Thinkpads Forum

Every T series forum seems to have it's token design flaw everybody talks about.
T2x people talk about cracks in the case.
T30 people talk about the memory slot failure.
T4x people talk about a VGA motherboard issue and flexing/creaking.
I don't know what the T60 people talk about and I can't afford one so I really don't care, sorry T60 people. OK, I'll try to be more inclusive, everybody play nice.

The question is, in your experience, which series is actually prone to problems, not just forum hype, or which one has given you a lot of problems as opposed to the others?

I think you'll find the poll won by the kind of Txx that has the largest # of owners.. Perhaps a better way is to have a poll for each model, having "Is it problematic?" yes or no options, then see the percentage of each.

Curious about the outcome. Cheers,

Milos

Milos wrote:I think you'll find the poll won by the kind of Txx that has the largest # of owners..

Yes, I think you're right, I had pondered a number of ways to do the poll but didn't come up with anything rational, maybe because it was the middle of the night.
I saw a poll in the T30 forum about the memory slot problem but almost 2 people participated so I thought maybe I should put it in a general forum where all user's might see it.

We'll see...

I'm not sure such a poll matters. The only T2x and T30 machines available now are used. So long as they work, who cares about whether it had a defect in some time past or not. The T42 and prior are history - again, so long as it works, who cares. The T43 is current, so maybe it is worth polling about the T43.
... JD Hurst

jdhurst wrote:I'm not sure such a poll matters. The only T2x and T30 machines available now are used. So long as they work, who cares about whether it had a defect in some time past or not. The T42 and prior are history - again, so long as it works, who cares. The T43 is current, so maybe it is worth polling about the T43.
... JD Hurst

The poll is most useful if people who've owned multiple series share their experiences. It's not necessarily useful if only the end user who just got it and hasn't had any other series, participates but how could that person have an opinion anyway.

**Disclaimer**
This is not a scientific survey. Margin of Error +/- 100%

jdhurst wrote:I'm not sure such a poll matters. The only T2x and T30 machines available now are used. So long as they work, who cares about whether it had a defect in some time past or not.

That may be true, but if the system NEVER had any repairs up to now, it could still be a timebomb waiting to go off. One would assume that any infant mortality issues have now weeded out those systems. Problems that creep up over time or physical stress (bad solder joints for one) can happen years after the laptop leaves the factory.

The poll is valid but possibly only to the people who have owned/used all of the systems listed over a significant period of time (say two to three years). Individual responses covering just a single type of machine may make it hard to judge what that means to the entire population. I have several T2x systems and some of them have issues that have been covered in these forums for quite a while.

(edit: I see as I was typing this response, that the OP basically answered that point...)

My second-hand T41p seemed pretty [censored] well constructed, and sturdy. The lid is very nice, and the keyboard is wonderful (it's my first laptop so I'm allowed to rant about the keyboard, thank God the delete key isn't top right corner.)

The graphics chip was blown out in my first two weeks of use, motherboard had to be replaced, my screen has a few weird horrible marks on it (will ask for a refit before my warranty runs out at the end of the year) few scratches here and there but... really it is the best, very sturdy, no heat issues, very multipurpose laptop.

There is a slight creaking on the right side of the touchpad. Which I'm not sure if it's always been there, but I noticed it after my repair.

Overall, for it's form factor I'm very happy with it.

My only other experience with laptops is my sister's Acer 5022Wlmi which is a lot bigger and a lot thicker, as well as heavier. It also is very sturdy though, not as elegant but built like a weapon. Very impressive that model actually, 64-bit Athlon, X700 128MB, 100GB HDD and DVD-RW all for £550.

That's the same amount I paid for my T41p but I think they're pretty on par with each other, I love all the ThinkVantage tools though, I love the keyboard and the on-site warranty is really great.

Will buy the new Txxp when I go to university. Dual-cores and a nicer GPU being the main reason.

Title of thread "T series durability poll, share your experiences"

Upon reading this I was compelled to participate, as I have many years of experience with the T series both personally and with my company where _I deploy hundreds_ of ThinkPads.

Then after clicking on the link I see the poll entitled "Which ThinkPad has the most hardware issues".

One minute we are being asked to share our experience with the durability of the T series, the next moment we are presented with a list of models where we are expected to choose the worst one. I find this leading and negative.

I also find this a bit contrary. Therefore I did NOT vote.

My experience has been very satisfying and profitable when it comes to the usage of the T series ThinkPad. I have personally owned and used every model of T series since they were first introduced. The list you see in my signature line at the bottom represents just a small fraction of the models I've used. I chose to list my favorites for my signature.

ThinkPads are a world class product, by any measure. They have a rich history of stability, performance, reliability and value. No other laptop of any brand, comes even close to the exemplary track record of the ThinkPad line. These are professional laptops designed for extended heavy duty use. ThinkPads are used for mission critical computing where accuracy and the margin for error is nil. Extremely well engineered, built from the finest components and proven in the field, there is nothing like a ThinkPad.

That said, are they all perfect? Absolutely not. Have there been issues? Certainly. Will there be problems in the future? You can count on it.

Why? Because this is a computer that we are talking about. A complex device comprised of the latest technology. Comprised of cutting edge components introduced just a short period of time before being implemented in these machines.

Now, lets look at the reality here. These are mass produced products. They cannot all be perfect. This is the very reason that every computer maker has a service department. This is the very reason they come with a very comprehensive warranty.

So, it's not about which is the worst, or has the most failures, its about how the problems are handled. It's about resolution. Again ThinkPad service is legendary and they get the job done quickly with a very minimal amount of down time. It's about return on investment. ThinkPads have a stellar reputation for reliability and excellent build quality.

The question is, what is the percentage of ThinkPads with problems vs. the ThinkPads without problems. That is the true measure of the quality and durability of the brand. How can anyone, poll individual users, which is largely what this forum is comprised of and expect them to have owned and used enough T series ThinkPads to make that judgement?

Furthermore, the reason most people are here is to share their experiences, help one another develop solutions, and learn something in the process. The people that are enjoying trouble free ThinkPads have no reason to seek out a forum for answers to problems they are NOT having. I can assure you that the number of ThinkPads without problems are the vast majority. The number of ThinkPads deployed in the top organizations, companies, et al. is stagering.

It's just like the service department at your local Mercedes Benz dealership. They only get two types of business coming in. Regular routine maintenance. And warranty work for all the MBZ that have problems, failures and or faulty assembly issues. The people with trouble free cars which is the majority are not complaining, are not looking for forums on the internet to complain about their cars. They are out there driving and enjoying them.

Exactly like all the happy ThinkPad owners that are out there, enjoying the best laptop they have ever owned.

Enjoying a T42 here, no repair record yet.

archer6 wrote:One minute we are being asked to share our experience with the durability of the T series, the next moment we are presented with a list of models where we are expected to choose the worst one. I find this leading and negative.

I also find this a bit contrary. Therefore I did NOT vote.

Thank you for not voting, I wouldn't want you to compromise your principles.

I have a T23 bought used. Solid, no problems.

I bought a well cared for T-40 and it had a motherboard issue (USB ). Probably dust build-up, as some say, shorting something. Maybe flex.

I found numerous complaints about this and it is listed as the issue on thinkwiki for T41,42.

Luckily, I found the problem right away and returned it for a refund.

I imagine that the percentage of T4xes with MB issue is low, but it's a big problem when it goes and the other Thinkpads don't seem to have it.

How many of you out there have had a MB replaced on a thinkpad? Bet it was a T4x.

The thinkwiki shows the R series as having more mundane issues. So that's what I got when I sent the T40 back. Once bitten, twice shy!

So far, the R51's good and it was cheaper too. It does feel bulkier, creakier but I prefer that to potential MB failure.

Looks like they got the problem fixed by the T60. Or maybe even the T43?

bought a t41 used, i'm loving it so far. although i have had minor issues, usb 2.0 went to 1.1, mb replaced, 3 days later, that mb died, now i have a creak in the right side of the palm rest.... all in all, i am very happy with this system though........