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I purchased the T500 as a replacement to my T61, which had gone down when the cooling fan died. I'd found a replacement fan assembly and planned to replace the damaged component, but I also was interested in getting a newer system that utilized the less expensive DDR3 RAM. What I like about the T500 is the larger display and the additional expansion. On the smaller T400, SD and Memory Card expansion occupies the Express/PCMCIA bays. This is a compromise that can limit your expansion capabilities. On the T500, SD is placed on the front of the palm rest, which greatly simplifies access, while freeing the Express Card Bay for further expansion. The larger display of the T500 gives you more real estate on your desktop, but also give you a larger picture for watching video, playing games. The ATI discrete graphics gives excellent performance for gaming, graphics and video emitting, and makes for an excellent portable workstation. What I don't like about the T500 has more to do with the internals than anything else - the system is extreme touchy when it comes to RAM - make doubly sure you verify compatibility of the RAM you choose. Choosing the wrong RAM will result in severe memory stability problems in Windows and Linux - if you are getting memory errors in Windows, Linux, or, more specifically during installation you should pull the RAM in the system and replace it with modules rated for the system - I suggest Newegg's Memory Finder as even Crucial was throwing out incompatible modules. The Discrete graphics can cause heating issues in the T400 Series, the T500 seems to address this with a larger cooling system, but the ATI graphics does run hotter than the Intel GMA-only versions. For this reason, I suggest having the cooling system cleaned thoroughly - this requires partial dis-assembly of the system to accomplish - if you are comfortable opening your system, this isn't a problem and there are several excellent videos detailing this on youtube, but it can be inconvenient. Knowing this, you should consider a laptop cooler if you intend extended gaming or if you need to push performan Another drawback is the Switchable Graphics layout. The system has both ATI and Intel GMA. You can go into the BIOs and force ATI or GMA depending upon your power and performance requirements - this tends to the best way. The AMD/ATI Switchable Graphics driver is buggy at times and performance during gaming can suffer if the system jumps between graphics options - which can happen when running on battery power. Lastly, the AMD Control panel for ATI graphics can be buggy and problematic at times, especially when a newer driver becomes available. T500 vs W500 vs R500 - Which to buy? If you do not require the ATI-enabled versions and think the Intel GMA version will suffice, I suggest instead looking to the R500 - the same basic layout as the T500, only with Intel GMA Graphics option. If you need more performance, I'd suggest the W500. T500 you will get Switchable Graphics w/ Intel GAM 4500/ATI Radeon 3650 2 256MB, Core 2 Duo 2.0 - 2.93 GHz processor options, 8GB Max of RAM, 15.4" screen. W500 you will get Switchable Graphics w/ Intel GAM 4500/ATI FireGL V5700 w 512MB, Core 2 Duo 2.0 - 3GHz processor, 8GGB Max of RAM, 15.4" screen R500 you will get Intel GAM 4500, Core 2 Duo 2.0 - 3GHz processor, 8GGB Max of RAM, 15.4" screen It comes down to the graphics options - but choose the one that fits your budget and needs.Read full review
My husband is legally blind, and requires a large screen to see objects in programs and on the Internet, even after magnification. The T500 screen is HUGE. Its matte finish provides a nice reading surface without glare. Plus, the keyboard has the added bonus of being water resistant with channels to direct spills away from the motherboard. Ours came without an operating system, however everything works even using Ubuntu 14.04, a Linux distribution. The computer is also pretty snappy for having a dual core. It uses its installed 4 GB of RAM efficiently, and it runs at a low temperature.
Researching I discovered this laptop is fantastic for everyday use as well as some heavy duty applications in the field. Factory plc etc. Built to last and perform. Not a gaming pc but a great all around surfing machine and application machine. Built to take some abuse. Dont think that because this is an older model it can not do what you need and more. Great value for what it delivers. Solid machine.
The T500 Thinkpad is the latest 15.4" refresh of the longstanding T-series out of Lenovo. Combining the latest generation of Intel goodies, ATI Hybrid graphics, and DisplayPort connection this notebook has many new things to offer over the previous ThinkPads. With all these changes taking place, is Lenovo keeping the ThinkPad as well built as we have come to expect, or has some quality slipped through the cracks? In this review we cover all aspects of the new ThinkPad T500 and tell you if we think it deserves a spot on your desk.
Excellent Product. I needed an upgrade form my old trusty rusty raggedy laptop, something powerful yet economical. This laptop has just what I need and from a name I trust. I can run multiple applications with ease and have had little to no trouble at all. The only shortcoming is the video processing, but I am not a gamer so, It's not big deal. Great product, fast and safe shipment, and I would definitely purchase it again.