T500 Delivered: Stuff inside box loose and shaking!

Just got the Lenovo T500 delivered: Haven't unsealed the box yet because stuff -- lots of stuff -- is shaking around inside the box. Not sure what it is ... but wouldn't you expect that nothing would be shaking? I don't want to open the box at this point. Any suggestions? Is this normal?

 

Why not just open the box and check? It's probably just the driver disks and paperwork.

 

I'd rather not open it until I figure out if this is standard as I understand it can be difficult to get a refund from lenovo.

 

If it damaged you obviously have a valid claim to get a refund/exchange...just open it. It is just the manual/paper work stuff probably. You realize the laptop itself is in between foam right...

 

Relax and OPEN IT!!!

Your T will be in a separate sealed box protected by foam and plastic.

Get it out and start enjoying your new Thinkpad.....let us know.

 

I opened it... NOT surrounded by foam. Wedged into two thin plastic sleeves that suspended it within the box, but the body was not protected by anything but a plastic bag. I have to say I am extremely surprised and upset to see a delicate machine packed for international shipping delivered with less insulation than a light bulb I buy at the corner hardware store. I will post pictures later. Now to turn it on.

 

just noticed it's a t400. Hmmmm. Pretty sure I ordered a T500 with 14" screen. This is odd.

 

That would be tough to order, since there's no such thing. A T400 is a T400 because it has a 14 inch screen. A T500 is pretty much the same machine with a 15.4" screen. So if what you ordered was a 14" notebook, it has to be a T400.

Lenovo's packaging is pretty mickey mouse compared to its competitors. But floating the unit inside the carton like that is reasonably effective at protecting it from shock, unless something protruded past the air space and struck the unit itself.

 

Thank you, Snowkarver, for explaining! You covered all my bases. Mickey Mouse packaging is exactly what it is.

 

Sheesh...if you are being that critical about the packaging, there is no way you are going to like your T (kidding). I'm serious, relax Lenovo knows what they are doing they don't want the machine damaged during shipping either.

Sit back and enjoy your new Thinkpad

 

enjoying it already. thanks!

 

Almost every notebook sold ships by that method; and it works incredibly well. Basically this is how packaging works. You are suspending an object inside box, giving it enough support to not jiggle around in transport, but also allow for outside impacts to transit into the box without crushing the goods inside. If it had a huge foam bock encasing the laptop, the second anything heavy would go on top of it you would be crushing the screen and other bits together. Almost every notebook we get in for review is shipped inside its standard retail box, and they always look like they have been used in place of a soccer ball. Notebook is fine 99% of the time (sometimes we get older units that have been abused before they came to us).

I really feel like I should do an article on the art of shipping delicate items sometimes. Some manufacturers have packing materials that look paper thin but can hold up under the weight of someone standing on the box and jumping.

 

Ya I guess we should have explained the packaging part better to OP...but you would at least assume the manufacturers would figure out what works best would you not? It is a huge waste of money to ship items that will just break.

 

i dont get this thread.

first it was the "poor" packaging. then you mention you got a T400 and not T500. and now youre saying everything is fine.

?

 

Over reacting and freaking out .

 

You aren't shipping eggs you know. Any damage is what the box's crush weight rating is for.
If the box is crushed THEN you should be worried.
Thinkpads are durable,too. I'm sure that's one reason why you bought it. So just relax.

 

So did you get a T500 or a T400??? Did you buy directly from lenovo or somewhere else, I am so confused?

 

viking
he ordered T400 but he taught that he ordered T500

 

I just saw the news on how UPS ships through Chicago and I wonder how electronics still work after I saw their sorting machine. Basically a package goes down a large conveyor belt where some of it is fling into baskets, depending on where it is to go. I actually saw one packet flew into a bag and I was thinking about my laptop which is en route right now. Most items I get now are held together by two pieces of plastic on either end. This include very expensive hard drives too.

Cheers,
Gnimble

 

It's a basic rule of thumb to just assume that your package has been used for soccer practice while in transit, especially with UPS.

 

Electronics today aren't as fragile as they used to be.

 

Truth...unless it is insured, in that case they only kick it once.

 

Hahaha, if you think the conveyors are bad, you should see some of the drivers! I once watched hopelessly from a 19th floor balcony as UPS pulled up downstairs, and the guy literally pushed my new $4k plasma television off the back of the truck onto the ground to get it onto the dolly.

It was fine. As someone said, even fragile electronics are tougher than they look, and the packaging might not be pretty but it works (I said earlier that Lenovo packaging was mickey mouse not because it can't protect the contents, but because, come on, it's ... rather no frills compared to other suppliers).

 

Well for TVs...the glass...you shouldn't even lay them flat, but at least you can always usually get the manufacturer to give you a new one if it is cracked during shipping.

 

that makes no sense.

 

I believe this is what he is saying:

"He ordered [a] T400 but [thought] that he ordered [a] T500"

 

Don't worry. The cardboard box is corrugated and can withstand lots of pressure. The plastic packing does a good job protecting the notebook.

 

Lot more comments than I expected.

Yes, I foolishly thought I'd ordered the T500. I didn't realize the distinguishing difference between it and the T400 is screen size. I have the T400. Fortunately... it's certainly large enough (and heavy enough) that I would not have appreciated the 15" for my needs.

Yes, I thought the box was flimsy. Thanks for all the 'splanations on the physical properties of corrugated cardboard.

Yes, I was freaking out. Probably because it had been so long since I'd ordered the machine that the last thing I wanted was to have to return it.

Have a laugh at my expense! You all deserve it!

 

Everything is working okay though right? Enjoy.