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Thin, semiprofessional: IdeaPad U350 reviewed

While it's hard for us to put design over performance when looking at a laptop, products such as the Lenovo IdeaPad U350 make it a little easier. As another entry to the growing field of affordable CULV thin-and-lights, the compact and really great-looking U350 is Lenovo's MacBook in terms of design. Lighter than it is thin, the Pentium U2700 processor-packing machine is clad in minimal silver and black and aims to keep a stylish low profile. And while the U2700 processor is both low power and low performance by Core 2 Duo standards, this thin-and-light is perfectly capable … Read more

Lenovo replacing some problem batteries

Lenovo on Friday said it will replace batteries on several of its ThinkPad laptops that show error messages.

Some users are reporting batteries are displaying error messages that read "Irreparable damage" or "Battery cannot be charged," and others are reporting their battery runs only for a very short time or experiences a sudden drop in its fuel gauge. It's known to occur on these ThinkPad models: T60, T61, R60, R61, X60, and X61.

Though it does not pose a safety risk, and it is not a product recall, Lenovo said, it will give those affected … Read more

Ask the editor: Should I buy a new laptop now, or wait for Windows 7?

As we've just completed a massive 30-plus system roundup of retail back-to-school laptops and desktops, that's a key question being asked by students, parents, and anyone in the market for a new laptop. There are likely several considerations going through any potential new laptop owner's mind right now, such as:

If I buy a laptop now, can I get Windows 7 for free? Yes, with some important caveats. From June 26, 2009 through January 31, 2010, Microsoft and many major PC makers are offering free upgrades to Windows 7 for those who want to buy a Vista-powered … Read more

Lenovo earnings dinged by weak enterprise demand

This was originally published at ZDNet's Between the Lines.

Lenovo reported a net loss for its fiscal first quarter as revenue skidded 18 percent because of weak enterprise spending.

The company reported a net loss of $16 million, or 18 cents a share, in the first quarter, on revenue of $3.5 billion. Lenovo, which remains tethered to the commercial market, has been restructuring to cut costs. In addition, Lenovo remains a tale of two companies. The company leads in China and is extending PCs to the countryside and leveraging 3G mobile adoption. However, Lenovo has struggled in mature … Read more

Microsoft acknowledges Windows 7 activation leak

Alex Kochis, Microsoft's director of Genuine Windows, posted a blog late Thursday addressing the "leak of a special product key" of Windows 7 RTM (release to manufacturers). This confirmed the rumor on Tuesday that an ISO file of Windows 7 RTM sent to Lenovo that contains a master key--a number used to verify the authenticity of the software--was leaked to the Internet.

According to the blog, "The key is for use with Windows 7 Ultimate RTM product that is meant to be preinstalled by the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) on new PCs to be shipped later … Read more

Hackers rumored to have cracked Windows 7 activation

Microsoft only just released final code for Windows 7 to manufacturers and the company is already facing a security risk.

The Windows Genuine Advantage antipiracy system in the Windows 7 Ultimate release to manufacturers (RTM) has reportedly been compromised by some Chinese hackers, according to a variety of Chinese forums, and first reported by Neowin.com.This means the user can fully activate the software offline without connecting to Microsoft's activation server.

The software's RTM code is generally the same as the retail code, which will be available to the public in October. PC makers tend to get … Read more

Digital City No. 42: It's a love 'n' hate (tech) thang

It's a free-for-all gripe fest as we talk about our personal frustrations with the PS3, AT&T, the iPhone, and whatever else was crossing our minds at that point.

From cyberdoormen and using your baby's mama for an iPhone replacement at the AT&T store, to Scott finding pleasure in getting Julie so worked up that she accidentally drops a naughty word and Joseph's failed attempt to pit Scott and Julie against each other...it's all on the table.

We're also holding a contest for the best Digital City desktop wallpaper creation (not … Read more

Uncanny valley of keyboards: Do small keys bother you?

In testing Lenovo's IdeaPad S10-2 and IdeaPad S12 Netbooks this week, an interesting thought occurred to us. Technically, both laptops are nearly similar inside: Intel Atom N270 processors, 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive. What differentiates them more than anything else are their screen sizes (10.2 inch and 12.1-inch) and their keyboards.

While screen size has been often discussed among Netbook owners, keyboard size and comfort hasn't as much. And, to a degree, it's the only true factor differentiating smartphones and Netbooks as far as interface is concerned. The real advantage to Netbooks is that you can type on them, like a laptop. But here's the question: are almost-regular size keyboards more difficult to use than intentionally small keyboards on MIDs and smartphones? Click through to hear us out.… Read more