Lenovo Thinkpad for Photoshop

Does anyone happen to have experience with running CS5 on a 64bit ThinkPad with 8g of RAM?

And please, gang, I'm not interested in recommendations for Apples or Dell or any other brand. Why? I really like the Trackpoint.

Here are the specs of the model I'm thinking of buying. I'll use it with an external monitor.

Thanks in advance for comments.

ThinkPad X201
Intel Core i7-620M Processor (2.66GHz, 4MB L3, 1066MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
12.1" WXGA LED Panel, 2x2 UltraConnect II antenna; with Camera and Wireless Broadband Upgradeable
Intel HD Graphics
8 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
TrackPoint; 500 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm; ThinkPad X200 Series 9 cell Li-Ion Battery; Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 (2x2 AGN) Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable

Hi Lance, I had a Thinkpad awhile ago, and also liked the Trackpoint a lot. I found later on, though, that it was extremely difficult to use in photo editing - so I got a Wacom Tablet. After a short learning curve, I found the fine control for editing to be invaluable.
I don't like the touch pads on most of the laptops these days, and use a small "laptop size" external mouse instead.
Just my experience and 2 cents..

Sandy

Thanks, Sandy. I'm very comfortable with using the Trackpoint for photo editing.

Hi Lance,
I had a Lenovo ThinkPad W700 (P/N2757CTO) 64-bit 6GB RAM (2008-2009 vintage) that I used to run CS-5, LR3 and NIK plug-ins. (I said had since it was stolen from my car the day we closed on our new home last month). I used it just for my photography and it was a fantastic (monster) machine - fast processing images and high quality graphics. Specs - Built in color calibrator Pantone Color Sensor, 17 in WUXGA 1920x1200, 1GB nVIDIA Quadro FX3700M, DVD-RW, Intel 5300 Wireless, Bluetooth/Modem, Fingerprint Reader and Secure Chip (which basically makes it a brick to the thief who stole it) dual 320GB 7200RPM RAID-1 hard drives, WACOM Digitizer w/stylus. I really enjoyed using this machine which was extremely fast but quite heavy (~9lbs).

I plan on replacing it with the newer W701ds this time with LoJack. If interested here are the specs (roughly since I have not purchased it yet and waiting for insurance check):

P/N 4323CTO
Intel Core i7-820QM 8M cache, 1.73GHz
Windows 7 Professional 64
17" WUXGA RGB-LED-BL + 10.6"WXGA LED-BL
NVIDIA Quadro FX 2800M 96 CUDA parallel processor 1 GB (dedicated)
8GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1.333 MHz SODIMM Memory (2DIMM)
Compact Flash Expansion Slot + Express Card
Either dual 320GB 7200rpm RAID enabled hard Drives OR dual SS 128GB RAID enabled drives
Camera
Secure Chip (standard in the W701 series) + Fingerprint Reader + LoJack + Pantone Color Sensor + WACOM Digitizer and Stylus
Intel 6250+WiMax

BTW - I would add some security options to your machine - fingerprint reader + LoJack especially if you use it for business.

Hope this helps.
Eva

Lance,

The specs look good for what you want to do, except for the screen size: 12.1 inch is way too small for editing. Get the biggest screen you can afford. Also a dedicated video card, such as the one Eva has spec'd, is a very good idea.

I used a mouse for a long time for editing. I finally purchased a 'small' size Intuos-4 grahics pad, with pen and cordless mouse. I will never go back to mouse for Photo Shop work.

--P

Thanks Eva and Preston.

I don't plan on using it for editing. On the road, I use it for storage and culling. At home, I'll attach a calibrated external monitor to it.

That's a great tip on the dedicated video card.

If money is not a problem, try checking out HP Elitebook with Dream Color Screen - perhaps the bestest screen money can buy today which displays 1 Billion Colors. A 24" inch monitor only with Dream Color Screen sells for close to $ 2K +. I don't know if Elitebook supports your critical issue of trackpoint.

I just purchased an X201 64 bit core i7 home premium win 7 running CS5 and LR 3.3 with 4MB ram. Monitor needs to be calibrated but otherwise amazing. At 3 pounds with the light battery, a dream machine. cost me $1400 from Lenovo with high end wiFi, blue tooth, touchpad, card reader, 3 year warranty and more. I plan to get another 4MB ram soon. But so far no need. I am very pleased; much nicer than previous Dell products.

I looked at the X201, but opted for the W510. Mostly because I could get a beefier processor and video card, plus a 95% gamut screen, for quite a bit less. The screen was important to me. I also love the trackpoint. It is, of course, bigger than the X201 by a long shot! If you're not going to do editing though, the smallness might not affect your choice so much. Just my two cents - price+specs. If price is not a big issue, you could get a beefier X201, might have to forego the more color friendly screen. I recently used my previous Thinkpad just to view/show some photos, and I could really see the difference in color gamut - and it was calibrated, just not up to the task. I have also read reviews about the W510/W7xx not being as durable - failing early, maybe because they generate a lot of heat!

Good luck, I'm sure you'll enjoy any new Thinkpad :-)

That's great news, David!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow. Music to my ears. Thank you!

Linnet, thanks. I do want to go with smaller and lighter.

David's comments seal the deal.

I have Thinkpad also. Had all the way from T20s till now.
However recently with later one I have T410 I have problem with docking station which drive me nuts.
The biggest issue is that laptop screen brightens and colours have nothing to do with reality. All is simply way to bright. I have set all default IBM settings.
I had to attach external screen to see more realistic colours.
Performance wise things work.