A love story about a ThinkPad, how Lenovo broke my heart, and why I still want a W520 anyway

Question

It started as a nigh-impulse purchase at a used computer shop a decade past.  It was a gorgeous, pristine, matte-black (as they all were), geekolicious square of a thing.  Initially, I regretted it ... Realizing that it was not an absolutely necessary purchase, something just not absolutely necessary for my requirements.
But, then it grew on me.
The unthinkably strong hinges tightly gripping an absolutely unwavering LCD panel.  The professional aura of a svelte,  all-black, no-nonsense computing device.  The you-could-drive-your-car-over-it-and-it-would-stil​l-work build quality.  The excellent TrackPoint as a shining example of how all the other laptop makers were wrong to use a touch pad.  And most importantly: the incomparably brilliant, full-size, no-compromises, properly-laid-out keyboard.
Alas, the time came when I was to part with my new love, and I believe it found a good home.  I haven't heard back, but I would place the highest of wagers that it is still running today, quality product that it was.
A few years later, I would purchase a new laptop, but shied away from the recent acquisition by Lenovo, I cowardly purchased a model from Hewlett Packard.  Though it has been mostly good to me (and the similarly full-size keyboard has held it's own), nothing could hold a candle to the original, beautiful ThinkPad.
And, so it is that it has now come time to replace this laptop.  But, oh, ThinkPad, how you've changed.  No longer am I able to find a truly fantastic keyboard, but Lenovo has fallen prey to temptation of the chiclet key, deceit of cost savings and vicious monster of a careless key layout.
Ahem...
Hopefully, now, I've entertained you sufficiently to warrant a response to query of mine.  I want to buy a W520.  Obviously, I can't buy it direct from Lenovo (I would if I could), so I will be scouring eBay and any other sources I can find.  My questions are:
1) I am in Canada.  If I purchase a US model ThinkPad, am I still covered by the international warranty?  Will I still receive service from within Canada?
2) If I purchased a used model, is the remainder of the warranty transferable from the previous owner?
(ps.: No amount of Jedi hand-waving will convince me to buy a new model with that travesty of a keyboard.  A layout as similar as possible to a full desktop keyboard is absolutely paramount to day-long programmers and typists like myself)
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Answer 1

Geekabunga,
Welcome to Lenovo Community!
Oh well, your post caught my eyes I"m glad that you still choose ThinkPad. Thank you!!
In regard to your question, warranty service of a machine is actually based on the machine type (i.e. 7660). Check out this international warranty services page by inserting the machine type of the ThinkPad that you are interested.  Should you see Canada in the country list, you're safe as the list means those countries are able to get service.
Your second question is about transfer of warranty ownership. Well, service centre or call centre see only the machine serial number to determine the claim of warranty. Therefore, purchase a thinkpad from another person does not need registration with your name as long as the warranty status in this support page shows your machine warranty is still valid. You just need to enter the machine serial number +  machine type model in order to view the status.
Make sure you check these out before making a purchase.
Hope this helps, and welcome back!
Best regards,
Cleo
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