Thinkpads Forum

Just a heads up, the S10 is ready to be ordered from Lenovo's site.

Summary:
- $429 for Black, $439 for White and Red
- Atom 1.6Ghz, 80Gb HDD, 512MB Ram (no config options as far as I can tell)
- 3-Cell battery, again no config options
- XP Home, no Linux option
- The ordering page lists X4500 graphics, but I'm 99% sure this should be GMA 950 like all the other Atom notebooks
- Ships within 2-3 weeks**

I thought it was going to be available in October? Plus it says: "*Color available in October 2008" for all three colors available...

I've tried the Asus EEE, and while it doesn't have a trackpoint, I would still get one if the keyboard was typeable. But it doesn't seem to have N-key rollover; I can't get much over 15 WPM out of it, compared to the usual 60 or so I do on the X31.

The X31 is still too heavy for me to take along much of the time. If there were an alternative at 2 pounds or less, with a viable keyboard (small is ok, but it has to work), I would gladly snatch one up.

Has anyone typed on a S9 yet?

Here's the latest on the Black IdeaPad S10,
Now ships in just 3 to 5 days, I called and confirmed when I ordered mine.
With the coupon discount the total (less tx, shipping) is only $364.65
Oh.. if you do not have the coupon info it's: USPIDEAPAD15
Which you enter the coupon once you place on in your cart.

Cheers!

It is back to 4+ weeks.

I suggest you check your order status

I didn't see a 6-cell battery option. Anyone heard how long the 3-cell will last?

Sorry about violating the rules.
Frankly it was the first image I've ever posted on this forum.
I was unaware of the rules regarding images, a mistake that I take full responsibility for.
Thanks for educating me on that point.
Note from Admin: You've been here long enough to know better than to post an image with no warning. Also, it was >50k.

They're selling these without Bluetooth. Possible to buy/add it later? Also, how easy to add memory?

No BT, 2 USB ports vs 3, no wireless-N , 3-cells, 512MB RAM...hmm...sounds like Asus EEE PC 1000 is still the most "complete" netbook in the market even though its fatter and heavier.

jagged wrote:No BT, 2 USB ports vs 3, no wireless-N , 3-cells, 512MB RAM...hmm...sounds like Asus EEE PC 1000 is still the most "complete" netbook in the market even though its fatter and heavier.

For me it's not so much about having "everything" as it is about meeting my needs which the S10 does nicely. It's about support, which remains a huge strength with the Lenovo brand, and it's about the points of interface between the user and the computer. Display, keyboard, touchpad, all of which Lenovo tends to exceed in. That said to each his/her own as we all have different values and needs. Viva la choice!

I am torn between this and the (upcoming) Dell. But, I am afraid of Dell Support. I have heard that Dell Laptop Support is horrible, and their on-site support is almost useless. Is my information dated? Is the support difference so great as to take the Dell out of consideration?

josh999 wrote:I am torn between this and the (upcoming) Dell. But, I am afraid of Dell Support. I have heard that Dell Laptop Support is horrible, and their on-site support is almost useless. Is my information dated? Is the support difference so great as to take the Dell out of consideration?

I know exactly how you feel.
As much as I love ThinkPads and would NEVER replace one of mine with a Dell, I must say that I've purhased a few of the newer Dells just to satisfy my (sic) desire to try a different laptop (as a secondary machine) for a few months, just for the fun of it. In fact I'm such a hardware addict, that I try all different brands and models of laptops. Kind of like having a few bowls of strawberry ice cream even though my favorite is chocolate, hands down. In the last year, I've had more than two models (each) out of the XPS line, the Latitude line, and the Inspiron line.

The greatest advantage of buying a Dell, is that you find out how utterly inferior they are, as compared to a ThinkPad. And please do not get me wrong, I'm not bashing Dell. I'm just stating the facts as they relate with my personal experience. Not only is a Dell rarely a great deal (even with coupons which I always take advantage of) but in all fairness and after much price analysis, I find Dells overpriced. I think Dell has come a long way to improve the product, especially the XPS models, however they have an awfully long way to go, to even approach the build quality, durability, serviceability, parts availability, and the depth and breadth of support from the Lenovo web site alone, as compared to the Dell counter part. Then when we evaluate the call centers for tech support, the average skill level of the Dell "tech" is very meager as compared to the excellent support skills at the Lenovo/IBM center in Atlanta Georgia. Dell, fun to browse the site, nice to look at in hand (xps) but open it up to use it, after having years of ThinkPad experience as I have and the Dell pales in comparison. The keyboards are very poor, the displays quite inferior, and the overall "feel" and lack of structural rigidity is positively unacceptable.

Finally I will admit that I've enjoyed the various series of ThinkPads as my main computer for so long, without any issues of consequence that I become bored. Thus I simply want to try another brand, as a secondary machine. Yet the result is always the same, no matter if it's from Acer, Asus, Toshiba, HP, Dell, Apple, Fujitsu, Compaq, Gateway, Sager, Sharp, or Sony, (all of which I've had more than one of) NOTHING comes close to a ThinkPad.....

THANKS.....wonderful, well thought out and detailed response!

Do you, (or anyone), have any input as to if the (relative) build quality and support is similar in the Ideapad line?

josh999 wrote:THANKS.....wonderful, well thought out and detailed response!

Do you, (or anyone), have any input as to if the (relative) build quality and support is similar in the Ideapad line?

Yes I have a Lenovo Y510 IdeaPad which is a great laptop. In fact it's what convinced me to place my order for an IdeaPad S10. Lenovo is making some real progress with the IdeaPad line.

I've had the Y510 since late March. The build quality is very similar to the stellar build quality of a ThinkPad. The main difference is the materials used which are simply different and not quite as high quality as that used on the T series for example. Fit and finish are quite good, in my opinion the Y510 will certainly hold up very well. I called tech support a few times with questions and received the same prompt accurate assistance as I do when calling in on a ThinkPad. Each call involved on-hold wait times of less than 2 minutes. The tech support person was knowledgeable, courteous, and easy to understand. Even though I do not care for Vista this laptop runs very well. You do get a large HDD, and a lot of memory for the price. Currently there is a Y510-3131U for sale on Newegg, for only $649. It has, Intel Pentium dual-core T2390(1.86GHz), 3GB ram, 160GB HDD and a dual layer DVD burner. That's quite a nice IdeaPad for that price. After using ThinkPads for over a decade, I'm pleasantly surprised with the IdeaPads and endorse them without hesitation.

Hope this answers your question.
Cheers.....

archer6 wrote:For me it's not so much about having "everything" as it is about meeting my needs which the S10 does nicely. It's about support, which remains a huge strength with the Lenovo brand, and it's about the points of interface between the user and the computer. Display, keyboard, touchpad, all of which Lenovo tends to exceed in. That said to each his/her own as we all have different values and needs. Viva la choice!

Actually, despite the S10's short comings, I am still drawn to it more than the Asus eee1000. Maybe because I've had a very good impression with Thinkpad experience so far especially compared to all other brands available here.

Anyways, my main problem is that the S10 won't be available here until late September here but I want to try out a netbook soon and bring it during my travels.

jagged wrote:Anyways, my main problem is that the S10 won't be available here until late September here but I want to try out a netbook soon and bring it during my travels.

I share your "Main Problem" and in many ways, it's a great problem to have (high levels of enthusiasm for a new ThinkPad).....

Ordered today. Estimated Shipping 11/3

begood2 wrote:Ordered today. Estimated Shipping 11/3

Take if from someone with _way too much_ experience buying new ThinkPads direct from Lenovo ( a few every single year), this date is meaningless.
And actually that's the good news, because while it can be very frustrating I can say first hand that this date may move around. Yes, actually go longer, or shorter, depending on more factors than even Lenovo seems to be able to keep track of. Here is just one example. When I ordered my X300 the initial date I was given was 14 weeks out. Then two days later as I tracked it's status on the web site, that time shrank to 10 weeks. The following week the computer arrived!...True Story! So total wait time went from 14 weeks to 12 days! And I have experienced the opposite, and everything in between. One more brief example, the optical drive in my T60p failed. The first major component failure I've had in a decade of ThinkPads. According to the site they were in stock. Well I prefer to call my orders in and speak with a human... (yes they still exist) and that person said yes no problem they were in stock. So I placed the order, and within minutes of getting off the phone my email confirmation came verifying that they were out of stock and it would be 8 weeks. Well I would be writing for days here if I told you how many times that changed _daily_. Bottom line.... had the drive just 5 days later.

So, after it's all said and done, I just order what I must and wait. Paying very little attention to dates or status reports. Watch them closely and they will make you crazy.......

Amy P: Thank you for choosing Lenovo Chat service, this is Amy, sales ID XXX. How may I be of assistance today?
Customer: Hi! I am on your website...If I try to look at the S-Series Ideapad, it does not let you press the "configure & buy" button
Customer: S10
Amy P: I am sorry but we have sold out of the S10 series.
Customer: oh! ok....when will they be back on your site again?
Amy P: I am sorry we don't have that information.
Amy P: I would say about a month or two
Customer: ok...i will check back..thanks!!!

josh999 wrote:Amy Parkin: I am sorry but we have sold out of the S10 series.
Customer: oh! ok....when will they be back on your site again?
Amy P: I am sorry we don't have that information.
Amy P: I would say about a month or two
Customer: ok...i will check back..thanks!!!

Unfortunately this does not surprise me one bit. It's the one aspect I dislike the most when dealing with Lenovo. They continue to fail miserably when it comes to any aspect of providing customers with accurate or even semi accurate info on purchasing a computer from them in terms of availability & shipping times.

Maybe the 6-cell batteries will be available when they are back in stock. Meanwhile I will try a eee pc 1000h with 6-cell battery.

I have the eee 1000H. It is significantly heavier than the 901, and the wireless has problems reconnecting to AP after suspend.
Glad I got it at Costco...

begood2 wrote:I have the eee 1000H. It is significantly heavier than the 901, and the wireless has problems reconnecting to AP after suspend.

I just spoke with a friend of mine on the east coast, he bought two of these 1000H models, one for himself and one for his son. They are having a lot of issues with the WiFi and so far not much luck with the Mfg finding a resolution. So after reading your post I just thought I would share this, so that others considering this model will have some additional info to consider.

Regarding the wifi problems with the 1000H, I read that there is a new Ralink wifi driver that helps... not sure if solves all problems. Also removing and rinstalling the antenna leads to the wifi card can help.

Do we know what wifi card the S10 has?

The keyboard of the S10 looks similar to the 1000H keyboard with the shift key to the right of the up arrow. Not my favorite placement.

Since I want to replace my X61 with a 10" Netbook I have been doing quite a bit of research. The S10 seems like it will be a good one.

I just received the 1000H Friday and I plan to order the S10 when its in stock with 6-cell battery to compare. My complaints with my 1000H are a buzzing fan and bouncy keyboard. I am having amazon send a replacement since I have read that most of the 1000H's are ok.

The MSI Wind is another choice but the 6-cell model is hard to find. Also I heard that MSI switched suppliers for the touchpad and there complaints with the new touchpad.

tselling wrote:Do we know what wifi card the S10 has?

The WiFi card in mine will be an: Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 5100

tselling wrote:The keyboard of the S10 looks similar to the 1000H keyboard with the shift key to the right of the up arrow.

While not perfect (what is?) I find that on the pre-production prototype I had the oportunity to try the keyboard was rock solid, had nice key travel, excellent tactile feedback and was within 5% of the ever ideal ThinkPad keyboard... You will not be disappointed. This is far and away the best Netbook available at any price. And I've tried them all now.
Here is the configuration I ordered:

Lenovo IdeaPad U330 - 22672BU
Core 2 Duo P7310 2GHz
Windows Vista
13.3 WXGA Backlight TFT 1280x800
ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB
2GB PC3-8500 SDRAM 1066MHz
250GB 5400rpm HDD
DVD Recordable
Bluetooth v. 2.0 +EDR
Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 5100
6 cell Li-Ion batt
4.35 lbs
One Yr Warranty
(-eCoupon $363.00)
free shipping

Cheers!

archer6 wrote: While not perfect (what is?) I find that on the pre-production prototype I had the oportunity to try the keyboard was rock solid, had nice key travel, excellent tactile feedback and was within 5% of the ever ideal ThinkPad keyboard... You will not be disappointed. This is far and away the best Netbook available at any price. And I've tried them all now.
Here is the configuration I ordered:

Lenovo IdeaPad U330 - 22672BU

Wait, are you talking about the U330 or the S10 now?

If the S10, how does it compare to the Wind? They look quite similar to me, and I'm still on the fence. I think I'll just jump on the first one that ships with 6-cell batteries.

pxa270 wrote:Wait, are you talking about the U330 or the S10 now?

If the S10, how does it compare to the Wind? They look quite similar to me, and I'm still on the fence. I think I'll just jump on the first one that ships with 6-cell batteries.

Wow!, What a horrible mistake on my part, if I could, I would delete that thread. Thanks for catching that. I was going way too fast helping three different people all at once with the two computers in question being: 1) IdeaPad S10 Netbook 2) IdeaPad U330 Laptop

Ok..... I'm with you now.......
Netbooks:

I can say that if there is any way you can be patient and wait for the IdeaPad S10, it is hands down so far superior to the Wind, or Aspire One, or EEE PC that it's not even funny. And I'm not saying that because I'm a big ThinkPad/Lenovo IdeaPad advocate. It's just the truth as I have personally experienced, since I own a Wind, EEE, and Aspire One. And due to the fact that I have used an IdeaPad S10. A very long time friend works for Lenovo and tests preproduction prototypes so often times I get a sneak peek and an opportunity to spend an hour with something new.
The S10 has a usable, comfortable keyboard, pointing device, a great display good battery life, and is all around a bargain for the price. Nothing else compares. Plastics used are flimsy and flexible on the others, whereas the S10 is solid. The others keyboards are so small that they are nearly useless. Granted we are talking inexpensive here, but the rest are nearly like throwing your money away.
This is one time I certainly support the saying "buyer beware".

Cheers

archer6 wrote: The S10 has a usable, comfortable keyboard, pointing device, a great display good battery life, and is all around a bargain for the price. Nothing else compares. Plastics used are flimsy and flexible on the others, whereas the S10 is solid. The others keyboards are so small that they are nearly useless.

AFAICT the keyboard and trackpad size of the Wind and the S10 are practically identical. If anything, the Wind's should be bigger, since it stretches from side to side, and the thing is about 1cm wider than the S10.

As for battery life, the Eee 901/1000H are getting a solid 6+ hours. The Wind should get at least 5 once they get the 6-cell. There is just no way the S10 is going to get near that with the 3-cell that they are shipping now. I guess I have to trust you on the built quality.

In any case, I'm not going to get anything 3-cell sub-30Wh batteries.

pxa270 wrote:I guess I have to trust you on the built quality.

No you don't, just do what I did and buy one of each and then you will not have to guess.

archer6 wrote: No you don't, just do what I did and buy one of each and then you will not have to guess.

Nah, I'll just wait for the Lenovo to show up in the B&M stores. I've already played a bit with the Wind, Aspire One, Eee 901 and 1000. But the S10 probably won't come to Europe before October at the earliest.