Vaio Z21 cracking and scratching hinges...

After a few weeks with my Z21, I find it fantastic, but since the beginning I noticed some strange things with hinges, and that really worries me...

The second or third time I opened the lid while carrying the laptop in my hands, I heard a nasty cracking sound coming from the hinges. I saw nothing when I first inspected it.

But a little while later, when I opened it on my laps, I heard the same sound, and noticed that a part the aluminium bar was very slightly unfited with the lid. I just applied a little pressure on it and it "clicked" back in place.

Then I noticed some scrapes on the inside part of the hinges, showing that it is in contact with the lower part of the chassis (see pictures below).

I thought it was not a big problem, but ever since, I manipulated the Z21 with even more care. Therefore I was relieved to receive the leather case (CVZ3), hoping the hinges would be more protected.

But I heard this cracking sound once more a few days ago, and everytime I open the lid, I can hear some very, very slight plastic sound, about the same as we you open an old book.

I called Sony, and the kindly told me to send it back to get a replacement. But I need it for work now, and I am afraid the new one might have other problems, because it was perfect otherwise.

So Z21 owners, I am calling you for help, did you notice such things on yours, and would you send it back ?

 

What? Hinge problems AGAIN? On the new Z?

What is going on with Sony!??

I would just return it if I were you - didn't you pay enough for not to have to worry every time you open your band-new laptop?????

I'm sorry but for the price of the Z - it has to be perfect and nothing else. Otherwise I can offer you at least 20 other models and brands that would creak less for half the price !

If it has problems now, what do you expect 1 month from now? 3 months? half an year? AN YEAR??

Just return it.

 

I don't have the gaps like in your picture. The aluminium is flush

The cracks and pops do occur, but nothing I'd say sounds worrisome.

Scary

 

Guys... am I being unreasonable expecting a brand-new high-end, 2000 bucks machine not to creak and pop

I would definitely return!

 

No, but honestly it is annoying for you to bash Sony every time a single problem comes up.

Return it if you have warranty.

 

Flaming from others aside, there may indeed be an issue with your machine. Mine does not creak or pop when I open/close it. Operation is smooth and silent.

 

She's a known Z hater, her reply is not surprising. She believes that just because something is expensive it must be impervious to manufacturer defects. That's just doesn't happen, esp when our toys get more and more complicated. I'm just surprised she didn't recommend you replace it with a Vaio S

 

And who am I supposed to bash for such a poor quality assurance?
I'm sorry. I'll praise them for every quality issue from now on. Obviously my understanding of Vaio being a premium brand is wrong.

And no - not a Z hater at all. Actually I am a Vaio lover.... (still ...)
I just happen to know lots of brands and models that DO NOT creak on the second day and feel sorry about Sony having such issues lately, especially on high-end models. And yes - if I purchase a Porsche I would expect better quality than a Ford Focus, won't you!

 

Thanks for the feedbacks !

I am still waiting for more to take my decision, but I just have a few more days left until the end of the 30 days days period.

And after that, I guess Sony won't be so helpful...

 

I don't know what is the meaning of the 30 days period in your country... here you can return it no questions asked within 14 days. After that it is the same for the first 6 months and then the conditions change a bit for the further 1,5 years warranty.

But the sooner - the better anyway.

 

And by the way, apart from the unique (and slim) look, I still don't understand why they chose such a strange hinges design...

 

If it's not costing you anything, I'd replace it. Even a $400k car can end up a lemon, us humans are not perfect quite yet I comb this forum daily, I think you're the first to report this happening to their Z2.

 

In France, it's 30 days, after that, I may have problems with Vaio Link, because the first thing they replied was "No, this is not covered by the warranty".

 

Yes indeed ! In fact, I was "almost" hoping that someone would have the same problem as mine, so it could be a widespread design hiccup, as long as it wouldn't end up as a major problem...

 

I think manufacturers' supports are instructed to reply this exact thing to absolutely every complain - if it works - fine. If not - they go by the procedure!

Of course it is covered! Every malfunction, unless caused by the user and this can be proven IS covered.

but again - the sooner you return it - the better for you.

 

Just FYI I've had my Z21 at least 3 weeks now (I think) and I've never heard any cracking / clicking sound when opening or closing the lid; I know what you mean though, it started happening a few weeks ago on my father-in-laws Macbook Air (first gen) and eventually one of the hinges snapped.

So even though it's a pain, make an image of your C drive on your current Z21 and send it back for repair / replacement. You might be missing it for a week or so, but if they send you a new one you can just reimage the C drive and immediately get back to work. Sort it now rather than risk a hinge failing 3 days after your warranty expires

 

Missing it for a few weeks? This is not how it would work here - if the first 30 days in France are like the first 14 days here - you return it - get a full refund and get a new one from the shelf and go back home with it! That's all.

 

No cracking sounds on mine.
Can you post a video of the cracking sounds?

 

The "big" cracking sound happened only three times, and I am not sure how exactly it does it.

I wouldn't risk it trying do make it again though, but it sound like someone that breaks a plastic pen...

The very slight poping sound is, like I said, the same as an old book that you open. But it's not loud enough to be recorded I think...

 

In France when you return it, you have to wait for a new one to be built for 2-3 weeks...

 

Well if it is a pre-configured model - obviously yes. But as long as it is on stock - you return and if you wish - you purchase again 5 minutes later here.

 

But it's the hinges that need fixing, not the image of the C drive.

 

No one will be fixing it - he should be entitled a new device! So he will need his system for a new computer!

 

yannzoo2, would it be possible for you to remove the bottom plate from the machine? I would be interested in seeing your hinge assemblies and closer pics of the fitment of the lower LCD bracket.

For those who haven't seen the internals, the hinges on the Z2 are similar to the ones in the Z1, just smaller.

I put some recommendations in this thread and have some detailed pics of the hinges on the second page.

A word of warning, disassembeling the Z2 isn't the easiest thing to do. If your intention is to return/exchange the machine, it's probably best you don't open the machine up unless you have experience doing this kind of thing.

Worst case, you end up breaking something and Sony voids your warranty.

Best case, we find a way to fix the problem.

 

I am still considering wheter I should return it or not. Of course it might become worse, but I could get another one with dead pixels and having to return it once again... It's very difficult to decide.

One thing I am certain is that I cannot dismantle it, since my technical level is way too low for these kinds of experminents.

However here are some additionnal close up pics, that also show the CVZ3 leather case (a nice one by the way).

 

OT - how much was the case? where did you get it? thanks!

 

I also had two occasions of a serious "CRACK" sound when opening the lid of my Z2.

One occasion was during a meeting - and my colleague thought something got broken when I opened the lid... it was that loud.

I still do not what is causing this - still haven't got time to open the Z2, when I do that I will check out the hinge mechanism for any defects.

 

Steve Jobs would have said you're opening it the wrong way.

 

It's the official case I ordered at Sony Store in France, and they also have the CVK3 model (that protects the whole body).

 

That "sounds" really like mine, I also thought that something was broken, but couldn't understand how it exactly happened.

It's just the second time that I noticed the aluminium bar was slighlty unfitted with the lid, and just applying some pressure made it "click" back in place.

So since then, do you hear a very slight plastic sound when you open it ?

 

Probably yes...

 

Can't help but think the screen is getting pushed back when the laptop is closed. The LCD lid protrudes past the palm rest, making it a pressure point when you put it in a bag.

I'll be putting the laptop in my bag with the Sony aluminium side down.

 

This is exactly how the manual says to put it with the leather case as well !

 

Now Steve Jobs won't say anything.

 

sorry to be a little bit out of topic, but does the case fits when the sheet battery attached ?

 

Neither of Sony's leather cases are compatible with the sheet battery.

 

Still undecided, so if other Z21 users hear also a little something special when opening theirs, please let me know...

 

Methinks this is the first report of the problem

 

please return asap, or you'll end up with a cracked screen. the vaio Z screen is very expensive too

 

Good thing I got myself the sheet battery. My Z21 now is elevated enough that the battery now is the resting base, and not stressing the hinges anymore.

 

Don't think that is the cause, unless you are sitting on the keyboard. Not advisable

Just make sure you put the lappy in your bag with the metal side down.

In other news, had my first drop yesterday. I let her fall from about waist-height right onto the front side corner, you know, where the LCD panel extends past the base. Zero damage thanks to the low-pile commercial carpet at my office.

These Z2's are relatively tough. I've seen Macbooks crack screens in similar falls, but luck plays a factor in these sorts of things.

 

No, now he'll make Tim Cook say it.

 

The hinge on my Z just broke...and I'm a few months out of warantee :/