Got my x61 Tablet today.. now what.. (6 questions)

[iha]

Ok, I got my x61 today. So far I like it, but I haven't done much with it. my brother has an x60, and there are a few things I have noticed that I like better about this one so far.. the screen is much brighter (this is the main thing), and also I like the higher resolution and the finger print reader (i know this is an option on the x60 too, but he didn't have it).

Now for the questions :
1.) is there a list anywhere of what is "bloatware" and what is something i shouldn't disable on start up? or can you tell me?

2.) could someone suggest some ram (perhaps with a newegg link) for this thing? i got the low end model with only 512 MB of ram, and it seems like it's not going to really cut it for Vista. I was interested in getting 2GB.. depends on how much it will cost me though. This computer will be used for internet, MS Office, and other non-intense activities. Do you think I need 2GB or would 1GB be enough?

3.) is there any way to use your finger for the touch screen. i thought i had read somewhere that on the x61's you could use your fingers or the pen for the tablet function, i could have completely imagined all of that though.

4.) do you know if my brothers Microsoft One Note that he got for his windows XP Tablet edition would work on my Windows Vista? or would I need to buy a version specifically for Vista (I HOPE NOT!)?

5.) is there anything else I should know? any suggestions? recommendations?

edit:

6.) Ok, one more question.. my computer is supposed to have 512 Mb of ram, but in the system properties it shows it as having only 486 MB. why is that?

[Antioch]

Well, I don't have a tablet PC, so I can't answer some of your questions...

About the bloatware, it's pretty much every non-MS program that came installed with the machine plus a few Lenovo apps. Basically, whatever you don't need or don't use, uninstall.

I believe the minimum requirement for Vista is 1Gb and most people say you need atleast 2Gb to run well - so why not get the 2Gb? If so, you can buy 2x1Gb sticks for under $100 on NewEgg (I think, don't quote me).

The touchscreen + finger combo: you're right, you did hear it somewhere. I've read on the forums, however, that it doesn't really work as you'd expect. You need to use your fingernail and you need to apply a decent amount of pressure. But of course, this only applies if your TP has the MultiTouch screen (or whatever it's called).

I don't know about OneNote. I think there's no special Tablet PC version of OneNote, but again, I don't know.

The only suggestion I have is get more RAM. 512Mb definitely won't cut it in Vista.

[iha]

ok, thanks for the fast response. i do plan on upgrading the ram once I get some suggestions!

[iha]

I noticed now on the Lenovo site (while looking to see what kind of RAM my laptop has to know what to look at on newegg), that none of the x61 models come with just 512 MB of ram anymore. From what I can tell they all have 1GB min. That is pretty upsetting considering I just got mine today.

[Eric Giles]

You mention that you like the higher resolution of your screen compared to your brother's X60. That must mean that you got the Multiview SXGA+ screen that is 1400x1050 resolution. If that is the case, then you cannot use your finger on the screen-the high resolution screen is only available in Multview, not both.

Since you are running Vista, definitely get 2GB-my X61 tablet had 2GB and I cannot imagine using it with any less RAM. It uses DDR2 667MHz SO-DIMM memory, or just go to crucial.com and input your machine type-it will show you exactly what you need.

That version of One Note should run on Vista without any problem.

If you have the optional Intel 1GB Turbo memory, you may find that it will lockup while running on battery power. Just disable Readyboost and Readydrive and you should not have any more issues. There should be a fix soon that solves these lockup/freezing issues that are related to the turbo memory.

[iha]

Thanks Eric for all the info. I do indeed have the 1400x1050 resolution. Oh well, I doubt I would use it that much anyway.

The crucial Memory Adviser is a great tool! Would you recommend their RAM as well? I usually get corsair for desktops, but I've never bought for laptops before, so I'm not sure what is best (w/ out having to spend too much too).

I'm about to install OneNote, hope you're right. I figured that it should work fine though.

I don't have the Turbo Memory. Pretty much anything that cost extra I didn't get. I was trying to keep this as close to $1500 as I could when I ordered it.

Thanks again.

[bhtooefr]

Crucial's RAM is good RAM, but it's overpriced when you buy directly from them.

What I'd do now, honestly, is get a 2GiB module, and have a total of 2.5GiB, and that gives you an easy upgrade in the future.

Going that route, the cheapest option without rebates is this Transcend module for $104.98 shipped.

With a $15 rebate, this OCZ module is $99.98. I've not heard of Transcend, I have heard of OCZ. The only negatives I've heard about OCZ are related to their performance stuff, which this is not.

In my R51e, I have an Aeneon module (I hadn't heard of the brand, but it's Infineon's brand of modules, and Infineon makes LOTS of DRAM chips,) but Newegg doesn't have any Aeneon laptop stuff any more.

[iha]

thanks bhtooefr - I was wondering what I wanted to do (buy a 1GB and a 2GB, or 2x1GB, or I even looked at 2x2GB [too expensive for now]). I didn't consider just buying a 2GB and keeping my 512 in there though. That sounds like a good idea.. I think I will do that. I haven't heard of Transcend either, and I have heard of OCZ. I'll probably go with the OCZ anyway (although the transcend got good reviews too)

will that OCZ you linked work in my laptop though? It says it is PC2 5400, and that is not listed on the crucial site as a supported type (although they don't ahve the x61 tablet on there just "x61s (ALL TYPES)" which I'm assuming goes for the tablet too.. not sure.

[iha]

i just ordered this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820220229

it got very good reviews, so i figured it should be okay.

[bhtooefr]

X61s, X61, and X61 Tablet are the three X61-family models. They all take the same RAM, though, so it doesn't matter.

I believe PC2-5400 is a typo. It's DDR2-667, which is the correct speed, and at 667MHz, you can't get PC2-5400. (The PC2 number is directly related to the clock speed of the RAM - it's a measurement of the memory bandwidth, IIRC.) Besides, faster memory would run at the slower speed, so it doesn't matter.

Edit: I've used Patriot stuff before, and it doesn't suck. Although, the OCZ was slightly cheaper...

Edit 2: Funny. My 1024th post was in a RAM discussion.

[iha]

i'll be happy when this ram gets here.


For anyone.... Do i need to keep all of these lenovo programs running at start up? Will some of my functions be lost if i disable them all on start up?

[Antioch]

Some will some wont. For example, the green volume bars that appear when you press the volume keys - you need a lenovo program for that. I don't really know off hand what is what, but if you remove them your computer by accident it will still work.

[mgags7]

Well, I don't have a tablet PC, so I can't answer some of your questions...

About the bloatware, it's pretty much every non-MS program that came installed with the machine plus a few Lenovo apps. Basically, whatever you don't need or don't use, uninstall.

I believe the minimum requirement for Vista is 1Gb and most people say you need atleast 2Gb to run well - so why not get the 2Gb? If so, you can buy 2x1Gb sticks for under $100 on NewEgg (I think, don't quote me).

The touchscreen + finger combo: you're right, you did hear it somewhere. I've read on the forums, however, that it doesn't really work as you'd expect. You need to use your fingernail and you need to apply a decent amount of pressure. But of course, this only applies if your TP has the MultiTouch screen (or whatever it's called).

I don't know about OneNote. I think there's no special Tablet PC version of OneNote, but again, I don't know.

The only suggestion I have is get more RAM. 512Mb definitely won't cut it in Vista.

Ok firstly you're wrong about the touchscreen thing. I'll touch submit with the soft part of my fingertip to post this message if you like.

The OneNote will work.

I would say get the 2gb of RAM in there and then wipe the thing clean and do a custom restore off the service partition.

[iha]

oh, so if you restore from the service partition then all of the lenovo programs wont be on there?

i don't really want to get rid of all of them, just the ones i don't need. i kind of like the volume bars, for example.

[iha]

hm, I'm having trouble getting the eraser to work right. I got it to erase twice, but it doesn't seem to work every time. It always shows the eraser icon I but it doesn't always erase. Also, drawing lines horizontally through words works sometimes, put not other (to erase).

[mgags7]

the eraser is way more effective when you press down on it, but if you don't you can just move it around the whole word you want gone and it will erase it.

[bhtooefr]

On XP, restoring from the service partition gives you whatever was on there when you got the system out of the box.

On Vista, restoring from the service partition, you get to pick and choose what gets installed.

Ok firstly you're wrong about the touchscreen thing. I'll touch submit with the soft part of my fingertip to post this message if you like.

Then you have the MultiTouch XGA screen, NOT the SXGA+ screen. What's under discussion in this thread is the SXGA+ screen. Contrary to what's listed on the Lenovo site, there is more than one screen option. (Three, in fact - XGA, SXGA+, and MultiTouch XGA.)

[iha]

ok, i'll definitely do a restore once i get my ram then. picking what to install sounds nice.

of course, i have to figure out what i need and what i don't need.

[iha]

on second thought, maybe i don't like this large resolution on such a small screen. the small text is sometimes hard to read.

I know I can change the DPI, but I don't like how that distorts the text on some of the images.

is this just something people get used to? i have good eye sight too!

[Antioch]

I don't know. Its a personal preference I suppose.

Years ago when I first went up to 1600x1200 I loved it. I also have a 14" SXGA+ TP and I enjoy that resolution too. The problem is the DPI. A co-worker has a 24" LCD setup in his office, but has the font size enlarged and it looks great. The font size, although larger, looks very crisp due to the high res.

Anyways, I suppose it's all personal. Some people say you'll get used to SXGA+ on a 12" screen, others say you won't.

[iha]

Well, I can live with it.. and maybe get used to it.

I wish I would have known about this before I ordered though. I was clueless. I had never even seen a tablet in person before I ordered

[mgags7]

Then you have the MultiTouch XGA screen, NOT the SXGA+ screen. What's under discussion in this thread is the SXGA+ screen. Contrary to what's listed on the Lenovo site, there is more than one screen option. (Three, in fact - XGA, SXGA+, and MultiTouch XGA.)

Of course I have the multitouch xga screen. That is the only screen with multitouch. My comment was in response to the above criticism of the touchscreen function.

[mattbiernat]

most of the programs installed by defult are not that much of a bloatwere.
the ones that consume most of the resources and are fairly useless are:
1. system update - it has i think two start up aplications and one dedicated services running for it. remove this and you won't be able to update lenovo applications (unless you do it on their website). also if you remove this your start up will be faster and you will free up some ram. i bought my thinkpad a year ago and since then lenovo has not offered me any updates through this system. this certainly does not deserve its resources.
2. TVT scheduler - this services had caused some ppl problems. I think it is required for having any scheduled tasks. removing this will only speed up your start up time by like 1s.
3. anything that has norton in it is useless and power hungry. remove this and get avast or NOD32.
4. in msconfig, i disabled anything that has install shield\UPDATE services. 3 apps running in start up for something that i never used.


everything else does not consume much resources.

[iha]

ah, that is very helpful. thanks!

[iha]

this thing runs 10xs better with the extra ram!