Lenovo Flex 14 - Tips, Tricks, Tweaks, and Accessories

ArisingPeace wrote: ↑ Lenovo Flex 14 Mega-Thread
lenovo-flex-14-2-1-620-99-bilingual-key ... e-2322371/

Elrondolio wrote: ↑ Rakuten: Opening a Ticket for Cash Back Resolution
https://www.rakuten.ca/help/contact/whe ... y-cashback

Process is similar as you fill in:
* Store Name
* Date of Purchase
* Order Number
* Purchase Subtotal (pre-tax)
* Order Confirmation

When you pick the date it'll automatically select Rokuten's Tracking Ticket Number that was generated when you opened the purchase tab from Rakuten (not technically required, however). It's best to copy and paste the invoice / receipt in the Order Confirmation field. I've used this process with Rakuten Canada many times without issue (when it wasn't automatically picked up by the browser) and they are very professional and quick with resolution.

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ >> Lenovo Flex 14 - Tips, Tricks, Tweaks, and Accessories <<

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ Some facts for folks, as to why you should be buying this unit.

Lenovo Flex 14 2-in-1
Ryzen 3700U + Vega 10
14.0" FHD (1920x1080) IPS, glossy, multi-touch [250 to 300 nits]
8Gb RAM [2x4GB, One SODIMM slot, One soldered]
512GB Samsung 970 EVO OEM Version NVMe SSD
Rapid Charging [0% to 80% in 1 Hour] (No USB-C Charging)
Windows 10 Home (Pre-Installed) [Upgradable to Pro]
0.7" Thick

Think about that. You're getting the highest end Ryzen U-Series chip with the solid Vega 10 onboard graphics. You're getting a 2-in-1 with a 10-point multi-touch screen, where Windows 10 supports tablet mode. Also, since when are laptop makers including impressively large 512GB NVMe SSDs at this price point? All that device for only 0.7" of thickness.

Did I mention the upgrade option?
- NVMe SSD is replaceable.
- One SODIMM slot available, ergo, possibilities:
==> 4GB onboard + 16GB SODIMM = 20GB RAM [See Accessories Section]
==> 4GB onboard + 32GB SODIMM = 36GB RAM [See Accessories Section]

The price? ... See below, it's solid.

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ Folks, LenovoPRO is still 10% on Rakuten.

All you need to do is sign up as a business.

In Canada, the definition of a business is pretty loose, and sole proprietors operating without an incorporated entity are also considered businesses... calling yourself 'Bill's Landscaping' is good enough in many cases. Lenovo doesn't check or care, except when they suspect you're ordering en-masse for resale... something only a licensed reseller should be able to do.

Use eCoupon: FLEXSAVINGS

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ Active Pens for the Lenovo Flex 14

The 2016 active pen is $40-ish.
https://www.amazon.ca/Lenovo-Capacity-T ... 01AZC3HF2/

The 2017 active pen 2 is $80-ish.
https://www.amazon.ca/Lenovo-connectivi ... 0762M2QF7/

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ Intel AX200NGW WiFi 6 + BT 5.0 Card (Prime)
Vendor #1: Sale @ $26.99, Normal @ $29.99
Vendor #2: Sale @ $31.99, Normal @ $33.99

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ RAM Upgrade Options
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/offer-listing/ ... yle_name=0 [16GB SODIMM]
https://www.amazon.ca/Samsung-2666MHz-M ... 07N124XDS/ [32GB SODIMM]

Credit to @sspikey for the 16GB SODIMM selection.

SQuiDLy wrote: ↑ Lenovo Flex 14: RAM Upgrade Guide
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-upgr ... ad-flex-14

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ Hard Shell Covers
Lenovo Flex 6 14 mCover (Variety of Colors) [Designed for Intel, Fits AMD Flex (Partial Headphone Jack Blockage)]

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ Lenovo Flex 14 Teardown:
https://imgur.com/a/ACwBS50

Multiple pleasant surprises.

Biggest one... the drive is an OEM Samsung 970 EVO 512gb.

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ Rapid Charging: 80% charge from 0%, in one hour. I'm confirming this now.

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑

Source: https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/shopping-faq/#returns

death_hawk wrote: ↑ Lenovo Reverse Parts Search: Based on Laptop Model Number
https://support.lenovo.com/ca/en/partslookup

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ RyzenAdj: Adjust graphical performance on Vega 10
Download: https://github.com/FlyGoat/RyzenAdj/releases [Caution: I have not tested this tweak.]

Elrondolio wrote: ↑ PowerPlanSwitcher (Windows Store users only): Quick and Easy to Switch Plans on the Fly
https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/p/power ... blggh556l3

Elrondolio wrote: ↑ Backing up your Drive

For those just receiving their Flex 14's, I'd highly recommend building a backup image (clone) of the stock SSD drive (it has 4 partitions, btw) before wiping it or replacing it so if you return this later or simply want to restore it for warranty, resale, etc you can.

A great option for this is the free version of Macrium Reflect:
https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

Once installed, using it is simple. Start it up on your Flex 14 and the first thing you'll see on the left is the already selected Backup tab. On the right will be your SSD drive and, just below that, you'll see two options: Clone this Disk or Image this Disk. Select Image this Disk then select the folder you'd like to store the disk image in (it'll be created as one file with a .mrimg extension and any name you wish) then click next and finish. Once completed you'll have a small, compressed backup image of your SSD drive. I'd suggest storing this on a USB key if you have a large enough one (it compresses down to under 20 GB when done) or, even better, a NAS or other network storage drive.

You can then click the Other Tasks menu option, then Create Rescue Media. If you have a USB key inserted (not the one you might have stored the backup image on) you can create a bootable version of Macrium Reflect so you can restore your image you created to the same SSD in the future.

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ Steps for Installing Windows 10 Professional
1) Buy Windows 10 Professional license off eBay [see below]
2) Load Windows 10 Media Installation tool and go through the prompts to make a bootable USB.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/softwar ... /windows10
3) Plug in USB and restart computer.
4) Hit any key to start the installation when prompted.
5A) Select the largest SSD partition during installation, choose to format, and select that space again for installation.
5B) You may be forced to format all the partitions for a full drive wipe during installation, before it can proceed.
6) When creating an account, select the 'domain join' option in the bottom left corner, and then create your user account.
6) Follow the prompts until you're in Windows.
7) Run Windows Update.
8) Done.

Bonus: You can identify the components of the Flex 14 and search for particular up-to-date drivers. This isn't absolutely necessary, but consider it for the Vega 10 GPU.

Steps for Buying Windows 10 Professional
1) Search for 'Windows 10 Professional' on eBay.ca.
2) Find sellers with multiple units of that product sold, a seller rating of 98% or higher, recent positive feedback from the listing, and one that's promising 'instant' or nearly instant delivery. Try to check off most of these boxes. **
3) Purchase the license and wait the 5 to 10 minutes to receive the license code by eBay Message and email.
4) Use code during the above installation.

** Worst case: eBay will reimburse you if the seller doesn't deliver. However, you'll most likely receive your license by eBay message and email within minutes. Either way, you're only spending a few dollars.

FYI, while I think Windows 10 installation is dead easy, some folks may be confused. If you have a nephew, son (or daughter, it's 2019), kicked around, you may want to recruit them to help.

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ O&O Shutup10: Free Anti-spy Tool

Elrondolio wrote: ↑ Debloating and System Performance Optimization
O&O Shutup10
+
I highly recommend Autoruns from Sysinternals (Microsoft owns them now). While one is there, make sure to pick up a copy of Process Explorer as well... its a task manager on steroids yet still easy to use (it's invaluable when tracking run away processes in CPU, disk access, etc). Both should be a part of every Windows install.

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ Lenovo Flex 14: BIOS Windows License Workaround

Microsoft is automatically grabbing the Home license from the BIOS.

Here's the fix.



I put the following in my ei.cfg in the sources folder of my Windows 10 bootable USB, because I want to be prompted for software version during each install.

Code: Select all

[Channel]
Retail

Source: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads ... on.785144/

Elrondolio wrote: ↑ Power Management and Drivers

Restoring missing power plans (Flex 14 comes with "Balanced" only, others are missing):

1. Left click windows menu, type "cmd" then right click the resulting "Command Prompt" and click "Run as Administrator".

2. Copy and paste the text below for the missing power plans you want to restore into the command prompt, and press Enter. Do one at a time.

(Power saver)
powercfg -duplicatescheme a1841308-3541-4fab-bc81-f71556f20b4a

(High Performance)
powercfg -duplicatescheme 8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635c

(Ultimate Performance)
powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61

3. You can now close the command prompt if you like.

--

Note: I haven't had any wifi issues for the past 18 or so hours on the default RealTek RTL8822BE wifi / bluetooth card it came with (will be road testing default config for a few days). First thing I did though was to change all power plan settings for wireless card to maximum performance and disable sleep in device manger for this card.

Original RealTek drivers v2023.56.0502.2017 are from 2017 here (wouldn't recommend):
https://www.realtek.com/en/component/zo ... e-software

Lenovo has later drivers v2024.0.8.108 here:
https://support.lenovo.com/ca/en/downloads/ds120862

Laptop with Windows 10 Home by default comes preinstalled with more updated driver v2024.0.10.202 than either of the above.

Elrondolio wrote: ↑ Creating Optimum Battery Saver Power Plan (Suggested Settings)

You could also create a custom "More Power Saver" kind of profile, duplicating the "Power saver" settings but pushing it a bit farther by setting your maximum processor state to less than 100% (you'd want to experiment with your own usage scenarios to see how low you'd be comfortable with the software you use often). Combined with making sure the AMD power slider is at "Battery saver" or at least "Better battery" settings and the AMD graphics power settings are set to "Optimize battery" you could squeak out some more runtime. Just make sure to keep the Wireless adapter settings to "Maximum Performance" if you're still using the default Realtek wifi card: it's unstable otherwise.

Example "More Power Saver" profile options (sorry for size, RFD image embed was unreadable):

newell00 wrote: ↑ Physical Sticky Keys Workaround

Also received mine with a wonky spacebar. If you guys want to save yourselves the return, I just popped the keycap off my spacebar and it turns out the left butterfly switch was installed upside down and was a bit sticky. Played with it a bit til it was loose and flipped the switch around and now it works perfectly.

michaelsin wrote: ↑ AMD Radeon Settings Lite: Advanced Display Adapter Settings (App + Suggested Settings)

Download: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/p/amd-r ... 9370crz0fn

Just FYI. Finally found the setting to tweak the color of screen. I'm loving this laptop!

Expliciate wrote: ↑ Screen Color Tweaks

Those who have the laptop can try this display calibration with DisplayCAL.
Calibrated using a X-Rite ColorMunki Smile. White level: 120cd/m^2, Gamma 2.2, whitepoint measured as is.
Flex 14 AMD Display Calibration

ashleydoormat wrote: ↑ ICC Monitor Color Settings: Optimized for Graphic Design

Here is the link for the icc profile. For your reference only as individual panel might well be different.

Mirror: http://www.mediafire.com/file/h8fkyc012 ... 3.icm/file

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ Function Key Enable / Disable in BIOS
https://support.lenovo.com/ca/en/solutions/ht103044

mcheddadi wrote: ↑ WiFi Fix: Driver and Settings-based Solution

upgrading the driver to v2024.0.10.308 seems to have fixed my wifi lag issues https://www.mediafire.com/file/r8lppky7 ... L.zip/file

also changed power options like this :

dfphoenix wrote: ↑ WiFi Replacement Instructions: Detailed

I bought the less expensive one, or whichever I linked in my post (also has a $3 click to toggle discount).

I mean, it shouldn't be that big of a deal as long as you have gentle hands and a clean, static free workspace and you learn from the only mistake I made.
Make sure you have a small phillips head screwdriver, and a star screwdriver.
You will also need a sort of wedge tool to pry open the case, as it has plastic clip-in sections that need to be popped open slowly.
I honestly just used an old bank card to do it.

The major things to look out for is basically unplugging the battery, and being very gentle with the ribbon cable covering the wifi card (this is probably the biggest thing you risk damaging).
The ribbon cable itself can be damaged with flexing, and the little paddles that lock the seats you put the ribbon in can be damaged (to the point of popping out and not being able to replace).




You don't want to connect things back the wrong way around, like the 2 antenna. The foam is sticky, and has to be removed to get to the screw and antennas (put it back on when the new card is installed).
The 2 antenna are popped out to remove, and have to be popped in later. They're kind of very tiny so be careful and snap them back in on the new wifi card.
This can feel hard, because of big fingers, but when it's in, it's in.

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ Speaker Audio Enhancer: Addressing Speaker Playback Quality

I've been advised to try this if you have bad speakers, apparently it works quite well on the Lenovo 14w subpar speakers.

FxSound Enhancer Premium

It is a paid product, standard software and not SaaS.

redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ Lenovo Flex 14 WiFi Upgrade Guidance


Make sure to unplug the internal battery before performing the upgrade.

Also ensure you reattach any foam adhesive you remove from the former WiFi card, if such foam adhesive is used.

Elrondolio wrote: ↑ Lenovo Flex 14-API: Links, Resources, Drivers, Etc.

Here are some important support links for this Lenovo Flex 14-API.

Product Support Home (drivers, manuals, parts list, etc)
Spec Sheet for part #81SS000BUS (US ANSI Keyboard)
Spec Sheet for part #81SS000CCF (Bilingual ISO Keyboard)
Product Specifications Reference Home

User Guide (useful)
Hardware Maintenance Manual (very good)

BIOS Update and Instructions (latest as of this post: September 26, 2019 Version AGCN24WW (V1.07)
Drivers (video, audio, wifi, etc)

dfphoenix wrote: ↑ Intel AX200NGW WiFi 6 Card Drivers for Windows 10 (10/23/2019)
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29122

ironchefff wrote: ↑ BIOS Update: December 5, 2019

Not sure if it was mentioned already but a new BIOS version is available: December 5, 2019 Version AGCN25WW (V.108)