questionable build quality?

ok...

I have had this x201 for three days.

1) battery is loose, not a big deal
2) middle button on the ultranav fell off, they are sending a replacement keyboard
3) now, I notice that there is a gap between the top lid and the bezel. when I turn the keyboard light on, you can see a bright spot from the side of the top lid.

I will try to upload a picture later.

Aren't thinkpads supposed to be better built? My previous ones have weak spots, they might squeak when being picked up, but this one is worse built for sure...

 

Return it. Maybe they'll get a clue.

 

There have been complaints about the battery being loose and most people solve this common issue my sticking a piece of paper between the battery and laptop.

The middle moues button shouldn't fall off though.

I am curious to see the gap you are talking about though because when my T410s came I thought there was a slight gap, but that's just how the system was built.

Try look at the NBR review pictures and compare them to yours to see if the gap is possibly normal: http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=5546&review=lenovo+thinkpad+x201+x201s+tablet

 

Every ThinkPad I've owned the battery has wiggled.

 

I don't really mind the battery being loose. I put a piece of paper in there and it's not too bad.

The mouse button is weird... but they are sending a replacement keyboard

I left my camera home. I will upload a picture of the gap that I am talking about.

I get it for a very good price and want to keep it.

Will try to get a replacement if it's possible. But maybe all the thinkpads are like this now... these problems don't affect usage of the machine. they are just annoying.

OK. The gap is similar to this one

http://www.notebookreview.com/shared/picture.asp?f=49919

notice the gap at the middle. between the top lid and the bezel. slightly worse on mine.

how can you call this well-built....

 

That is normal. My T410s has a gap like this one:

http://www.notebookreview.com/shared/picture.asp?f=53602

Try to just enjoy your new ThinkPad. The keyboard was faulty, but everything else seems normal. :]

 

not the gap between the top lid and the body. the gap between the lid and the screen bezel...

 

Speaking of gaps, I just want to share with you my X201 observations other than the loose-fitting nine-cell battery.

1. The gap between the trackpad and its two buttons.



2. The gap between the lid major and the lid edge where the latch is situated. This lid design is absent on, say, the T410 and T510.



These gaps are not very wide, of course, but are wide enough that one can see the metallic shades of wires and electronics underneath. On my T510, there is a tiny gap for the trackpad buttons to function freely, but the fit is excellent.

I've had my X201 since last summer. I neither overlook nor complain about those gaps. They are not "normal," especially for a "premium, distinguished, business-class" (whatever) notebook, but you don't have to agree or disagree with me.

 

I was quite surprised to see gaps and flex on my R400 when I received it, I thought that ThinkPads being superior (somewhat) meant that they are built like tanks and are near-perfect if not perfect. But thats how it is, Im not upset about it anymore, as long as it doesnt make laptop weaker or whatnot, then again, my R400 was a lemon.

My T410 has 1-2mm wide gap between touchpad and touchpad buttons, I can see metalic parts and plastic parts down there, but that doesnt bother me at all, I mean, it shouldnt affect how this laptop functions.
Only thing one is risking with is water splash.

Overall I like my ThinkPad, both old one and new one, there is no other laptop for this price and feature and appearance that I would want for this money made yet.

Maybe ToughBook some day, when I get rich

But I see what you mean with all this "premium, best in class, elite this and superb that" hype going around, I was bit disappointed at first too, then I learned what is normal and what is not both design and structural strenght wise these days with laptop prices much lower than years ago
I dont see it as problem.

Asus Eee Pc 701 that Ive used has less squeaks and creaks or flex than both R400/T410 that Ive used, but that doesnt mean I dont appreciate ThinkPads as such, there is, as I said, for me no other laptop in the market at the moment to steal my "geeks want" from ThinkPads

 

Just use the tool for what it's worth and stop the hyperboles. There is enough justification music in this sub-forum.

 

Here are some pictures.

some with thinklight on, some with it off.

 

Oh hmm that is pretty bad.

Sorry about your bad experience with ThinkPad.... this is unusual.

Try contacting Lenovo support and telling them the issues you are having and that you would like to know if you can get the machine swapped out.

 

That gap looks really sick.

But, no, I won't apologize on behalf of Lenovo. Don't tell me it's "normal." Bad workmanship is bad workmanship. (Political incorrectness? )

 

No company is perfect, however, some at least put some effort in. That gap you are seeing is somewhat abnormal - I have slight light leakage from that area on the screen bezel when I turn on the ThinkLight on my X201, but nowhere near as much as you are seeing. The battery does also seem fairly loose on this unit - but I've had similar experiences with both my X41 and my 560X. In both units, the battery expanded quite a bit when warm, usually eliminating the rattle. I have my doubts that my X201's battery needs to be as loose as it is to account for expansion, but I'm also confident that the attachment mechanism is more than robust enough to take abuse.

For what it's worth, I could tell you some true horror stories about the Elitebooks I've seen come across my desk at work. I won't derail the thread with my tales, but if you look closely enough, even the best built laptops in the world have chinks in their armor. I still hold both in high regard based upon their individual merits, but I know not to look for absolute perfection.

 

My T60 has always had a noticable bump right by the power button. At first it bugged me since my previous ThinkPad was a 380ED and it was perfect. Over time I totally forgot about the bump. The same will probably happen to you as well.

 

Can you live with that? I would not.

 

I have to call sales for exchange...

will update tomorrow. I want my gadgets to be perfect... well, it doesn't hurt to give it a try. maybe they will agree to exchange.

 

Considering the pictures you posted, I certainly hope that they will agree to exchange or repair your unit. I wouldn't call that normal by any means.

 

I sure learn a lot of philosophy visiting this sub-forum.

 

We are geeks... hear our creed.

 

gonna be a sleepless night...

why this kind of stuff always happens to me?

my archos 101 tablet is on its 4th trip for RMA

 

The arch is a design aspect, which leave gap in the lid. But the gap op is experience is definitely is not something the laptop is design to look like. I pretty sure it is a defect in you device.

 

Now I use X201 i5 like you and I think you points are okay
my battery is loose too, I think because it has just 1 locker but don't worry about it. besides, my X201 has a gap between the top lid and the bezel too. some body has a gap too. if your thinkpad can work normally, i think you should be okay with it.

 

the gap doesn't bother you?

 

not bother me because I think it is normally for new x201 style.
first time, I was worry about battery is loose but I saw my friend x201 that is the same thing with mine so I think it is ok. I like X201 because it is so small and comfortable to carry to everywhere lol ^^

 

I still want to call, just to see if they can send an exchange unit. I don't want to send mine in for repair. only had it for 3 days...

the gap is the only thing that haunts me. when the thinklight is on, you can see it from the side... should not be like this.

 

if they bother you, you will change it because it is not over limit 7 days.
And I have some x201 review page to recommend you to see it

first, http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=5546&review=lenovo+thinkpad+x201+x201s+tablet

second, Review ThinkPad X201i

for second, it is thai thinkpad website. and i think you cannot read their languege but I suggest you to see only pictures. hope you will get new changed x201

 

Well, if youre upset about this one gap and cant/dont want to dissemble and then re-assemble screen back you should call Lenovo and see what they can say, maybe they can send onsite repair guy to your home and get it fixed on site?

 

I was told there is no exchange policy. I can only have it fixed or return it.

this doesn't make any sense to me. it sucks big.

 

Based on the gap near the thinklight Id say thats not acceptable also.

I've hit walls too with lenovo CS in the past and they are a pain to deal with and some quite condescending to the customer too I might add. Maybe you can try calling in again to another CS agent, but do note, I think they keep internal notes on their customers so they may know youve asked already and been denied already. No harm trying again, or maybe it can be fixed by a qualified ibm tech. It seems like just poor quality control, nothing they cant fix by reseating the assembly.

 

I arranged a repair.

This is really frustrating. Their policy sucks... Dell is very good at this.

If I didn't get this on a very good sale, I will definitely return it...

Have to think about it twice next time I make a purchase.

 

no policy to change so what is the way between fixing and returning that you make your decision? if you return it, will you get a whole money back? if you get a whole money, i suggest you return it then still buy new x201 or buy new thinkpad series. good luck

 

as I said, if I didn't get it on a good sale, I would return it.

I got it for a really good price. so I opted for repair...

I should let this go... hardly had anything done since I got the laptop... except watching packers win the game.

 

whatever you make your decision, good luck for either sale or return

 

Is it going to be on-site repair or will you have to send it to them?

 

I only have the depot warranty...

so options are:
1) return for refund
2) send in under your warranty

I was very frustrated. especially when they say 'we are truly sorry about the inconvenience' I was like, shut up, stop saying the crap that you don't even mean... stop acting like you care...

 

Well, you could try to talk your way into on-site repair
After all its brand new machine and you shouldnt spend your time bringing machine in and out of service center.
It would be normal for something to break up during use but not receive machine with build quality issues out of the box.

 

I don't think I can win the battle and I have spent way too much time on this already.

The thing is on its way to the repair center.

 

I can't understand you mate, what is it going to be repaired? The gap? Loose battery? It's on all thinkpads, my T410 has that, my X200s has that.

Keyboard was broken for sure, but the laptop?

 

Just return it and end your misery.

 

I think I am crazy... I expected thinkpads to be better built.

I can live with it, but the box is already here so...off it goes.

 

I think you have just panicked too much, plus the lack of knowledge about what to expect from thinkpads , thats all.

Anyway, decision made.

 

You are right.

I have way too many problems.

 

My T400 has a slight gap on the lower left side of the screen in-between the bezel and screen and also a slight budge near the power button area which doesn't let it sit flush. Meh. Annoys me a little bit but still very happy with the overall built quality.

 

I usually pay way too much attention to my new toys. after a while, I don't care any more.

I am a bit regretting sending it back. Just hope it'll be returned soon, in a better shape.

at least, they use next day air ups... not the ups ground like other vendors.

 

The X201 is a pretty expensive toy.

Most likely the machine will come back fixed and you'll be happy. It's out of your hands at the moment.

 

My two laptops and a tablet are all out for repair....

Ridiculous.

 

seem like you have many laptop plus tablet but are they with you now?

if they are not with you, you will be return or repair your X201 which laptop that you use instead....

I know X201 is very expensive so everybody wanna get high quality to compare with price. however, I think lenovo will release thinkpad X201 by they already check QE of them. in real, QE is many levels but it can be accepted about endure and good working. just relax...then make your decision good luck with your this X201 or your new laptop.

 

this is why ppl need netbooks, cheap, gets the job done while the main rig is out

 

we should look at ourselves what we want laptop for what kind of work. If we want to programming, we should buy notebook or laptop. but netbook is suitable for work that is not hard like programming, graphic, etc ...