M11x Hinge/Screen touching Keyboard Discussion (R1 & R2)

Perhaps, but the uneven gap are worrying :/
It's a sign of the hinge is going to break apart isn't it .

 

I don't think that uneven gaps are necessarily a precursor to hinge problems. Now if you're having alignment issues when the lid closed - where lid doesn't contact both bumpers evenly or something along those lines - that's another matter.

 

Yup, that's exactly what I'm talking about, the lid doesn't lie on the rubber evenly :/

 

Oh yeah, mine is (or was) the same. I believe that is normal... or maybe a better word to use is: typical. For m11x. The main sign of hinges going off on mine is that the little plastic cylinders started to move as I would open up the screen. The rotation axis moved. (If that makes it more clear.)

 

Hmm, I see. Well..two weeks of frequent usage..still looking good. Let see how far can this R1 go. It's the reason why I bought this m11xR1 anyway. lol.

 

3 weeks? That's gotta be a new record.

So your laptop lasted 3 weeks, then you got a refurbished one. Nice.

edit: Refurbished from a color you didn't originally order...

 

If the lid isn't closing properly - resting on the rubber bumpers equally - then that's a defect and you need to call Dell to have them fix it. Others here have had that fixed under warranty. Take pictures of it before you call and tell them that you can provide those as proof of the defect.

 

Hi guys, an update on my hinge situation.

Someone from Dell came over today and fixed my hinge. Basically he replaced the entire monitor segment of m11x with a new one.

I'm satisfied with the new monitor because not only does it fix the broken hinge issue, the "ALIENWARE" logo shines brighter than the old one that I have.

But I'm not sure if the hinge is gonna last long. So far it's been okay as I am extra gentle when opening or closing the lid. But the problem may crop up again in few months as this hinge problem is chronic among the m11x model. I certainly hope not.

Oh and @Xalgon
Congrats for getting the m15x as replacement for ur m11x. Barring the increase in weight, I think it's a good deal. Now u can play games like GTAIV and BlackOps without lag!! I can only hope Dell over here in Singapore is that generous.

 

My R1 hinge started getting loose and creaky ~5 months after purchase. It is now at the point where the plastic comes apart (though i can snap it back together) so it is time i call dell to get it serviced.

My question is, has dell actually come up with a proper fix or will the repair/replacement eventually give out as well. If that is the case i will have look into getting my warrenty extended (Is that even an option?).

Thanks

 

Dell hasn't released a fix for the problem. They've "officially announced" that they('ve) know(n) about the issue and are (now) properly addressing it with the proper teams at AW Galactic HQ and whenever there's something new to pass on their customers they will do so.

Yes, you can extend your warranty. Owners of the M11x don't have any idea how/if Dell plans to address hinge failures and that makes it difficult for us to make a smart decision about whether or not to extend warranties. If you feel you'd like to do so then I'd encourage you to look into 3rd parties as well. A number of owners here have gone with Square Trade, feeling that the lower cost and the coverage offered was an overall better deal than going with Dell's offering.

 

I only have slight screen contact with the keyboard and the lid is misaligned when shut by less than half a millimeter. I don't know what's riskier, keeping the current one or getting it fixed.
The hinge gaps are not the same either, the right one is larger, reflecting the total lid misalignment

 

Hm yeah that sounds fishy. I'd call it a yellow alert. If you could post a pic, it would probably clear it up.

 

Anyone notice if the right or left hinge fails first?

After playing some Civilization 5, my m11x got rather hot, and I noticed the exhaust vent is right below the hinge. I wonder if this constant heat/cool effect speeds up the problem.

 

While there have been more reports of left hinge failures (based on my loosely keeping track of reports here), there have been enough reports of right only and both simultaneously that I'd venture to say that failure probably isn't impacted by heat. Heat would only be able to get to the plastic two ways; either by conduction through metal hinge components or from the exhaust heating up the lower portion of the lid.

It's out to be fairly easy to test the first theory. Run Prime95 (max heat/power settings) with ThrottleStop on the high performance power plan along with something that's going to stress the GPU such as 3dmark06 in a loop. That will produce more heat that what you'd have during a gaming session.

I just did this test for 30 minutes (6 successive 3dmark runs) with the bezel above the keyboard removed so that I could touch test the exposed the hinges. Max core temp reached a fiery 81C and GPU topped out at a toasty 66C. The hinge was barely warmer than body temperature.

As for the second scenario of exhaust being a factor, the left side of the lid is cool to the touch. I would think that the heat required to do that from the exhaust would sooner blemish or mar the soft touch finish.

 

Oh, ok, it was just a theory, but as you say it's probably not a factor.

 

i did notice that it is usually the left hinge that gives way first.

could it be that more pressure is exerted on the left side of the screen during opening and closing since most users use their left hand to open the screen?

 

We'd have to do some sort of study, but honestly I don't remember which side cracked first for me. I'd have to check my photos.

 

YouTube - ANOTHER Alienware M11x hinge problem!!

 

God, just seeing all the hinge problems make me regret ordering my m11x yesterday.

 

You just got hinged. Mine looked exactly the same when the tech came in. Time for another screen.

 

Hi, I have multiple problems with my m11x R2.
First, I realized that left hinge of is lower than the right hinge, they are not properly aligned and so the screen is inclined.
Second, when I unplugged the AC adapter, in power saver mode, with alien fx and all other background programs are closed, it shows 3 hrs 46 min of battery, I think it isn't normal since in the battery life thread people usually got more than 5 hours of battery. Also in most of the reviews I read that it is more than 5 hours.
Finally, yesterday space key came off from the keyboard and I saw that the retainer clip that holds it, is broken.

I still have about 3 years of warranty.
What should I do in this case? Did anyone face with problems like these?
Thank you very much.

 

Not sure I'm clear on what it is you're describing about you hinges. Post a photo here.

The other issues should probably be asked about in a different thread.

 

My left hinge just died on me real bad. The hinge itself is cracked open, the screen body has cracks from the extreme tension. Calling support tomorrow, I hope they're nice about this stuff in Norway.

EDIT: R1, btw. Also damn, I didn't capitalise the first letter in my nick. What a shame ><

 

Should be fine as long as u r covered by warranty. Being in Norway shouldnt really make a difference. That's the beauty of globalization. =)

Just make sure Dell support doesnt try to rip u off by saying that the hinge failure is an issue of "normal wear and tear" and hence not covered by warranty.

 

I'm still wondering when Dell will be making official announcements in regarding to Alienware m11x hinge problems. It is very unfortunate that Dell Hong Kong clearly is not aware of these hinge issues. I wonder how long I will have to wait for flawless hinge design...

 

I have a question, Ive wondered this for a while, I bought the 1 year warranty with mine, say my m11x's hinges mess up half way into my warranty, and they fully replace the computer, does the replacement computer get a fully year of warranty, or only the half that my old had left?

Also can you buy longer warranty later on, say a few months down the road?

 

No, warranty period will not start over with a replacement.

Yes, you can extend your warranty prior to it ending. See this link for additional information:

Dell - Dell Services Store - Public Sector

Important Note : Extension applies only to warranty and service terms still in effect. If your warranty and service term has expired, you are not eligible for this extension. For out of warranty assistance click here

 

Awesome, thanks for the help, that might come in handy if they don't fix the hinge problems soon.

 

but i've been interested in purchasing this mini beast, but the hinge issue is such an issue and im dying to know if they will release a better one very soon.
Should I wait till they come up with a solution, or should i just buy it now, considering Black Friday is right around the corner?

I am aware that they have addressed this problem publicly, and I even contacted their customer support, so far I've gotten NOTHING useful

 

wait or dont wait, only you can make that decision.

 

an honest opinion would be greatly appreciated

 

Here's my honest opinion. Get it now for the best deal you can find and enjoy the cr*p out of it. The hinges will be taken care of under warranty (even on-site warranty for most folks) if they go at all, and you'll be gaming the whole time. I've seen a lot of PC laptops come and go and this one is one of the best I've seen in a while with actual decent specs, features, support & warranty.

 

going to agree with flanders here. Just enjoy the heck out of the m11x. It's a great laptop and quite unique in the marketplace. fwiw, my r1 has not developed a hinge problem as of yet.

 

It's safe to say that the majority of M11x owners haven't had problems with their hinges and a good percentage of those possibly never will. As time goes on the number of failures could either remain constant or accelerate - it depends on where the source of the problem lies and the fact is that info isn't going to surface.

What people should be taking from the reported failures here is that the the potential for it to happen to anyone is real and that it is being fixed under warranty. The question is whether or not Dell views this as a defect and handles it accordingly. Other companies have handled that by fixing those defects outside of warranty.

 

thanks guys. my interest has never faded, its just this hinge thing has become hysteria for me in my decision to buy it lol.

i want to buy it, and will thanks dudes

 

Yeah I guess most of us buying the m11x since the last 4 months have gone through the same mind torture... should I buy or not???

I think I don't take much risk in saying that most of us that did buy it are very happy with it and don't regret it... for instance I'm more than happy with it (and my hinges have never shown any sign of problem btw... we'll see ::crossfingers:

 

Yeah i agree.

Initially, I wanted to buy macbook pro 13" but i switched to M11x and never looked back.

Where I come from, Alienware is a relatively "underground" brand. Not many people know about it and buy it. Some do know the brand, though, and they will be all over it.

There is something nice in going about your everyday business in your university carrying a decently powerful laptop that is completely unique (possibly the only unit in the entire school). Of course, I spiced things up a bit by buying Razer Orochi. I think M11x & Orochi are a match made in heaven

I think the correct term to use if you own an M11x is probably "bragging rights".

 

wow, i was thinking about getting that mouse too

and that mouse pad by the same company, so i can use it to separate the screen from the keyboard

 

Ugh. Don't get the Razer Orochi.

There are better choices out there.

 

can you post some alternatives

with the same price range or lower please

 

Yes keen on hearing some alternatives to this too. Maybe a little off topic, but if we say we're after the ideal M11x mouse companion...

 

Waaaay off-topic. There are tons of threads where people have dished out lots of opinions on mice for the M11x already.

 

Add me to the list of defective hinges. Had the m11xR2 i7 since August 2010, and now the screen wobbles, and I notice the right hinge is looking pretty loose. This certainly is a defect, since the laptop has not been dropped, or used aggressively in any way, it mostly just sits on a desk. I understand Alienware has acknowledged this problem recently, and I hope Alienware comes up with a solution very soon.

 

Sorry for being a little off-topic but what kind of permanent fix do you think Dell will provide?
Are they going to provide free servicing/replacement parts to every M11x owner?
Or are they just going to improve the design flaw in subsequent generations of M11x, effectively forcing people to purchase new M11x if they want the proper fixed hinges?

 

That's the million dollar question that everyone has been asking. Unfortunately Dell is dragging their feet on this issue.

 

Well if all things are fair and practical, they should figure out a way to reinforce whatever is causing the problem. Many have said it's the weak plastic that the hinge is attached to, is the problem. If that's the case, they need to reinforce that part with stronger material.

Once they do that, they should offer to repair/replace that monitor/hinge part, with the fixed version, for free for anyone with an m11x. Subsequently, any newer m11xs will be manufactured with the fix.

Of course this is all speculation.

 

I personally think that is exactlly what they will do.
Or they could say if your hinge needs to be replaced it will be replaced with the new one.
I'm not letting the hinge thing bother me no point it just takes the fun out my new computer ... I will worry about it if it happens ... and even then the warranty will cover it.

 

Doing it this way would allow them to pressure their supplier(s) to improve the parts and then still act as though a resolution imposed some hardship on them and what a great favor they did for all owners blahblahblah

 

Well they just dropped the price down to $599, wonder if these will have the hing problem? I would like to get one, but with all the talk of hing problems I may have to wait until Dell releases some official info on this problem.

 

I just checked with my guy in Vegas and he's saying it's 1000 to 1 that we're not going to hear anything until after the holiday buying season passes and then it'll be lukewarm news at best.

/cynicism