Comments on: Lenovo IdeaPad S12 netbook now available for purchase, 10% off too

By: LLady_kaos

LLady_kaos — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:11:24 +0000

hi…could you tell me where you found the information about the linux-distros that would run ond the s12?

By: Steven Weiss

Steven Weiss — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:06:22 +0000

I ordered my S12 from Amazon. It had Windows xp, but I wanted to make it dual boot with linux. There is is a setting in the set-up, for the hard drive to be “compatible,” rather than xp exclusive. You need to change this setting or linux will stall on installation and load.

Anyway, after a week or so I wiped windows and went with a full install of Linux. I have tried ubuntu and mint (an ubuntu variant) and all the hardware works fine. No problems recognizing the wireless hardware.

My own feeling is that opensuse would be the bet distro on this machine.

By: IdeaPad S12 netbook now available with VIA Nano | Thinkpads.com - News, Reviews, Coupons, Deals on ThinkPad & IdeaPad Laptop computers

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:31:58 +0000

[...] there is only one Nano model and we don’t have a clue as to what color it is. We already deciphered which color each of the other netbooks was, but this one is a mystery for now. Keep up the good work [...]

By: archer6

archer6 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:56:30 +0000

I nominate John Hobbes, as the new webmaster for Lenovo.

It’s been FIVE DAYS, and Lenovo is still sleeping. And demonstrating to us that they really don’t care.

After all what’s a reputation worth? I guess not much when your so big and successful that they are overflowing with net profit.

They’ve also been on the page mistake riddled page to add one more 12″ IdeaPad and still have _NOT_ corrected their errors. So now we have three S-12′s to choose from without knowing anything about what color they are, what the dimensions are or any of those basics.

But do not be discouraged. It’s a do it yourself page (they forgot to mention that). All one has to do is to lookup the psref (which most average consumers have no knowledge of) and look it up for yourself.

Then call the order takers or take your chances online.

Hello? Lenovo? Anybody home?

By: archer6

archer6 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:43:25 +0000

I don’t see it as deceptive, but rather a very poorly designed site. With a distinct lack of information, the size of the computer is not listed, nor are there definitive specs anywhere to be found. A rather lackluster effort on Lenovo’s part. Considering Lenovo is a computer company the web site is a very revealing testimony to their lack of commitment in promoting new models. And if one visits the site regularly as I do, then you really notice the massive number of mistakes in the configuration pages that one uses to purchase a computer.

By: labrat

labrat — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:33:24 +0000

I hope they do give a choice. Regarding their website, they are somewhat deceptive about the screens and the looks. The S10-2 also had a glossy screen (exclusively) but that wasn’t clearly indicated to the buyer. It also had the protruding six cell battery that looked even worse because it was such a slim design.

By: archer6

archer6 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:58:49 +0000

I did read somewhere that there would be two choices of displays, matte and glossy and that the glossy would be the first to be introduced. The exact opposite of the S10. I bought my S10 when first released and it has a matter display. Then when Lenovo released the S10e they gave that model a glossy display.

By: labrat

labrat — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:55:02 +0000

You have to search for it, but there are videos showing the full 360 view of the s12 with the 6 cell battery. It sticks out just like it did on the s10 and absolutely ruins the whole profile of the machine. Plus, they went glossy on the screen. Great build quality once again ruined by poor design.

By: archer6

archer6 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:10:21 +0000

I asked myself that same question, regarding their choice of Broadcom. Especially since I plan on setting mine up with Ubuntu. So I did some research and found the particular chip is a new version and it is indeed compatible with most Linux distros’. So no worries for those that plan to do what I’m doing and wiping the drive of windows, to be replaced with Linux. Unofficially the distros in the list I saw, that are compatible are: Ubuntu 8.10 and 9.04, Fedora 11, openSUSE 11.1, Mandriva 2009, Slackware 12.2, Mint 7, Knoppix 6.0.1.

Cheers…

By: John Hobbes

John Hobbes — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:36:02 +0000

One word: cheaper.