Lenovo ThinkPad W530

Lenovo ThinkPad W530 Review

Lenovo's ThinkPad W series of workstation-class notebooks have long been a compelling choice for mobile business users who are willing to sacrifice a little portability for a lot of power. The new 15-inch W530 features an Ivy Bridge processor and a brand-new island-style keyboard while maintaining the power and flexibility of prior generation W series. If you're looking for a heavy-duty performer for serious work, this $1,599 system definitely fits the bill.Click to EnlargeThe Lenovo ThinkPad W530 sports the classic all-black aesthetic that ThinkPad fans will love and detractors may decry as dated. For our part, we appreciate tried-and-true design elements such as the soft-touch carbon fiber black lid, the matte black deck and sides and glass-fiber reinforced plastic bottom. Befitting a business notebook, the only accents are the green status lights and the bright red TrackPoint pointing stick. Under its skin, the W530 sports a magnesium roll cage that protects against drops.At 9.65 x 14.67 x 1.4-inches and 5.8 pounds (with its default 6-cell battery), the W530 isn't particularly thin or light, but it is portable enough for those who require this level of performance.