Lenovo recommends Windows Vista® Business for business computing.
Lenovo recommends Windows Vista® Home Premium for personal computing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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How accurate are our Fingerprint Reader offerings?
The accuracy of fingerprint readers has increased dramatically in the last few years. Error rates have been steadily declining as matching and sensor technologies evolve. For the ThinkPad Integrated Fingerprint Reader, the False Reject Rate (see below), given three attempts to validate your finger, is less than half a percent. The False Accept Rate (see below) is even lower.
- False Non-Match Rate (or False Reject Rate): The matcher decides there is no match when there is, in fact, a match. When security is less important and it is important to do the best you can with only one measurement, you want a low False Reject Rate.
- False Match Rate (or False Accept Rate): The matcher decides there is a match when there is, in fact, no match. When it is really important to be sure that there is a match, you want to have a very low False Accept Rate.
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If I use a Fingerprint Reader are my fingerprints safe?
The matching software used by the ThinkPad Fingerprint Reader does not require much data to recognize a fingerprint. Using small changes in capacitor resistance, the reader scans the finger and stores only data concerning distinctive portions of the fingerprint called "minutia points." A complete image of the fingerprint itself is therefore never stored on the system. The minutia points are only a mathematical representation of some data from the original fingerprint. It is not possible to reconstruct the fingerprint using these points. In addition, these templates are encrypted when stored. The encryption of the templates does not depend on Client Security Software. It is an independent element.
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Can fingerprint readers be fooled by hackers?
There are a number of known attacks against fingerprint readers. Some are rather intricate, such as building a fake finger out of something like ballistic gel or soft plastic. Currently, there are no known attacks against capacitive slide technology, which is what the ThinkPad Fingerprint Reader is based on. The sensor manufacturers keep on top of these attacks and continually update their devices to resist them.
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Can I enroll other people to access my computer via the fingerprint reader?
Several people may share the same PC using the integrated fingerprint reader. Each user that has a Microsoft® Windows® user ID and password can register up to ten fingerprints, all of which are stored and associated with that person's Windows user ID and password. That means that if Bob and Alice share a PC, when Bob turns it on and slides his finger, he gets his desktop. When Alice turns on the PC and slides her finger, she gets her desktop.
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What happens if the integrated fingerprint reader breaks? Will I be able to get into my computer?
If the integrated fingerprint reader is not available, prompts for fingerprint can be by-passed, sending the user to a user id/password prompt. If the user is protecting data with Client Security Solution, it will be necessary to use the Client Security Solution administrative tool to change the policy to remove the requirement to use the fingerprint reader. Once that is done, normal use can proceed without the fingerprint reader.
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June 2005
"Hard-nosed IT shops will undoubtedly prefer the ThinkPad [X41] with its wealth of management and security features. For instance, it comes with biometric security, in which you can set the device to require a fingerprint swipe using the included fingerprint reader before either booting or logging on to Windows. The fingerprint capability can even work in lieu of application and Web site passwords."
— Mobile Pipeline: "ThinkPad X41; Battle of the Tiny Laptop Giants" By David Haskin
January 2005
ThinkCentre A51p
"Strong design and security stand out in this attractive
business machine."
— PC World
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