a couple Q's about new T400

So I just got a new T400 and I have a couple of questions:

1- Are they no longer including the 2 extra pointing stick designs in the package? It came with the concave one installed, I prefer the very old eraser head design. I probably have some around, need to search.

2- In the battery bay where a sim can be installed. I had a blank dummy sim and there was a little sticky inserted in the socket. I pulled out the balnk sim and the sticky. It turns out the sticky thing is all the way in, hope I didn't pull to hard to damage anything . It wouldn't come out and it's warped because of me trying to pull it out.
Was this thing supposed to stay in there? Do I now need to open up my 30min old T400 to get it removed? or is there an easy way out? (BTW I have the base option, upgradable WAN something)

Thanx

 

Cant really answer these questions as I left the sim alone and mine came with a few tips. I tried all the others and the old eraser style is what fit the best.

 

Yes, the 'sticky' is suppost to stay in. It is how you remove the sim card. Pull on the white tab on the end until the sim card can be graspted. Remove blank sim card, install real sim card into slot. The sticky will go in with the card, and the white tab at the end should be visible. Hope that helps.

 

Well I had screwed it up, because I pulled on it. So I removed the sim card reader, opened it and removed the sticky thing from the inside, and then reinstalled the reader back.
I screwed up ... woops!
I don't think I will be using the sim card slot, so not too worried that I made it difficult to remove card.
Thanks for the info.

Any ideas about the missing pointing sticks?
The quick guide doesn't mention that they are included in the package. I believe it used to mention it before when they were included.
So must be some new cost cutting measure

 

Every ¢ helps I guess. They're pretty cheap on eBay.

 

Yup your right, and it sucks for us. I think even the packaging has changed. The accessories aren't in a separate box, they are in a compartment created with a piece of folded cardboard.
I think I still have a package from an R500 I got last year, I will compare them later.

Thanx for the eBay tip. I'll do that in case I don't find any spare ones around the house.

 

When I ordered mine in June, it came with all three pointing stick types. I use the raised rubber one, since the rough one (as awesome as it is initially) tends to attract dirt.

I cannot tell you if anything has changed then. I'd be more likely to think there was a mistake and it was not included. Note that my package used the same separated carbdboard design; so did my T61 nearly two years ago.

 

Lenovo isn't that cheap to a point to exclude the two caps. The OP probably bought it from elsewhere.

 

OP should go back to point of sale retailer and request missing items. Case closure request.

 

It was ordered direct from Lenovo. New unit, built on Dec. 7.

And it seems the quick setup guide changed this is the one posted on Lenovo's support website. http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/43y3111.pdf It lists the caps as included.

The setup guide included in my package is different. It makes no mention of the caps. Also the accessory bag (that has the documentation in it) has a label on it that lists 3 part numbers for 3 different documents in the bag, there is no part number for the caps.

And ya it seems Lenovo are that cheap!

I might give them a call just to see what they say.

 

Check in your box. If I recall correctly, they were in a very small bag at the bottom of my box.

 

It would appear Lenovo stiffed me as well. I just received a new T400 without the extra pointer tops too. I didn’t pay attention to this, since I don’t plan to work on this machine much, but now I feel I’ve been cheated. If Lenovo continues to erode the “high quality” ThinkPad line, and save a few pennies by removing the things we expect, I’ll take my business elsewhere. If you wind up calling them, please let me know the results. I’ll likely call them as well, but I don’t feel like wasting a half hour to recoup 25 cents of merchandise. This lack of attention to detail almost makes we want to start a new thread to see who else has been stiffed—and then get a Slashdot post going on the topic.

FWIW, the T400 I bought a year ago came with the extra pointer caps.

 

You'd feel cheated over a $1?

 

My T400 arrives tomorrow. Will check it out.

Who wouldn't take a lower tiered T400 today shipped + tax in the $650-750 range with $1 worth of missing pieces vs $1100-1300 premium paid for same lower tiered T400 just 6-12 months ago. Need to be a realistic.

 

It's not so much about Lenovo cutting corners, but the overall experience of buying and owning a Thinkpad that many have become familiar with over the years. The inclusion of the pointing stick caps is a "Thinkpad" tradition, a feature that no other vendor includes in their retail packaging. The least Lenovo could do is to preserve this experience.

 

I couldn’t have said it better myself—this is my sentiments, exactly. I bought a T400 a year ago—then bought another one expecting the same experience I had before. Lenovo did not meet or exceed my expectations this time. If they want to keep cutting corners, please do it with the IdeaPad or some other line AND STOP TARNISHING THE THINKPAD BRAND. THINKPADS APPEAR TO BE BECOMING MORE AND MORE MEANINGLESS EVERY SIX MONTHS.

 

As much as you lament the loss of the ThinkPads of yore, Lenovo is giving you a notebook that's 90% as good at 1/2 the cost or less. I'd call that pretty impressive. They're still better than anything you'll find at Best Buy or Wal-Mark. You also act as if older ThinkPads never had any issues, which if you are a long time ThinkPad user you would know is untrue. The quality has yinged and yanged over the years. Some very good, some more problematic. If you're going to switch, the question remains, who's doing anything markedly better? For every post here talking about the loss quality, there's at least 10 asking about the latest deals. This is just the reality of buying a notebook in 2009. You can either deal with or be bitter I guess. Years ago most people didn't have notebook because they were too expensive. Notebook makers have lowered the cost enough so almost anyone can, which I think is good thing.

 

I was free this morning so I didn't mind the 20min hold.
It turns out they are no longer including them and the CSR directed me to buy them off their website. I think he said they sell 2 pairs (6 total) for $10. I didn't check the website.
So they save a few cents and if you really want them and go and get them directly from Lenovo they make some extra profit.

I think they should advertise this more clearly during the order process, so that you buy them along with the order.

Anyway just a minor annoyance

 

I actually find this kind of disappointing. What if I like one of the type not included with the notebook?

It probably cost all of a buck to create them, put them in a bag, and it's one of those things that is part of the quality ThinkPad experience, which seems to be going downhill a little at a time.

 

Probably... Lenovo is going the way of Bimmer by not including everything that one considers standard.... like you have to buy your spare tires, etc.

what Lenovo thus having taken away the option of using the preferred trackpoints from out of box. While, the trackpoint cap is not expensive, having to re-order them and waste time is a big deal for people.

Instead, Lenovo should give the option of allowing people to option for the spare trackpoints when they order the laptop online. They can charge 5 to 6 dollars for it, but it gives the customer a better option and choice for what they want.

 

I went back thru the order process and noticed that the option is there on the accessories page to get I believe 2 sets of them. But I think they should make it more obvious that you need to pay for this option now.

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I have a question about the new keyboards' feel. Since I had to remove keyboard right after I took it out of the box to get the sim card reader out, I didn't get to use the laptop until after I got that sorted out.
Now that I have used it for a couple of days I feel that the buttons used with the trackpoint (the ones above the touchpad) feel odd. Sort of like your clicking on something empty, and make a hollow click sound. All the rest of the keyboard feels fine (even the new flexy keyboard isn't too bad) and all the screws that hold the keyboard and palm rest are tight. But it just doesn't feel 'right'! I went back thru the hardware manual to check if I missed anything, but I don't think I did.

Is it just one of those things that changed? and can something be done to make it better? maybe placing something between the buttons' area and the metal frame they rest on?

 

I concur, but I don’t think the target market for the ThinkPad line is Wal-Mart shoppers.

Nowhere in this thread am I talking about a ThinkPad of “yore.” One year ago I bought a T400 and I had a choice of pointer tops. Fast forward to today and the pointer tops that came with the SAME T400 have gone missing. I expected extra pointer tops—just like every other ThinkPad patron for the last 15 years—and got none.

I’ve always been fairly pleased with HP’s business line…

 

Sounds like ThinkPads of "yore" to me. Honestly, again, you'd be this bitter over a set of trackpoint caps you can buy on eBay for $1? I got caps for mine and I don't even use them, but if I didn't get them, I wouldn't come here to grumble about how I didn't nor how that fact is somehow indicative of the decline of ThinkPad quality. I'd just go buy a set.

I wouldn't say HP business notebooks are markedly better if they are better at all in my opinion. The last time I checked the equivalent HP notebooks were more expensive. If you really feel that way maybe you should be them instead. Wouldn't it be better to spend a little more and get something you want?

 

Dell's Latitude E-series, notably the E6400 and E6500 are tough competition. They have a trackpoint, and a magnesium chassis. They come with an actual OS install CD, rather than a restore image (I consider that a plus, though I guess some might not) with a separate matching Resource disk with matching drivers. They have an HDMI port and an eSATA port. Also, an option of a backlit keyboard, and a WXGA+ display on the 15.4" model, something I really wanted when I bought my T61 (the E6500 wasn't out yet). For those of you that like horizontal USB ports, Dell has them as well.

The ThinkPad has its plusses, too --the memory card reader is more flexible, the keyboard and trackpoint is better, and the price is lower, plus it has ATI video with switchable graphics, which (personal bias at this moment) trumps nVidia on the Dell. However, IMO Dell's tech support beats Lenovo, and you can go to Dell's Outlet and get a far better experience than Lenovo's Outlet. After buying my friend an E6500 with all the trimmings for about $800 plus tax this past summer, I was fairly impressed.

I love my ThinkPad --however, if Lenovo dilutes the brand down too far, they're going to lose to Dell and HP's business lines. People who buy business will spend a little more if it gets them more. I'd rank Dell higher, but that's because HP's business laptop lines cost a bit more than Dell, and I have a lot of experience with Dell business tech support.

EDIT: Dell's stock (non-outlet) price also includes the three-year onsite warranty on Latitudes, so while you're paying more, it is something to think about.

 

Of course if you only look at the pluses for the competition and ignore the issues, then everything else looks rosy. The E6400 & E6500 have their fair share of problems...
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/dell-facing-massive-e6400-and-e6500-overheating-and-underclockin/

 

Dell laptop .... the only thing i use and like from dell are their ultrasharp LCDs (more specifically their PVA 24 inch models)...

 

There have been some issues, that is true. Although, I'm hearing that the new BIOS A19 adds another stepping to the fan speeds that is helping solve the issue.

I can only comment on the experiences I've had with the laptop; I never experienced those. In comparison, a lot of people were very frustrated with their T400 keyboards --and mine has never been an issue and in fact is better than my T61 was.

My point was that there are other vendors who do have competing business models to the ThinkPad lines, and if Lenovo dilutes things too much, they could suffer loss of business.

 

Anyone? ...

 

The trackpoint buttons, left, right and center all feel good. Nothing like you describe. If yours feel bad, have them replaced.
I have no idea if that is another example of Lenovo cutting costs/changing parts suppliers, or what.