Doubt it. I'm betting there are no PCB changes.

i've been watching this forum for a while, having ordered an s10 direct from lenovo in august. i was patient, figuring things would settle down, and i'd be happy. well, i'm not. we've all waited 2 months. insult to injury, the 160gb HDD, 1gb RAM model is *already* selling for only $30 more than what we paid for the 80gb HDD with 512mb– go check circuit city's website. yes, you've been suckered, and you matter less than customers of the box stores. but i figured, rather than settle for less, it'd be worth trying to cancel my order. because after all, customers turn to the direct outlet out of loyalty to the thinkpad heritage, and lenovo will respect that, as any good company would.

unfortunately, mine shipped the exact same day the new machines went on sale. still i thought, surely they'll be flexible about allowing a return, perhaps minus the restocking fee, so i can buy the better one they still don't sell. then everybody's happy. right? customers are worth retaining, as we all know, and 15% of $450 is only $62 or something. unfortunately lenovo does not share this opinion.

this, however, is only the start of the story. a negative answer handled correctly might be acceptable, under certain circumstances. unfortunately, lenovo doesn't give a rat's a$$ about customer service. in fact, lenovo customer service is the worst i have ever encountered, bar none. try calling them: you'll get a call center overseas. fair enough, except they aren't empowered to make ANY decisions. after a few frustrated calls, with nobody bothering to take any notes on why you've called, you'll likely give up and ask for a supervisor. too bad! “none are working at this time,” probably because they don't actually have any in the same country as the operators. they definitely can't put one on the phone at any hour. one may eventually call you back, but not in the promised 24 hours. it took 5 days in my case. and when this long-awaited call comes, this person– perhaps based in north america, as mine apparently was– will have exactly as much authority as their frontline operators: zero. she will also be much less polite, and speak in MBA jargon about how she will “bring your feedback forward.” that is the full extent of her powers, to bring up your complaint at the next “management meeting.” apparently the rules from home office are very strict.

so if you're still reading, this is my advice: don't buy from lenovo. period. and if you ignore that, at least don't but it direct, for your own sake.

In France, the only config available is the 1GB RAM / 160GB HD, 3-cell battery. Priced 399 euros.

For the RAM, there is a 512MB soldered, and an additional 512 MB. If you replace it by a 2GB, the internal 512MB is disabled, thus the max addressed is 2GB.

The HD is fast and works silently. It can be easily replaced by a SSD.

Vapor-ware at CC!

The CC webpage says “Notify me when available”

i think just don't buy directly from the website. it makes me feel better to go to a PC store for a laptop.

How can you order S10 in France? I think the release for Europe is scheduled later this month/year. Or did I miss something? Perhaps some link would help… Thank you!

Typically computer makers do offer higher capacity batteries as an accessory
for existing models. They tend to stick out the back a bit more, and cost an
arm and a leg. If you buy a netbook with a 3 cell battery, expect to spend
at least $100 to pick up a 6 cell battery if and when the manufacturer makes
them available. You might be able to find a cheaper one on eBay from a third
party battery maker.
On the other hand, if you wait for the manufacturer to begin selling
netbooks with 6 cell batteries, the price may not go up as much as $100. But
then again, it might. It's a bit of a gamble either way.