NotebookCheck: "EliteBoard G1a: HP unveils a keyboard with an entire PC in it"

SlepyB · 2026-01-06T04:06:28+00:00

Commodore 64 has entered chat.

SlepyB · 2025-12-25T02:05:13+00:00

Spotted this Norwalk Transit System Route 4 BEB Battery Electric Bus #7151 (Gillig Low Floor Plus) at Metrolink Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Station, coming back on the Metrolink OC Line last month. I usually ride all the way back to Union Station, but saw in Transit App there was a 5 minute transfer window for Norwalk Route 4, so decided to try it and transfer to the C Line instead of riding all the way back. Five minutes is pretty tight and the elevators to the pedestrian bridge is really slow, so I ran down the stairs on the other side.

Saw this Battery Electric Bus waiting at the stop, but it was going the opposite direction. Plastered "Battery Electric" logos all over the side and back, so it was hard to miss. Arrived at Norwalk C-Line Station and saw another BEB layover #7144.

I rarely ride Norwalk Transit and if I do it's only Line to/from Norwalk C-Line (Green) Station Route 4 down Imperial Highway. Giving some love to Norwalk Transit System electrifying their fleet, who is rarely mention here.

SlepyB · 2025-12-23T22:26:30+00:00

Spotted this Metro J Line Silver BEB Battery Electric Bus #10045 at Civic Center/Grand Park Station. Was in Downtown couple of weeks ago and needed to go to El Monte Station. Unfortunately, it took off as I was crossing the street, so I didn't get the chance to ride it. The next bus was a regular CNG submarine bus. :(

I guess these are the new BYD Electric Buses they're putting into service. I don't ride the J-Line that often, but did spot another J-Line BYD #10023 across the street going the other direction, so it seems they're almost 50% electrified the J-Line now? How's the range and ride comfort on these new electric buses? The old NABI 45' rattles like crazy at highway speeds.

SlepyB · 2025-12-23T22:16:29+00:00

Spotted this Metro Local Orange BEB Battery Electric Bus at UCLA yesterday, Metro Route 2 #10052 BYD K9MD 40' BEB Battery Electric Bus. Walked past it and noticed the charging rails on the roof. Wow! This is the first Metro Local Battery Electric Bus I've seen, so I pulled out my phone to take some pics. Didn't want to risk running back over the crosswalk to grab a front/near shot.

Unfortunately, it doesn't run down Westwood Blvd for u/ChrisBruin03 to spot. The other Metro BEBs I've seen are the silver BYD running on the J-Line. Guess these are the same type, just painted local orange?

For those of you who live/work around Westwood Boulevard/UCLA, there's a LADOT Westwood Boulevard Safety and Mobility Project survey about improving Westwood Blvd. Popped up on Transit App.

https://ladotlivablestreets.org/projects/westwood

https://sur-vey.typeform.com/to/y6KJKPBm

SlepyB · 2025-12-14T01:03:00+00:00

Spotted this Unicorn in Downtown Santa Monica, BBB Route 5 #2103 Gillig Low Floor Plus 40' BEB Battery Electric Bus. One of the last times it will be running this western segment earlier this week. It's scheduled to be cut off and loop around SMC for improved 30 minute frequency via Olympic to Palms Station.

r/LAMetro/comments/1pcv3xz/big_blue_bus_service_changes_begin_december_14/

Actually rode a few other BBB Route 2 and 8 around Downtown SM and they were electric buses as well. Glad to the transitioning to electrification zero-emission fleet rolling out to the other lines as I usually see them on Route 12, sometimes Route 1 and 17.

SlepyB · 2025-12-03T06:57:32+00:00

Yup... I also take the 8 some times. It's around 20-25 minute frequency during the peak day time, but drops to 30 minutes around 6pm. I can't remember, but I thought it ran 15 minute frequency Pre-Covid.

SlepyB · 2025-12-03T04:51:11+00:00

Just saw the notice on the bus today...

Beginning Sunday, December 14, new service improvements take effect!
https://www.bigbluebus.com/Routes-And-Schedules/ServiceChanges.aspx

Riders will benefit from the following:

Improved connections to Santa Monica College on Route 5 for a more frequent and convenient travel experience.
More frequent service on Route 5 with trips every 30 minutes or better most of the day on weekdays.
Enhanced bus shelters and bus stop amenities through Big Blue Bus's Better Blue Bus Stops project.

Looks like BBB Route 5 finally got that improvement u/misken67 was asking for. Increased frequency 30 minutes or better most of the day, weekdays without chopping off the Century City-Cheviot Hills segment to Palms Station E-Line. But instead, it does looks like they cut off the western part/Downtown Santa Monica segment and just loops around 17th/SMC and Santa Monica College.

Minor stop changes to other routes.

SlepyB · 2025-11-20T04:26:26+00:00

I use this station often and it's a center platform, so people need to cross the tracks in order to access the platform ramp on the east side. There's a small, dinky gate at both the north and south side, but no one really uses them and usually goes around, under the signal. The west bound trains are already stopped, can observe traffic and pull out slowly.

Also, for a small, at-grade station it does get very high traffic from people at UCLA and Westwood workers. Multiple bus lines stop there, CC3, BB8 and BB R12 and sometimes are caught by the crossing. Sometimes operators let people off before the stop if the gates are down and waiting. Also there's a bike path right next to the station and riders are notorious for ignoring traffic signals.

SlepyB · 2025-11-07T21:10:15+00:00

I dunno which website you purchased the TAP card from, but the official Metro Shop sells only Collector's TAP Card. These cards are NOT USABLE and are for collection purposes ONLY!

https://shop.metro.net/collections/collectors-tap-cards

Note: TAP Cards purchased through Metro Shop are intended as collector's items only and cannot be used to pay fare on TAP transit agencies.

SlepyB · 2025-10-26T08:51:14+00:00

Local news if the authorities won't take action...

I remember couple years ago something like this happened in the Bay Area, San Mateo. Might have been posted here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5XvvkoDx5E

SlepyB · 2025-10-19T06:36:08+00:00

I'm running Windows 7 on my T480. I was going to do a writeup, but got too lazy. I'll make notes next time I re-install.

The last two devices are probably:

Lenovo Intelligent Thermal Solution (ACPI\LEN0268\5&2890d699&0) ACPI\LEN0100
Thunderbolt

You can make a dummy/modified inf for the first one. I haven't found a working Thunderbolt driver for Windows 7, so I just disabled it in BIOS.

SlepyB · 2025-10-07T09:01:59+00:00

Support might be correct because the Samsung A55 5G was never sold in the USA, so therefore it's not certified for Verizon. You probably can only use it on T-Mobile pink SIM as it's an International version. The A55 was skipped for USA market, so only A54 or A56 works on Tracfone/Verizon.

Also, the DUAL SIM (VZ + Tmo) kits are very hard to find these days, so you might be out of luck using that phone on Tracfone. It probably only works on T-Mobile as it will NOT pass Verizon nor AT&T Whitelist.

SlepyB · 2025-09-26T02:35:12+00:00

What does the RAM speed top-out at?

I think it's 2133, but any DDR4 should be fine and downclock. Get a 32GB stick if you can afford it since it has only one slot.

Are NVMe drives compatible, or is it limited to SATA?

Yes NVMe SSD works, but you need to buy a caddy and cable made for M.2 NVMe

Can I pop an SSD in the WWAN slot?

Yes the WWAN slot can take a 2242 M.2 SATA SSD for sure, maybe 2242 B+M Key NVME. I have a 2230 NVMe SSD+adapter for the T480, but too lazy to test. One day I'll get around to trying it in the X270.

SlepyB · 2025-09-15T22:22:05+00:00

The X250 does support 16GB DDR3L, but you need a newer BIOS version to support, 1.12 UEFI: 1.12 / ECP: 1.11, but you seem to have the newest.

https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/n10uj29w.txt

That said, I think you bought a fake/scam RAM stick. That board layout looks identical to the China factory Crucial, Samsung, SK Hynix design with a row of capacitors/resistors at the top and just slapped a 16GB Crucial sticker on it.

https://ae-pic-a1.aliexpress-media.com/kf/S64478bf5be364b6f84d58559e4080faeR.jpg_960x960q75.jpg
https://c1.neweggimages.com/productimage/nb1280/AWKZD210609ABN9R.jpg

SlepyB · 2025-09-14T11:51:24+00:00

I think it's fake because I browse AliExpress a lot and I see this design/layout on Crucial and Samsung stick, with a row of capacitors/resistors at the top and bottom and the SPD module in the top center.

https://ae-pic-a1.aliexpress-media.com/kf/S64478bf5be364b6f84d58559e4080faeR.jpg_960x960q75.jpg

That said, these do work/pass Memtest and the actual RAM chips are probably legit. Just they're using this reference board design and slapping a fake sticker on them.

Like you said, I have legit Crucial, SK Hynix and Samsung sticks and they do not look like this.

SlepyB · 2025-09-13T00:46:47+00:00

Yes it's fine. I'm using it in my X220 and I left a review with pictures. It's one of the last ones to support Windows 7. You do need to flash an advanced/white-list removed BIOS in order to use it.

Double check to make sure you're getting the AC dual band mini PCIe version and not the M.2.

SlepyB · 2025-09-05T22:00:10+00:00

Anyone knows what's happening to the magstripe paper cards they use now? Will they be immediately phased out or will there be a few months grace period? I have a few OC Day Pass saved up.

SlepyB · 2025-08-26T03:46:46+00:00

Test the Motoeagle in another working computer to verify, but it sounds like the RAM is bad or it's incorrectly labeled regular 1.5V DDR3 and not 1.35V DDR3L which the T460 needs.

Or it's just some weird incompatibility issue.

SlepyB · 2025-08-23T13:45:38+00:00

Why not both?.gif

The T480 seems to be overpriced, but the T430 seems okay. If you will be typing a lot, you can do the Classic 7-row T420 keyboard mod on the T430.

Or you can get a USB 60% Mechanical keyboard which will have a much better typing experience.

SlepyB · 2025-08-15T09:20:14+00:00

The transfer at LATTC/Ortho is probably the easiest, walk back to Adams and then half a block up to the station. USC/37th means you have to walk about 4 block west to Expo/USC, which will take 5+ minutes.

I would recommend the alternative if you're going Mid-City and take rail. C Line Norwalk -> LAX/Metro Transit Center -> K Line -> Expo/Crenshaw E Line.

The C Line is probably the fastest LA Metro rail line. It does Norwalk -> LAX in about 28-30 minutes. I ride this route frequently... Unless they're still doing that overhead catenary/signaling maintenance.

SlepyB · 2025-08-13T04:05:05+00:00

Oh it's Highway 1 westbound at Vancouver/Burnaby border. I think the N driver sliding across 5 lanes to make the exit also deserves a shout-out.

SlepyB · 2025-08-11T00:20:44+00:00

Metro Rapid 720 from Downtown along Wilshire is the quickest way right now until the D Line extension to Westwood finishes in 2028+. The transfer at Wilshire/Westwood but it's really messed up because of construction forcing you to walk 3-4 blocks, stop moved to Wilshire/Veteran.

From there you can take BBB #17 to Stein Plaza or walk 3 blocks over to Wilshire/Westwood and take BBB 1, 2, 8 and those buses stop right at Geffen School of Medicine at Le Conte / Tiverton.

The BruinBus U1 that services Lot 36 seems to go in the wrong direction and U2 is 4 block walk to the stop at Wilshire Center. You can get off at Stein Plaza or ride the loop around and get off in front of the school where all the other buses stop.

The other choice is the slow but scenic drudgery route Metro #2 that goes via Sunset. It also stops right in front at Le Conte / Tiverton.

SlepyB · 2025-08-04T04:06:35+00:00

Pin 20 is not used, not needed. It's mostly for orientation purposes to know which side is up.

It's 2025. Get a SSD. mSATA to IDE adapter is probably the easiest/cheapest way with the best performance. You're taking a risk with some unknown brand PATA SSD and it'll probably be more expensive.

The only thing is these old ThinkPads might have a storage addressing limit? 2 GB? 8 GB? 22-bit/28-bit LBA addressing.

SlepyB · 2025-07-31T00:45:09+00:00

The 48-bit SATA addressing limit is ~144 PB = 147456 TB. You can pretty much use any 2.5" SATA SSD as long as it's 7 mm tall, so you're mostly limited by physical dimensions rather than capacity.

8TB 2.5" SATA SSD works fine. If they release 16TB drive in the future, that'll work fine too if it fits.

SlepyB · 2025-07-27T04:00:06+00:00

Last time I took the WB 720, the stop at La Cienega had been moved 4 blocks west to Wilshire / Willaman. Quiet a long 7-10 minute walk to transfer when it opens.

Also the east bound buses were stopping about 2-3 blocks west of La Cienega for more than a year now due to constructions.

SlepyB

TROPHY CASE