Is it a waste to get a W520 if you don't intend to use the GPU?

I have need of a powerful laptop and prefer to get a Quad core CPU. I will be using from 8-16GB of RAM, depending on whether I decide to run large dbs (20GB of data in tens of millions of rows) in one of my VMs (I'll have at least one small BSD VM running at all times, and a second, much larger VM for the large dbs). However, I have no use for the Quadro graphics at all, and I intend to keep it disabled in BIOS. My main use would be programming with Java based IDEs and running web and db VMs, and I'm definitely going for the FHD option.

Am I crazy for considering the W520? Even if I stuck to 8GB of RAM I like the option of upgrading to 16 if necessary, and from where I am the W520 spec'd out with FHD costs less than the T520. There aren't alot of options when you consider you want Quad Core CPU, FHD, decent battery, and good build quality. My original plan was the T420 with the 1600x900 screen but I worry its far too low of a resolution to be useful to me and I'd be settling for a dual core CPU and a permanent limit of 8GB of RAM.

 

wookwook - Sounds like a lot of sense to me! I got my "W" from the 500 family because of its other features. The 520 series family differences are even more extensive. The quad-core cpu's and double the ram capacity should be decisive differences if they matter to you - beyond the differences in gpu.

 

If you are look for quad core in a thinkpad, the W series is pretty much your only option. As mention by antskip, in addition you get 4 slot of ram. The limit of the ram are not 8gb, but 16gb. Currently the price of the 8gb dimm stick cost an arm and a leg.