T61 wobbles

I received my T61 about a week ago. I was planning on sending it back and getting the Dell 1330 but I don't like the glossy screen finish or the lack of the trackstick (whatever they call it) on the Dell; the 14.1" screen is better for my needs so I'm keeping the T61.

The screen isn't as good as I expected, as others pointed out, there is a lot of light leakage along the bottom.

More importantly, my thinkpad wobbles. Like the rubber feet on the bottom are uneven or worse, the chassis is bent. There is enough of a difference to me an annoyance. Anyone else have a similar problem?

Regards-Michael G.

 

I returned a Toshiba Satellite U205 for the same reason. When I got it, I noticed that the corner of the notebook had slipped out of the inadequate foam shell. The rubber feet all seemed to be of even height, leading to the pretty obvious conclusion that the chassis was bent. You are entitled to a problem free notebook -- SEND IT BACK!

 

If you really want something else, the Dell Latitude D630 is a pretty good replacement for a T61. I wanted to buy a T61 for my wife, but the fact that you can't get a 6-cell battery that fits flush in the system was a deal breaker. So I bought the D630 instead. It has a pointing stick and a 14.1" matte screen that is very bright. I put my T42 next to my wife's D630, both at full brightness, and my screen looks like it is barely on in comparison. Also, it has very good build quality.

 

but it's a dell... I've seen so many dead dell latitudes at companies out there that aren't very old. And the staff hate them.

 

You say this in a thread about a busted-on-arrival ThinkPad. You might have to face the facts that the ThinkPad brand really does not seem to be what it used to. It was hard for me to turn away from ThinkPad, I even have the EPP discount, but I was completely dissappointed with the T61 and R61 offerings. Neither is small enough to warrant a 6-cell battery protruding out the back. That is just being either unimaginative, deceptive, and or lazy.

 

Yeah after being burned on my last two thinkpads, my incoming t 60 will determine whether or not I'm giving up on lenovo in favor of a Dell.

It's getting more to do with horrid sales, customer service, communication and fair treatment in general than the recently poor product itself though. I admit thinkpad is still the superior notebook, and this is not some kind of principled boycott. Because I've been willing to put up with quite a bit for it thus far.

But turns out I do apparently have limit for how much I can take it from behind (without even the courtesy of a reach-around), before I settle for less.

At least if Dell screws me, I'll be paying them less to do it.

 

I've been saying since May that the T61 was a dud, and getting flamed for it. But, look at the defect stats and customer sat surveys by computerworld, to see how poor dell notebooks are. At least the jury is still out on whether the T61 will be a dead doorstop within two year's time, like so many dell notebooks are. You get what you pay for.

 

Can I use your EPP discount info to order the T61 15.4'. PM me the info if you can. I would like to order in the next day or so. Thanks.

 

We only fight fire with fire. And for the record, the T61 is NOT a dud, you don't even own one.

SkiBunny is notorious for anti-T61 propaganda and related trolling. She only appears on threads where people are unhappy with their T61 to certify her unsubstantiated opinions. I wonder why.

 

OK, so I called the service number and the tech said the chassis was probably bent and I needed to call sales and arrange to send it back since it was within 21 days.

I called sales and they were helpful. However, the process isn't good. They needed to place a new order and charge my credit card. They also said I had 10 days to return the existing. I explained I waited eight weeks and if I sent it back without have a replacement, I would just order a Dell. They extended the 10 days to 30 for the RMA and said the ship date for the new machine is 7/28. So we'll see what happens.

I'm hoping it ships with a better keyboard, I like the one on the X31 and A31p better.

Regards-Michael G.

 

i have the same problem with mine but when I called they said I would have to bring it to a repair shop where they would inspect it for damage and then repair it, did you have to go through this process?

 

I called the number for service and spoke with an IBM tech. Told him the problem I was having. He said to call sales because I was within the 21 day window. If I waited to call sales after the 21 days, I'd have to take it to a repair shop or ship it back for service as you said.

Regards-Michael G.

 

I have a feeling that I have the same problem as you guys

 

I got mine last week and had the same problem. I debated sending it back, but I really like the screen (LG) and keyboard (NMB) and was worried I'd end up with something worse.. So I removed the right front rubber pad, inserted some double sided tape i got at Office Max in the slot and then re-attached the rubber pad with a little bit of rubber glue to hold it in place. Doesn't wobble anymore and I really haven't thought about it since....

 

I thought about doing the same thing, then changed my mind. I'm not going to make those types of repairs to a new notebook just on principle. If I shave $ off the price, will Lenovo dip into their pocket and make up for it? I take care of my equipment but I'm not nearly a fanatic about it either, it's a tool I use for work and don't expect it to last forever. I expect it to meet at least fit and finish standards when I pull it out of the box.

What really bothered me more than the wobble when it is closed is how much the right side palm rest flexed (that's the side that moved up and down with the top closed. Tech support also said I may have a loose hard drive connection or my drive maybe going bad because of some operating system not found errors on warm boot, I disagree, but with a flexing chassis, why chance it.

Regards-Michael G.

 

just received mine yesterday 06/02/2008. I noticed it right out of the box. I can slide a white piece of paper clean under the right front pad, I used on a glass display unit which should be completely straight. I have the samsung and the alps keyboard so I'm going to send it back.

For other newbies, there are two (or more?) lcd manufacturers for the thinkpad. LG is thought of the best, samsung behind it

There are three models of keyboards, all thought to be better than any other laptop's keyboard. However, among them, they are rated from lowest to highest. name?, alps, NMB. This seems to be a matter of subjective preference somewhat, as some people actually prefer the name?; the vast majority prefer NMB though.