Buffalo MediaStation Portable DVD Drive

Since I've 2 netbooks - Acer Aspire One AOA110 and Lenovo IdeaPad S10, I wanted to buy a USB bus powered portable DVD drive without the need for an external power adapter. I tested three such drives - LG GP08 ($133), Panasonic UJ-880A ($125) and Buffalo DVM-P8U2/BW-AP ($80).

LG GP08 was not detected in the BIOS of both AOA110 and S10 so I can't boot from CD/DVD to install any OS but can be used within Windows. Both Panasonic UJ-880A and Buffalo DVM-P8U2 were detected in the BIOS of the netbooks.

In the end, I chose Buffalo DVM-P8U2 because it is cheaper and the pearl white colour matches my S10. The only downside is that it can't read/write DVD-RAM which I don't need.

Running Windows 7 RC on Lenovo IdeaPad S10

The Windows Experience Index has changed from Windows 7 Beta on the same netbook. Only the subscore for memory has increased from 4.4 to 4.5 whereas the subscores for graphics and gaming graphics have decreased. However, subscores for processor and primary hard disk remain unchanged.

In fact, the memory subscore for Lenovo IdeaPad S10 with 1GB of memory is similar to MSI Wind with 2GB of memory. For primary hard disk, S10 outperformed Wind. Gaming graphics subscore is not important as netbook is not built for games.

Installing Windows 7 RC on Lenovo IdeaPad S10

I downloaded the 32-bit version of Windows 7 RC Build 7100 and it took about 30 minutes to install on Lenovo IdeaPad S10. Contrary to information from Microsoft, the RC will expire 1 June 2010 but as shown, it will expire 2 March 2010.

All the hardware are automatically recognized in Device Manager except for one unknown device This can be resolved using the Energy Management driver from Windows XP.

Since Atom N270 processor does not support Intel Virtualization Technology, you'll get the error message as shown when you try to launch Virtual Windows XP after installation.

Inaccurate Battery Wear Meter

On my Lenovo IdeaPad S10, I've installed BatteryBar for more than a month. The readings for Battery Wear were erratic 0.2%, 0.3%, 2.1%, 2.2%, 2.3%, 0.7%, 2.3%, 2.4%, 2.2%, 2.3%, 0%, 2.5% and lately to 0.1%.

Does it mean my battery is getting better with time? I don't think so.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.5

I couldn't find any differences between AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.5 and 8.0. Installing the latest version caused a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) - Stop Error 7E avgldx86.sys on Lenovo IdeaPad S10 runnning Windows 7 Beta. After rebooting, it can't be uninstalled even in safe mode. The previous free version 8.0 works on the same netbook running Windows 7 Beta. In the end, I have to install Avira AntiVir Premium Version 9.

However, AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.5 was installed successfully on Lenovo Z61t running Windows 7 Beta. The disappearing functions mentioned in previous post appear again after installation.

Avira AntiVir Premium Version 9

I installed the latest release of Avira AntiVir Premium Version 9 on Lenovo IdeaPad S10 running Windows 7 beta. It offers 2 new features:

1. Quick Removal eliminates viruses at the push of a button
2. Netbook Support for laptops with low resolution
   

Installing Windows 7 Beta on Lenovo Z61t

The Windows Experience Index is 3.2 on Lenovo Z61t. The only score which is lower than Lenovo IdeaPad S10 is the primary hard disk since it is running at 4200rpm in Z61t as compared to 5400rpm in S10.

But, I'm surprised by the differences in the scores for the graphics and gaming graphics since both have the same graphics chipset and same amount of video memory.

Running Windows 7 Beta on Lenovo IdeaPad S10

After running Windows 7 beta on my Lenovo IdeaPad S10 for almost a week, I am very pleased with the performance.

As shown, the Windows Experience Index in Windows 7 varies from Windows Experience Index in Windows Vista. The maximum score has been bumped up from 5.9 to 7.9. Upgrading to 2GB of RAM will only change the score from 4.4 to 4.5.

The supported security providers for Windows 7 are AVG, Kaspersky and Norton. Kaspersky and Norton are still beta products and Kaspersky is not compatible with PC Tools Firewall Plus. The current release AVG Anti-Virus free edition 8.0.176 runs well.

Installing Windows 7 Beta on Lenovo IdeaPad S10

I downloaded the 32-bit version of Windows 7 Beta Build 7000 and it took about 35 minutes to install on Lenovo IdeaPad S10. The recommended free space for installation is 8279MB. Contrary to reports on prominent websites, the evaluation copy will expire in August 2009 but as shown, it will expire on 2 July 2009.

All the hardware are automatically recognized in Device Manager except for one unknown device This can be resolved using the Energy Management driver from Windows XP.

Installing Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta

Since I've a lot of free disk space on Lenovo IdeaPad S10, I installed this beta and it took 1 hour 40 minutes to complete.

It will show Service Pack 2, v.113 as shown and Windows Vista Evaluation copy Build 6002 on the desktop.

Running Vista on Lenovo IdeaPad S10

Similarly to Acer Aspire One, you need to download the latest driver to run Aero. The score for graphics and gaming graphics are lower than AOA110 even though they're using the same driver and have the same amount of video memory allocated. But, the score for disk is higher than AOA110.

Comparing Lenovo IdeaPad S10 with Acer Aspire One AOA110

S10

1. 10.2" 1024 x 600 LED backlit non-glossy screen
   
2. 160GB 5400 rpm SATA HDD (Ultra DMA Mode 5) - easy to upgrade without warranty void
   
3. 1GB DDR2 667MHz PC 5300 RAM - easy to upgrade without warranty void
   
4. Video memory 64MB in XP/Vista
   
5. 6-cell Li-ion battery
6. Windows XP Home Edition SP3
   

AOA110

1. 8.9" 1024 x 600 LED backlit glossy screen
2. 8GB MLC SSD (Ultra DMA Mode 4) - hard to upgrade with warranty void
   
3. 1GB DDR2 667MHz PC 5300 RAM - hard to upgrade with warranty void
   
4. Video memory 224MB in XP, 64MB in Vista
   
5. 3-cell Li-ion battery
6. Linpus Linux Lite
   

Lenovo IdeaPad S10

I upgraded my Acer Aspire One AOA110 to Lenovo S10. It comes with Windows XP SP3. Removed Norton Internet Security & Adobe Acrobat Reader, configured settings and did a image backup using CyberLink OneKey Recovery. Created a recovery DVD from the backup image and tested the recovery. It takes less than 30 minutes to restore Windows XP. This Intel netbook comes with a bigger 10.2" screen at 1024 x 600 and bigger 160GB HDD.

The Lenovo supplied 6-cell 52Wh Li-Ion battery takes 2 hours 45 mins to fully charge while not in use and 3 hours 30 mins to fully charge while in use. It lasted almost 4 hours with the brightness set to the lowest, performance mode, wireless disabled and surfing with 3G modem.