Lenovo installing old parts in new T61's?

I understand completely. I am going to try and have my screen replaced by calling and asking the price. I am beyond upset with Lenovo.

 

I agree with this. Because I am going with the 14.1" screen, I think I am going to go for it soon. If my screen is crap, I will be extremely angry, and since this is my first laptop purchase, and it is my own money, I will make sure others know about it.

I also will not be able to afford the new line, and since I can use CPP, I am able to get ~36% knocked off the price until May 21st. The price the computer comes out to (just below $1000 is exactly what I plan on spending).

 

I have not heard any complaints about the 14.1" so I think you are safe. As for me, 1280x800 and the lack of a good quadro card is the dealbreaker for that model. What did you mean when you referred to "CPP"?
I won't make it for the 25% off sale which ends on the 19th, but they are always having sales it seems.

 

Are you really surprised? It seems like every time I read the forum my respect for Lenovo goes down another notch. Locking a complaint thread in a support forum is more/less admission of guilt as far as i'm concerned. Maybe Mark@Lenovo will step in and rectify the issue.

From my extensive perusing of various forums, i've gathered that the 14.1 WXGA+ screen has terribly dim backlighting, and also suffers from some viewing angle issues, although not as badly as the 15.4 WSXGA+ models. Bottom line is that if you place great importance on the quality of your viewing panel, don't buy a Lenovo, at least for now. Also keep in mind that if you buy it and it stinks, you're out 15% of the purchase price should you decide to return it for a refund.

 

Does the regular WXGA screen (1280x800) in the 14.1" suffer from these same screen issues, or is it only the + versions?

 

It's not locked. I simply merged it in with the existing and current T61 display complaint thread so that all the information remains in one place. The breadcrumb is, of course, locked.

The current status is that on Wednesday Mark asked for two volunteers to send their systems in to the engineering group for analysis, and two people took him up on the request. Film at 11.

 

I await the results in great interest.

 

I hope we learn soon so I know if I'm getting a Lenovo or not.

 

I talked to them today. I asked what it would be to replace it out right if I paid (I figured I got a great deal, so I might be able to splurge for a combined cost that was so-so).

Well, they couldn't help me. The looked at the price of replacement: $500. I really started tearing up - I am really, really upset. I had her send me a box to return my computer. What a waste - all because they wouldn't abide by any customer satisfaction. I am so disappointed with Lenovo.

 

I think it's starting to show that Chinese business management can't do a decent job at all.

 

I took delivery of my new 15.4" t61p with the dreaded "old" (?) samsung lcd panel, at least as far as i can determine from the fru. I can't really say I have any complaints. No sparkle, no grainyness, no banding. This is my first notebook, so I can't really say how it compares in general, but this is an entirely usable screen. Viewing angles aren't great, but I don't tend to move around a lot while typing. Does anyone else think it's weird that my system is showing up with 512 megabytes of video memory? I expected just 256 to show up. Must be additional system memory? Fonts seem small, but I can probably figure out how to change that. Otherwise its great. Virtually silent, very fast. Haven't really put it through the paces yet, downloading crysis as I type.

 

Glad to hear it worked out for you - I personally decided not to buy a T61p with a WSXGA+ but to instead go with a dell. It's too much of a gamble for my limited money. And that restocking fee? I don't think so.

 

Smart, very smart. I wish I had waited as long as you. Now I have a 1K$ reminder of poor customer service. And, what is more, the tech support woman couldn't even tell me if I was within the return period!! She didn't even know what the policy was. And, she didn't even put up a fight when I asked for the box. She knew the truth: I had tried my best to work with Lenovo, and they really disappointed me.

 

The 512 MB is the result of shared main memory being used as Video memory. I have the 256MB 570M and my t61p shows the same thing. zoom zoom!

 

I got my T61p today. I got the Samsung 42T0329 as well, but mine is very nice.

Backlight: Perfectly even
Brightness: Not as bright as I hoped, but definitely usable
Graininess: Yes, but also not a problem
Horizontal lines: None

I'm really glad!

 

You see, not all Samsung screens are bad...

 

Interesting that some are getting decent screens... perhaps then we can't blame particular bad parts. Maybe bad batches? Who knows at this point.

Mark got my computer only to find out that apparently the service department switched out the screen for something else already, despite them telling me they couldn't/wouldn't. I'm waiting to hear from him (and hopefully get my computer back sometime soon...) but I think he is going to try to get another Samsung 329 screen and test it in my computer. Kind of weird but he's being thorough at least... although if he's doing all that you might think they could come up with a T61 and one of these screens some other way, but oh well.

 

Any news on Mark getting Engineers to test out the screens?

 

On the receipt from the service department, did it say what they replaced? they should have informed you. There's no telling with the depot.

 

Hi. I also have T61 with the Samsung 42T0329 that was bought in LENOVO site about 1 month ago. Actually, It is worst LCD that I have ever seen. I have several experiences in ThinkPad for 5 years. Therefore, I had no doubt of ThinkPad LCD. However, my T61 LCD is horrible, epecially viewing angle. I can't see LCD over 30mins due to diziness. I thinks they use low-priced LCD without FLEXVIEW(wideview) technology to reduce the price. Now, I am planing to buy external monitor. Is there any possible method to improve LCD specification or change LCD panel using other LCD like Macbook Pro. Thanks.

 

Sorry to hear the screen is so bad. I will have to see what mine will look like when I get it

If you are willing to pay for an aftermarket screen you might want to look at http://www.screentekinc.com/. They will even install it for you.

 

Did you get any news from Mark@Lenovo? Please leave your result. I also want to change my horrible LCD. My eyesight is failing whenever I use my LAPTOP.

 

Terryterry,


I've not provided any updates here or on our board. I was traveling for business this past week, and though the engineers have had a look and taken some measurements, I've not had a chance to discuss this with them.

Monday is a holiday, but I will update by end of day Tuesday with our present findings and next steps, which may be to look at a couple other systems.

Mark

 

Thanks Mark@Lenovo,

I will try to call customer support after getting your comment about engineers' measurements.

Thanks.

 

Mark called me a little while ago to tell me they're sending my computer back. They switched in an LG screen, but he said that side by side they couldn't see a whole lot of difference. I will see for myself and report here when I get it back.

He said he would post results from the engineers' tests in the forums, so we can expect that too.

I am not sure what to expect from them, though... instrument tests are not really necessary. There are no electrical or mechanical defects, the screens are just poor quality. Anyone who has used a computer recently should be able to look at one of these screens and realize the quality is lacking compared to those on even the cheapest computers. I recently went into a Circuit City and a Best Buy after realizing that I have not actually used many newer laptops, to judge what the standards for display quality are these days. I looked closely at all of the laptops (and external monitors) on display. The quality of the screens across all brands was uniformly very high (albeit only one laptop had the 1680x1050 resolution, but that one was very good too.) Good brightness, contrast, and viewing angles (in fact none of them had more than a very slight issue with viewing angle - LCDs have come a long way.)

The point is that the screens being used in the T61 are apparently the worst modern screens that are available, and not that there's something technically wrong with them. As pointed out by many, the Macbook screens are gorgeous - and the Thinkpads are supposed to be similarly high-end computers. It should follow that, at the very least, they should not be using abysmal screens.

Another possibility, maybe, is that these screens were chosen on purpose for business users. For general business use, you don't need a particularly great screen, and the advantage to these T61 screens is that no one sitting next to you on the plane can see anything on your computer I'm joking (I think), but I do really want to know why these screens were chosen. The fact that all the manufacturers Lenovo is using are making such sub-standard screens makes me wonder if it is in fact on purpose. I don't suppose we'll ever know, though.

 

Just my personal opinion, but I think that matte LCD technology on a laptop has become old technology. Almost all notebooks are using glossy screens and the manufacturers are giving the matte screens less attention. Even business notebooks like the HP8510p are using glossy screens. I know some people will not like to hear this, but I think Thinkpads in the future will only come with glossy screens. All companies, whether Dell, HP, Acer etc are being constrained by what the manufacturers are producing. A perfect example of this is the IPS screen. Though this is clearly a superior panel compared to the regular TN, they are not being made any more for the laptop, and therefore Lenovo cannot use them even if they want.

Also I hate the old point(not directed at you PenguinChris) that business notebooks don't need great screens. Who came to this conclusion?? If anything business users probably use their notebooks more than the average person. They need the best screens to reduce their eyestrain. In addition, how does anybody know what their business is? Your business might be accounting, where you look at large spreadsheets or it might be photo or video editing. Bottom line, I think this is a poor excuse, if it is used.

Personally, I am going to get a glossy screen laptop next time. I am hoping my Thinkpad screen will be decent. I got the machine looking at it from the perspective of a total package, not just screen.

 

I think this might be an area of Lenovo cutting costs. Well, Thinkpads have gone tremendously cheaper compared to when IBM ran shop. To make the Thinkpads cheaper, Lenovo might have just switched to using 2nd-grade screens to cut expenses.

Another possibility, that I hesitate to voice, is the fact that many construction companies in China buy 2nd-grade building materials, and pocket the excess contract money meant to be spent on 1st grade materials. This is a silly idea to suggest that a multi-national computer company like Lenovo will do the same with the screens, but there is a slight possibility.

 

Please update us if you personally see any difference after the swap.

 

The 8510p/w models only have a matte screen option, but it seems like their screen quality is much better than the Samsung screens in the T61.

 

Any word from Penguinchris about his new screen? Mine is going in for evaluation.

 

I have a crappy Samsung LCD for my brand new T61 with 14.1'' wxga+ monitor. The FRU# is: 42T0412. The problem is this monitor is way too blue than it should be. I tried to correct the color in the 'color correction' panel, however, it doesn't work too well. Even though I think the color looks right, my eyes feel very very sour/tired for a 10-minute use.

I have sent my laptop to their service depot and requested an LCD replacement. I prefer to have it replaced with an LG-Phillips LCD, but the guy who called me denied me. He insisted that the monitor has no problem, as inspected by their engineers. I even asked him to compare my T61 screen with his computer at work and he said there's no difference.

I think there are three options:
1. Live with the blue-ish screen
2. Try to build an ICC profile to correct it.
3. File a complaint against Lenovo at BBB.org for the unsatisfactory service/product quality.

 

Why do you keep posting this over and over? It's a simple color adjustment. Why are you trying to make a big splash all over the lenovo boards? You getting paid to do this? This much noise over a simple color adjustment just doesn't make sense.

And finally, what has this got to do with allegations that Lenovo used "old" parts? Or are you just fishing for disaffected users?

 

@dealspiggy.

Cross posting is against the forum rules...do not do it again. You are allowed the share your story/complaint on NBR as long as you comply with the forum rules(repeated posts on the same thing does not comply with the forum rules).
-------------
Also, please say on topic.

Thanks.
-kdawgca
NBR Mod

 

sorry, I am so desperate trying to resolve my problem.

 

i ordered T61 and when it came it had one pixel burned. i called support and told them the issue. they asked whats the location of the pixel. i said on the left side. agent said , aha on the left side then thats not an issue. i replied if thats not an issue then i can't accept this and will have to return it to buy another brand.
they then sent me a new one afterwards.

 

Why almost all notebook manufacturers that I am interested in are influenced by bad panels?
I purchased my first notebook (dell m1330) a month ago, and I were suffered with grainness, many bad pixels and bad areas. I have had 4 panels replaced with my notebook, but there's still a dead pixel in my latest pannel. However, I will keep it because I'm very very tired with the progresses of replacements and a bad pixel does not really influence my viewing.

I also want a 15 inch notebook for gaming. I turn to T61p from m1530 because of my bad experiences with dell. Now I would thank you guys to let me know that the panels of T61P might be more bad, and Lenovo even will not replace it!

So I decide to wait for the new lenovo T500 or dell E6500 with LED pannels... Hope they will not be too expensive and the new 15.4 LED pannel will be exclent, without any problems.

 

Indeed they are. I know the 8510w matte screen and got the matte screen of my NX8200 replaced to WSXGA+ very recently. They both are much, much better if it comes to colours, brightness and, above all, viewing angles compared to my lousy T61 WSXGA+. There are some good displays around, but Lenovo did not choose those!