Some pretty horrible chassis flex on T61 (with videos)...will Lenovo fix?

I've posted about my laptop's flexy frame before, but I just recently noticed that the lid is very much prone to flex as well. It makes the most annoying creaks and groans even when lightly pressed on, which is WAY below my expectation in a ThinkPad. I went with a friend to buy a cheap $499 Gateway laptop last week (she needed a replacement for her broken HP), and her Gateway flexes noticeably LESS than my T61. In fact, her laptop exhibits none of the flex in the videos you see below.

Does Lenovo usually fix serious frame issues like this? I don't think it's right for a $1200 (originally) ThinkPad to flex more than a $499 Gateway from Best Buy.

I've documented the noticeable flex and creaking in the videos below. As you can see in the videos, I'm not even pressing very hard and the laptop creaks and flexes like there's no tomorrow. I just got my laptop in August, so it still has almost 2 years of warranty left. The lid flex is ESPECIALLY ANNOYING...I've yet to see another modern midrange-high end laptop with a lid that creaks as badly as mine does...what happened to the magnesium alloy rollcage being "tough"??

For the record, I keep my laptop in a well-padded backpack when I take it to the library. It has been well cared for; never dropped or abused. I've been having problems with flex on the day I got this T61, and they've only been getting worse lately.








EDIT:

Update: Just called service center today. Apparently, if you call after hours you get the Atlanta, GA service center that's much better than the outsourced ones.

Sending it in on Tuesday. Should have it back a week after that. We'll see what they can do about the bad build quality on mine...

 

My t61 does exactly the same. It doesn't bother me too much though; I guess they can't really reinforce every sq in of the surface. There are points of support, and the plastic in-between flexes. Overall, the computer does feel sturdy, and that's what I care about!

 

Mine flexes a bit too much just by the left speaker also, but the pivot points to the display are much sturdier than my HP. I think that the overall build quality is good, and better than Gateway. The hot-swappable drive bay has a very professional feel to it, and the volume control seems less flimsy than volume controls on other models that I have tinkered with, but I do agree that there is a little too much flex in certain areas. I cant complain, because I got a T9300 equiped laptop for under $1000.

 

These vids fall right in line with a lot of the things I've talked to Thinkpad owners about. I've had the opportunity to talk to some really honest individuals who told me that the flex can actually get really bad in some areas. I don't think that really changes my mind about wanting a Thinkpad at this point. I'm still giving myself some time to figure out what I'm going to do, though.

 

I would say because the plastic and rubber are elastic.

 

So what unit are you getting?

I'm looking for another one too.

 

Most likely a T500. I think I want the 15.4'' screen rather than the 14.1''. For a brief period I was looking at the W500 model, but I really don't need the graphics that it provides.

 

I think that people under-rate the build quality of Asus and HP.

 

You might actually be onto something. I've actually been very impressed with the build quality of HP. Also, my roommate just got an Asus and, aside from a little keyboard flex, it's extremely sturdy.

 

I have found that the main real advantage to getting a Lenovo is the ability to configure it to your liking at a good price if you use student discount codes or other promotional tricks. Build quality is not bad, but not really a reason to buy or not to buy.

 

Asus and HP are nice; but like all companies they have a range of product qualities for different market segments. I think HP consumer notebooks are pretty crappy, but that is in comparison to business notebooks. I think their business notebooks are pretty darn good, but I dont like their keyboards personally. Asus has some great value laptops, some great (ugly in my opinion) gamer laptops, and some good thin or ultraportable ones.

 

This used to be the reason to buy a Thinkpad. It's sad that the quality has slipped and taken build quality out of the equation for many.

You're probably right in your assessment. I have been more impressed with HP's business line than with their consumer line. However, I slight disagree with your opinion on the keyboard. Though not anywhere near as good as the Thinkpads, I don't find their keyboards to be too bad or bothersome. If you don't mind me asking, what is it about the keyboards that you don't like?

 

I absolutely have no build quality issues with my T60 but when I compare it to my very first ThinkPad the 380ED the T60 feels like a potato chip compared to what IBM used to sell. Lenovo is not IBM, they're not looking for that image and alas their notebooks now feel the part both in quality and workmanship.

I'm digging the Asus gamer notebooks. I'm definitely looking to buy one in the future.

 

Unfortunately, this is the reality for the long-time IBM Thinkpad supporters. How do you feel the new build quality compares to other notebook brands?

 

I dont have a problem with the flex, I know how its put together. You have mag cage with a plastic skin. You go throwing more metal in these things then youll be crying about how heavy it is.

 

Lmao. i'm so agree.

 

My T400 is solid as well. The only places I have any flex is around the card slot and it's not bad at all. It's the most solid machine I've owned since my Thinkpad 600 10 or more years ago. I've owned HP and Dell mostly and won't buy either of them again. HP's are improving the chassis of their machines but I don't think they're quality under the hood. If you want an inexpensive computer it's the way to go for sure. I can pick up a good one for half of what I paid for the T400, but I'd say it's half the machine. I do, however, agree that Lenovo has made a mistake messing with the keyboards. I replaced mine with one from big blue and am very happy. Anyhow, I'd say that under the hood this is a great machine and the build is better than most machines. Thing is everyone comes at these computers with expectations set by IBM and so there's bound to be disappointment as they need to bring the prices down if they want to compete with Dell and HP. So, it's a race to the bottom. But don't be fooled by good plastic. Computer makers are getting the idea. They can make tight plastic with junk engineering. The last machine I had was an HP and I wouldn't buy another one unless I only had $600 to spend. I'd say I'm growing very happy with this machine, especially once I got rid of Vista. I tried, but it's ridiculous. You need to be careful basing your opinion on these forums too since most people who are happy aren't going to come on here and post, but if they're not, you'll hear about it. I'd say if you want a really well built machine buy an Apple Macbook Aluminum, that is, if you can live with the limited software. For $1500 it's the best piece of engineering I've seen, but personally I don't like the keyboard and 4.5 lbs is heavy for a 13 inch. But it's metal. So, you can't have it all. Strength is compromised by making it light.

 

IMO what's inside a ThinkPad is more important than what it looks or feels like on the outside. When IBM designed the ThinkPad it was second to none in components as well as in fit and finish.

Since Lenovo took over there has been less emphasis on quality and more on profit, which is the exact opposite of IBM's approach and a huge reason why IBM sold their notebook business.

I can only comment and compare my first ThinkPad against my recent T60. The T60 is still a solid product, great design complimented by a superior software support package "ThinkAdvantage". I would say their components are Tier 2/3 whereas IBM only used Tier 1 components.

There are some very capable notebooks that compete with the ThinkPad. I still think they are solid notebooks but are living off their past glory and reputation.

 

Very true and logical.

 

I have a T61p and don't have any flex to speak of, I had a mouse squeak, but that was rapidly taken care of. Does the T61 have the magnesium roll cage like the T61p does?

 

I hear you. Not more than 10 minutes ago, I was at my buddy's house playing around with his T61 and he was telling me how he's dropped it a number of times, but it still works like the day he opened it. He also told me that most of the times he just throws his school books on top of it in his backpack and doesn't even think twice about anything breaking or falling apart. In other words, he mistreats it about as much as anyone can mistreat a notebook, but it continues to function well. That's saying a lot.

On a bit of a tangent, he warned me against the 7200rpm hard drive. He told me that it absolutely eats up his battery and he wishes he went with the 5400rpm. I may go this route as well, as I have a 5400rpm drive in my desktop that's comparable to the 7200rpm drive that I have in the same desktop. I hardly ever notice a real difference between the two. It's not really on topic, but I thought I'd add that tidbit for anyone who knows about the subject and wishes to comment.

 

Ok, you guys are totally going off topic from my original post, but that's ok since I'm going to call Lenovo customer service later about sending mine in for repairs.

The 7200 RPM HDD takes away about 10-15 minutes of battery life. That is it. The Hitachi drives used in the T61s are very power efficient and quiet. I know the battery life difference because a friend of mine has a T61 with an almost identical configuration to mine, except he got the 250GB 5400 RPM drive. With 9 cell batteries in both, mine actually ends up getting BETTER battery life due to my CPU being undervolted in RMClock. Without that slight difference, he'd get maybe 10 minutes more, but it's not a big difference at all.

 

Update: Just called service center today. Apparently, if you call after hours you get the Atlanta, GA service center that's much better than the outsourced ones.

Sending it in on Tuesday. Should have it back a week after that. We'll see what they can do about the bad build quality on mine...

 

Keep us posted.

 

My Dell XPS M1330 seems more solid than what I saw in those videos.

 

I had some bad palmrest flex on my T400. I fixed it by using double sided tape and attaching it between the magnesium roll cage and the plastic palm rest. Worked like a charm.

 

The only difference between the 2 models is the Quadro 570 GPU offered in the P model.(and the higher resolution screen)

 

I say the rubber feet on the bottom is doing most of the flexing. The palm rest does not flex that much.

If you tighten the screws on the bottom, there is almost no flex.

 

I've heard other people mention the same thing.

 

Another fellow with similar problem on his T400:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrerGDrMYlE

 

Question...how do I check the status of my repair? Is there a place on their website where you can enter the case # to check status?

 

I could not have said it better

 

Hmm, sent my unit in on Nov. 24, showed up as "being repaired" on Nov. 29th. Support says I should get it back in about 7 days. A little slower than what I've heard from others, but if it comes back without the creaking (and bad microphone jack) then I'll be happy.

 

any news ?