Windows 8 Developer Preview running on Lenovo ThinkPad W520

Posted by Paul Braren on Sep 14 2011 (updated on Oct 18 2012) in
  • Mobile
  • Windows

    • So far, so good, after kicking the tires for a bit.  Pretty too.

    I plan to demonstrate some rather impressive boot speeds, and show the difference between the new fast reboot and the Windows 7 regular reboot.

    Sep 16, 2011 Update:
    The video has now arrived, see TinkerTry.com/windows8boottime

    windows8onw520
    windows8onw520-lockupscreen

    Sep 07 2012 Update:

    Windows 8 x64 RTM testing is going well, for 3 weeks now, but the August 15 2012 video driver from Lenovo's Windows 8 Beta Driver site is a bit finicky, since it only works in NVIDIA Optimus mode, so I cannot see video output on my external monitor until Windows is booted. More details to follow.

    If I unplug my beautiful Nixeus monitor that is DisplayPort-cable-connected to my W520, I get a BSOD. But I can power off the monitor with its power switch with no such worries, and suspending and resuming while docked work fine.

    Oct 18 2012 Update:
    Well, NVIDIA Optimus Display Driver 9.18.13.0614 now released from Lenovo here:
    support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS032114
    but here's the strange thing. Works great in Optimus mode, laptop standalone, or hooked up to external DVI (1920x1080) and DisplayPort (2560x144). Also works in Discreet video model (same cabled external monitors). Not so great as laptop standalone in Discreet mode though, as it hangs solid soon after Windows 8 finishes booting. Same complaint that goes back a long way. Hmm...

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    Necessity to sunset SuperServer Bundles

    SuperServers These systems still work great for many even 9+ years later, mine included, even with (unsupported) vSphere 8 and Windows 11 Version 21H2. But unless you added the optional TPM module, it may be the end of the line as far as repurposing them for running the latest Windows 11 Version 24H2 and beyond.

    After 6 successful years testing then shipping well over 1,000 Xeon D Bundles, Wiredzone had to stop SuperServer bundles in mid-2021 due to cost, supply, and logistics challenges. Bare bones system sales continued for years longer.

    What's next in 2025? I don't yet have my answer for my home lab, especially now that VCF certification is required to keep non-production home lab licenses going, even as a vExpert and VMUG Advantage EVALExperience customer.

    As for a SuperServer follow-on, the Xeon D-1700/2700 (Ice Lake D) was a minor refresh for 2023, with Xeon D-1800/2800 (Granite Rapids D) refresh slightly better in 2024, and hopefully Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-D) much better in 2025 featuring PCIe Gen5, MCRDIMMs, and 100GbE networking, wow! Feb. 27 2025 update update looks promising, but pricey. Infortunately, it's become clear to me that Supermicro is less focuses on the mini-tower form factor these days.

    As for the CPU industry, it's unfortunate that Pat Gelsinger was apparently ousted from Intel's helm in these challenging times, but I'm also grateful to have had the honor of working at VMware when he was the CIO there. I'll leave it at that, given the whole Broadcom thing.