Thinkpad T500 (August 2008 - January 2010)
The Thinkpad T500 is a business class laptop. Depending on how you configure yours, it can run you anywhere from as low as $800 with Lenovo discounts to has high as $2000+.
Specs of the Review model:
$1140.00
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz
RAM: 4.00 GB DDR3
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Switchable Graphics: Intel GMA 4500M (integrated) and ATi 3650 (discrete)
Display: 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) CCFL
Battery life: up to 4 hours on 6-cell || up to 7 hours on 9-cell || up to 8.5 hours on 12-cell (9-cell + ultrabay 3-cell)
Weight: 5.5 pounds w/6-cell || 6.5 pounds w/ 9-cell || 7 lbs w/ 12-cell (9-cell + ultrabay 3-cell)
Pros:
+WSXGA+ option on a 15.4" (high pixel density)
+Switchable graphics: Integrated for battery life/mobility || Discrete for docking/gaming/work
+Matte screen finish
Cons:
-Flimsy keyboard compared to previous thinkpads
T500 pictured below with default 6-cell battery. Note the nice rubberized LCD cover.
T500 with the 9-cell battery (Notice it sticks out the back)
The Thinkpad T500 is a business class laptop designed to be part of the elite class of laptops.
What this means is the default warranty lasts longer and servicing options include on-site techs being able to replace failed components without having the ship the laptop to a repair depot like most mainstream laptops. You can also have them send you recovery DVDs just by calling them up and asking.
In my case I purchased this laptop from Lenovo in January of 2010 with Windows 7 Pro-64 bit but I downgraded it to XP pro but eventually wanted to restore it to Windows 7 so I called them up and had them send me a pair of factory restore discs; free of charge.
Like all Thinkpads the T500 comes with the thinklight at the top to illuminate the keyboard in a dark room ad the trackpoint in the center of the keyboard with navigation buttons above the touchpad.
The thinkpad comes with many features:
VGA, DisplayPort, GigEthernet, 3 USB 2.0 ports, express 54 slot, firewire, SD card slot, external wifi switch, AUX input jack for stereo and one for mic.. It also features an RJ-11 modem port and a removable DVD-RW which can be swapped for a 3-cell battery.
Removable Ultrabay SuperSlim DVD-burner
Ultrabay 3-cell Battery
Pictures of the default 6-cell and optional 9-cell battery are shown below:
Top left: 9-cell extended life battery (~6.5 hours)
Bottom left: 6-cell battery (~4 hours)
Right: Ultrabay 3-cell battery (~2 hours)
T60/T61/T61p IBM docking station with Key
Key is stuck in the docking station as long as the dock is in unlocked mode.
Key is removable when the docking station is in the lock position.
The newer docking station for the T400, T500, W500, R400, and R500 does not need to have the key inserted in order to have the thinkpad in the unlocked state.
Notice how the newer dock is missing the IBM logo.
Being a Thinkpad means the laptop has the Thinkpad abilities that normal laptops do not feature. These include the liquid drain. Meaning if you accidentally pour water on the keyboard it will actually drain out the bottom and no harm will come to the laptop.
It also features the magnesium roll cage to protect the interior components and the LCD screen from flex damage. The hinges are also made of magnesium alloy which translates into strong hinges that don't become loose and wobbly like so many other laptops on the market.
The magnesium alloy hinge as shown below:
This is a laptop that can actually be picked up by the LCD screen and carried around wide open by holding the LCD screen with the body of the laptop hanging from the hinges.
The hinges also allow the LCD to open 180 degrees to the body of the laptop.
The main criticism of the laptop is the newer and inferior keyboard that it comes with.
Below are two thinkpad keyboards with the top and bottom of each shown.
The keyboard on the left is the original T60 keyboard. Notice the thicker metal backing. This keyboard when typed on had a true solid feel and very nice key press similar to regular desktop keyboard. Unfortunately the T500 keyboard lacks this metal plate and as a result feels softer and more flexible. I had to remove the keyboard and place some duct tape on the underside in order to make it feel more rigid like the older one. Even with the duct tape it still doesn't match the T60 keyboard in typing quality and feel. In fact, I'm time and time again I'm tempted to buy a T60 or T61 keyboard off ebay just to obtain the "feel of thinkpad".
Thinkpad Docking station aerial view:
The docking station adds the ports shown on it below.
From left to right:
4 more USB 2.0 ports for a total of 7.
1 PS/2 Keyboard/mouse input
1 RJ-11 modem input
1 Gigabit Ethernet Port
1 VGA port
1 DVI-D port
1 AUX input for mic
1 AUX input for stereo speakers/headphones
1 Serial DE-9
1 Parallel DB-25
AC input jack which uses the same 90W AC adapter that comes with the thinkpad.
On the side of the dock it also features an SPDIF audio and Kensington Security Slot
In conclusion, the T500 is highly recommended to Engineers and Business individuals looking for a professional, elite class computer that can function as a mobile workstation as well as a desktop replacement with the docking station.
The docking station allows duel monitor support. The only downside to this is one monitor has to be connected via VGA which has inferior image quality to DVI. Still the dock adds a lot of functionality to the thinkpad is is highly recommended to CAD users and people who need duel 1080p monitors or even duel WUXGA monitors.
Desktop replacement.
When fully connected to duel monitors, LAN ethernet, desktop keyboard, mouse, etc. the Thinkpad T500 functions as a desktop. The Dock also charges the battery while connected.
9.5 / 10 ==> Highly Recommended.
