Dell no more: Inspiron monitor hinge goes bad (+ other problems)

Has anyone's hinges for their monitor go out on them, leaving their monitor swinging like a screen door in a wind storm?

It happened to me, and frankly, it was the last straw. I have to put a pile of books behind the laptop while I type with it at the kitchen table, because the screen will otherwise flop down hard on the table!

I've had a series of other problems as well. The touchpad mouse goes nuts and the pointer flies all around the screen. I've had to re-install an additional mouse several times as well. The battery now requires constant charging, and the laptop will not last longer than 5 minutes without a cord attached to it. I've also had to replace the AC adaptor, the motherboard, the CD drive, and the keyboard. Keep in mind that this is only 2 years old.

Dell's service hasn't been too bad, but let's face it... It's not great.

After my trials with this machine, I've learned that it is best to get a quality machine with a great service policy. I've decided to go with an IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad T series laptop, with the 3yr onsite service warranty. It is a sweet looking machine with tons of perks to it, and I'm really excited to be getting away from dell.

Sorry if this offends any of the loyal dell fans out there. I was once with you. :buyIBM:

 

Sad thing is Dell used be one of the best. I was working on a old Inspiron with a PII not too long ago, the screen was rock solid.

 

What model inspiron was it? if it was 1000 or 2200 no wonder

 

Dell still is the best, not sure about the service anymore. Sure there are better built machines out there like the IBMs but you pay twice as much; and IBM designs are among the uglies IMO.

Sure Dell can design you a tank for a notebook that the hinges would last 10 years and also cost you $6456.92 dollars, but does that make sense when notebooks, on average, will become obsolete in 2 to 3 years.

Their hinges on Lattitude line is rock solid since it is built for business abuse and Inspiron has improved in recent years.

I paid about $989.65 (with coupons and other deals) for a 9300 1.6Mhz, 256 GeForce GO card, 60 megs 7200 and DVD burner, 2 years warranty, and free next day shipping, $50 coupon because it took 2 days longer to build. Dell also gave me a free printer. Now, if these hinges go bad after 2 years, it is OK by me. I'll just buy another awesome Dell notebook that 10 times better the one I have right now

Can you get this kind of hardware at IBM for the same price?

So who's your daddy? Dell that's who!

 

We'll just have to agree who's daddy is whose after you first drop that dell, and you find that dell won't help you out.

The model we bought was a Dell Inspiron, and I think that it was a 4000-series model. All I remember is that it was around the 1300-1500 dollar range.

 

how old was your notebook?

 

2.5 years.

 

i c. i had an inspiron 2100 (their 12" ultraportable from about 5 years ago)... about 3 years after i got it, the hinges started getting soft... they didn't give out, but they did get soft, the screen still was stable on its own. the girl i was dating at the time had a toshiba that had the same problem as you, she had to stack books behind the screen to keep it from flopping over.

 

Well, if you drop your laptop, Dell shouldn't have to help you out.

Just priced an IBM laptop for fun, forgot which model, that is about the same as my 9300 (no 9800 video card or 7200 HD) and it costs $2198.56. The hinges look great and probably will last 7 years no problem. Great laptop, very well made.

Well, let see $2198.56 for IBM and Dell 9300 for $989.65 with 9800 video card and 7200 HD, I think I will stick with Dell for awhile and take my chances on the hinges

No disrespect intended; just a friendly debate

Dell is still my daddy

 

I have had about 8 Dell Laptops in the last 7 years, I have not had any problems with the hinges. I have had 2 Sony's, 1 had a hinge problem. I have had 2 Toshiba Techras one had a hinge problem. I have had 2 panasonic tough books, no problems and 3 IBMs no problems.

I have been happy with my mix of Inspirons and Latitudes, my current noteboook situation is a 9300 and 600m. No problems, I had a 2650 before that. I can not beat the price on the deals, I replace laptops about every year. and my Dell's have done well in the short and long term.

 

Well, to prevent problems, you could have opted for a longer warranty, accident protection plans, etc.