How easy is it to loosen the hinges on Framework laptops?

Framework Laptop 16
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I would like a straightforward answer or even better a video on a situation where you can not open laptop screen because of the hinges are tightening-up and how it is resolved with a framework laptop.

Currently I own Lenovo laptop and it seems to be very complex and entire laptop and its screen must be disassembled to even have a hope at fixing this issue: of a laptop screen not opening up.

Would it take 2 minutes or would it take 30 minutes + re-assembly to accomplish this?

Previously I’ve had a Toshiba laptop (from 2013) and it suffered the same problem of hinges tightening-up after owning it for many years.

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Also, replacement hinges are here:

I don’t think anyone has reported any problems with the FW16 hinges, but if the hinges do ever get too tight, it easy enough to replace them.

4

After looking at the guide, I do not see a huge progress over other popular laptops in regards of fixing. So mostly this problem is why I will not buy framework laptop nor suggest anyone to buy it, because it’s already very common among other laptops and it doesn’t matter if anyone already had problems or not, it should be easy to fix and give you easy access. I can not see it as easy when looking at the guide.

5

Well, that’s how laptops are built.

At least Framework gives you access to the parts and clear access to guides on how to change them.

Enjoy your Lenovo!

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6

you can literally buy weaker hinges.

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Why end with weaker hinges, when you can literally buy all parts of any laptop and assemble the laptop you want with custom case in any way you want. Problem is not that you can buy weaker hinges, the problem is integrating/replacing effort needed every time any computer part is needed.

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Is it easy to replace the hinges when a framework laptop’s screen stuck at closed position?

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9

I’ve had a Framework Laptop 13 since batch 2 of the 11th gen mainboard (Since August 2021, had to look through my email to find when I ordered it) and I haven’t noticed any change in the tightness of the hinges. Obviously there isn’t much more data than that on long-term behavior, since Framework hasn’t been around much longer than that, but if you ever do realize that your hinges are getting tighter, it is at least possible to replace them.

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I think that’s depends on the hinge mechanism. Hinges have friction, when the laptop’s screen is almost closed the friction reduces and the screen “snaps” into fully closed position. If it’s done by magnets on the B or C cover , a guadual increase in friction is alarming and the user has plenty of time to replace the hinges. However if it’s done by the hinges themselves, the snapping mechanism might malfunction, jamming the screen on its fully closed position without prior warning.

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I think when the screen can’t be opened anymore, it’s pretty much impossible without cutting the hinges in half.

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I have had laptops for over 20 years, and never had any show the symptoms you describe. I have some 20 year old laptops that have hinges that still open and close.
I work in a company that has over 10000 employees, and the symptoms your describe have never been reported.
There have been some cases of the the screws coming loose or the plastic the screws screw into failing, that make it very easy to open the lid. Never has it failed in such a way as to make it too difficult to open the lid.
Caveat: None of those laptops are Lenovo.

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