Display hinge loose?

The first time was for a graphics glitch. Actually I still have that one as the display models on the floor all did the same thing. If you look at a page in Safari (easiest to replicate it) like this forum listing and grab the scroll bar on the right and scroll up and down you can see a tearing of the graphics in the window. This seems to happen on my unit and a few others I tested at the store. The funny thing that I discovered over the weekend is that if I use the scrolling gesture this doesn't happen.

Hopefully this will get fixed with a firmware of driver update soon (date of last return is marked on my cal)

Well I am back from the store with a new Mackbookpro but they would not replace it based on the hinge. They guy told me that the screen was heavier which I would guess was true but I think they should have compensated for that. The units on the floor did the same so I am guessing that it is really hit or miss to get a hinge that is going to hold it up well.

I was bummed out but then I told him about my other screen tearing issue and he took one look and then said he would replace the unit. I was a bit surprised as the last time I took it in for that the tech told me that it should be fixed with a new driver or firmware.

So back home with a new unit.. The hinge is about the same as the old unit.. maybe a tiny bit stiffer but still falls at times. After I get everything installed again I can take a look at the screen tear issue but I am sure that is going to be the same.

Well lets see...

1. The tearing issue is not fixed. I really expect that this is some driver issue that hopefully they will address at some point. Based on others impressions this could take a while.

2. The new MBP I got today actually does have slightly sharper edges than my last one. I would not have thought that was common since I expect the cuts are done by machine and not hand.

It is interesting to note that the hinge is really not that different. This could be a bigger issue with the 17" model when that one comes out. The glass I expect makes it pretty heavy and the ballance between being able to open and close easily and being able to hold up the screen when laying down is a fine line.

Hope that helps.. If anyone gets a hinge that holds the screen up when laying in bed.. Congrats to you !!! I expect you are one of the lucky few.

I have this same issue with the screen flopping forward at certain angles. Otherwise my machine is fine. I brought the mbp into the apple store today to see what they said, and like others, I noticed that the display models all did the same thing, however, the 13inch macbooks did not have this issue. I asked one of the "geniuses" about it anyway and he basically just looked at me like I was crazy. I believe he said "why would anyone hold their laptop at that angle anyway." Well, you might if you're lying down and want to place the thing on your knees. Mine IS strong enough to withhold that sort of pressure if I tilt it slowly though, but still. SO he then went to consort with his genius cohorts in the back, and upon return he basically told me that they were not aware of any way to tighten the hinge/fix the issue and that there really wasn't anything they could do since this issue really didn't interfere with the functionality of the product and thus was not considered a defect. Oh well, it's something I can live with but it's still upsetting that it does this since NO other laptop I own or have ever owned has had this issue.

Same deal hear. Your story is EXACTLY mine. Word for word. My wife got a 13" on the same day, and the hinges are WAY tighter when PULLING it open. This shoots down the excuse that the display is too heavy. They just aren't as tight as the 13's. You will find that true in your store as well I bet. They HAVE to be the same hinge mech in both sizes . I just think they somehow made them looser in the assembly process on the 15's. ...I'll bet this is one of those problems that never gets addressed, but magically goes away on newer models.

I went to see a Genius and he looked at the others that were on display at the store. They all had the same issue, which led him to conclude there was no problem. Genuis!

Wow, this is all really interesting. I don't have a new MBP, but when a lid can't stay up by itself it's often assumed to be an aging victim of hinge clutch failure. Are these new MBP lid hinges actually acting like they're five years old, and if so, how are they going to act 5 years from now?

I want to buy a new Macbook Pro, but after reading this thread went to the store (Regent Str., London) to check this out and this will definitely be a problem for me. The Macbook hinges are all fine while with the Macbook Pro if you pick it up too fast the lid closes halfway. Way too loose. I cannot think that it should be this way. This is definitely a design issue that wasn't picked up pre-production. I'll wait until they fix this. ****, wanted one now - was ready to order it online today!

I did some reading about the loose hinge on the Macbook Pro (the new all aluminum design). I found something very interesting. I had also thought that the hinge was too loose. The lid tends to move on you if the laptop is picked up too fast, or picked up and tilted. The interesting thing is, if you pick it up and tilt it towards you the screen starts to close, seems dangerous...
Surprisingly as the lid picks up speed and just as you think it will inevitably slam shut... it doesn't. It just stops, about 3" from close. My guess after seeing this behavior is that this a new type of hinge mechanism that was designed to work this way.

Can someone test something for me? Set the computer flat and open the screen so it's straight up (perpendicular to the keyboard). Now raise the back of the computer up (slowly) until it gets about 45 degrees to the flat surface. Does the lid stay there or does it start to close?

I use mine on a riser stand like below, but tilt the screen down when I'm laying down. The screen is usually perpendicular to the keyboard.



I found a support a person could use.

http://www.gpscity.com/item-ram-mount-laptop-screen-support-flex-arm/ram234-s1.h tm

Just did this, had to raise it until it was over 60 degrees possibly as much as 75 before lid started to close.

iidavidii wrote:
I did some reading about the loose hinge on the Macbook Pro (the new all aluminum design). I found something very interesting. I had also thought that the hinge was too loose. The lid tends to move on you if the laptop is picked up too fast, or picked up and tilted. The interesting thing is, if you pick it up and tilt it towards you the screen starts to close, seems dangerous...
Surprisingly as the lid picks up speed and just as you think it will inevitably slam shut... it doesn't. It just stops, about 3" from close. My guess after seeing this behavior is that this a new type of hinge mechanism that was designed to work this way.

It's all about friction...Friction is our friend, say it again. Designed so you can keep the MBP partly open (so it doesn't sleep) while a monitor is connected. My wife uses this technique on her WIN$ laptop on a desktop.

When closed the (Vaio) laptop resides on a shelf below the monitor stand. It's a common habit acquired if you have an external KVM / port replicator device. A road warrior thing. Yes, yes you can do it differently. And you can get a less tilty stand too. But that's what we do. Will Apple ever incorporate a port replicator feature?

As to stands, try the Podium Coolpad, it's adjustable. And several other features too! Not as expensive as a laptop.
http://www.roadtools.com

Very handy if you use it that way. On a steeply angled stand as is shown, a problem! Sorry.