Lenovo M90z: Got Any Questions?

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://shop.lenovo.com/us/landing_pages/thinkcentre/2010/m90z' target='_blank'>http://shop.lenovo.com/us/landing_p...entre/2010/m90z</a><br /><br /></div><p><object width="600" height="360" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/pll7Wnyix7Y&amp;feature=player_embedded#!&amp;ap=&fmt=18" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pll7Wnyix7Y&amp;feature=player_embedded#!&amp;ap=&fmt=18" /></object></p><p>I've been asked to take part in a reviewers' program for the <a href="http://shop.lenovo.com/us/landing_pages/thinkcentre/2010/m90z" target="_blank">Lenovo ThinkCentre M90z</a> - you might think of the M90z as the bigger brother to the A70z (which I've&nbsp;<a href="http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/98273/lenovo-thinkcentre-a70z-all-in-one-desktop-computer-unboxing-and-first-impressions.html" target="_blank">unboxed</a> and <a href="http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/99115/lenovo-thinkcentre-a70z-all-in-one-desktop-computer-review.html" target="_blank">reviewed</a>); it has a bigger screen (23.5 inches) that's optionally touch-enabled (my review unit is), 2 GB to 4 GB RAM, a 320 or 500 GB hard drive, a variety of CPU options ranging from the lowly 2.8 Ghz Intel Pentium&nbsp;G6950 up to an Intel Core i5-650 clocking in at 3.2 Ghz. There's also an HD webcam, a chassis that's easier to open and upgrade, and a few other features that the A70z lacked.</p><p>My plan is to implement the M90z in a slightly different way than usual: I want to set it up as a kitchen computer. The touch screen is a key component for that scenario, but without any special touch screen software (a la HP TouchSmart) I'm curious to know how well it will work.</p><p>Before I get started with the unboxing and first impressions video, are there any things you want to make sure I cover in the first video, or the subsequent review video?</p>

[randalllewis]

I've been using an HP Touchsmart as the kitchen/family room computer for over a year now. This form factor is perfect for such a location. My wife was skeptical of the need for a "second" computer (it was actually the third) at first, but now uses it daily for household activities. It is also the place we go to check facts or answer questions that arise from watching TV or movies. As much as I initially enjoyed the Touchsmart UI software, in practice it is rarely used.

In your review, check out the webcam quality and function and the comfort and battery life of the keyboard and mouse. Here are my experiences:

One of our uses of the Touchsmart is as the place we make video calls to scattered family. The kitchen setting allows more people to gather around our end, and despite this being a difficult setting because of a huge window directly opposite the computer, the Touchsmart webcam produces acceptable video.

I have found you either love or hate the Elite keyboard that comes with the Touchsmart. I love it enough that I bought a second one for my home office computer. I replaced the batteries in the keyboard after 13 months of use. The mouse batteries have been replaced twice in that period and would last even longer if we used the touchscreen more often than we do.

[Jason Dunn]

As much as I initially enjoyed the Touchsmart UI software, in practice it is rarely used.

That's quite interesting to me, because it seems like Windows 7 in general isn't great for touch - or do you usually use the mouse and keyboard instead?

In your review, check out the webcam quality and function and the comfort and battery life of the keyboard and mouse.

Will do - although I think they sent me the USB wired mouse and keyboard...

[randalllewis]

That's quite interesting to me, because it seems like Windows 7 in general isn't great for touch - or do you usually use the mouse and keyboard instead?



You're right about Windows 7 and touch. What I find myself and other users of the Touchsmart doing is to use the mouse and keyboard for most actions, but use touch to open picture thumbnails and move them around for viewing, play solitare and some routine Windows functions such as the Start button, task bar icons and the Close Windows box. These are all large enough, and the Touchsmart screen precise enough, to work.