I have a very gently used Aspire 3 laptop. After 6 months of use, the right hinge broke as well as the frame around it. I contacted customer service and they wanted $400+ dollars to repair! Instead I took it to uBreakiFix store and they repaired it for $119 using official Acer parts. Eight months later the same hinge broke again and cost me another $119.
Here is the thing; I am not just claiming this laptop is gently used. Since I bought it in Nov. 22, it has remained stationary on my computer desk except for a period of 10 days when I took it out of town. Even then, I transported it in a heavy duty laptop bag, opened it at my destination and it remained stationary for 10 days. To say that I have opened and shut the lid more than 25x during ownership would be a liberal estimate. As further support my careful treatment of this laptop, I own a still working Dell laptop that is over 20 years old and a Toshiba laptop that is 12+ years old. Aside from the out-of-date operating systems they are in top physical shape. I am retired now so my Aspire has not had to travel like my old ones did.
When I researched a computer purchase, I focused on the operating system. I never imagined that the only two moving parts would be so weak. Don't people buy laptops for their portability? So why did Acer put such junky hinges on these laptops? Furthermore why aren't they offering an improved hinge replacement? I have experienced such services from other companies. I wouldn't even care if the hinges were unattractive. It still going to beat duct tape!
