ThinkPad W series

Last updated
ThinkPad W series
ThinkPad W520 (029).jpg
ThinkPad W520 from 2011
Developer Lenovo (2008–2015)
Product family ThinkPad
Type Laptop (mobile workstation),
Desktop replacement
Release date2008
Discontinued2016
Operating system Microsoft Windows
CPU Intel Core
MemoryUp to 32 GB (DDR3 SDRAM)
Display15.6" or 17.3"
Graphics Nvidia Quadro, ATI FireGL
PredecessorThinkpad 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.

Contents

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)
ScreenTypeW*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"SlimW550s
PerformanceW500W510W520W530W540W541
17.3"W700W701
Dual screenW700dsW701ds
The W series was succeeded by the P series in 2015

Battery configuration

MainM(x)Main hot-swappable
(max.cells)		SecondaryU Ultrabay removable
uUltrabay unremovable
M(x)Main removable
(max.cells)		m(x)internal
(max.cells)
"PowerBridge"
m(x)Main internal
(max.cells)		SSlice battery
Laptop color codes

Laptop storage combinations (excluding WWAN slot)

LevelPCIe 4.0 x4PCIe 3.0 x4PCIe 3.0 x2M.2 SATAmSATA1.8" SATA2.5" SATA1.8" IDE2.5" IDE
2019
Not yet
(laptops)		20132013201320092003200319911988
32
4
31
22
32
3
21
4
31
22
2
11
3
21
1
2
11
21
4
1
11
3
1
11
11
11
2
3
1
1
2
1
1

Laptop memory

AmountLPDDR5XLPDDR5DDR5LPDDR4XLPDDR4DDR4LPDDR3DDR4DDR3LDDR3DDR2DDRSDREDOFPM
dual channel< dual channeldual channel< dual channeldual channel< dual channeldual channel< dual channel
2022
(laptops)		2019
(laptops)		2020
201720142014201220142010200720031998199319931987
max memory = 512 GBN/AN/A512 GBN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
max memory = 256 GBN/A256 GB (4 slots)N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
max memory = 128 GB128 GB128 GBN/AN/A128 GB (4 slots)N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
64 GB ≤ max memory < 128 GB64 GBN/AN/A64 GBN/A64 GB (2 slots)64 GB (4 slots)N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
32 GB ≤ max memory < 64 GB32 GB32 GB32 GBN/A32 GB32 GB (2 slots)32 GB (4 slots)N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
16 GB ≤ max memory < 32 GB16 GB16 GB16 GB16 GB16 GB (2 slots)16 GB (4 slots)N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
8 GB ≤ max memory < 16 GB8 GB8 GB8 GB8 GB8 GB (2 slots)8 GB (4 slots)N/AN/AN/A
4 GB ≤ max memory < 8 GB4 GB4 GB4 GB4 GB4 GB4 GB (4 slots)4 GB (4 slots)N/A
2 GB ≤ max memory < 4 GB2 GB (8 chips)2 GB2 GB2 GB2 GB2 GBN/A
1 GB ≤ max memory < 2 GB1 GB (1 chip)dual channel mindual channel minN/Asingle channel min1 GB1 GB1 GB1 GB (4 slots)
512 MB ≤ max memory < 1 GBN/AN/AN/Asingle channel minsingle channel minN/Adual channel minhalf channel min512 MB (8 chips)512 MB (8 chips)512 MB512 MB
256 MB ≤ max memory < 512 MBN/AN/AN/A256 MB (1 chip)256 MB (1 chip)N/Asingle channel min256 MB (1 chip)N/Asingle channel minN/Asingle channel min256 MB
128 MB ≤ max memory < 256 MBN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A128 MB (1 chip)N/AN/Ahalf channel minN/Ahalf channel min
64 MB ≤ max memory < 128 MBN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A64 MB (1 chip)N/A64 MB (1 chip)
max memory < 64 MBN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/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

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. The secondary display slides out like a pocket door. (3408777227).jpg
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]

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]

ModelRelease (US)DimensionsWeightCPUChipsetMemoryGraphicsStorageNetworkingScreenBatteryOther
15.6"
W510 [7] 2010372.8 × 245.1 × 32–35.82.57 kg (5.7 lb) 1st Gen Intel Core
Up to i7-920XM		Intel QM57DDR3 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		 Nuvola apps important.svg
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]

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 W520 Back.JPG
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]

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]
ModelRelease (US)DimensionsWeightCPUChipsetMemory (max)GraphicsStorageNetworkingScreenBatteryOther
15.6"
W520 [18] 2011372.8 × 245.1 × 31.8–35.62.45 kg (5.4 lb) 2nd Gen Intel Core
Up to i7-2960XM
(4C8T 2.5 GHz 8 MB L3)		Intel QM6716GB 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		 Nuvola apps important.svg
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:

ModelRelease (US)DimensionsWeightCPUChipsetMemory (max)GraphicsStorageNetworkingScreenBatteryOther
15.6"
W530 [20] June 2012372.8 x 245.1 x 31.8–35.62.81 kg (6.2 lb) 3rd Gen Intel Core
Up to i7-3940XM
(4C8T 3.0 GHz 8 MB L3)		Intel QM7716GB 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		 Nuvola apps important.svg
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:

W541

ThinkPad W541 (in front) ThinkPad W541 (cropped).jpg
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.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "ThinkPad W Series" . Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "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. 1 2 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
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