It was good for Lenovo to start adding more features to their 15" models apart from the screen. Comparing to older systems like The T60p and T500 that certainly wasn't the case.
The W550s is exactly the same machine.. with the addition of a dedicated graphics card. If you’re not sure you need a gpu, the T550 is sufficient. One is a mobile workstation and the other reviewed here, is a true desktop replacement.
perfect machine ; i still don't know what were lenovo thinking with the 768p screens in that era , and 3K is too much for such a laptop size ; 1080p / 2K should be the way to go
I've always wished Lenovo released modern 17 inch versions of thinkpads, with U & H series Intel options and branded as a T series. Nothing like a workstation, such as the W700 series but just a _larger_ variant of the T550.
@@LaptopRetrospective There's very few in that very few that interest me. The Envy 17 looks good... but it doesn't feel like the Envy 15. Envy 15 is supposedly a MBP 16" competitor, and the Envy 13 is like a Dell XPS 13 competitor. The 17 just seems fit for lifestyle usage and light gaming since it uses MX series dGPUs. I wish it was upgraded in some aspects though.
If you still have the machine, you should pop the 2242 SSD out and put it in the WWAN slot to see if it works. On my T450s, I do have an SATA 2242 SSD in the WWAN slot. However, there's a slight BIOS bug. I have both HDD + SVR passwords on both drives. When I reboot, the BIOS will not accept any password. I have to turn the machine off and on for it to accept the HDD password. Thanks for this video. I think I'll keep my eyes out for a deal on a higher res T550. Need the desktop space for the software I use. QHD on a 14" screen is too small for me to read comfortably.
Agree with that last point, my T460s with a QHD screen was the first time I had to make use of Windows 10's display scaling feature, setting it to 125% made for a comfortable yet expansive experience, with an effective screen estate of just north of 1080p.
Unrelated Fun fact: The white display specs at 1:29 were on screen long enough to burn into my x230 IPS display. Took like one minute until it disappeared. I wonder why the IPS displays on the x230 had this "ghosting issue" (for a lack of a better word)...
I still think that an extra m.2 slot is not enough considering how bigger this is compared to a T450. I mean, it could've fit a bigger internal battery (it is the same), or a second fan, or a better cooling system for a M or H series processor, even a second 2,5 storage bay could fit in there without affecting the rest.
@@LaptopRetrospective yeah, good point, the battery and touchpad are the same in every ThinkPad of the 5th gen iirc. But this shares the same chassis as the W550s, maybe they could afford to do something different.
Is there something wrong with your camera? For most of the video the laptop looks out of focus to me (viewing at 1080p). The foreground is somewhat sharper than the background, but overall still seems to be out of focus. B-Roll looks somewhat better. I thought there was something wrong with my monitor ...
No, the fault is mine. The lens on my camera has a somewhat narrow focal length and bigger laptops are harder to get the focus perfect. I'm on the hunt for ways to improve my film space and lens.
The T450 had a third m.2 slot as an option if I recall correctly but wasn't a feature on all models. I believe it was only present on configurations with an SSD from the factory?
Ah yes, if you count the 2.5" bay then it can do two. The T550 can do three. Be sure to check the configuration carefully as some of those m.2 slots will only take single sided units.
The keyboard on this one can be removed without removing the tabs (I don't know how to call these tiny things that are impossible to remove without damaging them) under the battery like in the T450?
Tell me please, what maximal size of ssd m2 support this notebook? I buyed transcend 480gd to m2. I have win7. I,m autodiagnost. I need win7. But now i have broblems. Chipset don,t installing. I thin may be that ssd trancend is too big or not supported.
good morning. excellent description of this team. Congratulations. I bought a few days ago a lenovo thinkpad t550 i5 5200U, 16 gb (2x8Gb) I wanted to ask you, if this pc can install a video or graphics card and if it is possible where it is installed. in order to edit video for streaming and transmitting online. or it is not necessary to insert a video card. I appreciate your help and explanation. Greetings from Colombia.
You're not installing a dgpu as any dgpu options with this computer are soldered onto the motherboard like most laptops. I haven't heard of anyone using a eGPU with one since it doesn't have any parts that easily facilitate one.
Hi, my t550 graphics card is not working and I wanted to replace it but I believe it cant be separated from the motherboard so I will need to replace the motherboard. My question is will any mother board be compatible. I've seen i5 and i7 and different versions on ebay. Any advice please?
I think the heatsink will also be different so if you are getting another motherboard, make sure it comes with a heatsink just in case. You can check the hardware maintenance manual to be sure.
If I ever get another 15", I'd want an optical drive since the laptop would already be too big and heavy to carry, except from one room to the next. That way I could at least watch DVDs, ha ha. In between crunching numbers, taking advantage of the num pad.
@@LaptopRetrospective I've been doing some decluttering this past year, donating what few DVDs I still have. I still have a USB optical drive in case I come across old CDs or DVDs. But for the most part, discs have gone the way of floppies. ETA: I should mention that I got rid of my TV over a decade ago, so the USB optical drive is the only way I can watch DVDs, and some TV series and movies aren't available on the streaming platforms.
@@doopydoopydoopy whilst the sk-8835 looks good on paper, that keyboard doesn't feel like a proper ThinkPad keyboard (from the reviews I've seen), is expensive and is lacking windows keys etc. I just want a w540 style keyboard in a case with a usb connection. I would probably pay $200 for something like that, seriously.
I wish I knew how to program teensyduinos and how to 3d print nice cases. I'm sure it'd be possible to buy a w540 keyboard and make your own usb keyboard, with a lot of work.
Same cpu as the x1 carbon 3rd gen, but damn that upgradable ram.... Defo a game changer, and the two ssds, perfect for Linux/win10 dual boot Edit: Any idea what a good UK price wud be for one of these anyone?
I could get one of these from Walmart for $670 with an Intel Core i7 2.60 GHz 16GB Ram 512GB SSD W10P, is it worth it today in your opinion? I’m college student that wants a long lasting, fast, laptop. Thank you!
@@LaptopRetrospective should be great docked at home. But really. Was even considering getting an x220,x230. But since my new processor (i7 4700mq) is arriving soon. I have zero reason to get a smaller laptop or bigger one. I hope Lenovo realises what we need and makes a modern laptop as good as the t440p....one can dream tho 😂
This was my 1st Thinkpad and it works great. It's a very big laptop considering the current market but I love it.
Pretty great machine to be your first, well done.
It was good for Lenovo to start adding more features to their 15" models apart from the screen. Comparing to older systems like The T60p and T500 that certainly wasn't the case.
Yeah, lessons learned for that extra space.
The W550s is exactly the same machine.. with the addition of a dedicated graphics card. If you’re not sure you need a gpu, the T550 is sufficient. One is a mobile workstation and the other reviewed here, is a true desktop replacement.
I hope one day to view more W series on the channel, they aren't common around here.
perfect machine ; i still don't know what were lenovo thinking with the 768p screens in that era , and 3K is too much for such a laptop size ; 1080p / 2K should be the way to go
Having a model for every price point I suspect was one of the goals.
@@LaptopRetrospective yeah exactly that was the weird point . great content BTW
Thanks!
Love your thinkpad content. never stop
Thank you, I will do my best.
T550 is… W550s's cheaper brother without nVidia Quadro. Both are quite rare, yet still capable of doing daily tasks in 2021
Very capable indeed!
@@LaptopRetrospective Considering T440p/T540p have CPUs twice as fast, they are better choice.
I've always been more of a 15 inch thinkpad kinda guy. In fact all the laptops I've ever owned were 15 inch.
I've only ever owned one 15", after 12-13" machines, I don't think I'll ever go back.
Most people have a portable and then a bigger laptop takes the place of a desktop PC.
I've always wished Lenovo released modern 17 inch versions of thinkpads, with U & H series Intel options and branded as a T series. Nothing like a workstation, such as the W700 series but just a _larger_ variant of the T550.
Probably a niche market for those. Very few 17" computers these days outside of gaming rigs or workstations.
@@LaptopRetrospective There's very few in that very few that interest me. The Envy 17 looks good... but it doesn't feel like the Envy 15. Envy 15 is supposedly a MBP 16" competitor, and the Envy 13 is like a Dell XPS 13 competitor. The 17 just seems fit for lifestyle usage and light gaming since it uses MX series dGPUs. I wish it was upgraded in some aspects though.
Yeah, mobile gaming with a small screen isn't the best.
If you still have the machine, you should pop the 2242 SSD out and put it in the WWAN slot to see if it works. On my T450s, I do have an SATA 2242 SSD in the WWAN slot. However, there's a slight BIOS bug. I have both HDD + SVR passwords on both drives. When I reboot, the BIOS will not accept any password. I have to turn the machine off and on for it to accept the HDD password.
Thanks for this video. I think I'll keep my eyes out for a deal on a higher res T550. Need the desktop space for the software I use. QHD on a 14" screen is too small for me to read comfortably.
Agree with that last point, my T460s with a QHD screen was the first time I had to make use of Windows 10's display scaling feature, setting it to 125% made for a comfortable yet expansive experience, with an effective screen estate of just north of 1080p.
Sadly I didn't have the unit for very long so I didn't have time to tinker much.
Unrelated Fun fact: The white display specs at 1:29 were on screen long enough to burn into my x230 IPS display. Took like one minute until it disappeared. I wonder why the IPS displays on the x230 had this "ghosting issue" (for a lack of a better word)...
If it is an original IPS screen, I've heard of them having issues like that, especially as they age.
I still think that an extra m.2 slot is not enough considering how bigger this is compared to a T450. I mean, it could've fit a bigger internal battery (it is the same), or a second fan, or a better cooling system for a M or H series processor, even a second 2,5 storage bay could fit in there without affecting the rest.
Perhaps, it would mean a redesign of the chassis and less common parts so an increase in price.
@@LaptopRetrospective yeah, good point, the battery and touchpad are the same in every ThinkPad of the 5th gen iirc. But this shares the same chassis as the W550s, maybe they could afford to do something different.
Maybe, I have a feeling they didn't sell many of these if the used market is a good indicator.
Is there something wrong with your camera? For most of the video the laptop looks out of focus to me (viewing at 1080p). The foreground is somewhat sharper than the background, but overall still seems to be out of focus. B-Roll looks somewhat better. I thought there was something wrong with my monitor ...
No, the fault is mine. The lens on my camera has a somewhat narrow focal length and bigger laptops are harder to get the focus perfect. I'm on the hunt for ways to improve my film space and lens.
Have you thought about downgrading to windows 8.1?
I'd sooner run Tiny11 or Linux than Windows 8.
Since the thinkpad t450 has the same processor and configuration as this t550, does the t450 also support twoo ssd drives?
The T450 had a third m.2 slot as an option if I recall correctly but wasn't a feature on all models. I believe it was only present on configurations with an SSD from the factory?
@@LaptopRetrospective normal sata 3 ssd
Ah yes, if you count the 2.5" bay then it can do two. The T550 can do three. Be sure to check the configuration carefully as some of those m.2 slots will only take single sided units.
@@LaptopRetrospective alright thanks
The keyboard on this one can be removed without removing the tabs (I don't know how to call these tiny things that are impossible to remove without damaging them) under the battery like in the T450?
I know the tabs you mean; the maintenance manual in the description doesn't show any tabs present if I recall correctly.
Good and interesting, but as usual almost twice the price of the equivalent T4XX series on ebay.
I found several that compared nicely against the T450.
Tell me please, what maximal size of ssd m2 support this notebook? I buyed transcend 480gd to m2. I have win7. I,m autodiagnost. I need win7.
But now i have broblems. Chipset don,t installing.
I thin may be that ssd trancend is too big or not supported.
Can you say exactly which drive you purchased?
good morning. excellent description of this team. Congratulations.
I bought a few days ago a lenovo thinkpad t550 i5 5200U, 16 gb (2x8Gb) I wanted to ask you, if this pc can install a video or graphics card and if it is possible where it is installed.
in order to edit video for streaming and transmitting online.
or it is not necessary to insert a video card.
I appreciate your help and explanation.
Greetings from Colombia.
You're not installing a dgpu as any dgpu options with this computer are soldered onto the motherboard like most laptops.
I haven't heard of anyone using a eGPU with one since it doesn't have any parts that easily facilitate one.
Hi, my t550 graphics card is not working and I wanted to replace it but I believe it cant be separated from the motherboard so I will need to replace the motherboard. My question is will any mother board be compatible. I've seen i5 and i7 and different versions on ebay. Any advice please?
I think the heatsink will also be different so if you are getting another motherboard, make sure it comes with a heatsink just in case. You can check the hardware maintenance manual to be sure.
I am searching for a method to charge the external backup battery for this model without having to connect it to the laptop.
Hmm, I think external battery chargers stopped being made after the X220 era of machines. I can't recall seeing one after.
Do you know a power bank as an alternative?
Theoretically might be possible but it would need to output the equivalent of a wall adapter since this era didn't have USB C power delivery.
This M.2 ports acept SATA M.2 SSD´s? or M.2 NVME SSD´s?
Standard M.2, not NVMe
If I ever get another 15", I'd want an optical drive since the laptop would already be too big and heavy to carry, except from one room to the next. That way I could at least watch DVDs, ha ha. In between crunching numbers, taking advantage of the num pad.
Fair enough. I'm trying to remember the last time I used a disc in a computer.
@@LaptopRetrospective I've been doing some decluttering this past year, donating what few DVDs I still have. I still have a USB optical drive in case I come across old CDs or DVDs. But for the most part, discs have gone the way of floppies.
ETA: I should mention that I got rid of my TV over a decade ago, so the USB optical drive is the only way I can watch DVDs, and some TV series and movies aren't available on the streaming platforms.
Ahh gotcha. Makes sense.
I don’t miss the optical drive and in the age of streaming media, I can’t recall when I ever used it. Its not on my 15” quad core MBP.
I wish you could buy a usb keyboard that gives you a ThinkPad keyboard with a numpad.
Yeah, they have them but not with the numpad.
@@LaptopRetrospective there is one with numpad ;)
Link?
@@doopydoopydoopy whilst the sk-8835 looks good on paper, that keyboard doesn't feel like a proper ThinkPad keyboard (from the reviews I've seen), is expensive and is lacking windows keys etc. I just want a w540 style keyboard in a case with a usb connection. I would probably pay $200 for something like that, seriously.
I wish I knew how to program teensyduinos and how to 3d print nice cases. I'm sure it'd be possible to buy a w540 keyboard and make your own usb keyboard, with a lot of work.
Same cpu as the x1 carbon 3rd gen, but damn that upgradable ram.... Defo a game changer, and the two ssds, perfect for Linux/win10 dual boot
Edit: Any idea what a good UK price wud be for one of these anyone?
Good question. 🤔
@@LaptopRetrospective I shall research n report back
@@LaptopRetrospective i5 no os and 500gb hdd... £300, eBay
How does that compare against a T450? Here the T550 was slightly cheaper but regional availability wrecks havoc with price.
@@LaptopRetrospective T450 average £230-250
Cheers
Right back at you. 👍
Hi, Can this laptop connect to two external monitors?
With the use of its docking station it should drive two external displays.
I could get one of these from Walmart for $670 with an Intel Core i7 2.60 GHz 16GB Ram 512GB SSD W10P, is it worth it today in your opinion? I’m college student that wants a long lasting, fast, laptop. Thank you!
Never bought anything from Walmart's marketplace, not sure how competitive the pricing is but it's a nice machine objectively speaking even today.
@@LaptopRetrospective thank you, I appreciate the help :)
You're welcome. Best of luck!
Is it still good to buy this model 2021?
Definitely.
Which one is best in your suggestion T450 or T550?
Really depends on what you want. 15" with numpad or 14" without.
T540p with 50-series touchpad.
That touchpad swap is really nice.
Lenovo 💪😍🤗🤗🤗🤗💥🔥🔥🔥
👍
Too big :( T440p hits the spot just right.
Yep, won't be for everyone.
@@LaptopRetrospective should be great docked at home. But really. Was even considering getting an x220,x230.
But since my new processor (i7 4700mq) is arriving soon. I have zero reason to get a smaller laptop or bigger one.
I hope Lenovo realises what we need and makes a modern laptop as good as the t440p....one can dream tho 😂
Many things to dream about in the realm of ThinkPad.
no obtical drive sucks ... i do not care about battery .
Everyone has unique needs and should select what will work for them. 👍
"Ultrabook"
Pretty far from one.
Sadly it isn't an agreed upon piece of terminology.