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ThinkPad W series
ThinkPad W520 from 2011
DeveloperLenovo (2008–2015)
Product familyThinkPad
TypeLaptop (mobile workstation),
Desktop replacement
Release date2008
Discontinued2016
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
CPUIntel Core
MemoryUp to 32 GB (DDR3 SDRAM)
Display15.6" or 17.3"
GraphicsNvidia Quadro, ATI FireGL
PredecessorThinkpad T61p
SuccessorThinkPad P series
This article is part of a series on the
ThinkPad
IBM lines:

Lenovo lines (former/current):

Current lineup

The ThinkPad W series laptops from Lenovo were described by the manufacturer as being "mobile workstations",[1] and suit that description by being physically on the larger side of the laptop spectrum, with screens ranging from 15.6" to 17.3" in size. Most W series laptops offered high-end quad-core Intel Core processors with an integrated GPU as well as an Nvidia Quadro discrete GPU, utilizing Nvidia Optimus to switch between the two GPUs as required. Notable exceptions are the W500, which has ATI Mobility FireGL integrated workstation-class graphics, and the W550s, which is an Ultrabook-specification laptop with only a dual-core processor. The W series laptops offered independent software vendor (ISV) certifications from various vendors such as Adobe Systems and Autodesk for computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D modeling software.

The W-series laptops were introduced by Lenovo as workstation-class laptops with their own letter designation, a descendant of prior ThinkPad T series models suffixed with 'p'.[2] The W series laptops were launched in 2008, at the same time as Intel Centrino 2, marking an overhaul of Lenovo's product lineup.[2] The first two W series laptops introduced were the W500 and the W700.

Models

[edit]

A list of laptops in the W series is given below. The list is arranged in chronological order.

ThinkPad W series (2008–2015)
Screen Type W*00
(2008) 		W*01 (2009)
W*1* (2010) 		W*2*
(2011) 		W*3*
(2012) 		W*4*
(2013) 		W*41 (2014)
W*5* (2015)
15.6" Slim W550s
Performance W500 W510 W520 W530 W540 W541
17.3" W700 W701
Dual screen W700ds W701ds
The W series was succeeded by the P series in 2015

Battery configuration

Main M(x) Main hot-swappable
(max.cells) 		Secondary U Ultrabay removable
u Ultrabay unremovable
M(x) Main removable
(max.cells) 		m(x) internal
(max.cells)
"PowerBridge"
m(x) Main internal
(max.cells) 		S Slice battery
Laptop color codes

Laptop storage combinations (excluding WWAN slot)

Level PCIe 4.0 x4 PCIe 3.0 x4 PCIe 3.0 x2 M.2 SATA mSATA 1.8" SATA 2.5" SATA 1.8" IDE 2.5" IDE
2019
Not yet
(laptops) 		2013 2013 2013 2009 2003 2003 1991 1988
3 2
4
3 1
2 2
3 2
3
2 1
4
3 1
2 2
2
1 1
3
2 1
1
2
1 1
2 1
4
1
1 1
3
1
1 1
1 1
1 1
2
3
1
1
2
1
1

Laptop memory

Amount LPDDR5X LPDDR5 DDR5 LPDDR4X LPDDR4 DDR4 LPDDR3 DDR4 DDR3L DDR3 DDR2 DDR SDR EDO FPM
dual channel < dual channel dual channel < dual channel dual channel < dual channel dual channel < dual channel
2022
(laptops) 		2019
(laptops) 		2020
 2017 2014 2014 2012 2014 2010 2007 2003 1998 1993 1993 1987
max memory = 512 GB N/A N/A 512 GB N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
max memory = 256 GB N/A 256 GB (4 slots) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
max memory = 128 GB 128 GB 128 GB N/A N/A 128 GB (4 slots) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
64 GB ≤ max memory < 128 GB 64 GB N/A N/A 64 GB N/A 64 GB (2 slots) 64 GB (4 slots) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
32 GB ≤ max memory < 64 GB 32 GB 32 GB 32 GB N/A 32 GB 32 GB (2 slots) 32 GB (4 slots) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
16 GB ≤ max memory < 32 GB 16 GB 16 GB 16 GB 16 GB 16 GB (2 slots) 16 GB (4 slots) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
8 GB ≤ max memory < 16 GB 8 GB 8 GB 8 GB 8 GB 8 GB (2 slots) 8 GB (4 slots) N/A N/A N/A
4 GB ≤ max memory < 8 GB 4 GB 4 GB 4 GB 4 GB 4 GB 4 GB (4 slots) 4 GB (4 slots) N/A
2 GB ≤ max memory < 4 GB 2 GB (8 chips) 2 GB 2 GB 2 GB 2 GB 2 GB N/A
1 GB ≤ max memory < 2 GB 1 GB (1 chip) dual channel min dual channel min N/A single channel min 1 GB 1 GB 1 GB 1 GB (4 slots)
512 MB ≤ max memory < 1 GB N/A N/A N/A single channel min single channel min N/A dual channel min half channel min 512 MB (8 chips) 512 MB (8 chips) 512 MB 512 MB
256 MB ≤ max memory < 512 MB N/A N/A N/A 256 MB (1 chip) 256 MB (1 chip) N/A single channel min 256 MB (1 chip) N/A single channel min N/A single channel min 256 MB
128 MB ≤ max memory < 256 MB N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 128 MB (1 chip) N/A N/A half channel min N/A half channel min
64 MB ≤ max memory < 128 MB N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 64 MB (1 chip) N/A 64 MB (1 chip)
max memory < 64 MB N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

W500

[edit]

Released in 2008, W500 laptop was similar in design to the T61p it replaced. The all-black appearance was retained, as well as the TrackPoint in the middle of the keyboard.[2] The W500 was appreciated for being equivalent in craftsmanship and stability to previous ThinkPads.[2] Large metal hinges were used to hold the display in place, preventing a worn out or unsteady display.[2] Other features on the laptop were a DisplayPort video output, three USB ports, a docking station connector, a maximum display resolution of 1920 × 1200, Intel Core 2 Duo processors and an ATI Mobility FireGL V5700 GPU.[2]

W700

[edit]
Main article: Lenovo ThinkPad W700

Released in October 2008, the W700 laptop was lauded for its performance and for a host of features that were industry-first at the time.[3] It was the first laptop with an integrated color calibrator. In addition, a biometric fingerprint scanner was available on the palmrest. With a quad-core Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9300 processor and Nvidia Quadro FX 3700M workstation GPU available, the laptop was among the most powerful at the time. One point not in the laptop's favor was the low battery life—approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The laptop featured up to a 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9300 CPU, up to 8 GB of DDR3 RAM (two slots), either an (MXM-mounted) Nvidia Quadro FX 2700M or FX 3700M with up to 1 GB video RAM, and a 17-inch (43 cm) 16:10 TN LCD display with a resolution of 1440 × 900 or 1920 × 1200.

ThinkPad W700ds with integrated secondary screen and Wacom digitizer.

W700ds

[edit]

The ThinkPad W700ds was nearly identical to the W700, with the addition of a 10.6-inch (27 cm) secondary sliding screen with a resolution of 1280 × 760.[4] The W700ds laptop also offered additional storage space, with up to two 260 GB hard disk drives.

W510

[edit]

The W510, the logical successor of the ThinkPad W500 in a nearly identical 15" laptop frame, was released in January 2010.

The laptop's specifications are as follows:[5]

  • Processor: up to 2.0 GHz Intel Core i7-920XM Extreme
  • Memory: up to 32 GB @ 1,333 MT/s DDR3 (4 DIMM sockets)
  • Graphics:
  • Dimensions: 372.5 mm × 245.1 mm × 35.8 mm (14.67 in × 9.65 in × 1.41 in)
  • Mass/Weight: Starting at 2.67 kg (5.89 lb) with a 6-cell battery

The W510 laptop was summed up by Laptop Review as, "The W510 provides performance, reliability and mobility. It is Ultra responsive for graphics-intensive tasks so you can accomplish more on the go."[6]

Model Release (US) Dimensions Weight CPU Chipset Memory Graphics Storage Networking Screen Battery Other
15.6"
W510[7] 2010 372.8 × 245.1 × 32–35.8 2.57 kg (5.7 lb) 1st Gen Intel Core
Up to i7-920XM 		Intel QM57 DDR3 1333Mhz
Up to
16GB (2 slots, dual-core)
32GB (4 slots, quad-core) 		Intel HD Graphics (integrated, shared, dual-core)
Nvidia Quadro FX880M (discrete, 1 GB, quad-core) 		One 2.5" SATA Drive
One Ultrabay 		Gigabit Ethernet
Wi-Fi Half Mini PCIe Card
Optional BT 2.1 Module
Optional WWAN Mini PCIe Card (exclusive) 		1366 × 768 TN
1600 × 900 TN
1920 × 1080 TN 		Warning icon
M(9)

S

One white ThinkLight

W701

[edit]

The W701, the logical successor of the W700 17" laptop, was released with the W701ds and received positive reviews. Techradar.com has this to say about the W701: "the ThinkPad W700 – [the W701’s] predecessor – was once the most powerful laptop we had seen, but the W701 has successfully stolen that crown."[8]

Released in April 2010, the W701 and W701ds, offered the following specifications:[9]

  • Processor: 2.0 GHz Intel Core i7-920XM Extreme
  • Memory: Up to 16 GB @ 1333 MT/s DDR3 (4 DIMM sockets)
  • Graphics:
  • Dimensions: 410 mm × 310 mm × 40.6 mm (16.14 in × 12.20 in × 1.60 in)
  • Mass/Weight: Starting at 4.0 kg (8.9 lb)

W701ds

[edit]

The Lenovo ThinkPad W701ds is the logical successor to the W700ds, and shares the same exterior physical design.

Gizmodo said, about the W701ds laptop, "Lenovo ThinkPad W701ds pairs beastly specs with an integrated secondary screen."[10] The laptop also received favorable reviews from PCWorld, which called the laptop a "portable goliath that could replace desktop workstations, letting pros stay productive from anywhere".[11] Gadgets Fan said about the W701ds, "Despite its massive size, Lenovo ThinkPad W701ds laptop is worth the purchase" and suggested that it was "almost comparable to a desktop workstation".[12]

W520

[edit]
Bottom side of a ThinkPad W520 with removable covers for modular components and replacement battery with extended capacity

The W520, the logical successor to the W510, was released in March 2011[13] and offered the following specifications in the best configuration:[14]

  • Processor: up to 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7-2960XM (socketed processor)
  • Memory: up to 32 GB DDR3-1333 (4 SO-DIMM sockets), in 4-core/8-thread models (QM or XM processors); up to 16 GB DDR3 (2 SO-DIMM sockets), in 2-core/4-thread models (M processors; only slots 0 and 2 are usable in these models, and these won't POST if slots 1 and/or 3 are populated, and for which dummy DIMMs are provided, but aren't actually checked)
  • Graphics:
    • Intel HD Graphics 3000 (integrated; 12 EUs)
    • Nvidia Quadro 1000M (discrete; 2 GB DDR3, 96 CUDA cores)
    • Nvidia Quadro 2000M (discrete; 2 GB DDR3, 192 CUDA cores)
  • Display: 15.6 in (40 cm) 1600 × 900 or 1920 × 1080 (16∶9) LED-backlit TN LCD (95% Adobe RGB coverage)
  • Dimensions: 372.8 mm × 245.1 mm × 31.8 mm–35.6 mm (14.68 in × 9.65 in × 1.25 in–1.40 in)
  • Mass/Weight: 2.70 kg (5.95 lb) (with an optical drive)

According to LAPTOP Magazine, "the ThinkPad W520 offers blistering performance that should satisfy the most demanding users and businesses."[15] On PCMark Vantage, the ThinkPad W520 scored 9909 points, 30% higher than the average score of desktop replacements. It also scored higher than the Dell Latitude E6420, which received a score of 7796.[15]

Processing and graphics
The 2011 W520 model includes up to a quad-core Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition socketed processor with Hyper-Threading technology.[1] They are also equipped with Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 for Windows 7.[1]
Graphics options on the W520 model included Nvidia Fermi architecture-based Quadro graphics with Optimus technology.[1] This allows for support for up to two additional monitors.[1] Despite the fact that the W-series laptops are Ubuntu certified, Optimus is not well supported in Linux, requiring workarounds for proper functionality.[16] The 2011 W-series laptops offer 1080p FHD (1920 × 1080) displays with 95% coverage of the Adobe RGB color space gamut.[1] X-Rite Pantone color calibration is also included.[1]
Storage space on the W520 model is up to 640 GB.[1] The 2011 W-series laptops also include superspeed USB 3.0 ports.[1]
ISV certifications
The W520 includes ISV certifications for DSS CATIA, SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, Adobe, and Maya.[17]
Model Release (US) Dimensions Weight CPU Chipset Memory (max) Graphics Storage Networking Screen Battery Other
15.6"
W520[18] 2011 372.8 × 245.1 × 31.8–35.6 2.45 kg (5.4 lb) 2nd Gen Intel Core
Up to i7-2960XM
(4C8T 2.5 GHz 8 MB L3) 		Intel QM67 16GB DDR3 1333MHz
or 32GB DDR3 1333MHz (quad core)
(2 slots, dual-core) or (4 slots, quad-core) 		Intel HD 3000
Optional Nvidia Quadro 1000M or 2000M (2GB) 		One 2.5" Drive
One UltraBay Drive 		Gigabit Ethernet
Wi-Fi Half Mini PCIe Card
BT 3.0 Module
Optional WWAN mSATA Card 		1600 × 900 TN
1920 × 1080 TN 		Warning icon
M(9)

S

One white ThinkLight

W530

[edit]

Released in June, 2012, the W530 has a very similar exterior appearance to the prior W models. Being the last W model prior to the W540 redesign, it is the last W to feature the lid lock, keyboard light and wireless and HDD LED indicators, and the first W model to feature the controversial chiclet keyboard,[19] which features 6 rows rather than 7 rows of keys and a more modern key shape. The W530 comes equipped with Ivy Bridge processors.

Notable changes/new features:

  • 3rd generation Intel Core (Ivy Bridge) processors
  • Intel HD 4000 (16 EUs) and Nvidia Kepler-based Quadro graphics
    • K1000M (2 GB DDR3, 192 CUDA cores)
    • K2000M (2 GB DDR3, 384 CUDA cores)
  • Mini DisplayPort v1.2
  • New-style 6-row keyboard with optional backlight
Model Release (US) Dimensions Weight CPU Chipset Memory (max) Graphics Storage Networking Screen Battery Other
15.6"
W530[20] June 2012 372.8 x 245.1 x 31.8–35.6 2.81 kg (6.2 lb) 3rd Gen Intel Core
Up to i7-3940XM
(4C8T 3.0 GHz 8 MB L3) 		Intel QM77 16GB DDR3 1600MHz
or 32GB DDR3 1600MHz (quad core)
(2 slots, dual-core) or (4 slots, quad-core) 		Intel HD 4000
Optional Nvidia Quadro K1000M or K2000M (2GB) 		One 2.5" Drive
One UltraBay Drive 		GigaBit Network Connection
Wi-Fi Half Mini PCIe Card
BT 4.0 Module
Optional WWAN mSATA Card 		1600 × 900 TN
1920 × 1080 TN 		Warning icon
M(9)

S

One white ThinkLight

W540

[edit]

Announced in 2013 and released in the US and Europe early 2014, the W540 featured a brand-new, slimmer design based on the new generations T540p. Slimmer than the prior W530, the new design received mixed reactions from traditional ThinkPad users. Critique was mainly aimed towards lower build quality and missing user interface indicators, together with a new style of touchpad where the traditional ThinkPad trackpoint functionality had been radically changed, and the controversial island style keyboard introduced in 2012 on other products, which many enthusiasts claimed abandoned the core tactile principles established by IBM over previous decades.

The new W series however featured newer hardware such as the option for a 3K 2880 x 1620 IPS display. Other new features included:

  • 4th generation Core processors
  • Upgraded Quadro GPUs to K1100M and K2100M
  • Full size keyboard with numeric keypad (though offset from center of screen, causing criticism from those who rarely use the keypad)
  • New touchpad/trackpoint integration (though TrackPoint "thumb" buttons were removed causing criticism due to lost tactile feedback)
  • Changed UltraBay design (the easy eject locking buttons were replaced by a hidden locking screw rendering "hot swap" functionality moot and earlier UltraBay modules incompatible)
  • New rectangular connector for charger (rendering earlier accessories and docking stations obsolete)
  • Thinner profile
  • Lighter weight

W541

[edit]
ThinkPad W541 (in front)

The W541 is a ThinkPad W540 featuring the new-style keyboard but with a re-introduction of the classic ThinkPad touchpad design. The prior ThinkPad touchpad design featured in the W540 and other 4th-gen ThinkPads was abandoned.

W550s

[edit]

Rather than being a successor of any previous W-series model, the W550s is a thinner Ultrabook variant of the W series; Likewise a latest P5xs series ThinkPad, the W550s was based in a T-series chassis.[21] While a capable Ultrabook, when compared to the W541 and its predecessors, it offers less capability with only dual-core hyper-threaded Intel Broadwell processors vs. the true quad-core processors of other models and has only two RAM slots.

Discontinuation and successor

[edit]

The ThinkPad W series was discontinued and replaced by ThinkPad P series, beginning with the P50s, P50 and P70 in 2016.[22] The P70 re-introduced the 17-inch screen to the ThinkPad workstation line.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "ThinkPad W Series". Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Review Lenovo Thinkpad W500 Notebook". Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  3. ^ Cisco Cheng (16 December 2008). "Lenovo ThinkPad W700". PC Magazine. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  4. ^ David Rasnake (2 February 2009). "Lenovo ThinkPad W700ds Review". Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  5. ^ "Lenovo ThinkPad W510 Datasheet" (PDF). Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  6. ^ Kevin O'Brien (15 March 2010). "Lenovo ThinkPad W510 Review". Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  7. ^ Lenovo ThinkPad W510 Notebook Specifications
  8. ^ "Lenovo ThinkPad W701 review". 30 May 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  9. ^ "Lenovo ThinkPad W701 and W701ds Datasheet" (PDF). Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  10. ^ Brian Barett (23 February 2010). "Lenovo ThinkPad W701ds Pairs Beastly Specs With an Integrated Secondary Screen". Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  11. ^ Zack Stern (22 April 2010). "Lenovo ThinkPad W701ds". Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  12. ^ "Lenovo ThinkPad W701ds Laptop". 25 April 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  13. ^ "ThinkPad T / W / X / L Series Release Dates Unveiled". 8 March 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  14. ^ "Lenovo ThinkPad W520 Datasheet" (PDF). Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  15. ^ a b Avram Piltch (25 April 2011). "Lenovo ThinkPad W520 Review". Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  16. ^ Sagar Karandikar. "Optimal Ubuntu Graphics Setup for Thinkpads". Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  17. ^ Laarni Almendrala Ragaza (22 February 2011). "Lenovo Launches New, Improved ThinkPads". PC Magazine. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  18. ^ Lenovo ThinkPad W520 Notebook Specifications
  19. ^ O'Hara, Gavin (12 July 2012). "Change Is Hard: Why You Should Give In to the New ThinkPad Keyboard". blog.lenovo.com. Lenovo. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  20. ^ Lenovo ThinkPad W530 Notebook Specifications
  21. ^ "Lenovo ThinkPad W550s Workstation Review". notebookcheck.net.
  22. ^ Crazy Powerful: Lenovo ThinkPad P First with Xeon CPU
[edit]
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