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News Lenovo Blogs: Inside the Box
2011-04-21 16:38:
I know there has been confusion on the Lenovo Forums lately about whether our latest generation of ThinkPad notebooks supports SATA 600 MB/s speed. The short answer is yes. Those who only want the short answer can stop reading here. We at Lenovo have not always taken advantage of the latest technology afforded by the [...]
SATA 3.0 600MB/s on ThinkPad Notebooks
I know there has been confusion on the Lenovo Forums lately about whether our latest generation of ThinkPad notebooks supports SATA 600 MB/s speed. The short answer is yes. Those who only want the short answer can stop reading here. We at Lenovo have not always taken advantage of the latest technology afforded by the [...]
2011-03-03 22:00:
Well, yesterday’s post on the TrackPoint certainly seemed to strike a nerve with some people. And 81 comments later, I am sitting here in amazement at the sheer level of loyalty and devotion my readers have for the DNA of the ThinkPad brand. Let’s get one thing out of the way: I never once discussed [...]
TrackPoint P.S. ? Thanks, and fear not!
Well, yesterday’s post on the TrackPoint certainly seemed to strike a nerve with some people. And 81 comments later, I am sitting here in amazement at the sheer level of loyalty and devotion my readers have for the DNA of the ThinkPad brand. Let’s get one thing out of the way: I never once discussed [...]
2011-03-02 14:17:
I haven?t forgotten my promise to write about 5th generation Owl Blade technology. This topic is weighing on me this morning, so I’m going to go with it. I?m wondering if it is time for me to give up using a TrackPoint in favor of (gasp!) a touch pad. Five years ago I would never [...]
Time to give up TrackPoint?
I haven?t forgotten my promise to write about 5th generation Owl Blade technology. This topic is weighing on me this morning, so I’m going to go with it. I?m wondering if it is time for me to give up using a TrackPoint in favor of (gasp!) a touch pad. Five years ago I would never [...]
2011-02-23 04:40:
I have been alternately looking forward and dreading today?s announcements. Even though I confirmed some specs about the ThinkPad T420s in this thread during the CES timeframe, I knew there would be considerable backlash about our final move to 16:9 displays. I know many are unhappy, and over the years, we?ve been through this here. [...]
ThinkPad T420s
I have been alternately looking forward and dreading today?s announcements. Even though I confirmed some specs about the ThinkPad T420s in this thread during the CES timeframe, I knew there would be considerable backlash about our final move to 16:9 displays. I know many are unhappy, and over the years, we?ve been through this here. [...]
2010-12-23 02:34:
We may be able to slow it down, but we can never contain, control or comprehend it. It?s the machines? market now; we just trade in it. — Wired Magazine ? Bull vs. Bear vs. Bot, Jan 2011 The above quote comes from January?s dead tree version of Wired Magazine in a multi-page featurette on [...]
Your Next PC Will Be Designed by a Computer
We may be able to slow it down, but we can never contain, control or comprehend it. It?s the machines? market now; we just trade in it. — Wired Magazine ? Bull vs. Bear vs. Bot, Jan 2011 The above quote comes from January?s dead tree version of Wired Magazine in a multi-page featurette on [...]
2010-12-09 14:42:
Now is the time of year when many people write predictions for 2011. Here are mine: USB 3.0 ? This is the year that USB 3.0 appears on many notebooks. End users will shop for it, but no one will actually have anything useful to connect to the standard. This will be a useful technology that [...]
Predictions For 2011
Now is the time of year when many people write predictions for 2011. Here are mine: USB 3.0 ? This is the year that USB 3.0 appears on many notebooks. End users will shop for it, but no one will actually have anything useful to connect to the standard. This will be a useful technology that [...]
2010-10-06 22:56:
It has been a while since I have posted. I?m sorry. I was cleaning up some old files yesterday and came across a lot of folders with last modified dates of August 19. I realized that August 19 was the day I switched over to Windows 7. One year later, I still love the operating system, [...]
Windows 7 ? One Year Later
It has been a while since I have posted. I?m sorry. I was cleaning up some old files yesterday and came across a lot of folders with last modified dates of August 19. I realized that August 19 was the day I switched over to Windows 7. One year later, I still love the operating system, [...]
2010-07-07 22:03:
When Windows 7 launched last Autumn, our Performance Engineer, John Mese was kind enough to come on camera with me and discuss Lenovo?s Enhanced Experience, our high performance Windows 7 preload. We talked briefly about UEFI, and John mentioned that it offered significant advantages for future PCs. Speed is one of these advantages. In the 3 [...]
UEFI ?BIOS?
When Windows 7 launched last Autumn, our Performance Engineer, John Mese was kind enough to come on camera with me and discuss Lenovo?s Enhanced Experience, our high performance Windows 7 preload. We talked briefly about UEFI, and John mentioned that it offered significant advantages for future PCs. Speed is one of these advantages. In the 3 [...]
2010-06-08 22:33:
One of our Twitter followers let us know that people seem to be having problems posting comments to this blog. I had suspected that was the case when I wrote 3 posts with exactly zero comments, but thought that perhaps I had poisoned my own well by having some long gaps between postings. There is no conspiracy [...]
Blog Comments
One of our Twitter followers let us know that people seem to be having problems posting comments to this blog. I had suspected that was the case when I wrote 3 posts with exactly zero comments, but thought that perhaps I had poisoned my own well by having some long gaps between postings. There is no conspiracy [...]
2010-06-04 16:39:
I blogged last year about my experiences with the CSWR (Center for Severe Weather Research) ?storm chasing? team and our ThinkPad T400s. When I rode along with them, I abused a T400s notebook in the rain, dropped it, and then finally crushed it with a 10,000 lb. truck. It was a lot of fun, but not [...]
Storm Chasing Update
I blogged last year about my experiences with the CSWR (Center for Severe Weather Research) ?storm chasing? team and our ThinkPad T400s. When I rode along with them, I abused a T400s notebook in the rain, dropped it, and then finally crushed it with a 10,000 lb. truck. It was a lot of fun, but not [...]
2010-05-31 20:55:
I?m personally pleased that we have delayed our Skylight and IdeaPad U1 Hybrid systems. The world has changed a lot since CES in January and it isn?t just because of the iPad. Droids, Kindles, Facebook, and Evos all play a part. I am not happy with having to wait longer to own my own U1. I [...]
Delay is a Good Thing
I?m personally pleased that we have delayed our Skylight and IdeaPad U1 Hybrid systems. The world has changed a lot since CES in January and it isn?t just because of the iPad. Droids, Kindles, Facebook, and Evos all play a part. I am not happy with having to wait longer to own my own U1. I [...]
2010-03-24 00:59:
I participated in CNET?s Reporters? Roundtable with Rafe Needleman about two weeks ago. The topic was The Future of Laptops. While I encourage you to click the link and watch the segment, self-promotion isn?t why I am blogging today. After the show was over, one thing was readily apparent ? my video and audio quality were [...]
Getting High Performance from Lenovo Cameras
I participated in CNET?s Reporters? Roundtable with Rafe Needleman about two weeks ago. The topic was The Future of Laptops. While I encourage you to click the link and watch the segment, self-promotion isn?t why I am blogging today. After the show was over, one thing was readily apparent ? my video and audio quality were [...]
2010-03-08 21:47:
My dad is an avid user of his ThinkPad. Some time ago I got him a 15? T61p on sale and he?s been thrilled with it. He surfs the web almost nightly while watching Fox News and sometimes doesn?t go to bed until the battery runs down, which thanks to Power Manager, can be a [...]
Giving My Mom an Edge
My dad is an avid user of his ThinkPad. Some time ago I got him a 15? T61p on sale and he?s been thrilled with it. He surfs the web almost nightly while watching Fox News and sometimes doesn?t go to bed until the battery runs down, which thanks to Power Manager, can be a [...]
2010-02-19 05:19:
I have had a lot going on post-CES. Here is what I am thinking about these days: AC/DC Combo Adapter A few months we switched from the Slim AC/DC combo adapter to the next generation ULTRAslim AC/DC Combo Adapter. Our team made a lot of improvements. On DC power, you no longer need to carry the brick with [...]
Odds and Ends
I have had a lot going on post-CES. Here is what I am thinking about these days: AC/DC Combo Adapter A few months we switched from the Slim AC/DC combo adapter to the next generation ULTRAslim AC/DC Combo Adapter. Our team made a lot of improvements. On DC power, you no longer need to carry the brick with [...]
2010-01-10 00:39:
An internal assignment to consider the implications of competitor CES announcements with respect to Lenovo?s future strategy got me thinking about the implications of CES 2010. As a result, you get an unasked for bonus post. I was really impressed with the maturity and collaboration that went into our three star products of CES 2010. Though [...]
CES Wrap Up
An internal assignment to consider the implications of competitor CES announcements with respect to Lenovo?s future strategy got me thinking about the implications of CES 2010. As a result, you get an unasked for bonus post. I was really impressed with the maturity and collaboration that went into our three star products of CES 2010. Though [...]
2010-01-08 05:01:
When I first wrote about SSD technology on this blog about 2 years ago, I mentioned that we could expect to see hybrid SSD/HDD implementations in notebooks where you could use fast SSD flash memory for commonly accessed files and spinning drives for bulk storage. With our just announced Lenovo IdeaPad Y460 and Y560 notebooks, our [...]
Lenovo RapidDrive Technology
When I first wrote about SSD technology on this blog about 2 years ago, I mentioned that we could expect to see hybrid SSD/HDD implementations in notebooks where you could use fast SSD flash memory for commonly accessed files and spinning drives for bulk storage. With our just announced Lenovo IdeaPad Y460 and Y560 notebooks, our [...]
2010-01-07 05:01:
Compared to a scant 6 months ago, today Lenovo is awash in All in One PCs. There is no question that we see this category as a growth area. For anyone considering an All in One, allow me to present my compact guide to help you choose from our myriad of offerings. For those who have [...]
All in Ones for Everyone
Compared to a scant 6 months ago, today Lenovo is awash in All in One PCs. There is no question that we see this category as a growth area. For anyone considering an All in One, allow me to present my compact guide to help you choose from our myriad of offerings. For those who have [...]
2010-01-06 05:01:
I was wowed when I played with a prototype of this device. It is about the slickest piece of hardware I have seen in a very long time. It is one of those truly innovative products that I want to show off to everyone and makes me proud to be associated with Lenovo. Don?t underestimate [...]
IdeaPad U1 Hybrid Notebook
I was wowed when I played with a prototype of this device. It is about the slickest piece of hardware I have seen in a very long time. It is one of those truly innovative products that I want to show off to everyone and makes me proud to be associated with Lenovo. Don?t underestimate [...]
2010-01-05 05:57:
In my previous post I mentioned that we?d have offerings for those who wanted a ThinkPad in something other than a black, rectangular box. We have two of them which announced yesterday: the ThinkPads EDGE and X100e systems. In introducing these systems, we wanted to extend the appeal of ThinkPad while offering something that looks different [...]
ThinkPad EDGE and X100e
In my previous post I mentioned that we?d have offerings for those who wanted a ThinkPad in something other than a black, rectangular box. We have two of them which announced yesterday: the ThinkPads EDGE and X100e systems. In introducing these systems, we wanted to extend the appeal of ThinkPad while offering something that looks different [...]
2010-01-04 13:58:
I realize that many readers of this blog are first and foremost ThinkPad T Series fans, so how could I not talk about the new T Series first? Since a lot of information has already leaked out, most of this will not be a surprise, but nonetheless, these new ThinkPads are solid offerings. We just announced [...]
CES ? New ThinkPad Roundup
I realize that many readers of this blog are first and foremost ThinkPad T Series fans, so how could I not talk about the new T Series first? Since a lot of information has already leaked out, most of this will not be a surprise, but nonetheless, these new ThinkPads are solid offerings. We just announced [...]
2010-01-03 15:58:
Mark Hopkins has written a nice preview post of CES 2010 over on Lenovo Connections. I will be joining about 100 of my colleagues at CES starting tomorrow, January 4. In addition to posts on this blog, I will also be participating in a special Lenovo CES micro site to be unveiled in the next [...]
CES 2010
Mark Hopkins has written a nice preview post of CES 2010 over on Lenovo Connections. I will be joining about 100 of my colleagues at CES starting tomorrow, January 4. In addition to posts on this blog, I will also be participating in a special Lenovo CES micro site to be unveiled in the next [...]
2009-11-11 03:51:
I am retiring yet another venerable workhorse this week. I first got my IBM High Rate Wireless LAN Gateway in late 2001 and have been using it non-stop ever since. This was back in the heady days of wireless when 802.11b was the hottest thing going, with 802.11a on the horizon. With my ThinkPad T23 (one [...]
IdeaCentre D400 Home Server
I am retiring yet another venerable workhorse this week. I first got my IBM High Rate Wireless LAN Gateway in late 2001 and have been using it non-stop ever since. This was back in the heady days of wireless when 802.11b was the hottest thing going, with 802.11a on the horizon. With my ThinkPad T23 (one [...]
2009-10-22 14:12:
Today is a huge day for the PC industry. A lot will be said and written today by many journalists, bloggers, and vendors. Here on insidethebox, we’d like to try something a little bit different. As I promised after the last Windows 7 Enhanced Experience post, we are following it up with a second installment. We also know [...]
Windows 7 Enhanced Experience Launch
Today is a huge day for the PC industry. A lot will be said and written today by many journalists, bloggers, and vendors. Here on insidethebox, we’d like to try something a little bit different. As I promised after the last Windows 7 Enhanced Experience post, we are following it up with a second installment. We also know [...]
2009-10-01 21:22:
Today I’d like to introduce Howard Locker and Kevin Beck as guests to this blog. You may have noticed in the press that Lenovo is promoting an “Enhanced Experience” if you use Windows 7 on Lenovo hardware. This has been the result of thousands of hours of Lenovo engineers working closely with Microsoft to make [...]
Follow up to Windows 7 = Speed. Learn How We Accomplished It.
Today I’d like to introduce Howard Locker and Kevin Beck as guests to this blog. You may have noticed in the press that Lenovo is promoting an “Enhanced Experience” if you use Windows 7 on Lenovo hardware. This has been the result of thousands of hours of Lenovo engineers working closely with Microsoft to make [...]
2009-09-28 08:59:
Let?s face it. Other than machines like the ThinkPad W700, Lenovo machines aren?t known for their speed. Most of the time the reviews I read say ?average performer? or some variant thereof. Many of our business customers don?t care about benchmarks as Microsoft Office is fast enough as it is. But nearly everyone wants faster boot [...]
Lenovo + Windows 7 = Speed
Let?s face it. Other than machines like the ThinkPad W700, Lenovo machines aren?t known for their speed. Most of the time the reviews I read say ?average performer? or some variant thereof. Many of our business customers don?t care about benchmarks as Microsoft Office is fast enough as it is. But nearly everyone wants faster boot [...]
2009-08-26 03:20:
Fall class is in session. Since last year?s 201 class, there have been new developments worth talking about. If you need a remedial docking course, you can check out Docking 101 and Docking 201. Remember that I use ?docking? as a generic term to mean a way to expand the capabilities of your notebook system. [...]
Docking 301
Fall class is in session. Since last year?s 201 class, there have been new developments worth talking about. If you need a remedial docking course, you can check out Docking 101 and Docking 201. Remember that I use ?docking? as a generic term to mean a way to expand the capabilities of your notebook system. [...]
2009-08-07 02:59:
There is nothing like a good summer vacation to renew the soul, and it’s why I’ve not posted anything in the last few weeks. Now that Windows 7 has “gone gold” it seems like a good time to talk about Lenovo ThinkVantage Technologies and their relevance in Windows 7. But first, Lenovo would like readers [...]
Windows 7 and ThinkVantage Technologies
There is nothing like a good summer vacation to renew the soul, and it’s why I’ve not posted anything in the last few weeks. Now that Windows 7 has “gone gold” it seems like a good time to talk about Lenovo ThinkVantage Technologies and their relevance in Windows 7. But first, Lenovo would like readers [...]
2009-06-30 21:16:
I plan on getting back to the T400s, Windows 7, and ThinkVantage Technologies under Windows 7 soon. Today is a little less involved. You may or may not know that we have a trial program in place to remotely disable your notebook if it gets lost or stolen. Based on customer feedback and uptake, we’ll evaluate expanding the program [...]
Remote Disable (Lenovo Constant Secure)
I plan on getting back to the T400s, Windows 7, and ThinkVantage Technologies under Windows 7 soon. Today is a little less involved. You may or may not know that we have a trial program in place to remotely disable your notebook if it gets lost or stolen. Based on customer feedback and uptake, we’ll evaluate expanding the program [...]
2009-06-24 03:19:
I am somewhat surprised that the T400s stayed a secret as long as it did. Based on past launches, I expected to see information flooding the Internet about six months ago. As a commenter presciently declared, yes, I was alluding to the T400s several months ago when I mentioned that I was switching from my [...]
ThinkPad T400s Announced
I am somewhat surprised that the T400s stayed a secret as long as it did. Based on past launches, I expected to see information flooding the Internet about six months ago. As a commenter presciently declared, yes, I was alluding to the T400s several months ago when I mentioned that I was switching from my [...]
2009-06-18 01:28:
Yes, the ThinkPad T400s exists. I use it. I love it. A lot. For now, to complete the Tornado Chasing series of blog posts, I’d like to offer you two videos of the machine in action. We’ll talk specifics on the machine once our embargo lifts. We’re very proud of how our ThinkPads meet 8 US Military Grade standards [...]
ThinkPad T400s and Tornado Chasers
Yes, the ThinkPad T400s exists. I use it. I love it. A lot. For now, to complete the Tornado Chasing series of blog posts, I’d like to offer you two videos of the machine in action. We’ll talk specifics on the machine once our embargo lifts. We’re very proud of how our ThinkPads meet 8 US Military Grade standards [...]
2009-06-12 05:12:
As faithful readers may recall, I had the good fortune several weeks ago to meet with the Center for Severe Weather Research (CSWR) team as they embarked on the Vortex 2 project, a.k.a, the tornado chasers. If you’d like to go back and refresh your memory, I wrote here and here. At the time I [...]
A Day in the Life of a Storm Chaser
As faithful readers may recall, I had the good fortune several weeks ago to meet with the Center for Severe Weather Research (CSWR) team as they embarked on the Vortex 2 project, a.k.a, the tornado chasers. If you’d like to go back and refresh your memory, I wrote here and here. At the time I [...]
2009-06-01 06:01:
I normally try to shy away from the “press release” type of blog posts here, but this is too important. We are trying to get this message out quickly and clearly in a coordinated manner. Hence if you follow our forums and our other official channels of communication, you will see very similar text. The net [...]
ThinkVantage System Update Returns
I normally try to shy away from the “press release” type of blog posts here, but this is too important. We are trying to get this message out quickly and clearly in a coordinated manner. Hence if you follow our forums and our other official channels of communication, you will see very similar text. The net [...]
2009-05-12 14:02:
Today, more about the Vortex 2 project and how Lenovo is helping. DOW stands for Doppler on Wheels, an invention by Dr. Wurman. There are many powerful fixed Doppler radar installations located around the country. Your local TV station likely has one and likes to tell you at every opportunity how powerful theirs is. (I’m sure [...]
DOW ? Not Just a Chemical Company
Today, more about the Vortex 2 project and how Lenovo is helping. DOW stands for Doppler on Wheels, an invention by Dr. Wurman. There are many powerful fixed Doppler radar installations located around the country. Your local TV station likely has one and likes to tell you at every opportunity how powerful theirs is. (I’m sure [...]
2009-05-10 18:50:
Many among us have seen and have been fascinated by the movie Twister. (Probably the most memorable scene was the cow flying by.) Scientists know the basic science behind tornados, but there is much they still do not know. For example, they know tornados form from super cells, but they don’t know why some super [...]
Storm Chasing
Many among us have seen and have been fascinated by the movie Twister. (Probably the most memorable scene was the cow flying by.) Scientists know the basic science behind tornados, but there is much they still do not know. For example, they know tornados form from super cells, but they don’t know why some super [...]
2009-05-05 15:45:
Have you ever felt like a rock star? One evening about four years ago, I was with some coworkers at a sales kickoff in Florida. We were having dinner at a local restaurant, and periodically some ladies at the next table looked over. Finally, one approached and asked, “Aren’t you Matt Kohut? ?” Four male [...]
New Lenovo Blog ? Education
Have you ever felt like a rock star? One evening about four years ago, I was with some coworkers at a sales kickoff in Florida. We were having dinner at a local restaurant, and periodically some ladies at the next table looked over. Finally, one approached and asked, “Aren’t you Matt Kohut? ?” Four male [...]
2009-04-29 15:04:
If you are a company who does not want to end up on the front page of the Wall Street Journal for bad reasons (who does?), then you need to encrypt the data on your company’s hard disk drives. Many IT shops recognize this as something they should do, but seldom get around to it. [...]
Lenovo Hardware Password Manager
If you are a company who does not want to end up on the front page of the Wall Street Journal for bad reasons (who does?), then you need to encrypt the data on your company’s hard disk drives. Many IT shops recognize this as something they should do, but seldom get around to it. [...]
2009-04-15 04:23:
I stated in my last post that the industry is going to go through yet another display ratio change over the next year or so. For years we've had 4:3 “square” displays. These have all but disappeared from the market as the current standard is 16:10 “wide.” The industry is about to move yet again to true [...]
Display Ratio Change (again)
I stated in my last post that the industry is going to go through yet another display ratio change over the next year or so. For years we've had 4:3 “square” displays. These have all but disappeared from the market as the current standard is 16:10 “wide.” The industry is about to move yet again to true [...]
2009-04-07 22:19:
I had to put an old friend down last week. She’s served me well, but she started to bite me (literally). I hated to do it, but in a job like mine, vanity and image is everything. As I shut her down for the last time, I did so with a heavy heart. Her replacement seems [...]
End of the Road for an Old Friend
I had to put an old friend down last week. She’s served me well, but she started to bite me (literally). I hated to do it, but in a job like mine, vanity and image is everything. As I shut her down for the last time, I did so with a heavy heart. Her replacement seems [...]
2009-03-23 20:31:
Interesting announcement last week from one of our competitors offering what I think is the industry’s first three-year battery. If the battery fails during its three year lifecycle, you are allowed one replacement. (Most standard warranties offer one year battery replacement coverage.) Today this three-year battery is a consumer notebook option, but will likely become [...]
3 Year Batteries
Interesting announcement last week from one of our competitors offering what I think is the industry’s first three-year battery. If the battery fails during its three year lifecycle, you are allowed one replacement. (Most standard warranties offer one year battery replacement coverage.) Today this three-year battery is a consumer notebook option, but will likely become [...]
2009-03-16 20:19:
I’ve really enjoyed reading all of your comments from my last post on Windows 7. Our software team has as well. It is clear that everyone has a different opinion on the utility of our ThinkVantage software, though there are clearly a few favorites. As you might have read on Yamato Thinking, Lenovo Power Manager has [...]
More on Windows 7 + In Flight Netbooks
I’ve really enjoyed reading all of your comments from my last post on Windows 7. Our software team has as well. It is clear that everyone has a different opinion on the utility of our ThinkVantage software, though there are clearly a few favorites. As you might have read on Yamato Thinking, Lenovo Power Manager has [...]
2009-02-26 22:38:
You’re going to want Windows 7. It’s that good. The more I use it, the more I like it. I won’t rehash it here. You can read about it in innumerable places. You don’t even have to read about it. You can download the beta and try it for yourself. Though Microsoft has officially ended the beta [...]
Windows 7 and Lenovo ThinkVantage Technologies
You’re going to want Windows 7. It’s that good. The more I use it, the more I like it. I won’t rehash it here. You can read about it in innumerable places. You don’t even have to read about it. You can download the beta and try it for yourself. Though Microsoft has officially ended the beta [...]
2009-02-16 09:57:
I had heard about Microsoft’s Photosynth technology before, but it didn’t click with me until last week when I was in a meeting with their Icons of Imaging. In that meeting, one of Microsoft’s engineers did a live demo and the lights upstairs suddenly went on. I won’t do the technology justice describing it here, but [...]
Photosynth and the Next Generation of Product Marketing
I had heard about Microsoft’s Photosynth technology before, but it didn’t click with me until last week when I was in a meeting with their Icons of Imaging. In that meeting, one of Microsoft’s engineers did a live demo and the lights upstairs suddenly went on. I won’t do the technology justice describing it here, but [...]
2009-02-10 15:19:
I am not saying anything groundbreaking with the assertion that every company who has entered the social media world has the perpetual problem of how to respond to critics, detractors, and plain ol’ kooks. We have our share and then some. I am reminded of this almost daily as this thread on Lenovo Forums continues [...]
Social Media Authentication
I am not saying anything groundbreaking with the assertion that every company who has entered the social media world has the perpetual problem of how to respond to critics, detractors, and plain ol’ kooks. We have our share and then some. I am reminded of this almost daily as this thread on Lenovo Forums continues [...]
2009-01-24 21:57:
Is it time to store your data in the “cloud?” Lenovo certainly took a big step towards that end not too long ago by introducing our Online Data Backup service. While not strictly a cloud application, it is a big step towards achieving that end and worth spending a few minutes discussing - not just for [...]
Online Data Backup
Is it time to store your data in the “cloud?” Lenovo certainly took a big step towards that end not too long ago by introducing our Online Data Backup service. While not strictly a cloud application, it is a big step towards achieving that end and worth spending a few minutes discussing - not just for [...]
2009-01-21 22:08:
I realize that I had promised more from CES and I never got around to posting. Today’s post is going to be another amalgamation of disjointed topics in the interest of expediency. ThinkPad X301 Disassembled from CES I had mentioned that we took apart a ThinkPad X301 like Business Week did for their cover story last year. [...]
Post-CES Odds and Ends
I realize that I had promised more from CES and I never got around to posting. Today’s post is going to be another amalgamation of disjointed topics in the interest of expediency. ThinkPad X301 Disassembled from CES I had mentioned that we took apart a ThinkPad X301 like Business Week did for their cover story last year. [...]
2009-01-09 07:52:
Lenovo, like many others decided that we could get much better focus by locating our presence off of the main show floor at CES. We did not want to go far, so we have established a home base at the Aquaknox restaurant at the Venetian hotel. This keeps us very close to all of the [...]
Lenovo at CES
Lenovo, like many others decided that we could get much better focus by locating our presence off of the main show floor at CES. We did not want to go far, so we have established a home base at the Aquaknox restaurant at the Venetian hotel. This keeps us very close to all of the [...]
2008-12-26 18:39:
One of my favorite times of the year is Christmas Eve starting about 8 p.m. It’s the time after dinner when everyone is relaxed, doesn’t have much to do, and is off doing their own thing. That means I can do the same. This year, we hadn’t yet taken our annual Christmas portrait in front [...]
ThinkPad W700 Makes This Year?s Christmas Photo Easier
One of my favorite times of the year is Christmas Eve starting about 8 p.m. It’s the time after dinner when everyone is relaxed, doesn’t have much to do, and is off doing their own thing. That means I can do the same. This year, we hadn’t yet taken our annual Christmas portrait in front [...]
2008-11-25 21:57:
Other than being a very expensive HDD data duplicator (see the previous post if you’re not sure what I’m talking about), the ThinkPad W700 was actually designed to get some real computing work done. Given its pedigree as a (no so) lean, mean photo machine, I thought it would be great to take it and [...]
Using the ThinkPad W700 for Photo Editing
Other than being a very expensive HDD data duplicator (see the previous post if you’re not sure what I’m talking about), the ThinkPad W700 was actually designed to get some real computing work done. Given its pedigree as a (no so) lean, mean photo machine, I thought it would be great to take it and [...]
2008-11-20 22:44:
Admittedly the title of this blog post is a misnomer as the correct term is “Solid State Drives,” but old habits die hard. Just ask the old IBMers who still call them “hard files.” These are the same folk who tell you to send your presentation “foils” from the meeting and mean that they want [...]
Intel Solid State Hard Disk Drives
Admittedly the title of this blog post is a misnomer as the correct term is “Solid State Drives,” but old habits die hard. Just ask the old IBMers who still call them “hard files.” These are the same folk who tell you to send your presentation “foils” from the meeting and mean that they want [...]
2008-11-12 03:56:
Lenovo has quietly launched Lenovo System ToolBox, though most of the world has no idea that it even exists. You probably have not heard of it, but if you’ve ever used one of our desktops or our laptops, I guarantee that you had its precursor installed (or if you’re in a corporate environment, HAD it installed [...]
Lenovo System ToolBox
Lenovo has quietly launched Lenovo System ToolBox, though most of the world has no idea that it even exists. You probably have not heard of it, but if you’ve ever used one of our desktops or our laptops, I guarantee that you had its precursor installed (or if you’re in a corporate environment, HAD it installed [...]
2008-10-21 03:39:
If you are the proud owner of a ThinkPad R500, T500 or an X200 with a media slice, you will have no doubt noticed a new port on your system. It looks like a USB port, but if you tried to plug a USB device into it, you found out that it would not fit. [...]
Technology Brief ? DisplayPort
If you are the proud owner of a ThinkPad R500, T500 or an X200 with a media slice, you will have no doubt noticed a new port on your system. It looks like a USB port, but if you tried to plug a USB device into it, you found out that it would not fit. [...]
2008-09-23 02:43:
Most people know about the ThinkPads X200s and X200 Tablet that we are formally announcing on Tuesday. More significantly for me, the formal announcement means that I finally get to talk about them. I’ve been doing more internally with video lately and thought that I might try a video approach with a blog entry describing these [...]
ThinkPad X200 Tablet and X200s Notebooks Announced
Most people know about the ThinkPads X200s and X200 Tablet that we are formally announcing on Tuesday. More significantly for me, the formal announcement means that I finally get to talk about them. I’ve been doing more internally with video lately and thought that I might try a video approach with a blog entry describing these [...]
2008-09-02 01:41:
I’m somewhere over India right now on my way to a tour of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Jakarta over the next ten days. While there I’ll be conducting training sessions for all types of Lenovo sellers, attending a blogger meeting, and also participating in a few press interviews. It’s an aggressive schedule, [...]
Collected Topics from 41,000 Feet
I’m somewhere over India right now on my way to a tour of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Jakarta over the next ten days. While there I’ll be conducting training sessions for all types of Lenovo sellers, attending a blogger meeting, and also participating in a few press interviews. It’s an aggressive schedule, [...]
2008-08-21 17:36:
I thought I’d spend some time on a new Lenovo technology feature, one we call Switchable Graphics. One of the fundamental choices facing a notebook buyer is what type of graphics subsystem to buy. While there are many different types, the choice can fundamentally be broken down to “Integrated” or “Discrete.” Integrated graphics are the graphics capabilities [...]
Switchable Graphics
I thought I’d spend some time on a new Lenovo technology feature, one we call Switchable Graphics. One of the fundamental choices facing a notebook buyer is what type of graphics subsystem to buy. While there are many different types, the choice can fundamentally be broken down to “Integrated” or “Discrete.” Integrated graphics are the graphics capabilities [...]
2008-08-12 06:49:
Today Lenovo announces the ThinkPad W700 notebook. To me, this is the most exciting ThinkPad announcement all year. Not because it is our first 17″ ThinkPad notebook ever. Not because this is one of the powerful machines on the planet (Awe inspiring levels of powerful). No, what has me excited is that this machine was [...]
ThinkPad W700 Notebook Announced
Today Lenovo announces the ThinkPad W700 notebook. To me, this is the most exciting ThinkPad announcement all year. Not because it is our first 17″ ThinkPad notebook ever. Not because this is one of the powerful machines on the planet (Awe inspiring levels of powerful). No, what has me excited is that this machine was [...]
2008-07-29 19:42:
Today I am welcoming two guest video bloggers to Inside the Box. I had the pleasure of working with Rodrigo and Jackie several times while they have been summer interns here at Lenovo. One of the things that they mentioned early on is that they use a competitor’s tablet at their high school and wondered how they [...]
Real World Tablet Experiences
Today I am welcoming two guest video bloggers to Inside the Box. I had the pleasure of working with Rodrigo and Jackie several times while they have been summer interns here at Lenovo. One of the things that they mentioned early on is that they use a competitor’s tablet at their high school and wondered how they [...]
2008-07-02 16:16:
We’ve been shipping GPS as an optional capability on our ThinkPad X300 notebooks for several months now. But what’s it good for? What’s the killer app? There is, of course, the obvious. You can use it with popular programs like Yahoo Maps and Google Earth and find your way across town or across the country. While [...]
GPS?Useful or Marketing Gimmick?
We’ve been shipping GPS as an optional capability on our ThinkPad X300 notebooks for several months now. But what’s it good for? What’s the killer app? There is, of course, the obvious. You can use it with popular programs like Yahoo Maps and Google Earth and find your way across town or across the country. While [...]
2008-07-02 16:16:
We’ve been shipping GPS as an optional capability on our ThinkPad X300 notebooks for several months now. But what’s it good for? What’s the killer app? There is, of course, the obvious. You can use it with popular programs like Yahoo Maps and Google Earth and find your way across town or across the country. While [...]
GPS
We’ve been shipping GPS as an optional capability on our ThinkPad X300 notebooks for several months now. But what’s it good for? What’s the killer app? There is, of course, the obvious. You can use it with popular programs like Yahoo Maps and Google Earth and find your way across town or across the country. While [...]
2008-06-20 18:07:
I’m totally finished with spinning drives on my ThinkPads. At least if I have anything to say about it. I was fortunate enough to be able to swap to a solid state hard disk drive in my ThinkPad this week. I had always derided the 64GB capacity as too small, but when the opportunity presented itself, [...]
Life with a Solid State Drive
I’m totally finished with spinning drives on my ThinkPads. At least if I have anything to say about it. I was fortunate enough to be able to swap to a solid state hard disk drive in my ThinkPad this week. I had always derided the 64GB capacity as too small, but when the opportunity presented itself, [...]
2008-06-17 18:16:
I’m welcoming Mike Pierce today as a guest blogger. Mike is our Director of Environmental Affairs and he is writing today about a new service offering from Lenovo. The video is particularly interesting and won’t take you long to watch. —————————————————————————————– Today, there is a lot of discussion and interest in what happens to computers after [...]
Lenovo Asset Recovery Services
I’m welcoming Mike Pierce today as a guest blogger. Mike is our Director of Environmental Affairs and he is writing today about a new service offering from Lenovo. The video is particularly interesting and won’t take you long to watch. —————————————————————————————– Today, there is a lot of discussion and interest in what happens to computers after [...]
2008-06-06 22:13:
Today we’ll look at what I promised last time ? a more advanced look at docking and some of the things that ThinkPad engineers have to trade off as they are designing next generation docking solutions. Docking is one of those subjects that makes me cringe whenever a customer brings it up in conversation. It means [...]
Docking 201 ? Second in a Two Part Series
Today we’ll look at what I promised last time ? a more advanced look at docking and some of the things that ThinkPad engineers have to trade off as they are designing next generation docking solutions. Docking is one of those subjects that makes me cringe whenever a customer brings it up in conversation. It means [...]
2008-05-23 17:08:
I’ve purposely held off posting part two of the docking series because there have been numerous developments, and I wanted to incorporate the latest information I’ve learned. Today is just a bit of fun on the Friday before the US Memorial Day weekend holiday. I’ll get back to the heavy lifting next week with Docking [...]
Lenovo Switzerland Auto Fleet
I’ve purposely held off posting part two of the docking series because there have been numerous developments, and I wanted to incorporate the latest information I’ve learned. Today is just a bit of fun on the Friday before the US Memorial Day weekend holiday. I’ll get back to the heavy lifting next week with Docking [...]
2008-05-01 21:06:
Today’s post will be the first in a two part series discussing docking and expansion capabilities for notebook PCs. I want to talk about some of the tradeoffs and design considerations that go into making docks and port replicators. However, first we need to cover some background so that the follow up post makes sense. [...]
Docking 101 ? First in a Two Part Series
Today’s post will be the first in a two part series discussing docking and expansion capabilities for notebook PCs. I want to talk about some of the tradeoffs and design considerations that go into making docks and port replicators. However, first we need to cover some background so that the follow up post makes sense. [...]
2008-04-22 21:00:
On a desktop PC, the hard disk drive (HDD) is the component with the highest failure rate. While our ThinkCentre desktops have among the lowest HDD failure rates in the industry, our engineering team focuses a lot of effort to make these failure rates even lower. So far the payoff has been great. A ThinkCentre [...]
Improving Hard Disk Drive Reliability by Studying Bridge Design
On a desktop PC, the hard disk drive (HDD) is the component with the highest failure rate. While our ThinkCentre desktops have among the lowest HDD failure rates in the industry, our engineering team focuses a lot of effort to make these failure rates even lower. So far the payoff has been great. A ThinkCentre [...]
2008-04-01 01:00:
As part of growing our company, Lenovo is constantly looking for other well known brands that we can associate ourselves with to improve our own brand recognition. Today we announce another product designed to further that goal, the ThinkPad Mr. Coffee Edition. This idea came about when a Yamato engineer was here at Lenovo headquarters working [...]
ThinkPad Mr. Coffee Edition
As part of growing our company, Lenovo is constantly looking for other well known brands that we can associate ourselves with to improve our own brand recognition. Today we announce another product designed to further that goal, the ThinkPad Mr. Coffee Edition. This idea came about when a Yamato engineer was here at Lenovo headquarters working [...]
2008-03-28 18:19:
I recently had the good fortune of being able to participate in a video shoot about our ThinkCentre M57p Eco Ultra Small Form Factor. Starring both Doug Bell and Al Makley, we participate in Lenovo’s own take on the popular Sunday morning TV show, Meet the Press. Up for debate is whether our new Eco uSFF [...]
ThinkCentre M57p Eco Ultra Small Form Factor Video
I recently had the good fortune of being able to participate in a video shoot about our ThinkCentre M57p Eco Ultra Small Form Factor. Starring both Doug Bell and Al Makley, we participate in Lenovo’s own take on the popular Sunday morning TV show, Meet the Press. Up for debate is whether our new Eco uSFF [...]
2008-03-20 22:00:
I’m not one to defend a competitor here, but I highly doubt that any Tier One vendor is seeing SSD hard disk drives being returned at a 10 percent rate. The article circling the Internet is fear mongering meant to drive readership. On the other hand I do doubt that return rates are as low as [...]
Solid State Hard Disk Drives (SSDs) Part 2
I’m not one to defend a competitor here, but I highly doubt that any Tier One vendor is seeing SSD hard disk drives being returned at a 10 percent rate. The article circling the Internet is fear mongering meant to drive readership. On the other hand I do doubt that return rates are as low as [...]
2008-03-04 05:27:
There have been multiple questions on how to swap the bay device on a ThinkPad X300 notebook. I made a quick video showing you how quickly and easily this can be accomplished. You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video Unlike our other ThinkPads with bays, the bay on the ThinkPad X300 is [...]
Swapping the Bay Device on a ThinkPad X300
There have been multiple questions on how to swap the bay device on a ThinkPad X300 notebook. I made a quick video showing you how quickly and easily this can be accomplished. You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video Unlike our other ThinkPads with bays, the bay on the ThinkPad X300 is [...]
2008-02-26 10:14:
Though it has been all over the web for weeks, readers of this blog know that until we officially announce a product, I am not allowed to talk about it. That day is finally here and I’ve been chomping at the bit to be able to say something for quite a while now on our [...]
ThinkPad X300
Though it has been all over the web for weeks, readers of this blog know that until we officially announce a product, I am not allowed to talk about it. That day is finally here and I’ve been chomping at the bit to be able to say something for quite a while now on our [...]
2008-02-25 18:37:
We just expanded our Linux offerings. Several weeks ago we announced systems with preloaded SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED). Lenovo has added a few new options with this announcement. The systems are now available with Intel’s Penryn processors which are built using smaller 45nm technology. In other words, you get cooler operation and better power [...]
Expanded Lenovo Linux Offerings
We just expanded our Linux offerings. Several weeks ago we announced systems with preloaded SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED). Lenovo has added a few new options with this announcement. The systems are now available with Intel’s Penryn processors which are built using smaller 45nm technology. In other words, you get cooler operation and better power [...]
2008-02-21 03:11:
As an experiment, I took a Flipcam with me on my recent trip to Asia. (Major kudos to those guys at Flip Video for designing a cool, dead-simple-to-use product.) One of my stops was in Singapore where on one weekend I visited the Funan Digital Life Mall. While Singaporeans will wonder what the fuss is about, [...]
Selling at the Funan Digital Life Mall
As an experiment, I took a Flipcam with me on my recent trip to Asia. (Major kudos to those guys at Flip Video for designing a cool, dead-simple-to-use product.) One of my stops was in Singapore where on one weekend I visited the Funan Digital Life Mall. While Singaporeans will wonder what the fuss is about, [...]
2008-02-04 12:52:
There is no doubt that I have a very interesting job. What is visible to most people is the “playtime” with computer hardware and the extensive customer interaction. But sometimes I get to do things that completely blow my mind and make for some interesting stories. I’d like to share one of them that I [...]
TrackPoint Ambassador
There is no doubt that I have a very interesting job. What is visible to most people is the “playtime” with computer hardware and the extensive customer interaction. But sometimes I get to do things that completely blow my mind and make for some interesting stories. I’d like to share one of them that I [...]
2008-01-15 14:33:
Today Lenovo makes available for order something we announced several months ago ? Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED). I think someone in the technology press summed it up best when he said “finally.” I think the wait was worth it. Since I’ve been one of the people publicly putting together the words “Lenovo” and “Linux” [...]
SUSE SLED Linux Available for Order Today
Today Lenovo makes available for order something we announced several months ago ? Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED). I think someone in the technology press summed it up best when he said “finally.” I think the wait was worth it. Since I’ve been one of the people publicly putting together the words “Lenovo” and “Linux” [...]
2008-01-05 00:36:
Many of us at Lenovo have been monitoring the recent forum conversations touting a new generation of ThinkPad. It’s been interesting to read the comments, and I have been thoroughly impressed with the resourcefulness of people in taking a simple picture and extrapolating so much information from it. (That doesn’t mean they’re right). Check the [...]
Product Hype
Many of us at Lenovo have been monitoring the recent forum conversations touting a new generation of ThinkPad. It’s been interesting to read the comments, and I have been thoroughly impressed with the resourcefulness of people in taking a simple picture and extrapolating so much information from it. (That doesn’t mean they’re right). Check the [...]
2008-01-02 17:33:
Some of our Lenovo notebooks come with face recognition software, which is actually a reemergence of an old idea. We had facial recognition capabilities a long time ago. My first experience was with a ThinkPad T23 with an external camera mounted on the system’s UltraPort. It didn’t work well at all. Most likely because the [...]
Lenovo Face Recognition
Some of our Lenovo notebooks come with face recognition software, which is actually a reemergence of an old idea. We had facial recognition capabilities a long time ago. My first experience was with a ThinkPad T23 with an external camera mounted on the system’s UltraPort. It didn’t work well at all. Most likely because the [...]
2007-12-14 20:41:
I’ve been having difficulties ever since I’ve made the switch to Vista, but I’m not here to bash Microsoft. I blame the rest of the computing world. All software companies knew Vista was coming, had adequate time to prepare, and yet a FULL YEAR later STILL haven’t done much to fix compatibility issues. Guilty parties [...]
Virtual Machines
I’ve been having difficulties ever since I’ve made the switch to Vista, but I’m not here to bash Microsoft. I blame the rest of the computing world. All software companies knew Vista was coming, had adequate time to prepare, and yet a FULL YEAR later STILL haven’t done much to fix compatibility issues. Guilty parties [...]
2007-12-11 20:18:
Editor’s Note: Guest blogger Tim Supples got Matt’s permission to hijack his blog for this post. Matt is not liable for any and all content herein I came across a helpful blog post the other day, entitled “How not to suck at your presentation.” The author covers some technical tips for those who have [...]
Presentation Director Helps You Present
Editor’s Note: Guest blogger Tim Supples got Matt’s permission to hijack his blog for this post. Matt is not liable for any and all content herein I came across a helpful blog post the other day, entitled “How not to suck at your presentation.” The author covers some technical tips for those who have [...]
2007-11-26 22:50:
First the answers, then some commentary: ROUND 1 Picture #3 was the ThinkPad. It is an R61 14″ Widescreen with integrated graphics ROUND 2 Picture #5 was a ThinkPad T61 15.4″ Widescreen with integrated graphics ROUND 3 Picture 7 is a ThinkPad T61 14″ Widescreen with discrete graphics Picture 8 is a ThinkPad T61 14″ Regular with integrated graphics Picture 9 is a [...]
Answers to Guess the ThinkPad
First the answers, then some commentary: ROUND 1 Picture #3 was the ThinkPad. It is an R61 14″ Widescreen with integrated graphics ROUND 2 Picture #5 was a ThinkPad T61 15.4″ Widescreen with integrated graphics ROUND 3 Picture 7 is a ThinkPad T61 14″ Widescreen with discrete graphics Picture 8 is a ThinkPad T61 14″ Regular with integrated graphics Picture 9 is a [...]
2007-11-26 22:43:
Our ThinkPad Team is running a ThinkPad Most Mileage Contest. The details are found here on a link off of our ThinkPad 15th Anniversary Web Page. As usual, apologies to non-North American readers as this is only open to the US and Canada only (excluding Quebec). To win, you need to submit a 2 -4 minute [...]
Win a ThinkPad X Series
Our ThinkPad Team is running a ThinkPad Most Mileage Contest. The details are found here on a link off of our ThinkPad 15th Anniversary Web Page. As usual, apologies to non-North American readers as this is only open to the US and Canada only (excluding Quebec). To win, you need to submit a 2 -4 minute [...]
2007-11-14 16:10:
Time for a bit of fun. I had wanted to post an update on ThinkPad thermals, but Mark Hopkins gets credit for the idea of turning this into a game. He’s now got his own Lenovo Blog. I’d recommend checking it out. He’s an interesting read. Rules: 3 rounds as seen below. Points scored if you [...]
Guess the ThinkPad
Time for a bit of fun. I had wanted to post an update on ThinkPad thermals, but Mark Hopkins gets credit for the idea of turning this into a game. He’s now got his own Lenovo Blog. I’d recommend checking it out. He’s an interesting read. Rules: 3 rounds as seen below. Points scored if you [...]
2007-10-23 18:38:
As I promised in the last post, here are a few additional pictures from Lenovo’s desktop testing lab in Beijing. A desktop testing lab being owned and run by Lenovo is rather unique in the PC industry. Most desktop testing has been outsourced by other vendors to contract manufacturers. Lenovo thought that by bringing all [...]
The Beijing Desktop Testing Lab
As I promised in the last post, here are a few additional pictures from Lenovo’s desktop testing lab in Beijing. A desktop testing lab being owned and run by Lenovo is rather unique in the PC industry. Most desktop testing has been outsourced by other vendors to contract manufacturers. Lenovo thought that by bringing all [...]
2007-10-19 04:14:
I just returned from our Beijing Innovation Center where I was presenting to a customer. In my next post, I plan to share a few additional photos, but today I wanted to share the most interesting thing I saw while I was there. The great thing about our Innovation Center is that they always have everything [...]
Lenovo Ruggedized PC
I just returned from our Beijing Innovation Center where I was presenting to a customer. In my next post, I plan to share a few additional photos, but today I wanted to share the most interesting thing I saw while I was there. The great thing about our Innovation Center is that they always have everything [...]
2007-10-08 15:14:
I hadn’t mentioned it here, but I ended up switching to a T61 a few weeks ago. Readers familiar with this topic will note that I had outlined my manifesto list of demands for my next machine in an earlier post. I had described my ideal work notebook as having all of the following features: 14″ [...]
I switched to a T61
I hadn’t mentioned it here, but I ended up switching to a T61 a few weeks ago. Readers familiar with this topic will note that I had outlined my manifesto list of demands for my next machine in an earlier post. I had described my ideal work notebook as having all of the following features: 14″ [...]
2007-10-04 20:20:
On October 10th Lenovo and Notebookreview.com are presenting a live video webcast celebrating the 15th Anniversary of ThinkPad. You’ll get to see some older ThinkPad models and learn how ThinkPads have changed over the years. At the end of the webcast, viewers will have the opportunity to submit questions to get answered live [...]
ThinkLive Event - October 10th
On October 10th Lenovo and Notebookreview.com are presenting a live video webcast celebrating the 15th Anniversary of ThinkPad. You’ll get to see some older ThinkPad models and learn how ThinkPads have changed over the years. At the end of the webcast, viewers will have the opportunity to submit questions to get answered live [...]
2007-09-12 17:12:
Today Lenovo launches a new desktop, the ThinkCentre A61e. It has several aspects that make it notable. One, it is smaller than anything we currently sell. Two, it is our greenest desktop ever. Three, it offers the lowest acoustics of any of our desktops, and four, it allows us to get to lower price points [...]
New ThinkCentre A61e Desktop Announced Today
Today Lenovo launches a new desktop, the ThinkCentre A61e. It has several aspects that make it notable. One, it is smaller than anything we currently sell. Two, it is our greenest desktop ever. Three, it offers the lowest acoustics of any of our desktops, and four, it allows us to get to lower price points [...]
