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    RMA Lenovo Thinkpad T430 or not?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by shang2, Sep 20, 2012.

  1. shang2

    shang2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I purchased a T430 (i5-3210) and since the purchase, I've had problems starting with a shaky install of windows as well as a corrupted recovery partition, a hard drive with corrupted sectors... etc. All is well now, but I was offered to RMA my laptop with Lenovo paying shipping. Should I take the deal and purchase a different laptop such as the X230 or the upcoming T430u?

    As to what I want from my thinkpad:
    Portability and moderate longevity (2-3 years) as well as battery life. Under 750 would be best... I'd like the X1 Carbon, but it's a bit out of budget.
     
    shang2, Sep 20, 2012
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  2. aadadams

    aadadams Notebook Deity

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    The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. If your not content rather happy with it now you probably won't be as you wonder about how life would be with the other models. Having experienced the T430, you may be better equipped to decide between the models you mentioned. I suspect the T430u will priced similarly to the X1c at introduction.
     
    aadadams, Sep 20, 2012
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  3. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

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    If your T430 has been serving you well, except for various problems related to the stock HDD, I'd like to offer these thoughts:

    1. You can nuke the recovery partition after creating the factory recovery discs. In any event, a phone call and Lenovo will send you a set of factory recovery discs, likely free of charge.

    2. This may be a good opportunity to replace the HDD with a new, larger, faster drive of your choice, or even better, a SSD. A clean installation will take about a leisurely hour.

    3. If you have other notebooks to use while waiting for a new one, it should be convenient to explore a different model after returning the T430. At the risk of offending the early adopters (from whom I learn a few things), I would wait until the next iteration of the T430u or the X1 Carbon.
     
    Kaso, Sep 20, 2012
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  4. shang2

    shang2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the responses guys. Honestly, I've been growing a little attached to my T430 and don't really want to give it away (sob sob yeah I'm sappy). I guess I'll keep it and let it live out its life... however long that may be!
     
    shang2, Sep 21, 2012
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  5. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

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    Just replace the drive. I don't see why you'd have to get rid of the entire machine just due to a bad drive. The HDD is a CRU: replace it under warranty and that's that.
     
    ThinkRob, Sep 23, 2012
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