X230 poor construction quality --> still bit the bullet

[mattdocs12345]

Alright so I've been looking for ~$600 laptop with IPS display and a trackpoint. My top choices were thinkpad twist and X230. I decided to go with x230 despite a poor review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HrBqtUtvUI
I really hope that the guy on youtube got a lemon and that not every x230 is like that, especially the unsteady hinges issue.

[ZaZ]

I would describe my X220i, which is basically the same as the X230 save for the keyboard, as good as any ThinkPad I've used.

[mattdocs12345]

Good to know. I can always return it so thats why I decided to take the risk. From my previous experiences thinkpads have been often hit and miss with built quality. My first thinkpad had bazel problem, second one was perfect, third one had terrible keyboard flex, fourth one was perfect. Hopefully this one will at least not have hinge issues that were described. That's the only thing that bothers me a lot, especially when Im on a plane or in a car. This unit is refurbished so Im hoping for the best.

[ZaZ]

Well, since this would be the first time I've heard of any hinge issue with the X220 or X230, I wouldn't sweat the small stuff. The most likely outcome by a wide margin is it'll be perfectly fine.

[mattdocs12345]

Thanks for your advice ZaZ. The thinkpad came in today and of course its built quality is superb. The guy on youtube got a lemon.

[Cigarguy]

Thanks for your advice ZaZ. The thinkpad came in today and of course its built quality is superb. The guy on youtube got a lemon.

The guy on youtube "may" have gotten a lemon or the lemon is the guy on youtube. Unless you know the history of said product, it's like judging a book by its cover. Unless of course there's a trend or pattern of failure, such as BSOD on early Sandforce 22XX SSDs, or T61's generation of Nvidia GPU failures (which affected everybody), etc. One single failure, from an unknown source, from one particular machine a pattern do not make.

[mattdocs12345]

The guy on youtube "may" have gotten a lemon or the lemon is the guy on youtube. Unless you know the history of said product, it's like judging a book by its cover. Unless of course there's a trend or pattern of failure, such as BSOD on early Sandforce 22XX SSDs, or T61's generation of Nvidia GPU failures (which affected everybody), etc. One single failure, from an unknown source, from one particular machine a pattern do not make.

The guy in you tube had more of quality control rather than hardware issues. Also some but not all of his complainnts were quite picky. I too am very picky so thats why i was reluctant.

[Khavvie]

I'm soon to purchase one from the Outlet, but I'm uncertain if most of them will have flaws like what 8AxeProductions8 said. Should I just be lucky?

[PRAGUEGUY]

I bought one, and I am delighted...one of the best I ever had. Superb form factor just fantastic to put on airport tray in front of you. Superb ips display.

[ackkk]

This is my first and last lenovo. I've heard so many positive reviews about the build quality of this computer, and decided to take the plunge. Boy has it been a nightmare. The cheap plastic casing for the computer flexes and cracks to the point that portions of your computer chip off. After only 8 months of using this computer, i've had both my screen bezel corners chipped off, as well as areas where screen touches the palmrest chip off. Apparently there is so much flex in the monitor that when you close the screen for transport, the screen actually smashes into the palmrest causing the cheap plastic to crack. The rubber cushions do nothing because there is so much flex. I travel a lot for business, I don't think I'm overly rough on the computer. I have it in a thick case logic sleeve stored well in a computer bag.

I've lived with it thinking maybe it gets bumped a lot through xray machines, but recently, I've started getting vertical lines on my screen telling me the IPS screen is failing. It flickers every time I adjust the screen on the hinge. Either something is wrong with the hinge, or connectors inside the screen are not attached correctly. I have one month left in my warranty and I am seriously considering extending it because this is the first computer i've had that has literally been falling apart.

I came from a eeepc 1000HA that i've used for over 5+ years and it is still going strong . I decided to upgrade to the x230 because I needed a faster processor. But so far it has more damage than my old 1000HA. There are some serious design problems and the plastic Lenovo chose for its new X series is way too cheap.