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Cracked Compaq Laptops?

Posted by Cliff on from the compaq-quality-control dept.

gwn asks: "I have just over 100 Compaq Armada 100s laptop purchased early in 2001. Over 60 have developed cracks in the lid just above the left hinge and at the front corners. I had one of these on a VP''s desk, no abuse, and it cracked. Compaq has denied any other reports of this with any other customer, just my problem they say. They have stopped giving me a hard time when I send these in for repair and they are repairing for free. This is still a royal pain in the rear and does cost me money. Lately, they started coming back with Compaq Notebook 100 labeled screens and it got me thinking they are running out of parts. It can't just be mine that are cracking. Does anyone else have a Compaq Armada 100s or Notebook 100 with cracking case problems?"

2 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Pathetic laptop cases are everywhere by trentfoley · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I have great respect for the durability of the A series of IBM Thinkpads (I've got an A21p). Its been dropped, stepped on, played with by 3-7 year old children, and cursed at many many times. The titanium composite lid has never been scratched or broken or cracked.

    I've also got an older Compaq Presario 1675 that has

    1) broken/cracked usb port

    2) cracked lid near hinges

    3) 1 Hour battery life (I know, I need a new one)

    I've never bought a Dell laptop because everybody I know that has one has had to send them in for various repairs or component failure replacements. To be fair, the Travelstar hdd on my 1 1/2 year old A21p shot craps after a rough family car trip. IBM overnighted me a brand new 48GB drive to replace my dead 32GB. Nice upgrade for a warranty replacement. Makes me wonder if the original poster might be able to talk Compaq in to fixing his systems with larger screens.

  2. We need to get the opinion of a plastics engineer by NoMoreNicksLeft · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Seriously, I only know a little about injection molding, but the thinner the piece is, the more complex its shaped, the more likely it will fail under stress. And what part of the laptop's plastic gets stressed, other than the hinge?

    I would venture a guess that Compaq's quest for ever smaller laptops, quick production/obselescence cycles, and general nonconcern for quality products has caught up them, and it's hurting you.

    Oh well.