LCD Screen Marked due TrackPoint Pointer & Buttons

[mezcal]

Hi Guys,

I've had a problem with the screen of my X100e that I started to notice a few months after purchasing it. Basically the TrackPoint & its buttons have gradually worn marks into the screen. It happened so gradually at first that I didn't really notice it unless the screen was under bright lights, but now it's to the point of being (pardon the pun) an eyesore.

I contacted Lenovo by their online technical support feedback form. I also contacted them directly by email. I also took photographs highlighting the evidence.

My problem is that my warranty is now extinct. Between 'trying' to contact Lenovo & getting to this point I had the usual sickness & family issues one tend to have to deal with while a warranty is slowly clicking away...

I've had no further contact from Lenovo. I was wondering where I stand. I still have the copies of the emails I sent while my warranty was valid. I've also kept the photographs I took while my warranty was still valid.

I wouldn't usually worry but I've come to love my little X100e & now the screen impacts the quality of watching movies, etc.

As Lenovo doesn't answer my emails, can anyone offer any advice or information regarding having seen this particular issue before. Phone support in Australia hasn't been the best either, btw...

Many thanks in advance,

Simon Parsons

PS. When travelling I keep my X100e in a 'form-fitting' thick neoprene protective sleeve & in a 'Crumpler' laptop designed bag with a well cushioned and protected pocket. I couldn't do more to protect it except house it a 'flight-case' type box.

[ausmike]

Giday Mez*;

The "issue" of track pointer (the famous IBM RED DOT) and The Trachpoint BUTTONS touching the LCD - Display screen .................IS A COMMON EVENT:

This "event" occurs with various ways -

One of most COMMON things that CAUSE this 'marks' being left on the LCD screen is via OVERLOADING the top LID with 'weights'. This extra weight than presses down on the LCD panel and then it rests - touches full time on the KEYBOARDS, RED DOT and or TRACK POINT BUTTONS.

Most common CASE = over packing / carrying these laptops in BACKPACKS (very easily done while @college/ Uni !!)) My daughter ha gone thru TWO screens on Thinkpad X220 and ALSO SAME THINGS happend on her MAC PRO while she was @ undergrad !!!! Also major cause of 'softness' of LIDs might b the 'above normal daily temps' in australia!!

I have had use thinkpads from way back (my first laptops were the size of a small fridge now!!!) back than didnt have thse issues , but I have noticed the SAME issues in last few models - since I travel a lot (see my sign) and I have gone thru 3 screen (W510 . W520 FHD, X220) in last two years - due to carrying in BACKPACKS !!

So now I have switched to TABLETS (nope not lenovo) and rollaway carry-ons! and in last 12 months = no damage to any screen !!

Lenovo wont fix any HARDWARE , if they feel its USER CAUSED

Hope this helps some !

Cheers

[mezcal]

G'day ausmike,

Thanks for the detailed reply.

I don't have much time to write; just wanted to express my thanks for your reply. It does seem to be a rather annoying habit of notebooks/laptops theses days - we certainly shouldn't have to keep using that thin piece of plastic 'cloth' it came packaged with - this is 2012 God [censored] it & it's been over 40 years since we landed men on the moon!

I guess I'll have to check with my local dude who can order screens wholesale - I'll be interested it the price difference between him & Lenovo for the same make/model of LCD. I'm still waiting for Lenovo tech support & spare parts to call me back - but even that seems to be asking a lot these days.

I'd love to be able to switch to a tablet; unfortunately I need the extra functionality for the software I run. I'm trying to find a basic tablet (like a Kindle or something) that I can hack just for reading eBooks & PDFs in bed, on the couch & on aircraft, etc. Any ideas?

Cheers mate. Have a great day,

mez

[wolfman]

This is why every time I get a new Thinkpad I go to ShaggyMac (http://www.shaggymac.com/laptop-screen- ... ptops.html) and for $12-15 purchase a screen protector. It's a microfiber mat that I lay over the keyboard before i shut the lid. Also doubles as a nice screen cleaner for smudges, etc. This seems to do a good job protecting the screen from the trackpoint.

[ausmike]

Giday mez*;
Yips buying W/Sale might be way 2 go >
not sure of who gets 'em in Melb ... I am from bit north > syd
and few pple keep those in stock. I would stay away from fl'eeBay dudes - cant trust some of them

Also look @ my sign... below gives you some clue to 'tablets'..runs Win7 Entx64 very nicely !
and I also have a Andriod ( unlocked.hackedetc) from S'S'g which is now on sale in Aust am told ! > good stuff dont come cheap though...

ps* no "mat' or any rubbery kind will stop the LID COLAS"ping ion KEYSBOARD ,,,, if weight /constant pressure is always there eg stuufed backpack - mac pro gets worse keybaord 'etchings' with those 'paddings'

sorry thats my experaince..might work for others

Cheers

[mezcal]

Ta ausmike,

Thanks for the info; I'll check out your sign in a sec.

What annoys me the most about my screen issue is that as soon as I noticed the problem I adhered two 3-5mm thick square rubber 'feet' to the top corners of the LCD panel. I've checked & it would take a heavy load (5-7kg+) to bend the panel enough to make contact, yet worse it continues to get.

I'm looking at upgrading my ThinkPad to another in March or so - I hope my research doesn't show this to be a common problem. I too used to have an ancient old 'brick' of a ThinkPad (there was no way that screen panel could bend!) & continue enjoying the physical build & software driver quality they deliver.

I agree with you re. eBay; especially with this kind of item. I used to work as a technician in a local notebook dealership so I still have my contact list for Lenovo/IBM. If I can't find a part/model number online I'll pop the screen out next weekend & get a price comparison.

Thanks again for your time ausmike. Have a great week,

mez