Lenovo X220 repair experience

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This is a Lenovo X220 purchased direct from Lenovo nearly a year ago. I have been involved with it first hand, although it isn't my PC.

This laptop was purchased with the standard 1 year depot warranty. It is used lightly, no more than four hours a day, and rarely travels.

A couple of months ago the space bar started getting flakey. It got worse, so called Lenovo Think support. They sent a box next day with a prepaid UPS label, it was sent back to their repair facility in Memphis TN the next day.

They replaced the keyboard promptly and sent it back UPS next day. First class depot service, except that they didn't pack it carefully so the laptop was sitting against the edge of the box instead of within the padding.


The new keyboard works well, but in the next days we noticed bright areas in the lower right of the premium LCD display. Not sharp points like dead pixels, these are dull like background problems.

Called Think Support back, same shipping routine. The day a technician looked at it they call to say that this repair will cost $750.

Why? They put fault on the user for damaging the panel. Really? How is that determined? I don't know says the person calling, I am not a technician. Sound a bit like an auto dealer?
lol.gif


At any rate, for that price a new one could be purchased, so no thanks, just send it back.

This time it came back correctly seated within the padding, but the slip in it was completely blank except with a check mark indicating "We did not receive your approval for billable repair."

Service Call Number:
Technican:


My conclusion, which I realize could be wrong, is that the technician who replaced the keyboard damaged the premium panel by accidentally hiting or poking it. The trouble is, the technicians do not put their initials on the sheets returned to customers, and the third party handling these repairs for Lenovo is hiding in their bureaucracy instead of standing up to their mistakes.
 
I have actually replaced a motherboard and LCD in one of those myself. Not too tricky -- actually easier than the comparable Dell. It's a good little laptop.
 
Yes, I quite like the X220, and have mentioned that in other threads. The OP was about Lenovo's depot repair service in Memphis TN.

Where do you get parts? I realize some parts are generic, but we're not referring to those here.
 
I am a professional computer hardware guy. However, I am not familiar with Lenovo products, so use this advice at your own risk. We use HP & Dell where I work.

Google around and you will find LCD panels a heck of a lot cheaper than when Lenovo/HP/Dell want for one. Keep in mind, that to my knowledge, all LCD panels in the world are made by 8 (maybe 9) companies. Find one in the resolution/size that matches the display currently in the laptop. Usually there is a bezel that comes off of the lid with screws. These screws may be hidden behind rubber bumpers. These bumpers should be purchasable from Lenovo (and they should be cheap). This should give you access to the screws holding the panel to the lid. Disconnect the ribbon cable, remove the screws, and the display panel should come free. Some quick googling found that the screen has an LED backlight. That means that there should only be the ribbon connector to worry about. Installation should be the reverse of removal.

Check this site out, they have 2 replacement screens for the Lenovo X220:
X220 replacement panel


And here is the maintenance manual for the laptop:
X220 Maintenance Manual
 
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Thank you for the maintenance manual link, I downloaded it.

I see your other link shows a new IPS panel (which is what this X220 has) for $80, quite a contrast with the $750 that Lenovo EasyServ wanted to replace it, even considering labor charges.

The warranty will expire in a few days, and this relationship with Lenovo will expire along with it.

I will suggest that the owner file a complaint with Lenovo, albeit with no hope that they will do anything about it.
 
Originally Posted By: BearZDefect
Thank you for the maintenance manual link, I downloaded it.

I see your other link shows a new IPS panel (which is what this X220 has) for $80, quite a contrast with the $750 that Lenovo EasyServ wanted to replace it, even considering labor charges.

The warranty will expire in a few days, and this relationship with Lenovo will expire along with it.

I will suggest that the owner file a complaint with Lenovo, albeit with no hope that they will do anything about it.


I had a Lenovo T60. Aside from it being a complete lemon (10 motherboards ...), the service was actually decent. However, the local on-campus Lenovo repair facility was horrible. One of the times they replaced the motherboard, they forgot to put on thermal compound. CPU fried itself (and another motherboard ...) in about 15 minutes.

I'll NEVER buy another Lenovo laptop after that bad experience unless I get one smoking deal.
 
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: BearZDefect
Thank you for the maintenance manual link, I downloaded it.

I see your other link shows a new IPS panel (which is what this X220 has) for $80, quite a contrast with the $750 that Lenovo EasyServ wanted to replace it, even considering labor charges.

The warranty will expire in a few days, and this relationship with Lenovo will expire along with it.

I will suggest that the owner file a complaint with Lenovo, albeit with no hope that they will do anything about it.


I had a Lenovo T60. Aside from it being a complete lemon (10 motherboards ...), the service was actually decent. However, the local on-campus Lenovo repair facility was horrible. One of the times they replaced the motherboard, they forgot to put on thermal compound. CPU fried itself (and another motherboard ...) in about 15 minutes.

I'll NEVER buy another Lenovo laptop after that bad experience unless I get one smoking deal.


You definitely have pretty much the worst luck ever.
I bought my mom a T60P used about a year and a half ago. Rock solid system. Even still holds about an hour run time on the original battery. I offered her a straight up trade with my Lenovo 3000 (also works mint) for it, but she said no. I am not surprised its probably 1-2 years newer than mine. Other than my over 6 year old original battery in my 3000 the system is still fast and rock solid as ever. Even the lid opens and closes properly with no slack.
 
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