SPIN 3 SP314 53N 77AJ The power cord connection getting worse Point me in the right direction?

I have a SPIN 3 SP314 53N 77AJ (i7,16gb RAM). The power cord connection seems to be getting worse and worse over a long period of time. I went to Amazon and bought a new power cord that had good ratings. The problem is slightly better but not much. I opened the laptop up, and the only thing that I could see to try was to push in the metal tabs on opposite sides thinking that maybe the charger and the port weren't making a good connection. It now feels a bit less loose, but the problem is still there.

Should I just buy a new port and replace it? Is there something else I should be looking at?

And finally, this is a different subject altogether but since this laptop is a few years old I'm wondering if it's worth sinking any more money into it, and maybe shoot for a new laptop? I liked this one because of the touch screen, i7 chip, and the 16gb memory. I don't follow specs anymore so maybe this is now too underpowered to invest more money into it...

Thanks in advance!

[Edited the thread to add issue detail]

Accepted answers

All comments

JackE

>>>this laptop is a few years old I'm wondering if it's worth sinking any more money into it>>>

I simply use a bag clip on mine. Anything more complicated like surgery seriously risks collateral damage. If you've got money burnng a hole in your pocket, shoot for a new laptop. If not, a faster bigger boot drive might be more practical. 🙂

lrubin

I appreciate that you answered but I'm looking for an actual fix...

JackE

Only 'actual' fix is to try different chargers and/or jacks till you find a pair that seems to do the job. The main problem is that the diameter of the plug barrels and PC jacks aren't precision close-tolerance fits. ODs & IDs can vary slightly even for the same models. Some too tight. Some too loose. Some pair just right. Sorry.

billsey

Your SP314-53N uses a small cable to run between the motherboard and the DC-In jack, with the jack itself held in place under the hinge. If your hinges are starting to get loose the jack will likely be loose as well, which gives the symptoms you describe. If yours has the 45W power supply the cable number from Acer is 50.HD4N5.006, if the 65W power supply it's a 50.HD4N5.005. The latter can replace the former but you should reverse that. If it turns out that is your issue you should also use some epoxy to rebuild the hinge mounts when you are in there and take much more care in opening and closing the laptop in the future. The thin and light designs from any of the laptop manufacturers with plastic cases tend to pull hinges loose when opened quickly or roughly.