T450 build quality issues.. Are these common?

[aleksy2k]

Hello!

T450 is my first thinkpad. A great machine, overall. Happy with the specs and the screen.
However, I have some small build quality issues, they're not rendering my machine unusable or anything, just annoying.

First, the lid does not sit evenly on the base when closed. It's leaning a bit to the right, and there's a noticeable gap from left corner between the base and the lid.

Second, when I pick up the laptop off the left corner with the lid open, the base cover pops off the clamps that hold it together in the middle, between the screws.

I've switched from OSX that I've been user of for last 5 years, and I am a bit bummed about the quality control. Were my expectations too high?
I rely on my machine for work a lot, and can't afford to send it back. What is the usual resolution for these type of issues?

http://imgur.com/a/k4Kwp

Thanks!

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum.

First I'd go to Hoppe op 't Spui and get a kopstoot or two.
After that I'd learn to always pick up any laptop with TWO hands.
Finally, I'd learn to live with the (sadly) declining QC of Lenovo, who fails miserably by stupidly imitating Apple.
My €0.02 only.

[brchan]

My sister has a T450 for her work. It has the same issues you described, except for the base. On her T450, the base was actually solid with barely any creaking. Maybe the cover on your one isn't properly seated?

[Puppy]

Typical current Lenovo quality. There are more serious T450 issues around.

[MikalE]

If the Retro-Pad ever comes out I hope it's a better build than their current crop.

[aleksy2k]

Welcome to the Forum.

First I'd go to Hoppe op 't Spui and get a kopstoot or two.
After that I'd learn to always pick up any laptop with TWO hands.
Finally, I'd learn to live with the (sadly) declining QC of Lenovo, who fails miserably by stupidly imitating Apple.
My €0.02 only.

I am more of a Gollem man myself, just a block away and a better selection
I have filed service request to see what they say, otherwise I'll just deal with my expectations, 3 years warranty is quite impressive.

I have skipped through warranty agreement and couldn't find anything about warranty and OS re-install. I wiped Windows straightaway and didn't make recovery media, also, upgraded memory upon receive too, this shouldn't affect my warranty, should it?

Thanks for responses.

[RealBlackStuff]

I lived in Amsterdam for a few years in the early '70s. A lot has changed since!
Last time I visited there was in 2001. Occasionally I still miss some of it.
If it has to be Belgian, I'd rather have nice Belgian jonge jenever such as Diep9 which you can also buy here in the USA.
BTW, I find Belgian jenever better than Dutch jenever!
But I digress...

If/when you send your machine in:
- remove the HD/SSD, otherwise they'll try to install something else and delete all your private files
- remove the extra RAM, if they change the motherboard you might only get back what was in it originally
Neither should have any influence on your warranty.
If your machine came with W7 or W8 you should be able to request a set of Recovery disks.

[MrMaguire]

If/when you send your machine in:
- remove the HD/SSD, otherwise they'll try to install something else and delete all your private files

I've heard a few horror stories relating to this. One was when my brother took his laptop to be fixed at PC World over here (sound wasn't working), and they replaced Windows XP with Vista! Stated their reasonsing as "XP is no longer supported". He lost a lot of his photos and documents, because they lacked common sense...

[Bibin]

On the contrary, the build quality of my T450s has been great.

[Craigyas]

I just got my t450 yesterday, and I can confirm this. The last thinkpad I had was a t60 (still working) And wowie is there a difference, nevermind the lack of a physical lock but the corner creaks as well on mine when i pick it up. The trackpoint also makes a popping noise every once in a while. While it may not quite feel as sturdy as when IBM was making them, they still feel better than other modern laptops I've picked up (save for the macbook line. though try pouring a bottle of water on one and see what happens XD )

Thinkpads are still the best option if you want a decently priced semi rugged laptop IMO