What a great service from Logitech
Not only does Logitech have a good product, but also has a great service. I haven’t thought it’s this good really. The thing is my VX Revolution has a problem about free spin wheel. Its wheel doesn’t work well since a rubber ring was kind of loose–maybe I’m fun with spin too much –Then I had contacted Logitech customer support. It was very good, quick process and surely it’s truly online–doesn’t have to make a phone call a single time.
Well, my problem is shown on the picture.
As you see, it is annoying in deed. Since I first contacted on April 15, 2008, I had to talk with the representative and give some information back and forth few times. I was expecting to have a new wheel for a replacement since I’m okay with disassemble and reassemble it, but they said they would send me a replacement unit for me. What I thought is only VX Revolution itself which is more than I could expect anyway. Then I unfortunately found out that this morning (Apr 25, 2008) DHL guy came to my apartment and gave me this box.
Yep, it’s a brand new Logitech VX Revolution. I can’t be more impressive than this. 10 days with an excellent support. You know what? This is the first day I think that 3 year manufacturer warranty on this expensive guy is genuine. Maybe I just had a bad experience with Apple care and automatically expect others’ being the same. I, nonetheless, now know the great company is really existed.
Many thanks, Logitech.
Popularity: 5% [?]
Windows, yes! 64-bit one, not it’s time yet.
I don’t know how people choose their OS from but for me I choose Windows Vista 32-bit for my primary machine. Why? You’ll know from the listing below–important thing always comes first.
- Software compatibility — this is the biggest issue of me since the first day Office 2007 arrived, I found myself stay away from Linux or any other OS more and more. It’s not about the ribbon tab interface, but only one program in 2007 suite. Many of you guys may know now. It’s OneNote 2007. Dude, that’s an awesome piece of software on the earth. It makes Windows distinguish from others indeed, at least for me. That’s only a few programs that are not cross-platform I use but now I can’t live without it.
- Hardware compatibility — If you buy something on the street but can’t use it, it’s a problem, isn’t it? who will argue me about this? drivers for Linux, yes they are better but, as long as reality is concerned, they are out of Microsoft’s league. Mac OS, huh? don’t even think of this. Talking about 64-bit hardware, since AMD released its first 64-bit CPU around 2003 (5 years ago), now they might realize that they have made a huge mistake having backward-compatible with 32-bit instructions. That’s what Intel followed and has made the world still doesn’t care about 64-bit much because 32-bit system still is working very well. 64-bit system is great–fast, nice but you can’t just simply pop some old cards into 64-bit system.
- Friends — this also is a big factor. If you are only one using Mac in your workplace and are not tech savvy, you’ll know what I mean. I do think of myself in that situation; I would argue that I can do everything Windows people can, but for docx, xlsx, pptx file I would have no idea what folks around talking about for a year, then I realize it’s new version of office suite file and can open them. You can’t just always let anybody save in backward compatible type.
From all 3 factors above, choices will come down to 2 which are Windows 32-bit & 64-bit. For friend factor, they look alike & work the same, so nothing to worry about. For hardware compatibility issue, they are almost on par for both systems nowadays (if you don’t have such a rare item, you won’t find any trouble with 64-bit anyway) However, the problem comes down to software compatibility. You still have to use 32-bit browser to watch flash contents; you still have to use many 32-bit software. Although they are running flawlessly under 64bit system, one thing I found it wouldn’t work is OneNote. They are no OneNote virtual printer for 64-bit system. It’s just a deal breaker to me. Yet there is no one to blame since we all are okay embrace older system while we all already have newer stuff around. That’s just why we haven’t had a big step forward. I mean 64-bit system is getting better and better now but if you have to put more effort to get things work and result are the same, why wouldn’t we go easier route for now? Then when things have changed, so can we. This is how and why I choose 32-bit Windows as my main operating system.
Popularity: 5% [?]
Thinkpad X61 Tablet and Photoshop are friendly eventually
Well, a long time passed since the last time I posted about this problem and the way to solve is just what I haven’t thought it would work, but it works–99% great. I have tried on every situation from messed system to after clean installation, and it still works properly.
This is what I did:-
- uninstall every drivers about touch + Wacom digitizer — restart once.
- download driver here
- then install. That’s it.
- download Wacom bamboo driver from Wacom directly
- then install it, now you will be able to use your pen, not your finger
- now you’ve got to have your multi-touch in hand and install it.
- At this point, everything should be ready.
I have tried on Windows 7 64-bit. It works like a charm for both digitizers, no luck, no drama ever again–just work. However, you have to use only Photoshop (32-bit), not 64-bit one.
This is unbelievably easy, isn’t it? I don’t know why I could not get it work at first. If you still have the issue, get into device manager (start >> “devmgmt.msc”) then you have to see something like this;
the yellow asterisk ones are what Photoshop is looking for (bamboo driver). The rest is from multitouch driver. You’ve got to have both to get both passive and active work together.
If you have a problem, just ask. I might be able to help
Note: rarely yet I found that Photoshop doesn’t recognize the Wacom pen properly. I mean the pressure doesn’t register at all. You just have to re-open Photoshop, then it will be all set. This is waaaay better than restart your system.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Finally, here HP 2133 comes
This might be a sub-notebook you are waiting for, so am I. But, could it be an Eee PC killer? I bet it is since it has HP logo on its lid–I’m not telling you that HP is better than Asus, you know what I mean–and it will sell through brick-and-mortar store everywhere, unlike Eee PC which is not that ubiquitous.
Okay first important thing first, spec and price comparing to Eee PC 700 series:-
HP 2133 mini-Note Eee PC 700 series CPU VIA C7-M (up to 1.6GHz, 128 L2 Cache) 900 MHz Intel Celeron M ULV 353 @ 630 MHz RAM 512MB-2GB PC5300 512MB/1GB PC5300 Display 8.9″ WXGA (1280×768) 7″ WVGA (800×480) Screen type Super Glossy Matte Hard drive 120/160GB 5400 or 7200rpm SATA or 64GB SSD or 4GB PATA Flash module 2/4/8GB SSD Expansion ExpressCard/54, SD slot SD Slot Dimension (W”xD”xH”) 10.04 x 6.5 x 1.05~? 8.86 x 6.46 x 0.846~1.4 Weight 2.63-3.23 lbs 2.0 lbs Keyboard 92% full keyboard crampy full keyboard Port VGA, Ethernet, 2xUSB VGA, Ethernet, 3xUSB Wireless 802.11a/b/g or b/g or bluetooth 802.11b/g Battery size/life 3-cell (28Wh) 2:15hr6-cell (55Wh) 4:11hr 4-cell (44Wh) 2.8hr
4-cell (52Wh) 3-3.5hr Price $499 — 1GHz CPU 512MB RAM 4GB Flash SLED OS
$749 — 1.6GHz 2GB RAM 120GB 5400rpm Vista Business $299 — 2G model
$399 — 4G model
$499 — 8G model
As you see, HP 2133 looks much more professional, has a lot more variety configurations than Eee PC and there are a lot of advantages over Eee PC but a few things that are worse than Eee PC is just a vital factor–weight & price. I mean for $499 you almost get nothing in HP 2133 perspective but you could get 8GB model and still 2.0lbs sub-notebook with Eee PC. For the top one, that’s $749–I think it’s not only a bit too steep; that price you could get ThinkPad T61 if you don’t mind portability or add about $150 more to get Thinkpad X61 which is about the same weight or lower as well and surely better in any terms.
Also, there are a lot of folks crying of HP choosing VIA C7-M over newcomer Intel Atom or VIA Isaiah. IMHO, HP 2133 boot time with Vista Business, which is about 1:20min — according to a clip @notebookreview.com, is not that bad. It might not as great as Eee PC did, but considering Vista boot time is slow as default. I think this trading off with 4-hour-battery life is more than satisfied since I have a full shutdown few times a month anyway. Sleep & hibernate will come to take that role instead, just wait and see how good VIA chipset is about power consumption at a deep sleep state.
In brief, I don’t know yet if this is a real good deal. I got to see in person first; I hope it will hit brick ‘n mortar store around soon, then we will know. Timing might be a vital factor here since if Eee PC is around in the store first, it will be a tough job for HP indeed.
For more info & photo & videos, check out at NotebookReview.com
Popularity: 9% [?]
