Starter - The most limited Windows 7 version. If you have it please upgrade immediately because you have none of the multi-touch features that your S10-3T can do. Lenovo has enabled multi-touch on their programs via "Cando Touch", but this doesn't work anywhere else and you can't use the Tablet PC Input Panel for writing text. This version of Windows is the worst and should be avoided at all times.
If you don't want to upgrade then you can always try to find a third party virtual keyboard:
http://jkontherun.com/2007/01/02/free_onscreen_k/
http://hot-virtual-keyboard.com/onscreen-keyboard/
http://www.virtual-keyboard.com/
http://www.notateit.com/keyboard.aspx
You can also use OSK
If you don't want to upgrade then you can always try to find a third party virtual keyboard:
http://jkontherun.com/2007/01/02/free_onscreen_k/
http://hot-virtual-keyboard.com/onscreen-keyboard/
http://www.virtual-keyboard.com/
http://www.notateit.com/keyboard.aspx
You can also use OSK
Home Basic - This offers a few extras like being able to change your wallpaper and a "partial Windows Aero" mode. However there is no multi-touch. Stay away from it.
Home Premium - This version of Win 7 does offer multi-touch and media center. This is the lightest version of Windows 7 that doesn't suck, it's actually pretty good and the most economical. This is what I would recommend to most people.
Price for Home Premium upgrade (from Starter) is about $100
Price for Home Premium is between $140 to $150
Price for Home Premium upgrade (from Starter) is about $100
Price for Home Premium is between $140 to $150
Professional - For the average user the only reason to get Pro is because of the XP Mode. There are lot's of XP programs out there and this gives you backwards compatibility. If you are running Home Premium or even Starter you can get XP Mode by downloading a free update:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx
If you are interested in checking prices - Windows 7 Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx
If you are interested in checking prices - Windows 7 Professional
Enterprise and Ultimate - Why do you need this? These are operating systems which I would put on a desktop computer because they do have extra processes running which is not optimal for the S10-3T. For most people the "Language pack" will be the only useful thing anyways.
What you end up installing will matter because your system's performance is affected by your operating system. For the optimal results I recommend Home Premium or Professional. I hope my views help you decide what's best for you. However, because I'm obviously siding with two versions of Windows 7, you should check Wikipedia's table comparison for more detailed info - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions
Other options include switching to XP, Linux, or Mac OSX. Linux would be the lightest.
Get Windows 7 Home Premium, Pro or Ultimate. Starter is retarded.
Has anyone tried loading Linux on here? I'd love to see an Android OS for the S10-3t as well. Probably ordering mine next week!
ReplyDeletejfrakes is doing Linux on his system. Ubuntu if I'm correct.
ReplyDeleteHe was the same user doing the graphics accelerator too, right?
ReplyDeleteSome reports say this unit comes with bluetooth, some say it does not, what say you?
You are right about him doing the graphics accelerator (hint it's not worth the effort to try to get the Crystal HD, I will explain in a later post). Bluetooth comes with a specific version of the S10-3T.
ReplyDeleteThe regular version at Amazon does not have Bluetooth ( http://bit.ly/a8Ko9x ) However it's less expensive and therefore you can spend money on the 2GB upgrade. The Amazon version also comes with a 1.66 Ghz processor, 250GB hard drive and an 8 cell battery, and Windows 7 Starter (horrible)
The version from Lenovo's site does offer bluetooth. ( http://bit.ly/cqyM49 ) It costs more money but you get a slightly faster processor 1.83Ghz, the 250GB hard drive, 2GB by default, 4 cell battery and Windows 7 Home Premium.
I think it's a bummer about the 4 cell battery for the more expensive model, because I enjoy my 8 cell battery that lasts me for a long, long time.
Have you tracked down the OEM card that the Lenovo site version uses? I'll likely be getting the one from Amazon as I have some gift cards there making the RAM upgrade worth while and if I know a good mini pcie card to use for bluetooth, I'll get that too along with a dagi stylus. Haha, I've been following all of the videos and posts on this thing and I think I'm ready to take the plunge and stick it to the ipad crowd!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the helpful tips and reviews.
I haven't tracked that OEM card. Can you share a link please?
ReplyDeleteOne note about other Mini PCI-E cards, you might not be able to use it with the S10-3T. The reason is because of the "white list" which only allows certain hardware to work with the S10-3T. Also, you only have one PCI-E slot (used by the included wifi card). The other PCI-E slot has a PCI-E/"USB Interface" thing. I will be covering on my next post a lot of technicalities brought by the Crystal HD card (I'm writing it right now and have videos and photos) This might be very dry information but it's important. Videos are always good quick info.
I also ordered a Dagi Stylus and it's going to help me a lot especially when it comes to writing on the screen. Your finger feels very unnatural when writing stuff on screen.
The iPad has some software advantages because it's all about touch. Check http://www.jessebandersen.com/2010/03/slate-tablets.html for some juicy stuff.
I gotta get back to writing my other post. The S10-3T is a good machine but you have to do changes yourself which I have enjoyed doing. I have gained tons of knowledge through making this machine better. I'm glad to share what I find with everyone.
I really appreciate all the work you have done for the s10-3t community. I would not be enjoying this machine as much if it was not for your posts. Thanks Jesse!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. There's a good chunk of my life devoted to this. :-)
ReplyDeleteNew post about the Crytal HD. One day spent doing the mod, three videos, and 1 post. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised I didn't gain that much weight with all the food I ate.
Thanks for the info jess, I bought my s10-3t last week upgraded to windows home premium and is doing fine. I was reading your review and I have learned a lot. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteHi, i have a question for the LENOVO IdeaPad S10-3t, i buy one and i have got a win 7 home premium 64 bit, this os does run for this netbook, or only the 32 bit version correct?
ReplyDeleteIt will run on both 32bit and 64bit.
ReplyDeleteTy for the ansver i install my 64 bit win 7, this blog is a treasure chest helps a lot:)
ReplyDeletewhich will be better to install to increase performance for this netbook the 32 or 64
ReplyDelete64bit require more resources... therefore a 32bit would be leaner and "faster".
ReplyDelete