Crack'd

In late-May of last year, I decided to upgrade my laptops.

For the last few years my Dell Inspiron - and also my Microsoft Surface Pro - have served me well but, in the case of the former, it was just getting too old and slow while my Surface - at six or seven years old - needed a bigger brother that can go.

I love my Microsoft Surface, and its ability to be a regular laptop or tablet, so thought my next laptop would be something along those lines.

The Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 looked perfect. I was able to flip it to watch Netflix films (just like how I watch films whenever I use the Surface) and was also able to move the Flex 5 into a tablet.

With that said, the majority of the time was used using the Flex 5 as a regular laptop.

I ordered it from Currys in the late days of May. It arrived in June.

It lasted until January 28th.

On Saturday morning, I was getting ready for a day of following WWE Royal Rumble betting odds and opened the laptop. I heard a crunching sound. 

I immediately looked at the Flex 5 and noticed that the bottom left of the screen had cracked. Here is Exhibit A, your honour:

What a fine mess, eh?

I closed the laptop up and rang Currys. Fortunately for me, the laptop was still in warranty because I bought it within the last year. Unfortunately for me, the warranty runs out in late-May so - even if it does get repaired - I'll have the worry of this happening yet again hanging over me every time I try to use it.

Bear in mind this is meant to be more than a regular laptop. You are supposed to be able to move the screen further back in order to be able to use it as a laptop.

There is absolutely a design fault with these machines. How do I know this (other than from my own personal experience), I bet you're wondering.

Well, on Sunday morning, I decided to see if other users faced similar issues with their machine. The Lenovo community of users have shared identical issues and there was even an attempt of a class action lawsuit brought to the laptop makers.

I read a couple of people say that Lenovo have refused to fix the machines for free claiming that the problem is 'wear and tear'.

Wear and tear?! I've only used the machine for eight months and rarely ever used it in positions other than as a regular laptop. 

Lenovo is evidently aware of the flaw and is still selling the product. That, as far as I'm concerned, is daylight robbery.

My laptop was picked up for repair yesterday afternoon. I don't know how long it'll take to get back to me. Furthermore, I have no clue as to what condition it will come back to me in. 

I will never buy a Lenovo product again. It should go without saying that I'd never recommend one.