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bolsen78

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 26, 2010
177
0
I called up Apple today and told them about the hinge. I had only noticed that the hinge moved every so often not every time I would move it. He told me that it is normal for it to do that. It isnt like it isnt opening and not staying open. I was just curious as to what they would say about it. Anyways I havent had experience with the hinge issue before that everyone is talking about. So do you guys say this is normal or should I go ahead and make an appt with Apple to have it looked at? Also I have the 64GB and I looked at my system and so far I have only used almost 14GB!! Is that accurate or how does this GB stuff work because it doesnt seem like I used a lot and I pretty much installed everything that I used on my MB.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
Of course apple is going to say its normal as it makes sense for them not to replace a laptop.

If you're unhappy with the amount of play in the hinge, get it replaced. From the sounds of it, there is too much movement and its not like it will tighten up over time, but the opposite. Get it swapped if you're not completely satisfied
 

teaneedz

macrumors member
Dec 8, 2009
64
6
Agreed

Of course apple is going to say its normal as it makes sense for them not to replace a laptop.

If you're unhappy with the amount of play in the hinge, get it replaced. From the sounds of it, there is too much movement and its not like it will tighten up over time, but the opposite. Get it swapped if you're not completely satisfied

I concur. It's probably too early for Apple to even formulate an official response to this (if they even will).
 

redRAYZA

macrumors 6502
Sep 19, 2007
261
658
Honestly, I think Apple "engineered" the hinge so that we're able to open it with one hand without the base lifting up. Check out the TV ad, to see what I'm talking about.
 

HelloMikee

macrumors 6502a
Jun 16, 2009
987
478
San Diego
Honestly, I think Apple "engineered" the hinge so that we're able to open it with one hand without the base lifting up. Check out the TV ad, to see what I'm talking about.

This is correct and it's a matter of physics and engineering.

The stiffer the hinge, the more heavy the base has to be in order to open the lid without having to hold down the bottom of the laptop.

It's fine. Enjoy your 2.3 pound laptop.
 

fuzzielitlpanda

macrumors 6502a
Mar 24, 2008
834
0
Honestly, I think Apple "engineered" the hinge so that we're able to open it with one hand without the base lifting up. Check out the TV ad, to see what I'm talking about.

This is correct and it's a matter of physics and engineering.

The stiffer the hinge, the more heavy the base has to be in order to open the lid without having to hold down the bottom of the laptop.

It's fine. Enjoy your 2.3 pound laptop.

I support this claim as well. I just tested it on my 11" and can indeed open it with one hand. Also, if you lift the laptop straight up, the screen will stay in place. However if you lift + tilt the laptop backwards, that's when the screen will move.
 

fizzwinkus

macrumors 6502a
Jan 27, 2008
665
0
my 11" air is quite stiff. i can not open it with one finger lifting the lid - that will lift the whole notebook. and the hinge resists any movement at all when moving it around. i would say it's a bit tighter than a broken in macbook pro 13.

and for this i am happy. my previous airs all had very loose hinges.
 

bolsen78

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 26, 2010
177
0
Honestly, I think Apple "engineered" the hinge so that we're able to open it with one hand without the base lifting up. Check out the TV ad, to see what I'm talking about.

LOL!! I just seen the ad after reading this. Commercial I mean. Yes I am just going to wait and see. I also tried the one hand thing and maybe your right they just designed it that way. Like I said its not all the time so IDK. Im still going to enjoy this thing. If it becomes bothersome then I will take it in.
 

kernkraft

macrumors 68020
Jun 25, 2009
2,456
1
Issues with the hinges haunt the Air. Usually, the get loose and they also break easily. Hopefully, this time it will be different.
 

orpheus1120

macrumors 65816
Jan 23, 2008
1,432
59
Malaysia
I think Apple designed the hinge so that the commercial will look good with a-finger-lifting good. LOL. :D

I would rather prefer the hinge to be a little bit tighter than having the ability to lift the laptop with a finger.
 

snorkelman

Cancelled
Oct 25, 2010
666
155
I would rather prefer the hinge to be a little bit tighter than having the ability to lift the laptop with a finger.

Agreed, with both my arms intact and no guest spots on an apple commercial coming up anytime soon, I'd rather have a lid that stays at the angle I set it than shows a willingness to move around of its own accord. Thats not a feature its a defect.
 

fuzzielitlpanda

macrumors 6502a
Mar 24, 2008
834
0
I just went to my local apple store and tested the hinge issue on 6 11.6" and 6 13" models. All of them had loose hinges. I think it's safe to assume this is the way they designed it to be.
 

taphil

macrumors regular
Jun 16, 2007
131
91
In NYC at the 5th Ave store, the 11" MBAs on display seemed to have loose hinges. But a few I tested at the West 14th St store seemed stiffer. The MBA I got there has pretty tight hinges. I can open the lid with one had, but at about 45 degrees opening, the bottom lifts up. The lid does not move at all if I lift and tilt the MBA in either direction. Glad mine's stiff :p
 

teaneedz

macrumors member
Dec 8, 2009
64
6
Quality Issue

I just went to my local apple store and tested the hinge issue on 6 11.6" and 6 13" models. All of them had loose hinges. I think it's safe to assume this is the way they designed it to be.

There seems to be enough variance within the user-experience reports that are coming in which would indicate that this is a product quality issue.

Now the question is how many in this early batch are affected?

Will CTOs have a better chance of being 'fixed' prior to shipment if Apple is aware of this issue already? I'm sure that they are since any good quality and product types from Apple would be watching these boards and reviews very closely.

I would imagine that Apple is all over this already even though a public statement or response may not yet be in the works.
 

teaneedz

macrumors member
Dec 8, 2009
64
6
Stiff Wins

my 11" air is quite stiff. i can not open it with one finger lifting the lid - that will lift the whole notebook. and the hinge resists any movement at all when moving it around. i would say it's a bit tighter than a broken in macbook pro 13.

and for this i am happy. my previous airs all had very loose hinges.

I have a hunch most will agree that this is the preferable experience ... especially when one thinks about what the "broken in" version will be like.
 

fuzzielitlpanda

macrumors 6502a
Mar 24, 2008
834
0
There seems to be enough variance within the user-experience reports that are coming in which would indicate that this is a product quality issue.

Now the question is how many in this early batch are affected?

Will CTOs have a better chance of being 'fixed' prior to shipment if Apple is aware of this issue already? I'm sure that they are since any good quality and product types from Apple would be watching these boards and reviews very closely.

I would imagine that Apple is all over this already even though a public statement or response may not yet be in the works.

I wouldn't mind if my hinge was tightened a bit more, but I'm just going to enjoy the laptop for the time being.
 

Pinksteady

macrumors 6502a
Aug 19, 2008
590
3
I have an 11" MacBook Air and I can lift the lid with one finger but once the lid gets to about an 80 degree angle (approaching vertical), the base lifts and I have to hold it down. If I apply pressure with my hand cleverly I can prevent this.

When closing the lid, the hinge is a bit too stiff to allow me to just touch the top of the lid and start closing -the laptop starts sliding towards me and the lid not moving - again I have to either support the base with the other hand or use cleverly applied pressure with my closing hand to compensate.

I was wondering if I should consider discussing with Apple, but having read the posts here it seems like a stiffer hinge is far preferable to a looser one, so I think I'm going to stick with what I've got and be happy that it is currently sturdy and not loose!
 
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