I'm reading these forums and getting really worried now.
I bought a brand new $700 E420 (at twice the price I was intended to pay for a laptop, but I thought it would be better quality and it certainly had better speed and features). I need my own computer for school and research work, so I thought it was better to get a 'good one' and I'm now regretting not going with an Asus or Toshiba.
After only five or six weeks of use, I went back to my machine that was left safely on my desk (I had used it earlier in the day, shut it down and unplugged it without trouble) and it wouldn't start up again... no matter what I did (battery was fully charged and transformer was outputting properly and in a working surge protector, power switch seemed fine). It needs a new optical drive while they are at it, though I wasn't going to have that problem fixed on its own. I should have taken notice when the optical drive was a bit sketchy during set-up and especially when the AC power light kept acting strangely and took it right back to the store the first day, but I try not to be the annoying customer. I'm now very stressed and getting behind in my work because this is the second half of the semester and I have no computer (at least not really - my 7" netbook and ailing <Lenovo> desktop aren't cutting it). The new Lenovo was also my "Windows" machine with special programming software.
When I called techsupport, she confirmed with me that it was the motherboard and said it would be back within six business days (but likely even within 48)... so the problem was known when I shipped it in. Now as I'm calling wondering why it's not here, they said they had to order the motherboard and there are not any in the country (not true - the local store has many of the exact same model laptops in stock right at this moment only 10 minutes away and across the country). Since I've actually purchased and am counting on the computer - and my computer was only six weeks old... why can't I get a swap of either parts or a brand new machine? With what is needed on the machine sent in, replacing it is probably cheaper anyway. They won't give me an ETA at all after guaranteeing me six days before. Is this a lost cause?
It's a bit lower issue than the repair, but I'm also concerned about the stories of laptops coming back scratched and with other issues - I purchased and then sent Lenovo my new unblemished machine and I don't want damaged merchandise back. The screen/case is the only major part aside from the HD that will be the same coming back, so if they damage that I should have definitely be given a new computer!
So I'm wondering (since you have the same/similar machine), how did your repair go? Should I call the credit card and start the litigation and refund process now... before my machine *maybe* comes back in two months... and then has a 50/50 chance of being scratched/damaged/not repaired? Having owned it six weeks and then having it in repair for over a week is already a bad ratio and should really warrant some exchange or refund. I really need a working computer ASAP, which is why I bought one in the first place!
Lets hope both our laptops arrive home soon.
