Weak 17" Hinges...

Same problem here and right out of the box too.

Problem: If I tilt the base 40 degrees or more (e.g., like when you are lying on your back with your legs bent in an A-frame position and you rest the MBP base on the top your upper legs at, say, 40 degrees from the horizontal-ground position) the display begins to move on its own to a closed position. And, from this position, once the display starts to move, momentum and gravity takes over and the display accelerates to an almost fully closed position (i.e., - that plus the loose hinge results in this problem).

Call me a slacker, but, while I realize the 17" display has significant mass, for the money I spent for my MBP, the ability to use it while comfortably laying back on a couch or bed is not too much to expect from the Apple design team.

Oddly, no matter what the starting angle of the display relative to a base in the horizontal position (e.g., 10 degrees, 20 degrees ... 70 degrees, 80 degrees, 90 degrees ... or 120 degrees), gravity does NOT cause the display to move on its own on my MBP - not even a little. Is this sounding familiar?

My questions: Is the hinge tension/resistance adjustable (i.e., can this problem be fixed)?

MBP 17" Mac OS X (10.4.9) 2.33 3GB 160GB 17"

my high res 17 inch 2,4 is less than 15 hours old i want it returned to hongkong and re built it was a built to order and i want to order a propor hinge as the hing does not open far enough and when you pick it up the hinge slams shut.

sorry for typo its a brand new macbook pro 17 inch high res glossy screen.
the hinge does not open far enough and needs more friction on it . when i pick it up it slams closed, it is a built to order machine i am insisting they rebuild me another built to order with a propoer hinge.
LETS NOT JUST LAY DOWN AND ACCEPT THIS DESIGN FLAW.
I AM SURE THEY WILL SAY HATS THE WAY IT IS AND THEY ARE NO LONGER LAP TOPS THEY ARE DESK TOPS. TOO BAD SUCKERS. PLEASE REDESIGN THIS TO SPECIFICATIONS THAT ARE USEFULL TO A LAP TOP USER. MAKE THE NINGE OPEN MORE ATLEAST 3 TO 4 INCHES AND TIGHTEN DOWN THE HINGE.
WHY ARE PEOPLE ON HERE TALKING ABOUT SOME AFTERMARKET KIT TO FIX THE FRICTION??
AS FAR AS THAT GOES YOU COULD USE A HAND METAL GRINDER AND GRIND AWAY THE STOPS SO IT OPENS MORE!!!!

yes i am my mbp is a 17inch high res and it was just built to order i recieved it yesterday and had 2 problems which is basicly one problem the hinges seem to be loose as the top will slam closed when you move it or tip it to you to view the keys this problem is basicly that tthey have restricted the hinge from opening more so the weight of the screen makes it slam shut.
I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THIS IF I KNEW THIS PROBLEM IT IS A BIG DESIGN PROBLEM ...DO NOT BUY ANY LAPTOP WITH THIS PROBLEM

The 17" hinges are not as strong as the 15". The Rev A 17 hinges were weaker still.

I use both a 15" and a new 17" Macbook Pro.

In all honesty, the 17" hinges are adequate. I have no problems at all. If you want to curl up in bed and flip a 17" Macbook pro around you should think again on your purchase.

I can tilt the screen almost shut and tilt it towards me without it closing.

How vertical do you people get? I'm all for experimentation also, but come on.

I have no complaints especially after buying a Toshiba Satellite 17" Widescreen Notebook PC (P205-S6337) for a family member. What a piece...
That thing wont' ever leave a desk or table, seriously.

I guess I'm the only person with out the "flop" hinges.

Something I noticed about these weak hinges is that it seems they are tighter when it is almost closed and all the way open. The space in between open and closed, where the thing is most of the time is too loose. What is apple doing for you guys with this problem?

Rob

I am just trying to guage if my MBP is defective before it gets too old. I just bought it last week. I bought another 15in MBP and the lid is as tight as my Macbooks. I just need to know if it is supposed to be this way or is a defect. I don't mind but I am afraid it will get worse. Gimme some feedback on this... it does slam closed if I tilt it a certain way but that isn't a problem since it is so big I don't carry it around like I do my macbook.......

Rob