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.