From: STeve Andre' (andres_at_msu.edu)
Date: Sun Apr 02 2000 - 15:31:57 EDT
In the discussion of EZServe lately, I've seen at least two comments about the
i Series machines being of bad quality, etc. I'd like to know a little
more about
where these comments are coming from.
Back last year when I had some money to spend on a laptop, I chose a
1451i as it fit in my price range, but only after looking at other models out
there, and talking to others who had them. I also listened in on newsgroups,
and while hearing some complaints about them, I heard fewer complaints
about i Series machines than most other brands.
Given my experience with two of them, I don't think they are substandard in
any way, and this is coming from someone with as much of a hardware background
as software. I've had this 1451i in use every day, and only now have I
developed
this "pink screen" problem--which I note has appeared in other ThinkPads
besides
the i Series.
So this unit I'm on has been perfect 'till lately. My 1480i, which came with a
loose screw and had three trips to EZServe to resolve was more interesting.
Unfortunately, after fixing the problem that the loose screw caused (a zapped
DC/DC converter) they caused the modem to stop working because the new
converter was faulty, that replacement was faulty and only on trip #3 was all
in working order. The initial loose screw was definitely a manufacturing
defect,
but the longer story was caused by EZServes apparent speed-before-accuracy
policy about repairs, coupled with a batch of faulty DC/DC converters. You
can't
fault a specific machine for that one.
So where are people getting their opinions that the i series are so bad? I
maintain
about 75+ computers now, with Dell, IBM, Toshiba and Sony laptops. I
internally
chuckled as I was honestly able to favorably compare my 1451i against several
new laptops costing $1000+ more. Things like the construction of the phone
jack,
the hinge assembly and quality of keyboard come to mind.
From my perspective, the problems with IBM's ThinkPads stem from the
organization
and how its run, more than specific models. I think that the problems with
i Series
machines usually come from a problem in their original manufacturing, and
not in
the design of the machines themselves. I've seen recent examples of 600's
and 770
types not being built right, either lately--which adds to my feelings that
IBM has more
and more of a manufacturing problem these days.
Anyway, comments welcome. If someone asked me if I'd buy a ThinkPad i Series
machine again, I'd still say yes, and will do so until/unless problems with
EZServe get
worse.
--STeve Andre'
At 01:28 PM 4/2/00 -0500, Mark Lemon wrote:
>Folks,
>
>Just as an aside, I have a 2 yr. old TP600 that is also intermittently
>experiencing "pink screen". From the posts, it sounds as if this can
>be traced to a bad connection on the LCD ribbon cable.
>
>Is there anyone lurking here that can change this from "demand to talk
>to the supervisor" at EZServe to "Oh yeah, we'll take care of that one"?
>
>I'm not just talking about myself - I'm talking about the dozens of us
>that will potentially experience this problem over the next few years
>(by the end of your warrantee, the fix may cost more than the laptop
>will be worth). I'm also NOT talking about boycotts or lawsuits -
>hopefully something much more positive.
>
>Any win-win suggestions?
>
>More to the point, is there anyone out there lurking that understands that
>this group represents the "parakeet in the mineshaft" for the TP reputation?
>I personally have not only purchased 3 Thinkpads, but I've also recommended
>them to dozens of clients and co-workers. In the last 3 months, it was
>with great regret that I decided to change company purchasing from TP's back
>to the Dell Latitude line. IBM lost 4 sales in Y2K as a result. This
>group's discussion of service in large part forced me to that decision.
>
>I'm sure that some of you are facing similar decisions.
>
>Anyone remember Black & Decker? As I recall, they took a once excellent
>reputation and squandered it by putting cheap power tools into K-Mart, etc.
>If you purchased one, please don't take this as offense, but I saw the
>introduction of the i-Series as a similar move by IBM.
>
>I'm concerned that by lack of leadership, IBM may ultimately do the same
>to the ThinkPad name. We didn't buy TPs because they were cheap - we
>bought them because they were the best. Is there any one lurking who cares
>or has the ear of someone who can do something about this?
>
>My $.02
>
>Mark
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: STeve Andre' [mailto:andres_at_msu.edu]
> > Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2000 1:42 PM
> > To: TP List
> > Subject: Re: EZServe, Then & Now (Was: Fascinating article on IBM
> > ThinkPad Repair Service)
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