Spin 1 SP-111-33-C4CF already broken - Planned obsolescence?

Dave82

I have a Spin 1, which isn't even 4 years old but already broken beyond repair. A few months ago, the extremely thin back cover cracked beneath one of the hinges just from doing the Spin function. The screw along with plastic parts fell out. Only weeks later, the same thing happened on the other side after opening the notebook. The hinges were so loose from that time on, that I always needed a wall to keep the display up. I found several reports of other customers with a broken Spin back cover.

And now the hard drive is damaged and I can't even replace it. After starting the notebook all I see is the message "No bootable device". An IT professional couldn't solve it and told me the hard drive is broken. So I tried to replace it, only to find out that it's not possible because it's soldered. So the notebook will go to the garbage dump.

Why does Acer manufacture products of early wear and tear which can't even be repaired? To increase sales? This was my first and last Acer notebook.

acer 1.JPG

[Edited the thread to add model name to the title]

Commodore_1995#

Hi! What is the exact model? Example AN515-55-5890.

billsey

Yes, you don't tell us which Spin 1 model you have. Your full model number is usually on the same sticker as your serial number, it should look something like SP1xx-xxx-xxxx. Usually having the hinges pull loose is a sign that you have either been opening the laptop too quickly or from one corner instead of the center. That puts extra stress on the hinge mounts. All 'thin and light' laptop designs have that type of problem, because the cases have to be thin and that means there isn't as much depth to hold the screws. When the issue first appears it's a fairly easy fix. If still in warranty the manufacturer will just replace the case half, if out of warranty you can build up the screw mounts with epoxy and they will hold better than new (I used JB Weld AutoWeld last time I did one). Stay away from epoxies that dry flexible, they won't hold as well. Once you have let it go to the point where the case has broken into pieces, as in your current situation, you really will need new case halves to get it back to working right, unless you still have all the pieces and like putting jigsaw puzzles together… 😉

Dave82

Model name is SP-111-33-C4CF

Here are some reports from other customers, complaining about the same exact problem. Broken cover at the hinges just from opening. I measured the cover, it's only 1 millimeter thin. That looks like planned obsolescence to me. A bit more thickness and longer screws wouldn't add much weight.

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/677695/acer-spin-plastic-cover-cracked-again

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/580913/spin-3-back-case-broken-in-one-and-half-months-of-usage

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/583599/spin-3-back-case-broken-replacement-procedure

billsey

No, it's just that users have made it clear that for a thin and light notebook model they will buy the one that is thinnest and lightest, without regards to any other features, except maybe price. So, the manufacturers cater to those demographics and build then thinner and thinner, even though it does make them more prone to pulling hinges loose. Users can mitigate the tendency by opening slowly and from the center of the screen, but a lot of people don't follow that advice and end up with loosening hinges after a while. I'm starting to see it with the laptop I use every day, even with that level of care, but it's three years old now. I'll likely open it up soon and reseat the screws with some JB Weld since I'm not planning on replacing this one for several months yet.

Dave82

So inferior material is the user's fault? I guess the broken hard drive after 4 years is my fault too, because I used the notebook instead of leaving it in the packaging. I have an ASUS notebook that I keep for emergencies and it's still running after 12 years. I think Acer has no regard for customers or the environment. I will advise anyone against buying Acer products from now on.