T400 Cracked Plastic Around Security Lock and Bottom Screw/USB Port

I have an approximately 7-month-old T400 that I just noticed has cracked around the Kensington security lock area, and the crack runs from that underneath to where the back-bottom-right screw is, and right up to the back-right USB port. The plastic around the lock area is separated from the right side, and actually pulls away when I use the lock now.

I do not abuse the laptop; I simply carry it around and use the lock at least once a week. I am a bit disappointed, as I primarily bought this laptop its durability (as my old white MacBook was not holding up so well after almost three years). Does anyone know if my warranty will be likely to cover this? I will call them, probably tomorrow, but I do not want to have to pay for something cause by simply using a security lock under normal circumstances.

 

better to talk to lenovo instead of asking here.
Just insist you didn't abuse the T400.

 

usually this sort of damage is out of warranty, so you will have to pay for the repair on this case.

IT would be good that if you can post a picture of this damage and we can see whether this damage is user caused or material defects in the case.

i am not sure what sort of Kingston lock you use, but i have seen some cheap one cracking the lock area many years ago in two of my friend's laptop in University lab.

 

Well, I called them and I'm going to send it to them to look at as soon as I get their shipping box. However, the guy on the phone did say he can't tell if it'll be covered under warranty or not, and that they'll call me when they look at it.

What it looks like more than the lock area is that the screw caused a stress crack (the screw immediately to the right of the rubber foot). I believe the lock area plastic peels back because of the crack on the side of the laptop.

 

Hopefully it works out for you. Unless you're lying to us and you did it .

 

Haha, thanks. I did NOT do it. I do carry the laptop to school everyday, but I keep it in my laptop backpack in the nice padded section.

If worse comes to worse, I'll find out about purchasing accidental coverage protection, as I know Lenovo allows warranty upgrades to some extent.

 

not sure about the current Lenovo policy on accidental coverage protection, but in the past Lenovo only allow for such upgrade within 30 days of laptop purchase. Also, if it is an out of warranty repair the will be a 200 dollars quote fee even if you don't repair the laptop.

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The document for new thinkpad accidental protection have this clause:

"ThinkPad Protection does not cover theft or loss, intentional fire, cosmetic or pre-existing damage or damage resulting from misuse or use under abnormal operating conditions. ThinkPad Protection must be purchased within 90 days of the purchase of your new ThinkPad and your service term begins concurrently with the product warranty"

 

Never know that.
Is that 200 dollar for shipping box and ship back your laptop ?

 

something like that i guess.

 

Well, I'm not paying $200 for a quote, that's for sure. If they call me and tell me that it won't be covered under warranty, I'll certainly raise some high hell with them. If they still won't fix it, this will be my last Lenovo. I specifically bought this laptop for its durability. Even my weak- white MacBook never had a crack like this (although it did have the infamous cracked wrist rest problem, which of course Apple fixed, no questions asked).

 

Well, turns out Lenovo lives up to its reputation for service. Two days after I shipped my T400 to the repair center, I got it back, all fixed up with a new plastic bottom piece. The center did not call me to ask about the crack at all.

However, they replaced the keyboard as well (at my request due to a warped spacebar), and the new one they gave me is actually the older flex kind (and is also noticeably louder to type on than the sturdier one was). So, I called them up later that day, and they've already shipped out a new keyboard of the sturdier kind.

 

Good to hear. Was the keyboard louder because of flex? Because remember there are a few different manufacturers so the loudness might be attributed to that as well.

 

That's great that they took care of you!