Lenovo T400 problem-what are my options?

I received my t400 about 3 days ago, was satisfied with everything EXCEPT the palmrest. It made a significant squeaky noise every time I put my palm on to type, barely putting any pressure at all, and it's only on the right side. Also I noticed the hard drive cover on the back pops in and out of place a little bit since the screw is to the top. I searched and saw this was a pretty common problem, and I called Lenovo and sent it in. I got it back today and it said they replaced the palmrest, but the squeaking noise isn't fixed at all. I called them again and asked for other fixes, the technique support guy said "they have never heard of this problem before"...

So I don't know what I should do, if I send it back in again they'll probably do the same thing, I tried tightening/loosening the hard drive cover, etc. Please help.

 

Wow I just posted noticing a similar problem with palmrest, right side corner also. Mine is a fitting issue, which of course will have noise too. I am currently more concerned with it being loose (going up and down) than the noise at the moment. My hard drive cover does not seem to pop out however. The left side with the plastic ExpressCard does pop out if I put pressure however.

 

The palmrest on the T400 sucks -- plastic is too thin and sub-support is not adequate. I'm actually very disappointed with the crappy plastics used by Lenovo all over the T400. The first Thinkpad I've owned that feels cheap.

Anyhoo... creaky palmrests have been a "feature" of a few generations of Thinkpads now. My solution to creaky palmrests has always been to remove it myself and play around with fitting it back in various ways. In the past I've found three different things have worked: simply removing and carefully ensuring it's refitted as tight as possible (T400... takes a few attempts); removing and adding two very small strips of foam insulation at each edge (T61); and simply loosening a couple of the screws a half turn so the plastic edges are not so compressed (T43). In some cases, the squeaking will eventually go away on its own once the two pieces of plastic responsible break in a bit.

My T400 palmrest is quiet but is rediculously flimsy on the left side and my expresscard blank also pops out slightly with the slightest pressure. I can live with it, but might have to do my own reinforcing at some point since Lenovo obviously thinks no-one puts any pressure on the palmrest (or keyboard for that matter).

 

I understand what you mean. I don't know what about the plastic that gives me a cheapish feeling too. Is it the color or density? I noticed my older thinkpads are more black in color and feels a little denser. Then again I've handled carbon fiber and it feels cheap until you know its actually expensive material and so it becomes not cheap afterward. Plus carbon fiber is super strong for its weight so its practical. However I duno if T400 is using some special spaceage plastic though (I doubt it).

 

To me the cheapness is about how thin the plastic is in many places and I guess its density -- it just feels like it'll lose its texturing and wear down to a shine very quickly.

 

Well... you can expect reasonable build quality with a Lenovo Thinkpad, but (in my experiences with the T61 and T400) don't expect perfect fit and finish. I have little experience with other notebooks so I don't know how the fit and finish normally is or should be.

The fact that is makes a noise when you put your hand on it is annoying, I can imagin very well. I'd similar complaints like you. My current T400 is also a bit loose but doesn't make a noise unless I really encourage it.

Since the palmrest is already replaced I don't expect much from Lenovo anymore. Imo there is not much they can do anyway.. And I guess they won't replace it for that complaint.

You will have to find your own solution or live with it . (or buy a X300 like me ... and btw, even the x300 isn't perfect).

 

I don't know. I guess quality control varies widely. My T61p and X200 are solid as a rock and no creeks or other things that make it feel cheap. I will agree that the plamrest plastic is thin and needs to be improved, which is quite evident when you go to upgrade the ram, but when the machine is assembled, I have no issues what so ever. Just wanted to provide my opinion

 

Not sure what to say. The palmrest on my T400 is stellar, and the keyboard actually has less flex than my T61. It is, admittedly, a 2nd-gen T400 with the reinforcing under the keyboard, but either way, the fit and finish on mine is very good, and I have no complaints.