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    Strong power jacks on Chronos laptops?

    Discussion in 'Samsung' started by rpeters83, Jan 23, 2013.

  1. rpeters83

    rpeters83 Notebook Consultant

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    I'm curious if anyone can comment on the durability of the AC jacks on these laptops. I have a dog and two small children and want am hoping that a couple tugs on the cord here and there won't completely damage the laptop jack. I understand they're soldered to the board, and not a separate unit. Thanks.
     
    rpeters83, Jan 23, 2013
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  2. Dannemand

    Dannemand Decidedly Moderate Super Moderator

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    It does seem a bit flimsy on my Z3A. Not that I have seen any damage yet (knock on wood), but the times where I or my wife accidentally yanked the cord at an angle, it didn' give a very sturdy impression.

    I don't have anything more scientific than that.

    Update: the Jack sits very tightly in the connector, though. Actually that's part of my worry, if you know what I mean.
     
    Dannemand, Jan 23, 2013
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  3. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    The power jack on both the Series 9s are not on board. I don't know whether this is deliberate to make it easily replaceable or just because the location squeezed in next to the hinge would make an awkward extension to the board. Here is a photo of the power jack on the X4C (on the end of the red wire).



    Since the jack is not soldered on board it is slightly loose in the chassis - no bad thing IMO. Has anyone looked at this aspect inside the Series 7? The photos here don't show the power jack.

    I would also note that in mid-2012 Samsung changed the DC plug on the Series 9 PSU from straight to L-shaped. Apart from less obstruction to the adjacent USB port, this also reduced the bending forces. The photos someone recently posted of the Series 7 PSU show that it still has a straight plug.

    John
    John
     
    John Ratsey, Jan 24, 2013
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  4. Dannemand

    Dannemand Decidedly Moderate Super Moderator

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    Thank you, John, great info.

    My NP700Z3A-S03US (spring 2012 model, although the original Z3A is 2011) does indeed have that straight plug that seems to beg for accidents. When the time comes to put an SSD in mine, I'll check if the power jack is separate or on the main board. Won't be for several more months, though.
     
    Dannemand, Jan 24, 2013
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  5. rpeters83

    rpeters83 Notebook Consultant

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    I'm curious to see if anyone lately has had any issues with weak power jacks on the Chronos 7 series (my original post didn't specify the 7 series). I recently took mine apart and the jack is indeed soldered directly onto the board ( http://i.imgur.com/8SEmRBS.jpg).

    I'm looking for a right-angle jack in the hopes that it may put less stress on the jack.

    Thanks.
     
    rpeters83, Nov 9, 2013
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