Studio 1555 hinge problem

I understand ejn63, and do not expect a problem-free product for the years of use we want out of it -- which is why I did not bother contacting Dell when the hinge/cover originally broke, and instead without complaint brought it to the local computer repair shop I use (as I have for other problems), since the notebook was out of warranty.  For me, the tipping point was the run-around and attitude from technical support and customer service after the computer shop told me this problem was one this type of notebook has had and the design of the cover and bezel had changed.  Customer service can and does vary from company to company -- whether any other computer company will be different remains to be seen.  I have been a Dell user for so long that I have not had the experience of other computer mfr's, but I have noticed a decrease in Dell's customer service over the years, so this encounter was simply another reminder it is probably time to given someone else a try.  Like others have said, computers have become increasingly commodity-like and quality is not going to vary much from brand to brand within a certain grouping of them, so things like service (I can deal with the response "there's nothing we can do" if I don't get the runaround and suggested to talk to someone else, which leads a person to believe something can be done -- even if the message is the same, how it is delivered can make a large difference).  Fortunately, there are some companies out there that do still believe in customer service, and I would like to see next time if I can find out whether any of the other computer mfr's can improve on Dell's.  

Sorry, but all the other manufacturers of low-end budget systems (Acer, HP/Compaq, Toshiba, ASUS, etc.) will treat the situation exactly the same.

Yes, Apple is different - and Dell is  with Latitudes, Lenovo with Thinkpads and HP with its business models.  That's not what you bought - what you bought is a low-end budget system.  You'll find the situation no different with the others.

Every system that sells for under $1,000 will have compromises somewhere.  If you're not comfortable with that, buy a higher-end, better-designed system next time - or buy a 3-year warranty (which is good advice for any notebook, since there's a chance of somewhere between 25-30+ percent, you'll need it -- with ANY of them.

I also have a Studio 1555 that has a hinge problem. It cracked a few months ago and the past few weeks it is getting unmanageable. I have to position it at a certain angle to use it and it is horrible. I also noticed someone posted about their powercord being taped together, I had to do that before my first year was up(bought aug.09, tape was probably on my march/april)...Will have to try and get Dell to fix this for me! Has anyone from Canada dealt with them before? I am wondering how long I will be without a computer!

thank you!!! that sounds pretty good :) I'm from NL so it would just take a few more days then that for me usually! Unfortunately I was visiting family in the USA when I bought my laptop and it shipped there so I am currently going through a "yes, it was shipped to the USA but I live in Canada" problem...of course it can't be easy and they can't just accept that it needs to be fixed in Canada!

why would you buy another Dell? Didn't you learn anything?

I didn't buy another one, I will be getting it fixed for free. BUT, in saying that I do love my computer. I also had a Dell desktop that I also loved.

sorry, that reply was meant for darynmurphy. Complain about the quality, just to buy another one. Insanity.

I am staring at my wife's Dell Studio 17" which is about 1.5 years old. We bought it at Staples and added a 4 year extended warranty. What a joke and a waste of money. We used to have only Dell computers. After I get rid of the Studio we will be down to ZERO. The computer was not dropped or abused in any way. Yet the hinge cracked and the extended warranty proved useless. We will not purchase any more Dell computers. This is a design defect and should have been flagged for extended warranty protection.

Very reminiscent of what Samsung did with the capacitor problem on their Flat Screens. Ignore the problem, excuse the problem and hope no one takes them to court. The successful class action suit against Samsung proves the fallacy of this approach.

Slow motion demise of a once great company:(

I had the hinge problem as well I was just short of the warranty expiring and they repaired it! But then they offered me extended complete care which would replace any accidental damage through 2014. The guy said it would cover anything including dropping it in a bath tub.  My kid dropped my laptop and now it has a screen that goes in and out and the cracked hinge(other side) is completely open and several pieces of the top are broken.  I ask them how I can get it fixed and they said it won't cover hardware only if I have the other warranty as well? What!!? The person who sold me this warranty sold it to me because he noticed my other one was expiring and he said this would cover any accidental damage.  It was a studio 1555 which we paid over $1000 dollars for. I am so unhappy with dell! That was dishonest to tell me I am covered and now try to say I am not!