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Lenovo tablet forced update shows un-dismissable, un-mutable, ad notifications

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Re: Lenovo tablet forced update shows un-dismissable, un-mutable, ad notifications

#311

Post by speed_spread »

stalfosknight wrote: post #272
speed_spread wrote: post #257

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Considering that ten year old computers are still usable today, it means that the supported lifetime of Apple hardware is half of what it could be. And it's not just the computer itself but the whole ecosystem that gets the boot periodically. Last year I built a Linux-based 24 track digital studio on the cheap by buying Firewire soundcards that no longer worked on the latest Macs. Great hardware that otherwise still…

It’s more that Apple is striking a balance between a reasonable hardware support timeframe and moving their software platforms forward with at a certain velocity without excessive legacy baggage. Waste is a legitimate concern and Apple has very convenient trade-in and recycling programs to address that.

We wouldn't have to recycle as much if it was easier to reuse the machines in the first place. It's still planned obsolescence.

Re: Lenovo tablet forced update shows un-dismissable, un-mutable, ad notifications

#312

Post by novaleaf »

gigel82 wrote: post #24

Lenovo left a sour taste for me after they pushed a BIOS update through Windows Update on my daughter's Flex that bricked the device (in the middle of a school-week, while she was doing online school). There were dozens of reports of the same problem from other owners of that model, yet they refused to acknowledge the issue was theirs or offer any self-serve option (I remember most laptops nowadays can re-flash the B…

It probably wasn't "BIOS" persay, but the Intel Management Engine (IME).

Citation: I bricked my own Lenovo applying the IME "critical" update.

Re: Lenovo tablet forced update shows un-dismissable, un-mutable, ad notifications

#313

Post by saltcured »

qwerty456127 wrote: post #309
varelse wrote: post #303

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The laptop screen is fine, it's the HDMI out limited to 1920x1080 that's problematic. Carrying a docking station around defeats the portability of the laptop IMO. And it's not like there aren't better options than Lenovo...

> the HDMI out limited to 1920x1080 Well this really sounds nonsensical. I wouldn't believe if someone else told me but I feel like I can believe an HNer on such a subject. Thank you for letting us know. I would otherwise not imagine this can exist and wouldn't check when choosing a laptop. Now I wonder if my laptop supports higher resolutions on HDMI. > Carrying a docking station around defeats the portability of th…

There must be more to this story... My T440p and T460s from years ago both support 4K via display port and my T495 supports 4K via its HDMI.

Re: Lenovo tablet forced update shows un-dismissable, un-mutable, ad notifications

#314

Post by varelse »

saltcured wrote: post #313
qwerty456127 wrote: post #309

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> the HDMI out limited to 1920x1080 Well this really sounds nonsensical. I wouldn't believe if someone else told me but I feel like I can believe an HNer on such a subject. Thank you for letting us know. I would otherwise not imagine this can exist and wouldn't check when choosing a laptop. Now I wonder if my laptop supports higher resolutions on HDMI. > Carrying a docking station around defeats the portability of th…

There must be more to this story... My T440p and T460s from years ago both support 4K via display port and my T495 supports 4K via its HDMI.

Work issued T580. IT insisted docking stations were needed for higher resolutions. Doing some research, it turns out that is true but also one can buy a proprietary USB-C cable as well, my bad. It's the built-in HDMI that caps at 1920x1080 as I experienced.

Re: Lenovo tablet forced update shows un-dismissable, un-mutable, ad notifications

#315

Post by thefunnyman »

LAC-Tech wrote: post #275
elric wrote: post #29

Gentle reminder that Lenovo jumped the shark quite a while ago. The whole Superfish debacle, the spyware, the crapware, the endless stream of shitty decisions. Year after year, the hardware gets worse. Customer support gets worse. The sad thing is that they're still better than everything else out there. Which says a lot about the laptop industry in general.

I'll stick my neck out and say I'm a big fan of Asus. I've got a zenbook 14, and it's tough of nails. Have dropped it so many times on hard surfaces and it's still trucking along.

I’ve never used an asus laptop, but I’ve had a really bad time with their customer support when trying to get a motherboard replaced under warranty.

Re: Lenovo tablet forced update shows un-dismissable, un-mutable, ad notifications

#316

Post by jacquesm »

_t9ow wrote: post #287
CaptainZapp wrote: post #273

Earlier quoted context omitted.

After adding dangerous spyware to their "consumer models" [1] Lenovo wound up on my eternal shitlist. This list consists of companies that I will never, ever do business again. No matter what, period. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superfish#Lenovo_security_inci...

Do you mind sharing the other companies that are also on your shitlist? Thanks!

He didn't but I'll give you mine:

Microsoft Oracle Facebook Exxon McDonalds CocaCola Monsanto

Re: Lenovo tablet forced update shows un-dismissable, un-mutable, ad notifications

#317

Post by jacquesm »

mschuster91 wrote: post #27
sergiotapia wrote: post #9

Same with my samsung tablet forcing itself to update. "You can dismiss this 1 more time" - why? It's my device I paid for it. It's very tiresome. What device can I buy that's just mine to do as I please. On desktop I'm already on Linux Mint. Looking for alts for phone and tablet.

I somewhat understand Samsung a bit. The amount of never updated Android devices that could be updated is immense, and support calls for long-banished issues that could be solved by a simple update are pointless and a waste of resources. The problem is that users suffer from "update fatigue" because they have to be (rightfully) afraid of entire UI overhauls or even more bugs after updates since no one does QA any mor…

And people would upgrade if an upgrade wouldn't typically either be a risk to cause data loss, brick the device, downgrade it, mess up hardware support, install spyware, telemetry and other junk.

Re: Lenovo tablet forced update shows un-dismissable, un-mutable, ad notifications

#318

Post by webmobdev »

2muchcoffeeman wrote: post #288
webmobdev wrote: post #280

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They too bundle useless apps like News, Stock, etc. even if you don't want it or will ever use it on every Apple device.

You can delete most iOS apps: Stocks, News, Mail, Safari are all removable. Also they are not ads and can actually do something useful. MacOS is also ad free.

While I agree that Apple is much better than others in not bundling adware with their product (the exception being App Store, which is also an advertising platform for them) they do bundle many apps with their device. And bundling is also a kind of advertisement / promotion. And on ios you can't remove some of these apps but only hide them.

Re: Lenovo tablet forced update shows un-dismissable, un-mutable, ad notifications

#319

Post by 05 »

Abishek_Muthian wrote: post #291
gigel82 wrote: post #24

Lenovo left a sour taste for me after they pushed a BIOS update through Windows Update on my daughter's Flex that bricked the device (in the middle of a school-week, while she was doing online school). There were dozens of reports of the same problem from other owners of that model, yet they refused to acknowledge the issue was theirs or offer any self-serve option (I remember most laptops nowadays can re-flash the B…

Lenovo also possibly sabotages SuperIO chip when the charging port breaks and pins come in contact or standard repair diagnostics is attempted[1]. Considering this is not widely spoken about, I guess this is limited to lower end models available only in developing regions of the world(which makes it altogether more sinister if done on purpose). [1] https://youtu.be/kdQXSYUlUTw?t=615

I would take the video with a grain of salt - the guy says himself he doesn’t have the schematic, there might very well be an inline ESD protection IC connected to the pin..

Re: Lenovo tablet forced update shows un-dismissable, un-mutable, ad notifications

#320

Post by Abishek_Muthian »

05 wrote: post #319
Abishek_Muthian wrote: post #291

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lenovo also possibly sabotages SuperIO chip when the charging port breaks and pins come in contact or standard repair diagnostics is attempted[1]. Considering this is not widely spoken about, I guess this is limited to lower end models available only in developing regions of the world(which makes it altogether more sinister if done on purpose). [1] https://youtu.be/kdQXSYUlUTw?t=615

I would take the video with a grain of salt - the guy says himself he doesn’t have the schematic, there might very well be an inline ESD protection IC connected to the pin..

But he demonstrates on camera, the pin from charging port leads directly to the SuperIO pin without any protections in between?

Besides there are several accounts of this on the comments of that video with similar Lenovo models. Sorin's viewership base in majority comprises of laptop repair technicians and he's quite respected in the community(Like Louis Rossmann).

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