secure the 'lid' on the Vostro 1400?

I took delivery of this machine this past week. The Inspiron I had would snap shut securely (with a small catch) when one closed up/down the lid. But from what I see for this Vostro the screen just closes down flat but no way of securing it. Am I missing something?

 

No, you are not missing anything. It is designed without a latch (like M1330 and smaller notebooks). Don’t’ worry the screen wont accidentally open, there is enough pressure/tension to hold it shut securely when transporting. I’ve been using a M1210 (another latch-less design) for several months now, so far that hasn't been a problem for me; it still works as firm as when I originally bought it, so I guess what ever the technique they use (I'm guessing some sort of a spring-based mechanism) is quite reliable. And much easier to use.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I guess I worry that if I put it edgewise in my brief case, with lots of room around it, the lid will open slightly and if it wasnt shut down it will come on; fan will come on; and with no way to vent the heat it will overheat.

 

Nah. But you shouldn't leave it in sleep if you're carrying it around in a briefcase

Hibernate it or turn it off.

That aside, I have never had mine open up on me randomly.

 

Looking at mine at the front edge when flat I see that the right side of the screen when closed isnt flush with the base

 

there is enough pressure that it keeps the lid closed tightly.
If you want even MORE pressure, you can tighten the bolts on the hinge (by removing the hinge cover). I did that and it's slightly stiffer when opening and there is more pressure when closed.

 

Or.. You can put a big fat rubber band around it lol....