ThinkPad FAQ
Table of Contents
Make everything bigger/smaller
Windows has the ability to scale text and graphics to make everything appear bigger or smaller. By default, all new ThinkPads are scaled to 150% which means everything appears 50% bigger on the built in laptop display.
If you would like to increase the size of text you have the option to increase scaling to 200%. If you would like to increase the amount of things you can have on screen at once, you can disable scaling (i.e. set it to 100%). For instructions on how to do this, please read the article Adjust Windows scaling.
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| Fig 1: 150% scaling (default) | Fig 2: 100% scaling |
Swap Fn & Ctrl key
ThinkPads, like most laptops, have a row of function keys at the top of the keyboard, and a function key to access those special commands. However, unlike the HP Elitebooks that you may be used to, the Fn key and the Ctrl key in the lower left of the keyboard are reversed.
If you find that you are hitting the Fn key by mistake when you mean to hit the Ctrl, you can swap the key functions in a program called Lenovo Vantage. For more information, please see the article: Swapping Fn and Ctrl keys.
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| Fig 3. HP EliteBook 840 keyboard | Fig 4. Lenovo ThinkPad T480 keyboard |
| Ctrl key on left | Fn key on left |
Webcam cover
Your ThinkPad comes with a security cover for its webcam. You can completely and temporarily disable use of the webcam by sliding the cover to the right (when the webcam is disabled, there will be a red circle in the camera's aperture). To re-enable the camera, slid the cover to the left.
For security sake, it's a good idea to keep the cover closed when it's not in use.
Fig 5. A closed webcam cover
Mic mute
Another security feature built into ThinkPads is hardware mic mute. The F4 function key acts as a mute button. When mute is on (indicated by a white light on the button), not only is the mic muted, but Windows can't access the microphone hardware at all. Even if you're using a program that says the mic is unmuted, it won't pick up any sound as long as the ThinkPad hardware mute is activated.
If you can't be heard during a call, be sure to check if hardware mute is on or off as indicated by the LED on the F1 key.
Fig 6. Hardware mute activated
Keyboard back light
A special function key that is not in the top row of the keyboard is the back light key. To cycle the back light between off, dim, and bright, hold the Fn key and press the space bar.
Unlike some laptops, the back light on the ThinkPad has to be manually turned on and off, so be aware that you may want to keep it dim, or turn it off to prolong battery life.
Fig 7. The back light icon is on the left corner of the space bar
Fingerprint reader
You can use your ThinkPad's fingerprint reader to speed up signing in. To configure it, hit the Windows key and search for “fingerprint.” Click on “Set up fingerprint sign-in”. Then click on Windows Hello Fingerprint and and go through the steps it gives you. You will have to create a PIN first before you can add a fingerprint to you account.
Fig 8. The fingerprint reader to the right of the keyboard
If you have any further questions, or if you are ever unsure about what to do, please contact TSD at help@mysouthland.com.