General Discussion

[#1]

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wheadley wrote:

So Lenovo, what next?

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I agree, what next? Has anything been found?

[#2]

1. Thinkpad T400 (2765-T6U)
2. Thinkpad T21, T23, T42, T43p, T61, T61p, X61p and X300
3. The keyboard on the T400 is all wrong. Not only does the whole keyboard itself flex under strain (press the right shift, with the key depressed push further, the whole right hand side of the keybord moves 1-2mm downwards.) but also the action of the individual keys is very different from what I'm used to on a Thinkpad keyboard. I can't clearly define it but, the resistance of the key as you press just feels totally different from any thinkpad I've ever used.
4. I tried calling 800-IBM-SERV about getting a replacement keyboard. First call was totally unproductive, guy hadn't heard of anyone complaining about this, nor had he ever used a T400 hands on. Called back and found someone who found me part numbers for all the old T61 keyboards. I'll probably order one and see if it helps, if not I'll likely return the 3 T400s I've bought.

My user had a T61p and loved the keyboard and bought the T400s because of the keyboard. Now I don't know what to say.

--Peter

Message Edited by notpeter on 11-05-2008 05:23 PM

[#3]

I am just wondering, has anyone else with a T400 experienced a considerable amount of flex between the power and thinkvantage button (just above the keyboard) as well?

Also I am experiencing a bit of flex or looseness in the plastic near the Thinkpad logo at the bottom right corner below the keyboard. Has anyone else observed these nuisances? I'm a little concerned because this is right where the hard drive is.

[#4]

I have another issue to add, in addition to my keyboard flex.

After a month and a half of use, I noticed the uneven level of plastic surface between the palm rest and the sides of the keyboard. The right palm rest (above the hard drive) plastic rises higher than the right side of the keyboard, while the left side of the keyboard (not the keyboard) feels jumpy. When pressed on either side, the plastic cover feels bouncy, which I did not expect from the notebook. The sides (in addition to keyboard and ThinkVantage buttons) flexes! Not only that, the left plastic (just above PC card slots) flexes just as bad as the palm rests!

Few questions to ask:

1. How can I find the manufacturer of the keyboard I am using (Specifically, please)?

2. Is there are dead pixel policy for ThinkPads? Is it covered under warranty?

I am seriously concerned regarding the quality of ThinkPad. My other laptops (not ThinkPads) did not give me these defects. I expected Lenovo to produce rock-solid notebooks (not just the outside, but the keyboards as well), and all I get is a notebook so similar to consumer-oriented laptop?

For now, I will wait until someone answers my questions mentioned above.  Please give me the solutions regarding the defects my laptop is getting!

[#5]

Hello,

I also have alot of keyboard flex on my few week old T500. It is on the left side and it seems worse around the A, S, D keys (the keypad actually bounces on the left side when typing). Model is 2082-3HU. I used a Thinkpad about 5 years ago and it did not have any flex. The computer bought to replace it (non Thinkpad) did have flex that I thought was bad. Sadly, my new T500 keyboard flex is even worse. I have not pursued any fix or replacement at this point.

[#6]

hbl33,

Thanks for the feedback.  Without seeing your unit I can't comment on cause for the case plastics issues.  If you feel hand and have a small screw driver you might loosen the screws on the bottom for the keyboard and keyboard bezel / palmrests and try to reseat them, and then retighten the screws carefully.

Next to each hole on the bottom are little icons telling you what the screws hold in, and which ones you will need to loosen and later tighten.

1) With your MT and Serial # we may be able to look up which keyboard supplier your unit was built with.  If you have it apart, following the instructions on the training video site, or the hardware HMM, you could remove the keyboard and check the part numbers on the bottom and search on the support site for that FRU number and it should tell you whether NMB, Chicony, or Alps supplier.

2) Yes, there is a defective pixel policy for ThinkPads.  It can be found HERE.  Basically, if there are more than two defective Pixels, Lenovo will replace the LCD.

Rather than delve further in this thread, please feel free to start another on the T series board to explore any of these points in more detail.

Mark

[#7]

Happyfirst,

Yes, some discoveries have been made.   I think we understand the issue fairly well on T400/T500, but the W500 may require a bit more study.

Does anyone here have a W500 with excessive flex on the left side that they would be willing to loan us for several days?

Mark

[#8]

1.I'm using W500 (4058-CTO), which I ordered on 10/25 and received on 11/4.

2.I've been using a IBM T41 (2373-2QV) for close to 5 years.

3.On W500, the keyboard is somehow convex, meaning on both sides you can see the keyboard be unlevel with the laptop platform.  In use it feels a bit mushy, although not so much saggy.

I would love to lend out my keyboard, except I live in Canada and I actually need to use the laptop lately so it would be too much hassle.

Message Edited by gcgaryyoyo on 11-06-2008 02:46 PM

[#9]

Mr.Hopkins,

I'm thinking of buying a T400 model, but the discussion about the keyboard flex prevented me from sealing the deal. As the issue has been discovered, will future models have a non-flexing thinkpad-like keyboard? How can I insure getting a fixed T400?

Thanks in advance

[#10]

Im buying a T500 from a Lenevo reseller. Im simply paying for a keyboard from a T61 to be installed prior to delivery. This way I dont have to be disappointed and potentially RMA the laptop. Every review ive read so far has praised the T500 and T400 with the exception of the keyboard. So I just fixed the only problem that existed.