W520 the right computer for heavy statistical computing?

Hello,
I will be starting a graduate program that requires heavy statistical programming. I was looking at laptops that would have the right processing power. The W520 seems to fit the requirements and with the sale on currently I could get a really good one for around $1600. But I see a lot of potential problems listed on this forum. Would you still recommend it or should I look at an equivalent Toshiba or HP option?
Thanks for your help.

Stats, I wouldn't buy a W-series ThinkPad without it being on the market for several months to see if it has any significant problems. That's because Lenovo has had problems with pre-release testing for the past two generations of W5XX machines (see here, for example). But that's a good practice to follow when selecting any new computer.
The new Ivy Bridge processors don't significantly increase raw processing power, but they DO significantly REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF HEAT produced. That, in turn, effectively gives you significantly more processing power, because then a 15" laptop won't have to throttle back clock speed as much to prevent overheating. Plus cooler electronics live longer.
The same goes for the new mid-level graphics processors from Nvidia (i.e., their Kepler-based processors), which is what the new W5XX would likely use. So if you want to run CUDA or OpenCL-based programs that run on the GPU and greatly speed up processing (Mathematica being one major such program), then this may be a significant benefit to you.
17" laptops that have dual-fan cooling systems (one heatsink assembly and fan for the CPU, and then another for the GPU) provide more performance than 15" machines, because they're better able to cool the fastest processors. Lenovo used to produce 17" ThinkPads, but no longer does so. I'm not saying that you want to lug a 17" machine around, but this puts the 15" machines in perspective.
Intel's Thunderbolt interface, currently only available on Macs, will also be supported by Ivy Bridge, although not all manufacturers will implement it in their laptops. Lenovo is investigating whether to do so at last report, but hasn't yet publicly committed one way or another. Thunderbolt is significantly advanced over USB 3.0, although it's more likely to augment vs. replace USB 3.0 in the near term (in fact, some machines may provide USB 3.0 implemented through Thunderbolt).
Many of the new Intel/Nvidia processors will be released by the end of April. Laptop manufacturers will offer machines based on those processors in time for the back-to-school selling season, and earlier in some cases.
In any case, being a student, you're going to want a machine that will last you hopefully through your degree program. So you want something that you know is reliable, and that has enough performance to be effective throughout that period. Buy a warranty that will last through your degree program. I prefer buying on-site service with the warranty, because it provides faster and often more reliable repairs than depot service. Be sure to check out the discounted laptop pricing provided to your university. Plus your school may have a site license for Microsoft software and antivirus software that provides those things to you for free. I don't recommend the W520 to my clients for use in production environments, because of the spontaneous shutdown problem that Lenovo has failed to solve, and which can cause data loss. But your requirements may differ.
I'm an electrical and computer engineer, and have purchased, used and recommended many ThinkPads as well as desktops/laptops/servers from other manufacturers. I'm typing this on a ThinkPad, and have two other ThinkPads plus a couple of other laptops and a desktop from other manufacturers here that I use. Plus I've helped many new college students choose and setup their laptops for school (many of them ThinkPads), often on a consulting basis.
Good luck!
P.S. - FWIW, it's since been widely reported that new ThinkPad models T430, T430i, T530, T530i, W530, X230 and X230i have received PTCRB certification, which is for GSM/UMTS-equipped wireless devices.

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W520 the right computer for heavy statistical computing?

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