- Strong Performance
- Excellent Build Quality and Durability
- Windows XP Downgrade
- Expensive
- Smaller Hard Drive
- Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 Dual Core Mobile Processor
- 2GB PC3-8500 DDR3 Memory
- 160GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
- 8x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner
- 15.4-inch WSXGA+ (1680x1050) Display
- ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 Graphics with 256MB Memory
- v.92 56Kbps Modem, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11a/g/n Wireless, Bluetooth v2.0
- Three USB 2.0, FireWire, DisplayPort, Type II Card Slot, ExpressCard/54, Fingerprint Scanner, 7-in-1 Card Reader
- 14.1" x 10" x 1.3" @ 5.9 lbs.
- Vista Business (Windows XP Downgrade)
11/17/08 - Lenovo's ThinkPad T500 laptop is an update of their 15.4-inch ThinkPad T laptops. It retains the wide screen, 1680x1050 15.4-inch panel that gives it one of the highest resolution panels in its price range. It also has one of the most durable case designs on the market.
Performance has been boosted significantly with the new ThinkPad T500. It uses the latest Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 that features the 1066MHz bus speed. It is also matched up with 2GB of PC3-8500 DDR3 memory that gives it an extra boost over systems using older DDR2 memory. The performance features continue with the relatively small 160GB hard drive that spins at a faster 7200rpm rate compared to a more traditional 5400rpm.
The system actually comes with two operating systems technically. While it runs Windows XP, the system has been downgraded from Vista Business. The reason for this is that many corporations still use Windows XP rather than Vista. This may make the system even more attractive to those buyers who do not wish to use Vista.
Another noteworthy feature is a hybrid graphics system that can be set to use the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 discrete graphics processor for performance or an integrated graphics solution when low power consumption is more important. The ATI graphics are decent for 3D applications but not something one should really expect for heavy PC gaming.
The biggest downside to the ThinkPad T500 is its price. While it isn't a lot more expensive than similarly equipped laptops, it is more expensive in general. Of course, with this extra cost, you are getting the quality and reputation of the ThinkPad series of laptops along with one of the better rated support departments in the market.
