Am I alone? Dellware M17x case coming apart

I've had my Alienware since October and last night while catching up on "Mad Men" I noticed that the case is coming apart. Specifically the rear left side is separating from the case, and it has reached the point where I can slide a credit card about a third of the way down the case, without forcing the issue.

Before I call and spend the next three days on hold, I would like to see if anyone else is having this issue, and if so what were Alienware's recommendations/fix/remediation...

Thank You.

 

pics please?

 

When I get home, I'll take and post some. It just looks like the seam is coming apart (not on the "top" (aka LCD), but along the left side).

 

When you post pics I can tell you exactly how to take it apart to fix it or look

 

It could be just some lose screws. If there is one thing that has not gone wrong with the M17X it is the case...

 

I just can't believe that there's something wrong with the chassis?!? I'm very curious what problem this is...

 

Seems like a bit of an over reaction.. A few people have had slightly out of shape chassis, like mm's out of place around the top of the lid etc. It's not like it's going to suddenly lose it's shape and fall to bits. Just have to decide if it's bad enough for you to ask Dell to sort it or not. Pics would be nice!

 

That crack runs down to the caps lock key on the keyboard


Not as good, which is on me, but shows the split from the back.

Thanks for the help!

 

mines having this too on the left side just above the caps lock/numlock leds. doesnt affect anything though.. just makes you feel it might split open but its sturdy so i dont think it would

 

I'm still trying to picture which part of the laptop it is. lol....

 

I don't understand at all which part of the laptop the pic is from.

 

Me neither.......

 

is it even a M17x lol

 

Seriously, it's not... I am looking at mine very closely and there is nothing close to the pic.

Unless he is refering to the previous generation.

 

It's top left of main bit i.e not screen panel of the M17X.. pretty sure it is anyway. From how far you've had to zoom in it looks like a tiny gap. Stop playing with it lol dont make it worse

 

Upper left corner...so I'm guessing that yours isn't doing this then

 

By looking at it. It could be any laptop. So if you can zoom out and show us a picture.

 

top left corner just beside the leds where capslock/numlock lights

 

I got it. Top left corner. Oh it's serious problem

 

Gah, support sucks. First they tried to tell me this was a feature (cooling related). Then they said it was the "hinge problem". Now that I've convinced them that is not the case they aren't sure what to do.

 

LOL - in a sense they might have been "right" the first time.... an undocumented "feature"....

 

It's still not very clear, (I understand it's in the top left corner) could you try to make a picture which is a little less zoomed in? I can imagine a rep doesn't get your problem this way.

Altough it doesn't really seems to be the way it's supposed to be. Guess you still have warrenty?

 

If you understand it's in the top left corner, then you're looking straight at the problem area... there's nothing more to it.

I can't see it being very easy for them to bend the metal back in place, and I don't think it's possible for it to get worse if you leave it alone so perhaps you could ask for some sort of compensation, free gift or something? A lot of argueing and maybe you'll get a replacement unit? (might be optimistic on my part)

 

Mine has the exact same thing on both sides.
I have not said anything as I thought that was just normal from this build as it does not move in or out.

Guess I may need to call dell as well.

D.

 

I have a smaller gap on the left side also. Just figured is was error in the chassis form/stamp.

 

The gap on mine is probably same size as your pic gadgetboi. Doesn't bother me as normal laptop use, even carrying it around shouldn't make it any worse

 

That's by design to allow servicing the system.

 

I do not have on mine .... On the right is a VERY fine slit

 

there's an overall tolerance, i don't have the exact specs in front of me, but if you ever have it serviced, the first thing they do is pop off that bezel. If the fit is too tight, it would be too easy to scratch the bezel during the service.

The anodized aluminum chassis is not easily bent.

 

So after many go arounds with tech support (India), sending them pictures, arguing with them that this in fact a defect and not a feature they agree to dispatch someone for "home warranty service".

I take a day off from work (not a big deal really, my copy of Bioshock 2 for the xBox had been sitting around waiting me to play it anyway), the tech shows up, looks at it and tells me he doesn't have the right part. The tech support guy ordered a silver replacement panel for the bottom assembly of the case. How the tech got silver (or bottom assembly for that matter) from the pictures I sent, I'll never know or understand.

The "at home" tech also pissed me off when he told me this wasn't a big a deal and I should just suck it up and accept it, rather than having him order the correct part and drive back out to my place (I'm about 10 miles from anywhere, and according to him about 40 from where he works).

I'm sorry. I spent six times more on this laptop than I did on my first car (granted I spent six times what I paid for the car in restoring it) and I will not be screwed in quality and craftsmanship after dropping that kind of cash on boutique system.

 

LOL, look at for the inflection part of the laptop, where the keyboard end and the scren start, at the very edge of left or right side

 

Knowing this, I'm a bit relieved. This makes it easier for me not to spend 3000€ on a laptop.

 

I am in the same situation as you (if you are or was planing to get this M17x), but i think those issues are because bad trate, excuse me if not but this is not an high extendet situation (about post in the thread)

 

Please keep in mind that I'm very happy with the system overall. I love my 17X. Its screaming fast, runs every game and video app I have without out a complaint or issue.

Its the treatment of tech support that I'm having an issue with. I understand that there will be manufacturing defects. Heck, stuff happens. I get that.

Its when they can't figure out the issue (despite hours on the phone with them, and many many pictures sent), order the wrong part, and send out a surly rep who doesn't want to fix the problem because its inconvenient to him, that I get enraged.

How hard is it. Understand what the customer is telling you. Verify it is an issue. Order the right part. Fix it.

 

SpecKane is right 100%.
Imperfections will always be present in everything created by human (or any alien) race. Being that picky won't bring you much joy. The system is great in both build quality and performance. If you want a perfect system - go outside and enjoy the mother nature, it's the only perfect system out there.
C'mon.