Laptop Lenovo ThinkPad W520 Review

The Lenovo ThinkPad W520, Lenovo is set to the Lenovo ThinkPad W520 mobile workstation. This 15.6-inch laptop is powered by up to an Intel Core i7-2920XM processor and equipped with up to a discrete NVIDIA Quadro 2000M, switchable HD Intel integrated graphics. Since the model of last year, the full HD (FHD) posts on the models 1920 x 1080 resolution have a color range of 95% and a color calibration huey PRO application of the system. At the time of writing this review Lenovo has not announced if there will be an option for multi-touch display to come like last year or not.

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Lenovo ThinkPad W520

Lenovo ThinkPad W520

In this review we will measure the ThinkPad W520 with other items in her classroom by putting all the specific details of it to the test. Read on to find out if the laptop for you.

Our Lenovo ThinkPad W520 Specifications:

15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) LED backlit display, 95% color gamut, matte, 16:9 ratio
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
Intel Core i7-2920XM quad-core CPU (2.50GHz, 8MB cache), Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 (3.50GHz)
NVIDIA Quadro 2000M w/2GB DDR3 VRAM GPU switchable to Intel HD Graphics 3000
8GB DDR3 RAM (4GB + 4GB)
500GB at 7200 RPM SATA hard drive (Seagate Momentus)
Multiburner combo drive
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (802.11 a/b/g/n wireless) and Bluetooth
9-cell Li-ion battery (94Whr), 170W and 20V adapter
Lenovo Fingerprint Reader
Dimensions: 14.68" x 9.65" x 1.29-1.44"
Starting at 5.75 lbs with 9-cell battery and at 5.40 lbs with 6-cell battery

Retail price: starting at $1,299, as configured: $2,969

Warranty: 1-year for parts

Build and Design
ThinkPad workstations have always been known to be top-of-the-line, updated systems in terms of performance, FHD display, build quality, battery and power consumption, and carry a host of features such as the Fingerprint Reader, nice upgrade options, and a great port selection. This workstation is expected to live up to those who have high ThinkPad standards and expectations.

From the looks of it, the outer build of the W520 is about the same as the previous generation workstation model, the W510. Lenovo stuck with the same ultra sturdy hinges, still evenly built width-wise due to a build fix to the older models. The hinge and display cover are so well-built that it takes a good amount of force to even tilt the screen back or forward (which is reassuring of course). The palm rest and keyboard are both extremely tough as well—showing no flex when typing regularly and only a minimal amount of flex when trying to press down extremely hard.

Some minor outer design changes include the newly-added Lenovo company label on the front of the screen casing, new carbon fiber mixed with the glass fiber onto the display cover (no more reinforced plastic), and the absence of paint over the glass fiber/reinforced plastic on the base. On that note, some consumers may find that the finish on the base and display cover to be disconcerting because it easily collects dust, grease, and fingerprints. In short, the finish may prove to be high maintenance throughout the daily usage of the notebook. Even though most black-colored notebooks will seem to show dust more often just because of the color, this laptop seems to carry grease from the fingers more so than most other business notebooks I’ve had the pleasure of using.

Lenovo made the bottom upgrade panels and keyboard easy to remove, for the most part, and labeled each screw spot appropriately. For example, if you’ve had even just a little bit of experience with upgrading notebooks you will most likely know right away which screws to remove to get to the RAM under the keyboard due to Lenovo’s icons. The bottom of the workstation provides simple access to the first two memory slots and another simple access panel for the hard drive. There is one screw you’ll have to remove to get to the hard drive and two screws to remove to reach the bottom RAM panel (and two to open up the keyboard). The wireless card under the keyboard should not take very long to locate and remove if you’re looking to swap it out. One other thing I’d like to mention is that the W520 has a potential capacity of up to 32GB of RAM, but for now you will only be able to upgrade to 16GB at the time of purchase.

Ports and Features
The W520 offers an impressive, extensive span of ports. Just as the W510, this workstation has two USB SuperSpeed 3.0, one USB 2.0, one USB 2.0/eSATA, VGA, DisplayPort out, FireWire 400, ExpressCard/34, SDHC-card reader, and a headset combo jack. Work professionals will be pleased at the two USB 3.0 ports and 4-in-1 card slot included and will have the option of adding a Smart Card Reader. At this point Lenovo has not yet released an option for Blu-Ray as they did last time. Our system has a multiburner optical drive.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard lives up to great ThinkPad quality standards, following in the footsteps of its predecessor. It’s very comfortable to type with and does not make a much sound. As mentioned previously, the keyboard shows no flex when typing and very little flex when pressing down hard on the chassis. I still think it’s a little strange that the main function (“fn”) key is in the bottom left corner instead of the control key, but that’s just personal preference and will probably not be a problem for most people. I say “still” because Lenovo didn’t change the keyboard layout or design at all from last time, which is fine; if it’s not broken don’t fix it. The keyboard also provides great, way above average tactile feedback for real-life support for overall typing performance.

Above the keyboard lies a small quick access panel with mute/unmute, volume up and down, microphone mute/unmute, Lenovo ThinkVantage Toolbox quick access (security/support, etc), and the power button. Features include spill resistance, enlarged escape and delete keys, and a TrackPoint stick which is quite easy to use due to its size and texture. Home row typists and hunt-and-peck typists should both be greatly satisfied with the thought Lenovo put into the keyboard.

The ThinkPad UltraNav and Synaptics multi-touch touchpad is quite responsive and is large enough for regular usage. Additionally, I never once had a problem with the cursor bouncing randomly around the screen, even with the pointer speed set at its quickest. Lenovo changed the texture from smooth to bumpy in the W510 design and kept it with the W520. The change was made to better suit users who dislike both the grime that will sometimes easy collect on smooth touchpads and to make grazing across easier. While the bumpy touchpad indeed carries a “no-stick” formula, some users will probably find that it can tickle their fingers, making it unpleasant to use even if it is responsive. The sturdy left and right-click buttons do not make much sound when pressed.

Source :  Lenovo ThinkPad W520

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