ThinkPad W series

ThinkPad W series

ThinkPad W520 from 2011
Developer	Lenovo (2008–2015)
Product family	ThinkPad
Type	Laptop (mobile workstation), Desktop replacement
Release date	2008
Discontinued	2016
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
CPU	Intel Core
Memory	Up to 32 GB (DDR3 SDRAM)
Display	15.6" or 17.3"
Graphics	Nvidia Quadro, ATI FireGL
Predecessor	Thinkpad T61p
Successor	ThinkPad P series

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

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

Processor   Socketed desktop processor   Socketed mobile processor   Soldered high power processor   Soldered standard power processor   Soldered low power processor   Soldered ultra low power processor Weight 0.9 kg (2.0 lb) Up to 0.91 kg 1.0 kg (2.2 lb) 0.92–1.0 kg 1.1 kg (2.4 lb) 1.01–1.1 kg 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) 1.11–1.2 kg 1.3 kg (2.9 lb) 1.21–1.3 kg 1.4 kg (3.1 lb) 1.31–1.4 kg 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) 1.41–1.5 kg 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) 1.51–1.6 kg 1.7 kg (3.7 lb) 1.61–1.7 kg 1.8 kg (4.0 lb) 1.71–1.81 kg 1.9 kg (4.2 lb) 1.81–1.91 kg 2.0 kg (4.4 lb) 1.91–2.03 kg 2.1 kg (4.6 lb) 2.04–2.14 kg 2.3 kg (5.1 lb) 2.15–2.4 kg 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) 2.41–2.75 kg 2.8 kg (6.2 lb) 2.76–3.05 kg 3.1 kg (6.8 lb) 3.06–3.42 kg 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) 3.43–3.99 kg 4.0 kg (8.8 lb) 4.0–4.99 kg 5.5 kg (12 lb) 5.0–6.49 kg 7.2 kg (16 lb) 6.5–7.99 kg 9.1 kg (20 lb) 8.0–9.99 kg 10.7 kg (24 lb) 10–11.99 kg 12.7 kg (28 lb) 12–14.49 kg 14.5 kg (32 lb) 14.5–17.99 kg 18.1 kg (40 lb) 18–20.99 kg 21.7 kg (48 lb) 21–23.99 kg 24 kg (53 lb) 24–28.99 kg 29.5 kg (65 lb) 29 kg and above Screen resolution   4K or higher   1440p+ (WQHD,QXGA)   1080p+ (Full HD,UXGA)   Better than 768p (SXGA,SXGA+)   600p+ (SVGA,HD,XGA,HD+)   Up to 600p (VGA) Graphics   Dual standard socket graphics option   Dual proprietary socket graphics option   Standard socket graphics option   Proprietary socket graphics option   Soldered performance graphics option   Soldered midrange graphics option   Soldered mainstream graphics option   Soldered entry graphics option   Integrated entry graphics   Integrated basic graphics 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

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

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

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

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:
  • Intel 5 series integrated graphics
  • Nvidia Quadro FX 880M
• 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	M(9) S	One white ThinkLight

W701

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:
  • Nvidia Quadro FX 3800M
  • Nvidia Quadro FX 2800M
• 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

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

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 2.5GHz 8MB 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	M(9) S	One white ThinkLight

W530

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 3.0GHz 8MB 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	M(9) S	One white ThinkLight

W540

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

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

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

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

1. "ThinkPad W Series" . Retrieved 15 February 2012.
2. "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. 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

External links

• ThinkPad W Series from Lenovo