ON SITE WARRANTY???

[rookwood]

My biggest decision is whether or not I can hold out long enough for the x200t, or order the x61t. The second biggest decision I will face is what warranty package to purchase. I will be bucking corporate policy to purchase any computer other than standard issue from our local supplier, but I do have that option due to my requirements for higher performance (CAD, 3d rendering, all Adobe software).

In the past I have purchased Dell laptops, all with next day on site warranties. What a blessing when I have needed to use this service. If Dell couldn't fix my problem via phone support, there would be an authorized technician in my office within 24 hours...each and every time. Personally, I have nothing but the highest regards for Dell's tech/repair service. But I want a tablet and am not ready to pull the plug for Dells $$$ investment for such a performance under acheiver.

Being somewhat tech savvy, I am fully aware that I may become the owner of one of those units that isn't near perfect, or lives up to the Thinkpad legend. I've read too many reports of horrific Lenovo tech support, and am fully aware that you generally will post only if you are dissatisfied. Still, I need some comfort that the on site warranty removes me from the horrors of poor or nonexistant tech/repair service.

Any reports on Lenovo's on site service they offer?

P.S.: The reasons I am holding out for the next gen Lenovo tablet are the new processors and graphic capabilities. Unfortunately, I don't have much time since my last flight, TSC removed my laptop from my baggage and dropped it. Didn't discover the damage until I got to my hotel room. Screen hinges broken and holding by a thread and TSA requires 6 weeks just to confirm they received the damage report...so I don't have much time...end of July at most.

Also, before you ask why a tablet for CAD and 3d rendering, I have a new $10,000 custom built workstation with dual quadcore xeons on my desk. I need something very mobile and versatile (tablet) for travelling that will give me some performance. Several of the Autodesk forum members report successfully using AutoCAD and Revit on their x60t units.

[erik]

the X61T will benefit in offering SXGA+.   i don't have specifics on the X200T but would make an educated guess that it'll have lower res—probably WXGA (1280x800).

autocad is probably going to work just fine depending on the model's complexity.   i certainly wouldn't try to rotate a rendered 1000-plus-part assembly in real-time though.

i wouldn't worry too much about processor specs.   the X300 hasn't let me down with any of my 2D/3D apps and it's only 1.2GHz.   you just have to keep your expectations realistic.   after all, it's not an eight-core xeon workstation.

[dominus]

Hey Rookwood,
I work for a school district and I'm in charge of our WSM (warranty self maintainer) program. From what I have been able to figure out they just use any local authorized repair center and pay them the standard travel fee. My personal suggestion is to find out who the local repair centers are in your area (within 50 mi. or so) and do some research on them. Unfortunately a lot of small companies will only have one person get authorized per vendor and then have who ever in their shop do the repair, definitely stay away from dear old Best Lies, they can't touch them in house anyway. If you don't have someone local that you trust that is authorized I would just use the depot service. (and all this goes for Dell as well).

-Chris

[ajkula66]

If you feel that the basic depot warranty is not enough, I'd suggest a slightly different route, especially in the light of some posts (complaints) that I've been reading on Lenovo's forum lately...

Go for a depot warranty but add accident protection.

Get a X61T while they're still available. You'll love it, most likely. And I don't see a widescreen tablet being a good idea...

My $0.02...

[tfflivemb2]

Go for a depot warranty but add accident protection.

I would agree 100% on the accident protection, this way you are covered regardless. You can then test the waters with the On-Site tech, and if they aren't to your likings then you can send it to the Depot.