Taking care of laptop hinges

[neilencio]

I just bought my first laptop and am a bit paranoid about the hinges being broken eventually (I see a lot of laptops at work with nasty broken hinges). I know that repairs are possible, even DIY ones using a strip of velcro and a metal L-bracket, but I also want to make this thing last to the best I can.

So, any of you guys have tips on what I should (or shouldn't) do in order to make my laptop hinges last?

[slowslow325]

Buy a neoprene case to put the thing in. Those things are awesome, make the laptop only slightly bigger, and will protect it when it's in your backpack or whatever. You could get a carrying case for it, but with a neoprene case you're more likely to slip it in there every time you're done using it and not just when you're carrying it. Plus, it isolates it from everything and doesn't let it move around inside the case.

Make sure you gently shut the lid. Don't slam it shut.

Make sure when you close it there isn't anything in between the screen and the keyboard.

Don't drop it.

Other than that, I can't think of anything you could do.

[puke_face]

Don't drop it. Seriously. I know it may sound stupid, but it can happen easily. Just don't put your laptop in harm's way is the best way to keep it in good shape. Clean it off every once in a while. Clean it out if you feel comfortable doing so. If you're not familiar taking them apart, take it to a shop and have it done. They get plugged up with crap just like any other computer does. Be careful if you are putting the laptop on your lap, that you're not blocking the cooling fans.

And also, have fun. Laptops are the bomb.

[Limewater]

Sometimes, hinge cracking is simply a design defect. I have an old Acer Aspire where this is the case. I was very gentle with it, but the hinges cracked anyway.