17" PB owners - how tight/loose is your screen?

#1 Tue, 12 Jul 2005 - 21:09

Hey everyone...

I just wanted to ask a question about the amount of tension in the hinges on your AlBooks (17" specifically, but my wife has a 15" so I am curious about that too).

To me, the screen seems rather loose on my 17" and the screen on the 15" seems tight. Both machines can be opened when sitting on a table by lifting on the lid without the bottom part lifting up with it. Obviously, the "looser" 17" does this correctly too.

However, with the 17" PB screen open at a typical viewing angle (about 10 to 20 degrees from the vertical orientation), if I lift it by the bottom portion and tilt it back toward me (around a 45 degree tilt) the screen will swing down. Be careful if you try this - it can swing suddenly and possibly hit you in the head, or (even worse) damage the screen!!

Does anyone else have a powerbook like these that is loose enough to do this?

Thanks!
Jeff

#2 Tue, 12 Jul 2005 - 21:11

As a followup to this message, can these hinges be tightened without sending it to Apple? I have Applecare, but I would hate to be without it for a week. If so, does the case need to be opened to do this, and would this void Applecare?

Thanks again!

#3 Wed, 13 Jul 2005 - 13:01

Radtech offers tools for tightening Apple laptops. My 17 lid used to be a little wobby but it was fine after I took my PB in earlier this year (the LCD had a problem and so it was replaced).

#4 Wed, 13 Jul 2005 - 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randman

Radtech offers tools for tightening Apple laptops. My 17 lid used to be a little wobby but it was fine after I took my PB in earlier this year (the LCD had a problem and so it was replaced).

I saw the radtech stuff, but it looked to me like they only offered the tools for tightening the older TiBooks with the external hinges. Their web site isn't very clear about this. I would like to know what is involved with the tightening operation too...

I am an engineer so I could probably do it myself

I just don't want to void the warranty. I could just live with it - I never would have though there was anything going on until we got the 15" for my wife.

Thanks,
Jeff

#5 Wed, 13 Jul 2005 - 16:02

If there's an Apple store near you, you could take it in and see if they can tighten it on on the go. It's just a matter of getting the right screwdriver and doing the right screws with tension. The radtech tools do work with aluBooks.

#6 Wed, 13 Jul 2005 - 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randman

I will have to stop by - they actually just opened one in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the end of June - but it is about an hour from me...

Does your 17" screen seem as loose as I described in my earlier post (based on my unscientific test procedure)?

Thanks,
Jeff