IBM Lenovo T510 Refurb - opinions?

[Chispaluz]

Hi,

I have the opportunity to pick up a ThinkPad refurb at IBM employee pricing (specs below). My current laptop is in serious need of being replaced, and I'm looking for a workhorse to use for residential work and at home as well. Anyone have experience with this or opinions on the build? Does this sound like a good deal?

Also, I'd like to replace the SSD with a bigger one. I've replaced HDDs in laptops before, and want to make sure that replacing an SSD is basically the same procedure.

"Model name T4389BB4
Description Lenovo™ ThinkPad® W510 (BB4)
Your price* $456.75
Sale!
Free Extended 1 year Warranty - Laptops
Sale!
Free 8GB USB Flash drive with any PC purchase

Product Condition
Product Condition Used Laptop (Refurb)

Software
Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Edition

Processor
Processor internal clock speed 1.60GHz
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™ i7

Display
Screen type TFT
Viewable image size 15.4"

Memory
Memory Std/Max 8192MB/8192MB

Hard Disk
Hard Disk 128GB Solid State drive

Optical device
Optical CD-RW/DVD-RW Combo

Communications
Modem None
Network card Gigabit Ethernet
Wireless Intel 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi wireless

Expansion options
USB Port Yes

Security Features
Security feature None

Warranty
Warranty 3 months limited"

Thanks for your help!

 

[coffee]

Processor internal clock speed 1.60GHz
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™ i7

This according to PassMark is the slowest in performance of the i7 intel processors. If 1.60ghz doesnt bother you then its ok. Take a look and compare this USED laptop against maybe their NEW G700 models.

I would go with a new G700 model as its got enough power and is quite rugged. I bought several for clients on sale for 399.00 and they are the 17" screen too.

Im just saying for a used laptop with 3 month warranty and a slow processor I think you can do better.

I would stick with Lenovo though. I have alot of faith in their builds and quality.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7+Q+720+@+1.60GHz

coffee

 

[JustInspired]

They still make 15.4" screens?

 

[Krynn72]

I own a W510 personally (your thread title says T510, but the description says W510, I assume the title has the typo?). Paid $600 for it, used. Mine has their FHD (1080p) LCD though, with color calibration hardware built into the palmrest, which is why I paid a little more than normal for it. I love the thing though, and recommend it completely, especially a genuine Lenovo Refurbished one with the 1yr warranty. I just bought mine from some dude on eBay (had to replace the keyboard as a result, the 1 key and apostrophe key didn't work).

I'd personally recommend it over the G700 actually. The W510's got their classic, and well loved keyboard, while the G700 has their new one which I don't really like as much (still better than most other laptop keyboards though). The W510 also has their good mouse buttons, whereas the G700 has the flush ones which look rather flimsy in comparison, though I've never used them for long to really feel them out. Its weird that they say it has a 15.4" screen though, as I don't think it ever came with anything but 15.6?

 

[coffee]

I'd personally recommend it over the G700 actually. The W510's got their classic, and well loved keyboard, while the G700 has their new one which I don't really like as much (still better than most other laptop keyboards though). The W510 also has their good mouse buttons, whereas the G700 has the flush ones which look rather flimsy in comparison, though I've never used them for long to really feel them out. Its weird that they say it has a 15.4" screen though, as I don't think it ever came with anything but 15.6?

I mentioned the G700 because of price point and basic features. Makes a good laptop for running around with. They are easy to repair and the whole bottom will slide off after removing aprox. 2 screws. Its not a top end laptop but it does a good job. Yes, The keyboard and the mouse pad are not top end either. But they are not that bad. Just through a wireless mouse or whatever with it.

Wife picked one up from a brick and mortar store for 399. The thing came with win8 so the first thing I did was delete it off the system and install Linux Mint. No driver issues at all. Everything works great. She does a bit of traveling and this laptop holds up well to the bumps and such from traveling. Nice 17" screen too.

For a low end laptop I do recommend the G700 series. At that price point you have to give up something. The keyboard style and click buttons on the pad are not that annoying and you get used to it quickly.

coffee

 

[Chispaluz]

Thanks for the insight.

Krynn72, you're right on about the model -- it is a W510; I mixed up the prefix due to looking at other models that started with T. Glad to hear you're happy with yours -- I'm also more accustomed to the keyboard and mouse on the ThinkPad.

Coffee, my thinking is that even though it's a slower processor, with 8 gig of RAM, and eventually installing a larger SSD, I won't be unhappy with its performance. They do have T420's with an Intel® Core™ i5—2520M 2.50 GHz (better ratings), but they max out at 4GB RAM, and the screen size is only 14.1".

I also like that the ThinkPads are super sturdy as I will be traveling with it quite a bit. And the screen size is still better than the 14" one that I have right now.

What are your thoughts on installing a larger SSD? 160 GB is not exactly ideal. I was thinking of getting a larger one from Amazon, but of course, they're not cheap. I saw a 480 GB Crucial M500 for $230. It'd hike the price up closer to $700 altogether (I have an additional $40 coupon for the IBM website).

Thanks again.

 

[Krynn72]

I mentioned the G700 because of price point and basic features. Makes a good laptop for running around with. They are easy to repair and the whole bottom will slide off after removing aprox. 2 screws. Its not a top end laptop but it does a good job. Yes, The keyboard and the mouse pad are not top end either. But they are not that bad. Just through a wireless mouse or whatever with it.

Wife picked one up from a brick and mortar store for 399. The thing came with win8 so the first thing I did was delete it off the system and install Linux Mint. No driver issues at all. Everything works great. She does a bit of traveling and this laptop holds up well to the bumps and such from traveling. Nice 17" screen too.

For a low end laptop I do recommend the G700 series. At that price point you have to give up something. The keyboard style and click buttons on the pad are not that annoying and you get used to it quickly.

coffee

The G700s are certainly not bad laptops at all, and I didn't mean to make it sound like it was. I think that even might be the one I had my sister get for her college laptop. But I think when the W510 is on the table, the W510 is the better choice.