Computers & Electronics

should I buy a used thinkpad w520 for $525?

  • Last Updated:
  • Oct 27th, 2014 6:15 pm
Sr. Member
Apr 29, 2008
591 posts
165 upvotes
Toronto

should I buy a used thinkpad w520 for $525?

I really need a new computer, love the Thinkpads, but not happy with the newer models that are in the market right now. I found an older model (w520) that has the old navigation system that I want (trackpoint with buttons) and has reasonable specs for $525 all in.

Would you buy this system? Is this worth it? Here are the specs:

Thinkpad w520 - $525
i7—2720QM 2.20 GHz
Windows 7 Pro
8G Ram
160G SSD
15" TFT SXGA
CD-RW/DVD-RW Combo
13 replies
Banned
Oct 30, 2013
757 posts
51 upvotes
You could find a Lenovo Thinkpad T530 for even cheaper on Kijiji. Also 1366x768
on a 15" laptop will suck.
Deal Expert
User avatar
Feb 26, 2004
26998 posts
4337 upvotes
The seller is insane for asking that much for an obsolete brick.
Deal Fanatic
Dec 29, 2005
5738 posts
1457 upvotes
Thinkpad W520's are very well built. For $525 I would say it is more than worth it!
___________________________________________
Lucky Mobile $29 / 25GB

Acanac Internet 50/10 FTTN $36 24 months; $61 afterwards
Deal Addict
Sep 9, 2010
4863 posts
3538 upvotes
Burnaby
The i7 SB W520 is still a powerhouse laptop much better than any Haswell i5 consumer laptop and for $500 all in (tax, Free S&H) it's a great buy if you aren't concerned by age, bulkiness and weight. BTW, phatsi is mistaken, it's not HD but HD+ (1600x900, 15", TN).

I guess there'll be some lighter weight Haswell i5's with discrete GPU and FHD IPS screen on sale for around $650 all-in during BF/CM and CD/BD season. Perhaps one might have a good keyboard but probably no the trackpoint (only business laptops come with this.) It all comes to what you value more (trackpoint, keyboard, trackpad, performance, warranty, age, display, weight, size, battery run time, OS, etc.)
Banned
Oct 30, 2013
757 posts
51 upvotes
What about a Lenovo Thinkpad T530 with the FHD option?

or

Dell Elitebook with a IPS panel
Deal Addict
Jan 7, 2014
2722 posts
549 upvotes
Manitoba
I think you can buy it. I was about to buy it but then opted for T430 for about 430 CAD taxes in. Mine's main drive is also SSD but the DVD drive can be replaced with a second HDD so I am thinking to add 750GN 7200 rpm WD Black. Just check that for this W520 the DVD drive can be replaced or not as you will definitely need more than 160GB disk space. actually you will only have 120 GB of space. Telling from my T430 , out of 180 Gb advertised, only 130 GB is available for my use.
Deal Addict
Aug 27, 2009
1578 posts
816 upvotes
GTHA
My work PC is a W510 with i7 Q820 @ 1.7 GHz, 4GB RAM and W7 64-bit. Screen is 1600x900
I replaced the DVD drive with a 120 GB SSD loaded with my own OS partition which I use away from the office.

The PC rocks! Solidly built, keys don't fall off and doesn't get hot where you rest your palms like so many consumer laptops.

Seems like a decent price for what you're getting, given the 8MB and SSD. You really only need <30GB for the OS but if you need more capacity just get a caddy ($7 shipped, aftermarket, non-Lenovo) and stick another HDD or SSD in there, or use the eSATA port if you don't want to give up the DVD.

The W series are heavy at about 5.5 lbs but they are great machines. I have a rolly bag so not that big a deal for me.

You don't mention where you're buying from so you need to factor warranty and battery condition into your decision.
Sr. Member
Apr 29, 2008
591 posts
165 upvotes
Toronto
Thank you all for your input. I pulled the trigger. After a little more research I found that the IBM EPP site had used, refurbished machines with 90 day warranty and ordered one for $478.22 shipped. Fingers crossed it is in good condition. I was trying to wait until black friday, but on my current computer the screen is dangling by its wires. I will try to prevent myself from checking prices on black friday. Don't you hate it when you buy something and then find it cheaper?
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Oct 7, 2007
7282 posts
1820 upvotes
Mississauga, ON
The W520 is a power house. It has 4 ram slots and a msata slot. It should come with a dedicated GPU as well (though it would be a lower-end Quadro). The only problem is that it comes with a HUGE power brick that is not easier to carry around.
There's a sucker born every minute.
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Dec 9, 2003
9283 posts
81 upvotes
Toronto
The resolution of the display is simply too low despite the nice CPU and great upgradeability options.
Machine: AMD 7950X3D | Asus X670E-E | 64GB Corsair DDR5-6000 | 4 + 2TB WD SN850X NVMe | 6TB WD Black | 16 + 14TB WD Gold | Corsair 7000D | Corsair RM850x | Asus RTX 4070 Super | 2 x 32" ViewSonic VX3276-2K-MHD | Win11 Pro 64-bit

Top

Thread Information

There is currently 1 user viewing this thread. (0 members and 1 guest)