IBM T41: Palm Rest Squeaking problem

[sdaccord01]

Hi, I just received my brand new IBM T41, and I love the build quality, mostly the top magnesium cover, but the thing is that my palm rest is squeaking everytime i type and it seems like the majority of the squeaking is coming from the black plastic to the side of the buttons closest to the keys. Has anyone else had this problem? I would hate to spend this much money and get something with a build quality not up to par. My old powerbook that I sold was very solidly made. Please let me know T41/T40 owners.

 

[sdaccord01]

Hi, sorry to bring this topic back again but I've decided to keep my T41 over the 15" powerbook that I was going to get. I am unfortunately still getting creaks every now and then, when i rest my palm on the palm rest while typing. Also, it seems like the battery is very slightly loose that causes some noise as well. It also seems like my trackpad when I press down on it a little it creaks as well. I really expected more from IBM which is supposed to be the most solid notebook in the industry. The only thing that seems truly durable in the unit is the magnesium alloy cover for the LCD screen which is very nice and rigid. Am I the only person who is experiencing a slight deteriorating in build quality in the T41? I tried switching palm rests as I ordered one from IBM and still it does the same thing. It also seems like it does it more after the computer has warmed up a little bit. I know this doesn't have to do anything with the performance of the notebook, but i just find it annoying that when plopping $1900 on a notebook that the build quality doesn't seem up to par.

 

[Scr4tch]

I concur. I just started another thread tonight regarding a build issue on a t41. While I haven't experienced a creaky wrist rest, my LCD half of the chassis appears to have a moderate curvature between the hinges where it attaches to the base, as if the hinges are a tiny bit too close together and pushing the chassis outward. Does yours?

Looking at the website, it looks like I will have to scramble to get this back to them since they need to send me a return authorization form, and I've already had it two weeks. yikes. in all other respects though, this is the nicest computer i have EVER used.

 

[sdaccord01]

Hi, by the way, I sold my T41 on ebay and I ended up getting a nice HP ZT3000 Laptop. True, it is 1.5 lbs heavier, but gosh, I really couldn't stand the squeaking palm rest problem I had. Pay $1800+ and get that kind of quality is no excuse at all. I've never noticed anything on the LCD, but it seemed like everything but the surrounding areas of the keyboard was pretty well built. I originally started with a Powerbook G4 12" but couldn't use it usefully in my engineering applications that I needed to use so I got the IBM T41. True, IBM in general are built like tanks but look at the bottom and the surrounding areas of the keyboard compared to an apple. I wished apples can run windows a little bit better than what Virtual PC does, because Apple's design seems like it's one piece where the laptop doesn't look like it's assembled by parts (for instance, IBM's palm rest is a piece, the surrounding areas is a piece, the bottom of the laptop doesn't look as clean as an apple) But then again, I have to use a windows PC, and I liked the widescreen idea so I got this laptop:

HP ZT3000
15.4" WUXGA Screen (1920 x 1200)
40gb hard drive (gonna upgrade to the 7200 rpm hitachi)
256mb ram (gonna get a 512 mb ram upgrade)
64MB Radeon 9200 Video Card
Intel Wireless b/g/bluetooth
2 year warranty

all for $1620 after CA taxes, 5% academic discount, 10% off code, and I also get a 100 rebate on top of that, so I'm pretty happy. Haven't gotten the laptop yet but I'm looking forward to it. If it doesn't work out, I have 30 days to return it. Good luck with your T41, seems like most people are happy with theirs, and I was before, but everytime I typed (even after having them replace my palm rest), the palm rest just creaked too much which is not acceptable. Maybe for a $700 laptop, but not an IBM for sure.

 

[Abhi]

IBM 's built qualty seems to be declining... sad...

 

[Pandaren]

As the machines get thinner, the tolerences on the parts fitting properly go down, and even slight misfits cause problems

Originally posted by: Abhi
IBM 's built qualty seems to be declining... sad...

 

[Abhi]

dp

 

[Abhi]

Pandaren.... I agree with what u r saying..... but ... its an IBM!! Creaks and squeaks in a Dell are expected.... but not in an IBM. Quality is what they are all about....

 

[arsbanned]

My Dell 1100 which I paid $699 for doesn't squeak? You guys are silly with this IBM obsession. Spend as little as possible and upgrade yearly, is my philosophy.

 

[sdaccord01]

Originally posted by: Abhi
Pandaren.... I agree with what u r saying..... but ... its an IBM!! Creaks and squeaks in a Dell are expected.... but not in an IBM. Quality is what they are all about....

Yeah, don't forget that apple powerbooks are 1" thick and are super sturdy.

 

[sdaccord01]

I would probably have gotten a dell, if first, they weren't so thick for widescreens (HP's zt3000 is only 1.3"). Thing also with dell nowadays is that the warranty service that you get is for a 2 week repair service whereas HP's you can get a 4 day service call. I have a Compaq Evo N600c also, with a business warranty and I can vouch for Compaq/HP to say that their service is pretty good. I had a problem with my laptop shutting off unexpectedly and they replaced the motherboard and has been working perfect ever since. I gave the laptop to my girlfriend but it seems like HP/Compaq laptops aren't that bad after all. Besides, both IBM and HP/Compaq as well as many other places are made in China, so you really don't lose too much in quality. Even the Evo N600c didn't have any creaks or anything, it was really solid with a magnesium composite lcd cover. I think one of the most important things in a laptop is having something that's made of metal like aluminum or magnesium on the lcd panel. By the way, the active hard drive shock protection system on the T41 i had did not work that great at all. The hard drive kept on making weird clicking noises every time i barely move the laptop. The one thing that is truly great about IBM's that sets it apart is the keyboard, but oh wells, hopefully IBM can improve on the next model.

 

[shoman94]

I've had my t41 for over a month now and have not experience any issues what so ever. No creeks, sqeaks, bends, curves, cracks, nothing. 100 times better then my Toshiba which I had to send back for repair on the case 3 times.....kept cracking....I was scared to take it from home ...so I didn't and it still cracked. O well......IBM is top notch in my book.

 

[oaaltone]

No squeeks or other problems here (T41, 2373-3HU)...

 

[Scr4tch]

yeah, either i'm being anal about my curved t41 chassis which is entirely possible, or its a minor manufacuring anomaly. i'm not stressing about it, i just packed it up and they scheduled someone to come pick it up tomorrow. seriously, its an incredible computer, and i'm really excited to get a new one back.

i would expect though, a future model will have some sort of visor over the night light (which is a rad feature). pretty cool notebook

 

[Abhi]

Originally posted by: sdaccord01
I would probably have gotten a dell, if first, they weren't so thick for widescreens (HP's zt3000 is only 1.3"). .

Dell widescreen notebooks(8600/8500) are 1.4 inches .....