M14x Left Hinge Problem On IdeaStorm

I know that countless owners of the R1 and 2 M14x have experienced a problem of a broken left hinge. A few threads appeared on Dell's site but never amounted to any changes.
I feel like this IdeaStorm topic simply hasn't been getting enough attention and thought it would be a good idea to post it directly here. Be sure to look at it, comment, and vote so that Dell may change their mind and start fixing this problem in a manner similar to the way they handled the m11x hinges.

Idea Storm

Edit: I did a quick search before creating this thread, I hope that I didn't miss this being posted anywhere. Either way, I feel that it needs the attention and support. Even if you have been fortunate enough to have not experienced this problem, show your support because it can happen to you at any time.

 

Done, did you post on alienwarearena as well?

 

Negative, but I will do that now.

 

we have already escalated this issue several times from the inside and the engineering team came up with this as the official answer.

 

I honestly don't understand how the provided article offers any sort of explanation.

 

Most of the issues that we have received on our depot for this matter and that the engineers got, were caused because the angle was exceeded.

 

Luis, the message from that is just to make sure the screen is either at 90 or 140 degrees and the hinge won't break?

 

That's the only answer that we have gotten so far after several escalations, that the issue is not a defect on the machine. There is no connection between issues and that it might be caused due to the opening angle.

 

So if you use the screen at an angle between 90 and 140 it breaks the hinge but being at either 90 or 140 means it will be fine?

 

I can only hope that I can fix it myself for cheaper than $430...

 

Any angle exceeding 140 degrees will result in a damaged hinge, that's how I read it.

 

Bendak got the point, if you exceed that angle it will harm the PC. The thread in IdeaStorm will be reviewed by our engineers. I just wanted to share what has been the resolution to this by them so far.

 

I was about to order an Alienware M14x R2 yesterday, but after checking a couple of negative reviews on the website I was ordering from, I start googling for M14X hinge problem and it seems that a lot of customers are having this same "left hinge issue".

Now I'm really confuse because I'm not sure if this is a real fabric mistake or the issue is just careless use from some users.

 

I've read so many threads and speaking from experience (I know for a fact that I have been the only person to use my laptop and I have always been very meticulous with it by never letting it get too hot or opening it carefully and constantly maintaining the overall cleanliness of the machine and I certainly have never opened it anywhere near 140 degrees.....) that I am kind of appalled at Dell's service and feedback on the matter. However, seeing as the newer models are out, I don't see them showing any support for this issue on the R1 or R2 models....

 

lionandpsalter,

Considering the amount of users complaining, I'm just not purchasing this lappy.

Just for the sake of information, do you had the same hinge problem?

Regards,

CAD

 

Anybody have a link to a guide on how to access the hinges so they can be fixed? I have searched far and wide and haven't been able to find one, I'm hoping I don't need to remove the entire lcd fixture

 

Yes, I've had this laptop for about a year and a half now and the day it turned a year old, the hinge just snapped... You would probably be much much buying a new R3 or some other laptop...

Blindpoet, I've been searching for a guide to fix them for almost 5 months. I came across a few a while back but I can't find them again.

 

Let's keep looking, I know the keyboard bezel needs to come off which is very easy. Then I think the base plate with the touchpad needs to come off to get to the rest but I'm not sure. I saw a guy on the Dell forum who fixed it himself, will try and get in contact with him.

 

I've got to fix mine, should cost about 100 bucks, but frankly, I think AW should be footing the bill on this. There is no indication in the users manual that says "Don't open past 140 degrees" or anything like that. Normal wear and tear WILL cause this unit to break.

Its sad that AW refuses to spend a few dollars to keep us happy

 

The thing is, it's just too hard to think about it that I can't find any solution for this one especially that I am currently overseas and I'm being turned away for a repair from their support center. And I just have to fix it myself or send it back to the US so it will be fixed for another $400 or more which doubles up the amount of the air freight

 

You can do it yourself. I remember there being hinge kits available cheap on ebay or somewhere.
Mine is getting worse and worse. I used to think it was because of heat issues but my laptop has been repasted and cleaned for a while now.