(X40) A slightly twisted chassis and other imperfections.

[SomeGuyfromHK]

(please excuse my English)

I am a new X40(2371) owner. I got the machine last friday. I am happy with it, despite some minor flaws:

- the keyboard is slightly bent near the volume buttons
- the chassis seems to be twisted a little since one of the rubber pads does not touch the table
- a noisy fan
- tons of preinstalled softwares that drag the system down. It takes almost 3 mins to boot into a working stage.

and
- a ticking harddrive (only ticks in WinXP so I am sure it is not going to die).

Since the store's attitude is like "Go away and bother IBM".. I am... uh... seeking help from you guys. Please tell me if those things I listed happen to all X40s or I just had the misfortune to get a less perfect one. Thank you very much.

[jdhurst]

I dpn't have an X, I have a T.

It lies perfectly flat. Given that, the keyboard is not bent. If I had a laptop where the keyboard was truly and observedly bent and in addition, the laptop did not lie flat, I would return it vastly, vastly faster than immediately.

The only preload software I don't use is retail Norton - I use Corporate Symantec Client Security. It takes about 2 minutes, maybe 2.5 minutes to load completely, but after that, the machine works *fast*. The preload software doesn't bog down the machine if set for performance wherever possible.

I recently sent the hard drive of a T43 back because the system performed slowly. New hard drive and fresh recovery CD's solved the problem.

My hard drive does not tick (XP Pro). ... JD Hurst

[SomeGuyfromHK]

I dpn't have an X, I have a T.

It lies perfectly flat. Given that, the keyboard is not bent. If I had a laptop where the keyboard was truly and observedly bent and in addition, the laptop did not lie flat, I would return it vastly, vastly faster than immediately.

I took it back to the store and they said I was "overly critical" because the unit on display has the same problems. They could have been touched by the same repair guy that installed my extra ram. I can live with a slightly bent keyboard and chassis, and the ticking sound should go away according to other sources I have, but the fan problem is a bit annoying. Can I do anything about that?

I am not doing business with that store again. Heck, a non-flat laptop from IBM? Even Averatec wouldn't have that kind of problem.

[aceo07]

Return it if you're not going to have to pay restocking fees. The store should not treat you like that. Just because their display model is also faulty doesn't mean you should be stuck with it.

[SomeGuyfromHK]

The problem is the mid term is comming and I can't spare that much time arguing with the store. And my unit was the last one they had in stock so they can't do an exchange. The store said those imperfections are not defects (meaning that I was whining too much). Should I go to IBM instead?

[aceo07]

Here's my little story: A long long time ago I bought a Sony minidisc player/recorder at a store. Very nice, small, metal casing, top of the line. $350. A little later I noticed a small dent on the front of the metal case. I never took it back to get it replaced. So, now many years later, the md player still works and everything looks good except a few tiny areas where the paint is slighty worn off and the dent is still there. I always wished that I got it replaced, even though it's probably only worth $30 now. It bugs me everytime I see it.

It's NOT standard to have that defect no matter how much they'd like you to believe that. You're paying a lot of money for it.

My point is, if you don't need the laptop right now and you don't lose money by getting it somewhere else then why not get a perfect one. If imperfections don't bother you, then I guess you're not like me. If you choose to return it, do it soon else the return period might be over.

This is assuming that:
1. It won't cost you money to return it.
2. You don't need the laptop right now.
3. You can find the laptop at a similar price elsewhere.
4. It won't take much time.

[SomeGuyfromHK]

I am not even sure if the store would accept my return since my unit has no "defects". They give me the impression that they are the "sell you the product then tell you to **** off" type of business. I will contact IBM and see what I can do.

Imperfections like a slightly bent keyboard really don't bother me, in fact sometimes I like them. They give a sense of uniqueness. Right now it is the fan noise that really bothers me. The CPU is at around 40c and the fan is screaming loud. It is either maximum speed or total stop. Can I have it run constantly at a slower rate?

[mbdriver]

I think you should consider an RMA on the fan noise. I have the X40 too and mine is barely audible. I am very aware of fan noise and can honestly tell you that your X40 shouldn't be screaming like that. My fan doesn't even come on a lot and when it does it is just a quiet humm. Much quieter than my old X30.

Alternatively you can use Centrino Hardware Control to control your fan speed.

http://www.pbus-167.com/chc.htm

[gsuser]

the keyboard is slightly bent near the volume buttons
- the chassis seems to be twisted a little since one of the rubber pads does not touch the table
- a noisy fan
- tons of preinstalled softwares that drag the system down. It takes almost 3 mins to boot into a working stage.

and
- a ticking harddrive (only ticks in WinXP so I am sure it is not going to die).

Exactly the same for my new X41 2525 exept for the fan that doesn't make noise, and a few grey pixels. I reinstalled the system from a xp pro cd, and it's faster now.
The hard drive noise sems to lower when desactivating the Active Protection System ...
If things are not going worse, i will not consider a rma, i like this X41, and nothing is perfect in this world !

[Adam]

Take it to an authorized IBM repair centre, and maybe write a letter to IBM about the poor service you got at that store if you're really [censored] (although it's unlikely to do anything).