- Average user rating:
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
1.0 stars
"Do Not Buy This Product"
Pros: Price maybe?
Cons: WIFI - Pre-installed CRAP
Summary: I recently was asked to check out a Lenovo 3000 C200. The family was setting up a Netgear router and wanted to be able to surf the net downstairs on the Lenovo. Simple, right?
After almost 3 hours of trying to get the Lenovo to connect to the Netgear router I decided to call tech support.
I was able to connect the family's HP laptop to the Netgear router, within the first 20 minutes. The Lenovo came with a TON of CRAP pre-installed. They also use their own software to use the wifi. I was able to see the netgear router, but i was unable to connect to it.
Tech support was HORRIBLE. The IVR system put me through like 10 different menu options and then i was re-directed three times. I finally spoke to someone in the "wireless" department. I explained, in great detail, my exact problem. He responded with "um, I don't really know, their are a lot of manufacturers and companies, its hard to say". I was almost lost for words for a minute... I answer "what?". He continued, "I really have no idea. Try updating the bios, that fixes most problems." I answered "fine". I still have no idea what he was talking about companies and manufacturers, he had all the information about the specific model and my serial number.
I connect via ethernet and updated the bios. It didnt fix it. I called back.
This time (again after several redirects and menu options) I spoke to another guy. This is what he told me:
"I'm just going to tell you straight up, the wifi doesn't work in these machines. Even it does work, they aren't staying connected for more than an hour. So far we know that 75% of the machines have this issue. We will be working on a driver to try to fix the problem, but to be honest, who knows when this will happen. There are multiple companies involved and they would all need to get together and have a powwow."
I really wasn't sure how to respond at that point, so I just said "ok" and hung up.
I really wish I would have known this before I wasted 2 hours trying everything I could. I also updated the wifi drivers on their website, it did nothing.
Just a heads up, hopefully this will help someone. The Lenovo was an xmas gift and I believe they are still able to return it.
Justin
- 2 replies to this review
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Not doubting your intimations that the laptop in question is crappy, but I know for a fact that Netgear products are pure crap. I had several truly stupid experiences with a Netgear router, before I bought a D-link unit that installed in minutes. Go figure...
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my experience was similiar.
wifi would not work using encryption. computer would not connect.
at the same internet cafe, manager turned off encryption temporarily and computer had no difficulty connecting without encryption.
so computer does not connect to encrypted wifi source at the internet cafe with correct encryption code.
also it would not connect to my home wifi with encryption.
so this is pretty good evidence that there is a problem with wifi.
whether or not it would work reliably with extensive consumer debugging of the wifi software, I don't know. I don't have the time to debug new computers.
based on other consumer comments, this is a chronic problem right now with this computer laptop.
