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Replacing the hinges on Dell M4800 laptop - are there generic parts? (programming.dev)

submitted 3 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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So I have an aging DellM4800 15.6" laptop. It's actually built to last, upgradeable MXM A GPU, replaceable battery, professional keyboard, good build quality, easy to get to parts, and has a great matt screen. I use it as a portable laptop, rather than a mobile desktop unit.

Still, Somehow the hinge on one side has become warped. I have no clear idea but suspect that from where it used to be on my lap, the rear fans blew its heat onto it. Or maybe it took a knock somewhere. This would be quite a knock.

Anyway, the plastic cracked and broke off due to the warped metal, and the one side feels a bit, loose and wobbly. It opens fine-ish and just makes a clicking sound each time its opened.

Are there usually generic metal hinges for laptop screens or are they unique to each device? I don't particularly want to have to buy a whole new screen or worse, a new case just for hinges for one side. The missing plastic is small and I can deal with it, but would like to get this one side feeling as solid as the rest of the case.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Hinges are unique to the device. The screw placements and clearances differ from model to model, so you have to match the model number of your laptop and visually compare the part you're ordering to what you have on hand before ordering anything.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

Thanks, parts ordered from aliexpress for about 1/5th of what ebay sellers wanted!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

Those hinges get harder to move over time which puts increasing stress on the plastic. The correct repair is to install new hinges (both of them) and possibly replace the bottom plastic as well. Ten years ago this was a couple hours of labor plus parts, which worked out to about $300. It's a tedious process because you end up having to move all the internal components to the new bottom plastic, but it can be done.