IBM / Lenovo Rocks. [Archive] - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

simms

Apr 5th, 2006, 10:09 PM

Yesterday my laptop motherboard died, and I called IBM today about it. They were going to send someone to my house with a replacement part to install, but I told them I was usually at school on the 9-5. They said "No problem, we'll send someone out to your school to fix it." They told me that a replacement board would be delivered in a few hours, and someone would be by the next day to install it (while I was at school).

I placed the call at 2pm. At 4pm (2 hours later!), a courier called me and told me my replacement motherboard arrived (I was still at school today), and delivered it to my hands.

So now I have the replacement, and someone from IBM will be at my school to fix my laptop - for free.

Amazing service from a great company. Thought I would share.

KorruptioN

Apr 5th, 2006, 10:15 PM

That's huge. I am fond of my brother's R51 very much. Build quality is fantastic. What model do you have?

Sonbuster

Apr 5th, 2006, 10:16 PM

sounds like great CS :), but kind of shocked to hear that a thinkpad mobo brokedown :(

simms

Apr 5th, 2006, 10:20 PM

I have a T40. I'm trying to convince my GF to get a T-series too, but she likes the Z60t's.

I'm kind of surprised too that the mobo broke. Once I get into Windows it's stable, but if I try to boot up sometimes it doesn't boot. IBM over the phone instantly told me it was a bad mobo - I'm not one to question it.

A few other times I had a key broken off my keyboard or my CD screw went missing - IBM replaced it via Purolator within a few days. But for a big problem like this, they're really on the ball.

KorruptioN

Apr 5th, 2006, 10:24 PM

Definitely. I myself like the Z60M... too bad it doesn't come with a better GPU.

A motherboard replacement in a T-series should be pretty darn easy if the R-series is any indication.

stevethewheel

Apr 5th, 2006, 10:28 PM

One of the few really positive CS stories going. Thanks for posting. I've had nothing but good from IBM/Lenovo too.

B40

Apr 5th, 2006, 10:32 PM

Wow that's damn good service... now if only someone from Honda would do that for Canuck_2005's Honda Insight :lol:

simms

Apr 5th, 2006, 10:33 PM

One of the few really positive CS stories going. Thanks for posting. I've had nothing but good from IBM/Lenovo too.

I appreciate the kind words. It was pretty funny, because my colleagues have a mix of laptops - Toshiba, Dell and Apple. To say the least it was pretty satisfying knowing that I probably have the best coverage, bar none. (Plus they were pretty envious knowing I got my replacement board delivered in 2 hours! :D)

I know a lot of people that would rather get some more features (DVD burner, better graphics) for a slightly lower cost (few hundred less), but when something bad goes wrong it's good to know that you're covered well.

kingsley

Apr 5th, 2006, 10:39 PM

What kind of warranty do you have? A regular one or some kind of special complete care warranty?

SupsD

Apr 5th, 2006, 10:42 PM

A motherboard replacement in a T-series should be pretty darn easy if the R-series is any indication.

The T2x series were easy to replace the motherboard. The T4x series has a million screws in them and they are all different length and sizes! Drives me nuts when I have to replace the board!

johnnyepy

Apr 5th, 2006, 10:45 PM

where do you get IBM laptop I don't see them around

MizTEcK

Apr 5th, 2006, 10:58 PM

its prolly a 'known' problem with it but only announced internally instead of costy recalling all the products. So when a problem that should caused recall being reported, they'd get on their asses to fix it before it cause too much turmoil. That tops onto their already satisfying customer service on a normal basis would prolly explain why it arrived TWO hours after u called and even delivered on campus. btw come play cs again in 216 ^_^

simms

Apr 5th, 2006, 11:07 PM

What kind of warranty do you have? A regular one or some kind of special complete care warranty?

According to this site: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/pageRedirect.do?lang=en_US&page=pewselect&brand=root&doctype=&subtype=Cat&up=unknownuser

"This product has a special bid three year limited warranty. This product is entitled to parts, labor and on-site repair service (9x5 next business day) in approved locations. Thinkpad batteries have a one year warranty."

I don't think that's anything special, I believe that's one up from the "Depot" service (aka their medium warranty.. the high end is 24x7x365).

Not bad considering I bought the thing for $775. BTW the warranty goes in other countries as well. If it breaks in the USA, Europe, anywhere there's IBM, they come to wherever I am (hotels if I'm travelling) and they fix it.

btw come play cs again in 216 ^_^

You have to introduce yourself to me sometime. :) I would, but no one plays anymore! I'm usually playing Mahjong now in the common room :)

where do you get IBM laptop I don't see them around

http://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/

or the forums, or on ebay :)

simms

Apr 6th, 2006, 01:27 PM

update: The guy called me today around 11am and was done by 11:45. He performed a full dissaessembly very professionally, and added in some extra thermal paste for me for the CPU.

He also fixed any loose screws or missing screws I had, and my other friends were impressed.

Good job IBM.

Emancipated

Apr 6th, 2006, 02:00 PM

The thought of some technician in a mobile laboratory feverishly fixing your device has some element of James Bond-ish theme to it. And all you use it for is surfing the internet and fragging people in CS. Ha ha.

Exemplary service, nonetheless.

nuropa

Apr 6th, 2006, 02:54 PM

sounds like you have next business day onsite support for warranty, those tend to give you faster and better services, you paid $$$ for them after all.

Headhunter

Apr 6th, 2006, 03:42 PM

Whoa, I'll have to seriously consider Lenovo on any future laptop purchase.

The thought of some technician in a mobile laboratory feverishly fixing your device has some element of James Bond-ish theme to it. And all you use it for is surfing the internet and fragging people in CS. Ha ha.
:lol:

ill_mango

Apr 6th, 2006, 04:07 PM

a lot of the time, customer service makes the difference in what product I buy. I have to buy a new laptop in the future, I will be sure to check IBM out.

Computer500

Apr 6th, 2006, 04:19 PM

i have a IBM thinkpad T40.....amazing...

they have cool stuff

simms

Apr 6th, 2006, 04:36 PM

sounds like you have next business day onsite support for warranty, those tend to give you faster and better services, you paid $$$ for them after all.

I paid less than you would for even the cheapest Dell. With Lenovo Depot is standard, then 8x5x365 next day, then 24x7x365 same day service.

Anyways, just a good experience. I'm back on my laptop now. :)

FearSonic

Apr 6th, 2006, 05:19 PM

$775? What kind of awesome deal did you get?

toalan

Apr 6th, 2006, 06:21 PM

does anyone have the problem that the video on screen screws up after you move the laptop around? I got this problem after i went mental on my t40 after I lost a game of civ4. Had it been my dell i would have not went mental on it, but it was an ibm so i thought I could go mental and get away with it, now I regret that stupid reaction.

Cyber6

Apr 6th, 2006, 08:19 PM

I have a T40. I'm trying to convince my GF to get a T-series too, but she likes the Z60t's.

Hmmm.. I was looking at a Z60 series this afternoon (at Compusmart).. I am a big fan of IBM/Lenovo.. but I will pass on this one. It looks bulky.. and "plastic". My son has a A22m P3.. and it performs flawless. The built quality of the A22 is very sturdy. I don't know why the Z60 seemed almost "cheap".

I'll rather take the T-series.

C.

stooker

Apr 6th, 2006, 08:22 PM

Hmmm.. I was looking at a Z60 series this afternoon (at Compusmart).. I am a big fan of IBM/Lenovo.. but I will pass on this one. It looks bulky.. and "plastic". My son has a A22m P3.. and it performs flawless. The built quality of the A22 is very sturdy. I don't know why the Z60 seemed almost "cheap".

I'll rather take the T-series.

C.

One month ago, I broke my a22m and I purchased a z60t. The z60t is way better and the build quality is also better.

Cyber6

Apr 6th, 2006, 08:36 PM

One month ago, I broke my a22m and I purchased a z60t. The z60t is way better and the build quality is also better.

I don't know which Z60 I saw. But the one at compusmart.. didn't impress me.

I am glad that you are happy with yours.

C.

cheapass

Apr 6th, 2006, 09:10 PM

Where else can you get a thinkpad other then the lenovo website?

Can someone recommend I get a T60 or mac book pro with boot camp?
Can't really afford (hence my name) anything more then $2200.

wookie

Apr 6th, 2006, 10:09 PM

Where else can you get a thinkpad other then the lenovo website?

Can someone recommend I get a T60 or mac book pro with boot camp?
Can't really afford (hence my name) anything more then $2200.

check out visaperks you can get some decent deals...

i have been looking at the t60 myself... this thread makes me think it would def be a good choice... now if it was just $775 like yours.... lol :)

felix

Apr 6th, 2006, 11:46 PM

simms

Apr 6th, 2006, 11:51 PM

Not all their on site techs know how to fix laptops. Read my earlier rant about the guy who broke my LCD top cover, only to replace the LCD with another defective LCD. Had to make several trips to 14th Ave for parts because he was so unprepared. Also the guy gave me attitude and was arguing with me on whether the LCD top cover and bezel can be ordered separately. Guess who was right. ;) From my experience I can tell he's probably never fixed a laptop before in his life, seeing how he just randomly jabs the screw driver hoping everything would fit together.

That's rough. Maybe a new tech. If you decide to go to different areas, you will get different techs. The one around my campus is named Peter, but originally a guy that works the West end called me because I live there.

z60m and z60t are DRASTICALLY different. One of them (I believe the m) is much bigger and bulkier, while the other is fairly streamlined and light. I think the z60t is the better one.

I can move my laptop around no problem, dock it, undock. Post your technical questions to forum.thinkpads.com, there's an amazing staff who can help you out. :)

simms

Apr 6th, 2006, 11:54 PM

Where else can you get a thinkpad other then the lenovo website?

Can someone recommend I get a T60 or mac book pro with boot camp?
Can't really afford (hence my name) anything more then $2200.

$2200 can get you a LOT. Look at the T60s and the X60s, both dual core Intel Centrino Duos.

My friend picked up a T42 new with 3 yr warranty a few months back for under $1400 incl tax. The T60s shouldn't be much more.

Or if you can wait a year, Merom will be coming out in 2007 with NAND technology... ;) but even a T40, which is 2 years old works more than fine for me. I can play CS on it, unreal tournament 2004, (basic quality settings)...