The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
← Previous pageNext page →

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

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by Rhodan, Jun 19, 2010.

  1. ACHlLLES

    ACHlLLES Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    303
    Messages:
    2,199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    M1330 also had the key's touching the screen issue. If that's the only problem, it can easily be solved with some soft cloth you can put on your keyboard when you close the lid.

    I can somewhat understand why the tech support insisted fixing mine though.

    If you have uneven hinge, it will probably pressure one of the hinge more than than the other, and lead to a crack very easily. I was willing to wait until it did, but whatever.
     
  2. Rhodan

    Rhodan NBR Expert of Nothing

    Reputations:
    374
    Messages:
    1,222
    Likes Received:
    102
    Trophy Points:
    81
    The M1330 and M1530 had a different hinge system than what's on the M11x. My M1530 never showed any hinges weakness/defect whatsoever and a few friend who have the M1330 never had any problems.
     
  3. ACHlLLES

    ACHlLLES Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    303
    Messages:
    2,199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Yes, but the fact the keyboard looped upwards and touched the screen was well known issue.
     
  4. hikarate

    hikarate Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    7
    Messages:
    260
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Well this is terrible! I just paid for mine and I'm having buyer's remorse :(

    This has got to be fixed soon, right? I mean this netbook cost me 1500 dollars with taxes and import...
     
  5. Noah14

    Noah14 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    73
    Messages:
    620
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Don't worry. While it may seem that this hinge issue is a major flaw, it isn't. You see only the people with hinge problems actually post here. Those without hinge issues of course don't say anything. In reality, this hinge issue does not necessarily effect every M11x. Anyways, if you do get an M11x with a bad hinge, just call up tech support.
     
  6. ACHlLLES

    ACHlLLES Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    303
    Messages:
    2,199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Do what I did. Warranty until 2015 lol.
     
  7. Noah14

    Noah14 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    73
    Messages:
    620
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Isn't that a bit of overkill? I mean a three year warranty would do well enough...
     
  8. looking4pftnb

    looking4pftnb Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    249
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31

    Wait until you get yours. I will guarantee that your left hinge will have a bigger gap than your right one. Then you will be part of this thread.
     
  9. ACHlLLES

    ACHlLLES Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    303
    Messages:
    2,199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    My M1330 had 3yr warranty, and it was recently replaced w/ M11x. I had to extend the warranty since it only had about 60days left, and only reasonable pricing I could get was the 5yrs for about 500 dollars. Other offers were much less bang for the buck. For example, they were asking close to 200 dollars for 1 yr.
     
  10. Noah14

    Noah14 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    73
    Messages:
    620
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Oh wow, I guess that was a smart move.
     
  11. ACHlLLES

    ACHlLLES Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    303
    Messages:
    2,199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    You are right though. When you buy any Dell, get the 3 yr warranty minimum.

    I was just suprised that let me have 5yrs extention on a replacement, and took it while the price was better than other offers.
     
  12. Xalgon

    Xalgon Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    134
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Techs on the phone say it is flawed. On site technician said the hinge design is flawed. People here say the hinge design is flawed. My machine is further proof the hinge design is flawed. What more do you want?
     
  13. Noah14

    Noah14 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    73
    Messages:
    620
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Ok ok ok...my bad. I was a bit rash with my statement.
     
  14. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    7,395
    Messages:
    7,964
    Likes Received:
    25
    Trophy Points:
    206
    After discussing this with Rhodan (thread OP), I have removed the poll options for 'satisfied with system' and 'no hinge issues'. I know there are some who are not seeing any contact between the screen and keyboard and/or do not have any perceivable hinge issue - there are posts which reflect this. If this is the case, vote with one of the 'no-contact' options.

    As it stands now, just looking over the thread post responses I see three basic issues -

    1. Your screen is contacting the keyboard which is resulting in oily residue transferring from the keys to the display E2E cover.

    2. Your hinges have an uneven gap between the left and the right hinge and the hinge cover piece

    3. Your hinge cover is not snapping properly into place as shown by some of the pictures members have posted in this thread.

    Due to thread age, I see no reason to change (again) the poll questions. At Rhodan's request I have restored the original questions. We shall leave it at that.

    For those of you who are satisfied and are not seeing any of these issues, feel free to post and discuss as well. The AW forum here on NBR is your sounding board :) - just because you do not see an issue with your system, does not mean you are not welcome to post here.

    Hope this clarifies things. If not, send me a PM.
     
  15. 1201NFTW

    1201NFTW Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    54
    Messages:
    419
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    it looks like the ratio of good-to-bad hinge alignment is better with the r2 than the r1. granted this is definitely not a statistically valid sample. i wonder if anyone who works with dell or alienware can chime in as to whether or not the system was altered in anyway for the r2.
     
  16. tassadar898

    tassadar898 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    101
    Messages:
    592
    Likes Received:
    24
    Trophy Points:
    31
    All of these hinge issues and keys touching the screen stuff... maybe its not the hinge but the keyboard that is slightly raised and causing the keys to touch the screen? If I look at it from the side I notice my keys are slightly raised above the chasis. Does everyone else have this issue, if so do your keys touch the LCD?
     
  17. Barryheh

    Barryheh Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    sticks up around the wasdf area. and they touch the lcd.

    side note: why has my discharge rate shot up from 13000-16000 all the way to 17000-20000 mW.... I haven't changed anything at all D:
     
  18. miXwui

    miXwui Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    109
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Mine stick up in that area too. I noticed that the wasdf area has a lot more flex than everywhere else on the keyboard. I think the 335m should be somewhere beneath those keys too, so maybe heat is warping it? Idk, but I do know it's the left side of the laptop that gets hot and not the right side. Or maybe alienware raised it because they knew wsad gets a lot more presses with gamers? They do have the alienware symbols on the keys afterall.

    Try pushing down on wsadf and then ijkl; area, you'll notice the first has more flex. Weird indeed.
     
  19. ampLitude

    ampLitude Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    104
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30

    Out of the box mine was like that, it's a milimeter or so higher, but still very noticable, kind of strange.

    tassadar898 Brings up a very very good point as maybe it's the keys that are warped and not the lcd? It would make alot of sense if this was true as the keys seem to have just as much of a flaw as the hinges do.
     
  20. slickie88

    slickie88 Master of Puppets

    Reputations:
    973
    Messages:
    2,566
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    56
    My keys are raised in the same area and were that way out of the box.
     
  21. Aumakua

    Aumakua Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I think mine are the same, keys are raised a bit, although my screen shows more "key marks" than just those keys, it goes all the way across in some areas, for now I am just using the insert sheet as another posted said they are doing and its doing the trick, but that will only a last a few months before it needs to be tossed and its a pain in the to have that with you at all times.

    I have a feeling its the 335M under that part of the keyboard and its fit isn't the greatest, instead of changing the chassis with the R2 they just left it, just like my Dell U2711 screen and other people's as well is a fraction of an inch off on tilt, but Dell says this is acceptable and won't exchange it! Guess their "quality control standards" are pretty loose...
     
  22. miXwui

    miXwui Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    109
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    31
    The problem with this theory is that the keys have always been like that since the R1 as far as I know. But yeah, the 335m IS on the left side, wonder if someone can open up their R2 and see what's preventing the left side of the keyboard from fully being flush :p
     
  23. looking4pftnb

    looking4pftnb Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    249
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Well today i was in BBY to get something and checked ou MBP, which also has E2e SCreen. I actually did the paper test with a receipt of my purchase (LOL) for the kicks and i was able to slide the paper in and out freely. I also closed/opened the lid and tested the hinges for any flex/uneven gap.

    Conclusion: MBP does not have any of the problems that m11x has despite they both have same screen design (E2E)

    I wonder why AW would purposely design their laptop so that keyboard touches the screen
     
  24. GNandGS

    GNandGS Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    69
    Messages:
    1,247
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    56
    There are mounting posts for the KB that are probably not directly under the keys you are referring to. The "stiff" keys probably have the posts directly underneath.

    Make sure you dont have any screws loose.
     
  25. slickie88

    slickie88 Master of Puppets

    Reputations:
    973
    Messages:
    2,566
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Early versions of the unibody MBP did have problems with keys touching the screen. I've got one to prove it. :) Google "macbook pro keys screen oil scratches" and you'll see that it's been an issue throughout their lineup for some time.
     
  26. looking4pftnb

    looking4pftnb Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    249
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Ha yea googled per your comment and found out that a few had such problem, but their replacement units were perfect.
     
  27. tears

    tears Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    512
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You guys just have a messed up keyboard. The CPU/GPU is mounted facing DOWN, like the fan is, so that theory is impossible. Besides the metal wristpad (yes it's metal) has a tray to mount the keyboard, so its possible that a screw that was too long was used to secure the keyboard.
     
  28. hikarate

    hikarate Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    7
    Messages:
    260
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Well, according to the poll this issue affects 70% of users?

    I agree keys touching the screen is bad, but I'm really worried about the hinge issue. I ordered my M11x a few days ago, I hope by now the problem has been corrected since Alienware should be aware of it.
     
  29. tears

    tears Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    512
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Its a hit or miss. My original hinge was fine (but the keyboard scratched the screen), but my replacement clicks at the hinge. Go figure.
     
  30. Neil McRae

    Neil McRae Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    57
    Messages:
    428
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    ok so on my old R1 I removed the keyboard to look for a place to install wwan aerial. when I put it back it looked fine but there are two click in points at the extreme edges of the keyboard round about the tab key and enter key. if these aren't clipped I. the keyboard will arch at either end and touch the screen.
     
  31. Neil McRae

    Neil McRae Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    57
    Messages:
    428
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    just for the record vie had 2 machines no hinge problem
     
  32. slickie88

    slickie88 Master of Puppets

    Reputations:
    973
    Messages:
    2,566
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Thanks for that bit of info. I'll be checking for this on mine this weekend.
     
  33. Erkk

    Erkk Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I've had an R2 for a couple of days now and I just realized that the screen is touching the keyboard. Opening it today, towards the bottom of the screen was a grid of little square marks.

    I don't think there are any hinge issues and the keybaord looks flush so I guess it's fine. I'll probably just get dell's anti-glare screen protector and disregard the issue for a while.
     
  34. LingJ

    LingJ Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    8
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    An update on my hinge problem. A tech was supposed to come yesterday but never showed up so I called the # provided and there's a parts delay -_-. The person then forwarded me to another line with an extension and the extension didn't work.. So now I have to wait for the parts to deliver so a tech can fix my hinge.
     
  35. slickie88

    slickie88 Master of Puppets

    Reputations:
    973
    Messages:
    2,566
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Parts delay? Hmm...
     
  36. ACHlLLES

    ACHlLLES Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    303
    Messages:
    2,199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Tech actually came by to replace the LCD. He installed something wrong and now the bezel doesnt properly click to the bottom housing because of the LCD wires being out of place inside the bezel.

    Customer rep offered to replace the system but I just asked him to fix it AGAIN.
     
  37. looking4pftnb

    looking4pftnb Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    249
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    lol. good luck. Everyone would agree that a machine that costs over a grand should work right out of the box.
     
  38. ACHlLLES

    ACHlLLES Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    303
    Messages:
    2,199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    When you get the LCD panel replaced, make sure the tech doesn't twist the wifi wire that goes through the hinge. If it's twisted, the bezel will not lock properly, leading to a gap at the back of the hinge where it closes.

    I corrected the situation myself, and it's PITA!!
     
  39. looking4pftnb

    looking4pftnb Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    249
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Here's to 10K views. More views, the merrier for the future m11 buyers
     
  40. Rhodan

    Rhodan NBR Expert of Nothing

    Reputations:
    374
    Messages:
    1,222
    Likes Received:
    102
    Trophy Points:
    81
    We have ~70% of the respondents reporting their screen it touching the keyboard. The other 30% reports their screen is not touching the keyboard.

    We all know that when a screen is in contact with the keyboard bad things can happen ranging from smudges on the screen to actual scratches.

    Brian, the current Dell Rep., has commented that the screen touching the keyboard is normal.

    So here some questions for Dell...

    Which is normal, the keyboard touching the screen or the keyboard not touching the screen? Are they both normal? Why are we seeing such a range in screen keyboard spacing from one unit to another?
     
  41. ACHlLLES

    ACHlLLES Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    303
    Messages:
    2,199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
  42. Rhodan

    Rhodan NBR Expert of Nothing

    Reputations:
    374
    Messages:
    1,222
    Likes Received:
    102
    Trophy Points:
    81
    Really? Did the M11x ship a special screen protector? Is there anything in the manual? What when your screen get's scratched? Still a non issue? Did you vote?

    The problem is we get used to accepting mediocre products and it just goes downhill... This is a top of the line 11" notebook, it should be built that way.
     
  43. slickie88

    slickie88 Master of Puppets

    Reputations:
    973
    Messages:
    2,566
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Why is it that people are assuming that keys contacting the screen is the root cause as opposed to badly designed components that involve mounting the LCD assembly into plastic and/or possibly sitting too low along the hinge edge? What evidence has anyone produced that these two issues are related?

    My WEASD keys do touch my screen. That area of my keyboard is very springy compared to the solidity of the rest of the keyboard. I honestly don't feel there is any way that this contact is producing stress on the hinge mount. I can slowly close my lid and watch for any signs that the lid or hinge is in any way lifting up or otherwise being interfered with as a result. It's not. Likewise I can grip the lid along the front edge while it's closed and observe nothing along the hinge that indicates that the keys or anything else is acting as a fulcrum and stressing the hinge. Opening and closing the lid easily puts more stress on the hinge.

    If I've missed something (perhaps in the M15x hinge threads) that's tied key contact to hinge failure then let me know. Otherwise I really think the attempt to link them isn't very well founded.
     
  44. hikarate

    hikarate Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    7
    Messages:
    260
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I agree, while key contact with screen seems like an issue with design, this thread is supposed to be about the hinges, but at some point it got changed to keys+screen.

    I'm worried about the hinges mostly, but I suppose only a small percentage of people are experiencing that problem?
     
  45. Rhodan

    Rhodan NBR Expert of Nothing

    Reputations:
    374
    Messages:
    1,222
    Likes Received:
    102
    Trophy Points:
    81
    I beg to differ, this thread was started about the screen keyboard contact and was later changed by a mod to be the hinge thread. Go read the first post...

    try this... Close your lid, do you see the gap between your lid and wristpad? Pressure on that area will close the gap which will strain on the hinges, even more so since the tiny rubber pads on each side of the keyboard act as levers.
     
  46. slickie88

    slickie88 Master of Puppets

    Reputations:
    973
    Messages:
    2,566
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Yes, there's a gap as there should be due to the rubber bumpers. When I squeeze my lid along the front edge the lid itself is bending ever so slightly at the point were the bumpers are - NOT where the keys make contact with my screen.

    Again I'm seeing zero indication that this is stressing the two hinge points in any meaningful way. I can however put my finger right at the hinge and gently start to close the lid, my finger acting as a fulcrum, and see the seams on each hinge start to open up as a result. You can observe this same level of seam opening by simply opening and closing the lid.

    Again, key contact isn't the stressor. At least not on my laptop.
     
  47. looking4pftnb

    looking4pftnb Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    249
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    c'mon guys. let's admit that m11's build quality sucks. I do like its performance tho. seriously, if dell did it right the first time (or in this case, second time with R2), none of us will be on right now wasting our time talking about the build quality when we could be talking about how awesome this machine is.
     
  48. slickie88

    slickie88 Master of Puppets

    Reputations:
    973
    Messages:
    2,566
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I'm not sure I'd characterize the the M11x's build quality as "sucks". It's actually pretty rugged with the mag chassis. The plastic they've used is a cut above what you usually see in the vast majority of laptops these days. Fit and finish isn't bad at all. the hinge is the only question mark I have. I just disagree that the keys have any bearing on that.
     
  49. ACHlLLES

    ACHlLLES Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    303
    Messages:
    2,199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Did your LCD get scratched? I'm not saying the build quality is a top notch, but I have to say for a 1k laptop, the power, and build quality is there. I guess I got used to buying Dell products, and I don't expect a perfect out of this world buying a laptop that's not even 2-3k.

    For the record, there were many ppl who bought M1330 when it started at around 1600 bucks (LED option alone was 120 btw, and I paid about 2.5k for mine), and had identical thread like this. Did it fix the problem? Hell no. I wasn't saying you should buy a shaggymac, but there are easy way to solve this problem was what I was saying. No need to get mad at forum members here.
     
  50. ACHlLLES

    ACHlLLES Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    303
    Messages:
    2,199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Here's what happened to my poor M11x after the LCD repair.

    The tech messed up the wifi wires inside the hinge and every time I closed the LCD, the back of the hinge popped up. I had to pretty much open up the whole thing, take off the LCD, and reroute the wifi line myself.

    The most PITA part was taking off the palmrest.

    http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd319/ACHlLLES/IMAG0069-1.jpg
     
← Previous pageNext page →