Disclaimer:
Warning: Rooting can be dangerous if you do not understand the concepts, risks and procedures involved.
Reprinted: The following info pack was originally compiled by a few members over at androidforums namely cabbie, SUroot and reprinted here with permission. Only a few items have been changed / added / omitted in regards to our Lenovo Thinkpad tablet. (thanks guys)

Quick INTRO TO ROOTING for those new to rooting.

What is rooting?
Rooting is the process of gaining root access to Android. Android is based on the Linux operating system. Root access is superuser permissions (SU), much like an Administrator in Windows. In other words, think about the computer at work. The IT guys are in control of it and can limit your actions to what programs can be on it and what you can modify. They can do anthing from disable copy/paste to censoring websites. Now, you are in control.

Ok great, but what does it get me? What are the benefits of rooting?
Well, it gives you more control over your device essentially. You can run full backup of your entire device, control how the CPU is used by Android, save internal memory to name but a few.
Here is a more expanded list...

• Removing manufacturer bloatware placed on the device (by Lenovo)
• Overclocking: this will let you use your device at faster than the 998mhz speeds by default
• Underclocking: huge battery saver because it will throttle your device processor down when its not in use
• Loading custom bootscreens while the device is powering up
• Allows you to get the latest OS updates
• Ability to make a true backup of your device as a complete image (nandorid backup)
• Flash ROMs that will let you do a variety of different things. An example is the Cyanogen ROM.
• Flash Kernels that will increase performance.
• Ability to use some great applications that are only available for rooted devices. A good example is Titanium Backup, Screenshot ER, etc.
• Other features can include... enable ad-hoc WiFi connectivity, WiFi tethering, etc.

Anything Else?
There is more, but they go beyond the scope of this simple primer. This thread does not explain particular methods of rooting or flashing particular ROMS. it is only provided to get you up to speed on the terminology and basics so it doesn't look like quantum physics that will melt your brain. 

While the root process for the Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet is simple and rooting lets you flash things to your device. Flashing means either replacing or adding to the current operating system.

Here are a few more terminiology terms:
ROM:
Read Only Memory - The ROM is the firmware/software on your device which act like the operating system (OS) for your device. One popular one is Cyanogen. Think of ROMs as different 'flavors'. Each has their own pros and cons. Also note that roms are usually a large file (usually over 150 megs).

Kernels:
is the central component of most computer operating systems; it is a bridge between applications and the actual data processing done at the hardware level. Small file (usually under 10 megs)

Bricking:
When things go terribly, terribly wrong and your device becomes a paperweight. This is always possible though if you take the time to read and follow directions EXACTLY can be minimized.

adb:
Android Debugging Bridge. Certain things like installing a custom bootscreen require use of ADB to accomplish. There is an excellent adb setup guide located here.

Bootloader:
A small program that loads the operating system into the device memory when the system is booted and also starts the operating system. 

Deodex & Odex:
A ROM can have either, a deodex ROM is more customizable than an odex one to allow theming. Themes are customized appearances for things like the white icons in the notification bar.

Nandroid backups:
These are full system image backups like your computer can make, which let you restore fully to the point where you made it. The first thing you do after rooting is make a nandroid, so you can always go back to ground zero. Its always a good idea to make a nandroid before flashing anything in case something should go wrong. With nandroids, you can go back and forth between any ROM you wish with ease. Also a good idea is to copy the nandroids from your SD card to your computer just in case.

Is rooting risky?
While the root process for the Lenovo Thinkpad tablet is relativity easy (as well as unrooting it). Things can go wrong. It's after the root process where things get interesting and more complexed. This is why it is very important in either case, to Read, Read, Read and set aside ample time to read all the documentation when flashing new roms. Above all "Be patient".

The main advice I would give to new rooters is once you root the first thing you should do is install ClockworkMod Recovery and make a nandroid backup (instructions can be found on xda-forums).  This way if you screw anything up you can just restore your backup and fix any problems you create.  Once you have this you can play around with your system knowing you have this to fall back on if you really mess things up.  I have made a few posts where I am guessing and testing various modifications but I backed up before doing any of this and I have already had to make use of it.  Backup your system now and save yourself some trouble down the road!

Freezing simply disables an app. It is still on your device and needs storage but it won't run in the background or appear in your app drawer.
If you wipe your device or defrost the app, it will be there again and work like before.

If you uninstall an app it's gone and you'll get a little bit more storage but you'll need to have a backup or ask someone to send you the file if you'll need it again. You could also reflash the original ROM to get it back but a simple wipe won't do it (except if one of the many Lenovo auto-installers does it at first boot).

So it's safer to freeze an app first and see how the tablet behaves before you uninstall it completely

Freezing simply disables an app. It is still on your device and needs storage but it won't run in the background or appear in your app drawer.
If you wipe your device or defrost the app, it will be there again and work like before.

If you uninstall an app it's gone and you'll get a little bit more storage but you'll need to have a backup or ask someone to send you the file if you'll need it again. You could also reflash the original ROM to get it back but a simple wipe won't do it (except if one of the many Lenovo auto-installers does it at first boot).

So it's safer to freeze an app first and see how the tablet behaves before you uninstall it completely

+1

Sent from my ThinkPad Tablet using Tapatalk