I posted this review to my eBay page. Unfortunately, I was somewhat limited as to how many characters I could post, but with no such limitations here, decided to also post it here.
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 - RAM
This has more to do with the internals than anything else. The T500 is extremely touchy when it comes to RAM, so 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 memory problems actually lead me to purchase the Thinkpad W500. The Lenovo Diagnostic tool gives a generic answer when diagnosing Memory and System Board errors, relying on your warranty to allow Lenovo Support to give you a specific diagnosis of your problem. As my T500 was two years past its warranty, I decided to look up my issue via the Thinkpad Community Forums. In the mean time, my girlfriend ordered me a W500 from a reputable retailer offering the W500 with a new copy of Windows 7 for $350 shipped. While more expensive, but came with a no DOA warranty that my eBay retailer did not offer.
Shortly before my W500 arrived, I was able to replace both memory modules on my T500, therefore completely eliminating further problems with my T500. Instead of returning the W500, I opted to send my T400 to my mom, who had been using an aging Gateway laptop since 2004. This older machine was equally finicky when it came to finding RAM, so I opted to give her a machine I knew she could count on.
Switchable Graphics - ATI & Intel GMA
The Discrete Graphics can cause overheating 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 procedure 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 performance.
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; I believe this to the best way.
The AMD/ATI Switchable Graphics driver is problematic at times. Performance during gaming can suffer if the system jumps between graphics options, which can happen when running on battery power or when operating power saving options.
Lastly, the AMD Control Panel for ATI graphics can cause performance issues when a newer driver becomes available. Newer drivers are not always installed properly or there are, at times, problems with installation itself. In my opinion, this is more of an issue with AMD than the T500, itself. Many times, I prefer to get ATI Drivers from Lenovo's support site, even though they are not as up to date.
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. It has the same basic layout as the T500, only with Intel GMA Graphics option. If you need more performance, I'd suggest the W500 Here are some basic specifications of the three systems:
T500 you will get Switchable Graphics w/ Intel GMA 4500/ATI Radeon 3650 with 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 GMA 4500/ATI FireGL V5700 with 512MB, Core 2 Duo 2.0 - 3.17 GHz processor, 8GGB Max of RAM, 15.4" screen
R500 you will get Intel GMA 4500, Core 2 Duo 2.0 - 3GHz processor, 8GGB Max of RAM, 15.4" screen
It comes down to the graphics options, choose the one that fits your budget and needs.
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 - RAM
This has more to do with the internals than anything else. The T500 is extremely touchy when it comes to RAM, so 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 memory problems actually lead me to purchase the Thinkpad W500. The Lenovo Diagnostic tool gives a generic answer when diagnosing Memory and System Board errors, relying on your warranty to allow Lenovo Support to give you a specific diagnosis of your problem. As my T500 was two years past its warranty, I decided to look up my issue via the Thinkpad Community Forums. In the mean time, my girlfriend ordered me a W500 from a reputable retailer offering the W500 with a new copy of Windows 7 for $350 shipped. While more expensive, but came with a no DOA warranty that my eBay retailer did not offer.
Shortly before my W500 arrived, I was able to replace both memory modules on my T500, therefore completely eliminating further problems with my T500. Instead of returning the W500, I opted to send my T400 to my mom, who had been using an aging Gateway laptop since 2004. This older machine was equally finicky when it came to finding RAM, so I opted to give her a machine I knew she could count on.
Switchable Graphics - ATI & Intel GMA
The Discrete Graphics can cause overheating 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 procedure 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 performance.
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; I believe this to the best way.
The AMD/ATI Switchable Graphics driver is problematic at times. Performance during gaming can suffer if the system jumps between graphics options, which can happen when running on battery power or when operating power saving options.
Lastly, the AMD Control Panel for ATI graphics can cause performance issues when a newer driver becomes available. Newer drivers are not always installed properly or there are, at times, problems with installation itself. In my opinion, this is more of an issue with AMD than the T500, itself. Many times, I prefer to get ATI Drivers from Lenovo's support site, even though they are not as up to date.
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. It has the same basic layout as the T500, only with Intel GMA Graphics option. If you need more performance, I'd suggest the W500 Here are some basic specifications of the three systems:
T500 you will get Switchable Graphics w/ Intel GMA 4500/ATI Radeon 3650 with 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 GMA 4500/ATI FireGL V5700 with 512MB, Core 2 Duo 2.0 - 3.17 GHz processor, 8GGB Max of RAM, 15.4" screen
R500 you will get Intel GMA 4500, Core 2 Duo 2.0 - 3GHz processor, 8GGB Max of RAM, 15.4" screen
It comes down to the graphics options, choose the one that fits your budget and needs.
