogi have added the bluetooth.

1. Planning to get a T60 Keyboard as well (NMB 42T3143). Would you guyz suggest to get it from ebay
or from lenovo directly?

2. I read in one of the threads that V5700 would not be beneficial for Gaming, how true is that?

3. Please correct me if i'm wrong here - When I order W500 or T500 with Genuine Windows Vista Business downgrade to Windows XP Professional, the laptop would be pre-configured with XP and I'll get a Windows Vista Business DVD along with it so that I could install it whenever i wanted?

4. This might be a dumb question, but can we have a dual boot with vista and XP, are there any
challenges doing this?

Thanks for all the support!!!

 

Have you finalized on your laptop...?

 

1. lenovo directly
2. hardware (V5700) is the same as HD 3650 but with 512MB GDDR3 instead of 256MB in T400/500...It's not special for games, I mean it isn't intended for games but for professional usage...
3. The situation is opposite...Vista will be installed and you'll get XP CD...
4. Of course you can have it

 

Is it like a tedious job? Do you have any specific links....?

 

Not yet. I am still in the process of trying to learn more about the W-Series models.

1. Why? I only ask because some people have led me to believe that Lenovo does not like to give out the new keyboards. I always thought this sounded weird because I don't think they should care since they're getting cold, hard green bucks for them, but nonetheless, it's what I've heard. Maybe it applies to exchanges and not new keyboard purchases?

2. Someone else made me aware of this fact. I found this to be very interesting when I learned it. Again, Lenovo does a terrible job of detailing certain things on their website.

 

Do Keep us posted with your findings and thanks for that update .

 

Most definitely.