LCD Screen issues? Accidental damage or design flaws?

I want to start by saying i'm open to the possibility of falling into the "irate customer" mold here. But at the moment I am extremely disappointed with dell and alienware.

Abnout two weeks after I got my m11xR2 I took it out of my bag and found a small crack in the screen opposite the alienhead logo on the back. I did not drop it, the bag had a textbook on it that was probably laying on the netbook on the screen.

Anyway the crack has turned into a massive black scar; dell says it was my fault and the cost to replace the screen is $320.

Now it's very possible they're right; but i've owned laptops for 10 years now and i've never had a cracked screen like this. The fact that it happened right over the alienware logo and the insanely short time frame lead me to believe that the design must be flawed in someway.

Am I just being a stubborn idiot by acting so incredulous? Is there an alternative to paying for dell to replace it? The manager at the service center insisted there was no part number and I couldnt get it fixed anywhere else.

Also has anyone else ran into this issue?

 

I do not believe we have ever heard of this happening before.
We have heard some screens cracking here and there, but typically they are just the defective ones. For in any given situation, there typically a few laptops that just have horrible build quality, though Dell/Alienware typically gives out a new one for free...

EDIT: I should read more carefully
You mentioned how the book was on it....I think that is it D:
Jeez, now I'm kinda scared, as I pretty much do the same thing....

 

So the outer shell of the lid is ok and the screen is all that is cracked? That seems really odd. I wouldn't think there's that much give in the lid to allow the amount of force necessary for that sort of damage - alienhead or not. I would have thought that this type of crack would really only be possible if something, like a pen were on the inside when the lid was closed. Does the alienhead look like it was pushed in at all?

As for whether or not it should be covered, I'd say only if you had the accidental policy.

 

yeah the alienhead is waaaaaay pushed in

was it an outie (to use bellybutton terminology) originally, because mine is now an innie by a millimeter

 

If you're up to taking the screen apart, there are a ton of listings for replacement lcds for the m11x on ebay for like $75-$85.

I haven't seen your issue before, but thanks for posting it because like Noah I also throw it in a bag with books a lot and really wasn't that careful about it.

 

Can you send me a link to some of those; the local dudes here said they'd do it for 40$ and a pizza if I have the parts

 

did you bother checking ebay


http://cgi.ebay.com/ALIENWARE-M11X-...6-WXGA-HD-/200503069446?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

 

40 bucks and a pizza?
Man, someone likes pizza.

 

It sounds like the $40 is for labor alone because he said "if I have the parts."

 

If the screen was fine to begin with the textbook itself (unless all of its mass was compressed to a microscopic point ) couldn't make such a pressure. Unless you threw all print editions of Encyclopedia Britannica on top of it. I know because I have been using it like that since I got it.

The problem comes out if there is a microscopic crack in the beginning. In that case, it's really easy to expand it further (I'm sure everyone has had the experience of how easy is to continue cracking something once you have the initial crack). I'd guess it was a defective screen to begin with. The top lid picture looks like a pic of a UFO sighting ... can you get a more clear image?

 

Also check if your screen touches your keyboard. If it does, make Dell fix it for free since it shouldn't be able to touch, and that is a huge M11x design flaw. That may not be directly related, but it's a reason you can make them replace your screen for anyways.

 

This kind makes me worry just for the type of buyer I am, I like to keep my stuff I guess , well my laptops. Hmm, I was just thinking the other day after a year warrenty ends on the m11x what happens if I break it some how as I would have it with me all the time. Your best bet is to pick up a cheap screen and install that sucker your self. Here is the teardown video of the m11x, plus here is the screen it self. If you call them you might be able to get some type of rebate or something. Its 99 dollars.

 

keys touching isnt cause for new one... replacement is unlikely to change it as the design is that way.

 

Hate to say it, but it looks like it was damaged by the OP.

 

Update: Bought an LCD off ebay for about $90 if you include shipping; it was easily installed in 15 minutes. Aleinware/Dell wanted to replace the entire assembly for $350.

You gotta peel the cover off and then it's pretty straight forward. (I didn't do it so I don't have details but it looked like I easily could have).

 

That's great news. What panel do you have now? Samsung, AU Optronics, LG, other?

 

looks like a rage punch