Lenovo Thinkpad T510 Questions Before I Purchase

[Dasda]

I am buying a laptop for school. Mainly will be used for office, nternet browsing, and downloading/watching movies. I don't really game much on computers as I prefer Xbox360 for that. I have heard of Lenovo's good build quality so I have decided to give them a look and found a good 20% off coupon that can be used.

With that in mind I have a few questions.

1. Should I get NVIDIA NVS3100M graphics or will integrated graphics be good for my use?
2. Should I get 64 bit windows 7 or 32 bit? I will be getting 4gb ram upgrade. The price of both operating systems is the same.
3. I have a option of getting "15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) 16:9 aspect Anti-Glare display with LED backlight" or "15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) 16:9 aspect Anti-Glare display with LED backlight and WWAN Antenna". They are both same price, what is a WWAN antenna? Is there any harm if I get it?
4. Is it better to get extra 2gb ram from lenovo for $55.25canadiann or buy separate from somewhere else and install?
5. Is theie fingerprint reader useful? If so, for what?
6. Should I get their standard Wireless card or get Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN or 6200? 6300 will cost me $34 and $6200 is $17.
7. Should I get the option "Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable"? It is free of charge.
8. Are their warranties worth purchasing or should I stick with the 1 year standard warranty?

For the HDD, I am planning to stick with the low 250gb that comes with it and then just as it cost $93.50 to updrade to 500gb, I think I can get a 2.5" hdd cheaper somewhere else or just use a external if I ever have the need but I doubt it.

Any other recommendations/tips when ordering it from lenovo?

I chose the T510 over the Dell Inspiron 15r as I heard Lenovo build quality is excellent compared to the inspiron's which people say is flimsy. It is really my first time purchasing a laptop and it will be for school so I really want something durable and reliable.


Thank You.

 

[corkyg]

OK - I got the Nvidia option along with the LED Screen. It was worth it to me. I did not go for 64 bit - I have too many other peripherals on the network, and am not a gamer. Further, I rarely multitask, so 64 bit brings little to my party.

I got the 15.6-in 1600x900 screen. Not sure what wireless antenna I got, but it was the middle one.

Fingerprint reader is also on mine because I got used to it on my T60. It is much better than the one on the T60.

I did not go for the integrated broadband. I have my own Sprint C-777 Express card, and it worked perfectly. Never had to use the hotel wireless. Better for privacy that way.

I never buy added warranty. I practice being self-warranted. My philosophy has always been, if it is profitable for them, it is not profitable for me. This was my package.

4313CTO THINKPAD T510 - 1 YEAR DEPOT TOPSELLER WARRANTY $1,142.10
1 45M4818 SBB INCR I5-540M 2.53GHZ,3MBL3 $0.00
1 45M3091 VBB GENUWIN7PROFES.32 $0.00
1 45M4936 SBB GNWN7P32 US ENGLISH $0.00
1 45M4595 SBB 15.6HD+ANTI-GLW/LEDBKLIGH $0.00
1 45M4578 SBB NVNVSXXX512MBDDR3W/IAMTCH. $0.00
1 42X6308 VBB 3GBPC3-8500 1067MHZ2DIMM $0.00
1 45M4839 SBB KEYBOARDUS ENGLISH $0.00
1 75Y0171 VBB ULNAVTRPOITOUPADFINGREADER $0.00
1 45M4617 SBB 320GB H.DISKDRIVE7200RPM $0.00
1 45M4608 SBB MULT.RECORD.OPTDRIVE12.7MM $0.00
1 75Y0174 VBB EXPCARSL+5IN1CARREAD $0.00
1 45M4815 SBB 6CELLLI-ION BATTERY $0.00
1 39T6442 SBB COUNTRY PACK NORTH AMERICA $0.00
1 45M3439 SBB INTELCENTRINOWIRELESSN1000 $0.00
1 44C7950 SBB INT WRLSSWDAREANTWRK UPGR $0.00
1 45M4676 SBB LANGUAGEPACK US ENGLISH $0.00

 

[Dasda]

What use does the fingerprint reader have? I have never seen someone using so I really don't know what use it has. Money has no issue on this as it is only a $15 addon but I am just wondering whether "less is more" in this case.

Thanks


EDIT: I found that it is used to bypass entering passwords and such. Anything else? I guess if it doesn't do any bad then I'll get it to act cool at school .

 

[corkyg]

Basically it is the alternative to typing in a password. The use of biometric data for that is kinda cool. The setup allows you to record several fingers and test them. It can also be set to use as a "On" switch instead of the back button near the screen. It is linked electrically to the touchpad, so that if you disable the touchpad, you also disable the fingerprint reader. It is defintely a coolness.

 

[HiME]

Should I get NVIDIA NVS3100M graphics or will integrated graphics be good for my use?
You said no gaming, therefore integrated would be better.

Should I get 64 bit windows 7 or 32 bit? I will be getting 4gb ram upgrade. The price of both operating systems is the same.
64-bit, no point to hit for the 32-bit unless you have compatibility issues.

I have a option of getting "15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) 16:9 aspect Anti-Glare display with LED backlight" or "15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) 16:9 aspect Anti-Glare display with LED backlight and WWAN Antenna". They are both same price, what is a WWAN antenna? Is there any harm if I get it?
Get the extra WWAN antenna since it is free.

Is it better to get extra 2gb ram from lenovo for $55.25canadiann or buy separate from somewhere else and install?
The 2x2GB modules are still very expensive, therefore go for the 4GB upgrade.

Is theie fingerprint reader useful? If so, for what?
Useless, don't bother with it.

Should I get their standard Wireless card or get Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN or 6200? 6300 will cost me $34 and $6200 is $17.
Get the cheapest one that comes with wireless N.

Should I get the option "Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable"? It is free of charge.
It is free, so yes.

Are their warranties worth purchasing or should I stick with the 1 year standard warranty?
1 year warranty is fine.

 

[Dasda]

I pretty much got everything same as corky. Sorry Hime I had ordered prior to your post so my order went against the recommendation for fingerprint reader and the cheapest wireless card.

Here are the specs I got:


Processor

Intel Core i5-540M Processor (2.53GHz, 3MB L3, 1066MHz)

Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)

Operating system Language Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 - English

Display type 15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) 16:9 aspect Anti-Glare display with LED backlight and WWAN antenna

System graphics
NVIDIA NVS3100M graphics with 512MB DDR3 Memory

Total memory
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)

Keyboard
US English Keyboard

Pointing device
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader

Camera

2.0M Pixel Camera

Hard drive

320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm

Optical device

DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Enhanced

System expansion slots

Express Card Slot & 5 in 1 Card Slot

Battery
9 cell 2.8Ah Li-Ion Battery - Dual Mode
Power cord 90W AC Adapter; NA, LA, (2pin)

WiFi wireless LAN adapters Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN

Language pack English US Publication


Oh, the discrete graphics card was only $40 more as I found a coupon that allowed me to get a discount of 35% on configurations of over $1500. In the end it came to $1003 without tax. I really love the quality of these laptops as I went to a local tigerdirect store and saw it on display. My dad's credit card will extend the warranty another year so I didn't order any warranty from Lenovo either. I really hope to enjoy this baby for atleast the last 2 years of my undergrad degree. If more, then that would be huge bonus and make me feel smart about this purchase since majority of the cost is for "build quality".

 

[corkyg]

Good luck with your studies and T510. As for the fingerprint reader,I have used one for my last 3 notebooks, and definitely do not find them "useless." I travel a lot, and that includes foreign countries. I frequently leave my notebook in my hotel room,and the FPR is a convenience. It really works, and is much more convenient for me than typing a strong password.

My personal decision debate was between the T510 and W510. BTW, I did get the Ultrabay HDD adapter, and that is what normally lives in the T510. It contains a second 320GB/7200 drive I use for data, photos, and my music library.