Disappointed with T510- Possible to get full refund?

Upon unboxing my T510, I found that there was no HD display port, only an analog output. There isn't anything else wrong with the laptop itself, but seeing how it has a pretty powerful graphics card, I had assumed that there'd be a DVI or HDMI port. The product summary did not list the specifics of the system (ie. 3 USB slots, 1 VGA port, etc.) and I think that is an error on Lenovo's part. Though it is true that I didn't search for any reviews on this laptop series, I am extremely disappointed with this laptop and I feel that Lenovo has just gone far below my expectations.
That being said, I would still like to have a Lenovo laptop and am willing to wait for something better than this, but is it possible to have a full refund?

 

welcome to the forum!

unfortunately if you decided to return it then you would have to pay the 15% restocking fee since the fault isn't on Lenovo.   tech specs are posted on the site in various locations, namely in a tab in the middle and at the bottom of the page you visited while configuring your system online.

http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/PDFs/ThinkPad_T410_T510_Datasheet.html

the T510 has onboard DisplayPort but not HDMI.   for HDMI you'll need to purchase a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter.   given that, it would be silly to return the system since HDMI can be adapted quite easily.

for the record, DisplayPort is a superior technology to both DVI and HDMI and can be adapted to either one.

 

Like erik points out, there's a DisplayPort. It does everything hdmi can apart from pass audio. If you need audio you can get a $15-20 usb audio card that'll work just as well.

It'd be a pity to return the laptop over this.

 

They list it has a Displayport on the website, under tech specs (where they have all the specs). If having HDMI built in is your deal breaker then you should do more research first, like looking into reviews (like on this site) and looking at what is listed under specs. Regardless, a) there is a Displayport, which is digital, and b)you can use Displayport to output to HDMI. If you want to return it then it has to be within 30 days of purchase, like all other electronics. But please, do some research before you buy.

 

As the machine does in fact have a DVI port, and your need of digital display output is provided for, are you really still wanting to return it?

 

Incorrect. Display port does pass audio. DisplayPort - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Not (yet) in Thinkpads it doesn't.

 

Thanks for the quick replies.

I'll look into the DisplayPort as I wasn't aware it was a digital output.

I guess I won't be able to return this even if I were to pay the 15% restocking fee because from the time I got the invoice for my purchase, it took over a week to get past customs and to my house (US to CA. Even HK to CA was faster.). Then only about a week after when I had finally gotten the laptop set up did I realize this problem. Well, since there is a workaround, I'll stick with this, but I doubt I'm going to stay committed with Lenovo laptops.

The video wasn't the only deal breaker, but rather the price. A friend of mine had bought an ASUS laptop a week after mine for a far cheaper price (he had a lesser discounted amount as well) and the specs were all slightly better, along with back light! Though I'm still most likely going to stick with Lenovo mainly because of their computer's quiet operation, but for its price and intended use, there should be more compatibility with other commonly found electronics. Found similar problems with a Macbook

The description says I have 4 USB ports, but I only have 3 (unless if the eSATA or firewire is counted as one)

So... lesson learned. I need to look at reviews and tech specs, along with the product summary, before deciding.

 

err... on the contrary, it's in the specs.   X201 and T/W 410/510 users have been successful with it using the correct adapter (which is crucial in one's success).

here's a recent thread about it:
T410/T510 DisplayPort features audio!! - lenovo community

 

the audio is only disabled in Displayport in the last Thinkpad iterations, namely W500, T500, R500 and W700. The current Thinkpad generation all have audio passthrough.

Also, HDMI port used in laptops can only support WUXGA resolution, whereas DP in Thinkpads can support 30 inch WQXGA resolution. Given that Dell's 27 inch U2711 are so cheap nowadays, there are more and more people whom would need resolution above the WUXGA offered on the HDMI port (although later version HDMI does support higher resolution, but they are rarely used).

Lastly, a DP can easily be converted to a HDMI with a 20 dollars converter (you probably can find cheaper one), it is not such a big deal.

 

Just ordered a converter. Hopefully after I cleanup some pre-installed ware this laptop can go on par with the one I mentioned above. Graphics got a 5.0 on the windows index, not as powerful as a graphics card as I had first thought.

On that note, thanks for all the help I've received from everyone. Hopefully a representative notices and Lenovo steps it up and match prices with competing brands.

 

The NVIDIA Quadro NVS3100m is a decent business class GPU. If you wanted a score of 6.4, then the W510 and the NVIDIA Quadro FX880M should have been your choice.

As for the comment about 4 USB ports, you have them. The eSATA port is a combo port.

 

eSATA port is dual use port, it function as either a USB or eSATA port. So in fact you do have 4 usb ports.

But it is clear from what you are posting that you have lot that you don't know about computers.

You are comparing Lenovo Thinkpad with ASUS laptops on price? Maybe you should just compare Thinkpad to the Acer netbooks....

I think you should read up on your purchase before you commit your money to it, especially if you know very little about computers.

HDMI ports will probably become Betamax.. since Displayport offers similar feature with no fees charged to the manufacturer for using them.

 

QFT.

OP: There is no grounds for complaining. If anyone is at fault it is really yourself. I suggest you do some more research on specs, features, selling points and most importantly understand what ThinkPads are about.

Based on your reasoning and preferences, you should be buying a mainstream laptop like an Acer or Asus laptop - not a ThinkPad, except perhaps the ThinkPad Edge which is not a true ThinkPad anyway.

ThinkPads like the T510 are made with the professional user in mind with high build quality, excellent keyboards, ruggedness and reliability in mind. If you are to compare, you should compare with i.e. HP Elitebooks.

 

My T410 does pass Audio via Displayport!

 

Honestly, you're going to pick on someone with three posts? We were all noobs at some point.

 

sorry i shouldn't target newbies.....

 

No need to be sorry. Just making sure everyone's on the same page about treating everyone with respect. One shouldn't pick on anyone, regardless of the number of posts they have.

 

A little off-topic, but I'd like to share a true story. When my friend first introduced me to computers, when I really got exposed to them in a big way, back in 1998, he sat me down in front of the computer and asked if I could find the any key. I searched and searched and couldn't find it, after which he got a good laugh and explained to me there really wasn't one.
Later that year I built my first computer. Since that point I've come such a long way, that I could easily be considered an advanced user.
The point is, we all have to start somewhere.

 

With no disrespect, you're comparing apples and oranges.

Lenovo's ThinkPads are business laptops. Their build quality, like other business class laptops (read: Dell Latitude, HP Business Notebook) is higher than consumer grade laptops. And, when compared to other business-grade laptops, they come out equal or less in price.

While ASUS makes some nice laptops, most of their laptops are not business grade. The ones that are are within ThinkPad price range. It looks to me like you're comparing consumer-grade laptop prices with the price of a more expensive business-grade laptop, a common mistake among new notebook buyers.

 

Since my post got deleted, why don't we just lock this thread at this point? Seems rather pointless.

 

The point being no one comes out of the womb knowing everything. At some point in your life someone probably helped you along the way. Had they treated you in a snarky or superior manner, you probably wouldn't have liked it either. Do unto others brother or sister, as the case may be. Someone with three posts may not know how to do their homework. Now, you can look at that as an opportunity to help some one or a chance to act in a patronizing manner, which will reveal something about the person you are.