This Blog is Relocating...

My Tablet PC blog is moving to:

http://www.tabletpcblogs.com/blogs/my_first_tablet_an_x41t/default.aspx

Check there for future updates!

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

During the first couple of weeks my X41T developed a problem where I always got the message "Waiting for device to start" for the fingerprint reader at the Windows login screen ONLY when the X41T is using the battery. It did not happen if the XT41T is connected directly to AC.

As most of my time was initially on AC (I had some other issues due to bad sectors on the disk), it could have always been like this. I'm just not sure.

IBM was never able to resolve my issue with the fingerprint reader . I searched google and could not find anyone else with this issue. I posted on tabletpcbuzz and had no responses.

This whole thing started with the 2 week delivery growing to 2 months, over which time Lenovo lied to me over and over about the delivery dates. Then there was the one week in customs because Lenovo screwed up the paperwork. The CS manager that was supposed to follow up with some sought of compensation for the whole mess, and dropped the ball.

When trying to resolve the fingerprint reader issue, the final straw was when I was talking to a technical (and I use the term loosely) rep. and he said he needed to consult someone and would call me right back in 30 minutes. That call never came. I called back after 7 hours and then I talked to someone that was almost incomprehensible.

It was clear that the fingerprint reader issue was never going to get resolved. So after a lot of frustration, I decided to return my tablet.

I did like the X41T overall, so after talking the CS rep, I thought I'd give it one more try and I'm doing an exchange. I had to return everything so that my 30 day return clock would start over. Of course that means that I will be waiting for everything to be delivered again.

This is a good thing as it gives me time to look at other alternatives. If I decide I rather have something else, then I will just cancel the new X41T. So thinking about what I liked about the X41T:

- Size
- Fingerprint reader (really just cool, not actually needed)
- Keyboard (best keyboard I ever used)
- IBM value added software
- Support is in the US (Sorry, but offshore support sucks)
- Convertible (a slate would be cool for personal use, but a keyboard is really essential for work).
- Screen was bright and clear
- Bluetooth

and what I did not like:

- A little pokey (i.e. slow)
- Resolution (looking at web pages in portrait mode was alittle disappointing).
- Warmer than I thought (perhaps cooler than other tablets?)
- Lenovo the company
- The graphics shared memory
- The well known disk clicking noise

Given my likes and dislikes when I look around, the only options (that I know of) for a higher resolution screen are the Toshiba M200 and Fujitsu T4020; however, only the Toshiba has a high resolution wide-angle screen.

I don't think my perfect tablet exists yet. They all have tradeoffs. In the end I may just pick the X41T again.

The saga continues...

It's Here.....

Just got it....

Sep 2, 2005 10:14 A.M. NASHUA, NH, US DELIVERY

Opened the box, Smaller than I thought it would be (but that's a good thing). Can't play with it now as I have to work :-(

Looks like today will be the day!

It looks like the end of the first chapter for "My Tablet PC" is approaching:

Sep 2, 2005 8:45 A.M. NASHUA, NH, US OUT FOR DELIVERY

My X41T has Finally Made it out of Kentucky!

After one week of sitting in LOUISVILLE, KY at the UPS facility, my X41T is on the move again:

Sep 2, 2005
6:16 A.M. MANCHESTER, NH, US ARRIVAL SCAN
4:17 A.M. LOUISVILLE, KY, US DEPARTURE SCAN

Lenovo tried to blame customs/UPS but I believe the most truthful story of what happed was described on tabletpcbuzz by smensch:

Posted - Sep 01 2005 : 2:38:10 PM

Just got off the phone with the UPS customs brokerage people. There are apparently numerous issues with the shipment, but the main issue at hand is that certain customs paperwork needs to be submitted by Lenovo from China (where the shipper is). The U.S. customs department will not allow revisions to documents from overseas, so if there was a mistake in any of the forms (and I guess there was), NEW documents will need to be drawn up. In fact, if the documentation is wrong, the customs department will seize the shipment, as they have done in the past. Hence, UPS is waiting for correct documentation from Lenovo to resubmit to the U.S. customs department. One important fact: Our tablets are NOT being delayed due to a random customs search, as previously thought. This is a paperwork problem. As a matter of fact, it is entirely possible (but not likely) that after this whole ordeal, U.S. customs could FURTHER delay the shipment with a random inspection. Wouldn't that suck...

As of this second, the rep was unclear as to whether or not UPS has received the necessary paperwork from Lenovo. The rep thought the issue would have been resolved last night, but when he came in this morning, new issues apparently cropped up. His advice was to keep checking the tracking information. After 12:00 AM, if a status scan says anything about "in transit to XXXXX" (or something like that), you'll know the tablet has cleared customs and is on its way. As a matter of fact, if the shipment is approved this evening, we'll have our packages by 10:30 AM tomorrow. However, if the status scan stays the same, that means the Lenovo/UPS/U.S. customs circle jerk has not been resolved. The rep seemed to think that it might take 1 or 2 more business days to clear this problem up. But... he did not rule out the possibility that they would resubmit the necessary forms to the customs department tonight. The ball is in Lenovo's court, I guess.

One more note: The rep indicated that if the shipment stays too long in UPS's facility, both Lenovo and UPS will face fines. So, there is incentive for UPS/Lenovo to clear up this clusterf*ck. Yippee.

I wish Lenovo would get their act together :-(

My shipment has been stuck in this error status for 3 days:

Aug 26, 2005 3:18 A.M. LOUISVILLE, KY, US A PROCESSING ERROR AT DESTINATION CAUSED THIS DELAY;THE PACKAGE WAS MISSORTED AT THE HUB. IT HAS BEEN REROUTED TO THE CORRECT DESTINATION SITE

I called UPS and they said that my package was part of a larger collection of packages and it is being held up to due to Lenovo not getting the appropriate customs approval . There is nothing UPS can do, it's in Lenovo's court.

You gotta love Lenovo :-)

The Tablet has REALLY Shipped!

I received my One Note and accessories already and my tablet shipped today!

Aug 24, 2005 8:45 A.M.......SHANGHAI, CN..........ORIGIN SCAN

Dooh! IBM fooled me!

IBM's order status page:

Shipped 1 W7TABLP X41 TABLET BUNDLE W SLEAVE AND
....Shipped 08/19/2005

However, everything from the bundle shipped EXCEPT the X41T. This was made clear from an email send to me:

......................................................................................Ordered........Shipped
4 W7TABLP X41 TABLET BUNDLE W SLEAVE AND
..............18666TU X41 TABLET PENT M LV 758 (1.5).........1................. 0
..............30R4959 THINKPAD X41 TABLET SLEEVE.........1..................1
.........................Shipped 1 on 08/18/2005
..............22P8871 MICROSOFT ONENOTE 2003...............1..................1
........................Shipped 1 on 08/19/2005

The longer wait continues...

My X41T is in FDA Limbo :-(

It happend to other people (didn't think it was an FDA hold though)...

Status: Exception

Aug 20, 2005 3:33 P.M. LOUISVILLE, KY, US
PACKAGE WAS DELAYED BY A FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION HOLD.

Aug 19, 2005 10:50 P.M. KOWLOON BAY, HK
PICKUP SCAN

The Power of Blogging :-)

Wow! I post my frustrations with Lenovo not shipping and then it ships right away:

73P4515 IBM USB 2.0 CD-RW DVD-ROM Shipped 08/19/2005
73P3842 512MB PC2-4200 CL4 NP DDR2 Shipped 08/19/2005
W7TABLP X41 TABLET BUNDLE W SLEAVE AND Shipped 08/19/2005

UPS Status:

Status: In Transit
Shipped or Billed on: Aug 19, 2005
Service Type: EXPRESS DELIVERY CONF.
Package Progress:

Date/Time....................Location........................Activity
Aug 19, 2005 10:50 P.M. KOWLOON BAY, HK PICKUP SCAN

I hope it does not get held up in customs for a week like I've read has happended to others.

Order my X41T... waiting.... waiting.... Not too impressed with Lenovo

I ordered my Lenovo X41 tablet on 7/13 with an ETA of 2 weeks. Its 5 weeks later, and still Lenovo has no real idea when I will receive it. Here’s what I ordered:

IBM USB 2.0 CD-RW DVD-ROM DRIVE
512MB PC2-4200 CL4 NP DDR2 SDRAM SODIMM
W7TABLP X41 TABLET BUNDLE W SLEAVE AND MEDIA - CD WIN
...X41 TABLET PENT M LV 758 (1.
...THINKPAD X41 TABLET SLEEVE
...ONENOTE 2003

I collected my posts I’ve made at tabletpcbuzz.com journaling my interactions with Lenovo regarding the delivery of my X41 table. It's humorous to see my increasing frustration. Still waiting…

Posted - Aug 12 2005 : 3:38:52 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pretty "funny" update from Lenovo. I called yesterday and was told that I would be allocated a tablet either today (yesterday, Thursday) or tomorrow (today, Friday) and it would ship after that.

I had not seen my credit card charged today so I called today (Friday). I was told that I would be allocated a tablet either today (Friday) or on Monday and it would ship after that.

Seeing that I was told last week that I would have it in my hands by today, I asked if they would upgrade the shipping. They forwarded me to sales... the rep said he would check on the delivery. He came back and said that it would be shipped by the end of the month.

I said I was told only 1 minute ago that it would be shipped by Monday... he put me on hold to check... he came back and said my shipping was upgraded and said nothing more about the ship date.I did not push the issue... I'll wait until Monday to do that.

Sadly, I put my money on the sales persons estimate.

Oh well... if it ever does ship, it will get here a little sooner.

BTW: Ordered 7/13, online system currently says 8/22 ship date.

Posted - Aug 15 2005 : 6:22:01 PM
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Well continuing my story (see previous post on previous page), I called to see if my X41T was allocated today as promised. The CS rep said that all orders around my timeframe will ship out by the end of next week, they were told this via a memo the middle of last week.

I pointed out that I called @ 4:00 Friday and I was told that it would be allocated and shipped no later than today and asked how that was possible given the memo he mentioned. Given no good answer he forwarded me to sales.I knew nothing could be done; however, I did tell the salesperson "that I hate to say it it, but it appears that Lenovo has lied to me, as I have been told wildly conflicting things". He said that he would not call them lies and that he can understand how people want to get things right away.

To be honest that ruffled my feathers a little. I pointed out that it's not the wait but the inconsistent, increasing estimated delivery times given by Lenovo that causes frustration (setting expectations and all). I was very nice and thanked him for listening to me, even though he could do nothing.

After I hung up, I really do feel that Lenovo has not been very honest (or perhaps very incompetent). I am starting to wonder if I want to give them my business. It may be a great tablet, but I'm not to sure about the company.

Posted - Aug 17 2005 : 3:55:38 PM
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I have to say, Lenovo really sucks. To continue my on going story... Lenovo last Friday said that my unit would be allocated no later than Monday and shipped. Called Tuesday, I was told that it would ship next Friday (8/26) or Monday (8/29) and I would receive it no later than Friday (9/2).

I notice online my ship date went from 8/25 to 9/1, so I called this evening. CS rep said they are on back order and it will ship in 3-4 weeks.

My *BIG* issue with Lenovo is how the dates change radically from day to day. It is clear that they lie when you call (please follow my two previous posts in this thread). How can a company be so clueless on when a product will ship? The overwhelming demand thing really does not hold water. I ordered on 7/13 and 5 weeks later they still don't have a clue on the actual ship date? My gut feeling is that they are placing larger "more important" corporate orders in front of individual orders thereby bumping the shipment dates.

I'm starting to consider the HP TC4200. I may wait another week and see how the story changes as I believe I would prefer the X41T, but one does have to consider the company in addition to the product.