Dell starts worldwide plans to fix Alienware M11x hinges
updated 03:15 pm EDT, Mon September 12, 2011
Global effort to fix problem first seen in January
Dell has formally announced a global program to replace broken or squeaky hinges on its Alienware M11x gaming laptops. Dell first acknowledged the problem in January and promised to begin fixing affected systems in March. The company has carefully explained that it is not recalling the laptops, just fixing those experiencing problems.
The company has said that in order to effect the repair, it will be replacing the entire LCD panel, which includes the problematic hinges. Only customers with R1 or R2 versions of the laptop could be affected. The latest release, R3, already has a different hinge configuration that shouldn't be affected.
The company still believes that only a small number of M11x customers actually have experienced the hinge problem. For that reason, the company believes that a preemptive customer-wide repair effort is necessary. Dell has also asked that customers don't reach them about their hinges unless they actually are having problems.
