ThinkPad Warranty Support after 2010

[ChrisDavid]

Hi All,

Will IBM continue to support ThinkPads or Lenovo will buy over the support division to continue the good work?

I am currently considering a ThinkPad x200 with 3 or maybe 5 years warranty support.

I note that when Lenovo first bought the personal computer division from IBM back in 2005, IBM will service and support the ThinkPad for 5 years.

Here in Singapore, there are 2 service centres for Lenovo, one for ThinkPad (which has great reviews/comments so far) and the other for non-ThinkPad Lenovo branded stuff (which is considerably providing less than satisfactory after sales service).

Given my observations above, I am not sure if I want a ThinkPad should the good after sales service is gone.


Appreciate your views.

Christopher

[dr_st]

This is a very interesting question.

I remember this announcement you are referring to, but having followed the developments in the past few years, it seems to me that it does not necessarily represent the de-facto reality.

As far as I understand, in many countries, the service already now has nothing to do with IBM. For instance, in the US, EzServ and Solectron offer repair center services.

In Israel where I live, the warranty for all Lenovo products (including lines purchased from IBM, such as Thinkpad, ThinkCentre and ThinkVision, as well as other Lenovo-only brands), is given by two service labs, one of which is IBM Israel. The IBM Israel service is very good. The other one I haven't tried and have no intention to.

Your question got me so curious that I talked to a Lenovo Israel representative on the phone and inquired just about what you asked. The answers was that they do not know of any current plans to drop the collaboration with IBM for service goes.

Of course, that phone rep is probably not anywhere close to the true decision makers, but hopefully it means at least that they are not already planning some big change.

FWIW.