Browsing online earlier this week, I found a few links around the web related to Lenovo’s Windows 7  Touch and Try event  I thought I would to share with our readers…

1. Exclusive video of Windows 7 booting demo at Linux Cafe.

2. Preload Windows 7 model which is attached with Lenovo Windows 7 Enhanced Experience logo.

3. Windows 7 Launch discussion was been shared in ThinkPad Club Forum.

4. Demo and chances “Touch and Try” multi touch T400s and built-in CULV function S12.

Joining us again is  Mr. Masaru Kamikura who shares his thoughts and a few pictures from the  Win 7 Touch and Try event held at the Café Solare (Linux Café) in Akihabara, Tokyo.  

On October 24 and 25 2009 “Lenovo PCs Windows 7 Touch and Try Event” was held at Café Solare (Linux Café) in Akihabara, Tokyo.

In this event, the newest Lenovo laptops in the ThinkPad and IdeaPad series were exhibited.
This event was a great opportunity for people who want to choose ThinkPad and IdeaPad because these systems are rarely exhibited at general retailers.   According to Windows 7 announcement, Lenovo is becoming well known for the latest technology “Windows 7 Lenovo Enhanced Experience”, so holding a public demonstration seems a great way to allow perspective customers to experience it for themselves.

Lenovo laptops were not for display only; people who visited this event could touch and try out the keyboard feel, performance and also enjoy the full functionality.   Also featured were the dual-screen W700ds,  the just released in Japan touch-panel ThinkPad T400s and the IdeaPad S12 built-in NVIDIA ION.  This event at  Akihabara was full of unique experiences and displays, especially the dismantled T400s.

Windows 7 Lenovo Enhanced Experience is a technology which speeds up boot time.   The Boot time comparison demonstration was conducted comparing preload Windows 7 product and conventional product were started simultaneously to show the differences.  As a result, Windows 7 booting time is 23 seconds faster than the standard at 32 seconds.
The technology is not advantageous while booting, it also effects time spent shutting down or returning from suspend mode.   There was a chance to watch a Simple Tap demonstration of ThinkPad T400s.

Customers in attendance was clearly excited by the demonstrations, as was a local dealer who understanably was perhaps  a little curious as to what effect Windows 7 will have on PC sales.

今週中にいくつかのLenovo Windows 7 Touch & Tryイベントのポストが出られました。共有することにしてお楽しみにしてください。

1. Linux CafeでWindows 7上の起動ビデオ.

2. Lenovo Windows 7 Enhanced Experienceが貼っているロゴ。

3. ThinkPad Clubフォーラムで共有するWindows 7 Launch。

4. マルチタッチT400sとCULV搭載S12の”Touch and Try“機会。

今度も上倉賢さんはレノボ．ジャパンが秋葉原にてCafé Solare (Linux Café)で開催されたLenovo Windows 7 Touch & Tryイベントに関する写真と考え方を共有します。

Windows 7販売開始の週末、2009年10月24日から25日に東京の秋葉原にある、Café Solare リナックスカフェ 秋葉原店で、「レノボ Windows 7 パソコン タッチ&トライ イベント」が行われました。

今回のイベントは、ThinkPadやIdeaPadなどLenovo製Laptopが最新モデルを含め、ほぼフルラインナップ展示されました。一般の販売店では、ここまでの機種がそろうことはなく、ThinkPadやIdeaPadを選ぼうとしている方には、絶好の機会となりました。また、Windows 7に合わせて発表された「Windows 7 Lenovo Enhanced Experience」のデモなども公開され、Lenovoの最新の技術についてもよくわかる内容となっていました。

Lenovo製品の展示は単に展示しているのではなく、自分が試したい機種を十分に使えるようにほとんどの製品で、予約制をとっており、キータッチや性能、機能などを十分に堪能できるようになっていました。また、一般の店頭では扱われない、デュアルスクリーンのThinkPad W700ds、日本でも発表されたばかりで一般には発お披露目となるThinkPad T400s タッチパネルモデルや、NVIDIA ION搭載のIdeaPad S12なども展示され大変盛況でした。もちろん、製品をみて、さわれるだけではなく、Lenovoの担当者に直接質問できるので、ThinkPad T400sの分解モデルの前で、マニアック質問がされるなど、秋葉原ならではの光景も見られました。

Windows 7 Lenovo Enhanced Experienceは起動時間などを高速化する技術ですが、Enhanced Experienceでチューニング後の物と、していない物を同時起動して速度を比較するデモが行われました。Windows 7が起動するまでの時間は、約23秒と約32秒で同じOSでもかなり違うことがわかります。これは起動だけではなく、終了やサスペンドからの復帰などの時間でも効果があるとのことなので、注目の技術です。他にもThinkPad T400sタッチパネルモデルで導入された、SimpleTapのデモなども行われるなど、充実の内容となっていました。

Windows 7の発売で、パソコンの売り上げがどう伸びるかが、関係者の気になるところですが、少なくともこのイベントが行われた週末の秋葉原は、この近辺の販売店も含め非常に盛り上がっていました。

レ ノボ・ジャパンは2009年10月22日にMicrosoft® Windows® 7搭載PCの販売を開始しました。新製品の発売を記念して、レノボ・ジャパンは2009年10月24日（土）と25日（日）午前10時から午後6時まで、カフェソ ラーレ（リナックスカフェ）秋葉原にて、Windows 7搭載PCをご自由にお試しいただける タッチ＆トライ イベントを開催します。また 午前11時から一時間毎にMicrosoft Windows 7搭載製品と従来製品のスピードの比較デモがあります。アンケートに記入いただいた方には、レノボオリジナル巻き取り式LANケーブルか、Rollbahnノートをプレゼントします。また「Windows® 7有難うキャンペーン」も同時開催し、タッチ＆トライイベントにご参加いただき、2009年10月24日（土）から30日（金）までにMicrosoft Windows 7初期導入済製品をご購入いただいた方に抽選で、ThinkPad T400s が3名様、IdeaPad S10-2 10名様に当たります。

^*1 ニュース
^*2 セミナー

また、お客様がLenovoフォーラムでLenovo Windows 7を起動議論への参加を歓迎します。次の2週間はLenovoの主題専門家達は考え方を共有し、Windows 7とLenovo Enhanced Experienceについて質問に答えるために役立ちます。

Lenovo Japan began selling Lenovo PC’s preloaded with Microsoft® Windows® 7  today, October 22, 2009.   So this weekend  October 24th (Saturday) and 25th (Sunday) 2009, Lenovo Japan will host a  hands-on event at Cafe Solare, Akihabara.   The event runs from 10 am. until 6 pm.  Every hour starting at 11:00 am, there will be  demonstrations comparing the Lenovo Enhanced Experience Windows 7 preload performance with a normal Windows 7 out of the box install, so that participants can observe the performance differences.  

In addition, participants will have the opportunity to enter a drawing while filling out survey forms during the event; a coupon number which is distributed during the event for those whom purchase preload Microsoft Windows 7 products from October 24th until 30th, 2009; so, they entitle a lucky draw in Lenovo Japan website.   Prizes include 13 copies of  Windows 7 products, 3 of T400s and 10 of S10-2 systems.

^*1News – Hands-on Event
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We also welcome our customers to join in our Windows 7 launch discussion in our forum, where Lenovo subject matter experts will be sharing their thoughts and helping to answer questions about Windows 7 and the Lenovo Enhanced Experience for the next two weeks.

Last month, Lenovo human factors engineer Aaron Stewart guest blogged about the new Lenovo SimpleTap interface over on Design Matters, and even demonstrated the features on both an X200 tablet and our new T400s touch enabled ThinkPads on Youtube.

Today, I caught up with SimpleTap product manager Lee Highsmith who took time to share his thoughts on this new capability and the growing pervasiveness of touch interfaces.

Mark:   So Lee, tell us about your role as product manager and how long you’ve been involved with SimpleTap…

Lee:  I’ve had the opportunity to work on the Worldwide ThinkVantage Technologies team since 2001, and over that time, I’ve had the chance to manage almost all of our tools.  Today, I own several products from a strategy and marketing perspective, and work every day to make our tools better and get the word out to our customers.  My present responsibilities span Rescue and Recovery, Access Connections, Power Manager and, most recently, SimpleTap. We tend to get some  of our best ideas from listening to our customers, so I’m excited that the Lenovo Forums will give us one more way to hear great input! (Visit the new SimpleTap discussion board)

Mark:   Do you credit the latest generation of smart, touch enabled phones with helping to create mainstream awareness and interest in this type of technology?

Lee:   Certainly the latest generation of touch-centric smartphones have created a lot of comfort and familiarity with touch, but there are so many devices today that use touch – look at GPS, cameras, printers, ATM’s,  and even the pumps at your local gas station!   Working on this project has really made me aware of how much people want to touch screens – look at the screen on your PC, and I’d guess there are fingerprints.  While traveling, I’ve observed people at hotels and airports trying to use regular screens as if they are touchscreens – I think it is a very natural way to use technology.

Mark:    I guess we are getting pretty accustomed to touch screens around us, but many of those devices worked fine with buttons instead of touch for many years.  Is touch that much better, or is it just cool technology?    What do you see as practical uses for this on a tablet or other touch enabled PC?

Lee:   I think SimpleTap has a lot of value. It is most apparent on a tablet when you’re in “tablet mode” with the screen covering the keyboard. At that point, tasks that can be pretty simple like locking the PC or adjusting the screen brightness are suddenly a lot less easy. SimpleTap gives the user a way to easily and naturally manage tasks without having to open the tablet to get access to the keyboard, so it really goes a little beyond convenience and really helps the user stay in tablet mode and stay productive.

Mark:  Ok, I can see that on the tablet.  What about touch on the T400s?  Touch on a standard laptop?

Lee:   On the T400s, I think the more general benefits of SimpleTap show up. There are still a lot of tasks that aren’t touch-optimized in the operating system that are made easy with SimpleTap, such as volume adjustment, locking the PC or even disabling wireless radios. In addition, we’ve added features in SimpleTap that extend the VOIP (Voice Over IP) experience as well. If you’ve ever been on a VOIP call with video, you may have noticed a lot of people spend the first few seconds adjusting their screens or moving things out of view. SimpleTap provides a quick way to preview what the camera will see, and even allows you to “mute” the camera with a touch.

Mark:  How does this work?  I’ve heard SimpleTap described as living in it’s own “layer” on the screen…

Lee:  SimpleTap can be invoked by a two-finger double tap of the screen. This will bring up the SimpleTap layer, which won’t interfere with anything on the Windows desktop. We didn’t want to require the user to minimize windows or anything else that took them out of the flow of what they were doing. Users will also notice the optional red circle “docked” on one edge of the screen, which can be touched or clicked to launch SimpleTap as well.

Once SimpleTap is up, you’ll notice a number of buttons we call “tiles” each of which allows you to control a feature or launch something. Users can create their own tiles to launch a program, a website or even a particular file.

We made SimpleTap to put a little “fun” in functional. Users can “flick” the tiles and they’ll bounce off each other, or if you put them on top of each other, they make room. We wanted it all to feel a little organic.

Mark:   Which Lenovo models is this supported on? Can I use it on older touch tablets like X200’s sold earlier this year? How about X60 or X61 models?

Lee:   Currently, SimpleTap is offered as for download and use on the latest X200 tablet and T400s models with the multitouch screens and running Windows 7. It is not supported on other hardware at this time. It will be preloaded on a number of systems announced early next year.

Mark:   Where do you see this technology headed?

Lee:    I think we’ll see a lot of feedback from our users and corporate customers on where to take it, and we’ve already seen some interesting directions to go. Expect to see more next year!

I would like to introduce today’s guest blogger, Masaru Kamikura, a computer journalist from All　about who attended the IdeaPad announcement event which was held by Lenovo Japan in Tokyo on August 19, 2009.   He shares his impression of the event and his thoughts about IdeaPad influence, challenges and growth opportunity in the Japanese market.

The Japanese computer market situation differs from the world wide market because here, the  Japanese brands are very strong, while successful foreign consumer computer manufacturers are very few.

Lenovo Japan as well as in the IBM era previously sold into the consumer computer market but had become mainstream for business for 10 years.  In November 2008, the IdeaPad S10e net book was released into the consumer market.  Then on August 19, 2009 a broader IdeaPad series announcement event was held in Tokyo. The announcement event confirmed that the new IdeaPad series are official and signal clearly Lenovo’s intentions  for the consumer market.

This time, IdeaPad U Series and IdeaPad Y Series have been added, and as Lenovo taps one of the largest consumer markets in the world, IdeaPad I believe it will gain full-scale momentum.

Normally, support after purchase (Telephone counseling, support in case of failure) is very important when selling products into consumer market in Japan. Lenovo Japan also builds a support system to meet the sale of IdeaPad S10e differs for business and seems that the preparation is continuing consistently.

In this announcement event, Roderick Lappin of Lenovo Japan President and Wei Jun, the Vice President of Idea Product Group Notebook Business Unit were explaining about Lenovo position in the world market, besides David Nicol, Corporate Officer of Consumer Business was explaining the position of each products and campaign launching and lastly Hiroyuki Kushida which is Lenovo Japan Consumer Product Business Manager was explaining about product outline.

A Guest speaker from Intel also described CULV (the official name of Japan Mobile Sub Notebook PC).

Hideaki Doki from Intel

Lenovo ThinkPad which is developed in Japan is a popular model among high end users.  I am a ThinkPad fan.   However, even  though ThinkPad has high quality and performance, price sensitivity is a concern, especially for the consumer market.

High-quality products are demanded in Japan, and the Japanese consumers are confident in the products produced by domestic manufacturers, so new product lines and systems made elsewhere face an additional challege.   During the presentations, Lenovo shared how Yamato engineers and Lenovo China engineers share best practices and collaborate to ensure all the IdeaPas live up to the high quality expectations.

The keyboard quality is close to ThinkPad; APS (Active Protection System) that protects HDD which is also built-in ThinkPad, etc. are also equipped.  One Key recovery system, Anti-virus features, etc. before starting up non-preloaded OS on ThinkPad also included, and low-priced products that have features which are close to ThinkPad have been introduced.

About sales strategy –  utilize ThinkPad high profile is the strategy to raise brand awareness because IdeaPad brand awareness is still low. This time, new investment in products that are thin and light  like the IdeaPad U350, a rich Multimedia feature IdeaPad Y550, and larger LCD size than netbook IdeaPad S12.

If  ThinkPad is a business tool so IdeaPad is as the ultimate entertainment computer. It is different with traditional advertising strategies for consumer goods; so that display in store is going to be strengthened in-store was announced.

These IdeaPad series which are design obsessed products were demonstrated by a model photo session also held at the Lenovo Japan announcement event.   Are lower price points enough to ensure success in the Japanese market?  Here is what I think:

It must begin with recognition of brand name, and it is taking time that IdeaPad to be accepted as Chinese market. For Japan market, laptop computer share is high and there is a situation where the average selling price is also high. For the consumer, the better products become cheaper is welcome. The consumer always welcome products which is including support, etc. that is competitive domestic manufactures and offered from Lenovo, etc. which are highly competitive international companies. The domestic manufacturers also will come out with products to compete with it. Now, looking forward to what will become of the Japanese market in the future inclusive of Lenovo.

紹介したい今日のゲストブロガーはＡｌｌ　ａｂｏｕｔのコンピュータジャーナリスト、上倉賢さんです。彼は2009年8月19日に東京で開催されたＩｄｅａＰａｄの発表会を参加しました。彼はイベントの感想とIdeaPadの思想特に日本市場での影響、挑戦及び成長について述べます。

- 上倉賢（かみくら　まさる）

日本のPC市場は、世界市場とは異なり、日本のMakerが非常に強いという状況です。Consumer向けPCで成功している国外Makerは非常に少ないです。

Lenovo JapanもIBM時代にConsumer向けPCを本格的に販売していましたが、10年ほどBusiness向けが主流となっていました。しかし、2008年11月にNetbookのIdeaPad S10eでConsumer向けに再参入。2009年8月19日に東京でIdeaPad Seriesの発表会を開催。Consumer向けPCの本格参入という意味の発表会にもなりました。

今回、IdeaPad Uシリーズ、IdeaPad Yシリーズが追加され、Lenovoも世界最大のPC市場へ活用してConsumer向けで本格的に動き出すことになります。

日本のConsumer向け市場は、製品の販売は当然として、購入後のSupport(電話相談、故障時の対応)も非常に重要となります。Lenovo Japanも、IdeaPad S10eの発売に合わせてBusiness向けとは別のSupport体制を構築し、その準備を着実に進めていたようです。

今回の発表会では、Lenovo Japan PresidentのRoderick Lappin、Vice President, IDEA Product Group Notebook Business UnitのWai Jun氏が世界市場におけるLenovoのpositionを説明し、Lenovo Japan SMB,Consumer BusinessのCorporate Officer David Nicol氏が、各製品のPositioningやLaunch Campaignなどを説明、Lenovo Japan Comsumer Product Business ManagerのHiroyuki Kushida(櫛田弘之)氏より製品概要について説明がありました。

Guest speakerとして、IntelからCULV(日本の正式名Mobile Sub Notebook PC)に関する説明もありました。

Intel Hideaki Doki(土岐英秋)

LenovoのThinkPadは日本で開発していることもあり、High end userに人気です。私もThinkPadの愛用者の1人です。しかし、ThinkPadは品質や性能が高くても、Designが地味で何よりも消費財市場のために感動値段に懸念です。

日本では、品質の高い製品が求められていますから国内メーカーに生産された製品に自信を持っていますので他国メーカーに生産された新製品とシステムにさらなる挑戦を直面しています。今回の発表会では、すべてのIdeaPadを消費者の期待に合致する高品質に確保するために大和エンジニアはレノボチャイナエンジニアと協力して最優良例を分ち合いました。

KeyboardはThinkPadに近い品質、ThinkPadにも搭載されるHDDを保護するAPS(Active Protection System)などを搭載。ThinkPadに搭載していないOS起動前のAnti-virus 機能などのOneKey Systemなども搭載され、低価格製品ながらThinkPadに近い機能を持っていることが紹介されました。

販売戦略については、IdeaPadのBrand認知がまだ低いことから、ThinkPadの知名度を生かしてIdeaPadBrandの認知度を上げる戦略をとるようです。今回、新たに投入されるのは、Thin&LightのIdeaPad U350とMultimedia機能が豊富なIdeaPad Y550、Netbookより液晶サイズの大きいIdeaPad S12です。

ThinkPadがBusiness toolならば、IdeaPadはUltimate Entertainment PCとしていくようです。一般消費者向けに広告戦略も従来とは違った物、店頭でのdisplayも強化していくことが発表されました。

今回のIdeaPad SeriesはDesignにもこだわった製品であり、Lenovo Japanの発表会では初めての女性modelによるPhoto sessionも行われました。単に安いだけではないIdeaPad seriesですが、どの程度日本市場に受け入れられるでしょうか。ここで私の考えです：

ブランド名の認知から始めなければならず、中国市場のようにIdeaPadが受け入れられるまでは時間がかかりそうです。日本市場はLaptop PCのshareが高く、平均販売価格も高いという状況がありました。消費者にとっては、良い製品がより安くなるのは歓迎です。Supportなども含め、国内メーカーに負けない製品が、Lenovoなど国際競争力の高い会社から提供されるのは、消費者にとっては歓迎するところです。国内メーカーもこれに対抗する製品を出してくるでしょう。Lenovoの今後も含め、日本市場がこれからどうなるのか楽しみなところです。

For several years now, Lenovo customers have been able to add upgraded services as they custom configured new system orders via the Lenovo.com  shopping website.   

Customers with existing systems can purchase upgraded warranty coverage by contacting Lenovo by phone, or working with one of our authorized partners.   Easy enough, but why not make it even easier by going online?  

And so we are.   Last month, we  piloted this functionality for US customers, and today we are expanding to support our Canadian customers in both English and French.   We also have plans to include  additional countries and languages, so stay tuned.

United States                        Canadian English                 Canadian French

A few limitations to note:    At this time we are supporting the Think  line – ThinkPad, ThinkCentre, ThinkStation, ThinkServer    Some models from the Lenovo 3000 and Valueline may also be covered.  IdeaPad and IdeaCentre product warranties with the possible exception of some US S10e education / commercial models of the netbook are not supported at this time due to different model / serial number conventions.   Customers with these products should continue to contact sales or support by phone to discuss warranty upgrade options. A complete list of warranty upgrade part numbers by system series is available here.

Since part of my job involves following the Chinese blogosphere  including several prominent forums, I’m greatful for the opportunity to meet a few influential and esteemed bloggers and forum moderators along the way.    They’ve known the ThinkPad long before I was introduced to it, since I have been working at Lenovo for  only about 18 months, and frankly speaking most of my ThinkPad product experience began on my first day at work.  While I may not have a long history with the product, I’ve quickly begun to appreciate many of the design points which make it unique, and I enjoy hearing from those who have been users of the earliest models and have been with ThinkPad throughout it’s long evolutionary journey.

While ThinkPad is well-known in the Malaysian business industry, my prior work experience had been in  relatively small scale companies, therefore my exposure to ThinkPads was minimal.  Other PC manufactures hold a more prominent position in the consumer market, and have been used by individuals and small business.   However, the recent efforts from the Lenovo Sales team is changing that - ThinkPad is gaining broader attention from Malaysians.  Establishment of Lenovo offices in Malaysia contribute to a higher exposure to ThinkPads, especially for Lenovo employees, friends and families. 

Some Malaysian media, for instance the famous media in Malaysia TheStar, have cited a few of the new products that were launched in Malaysia recently, and some bloggers have begun to spread awareness of ThinkPads and other Lenovo products as they share their experiences.

In Taiwan, we are thankful to have galaxylee to share ThinkPad experiences and product review with the Chinese.   Galalaxylee, a nickname used in the blogsphere, is the owner of TPUser unofficial site in Taiwan.   In addition to keeping his blog up to date, his site also hosts a discussion forum.  He is extremely well versed in ThinkPad history, features and anything , and I mean just about anything ThinkPad related.   Besides being famous in the Taiwan region, galaxylee is widely recognized by forum members of 51nb, the high traffic forum about ThinkPads in China Mainland, too.

From his article writing style, it is evident that he is a techie person and has gained readers’ respect and admiration.   I’ve come to admire him as well. 

His articles always elicit comments from the loyal readers.  The feedback is almost always constructive , with an in-depth discussion about a particular  feature of a product.  Recently he covered the release of the new ThinkPad USB Keyboard with TrackPoint, and has drawn focus to the previous  hot topic of Fn and Ctrl key as discussed in David Hill’s blog posts.

Recently, I was able to catch up with Galaxylee online and he was gracious enough to entertain my request for a brief interview.   Making connections with interesting people in the broader Lenovo community is central to the heart of this blog, so I was greatful for the opportunity.

Cleo: How long have you been using or knowing ThinkPad?

Galaxylee: Oh it’s been 10 years history. I started to know of ThinkPad when I was in the 3rd year of university. That was year 1997. But I was only able to own my first ThinkPad 570 two years later in year 1999.

Cleo: Do you consider yourself as ThinkPad lover or fan?

Galaxylee: Haha… of course I am! I also wish that ThinkPad can keep on accompanying all the ThinkPad lovers around the world.

Cleo: How many ThinkPad do you own and why?

Galaxylee:I have about eight ThinkPads but I’ll just name a few here.

• ThinkPad 570: It was actually for graduation celebration. I got some earnings after taking up a part time job during summer.
• ThinkPad 600E: Specially purchased when performing a military service for 20 months. On top of that, I had written about “The Days ThinkPad Joined the Military Force”, too. But it is in Chinese version.
• ThinkPad T40: For commemoration. Code name “Rome” was the newest product from Yamato Lab.
• ThinkPad x200 Tablet: Just purchased it recently because very interested in the x200 series design. Now I am exploring this machine.

Cleo: What do you normally use ThinkPad for? Could you share some of the extraordinary ways of using ThinkPad?

Galaxylee: At the beginning of work, I was using ThinkPad 600 whenever going oversea or outstation for working purpose as well as desktop pc when I was in office. However, I gave up using the conventional desktop pc later. I replaced it with ThinkPad Mini Dock matched with ThinkPad, and hooked up the external keyboard, mouse and 19’ inch of Lenovo LCD monitor. I also set up the same at my house for working purpose as well. It’s actually very simple. You just need to place your ThinkPad on the mini dock and it is ready to use without laying your hands on cables. Therefore I am very passionate and relentlessly promoting my ThinkPad docking solutions to everyone .

Actually I personally thought the ThinkPad screen display is rather low and not good if working long hours in front of a notebook. Therefore, I strongly recommend notebook users to use ‘ThinkPad Adjustable Notebook Stand’ for a good office environment. At the same time, match it with external keyboard just like the latest new release of USB Keyboard with TrackPoint. I thought this solution is very useful and practical as well because it is important to maintain a good body posture.

Cleo: What is/are the attraction point of ThinkPad that make(s) you so into ThinkPad?

Galaxylee:Well it incorporates so many factors that make me so into ThinkPad. I can see the persistency showed by Yamato Lab about an Ultimate Business Machine by taking ThinkPads as reference. Affordable price along with the variety of different series, ThinkPad is still able to keep its excellent thermal management, machine structure, the comfortable and nice to use keyboard together with its installation guide, firm and durable roll-cage as well as the software and drivers. All of these are very vital for a business machine. It sets my mind at rest and do not have to worry much about it.

Cleo: Which ThinkPad do you think is most impressive for you?

Galaxylee: I am very much impressed with the one that was only announced in Asia Pacific, the S30 series. Check out the pictures here   This mini ThinkPad with only 10.4’ inch has a special design and an elegant look on top of the lid. It is just like the SL series that has piano kind of surface on the lid. Unfortunately, this series can no longer be found. After years of announcement, Asian ThinkPad users are still wondering what ThinkPad would be if S30 design was re-developed again. In Taiwan, you can only find S31. But I did not have the urge to buy at that moment because it had no WLAN. Who would know it has now become a precious one? Am really regret for not getting one that time…

Cleo: I know you have led Taiwanese ThinkPad fans to visit Yamato Lab last year and this year as well. Can you share some experiences with us?

Galaxylee:  TPUSER has organized 3 trips to Yamato Lab in year 2003, 2006 and 2008. You must have thought we had free trips but it was not the case. We were willing to pay ourselves for this valuable trip because it is like once in a life time thing! Anyhow, transportation from Tokyo to Yamato city, Kanagawa was taken good care by TW IBM or Lenovo TW. So we felt relieved. The trips were really rewarding as we got to know the substantial information about ThinkPad. Most importantly we had a chance to have an in-depth discussion with ThinkPad designers! Exciting, uh? Yamato Lab has diligently arranged and organized these 3 trips just for us. They prepared slides and meals. They were really hospitable to us. I learnt how rigorous the Japanese are whenever executing a task, just like these events.

Cleo: How do you obtain the information that nobody knows of yet?

Galaxylee: Actually all the information is from the announcement in Lenovo website. The difference is the information is widely spread in different website in different language.

Cleo: What drive you to share ThinkPad discussion each and everyday consistently?

Galaxylee:  Haha… because I am a ThinkPad lover! But I don’t wish to be like salespersons introducing ThinkPad everywhere or forcing others to buy ThinkPad. I would like to use another approach instead. I hope the passion for ThinkPad can be spread to others through the power of internet, particularly my website. I feel so much honored to have the opportunities to help others in my TPuser website. ThinkPad is worth to take our time to experience it ourselves. But before that, we need someone to share with us the features of a product, reviews and stuffs like that. At least we can know if the product suits our needs before placing an order.

Cleo: If there was a chance for you to sit in with different ThinkPad fans of the world, what topic of discussion would it be?

Galaxylee:   I wish to have a talk about the future development of ThinkPad and its possible new series. I know a lot of people is missing the older model of ThinkPads very much. For example, I really miss ThinkPad 600 and S31. But it is pointless if sharing only the memories we had with ThinkPad in the past and not looking forward. On the contrary, we should gather our thoughts, our idea, for the sake of new generation of ThinkPad that everyone dreams off!

I hope it gives you some insight of the ThinkPad in the heart of a Chinese in the East. How about ThinkPad in your country?

See you there!