Now what?

So a while back, prior to sending in my X200s for a new motherboard (trackpoint wasn't working, and it wasn't a keyboard issue), I was doing some drop tests while thinking about this ThinkPad's durability as compared to other models. It didn't do well, and all of this was on carpet. The moving plastic piece that holds the battery in broke, and the metal tabs that connect with the battery itself were bent slightly, and the plastic between some of the metal leads was broken off. The palm rest cracked slightly at one corner.

I sent in the machine for the TrackPoint issue, and since the metal leads were damaged, that was no longer covered. They quoted the repair at more than the machine is worth. I understand they can't take my word on anything like this, but the trackpoint not working (motherboard related) predated that minor damage (that didn't even affect anything) by months.

Now I'm out a significant amount of money, and still opting to use my M15x over the X200s, since I'd have to use an external mouse, completely defeating the purpose of a portable machine. I spent a lot on this, expecting something of much higher quality than I got. I don't have any other machines around to fill the void this one being inoperable creates.

I checked into warranty upgrades, and there aren't any that include accidental damage available for my model.

I literally have the machine sitting on a shelf right now. What should my next course of action be? I'd be happy either selling it or making it usable, but I really don't have much money at present. I'm a bit aggravated since I never got my money's worth out of this machine. Since I bought it (used), it had this trackpoint issue.

From what I gathered in the discussion in my old thread, the non "s" models were much more durable, which is quite disheartening, since they cost so much more.

Any suggestions?

 

I'm sorry you are out the money, but seriously folks, stop drop testing electronic equipment. Unless Lenovo supplied the machine and is paying you to do this, this just makes zero sense.

 

Unless you have some sort of accidental damage warranty, anytime a depot or manufacturer sees physical damage it can disqualify it for a covered repair as a heads up for your future laptop.

 

I really dont get why people wreck their property on purpose and then think that someone will repair ir replace it for free?
Thats just... dumb.

Sorry, OP, no offence, but you should have thought about that before doing useless drop tests.

 

It sounds like an April the 1st false-start...

 

If the machine is broken, sell it on eBay, taking care to describe it as in need of repair or for spare parts. Recoup whatever money you can, and consider it a lesson learned. Buy a machine with accidental damage coverage, and next time, don't drop your computer when you have absolutely no reason to do so.

 

Wait.. people actually buy a laptop and drop it ON PURPOSE to see how well they do? With April 1 so near I'm skeptical!

 

Accidental damage warranty is for accidental drops and spills, not doing it deliberately

 

I don't drink no Kool-Aid from no manufacturer, be it in Shanghai or in Cupertino, but certain otherwise smart people actually do this "deliberately" and "frequently" (or so they claimed) -- from another thread:

 

If only a few parts are damaged you can try and acquire replacement parts for those items and fit them in yourself. You can try lurking on eBay to see if there any X200s' that are breaking for spares but this isn't a common machine on the marketplace i'm afraid.

If you're not sure which parts you need have a look at the parts lookup section for your particular model, the link here shows the serviceable parts for your model. Once you acquired the part numbers you need gather up some quotes to see if it's worthwhile to do. In the UK IBM actually caters parts for Lenovo (this site has a useful quotation system) but i'm not sure if it's the same for the US region. I'm pretty sure there are a number of independent Lenovo parts sites based in the US can give you a rough estimation too.

And we all make silly mistakes but we live and learn, I think it's wise not to deliberately try impact testing if you really value your machine!

 

i don't think Lenovo can tell if something was damaged deliberately or not, it depends on the type of damage.

but it's irrelevant because it sounds like the OP didn't have accidental damage coverage.

 

True but, how about the honest thingy ?

 

That isn't wise. It's lucky. And the hardware gods will get pissed off eventually.

 

I agree with trying to get the parts and do it yourself. Lesson learned.

 

I looked on ebay, and it seems motherboards go for ~$300.

I'll go with what saturnotaku said when I get some time.

As far as the accidental damage warranty, is it common for them to be unavailable for purchase at a later time?

Spoiler

 

What do you expect would happen if you were to purchase accidental warranty after they know you've damaged the laptop and try to make a claim against that.. leaving aside the ethics thing (two fold in this case).

On a side note, am I the only one wondering how the keyboard connector gets broken from dropping the laptop on carpet- or really any surface. Short of crushing the thing I can't imagine how that connector which is buried inside gets damaged.

 

Don't drop your laptop intentionally. Definitely don't do it if there's any doubt in your mind that it'll survive (a closed, suspended T-series landing flat on a thick carpet from < 2 feet... yeah, probably pretty safe. An X200s onto pretty much anything... not so much.)

I've done it a couple times (not "frequently"), but I *don't* plan on doing it again. halobox is right: the hardware gods will get pissed off.

If for some reason you do decide to do it, you'd damn well better plan on being able to repair it yourself.

If you were to submit a claim, that would be warranty fraud. If you drop your notebook intentionally, any damage you cause isn't really accidental, now is it?

 

The keyboard connector isn't damaged. I believe I mentioned what happened in the OP. The trackpoint not working (with any keyboard) predated this damage by months.

 

So you lived with no internal mouse for months, and then decided to do drop testing before finally sending it for repair. Correct?

 

There was a fair amount of time between the drop test and sending it in. I also wouldn't say I lived without an internal mouse for months, since I hardly used the X200s at all.

 

In the future. Id recommend Squaretrade warranties.. I use them on personal products, and they are so EZ to collect on Accidental damage. So far, one laptop, two cameras, and one kids DSI.

 

I'd forgotten entirely about SquareTrade, but that might be a good option. I need to go find the ebay listing from when I bought it so I can get a quote.

 

There are folks out there - folks like myself - who spend their time testing hardware so that you don't have to. Leave the drop tests to those of us who don't rely on a warranty for repairs, who can fix their own machines. In a rather indirect way, I get paid to torture test certain hardware given to me, simply because I'm the one recommending what ends up in some of my user's hands. I need to be able to demonstrate first hand that what I'm selling to my customer can do the job. If you need a functioning laptop, watch the youtube videos, take care of your own system, and leave the stress tests to those who can afford it.

 

^^^ You'd better make some serious business investment on a "test lab" with good lighting and video equipment.

 

lol so true! Besides I would never do anything in those videos to my own ThinkPad.. >_<

 

Hum, if you drop it deliberately and damage it, then i think that is the risk you must take. These laptops weren't meant to be dropped deliberately, if you like dropping laptops for no other reasons other than to have some fun, then i guess you should learn to deal with all the consequences that may arise.

Also, there are laptops out there made for this sort of situations been dropped, i.e. Fully Ruggerised Toughbooks.

 

Gone with the E/C/SPP coupons...

 

For a bunch of ungrateful folks on the internet? Nah.

(Honestly, I should buy a new camera.)