with or without pre-installed OS?

Hi,
I could either purchase a laptop with win 7 OS pre-installed, which will cost me an additional US $60. Or else I could just get the laptop and buy the OS separately myself, which will cost an additional $120. I know the advantage of having a copy of win 7 is that I can install it on several PCs at home (although I couldn't care less). But it's more expensive to buy the software separately and am wondering whether I would lose other pre-installed lenovo softwares when I do a clean installation myself. Did most of you do a clean install? What would be your recommendation?

 

I don't think Lenovo allows you to configure a ThinkPad without "an" OS -- well, Windows, that is. You are "offered" the usual "choices" of 32-bit, 64-bit, Home Premium, Professional, whatever...

Lenovo drivers and applications are downloadable from the Lenovo website. (Google is your friend.) If you have a valid Windows key, you can download a Windows 7 ISO and use it for a clean install. Windows 7 should be able to handle the common devices. You can then selectively install the Lenovo drivers and apps.

Some decide to do clean install. Some simply re-image from the Lenovo Recovery partition or from the System Recovery discs that they create from the Lenovo Recovery partition.

Check the "sticky" posts for helpful information on clean installation.

 

If you have a Windows OS ready and want to do a clean install anyway you could potentially save yourself $60 off the list price. You don't necessarily lose all the Lenovo software as you can always reload them back on via Thinkvantage System Update which is available on their support site.

But if you don't have the OS then you're better off buying the OS directly from the OEM. The sticking point is when you buy the OS yourself and then you wish to resell your system later, you would have to give up one of your OS licenses in the sale (i.e. you can't transfer it) as buyers generally would prefer to have a system with an OS (+ license) installed.

For me I would prefer having a no OS option since I generally always clean install my system (and being a MSDN member helps! ) but they don't provide that option in the UK meaning unfortunately I have to spend unnecessarily more for an extra license.

 

I am wonder if I could restore Lenovo Enhance Experience after a clean reinstalled.

I will opted for a clean installed, even if it take a long time to do that for every machine I purchase for myself or somebody else.

 

There was an error with the x120e where you could order it without OS. Also you can try to call up Lenovo and try to order a laptop without an OS.

 

Any concrete info on what EE/EE2.0 really is? - Lenovo Community

The second paragraph really makes it sound like it does nothing. So if you don't install the Lenovo "tweaks" (drivers, software..), it'll boot faster than with them installed. Really? That's how operating systems generally work. Take what you wish from that.

 

No. But Lenovo does sell ThinkPads without an OS. They load something like PC-Dos or something. My R400 came without any Windows OS. I bought a retail copy of Win 7 Pro. It's actually quite common in India - to sell machines without an OS (well...almost!)

Personally, I prefer to buy the machine without an OS because I like clean install. With my x201, it came with Win7 Pro 32-bit + with whatever Lenovo refers to as Windows EE. I got rid of everything and installed the 64-bit version of Win7. I followed the instructions listed here on NBR for clean installs and everything works fine. Just make sure you have the following on a USB or whatever: (1) an anti virus and (2) Lenovo's System Update which you should load up immediately. The first is self-explanatory. The second (in conjunction with Windows Update) pulls in all (or most) of the drivers etc that you will need.

 

most of the OS less Thinkpads are sold in developing countries and corporate customers. But it is quite hard to get them in North American market.

 

I don't know about this buying an OS separately to get a clean install. If the cheapest option is to get the OS with the thinkpad, then all you have to do is get a regular 7 disc and use the COA key on the unit to do a clean install....this also works with Vista btw..not that anyone even wants to use that. (but it's handy when you get a second hand machine that had been wiped by the previous corporate owner).

 

Sometimes there are no options...for example, if you buy certain pre-configured ThinkPad in Asia.

 

Hi,

I think about buying an X220 or X220t. I have an unused Windows-7-license, that I want to use to save some money. But:
- How can I install Windows then? Can I install it from a USB drive? Do I have to buy an additional external CD drive? How, at all, would I be able to install other OS like Ubuntu, etc.? How can I use the clean-install-image from the Lenovo site that someone in this thread mentioned?
- And I have another question: There is plenty of software delivered with the ThinkPad, like the login-stuff for the fingerprint reader and some touch software. Will I get this from the Lenovo page, then?

Thank you for your help!!

Philipp

 

I'm not sure if the X220 has an issue when installing an OS via USB but I'm sure if you search these forums, you will be able to find some good information on how to do so and some of the issues, if any, might be encountered.

In terms of the drivers...just go to the Lenovo website and click on support. You should be able to navigate to the X220 drivers page and download everything you want. And if you are worried about EE2, I believe this is the Rapidboost download.

 

it's safe to say that you also won't be able to find any classic Thinkpads models sold here in Malaysia without OS, but you might be able to find those entry level Thinkpads like L series, X1x0 or edge with free DOS option though...

 

The current generation is available in this configuration, with just DOS, through the German academic/student vendors, probably because those customers typically either run Linux or can get Windows licenses through MSDNAA, and it's a way for Lenovo to be able to lower the prices on these deals.