Here We Go Again - M11XR1 Hinge #2

Hey guys - Need your advice. I want to love this little guy, but as I noted on the forums just a few days ago Dell was GREAT about fixing my hinge with a new LCD on a Scratch and Dent unit within 1 business day at my house ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/514148-anyone-received-dell-outlet-refurb-m11x.html)

Literally just days after that replacement (less than 10) I just heard my hinge make a weird noise. I felt the hinge and its weak and looks to be splitting apart, vs the one on the right which appears fine.

do I do now? The right bottom light is dim which I could have them look at, and I still don't have the right AC Adapter I guess I could roll all into another service call? Who is to say this won't happen again in a month?

Or do I roll up to an R2 (Love my battery life today), as I've heard this has been addressed?

 

Definitely get them back out there. 3 service calls and you get a new one.

Though don't upgrade to r2 thinking that the issue was addressed, it definitely wasn't. The hinge issue is ongoing, and will likely remain that way.

 

Call them again and have them replace the LCD assembly. Keep having them replace it while it's under warranty or if you'd really rather not have to worry about what might happen in the future then persue a full refund before your window for that closes.

Sounds like they also need to replace the palm rest in order to fix the lower right light.

 

e - That's the problem. I already got a new LCD during the last repair.

Possible they installed it wrong or the heat just randomly blows these up?

If that is true I either need to extend the warranty or dump it on day 364

 

Oh - Velgauder were you referring to getting an entirely new unit after the 3rd Service Call?

 

You may have gotten a "new" LCD assembly already, but it's clearly defective. It's still covered under warranty so have them replace it again. It is very abnormal for the plastic in the LCD shell go on you in days. Typically it takes months. Might be that the tech over-tightened during assembly. Or it could be that the unit was a refurbished part that already had months of use. You'll never really know.

Whether or not you feel giving money to Dell for an extended warranty is a question you have to figure out on your own.

 

Yeah, according to the warranty, after 3 service calls you are entitled to a new unit

 

Not sure where you got that information from, but it's not a new unit. Replacement systems could be refurb or new, depending on what Dell have in stock.

 

All I've read so far are people generally being happy with their "new" unit. Many seem to get back systems with better screens... or 1 stick of 4gigs ram instead of 2 sticks 2 gigs, some people have even said the systems they receive in return even perform better than the original. I'm sure you've read all the same posts I have.

 

Yep, figured as much. Misspoke when referring to replacement

 

Achilles is correct. They could easily be refurbished replacements.

 

At this point, I would take it if it is in the same condition and doesn't get a cracked hinge immediately.

 

I'm on my second hinge, and the left one is already creaking/clicking when i open and close it.

Meanwhile, my wife's is fine (bought at the same time). Only difference in machines is she has the silver one, i have black.

Anyone had a silver one break yet?

 

Interesting, I'd like to hear if Silver is fine as well. Maybe different materials? I could live with Silver

 

You mean lunar shadow vs space black? The internals are the same, its just that the cover is different.

And BTW, the "lunar shadow" starts to peel off from the corners after 4-5 months. Just FYI.

 

My lunar hinges were fine, then I got the screen replaced because the screen was coming out of the housing. Now the hinge pops when opened and the opposite corner of the screen is coming out now! They shall be getting another call from me. Joy.

 

Discussion of the hinge issue is here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...creen-touching-keyboard-discussion-r1-r2.html