Similar thread about lid closed ( M11x version )

How often do you guys close your lids ( r1 - r2 ) knowing about the hinge problems?

 

Use it as a laptop. Dell have promised to fix any hinge issues anyway so it's no big deal and not everyone has had the issues.

 

Dell will fix it either way. If your LCD assembly is going to break then you want it to break sooner rather than later. Changing your use habits in fear of a failure isn't a great idea.

Use it like you got a pair.

 

I got a compact gaming laptop for a reason, I want to bring it anywhere I want and play games. If I wanted it to sit on a desk lid open I would of built a desktop.

 

any idea how long the repair program will last? I mean my r1 atm is showing no signs of "hinge damage"..

which btw, what are the tell tale signs or the warning signs that the hinge is on its way to the grave?

 

I always had different problems with closing the lid. Firstly, it should cut off the AlienFX lighting that it obscures. Second, closing the lid when set to "do nothing" does something and causes it to hard-lock if you close while entering sleep. Expecting you to leave the lid open when you listen to music or download a file is just silly, so Windows should not default to putting the laptop to sleep when closed (long ago, it didn't do that). Just because "Do Nothing" is not the default setting doesn't mean that they shouldn't test or fix issues that affect people using it. Obviously, when I have no reason to leave it awake, I manually sleep before closing the lid but now I have to wait for it to finish going to sleep before I close it. The r3 doesn't have this issue (not sure about the r2).

 

SWIM wants to call up Dell and ask for a hinge replacement because he FEARS his hinge will break before the program expires ( if it does )

Is SWIM allowed to do that?

 

Hardly ever since my M11x has effectively been my 1 machine for everything including home use. Since that takes up the majority of the working life, I haven't had too many problems with the hinges.

 

I have had mine 7 months and Opening/closing the lid at least 5 times a day... and its just today started to show a little twist on the lid so ill wait a little longer and take it back to service... its free so why not

 

Under what conditions can hinges be replaced ( excluding the obvious broken one )

like:

If theres a bigger gap in the left hinge compared to the right?

 

I know people that have called and just requested them purely because they have noticed it getting loser. They Also sited the thread that the Dell Rep posted on this site.

 

I got mine replaced cause I said it was a little loose. 2 days later I had a new screen.

 

I've had my R1 for a month or two. I called Alienware CS to get a new back door. The rep said if that didn't work I'd have to send it in. In addition to fixing my main problem, they would replace the hinge. I told him I haven't had an issue with the hinge. He insisted that they would replace it anyway. If the hinge has issues outside my 1-year warranty can I get it replaced for free? I wonder if I should just send it in and get it out of the way even though it's fine how it is. I close the lid probably more than 10 times a day, everyday.

Edit: My R1 is a refurbished unit. Bought 5/2011 So maybe there's a chance the hinges are replaced? I'm not sure how to tell.

 

The LCD assembly (hinges as everyone wants to call it) is more than likely the original design. If it were me I'd have them replace them now, especially in light of the fact that it needs other work. Might has well take care of two birds and have some peace of mind about it.

Why is it that they're saying that the notebook needs to be sent off for repairs? Does your warranty include next business day on-site service? If it does then you need to remind them of that and insist that it be handle as such.

 

I don't need to send it in anymore. A Dell technician came and replaced the backdoor. So there's no killing two birds with one stone anymore. I would recall Alienware and be sending it in just for the hinge repair just to get it out of the way. I asked him if having a refurbished unit would omit me from having that issue, but he wasn't sure.

 

What do you mean the original design? I thought that the hinges Dell replaced the R1/R2 with were the R3 hinges and that so far no one has complained about it breaking

 

Sorry. I should have quoted the question I was answering.

 

I'm starting to see a little separation of the round piece between the two outer round pieces. Hope it doesn't bite the dust soon.

 

I want to buy a r1/r2 as i have no need for the power of the r3, i would just do some light portable gaming, so if i bought a new r1 now would they still replace the hinge, if nesecary in a years time? will this hinge replacement programme end? i appreciate no one knows for sure but what are your opinions?

 

I plan on fixing mine myself with epoxy at the first sign of the hinge starting to fail.

I dont want to take a chance at getting a worse LCD panel. the one i have is pretty awesome and i have owned/seen some bad ones and they aint pretty...

 

Do you think its safe to buy one now?

 

I got my R1 about two months ago from the Dell Outlet for $640 shipped. I feel, for that price, the R1 is a steal. I'm loving it. It came with a one year warranty. The hinge breakage is covered under the warranty. I'm not sure if the hinge issue is covered out of warranty though. I would hope it is. I wouldn't hesitate on getting a M11x. It's a fantastic lil machine.

 

Im finding it hard to find a new m11x near that price. and ive read that they will do a one off fix.

 

I probably open and closed my M11X-R2 more than anyone on here. I purposely got an 11 in. laptop just for the purpose of using it class to class and just shoving into my bag. So I used the laptop in every class and had 16 hours of class a week for a year. Then there's the weekends. I was always careful with opening the lid (e.g. not throwing it open but putting my finger under the lid gap then lifting in the center) and it's been almost a year with no problem. The left hinge was slightly closer to the body than the right one but never a problem.

 

I have an Alienware M11x R2 and I've opened and closed the lid probably hundreds of times in the months that I've owned it. I've thrown this laptop into backpacks, duffle bags, set it up in my car... my cat even sleeps on it for warmth when it gets cold.

I've had no problem with the hinges whatsoever. Hopefully it stays that way.

 

My R1 is a certified refurbished unit. I believe all computers on the Dell Outlet are certified refurbished. I don't think there's any difference between a new one and a refurbished one, except the box it comes in. If you want one for around $600, you need to find one used or refurbished.

 

Mine is refurbished and the hinges didn't fail yet. They moved slightly, but none of this busting open hinge enclosure crap. If you don't mind the idea that your m11x isn't brand new, I'd suggest going refurbished all the way. Even if a part fails in your brand new lappy, the part you'll be getting is most likely refurb anyways.

 

And you're covered under a one year warranty (or longer if you have pay for it). So if the hinges do break or something else fails, you can get it replaced for free!