Thinkpads Forum

Just got my new T60 (14 inch) and am very happy (my first thinkpad). However, while testing out the legendary solid feel of thinkpads, I noticed a few things. First, the plastic skin flexes in a few places, under the left palm rest, the edge peice of that side is also a little loose. Also, the unit will creak a little bit when held/shifted in certain ways. Are these things considered normal and I am just being paranoid?

There have probably been quite a few of these threads, but it is a difficult subject to search for...

For creaking, check the screws they might be loose.

You can expect some flexing though.

shadowwyvern wrote:Also, the unit will creak a little bit when held/shifted in certain ways. Are these things considered normal and I am just being paranoid?

There's an old vaudeville joke: "Patient: Doctor, doctor! It hurts whenever I do THIS. Doctor: Well, don't DO THAT! ...

When I read the title of your post I was sure that you had a 15" unit because that one does have several flex/squeak spots along the length of the palm rest, but I've not had problems with flex in 14" units.

Is the door to your PCMCIA/ExpressCard slot closed? With that closed you should have no flex on the left of the palm rest.

It almost sounds like someone mis-installed your palm rest after upgrading the memory. You might want to pop it off (four screws in the bottom) and re-seat it.

Installation: the palm rest hooks the near/front edge first, then bow it up in the center (over TrackPoint buttons) to allow you to latch the left and right sides. Last, let go of the middle then reinstall the screws.

Better than my instructions, here are videos of removal and reinstallation.

Actually, after watching the reinstallation movie, I like my instructions better.

-darren

I'd say: contact IBM and ask for a new palmrest!