Can someone with first hand knowledge please explain what things I should do in order when I switch it on for the first time, and at what point, and how, do I set up the finger print reader.

Should I do all the microsoft updates, which I always do from Microsoft website…..and I am reluctant to use ThinkVantage for my Lenovo updates, because a bios update destroyed my previous Lenovo.

CAD isn’t really a priority for me, as I’m really more just curious about trying it rather than having any real plans for it. I’ve always got a decent gaming desktop to fall back to should I need more graphical horsepower. And with games, I’ll save the big stuff like CoD and Fallout 3 for when I’m around that.

I have one more question (hope you don’t mind; sorry!): how loud is typing on the (seemingly excellent) keyboard? As a student who’ll be taking lots (and I do mean -lots-) of notes in class, it’s really important to me that I don’t distract my classmates or teachers with annoyingly loud keystrokes.

My only reservation with this rig would be your need to do 3D/CAD. Depending on the applications your hoping to run you maybe better of with the ThinkPad W510

If you are in the States you should check out the ‘Double Upgrade’ offers that we have running right now.

http://www.thinkpadtoday.com/save-41-thinkpad-december-coupon-code-free-double-upgrades.htm

Hope that helps, Cheers, Ian

I’m planning to use this computer for doing lots of programming, web design & development, and music composition & production, as well as some graphical work in Photoshop and maybe 3D/CAD, if I have the time to learn it. I also plan to play the occasional 3D game on it, and although that probably won’t happen terribly often, I want it to be a smooth experience when it does.

The configuration I’m looking at is as follows:

Intel Core i5-560M Processor (2.66GHz, 3MB L3, 1066MHz)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)
15.6″ HD+ (1600 x 900) 16:9 aspect Anti-Glare display with LED backlight and WWAN antenna
NVIDIA Quadro NVS3100M Optimus Graphics 512MB
4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Enhanced
9 Cell 2.8Ah Li-Ion Battery
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN
Integrated Mobile Broadband – Upgradable
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
2.0M Pixel Camera
9 Cell 2.8Ah Li-Ion Battery
Integrated Bluetooth PAN 2

After an awesome coupon I scrounged up from the depths of the ‘Net, it comes out to a total of $1032.20 before taxes.

Would you say this laptop meets (or maybe even exceeds? ) my needs? If so, about how long can I expect it to last me before it becomes obsolete?

Also, it’s not a big deal, but I saw some pictures of the 9-cell battery. It looks quite ugly sticking out of the back of the computer, and I’m wondering if it’s worth getting the 6-cell instead, as I will be taking this laptop out with me quite often. On that note, can you possibly provide any data on how long the two batteries last, and under what load?

Lastly, I found out that the ThinkPads were refreshed with better hardware in January. Should I wait before getting mine to see if they upgrade them again in 2011, or is it safe to buy myself one as an early Christmas present?

Thanks for your time! Hope you’re able to answer my questions.