M11x Hinge/Screen touching Keyboard Discussion (R1 & R2)

[Stain]

If the problem really is with the hinge/case design, then replacing the screen will also result in a screen that touches the keyboard more often than not.

Perhaps we are going about trying to prevent this problem the wrong way (assuming it is bad design that consistently results in the keyboard touching the screen). Isn't another solution that to prevent the screen from touching the keyboard ourselves?

My laptop that is supplied by my work is a Latitude D830. Not a powerhouse machine by any stretch. It came with 6 small rubber feet or rubber spacers (3/8" diameter) glued in a rectangle around the outside of the LCD screen. They are thin enough that the hinges still close, but they keep the screen face away from the keyboard. I have had it for 2½ years and carry it in a backpack every day without any key marks.

Again, I know we all paid top dollar for the M11x and we want it to be perfect, but assuming that it is a problem in all of them (that all will eventually experience this problem), I think the spacer idea would work without making it look ugly. I am still waiting for my M11x to arrive though, I have not tried it.

On my netbook, I just kept the foam sheet it shipped with and keep it between the the keyboard and the keys.

Stain

[Rhodan]

So as of now we have overall 72% of the M11z which have this problem. That's quite serious and it seems to be affecting the R2 as well.

[Spoonface]

Update, m11xr2 arrived this morning, had a play and test drive in work when I got chance. Put it all away and brought it home using my portfolio m11x bag. Opened it up tonight and low and behold there are scratches on my screen from the keyboard. Looks like the scratches are from the W and E keys on my keyboard. Tried wiping the screen and it is slightly better but still scratched none the less. Gutted, really gutted.

I think I may send it back as faulty and ask for a full refund. I have been an Alienware customer before, but this has put a bad taint on this otherwise lovely little machine. Poor design I'm afraid to say, needed better QC.

Truly gutted.

[slickie88]

Wow. Sorry to hear that. Does anything obvious look amiss with the hinge or the keyboard that would explain how this could have happened so easily?

[Spoonface]

unfortunately and surprisingly, no. All looks ok, it just simply doesnt have any space between the screen and keyboard when closed, all looks fairly even otherwise.

[Stain]

@Spoonface

Do you know if it happened during shipping to you or when you transported it home? I mean when you unboxed it the first time, was there something between the keys and the screen? You could say to Dell that it was like that when it arrived.

I feel for you, man

[Rhodan]

@Spoonface

Do you know if it happened during shipping to you or when you transported it home? I mean when you unboxed it the first time, was there something between the keys and the screen? You could say to Dell that it was like that when it arrived.

I feel for you, man

It doesn't really matter if the damage happened in transit or when he transported home. The root cause is the screen resting against the keyboard which is a faulty design that will cost Dell in support calls, parts and home calls...

[Stain]

It doesn't really matter if the damage happened in transit or when he transported home. The root cause is the screen resting against the keyboard which is a faulty design that will cost Dell in support calls, parts and home calls...

I know it does not matter. Still, I am curious whether it ships from Dell with something between the keys and the screen or not. I can put something between them to protect the screen when closed, but if it shows up from the factory already scratched, I don't have a chance!

[slickie88]

They ship with a thin protective cloth-like sheet between the screen and keyboard. I've been continuing to use it until I can find something a little more durable.

[Spoonface]

Ok further update, I basically spent quite some time trying to "ease" the scratches off my screen. I have had success to a degree. However what is more important for you to know is that I re-used the white sheet that comes shipped with the laptop to protect the screen. Packed my m11x into my laptop bag this morning, walked kids to school, put it in the boot of my car, drove to work, walked to the office with it up stairs (lots!) just opened it up and no new visible marks at all. Keep you posted if scratches appear using this method over the course of the next few days.

BTW dont get a portfolio m11x case if you want to carry anything at all! cant even put my mouse in it! barely holds the power supply lol!