Help me configure a Thinkpad T520

Hi friends,

I am considering purchasing a Lenovo Thinkpad T51 for my daily mixed use computing - business use (office productivity software, internet surfing) and personal use (web surfing, some videos). I don't do graphic editing, have many photos or play games. .

This will be my only computer (no desktop) thus I will use it daily and hope to use it for as long as I can.

I am configuring the T51 online and wanted your opinion on which upgrades I should consider.

1) Processor - Intel Core i5-2520M Processor (2.50Ghz, 3MB L3) OR Intel Core i5-2540M Processor (2.60Ghz, 3MB, L3) OR Intel Core i7-2640M Processor (2.80Ghz, 4MB L3, 1333Mhz)

2) DISPLAY TYPE - 15.6" HD (1600*900) Led backlight OR 15.6" FHD (1920*1080) Led Backlight

3) Total Memory - 4GB/6GB/8GB

4) Pointing device - with or without fingerprint reader?

5) Battery - 6 cell or 9 cell Li on? I use it mostly with a charger

6) Bluetooth - yes or no? I don't think I have used a bluetooth device with my current laptop as yet...

7) Integrated Wifi wireless LAN adapters - Intel Centrino Advanced N6205 (2*2 AGN) OR Intel Centrino Ultimate N 6300 (3*3 AGN) OR Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMax 6250 (2*2 ABGN)

8) Integrated mobile broadband -

Anything else I should consider? I am willing to spend extra on beneficial upgrades.

Thank you very much for your help.

hulahoop

 

Since you're not doing anything CPU/RAM/GPU intense, you should get the lower spec on all the performance options and put that money towards an SSD.

Things like the display resolution, fingerprint reader, and bluetooth are really just about personal preference, though... I'm all about cramming as many pixels as I can on a given display size, but some people think FHD is too much on a 15.6" display. At the same time, I've never used the FP reader on any notebook, and would never miss it.

 

If you don't need performance-wise specs (which it looks like you don't), use the cheapest T520 base model. Look for the base model with the i3. The only upgrade I'd say is "required" is to have at least the 1600x900 display.

 

Thanks for the replies friends.

I think the maximum SSD I can go to is 160GB from a 120GB base model.

What is the practical, day to day difference between the two screens?

Just for my knowledge, can someone guide me on what the differences are within the battery, processor and wireless options?

Thanks so much,
hulahoop

 

You can fit more "stuff" onto the 1080p screen, but all of that stuff will be smaller. I don't think there's a significant difference in actual panel quality (not sure on that, though).

I mean basically the 2640 is a little faster than the 2540, which is a little faster than the 2520... but the 2520 is far more than fast enough for everything you say you are doing with the machine.

The 9-Cell battery is bigger and heavier than the 6-Cell battery, but will also last longer. Again, since you're mostly using the laptop on AC, it doesn't really matter.

The 6300 probably gets a little better range and throughput than the 6205, but unless you're transferring huge files over your wifi network on a daily basis or unless you're very far away from your wireless router, this is once again irrelevant.

The 6250 has WiMax.

 

The 1080p screen used in the T520 also happens to be a high-gamut display with much more saturated colors than a typical display. All screens in the T520 other than the 1366x768 are good quality though.

 

I'd go with the following:

1) Processor - Intel Core i5-2520M

2) DISPLAY TYPE - 15.6" FHD (1920*1080)

3) Total Memory - 4GB (also get Windows 7 64-bit)

4) Pointing device - WITHOUT fingerprint reader

5) Battery - 6 cell (you wrote: I use it mostly with a charger) - get an extra charger for workplace

6) Bluetooth - NO

7) Integrated Wifi wireless LAN adapters - Intel Centrino Advanced N6205 (2*2 AGN)

8) Integrated mobile broadband - NO​

Good luck.

 

Well, if the prices now are anything like when I got the laptop, I'd recommend you to get the 9 cell battery regardless (it was a $20 upgrade on the T series, which is like <$15 with a sale) since it'll last you much (50%-ish) longer than the 6 cell for the occasion that you do need the battery.

 

If you don't mind the bulge and the added cost, go for the 9-cell. I figure that with more cells to load balance with, the pack will last longer overall.

 

Hi friends,

Thanks for your replies. I was wondering:

1) Do I need a 3 year battery warranty - it will cost me about $120?

2) Should I get a 65W or 90W power cord? I am not running intense applications

3) What is the 3 year TPP stand for in the 3 year onsite NBD+3yr priority support+3yr TPP warranty?

Thanks,
hulahoop

 

Research? That's... essentially exactly what he's doing by asking here on NBR. Opinions from experienced users on the forum can be much more valuable than random bits of information found on the Web, especially those regarding small details.

$120 seems a bit steep for just a battery warranty. You can likely get a replacement battery for less anyway, and I doubt you'd need to replace your battery more than once in a span of three years if you treat it properly.

The 60w is smaller and more compact. The 90w might charge your battery more quickly but I am unsure of this. The 60w is fine.

Thinkpad Protection.

 

Thanks for the replies! I appreciate it.

Thanks for your support edit1754!

hulahoop

 

also, you can look into getting a Squaretrade warranty with accidental protection, i am sure it will be cheaper than buying a warranty trhough lenovo.

 

1) Depends on your usage
2) IMO FHD is the top priority upgrade. Hands down.
3) Get 4Gb and buy after market 4gb for much much cheaper. Installing RAM is a 2 minute thing.
4) If you are asking, then you don't need FPR.
5) 6 cell which is enough for a few hours.
6) If you are asking, then you don't need BT.
7) Do you have WiMax where you live/work? All Intel chips are good. There is only marginal difference between the three (except for WiMax)
8) Do you intend to get a separate mobile broadband plan? If not, you don't need it. You can always add a broadband module later on.

If you want a more responsive/snappier user experience, get a mSATA or primary SATA drive. See slickdeals.net for deals on SATA drives.

 

My comments and answers are inline in the quote below. Cheers. Thor.

 

If you're eyes are good, FHD native resolution allows you to be more productive by having more things on display simultaneously. Some people (mostly older) prefer not to have so many pixels as it is harder to see. If you're going to be using an external monitor most of the time then you could just away with 1600x900.

 

I'm also in for the 1080p FHD upgrade. You can fit two, full-sized Word documents side-by-side and be able to see both perfectly fine, or a document and Excel sheet, or internet window....... Basically, you can get more work done with more pixels. Just so you can see just how much you can see on a FHD, here's a screenshot of Excel, full-sized.

Spoiler

For the other upgrades, I wouldn't bother with anything other than a SSD drive, which would probably be cheaper to buy and install yourself anyway. I'd recommend the Intel 320 series, Samsung 470/830, or Crucial M4.