Thinkpad X Series Convertible Tablet - Anyone got experience with it?

slowpoke · 2011-11-03 20:51:32

Hi all,

I have to upgrade my mobile computing device since my trusty N140 is reaching its well earned retirement, and going over Lenovo's products I discovered the X series convertible tablets[1]. It would be the perfect device for me - I love the idea of a tablet that can still act as a proper computer.

Now I'm interested if anyone has run Arch (or GNU/Linux in general) on it, and how the general usability is. I already asked some folks I know about issues with the touchscreen, and they said it should work after a bit of time investment (which I have no problem with).

Also, has anyone suggestions for a WM (or maybe even a DE that isn't Unity) to use for a touch based environment? Again, I'm willing to invest time and effort to make things work, so as long as it's doable at all I'm in.

Thanks and ahoy,
slowpoke

[1] http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/lapto … et-series/

HeSaid · 2011-11-03 21:29:31

You might find some information on the Lenovo forums here.
--
Neal

caligo · 2011-11-03 21:45:39

Thinkpads generally play well with linux, especially the ones with Intel graphics, so it shouldn't be much of a problem.

As for DE/WM, I'd recommend you try Gnome -- as of version 3.2 there's a rather nice integrated on-screen keyboard, and Gnome shell is quite finger-freindly.

slowpoke · 2011-11-06 14:06:37

Sorry for the late reply. Thanks for your help.

I have another issue with buying from Lenovo now, and I'm not sure if this would warrant another thread:

They don't seem to offer OS-less purchases. I'm rather unwilling to pay for a Windows I will never use (not to mention I don't want to support its monopoly), and getting a refund is possible, but seems like a major hassle. Are there any other options?

Sara · 2011-11-10 22:22:35

slowpoke wrote:

Sorry for the late reply. Thanks for your help.
I have another issue with buying from Lenovo now, and I'm not sure if this would warrant another thread:
They don't seem to offer OS-less purchases. I'm rather unwilling to pay for a Windows I will never use (not to mention I don't want to support its monopoly), and getting a refund is possible, but seems like a major hassle. Are there any other options?

I actually bought my thinkpad (x220) with DOS, so I didn't pay the
Windows tax. But I bought my computer using my educational discount,
and the student store showed more options than the regular store, but
perhaps if you called them you could buy it with DOS only.

I've used the x61t with ArchLinux, and though I had the touch screen
(resisitive), I opted to use dwm as my window manager, and didn't use
touch most of the time, but operated the computer nicely using lots of
gestures in Easystroke for all the dwm keybindings and with
cellwriter. I highly recommend taking a look at the excellent Tablet
PC article in the ArchWiki which gives details about good tools to use
with a tablet.

I've also used Openbox with a slate tablet PC, and that worked well,
too. No need to use Gnome, but it does have a new in-built onscreen
keyboard which is nice.

I have also seen the newest model x220t in person, and I highly recommend the
multitouch version, because the bezel is flush with the screen with this
model, so writing is much more comfortable. Also look into a screen protector
(I recommend Photodon), because you don't want to scratch the screen.

The pen works out-of-the-box with latest versions of Arch and with
xf86-input-wacom installed. I used my first tablet PC in 2008 with Ubuntu...
the experience has improved a lot since then (particularly with the
introduction of the xf86-input-wacom package). It would be nice, if you choose
to buy the computer, if you can comment on the multitouch experience. You'll
probably need to calibrate the touch (at least, I had to with the resistive
touch x61t), and the program xinput_calibrator (AUR), should help you with
this.

Last edited by Sara (2011-11-11 03:06:43)

Rakoon · 2011-12-12 11:13:53

Hi guys!
I just bought a new x201t and I’m looking for a DE as well. I don’t want to use Gnome 3 because of the composite effects. They are just bothering me. Unity-2D seems to fit with my needs, but it looks like its implementation in Arch is still in an alpha phase. So, has anybody some experiences with other DE?
Greets

Arch Linux

#1 2011-11-03 20:51:32

Thinkpad X Series Convertible Tablet - Anyone got experience with it?

#2 2011-11-03 21:29:31

Re: Thinkpad X Series Convertible Tablet - Anyone got experience with it?

#3 2011-11-03 21:45:39

Re: Thinkpad X Series Convertible Tablet - Anyone got experience with it?

#4 2011-11-06 14:06:37

Re: Thinkpad X Series Convertible Tablet - Anyone got experience with it?

#5 2011-11-10 22:22:35

Re: Thinkpad X Series Convertible Tablet - Anyone got experience with it?

#6 2011-12-12 11:13:53

Re: Thinkpad X Series Convertible Tablet - Anyone got experience with it?

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