Cleaning Your Laptop’s Touchpad
One of the things I miss about using a ThinkPad is the TrackPoint. Yes, here I am again dwelling on those rubbery nubs that come standard with all ThinkPads (sadly, not with all the Lenovo-branded laptops, though, even if they’re practically made by the same company). However, since I’ve already replaced my trusty old ThinkPad with a Compaq V2000, I had to get used to using a touchpad. And guess what? I realized that touchpads aren’t as easy to maintain in terms of cleanliness compared to trackpoint nubs, especially for one who tends to have sweaty and sometimes oily fingers.
I can hear you saying “yuck,” but let’s face it, not all palms and fingertips are built the same and touchpads do tend to get dirty. Touchpads may be the de facto standard in laptop pointing devices, and many are more accustomed to them than rubber nubs. But because of the touchpad’s being essentially supposed to be a smooth surface for your fingers to glide on effortlessly, they tend to suffer from the following problems after some time.
- Sticky surfaces. This usually happens if you’re fond of eating while using your computer. Sometimes food residue or even beverages get to lodge themselves on your touchpad. Imagine spilling a few drops of coffee on your touchpad. That sure would be a sticky situation.
- Oily residue. Okay, this is icky, but many laptop users have sweaty and possibly oily palms and fingertips. It’s a fact of life. Let’s live with it.
Whatever these are, the imperfections on touchpad surfaces can lead to inefficient cursor control and even possible hardware damange. Sticky surfaces would mean slow and clumsy cursor movement. Oily residue on the touchpad surface would strip off the touchpad finish after some time, and this would eventually lead into a very slippery or sticky touchpad surface. At the very least your touchpad would no longer have a uniform texture.
Cleaning Your Touchpad
Yahoo Tech recommends using an alcohol solution or diluted window cleaning solution.
Carefully clean finger oils and dirt from your laptop’s touchpad with a damp cloth; you can also add a small amount - less than 50 percent of the solution - of isopropyl alcohol.
Vinegarbook.co.uk says use vinegar. Okay, I’m not for smelly laptops, but I guess the acid in vinegar does dissolve some dirt and grime. Just make sure you don’t use too much, as you might damage the touchpad membrane.
If you work with a laptop PC then you may well find that the finger touch control pad quickly becomes unresponsive, sticky or un-smooth. When the laptop is switched off, just dampen a kitchen towel with a little vinegar and wipe all around the control pad.
You can also use a simple lens-cleaning cloth both on the LCD and the touchpad. These are usually soft and non-abrasive and good for general laptop cleaning. For dust or debris wedged into the touchpad edges, you can try compressed air sprays.
Lenovo 3000 C100 Review
The Lenovo 3000 C100 is the first notebook series to use the Lenovo name since taking over IBM’s ThinkPad business, and while they learned a thing or two from the ThinkPad, the 3000 is not a ThinkPad.
Laptop Magazine takes a look at the Lenovo 3000 C100 series, and headlines it with saying “The first Lenovo-branded notebook looks bland but offers plenty of bang for the buck.”
Fans of ThinkPad notebooks will be happy with Lenovo’s decision to carry over the legendary ThinkPad keyboard but may be disappointed by the lack of a trackpoint mouse pointer. Instead, the system utilizes a responsive two-button touchpad controller with four-way scrolling.
The C100 is more than capable of handling everyday office and multimedia applications and notched a MobileMark 2005 score of 203, which is about average for this class of processor. More impressive is the C100’s battery life; it lasted 5 hours and 2 minutes with the Wi-Fi turned on.
In the end the C100 only managed a three out of five, the weak integrated graphics, lack of configuration options, and boring design lets down what could have been a great machine.
Toshiba Portégé M400 Review
Laptop Magazine reviewed the Toshiba Portégé M400, a tablet PC with an optical drive. I am not a fan of tablets, but I think as technology gets better and better they will come into their own more and more.
While the Lenovo X41 ThinkPad tablet remains the best convertible available in the sub–four-pound class, the Toshiba Portégé M400 is as good a hybrid as you’ll find with a built-in optical drive. Toshiba delivers a strong laptop that will sometimes be used in tablet mode, but we expected a little more out of the company in terms of tablet ergonomics.
At 4.5 pounds, the M400 is very travel friendly. It’s 1.5-inches thick, but it feels solid.
The M400 earns itself a four out of five thanks to its excellent speed and strong stylus performance, but if you want something thin and light, you will have to look elsewhere as the M400 is a little thick.
Gone Laptop Shopping (My Search for an Affordable Notebook Computer)
Loyal bLaptops readers would probably know that my ThinkPad is dying on me and I’m looking to replace it soon (but hey, I’m still using it right now to type up this blog post). To tell you the truth, this particular model is quite heavy, bulky and severlely underpowered especially by today’s standards. It’s a 14-incher (my preferred size for any laptop), so the form factor is not as wide nor tall as a 15-inch notebook, but it’s quite thick and heavy.
What I like about this computer, though, is that it has surprisingly long battery life for an old model. I still get about 3.5 hours on this baby, when many Celeron M-based notebooks today would offer only 2 to 2.5. I’ve even slapped on upgrades along the way, such as 512 MB of RAM (which comes standard in most new laptops these days) and a 40GB hard drive (ditto!) In contrast, standard retail releases of laptops this vintage maxed out at 6GB and 128MB of RAM. And then there’s the combo drive (CD RW plus DVD-ROM).
So while performance is not at par with today’s models, it’s still as zippy as can be for my purposes (anyway, I don’t play games on my laptop. That’s what my desktop is for).
Also, the ergonomics is as excellent as you would expect on a ThinkPad. Probably more than half a decade of use, and there are still no fade-marks I could see nor feel on the wrist rest. The keyboard is also still superb. Other newer notebooks would have this sign of wear and tear even a few months into use (or maybe my palms are not that oily nor acidic as I think).
Of course, there are the cons. Living with an old laptop, you would inevitably get hinge issues with those older, un-reinforced models. This is why IBM (and now Lenovo) employed those thick, metallic braces that make up the hinges. Yes, they can be ugly for some, but they’re a beauty to me, as you’re assured the hinges won’t crack nor break.
Unfortunately, my budget these days won’t afford me a decent mid-range ThinkPad. Probably the lowest-end model would fit my needs and funds, though. Still, I thought of looking at other choices.
(more…)
IBM ThinkPad T43 Back from RMA
Well, today I got a fresh new ThinkPad T43 delivered from UPS. I sent my other ThinkPad back almost two weeks ago, due to a stuck pixel.
This new one seems to be working great. I have to say that the Lenovo RMA process was easy, and from my end, totally free. They even sent me new touchpoint replacements and a new RJ-11 cable, both of which I forgot to pack when sending my unit back to them.
The only downside of sending in my unit was the fact that I have a totally fresh and new unit. I had all my software installed nicely on the old one. The good part is that I get to install all kinds of software again, which can be very fun to set up just the way you want it, and I have learned a fair bit about how I want to set things up, that I did not know when I first got my laptop.
I can’t say enough about how happy I am that Lenovo delivered on their promise to provide me with a product I am 100% satisfied with. Hopefully nothing goes wrong with this new unit.
The Laptop: As Personal as a Computer Can Get
A laptop is as personal as a computer can get.
This is why you should carefully consider many factors when purchasing a laptop. There are the size, the weight, the features, the ergonomics. Some carry around their laptops in their bags. Some leave them on desks (taking the computers for a stroll only every so often). Some even prefer laptops that they can keep inside their small bags or large purses–subnotebooks or small tablet PCs often fit inside small bags.
My laptop, an old reliable Thinkpad, is about to give up on me after many years of faithful service. Just recently, the TrackPoint broke, and for me, the TrackPoint is one of the most important features of my laptop, and probably even any laptop for that matter. More importantly, I consider the ThinkPad’s trackpoint to be the most ideal pointing device. Why? Three reasons:
- Ideal positioning. Being a touch typist, I prefer having my fingers on top of the keyboard most of the time. Having to move my hand from keyboard to mouse–or even the touchpad–and back is an inefficiency I hate to contend with.
- Minimal movement. The mouse is meant to be moved around. The touchpad is meant for one’s fingers to glide on. As for the TrackPoint, your finger’s just there. A little pressure to the right direction, and the cursor moves there.
- Good feedback. The ThinkPad has what I consider to be the best clickers around. They’re not thin, small, itty-bitty clickers with shallow feedback. TrackPoint clickers are solid, large, with deep feedback. Just the deep clicking sound is music to my ears!
Brand Matters
So while I’m saving up enough dough and looking for that perfect replacement to my ThinkPad, I got to borrow an extra laptop my dad sometimes uses when he goes on trips to the rural areas. It’s quite small, thin and light. But it’s an ODM (Original Design Manufacturer)-made computer–what laptop afficionadoes would usually call “grey-box” or generic laptops. Yes, they’re branded, but they’re usually from the third-party manufacturers that big-names contract for manufacturing their laptops.
My single biggest gripe: the design.
Mind you, by design I don’t only mean the aesthetics. I consider design to appeal to all aspects of the senses, from sight, to touch, and to the usability of the device. And to put it bluntly, not all laptop brands are built and designed the same. Still, it’s a brand issue, which is usually a subjective matter. Nonetheless, I’d rather go for those brands that espouse elegance in design.
It’s somehow akin to comparing a build-your-own computer to a branded one built by, say, Apple or Alienware. The latter would have the cool factor, and also elegance in design, from the way the machine feels to the way it efficiently uses space, to the way it looks, even!
And being a notebook computer, with everything built-in, you wouldn’t have much of a say as to how the device is designed. One wrong design element and you’ll have to live with it.
Why I don’t like it
This grey-box computer I’m using is quite fast. It’s about ten times faster than my ThinkPad, I would say. But the advantages stop there. In terms of design and ergonomics, even the cheapest ThinkPad would beat the heck out of this one.
Again, brand matters. Because with a good brand usually comes great design. Here are a few reasons why.
- The wow factor. Whip out a shiny new MacBookPro in a cafe and you’d probably hear oohs and aahs–or at least imagine to, but that’s the general feeling. Bring out a sleek, black ThinkPad and its wow, this guy must do serious stuff. Take out an iBook or MacBook, and it’s cute. Somehow, grey-box laptops and some other brands just don’t have that wow factor. Most brands have models that look too plasticky or too drab. Some look like toys.
- Input devices. Have you ever tried using a keyboard with keys not in the position you’re used to? This is just what you would feel using a different laptop brand. ThinkPad keyboards are all made the same, from the oldest model to the latest (well, save for the Windows key, perhaps, which is present in some Acer-made ThinkPads and some newer Lenovos). The positioning’s the same. The tactile response is the same. And I just love how the keys are spaced-out adequately, and how the function and navigation keys are separate from the letter keys. I could work on my ThinkPad keyboard with my eyes closed. And about the touchpad, well, I hate the fact that I can’t turn off touch-clicking. Many a time have I had everything messed up because my palm accidentally touched the pad and clicked the cursor somewhere while I’m typing.
- The heat is on! In terms of heat dissipation, no two models are built alike. Some laptops are just so efficient at it, that you don’t feel any heat at all, whether from the bottom, the sides or top of the unit. With the current one I’m using, though, and some other Celeron M-based models (even by otherwise good brands), the heat escapes through the keyboard and the wrist-rest, whether running off the battery or plugged into the mains.
- The peripherals. One gripe I have with this grey-box is that the USB ports are positioned directly underneath the PC Card slot. And I have to use a PC Card WiFi adaptor to surf wireless (which is 99.9 percent of the time). It’s difficult to access the USB slot, and some of my devices won’t fit–either I remove the PC Card or plug in a USB extender. And only two slots?
- Connectivity. My years-old ThinkPad has infrared. And I use that to sync my SmartPhone with Outlook. This spanking new grey-box (and many others) don’t even have Infrared, nor FireWire. Now how am I supposed to transfer videos from my video camera? Oh wait, I don’t have one. My point is that if you’re buying a laptop, you better make sure it supports all the connectivity needs you have.
It’s all about design
I could go ranting on and on. But I won’t, because at least I have something to use while I search (and drool over) that next great laptop I’ll be buying. Dave’s T43 looks great, and probably is! But isn’t quite within my price range for now. Still, my next laptop purchase would most likely be a ThinkPad.
Lenovo F20: Coca Cola 2008 Olympic Themed
Do you like Coca Cola? Are you excited about the 2008 Olympics in China? Well, Lenovo has released an Olympics/Coke themed laptop called the F20. What do you get? A Lenovo machine that is a slightly below average laptop, with a red paint job, Coca Cola’s branding and Olympic rings.
The specifications are as follows:
- Intel M778 processor, 1.66GHz
- Intel 915GMS chipset with GMA900 display chip
- 12.1 inch wide screen monitor
- 512MB DDR2 memory
- 80GB hard disk
- External Combo drive
- WiFi, Bluetooh, 56K modem, and 100Mbps ethernet port
- Build in 1.5W stereo speaker
- 3 USB ports, 1 IEEE1394 port
- All-in-one memory card reader
- Dual batteries for 8.5 hours usage
- Weight: 1.4KG
This will set you back around $1700 USD, and should be released sometime before the 2008 Olympics, or it’d be bad marketing, wouldn’t it?
Started the RMA
I recently sent back my Lenovo Thinkpad T43 to Lenovo to get replaced. You would think that with all the nice things I said about the machine that it would be nice to me and have no problems, and while it worked wonderfully, it had a small flaw that was really bugging me: a blue pixel.
It was just one, but from time to time, I experienced other stuck pixels. They came and went though, but this one blue pixel just continued to stay there, staring at me. I noticed it more when the background was darker than lighter, and it was not going away.
I seem to have the worst luck with LCD monitors, as almost every LCD I go near gets a stuck pixel.
After a few days of having it there, I asked a few people if I should send it back. It is only one pixel out of 786,432 but it gave me a good reason to test out Lenovo’s RMA process. So I decided to give it a try.
So they gave me the details on what I need to do to send them the laptop. I had to repackage the machine and send it back with all its parts and manuals.
I did not have the original packaging, and so I asked them if that is okay. They said it was, and so I packaged it up the best I could. They gave me a number to call UPS, as well as an account number to charge the return to.
I then set up a pickup appointment with UPS, and off it went. Now I have to wait for them to send me back the laptop, hopefully a 6 cell battery and AC adaptor like I sent them.
Lenovo ThinkPad X60s Review
Laptop Magazine reviewed a ThinkPad X60s from Lenovo. I am a big fan of the ThinkPad line and I really love some of the options they provide with their machines. For me, battery life is of prime importance and the model that was reviewed had it to spare as well as a very cool connection option: EV-DO.
The wireless broadband connectivity from Verizon Wireless is well integrated with the machine’s ThinkVantage utilities, which help you manage your wired and wireless connections, back up and restore your system, access tech support, and more. That said, the Access Connections manager could make it easier to connect with EV-DO. As it stands, you have to go through a wizard to set a profile. It isn’t hard, but other PC makers handle this function seamlessly in the background as you roam.
Thanks to our model’s eight-cell battery (which protrudes from the back of the system about 0.75 inches), the X60s delivered amazing battery life: 8 hours and 42 minutes with Wi-Fi on, and 9 hours and 34 minutes with it off. With its dual-core processor, the Lenovo X60s also topped all others here in MobileMark 2005, showing it will handle all your business apps with aplomb.
In the end the X60s gets a four out of five thanks to its durability, security, battery life, and wireless broadband connectivity options.
Lenovo Will Not Support Linux
Lenovo is forging a strategic partnership with Microsoft. Okay, enough with the PR buzzwords (where else do you see “strategic” and “partnership” stated in a single sentence?). It seems that Lenovo is not sticking to IBM’s seeming holy alliance with Linux (remember that Lenovo bought IBM’s computer manufacturing business a while back).
Computer maker Lenovo will not install or support the Linux operating system on any of its PCs, including ThinkPads and a series of new notebooks, the company said this week.
The Raleigh, N.C.-based company is clearly positioning itself as an exclusive partner of Microsoft, several weeks after the companies announced they were “reaffirming” global market development and cooperation agreements.
While IBM and Microsoft also had OEM agreements, IBM is known to be supportive of Linux, to the point of pre-loading it on some ThinkPad models (and even extensive support on servers).
It can also be noted that IBM competitors HP and Dell have been pre-loading Linux on some retail units (though not very publicly, as this might adversely affect agreements with Microsoft). I wonder why Lenovo chose to go the other way instead–I doubt Linux support would harm its agreements with Microsoft.
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