The "Why you shouldn't buy the M15x" thread [OUTDATED] [FIRST GEN MODEL]

Will be interesting as time goes on to see if the sc breaks as well Maybe it is more a flaw in the plastic than it is a flaw in the whole hinge design.

 

We have reached the 20 reported cases here at NBR. The list of pictures is vast and certainly looks like a horror movie.

We can only hope that this "small" collection of incidents will make things change... It would be good, for instance, to have AW admiting to this serious failure and to clear out whether or not something has been done to correct this issue.

Power to the user...

 

I think by then, they would have already come out with a new 15.4" notebook that does not have this issue.

 

They will never admit such failure, since it is design flaw and ends in recall.

Also i don´t think ALL m15x have this problem. I would say only those with massive/strange creaking on opening / closing MAY end with such a problem.

 

Yes, I believe AzaInRex and I had a nice long argument about what they're most likely going to do about this issue.

If they were to admit that this issue exists on the m15x, it would be long after they've phased it out with a new line of 15.4" notebooks.

 

I've had my m15x since June and I've had no hinge problems yet. The lid does creak when I open it - it's not extreme but it is there. Is there a fix I can do myself to limit the chances of the hinge breaking?

 

remove the rubber cap thingies around the bezel and screw in the screws beneath a bit tighter. it supposedly helps. you can also try putting gmask around your m15x if you wish.

 

Can tightening those screws put more pressure on the hinge?

I'd liek to use Gmask but can;t find anywhere that offers it in UK

 

not more pressure, but it supposedly holds the lid together better, taking slack out of the hinges and stopping various pieces of plastic from squeekin against each other.

 

Just added some relevant info regarding the hinge to the 1st post. I think this is probably the best piece of information we have had regarding this issue and what is really behind all these problems.

Here it is:

 

****IT. just as i was about to get a steal on an m15x, this thread resurfaced... YOU PUT ME IN LIMBO FOR THE 8th TIME

 

lol this thread has pretty much obliterated most of my enthusiasm of purchasing one of these.... I feel kinda lost because I was dreaming of owning one for months and now i find out about this hinge nightmare... its the exact same thing that happened to my last (dead) laptop, a piecasheet emachines m2352... Kind of surprising that its happening to one of the most expensive and "good" notebooks out there.... Im totally dissapointed but I have still not completely decided against it... I would buy the xps m1530 if it had a GPU like the m15x but it doesnt... I guess I need to look around for an alternative that has a 8800 gtx or 9800 gt... bummer...

 

don't forget, the problems here don't exactly represent the millions of M15x owners. Many will never experience the hinge crack, and remember that's it's only 20 people. Although they do point out problems that everyone will experience such as CPU downclocking, they provide a fix for them. Don't be too discouraged, as the people here had EXTREMELY high expectations for these laptops (and for good reason). But like all advanced technology, there will always be flaws, whether from cutting corner to come out making money, or having to purposely include a defect for a part to function.

 

Given that the m15x only came out for a year or so, I am pretty certain there cannot possibly be "millions" of owners.

To give it a better perspective, in 2006 AW's revenue is USD100M, with an average of USD3,000 per transaction. This comes down to roughly 30,000 computers (notebooks and desktops) sold. If we used this figure and assume notebook sales is half of that and halved again for m15x, that's roughly 7,500 units sold. Even if you assume their sales some how went up 10 folds in the past two years, it is still pretty far for 1 million.

 

Welcome to the forum. Your first post here and u already rocking !! keep up the good work

 

One thing to take into consideration is that a lot of customers simply don't report any problems until the computer is completely falling appart. Out of the 3,000 computers I've seen, there have been 100 people that simply live with the problems. However, an unreported problem is still a problem.

Gabe

 

You cant take unreported problems into the equation at all. First off for all we know ALL the hinge problems could have been reported right here and your just making a issue out of nothing. Of course this extremely improbable. We have no idea how many other problems there are out there. And no way to know.

 

I dont need to have a felling or a statistic table to know that there are more then 20 broken hinges out there in the world

 

The point is there is no accurate way to gauge. This discussion is a dead end.

 

Hi shadedurza,
I don't remember mentioning anything about a hinge issue in my post (asside from the information I provided to Milcs about why the hinges break). In fact, my statement was purely generalized based on my own professional experience. Now whether or not you feel an unreported problem isn't justifiable is simply an opinion. But in my professional opinion, if a computer is broken, it's broken until repaired. I'm not here to win a debate. My statements are nothing more than informative based on my own experiences.

Gabe

 

I was taking the hinge issue as the main problem. But still an unreported problem not being justifiable is an opinion the reason behind the opinion is fact. In generality or specifically you can never say that there are more problems then are reported. However You can say what is reported is a general problem. By that same "what if" logic I could say everyone on this forum is lying and the m15x is perfect in every way. I doesn't work. Not trying to win a debate either but I don't want people to make decisions based on falicies.

 

It is a fact that there are always unreported computer problems. It is a fact that there are many Alienware computers out there that have issues that are unreported. It is also a fact that many users don't mind the issues. To simply state that "nobody knows" undermines the intelligence of the technicians that work on the systems. To make such as statement is also a falsity, as you like to put it.
However, all opinions are valued on this forum, fact or not. It is the costumers responsibility to assess whether or not they are satisfied with the end product.

Gabe

 

Gabe knows what he is talking about. He actually works on computers for a living. An unreported problem is still a problem. For example the macbooks issue where the casing would chip off was a problem, but many people ignored it (I wouldn't have).

P.S - I'm bookmarking this thread so I can link it if someone here has their hinge bust and starts complaining

 

An unproven fact is not a fact at all. It is merely a theory. I say nobody knows meaning nobody knows the extent of the problem and how bad, or not bad, it is. You say yourself that some people just live with it. SOME being undefined. Undefined CAN be no one OR it could be everyone. No one could be living with the problem or everyone could be. This obviously isn't true because people DO report it. The people who do are the only ones we can count. When we count them they become fact. When we count people who haven't reported the problem we count made up statistics based on the facts we have. These facts aren't a large enough random sample however. (thus a falsity) If they were it would be totally different.

If we COULD take a big enough random sample of m15x owners and see what problems they have and which they don't then we could fairly accurately expand on that statistic however far we wish. Getting a larger percent of error for however far we expanded it.

But we can't. sadly the truth is any random sample done so far is too small. With only small amounts of people. With such a small amount of people sampled the margin of possible error we get when we expand this is far too great to simply round it off or average out.

 

anybody remember that guy buzzin that everyone said was crazy when he was spouting off about the hinge design flaw? wow, he was right.

 

Yeah, he warned me too by PM, but my hinge still hasn't broken. I'm still crossing my fingers!

 

The more I see these issues with the hinge breaking, the more I wish I could share my gmask hinge fix with you guys..

 

Regarding the hinge issue with the M15x, what causes it to break? Also when does this problem occur? Is it right away?

 

Yea I remember that guy. I think some people were bashing him but he was right. There definitely is some sort or design flaw with the M15x that causes this issue. While it might not be on all of them it is definitely there.

 

cause: no defined answer...some say heat, others say design flaw.
when: some have never had this issues, others have.
right away: for some maybe, for others it took some time.

 

Originally Posted by GabeZ
... After my m15x was repaired for the third time, the hinge issue surfaced, and I was determined to look at it myself. As it turns out, Alienware computers are almost built on the same principles as Dells. You simply remove the bumpers, pull out the screws, and stretch the frame in a an outward motion until the clips release. Based on what I saw, the hinges, LCD support, and alignment is exactly the same as a Dell. The only difference is the quality of plastic. It's not the hinge that breaks. It's the plastic that breaks away from the hinge.
If you know anything about how an LCD screen is designed, there's actually 4 parts. There's the top plastic, the plastic frame, the LCD screen, and the hinge set (usually bolted to the top plastics and the LCD screen). What is simply happening with the m15x is that the the top plastics and frame plastics are rubbing together as it's opened and closed. Now this isn't the a moderate rub. As you flex the screen back and forth, the top plastics and frame plastics rub in opposite directions, causing the plastic around the hinges to weaken. This is basicly the same principle as bending a paper clip back and fort till it breaks. The plastic shards that fall out are what is left of the plastic that the hinges were bolted to. The only way to resolve the issue is to loosen the hinge bolts or use better plastic for the LCD. Ultimately, loosening the hinge bolts will only delay the plastic breaking.


And there are 24 reported problems now.

 

**** al this hing breaking is stressing me out. Ive had mine since April and it looks fine to me so far, no issues other than the creaking and some wobble. The hinge isn't bulging at any point so should be OK for now.
What I want to know is if the people with the broken hinge open/close the lid a lot and carry it around in their hand, supporting it under the hinge ? Colud lead to quicker weakening of an already flimsy hinge. I hardly ever move mine, maybe once or twice a week at the most.

 

I think if you keep taking care of it, you'll be all right. I haven't had mine as long as yours but mine is in perfect working order as well.

 

I think if you dont open and close it right after gaming you might be fine. Only reason i say that is because out of all the pics ive seen...all but 2 were on the right side where the GPU fan blows hot air. I dunno i might be wrong.

 

OK guys time for me to join the unhappy queue.....

I got my m15x in July 08 and only last week spotted a 'cracking' feature.

Heres my email content I've sent to Alienware:

"I have discovered 3 issues with my Alienware m15x Laptop.

The laptop lid/screen has started cracking on the silver on the left handside of the laptop. The crack started to be very small on the edge of the lid, top left (photo's attached) and has started to spread to the top of the lid, the lid/screen has also started creaking when the laptop is open and closed. I feel a new lid/cover is needed aswell as solving why it cracked/gave way in the first place.



The second issue is to do with the lighting, this laptop has the FX lighting installed. The ALIENWARE logo on the laptop screen lights up and has started to bleed a red colour hue (as attached, noticable red). The backgound to the logo should be black, not starting to bleed a red colour through it, it's as though it hasn't been sprayed correctly to shut out ambient back-lighting. This has got worse over time and I believe is due to heat.



The third issue is with the arrow keys in the lower right hand side of the keyboard. When pressing these keys the whole laptop keyboard dips down into the laptop chassis. It's as though the keys do not have sufficient support underneath them to support the keyboard itself. When pressing the arrow keys the whole keyboard physically dips down about a centimetre into the chassis."

The point of this post is not to 'put' people off buying this laptop, because, excusing these issues it's a capable machine BUT build quality, cost/value for money it doesn't live up to expectations.

I'll post back what Alienware say, I feel a request for refund which will be a major pity.........

 

My lappy now has a hinge cracking! I purchased my laptop in Feb.

It is not completely broken yet, but will most likely require a warranty repair in the very near future.

I guess it is a good thing that I upgraded my warranty to three years. *sigh*

Any news on if the newer m15x's and this problem?

 

it's good to see this thread still up, but the muppets still buy the m15x though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muppet_(slang)

 

People that has m15x says their hinge is so great then suddenly complain about their hinges should not get warranty from AW as a punishment for taking the Mickey out of the real people that has been burnt by the "HINGE PROBLEM".

The m15x has crappy plastic period and for the price you are paying AW should be ashamed of themselves for trying to capitalize on profit with cheap plastic parts.

AW shouldn't even use plastic for the premium price they are charging us with, they should replace the plastic with the aluminum unibody like the Macbook pro has.

The hinges will break no matter what - cheap and weak parts coupled with poor engineering forsight as well as wear and tear will get you no matter how much you baby it or take care of it.

 

The worse thing about these muppets they boasts and take the mickey out of people that has been burnt with the hinges breaking apart by saying "awww my hinge is so good".

To add insult to injuries they even have the audacity to complain about their own hinge after it broke here on this cool thread.


I think as a punishment they shouldn't get warranty from AW.

He kept insulting us with "IF YOU TAKE CARE OF IT IT WOULD BE ALRIGHT"? Ummm I hope his hinges break in 10 million pieces and AW laughs at him and tell him "NO you cant have warranty because it's wear and tear problem" !!!

That would make my day.

 

24 reported problems does not condone ALL M15X's ARE GOING TO BREAK. Jumping to that conclusion gives you no credit in any logical person's eyes. You sir have just lost all respect. I hope this is just a rant and you are not serious.

 

Oh dear, I was hoping that my Alienware experience was going to be one of OOOHH and AHHH including good quality compoents, latest technologies and excellent customer care.

Unforunately I was wrong. After speaking to a rep today they are suggesting that they only give refunds if my complaint/fault is within the first 14 days od ownership...........

Pardon me but I am sure that UK statutory rights gives you the right to return for refund if the Product is not 'fit for purpose'.

I don't think I'm being unreasonable in asking for a refund (wouldn't even mind a handling charge) when after 6 months the laptop has already experienced 3 quite serious design faults.

I've spent nearly £3K on a top spec 8800GTX, extra drives, blu-ray writer maxed the memory, 3 year warranty etc..... only for it to develop serious issues after 6 months of very, very light ownership.......

Has anyone else had an issue regarding refunds, looking at milcs post at the top it states they advised him of a refund....?????

Any help or advice appreciated guys!
I'm disappointed really, I was hoping to post about how happy I am with the product, boast about my 3dmarks and all that stuff Instead I'm venting my frustration, so apologies.....

In actual fact I feel I am the Muppet for buying........

 

6 months is a long time to be asking for a refund. That's like purchasing a car, driving it for 6 months, and then asking for a refund because the AC stopped working or something. Stuff like this depreciates over time and I don't think anyone would be happy to buy it back for the original purchase price.

If I were you, I would just be asking for a replacement at this point.

 

3 problems in 6 months.
Heck, YOU ARE entitled to a refund, that thing is on the verge of becoming a lemon..
That or getting a replacement.

 

Updated the 1st post. There are now 30 reported cases...

Several people kept insisting about a "new chassis", and "improved design", etc, etc... Well, amongst the several reported problems, several have received their M15x in June-July. Obviously, the problems will take more time to resurface on these units, but I'm convinced that soon we will see many more reporting the same issue.

@Toejedi- I think that your best bet now is to keep sending it back. I was given a refund but I was under 30 days of purchase. More, I guess that I so strongly fought AW and what I consider being a criminal act (the release of the M15x), that they refused to fix my M15x and just gave me my money back (with interests on top). Censorship... The kind of things we thought were burried in the past, but in fact are still well present nowadays.

Good luck to everyone and, if I missed anyone's case, let me know and I will add you ASAP.

Keep smilling,
M.

 

You can add mine too, milcs http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=324013

 

Done. How did I miss you??? I was reading your thread and everyone else reporting the same problem and forgot the OP. Oh well...
We now have 31 reported cases. Probably just random problems...

 

I know you gonna hate this but AW is right why should they give you a refund you have had it for 6 months.

If a business lets you return everything because you don't like it anymore those business would go broke and they wont be there to help others beside you.

I appreciate you had problems with it but .... fair is fair

But yyeah you got the right to ask for a refund but it does not necessarily mean you are going to get it.
Fair Dinkum Mate !!!

 

Milc you probably wanna update my detail as i didn't go ahead with the m17x i cancelled the order to get Alienware Desktop instead.

in place of the m15x i went a head and bought the Macbook Pro next generation unibody which Alienware should have used instead of those plastic not so fanstastic.

By the way the link to my thread on your posts is in correct thanks mate.

 

You can add mine too, milcs http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7176/cracktc9.jpg the some topic like crystak http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=324013

 

Done. I've been missing quite a few lately. But then again, I think it does not really adds to the point that I believe, has been made: The m15x has a very serious design flaw which seriously increases the risk of having your m15x's hinge breaking eventually.

Keep smilling everyone