Lenovo have upset many of their existing customers and have no doubt put off many new customers by ditching their ThinkVantage System Update service.
What this means for people who already have a ThinkPad laptop is that they will no longer be able to download software updates and drivers automatically. Instead they will have to go to the support website and download all the files they need, all by themselves each and every time.
I just wonder why they would pull the plug on TVSU, which incidentally was a very popular service, without giving their customers any warning or indeed any reason for it.
Lenovo’s support website simply states “Lenovo is changing the way customers obtain updates for their PCs and Servers. For our PC customers, automatic updates via ThinkVantage System Update (TVSU) are being discontinued. Customers can continue to download updates by accessing the Lenovo support site at Lenovo Support & downloads. Lenovo is pursuing alternative solutions for system updates and future offerings will be communicated through the new Lenovo Message Center Plus.”
So not only do you have to go and get the updates yourself, you have to make a point of checking to see if and when an alternative solution is being offered.
Ok so if you know what you’re doing you might be quite happy to navigate your way to their site and manually download whatever it is you need to stay up to date but in reality, the majority of people are going to be inconvenienced at best or won’t bother to update their software at all.
Lenovo forums are already awash with dissatisfied customers who are venting their anger and dismay at what they see as a bad move by Lenovo and the general feeling is that TVSU was a major advantage that Lenovo had over their competitors and without it, they are going to lose business.
“Is there any reason why Lenovo would do this? That software has always been a big positive in Lenovo’s favour when compared to other system vendors. By eliminating Lenovo is removing one more reason to choose them” says one post.
“One of the reasons I have always told family members (who are not computer enthusiasts) to buy Lenovo products is because they ‘maintain themselves’ via TVSU” says another.
And as for buying Lenovo products in the future, one unhappy customer writes “Well I think I know of what brand of computer I am NOT buying next if things like this are going to keep getting pulled”.
It looks like Lenovo have some explaining to do.
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I too was disappointed, and I know I am not alone. Any chance Lenovo might change its mind in view of all the damage it is doing to its image?
Also, under the new system, how does one know what updates are needed? Do we have to wait until May 1?
i work indirectly for Lenovo as their helpdesk, the reason for taking it down or one of the reasons was it was causing issues, its like a windows update. Your bound to have something screewed up happen on the system of you download all the updates. Same thing with TVSU so to get that out of the mix of lenovo updates and also windows update conflicting with eachother. They made it so the individual updates are now easier to download instead of saving the file and then having to install from the file it automatically loads the update when you click on it. Also that way you only need to update what is needed. rather than extra stuff that you dont need.
Sign the petition on PetitionSpot:
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/TVSU
What good it will do who knows, but I am on the verge now of never buying a Thinkpad again and it is the only brand of laptop I ever buy. Its one thing to sell computers with outdated drivers, its quite another to pull the access-to-drivers- rug out from under me.
Sign the petition AND call Lenovo and complain with out mercy… if enough of us do they will bring it back. Threaten them with your business for what its worth lol
Good luck everyone, Randy
I have been a Thinkpad believer for over 15 years and would never buy anything else because Thinkpads always worked were reliable and differentiated (mouse button, System Update, etc…) When IBM sold the unit to Lenovo I was worried about cheap parts and quality. I have been generally happy with Lenovo. They have provided great quality Thinkpads and when systems break they are quick to repair and send parts. I am exteremely dissapointed with the removal of system update. Since they removed such an important piece of software withough warning or clear explanation, I have to rely on my conspiracy theories (Just theories remember)
1. Greed: IBM and Lenovo have a license dispute for System Update and one thinks its more valuable than the other and no one will budge – and we, the consumer get the short end of the stick
2. System Hacked: System Update is hacked, making it’s install base vulnerable, and Lenovo doesn’t know how to fix it. They pulled it right away (rightly so) and have to keep a lid on it for PR reasons.
3. Very sinister Espionage!: Lenovo was using System Update to peek into American hard drives for defense and industrial knowldege. They got caught and the Obama administration and Chinese goverment are trying to figure out the depth of this finding and how to avoid a world crises.
as if the windows ‘blue screen of death’ wasn’t enough and of course the wonder that is Vista. now this ;-(
i switched to Macs. if you’re going to pay at least get something. the Mac updates are automatic.
as soon as my wife finally crashes my T60p we’ll be all Apple. never should have waited this long.
b
Lenovo ThinkVantage System Update: Returns
This version can be launched by the current exe it will find and install applicable updates for their system, as before. We also have a new tool, Message Center Plus, which we encourage you to download, as it provides a fast conduit to important advisory messages and helpful information about our products and services.
It’s back!
As of 19th October 2009 – System Update 4.0 available for download.