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Nintendo Software Entertainment Games Hardware Technology

Nintendo Switch Consoles Are Reportedly Warping When Docked (independent.co.uk) 110

Posted by BeauHD from the too-hot-to-handle dept.
When the Nintendo Switch was launched in early March, some users complained about dead or stuck pixels, which Nintendo later dismissed as being "normal." We're now approaching the one-month mark and some users are reporting that the console can warp when it's been docked for an extended period of gaming. The Independent reports: [Reddit] User _NSR has posted a picture of a bent Switch online, alongside a message reading, "The Nintendo Switch is starting to warp while only being in dock mode." _NSR expanded on the issue in further comments, explaining, "It does get very hot, considering how small the system is and it is outputting Breath of the Wild for long periods of time on a big screen, it may be too much for it to handle. I'm wondering if it being docked is the problem though, most of my time has been on the dock, and it has to work harder to output to a larger screen. Luckily it hasn't affected the way that it plays, the lack of disc drive is definitely a good thing here." Fellow Reddit users have offered multiple possible explanations for the warp, with battery issues and thermal expansion being suggested. Another Switch user, Magnaha23, backed up _NSR's claim, commenting, "I actually checked my Switch after seeing this. It's starting to do the exact same thing just not as bad as yours yet. I called Nintendo and got a repair set up in like 10 minutes. "I got a prepaid label for overnight shipping. Once they get it it takes a few days to process and repair. If they can repair the unit, which if the whole thing is warped they probably can't, they will send back. Otherwise, they will transfer my data over to a new unit and send that back. They said 6-8 business days once they get my Switch. We shall see..." Other people on the thread, however, say they haven't noticed any warping despite using it for lengthy gaming sessions while docked.
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Nintendo Switch Consoles Are Reportedly Warping When Docked More

Nintendo Switch Consoles Are Reportedly Warping When Docked

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  • Be careful of your data (Score:5, Informative)

    by PhunkySchtuff ( 208108 ) <kai@automatic[ ]om.au ['a.c' in gap]> on Tuesday April 04, 2017 @06:46AM (#54169385) Homepage

    Be careful of your data. Other people have reported having to get their Switch repaired and their savegames getting wiped.
    https://arstechnica.com/gaming... [arstechnica.com]

    • Re: Be careful of your data (Score:5, Insightful)

      by LordKronos ( 470910 ) on Tuesday April 04, 2017 @10:35AM (#54170303)

      That's pointless advise, because there's no way to be careful with your data. You can't copy save games to a flash card, and there is no online save functionality either. So the person who is "careful" with their data is equally as susceptible as the person who doesn't give it a single thought.

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by Anonymous Coward

        Exactly right. Nintendo is so concerned about save file hacking that they made it outright impossible to back up your save data, something that the humble, unpopular PC as well as every major console has been able to do for quite some time now. Judging by the people who have lost their save data sending the Switch in for repairs, Nintendo themselves can't even back the save data up. For a company that I usually associate with quality hardware at least, that's a mind-numbing, stupid design decision.

        I think b

  • Not too surprising (Score:4, Informative)

    by wierd_w ( 1375923 ) on Tuesday April 04, 2017 @06:57AM (#54169407)

    The console outputs fewer pixels in handheld mode (720p) than in docked mode (1080P), so the system SHOULD generate less heat.

    ABS, which is most likely what the shell is made of, has a melting point someplace around 220C, but gets kinda flexible/bendy much lower than that. The heat of the system running balls to the walls for extended periods could well be sufficient for things to get saggier than titties at a 5th wave bra burning convention.

    Sounds like there is a market for aftermarket clip on turbofan coolers, like there was for original build XBOX 360s. (the ones that got so hot due to poor ventilation design that they would spontaneously delaminate their surface mount chips.)

    Better get that Nintendo seal of approval though. They are about as bitchy about aftermarket devices as Apple is.

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

      People used to wrap their XBOX 360s in towels to make them fail and get them replaced under warranty until Microsoft sent them a properly fixed unit. Nintendo needs to be careful - if they just swap units out for identical ones which will fail in the same way the return rate could shoot up.

      • People used to wrap their XBOX 360s in towels to make them fail and get them replaced under warranty until Microsoft sent them a properly fixed unit. Nintendo needs to be careful - if they just swap units out for identical ones which will fail in the same way the return rate could shoot up.

        That was also a temp cure after it had failed, wrap it up and let it run for a while and it got so hot the solder kinda reset itself then you could run it for a little bit before it gave you the red ring of doom again.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by _merlin ( 160982 )

      Turbofans? Fans driven by turbines? And whatever the gas generator for the turbine is won't melt the console in ten seconds flat?

      • There is such a thing as an electric turbo fan.

        Here, let me Google it for you.

        https://www.google.com/#q=Elec... [google.com]

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by _merlin ( 160982 )

          If it isn't driven by a turbine, it isn't a turbofan. Words have meanings, yo. The "turbo-" prefix means "turbine-driven" as in turbojet (turbine-driven jet), turbofan (turbine-driven fan), turboshaft (gas turbine driving shaft output rather than generating trust like in a helicopter or ship), turboprop (turbine-driven propellor), turbogenerator (turbine-driven generator, like in a coal or nuclear powerplant), turbocharger (supercharger driven by a turbine in the exhaust), and so on. "Turbo-" has a speci

    • ABS, which is most likely what the shell is made of, has a melting point someplace around 220C, but gets kinda flexible/bendy much lower than that.

      Yes, and if your case design doesn't take into account what the material will do when hot, that's amateur hour. It's inexplicable, because Nintendo has in the past had some of the best case design in gaming.

      • True, but then Nintendo has never really dealt with high-performance components before, much less in a small form factor. I mean the N64 is probably about as close as they ever previously got to being "cutting edge. Performance-wise the Wii and Wii U were simply small incremental upgrades to the gamecube, in fact judged in comparison to the high-end consumer CPU and GPUs available at the time of their respective releases, you could even argue that they actually backslid.

    • ... could well be sufficient for things to get saggier than titties at a 5th wave bra burning convention.

      There is empirical evidence [bustle.com] that bras actually increase sagginess.

    • You're really jumping the gun based on editorialized title. There is one known instance of this ocurring. One! Out of millions of Nintendo Switches. Even if there are a handful of units that do this, it's certainly not wide spread.

      Myself and a number of friends got a Switch on launch day. None of them are bent, scratched, or melted into a pile of good. None of them have wifi or joycon connection issues. And certainly that seems to be the case for most people.

      While it sucks to be the guy to get a d

      • There is one known instance of this ocurring. One!

        In which case it miight just as easily be down to leaving the Switch where the Sun can shine on it.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by DrXym ( 126579 )
      I expect all the Switch does when docked is run at a higher clock rate. The extra heat combined with the confined space interfering with dissipation could potentially warp the case if the software is not monitoring the temperature properly and taking measures to avoid it. Maybe they can resolve the issue in firmware by cranking up the fan more aggressively. Maybe people are just stuck with the problem and it can be added to all the rest.

  • Really? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by UncleRage ( 515550 ) on Tuesday April 04, 2017 @07:04AM (#54169423)

    I have no horse in this race; beyond setting up a RetroPie build that includes a few NES/SNES games, Nintendo hasn't been on my radar in over twenty years.

    That said... A Reddit post from yesterday consisting of a "Hey, Reddit... look at this shit!" with a "Yeah, me too!" in the comments now constitutes a discussion on Slashdot? Is this really where we're going?

    Fuck the signal, let's just pump noise! Good job, BeauHD.

    • This story is, unfortunately, making the rounds on the internet even though it was started by just one reddit post. If anyone had looked at the post in detail, they would see a couple more examples of user's switches with different degrees of slightly warped plastic, but there's plenty of skeptics who believe that it wasn't warped due to heat (and that the switch doesn't get hot enough for that), just that the initial mold injection process was flawed and the switches were always slightly warped and it jus

  • So you're saying... (Score:5, Funny)

    by magusxxx ( 751600 ) <magusxxx_2000@yaOPENBSDhoo.com minus bsd> on Tuesday April 04, 2017 @07:18AM (#54169455)
    The console is moving to the left? Or moving to the right? Which makes you impatiently move your hips. As you hold the unit out with both hands tight. And you give it to the repairman with a thrust As his confused look really drives you insane...

  • Had to sell it (Score:3)

    by cerberusss ( 660701 ) on Tuesday April 04, 2017 @07:19AM (#54169459) Journal

    I'm sure there are some problems but in general, the Switch is freaking awesome. I bought it with Zelda, and it's the first time in FIFTEEN years that I'm at work and then think to myself: "oh boy, in an hour or two I can go home and play Zelda!" It's that amazing.

    I did have to sell it though. My RSI started acting up and I really really can't risk any problems since I'm self-employed. Damn shame.

    • Re:Had to sell it (Score:4, Interesting)

      by RogueyWon ( 735973 ) on Tuesday April 04, 2017 @07:42AM (#54169529) Journal

      The Switch is an ergonomic nightmare. I've got mild RSI and I have to be very, very careful about using it undocked, or via the joycons attached to the grip. Fortunately, the Pro Controller, while expensive, is fine in terms of its ergonomics (though the lack of analogue shoulder triggers reduces its quality as a controller).

      But the Switch itself is about as bad as you can get. In undocked mode, the control inputs are right on the very outer edge of the unit. If you have normal-sized hands, the only way to hold it is via "pinching" the edges. Your hand is entirely unsupported and will slip into a cramped posture by default. The same problem is also present with the joycons when using them undocked.

      Modern video game controllers have "wings" for a reason, even though they are generally just hollow plastic. They fill the palm of your hand during play and prevent you from cramping up your hand. This is both more comfortable in immediate terms, and less likely to lead to problems with your hands over prolonged use. Nintendo have completely ignored two decades of ergonomic progress with the Switch. A lot of people will be happily using their units right now and not (yet) feeling any ill effects, but storing up all kinds of problems with their hands for later in life.

      If you want to play Zelda, then go ahead. It's not really my cup of tea, but some people seem to like it a lot. But for the love of god, get a Pro Controller if you're going to do so. No game is worth inflicting long-term pain on yourself.

      • If I want to play Zelda on a TV, I found it was just as good* on the Wii-U with the pro-controller.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by PRMan ( 959735 )
          Not really. The most immersive aspect of Zelda is in the JoyCons. Every different combination of weapon and what you hit with it has a different feel. Even the amount of contact changes it. The JoyCons IMO are the key to making Breath of the Wild so immersive.

    • I'm sure there are some problems but in general, the Switch is freaking awesome. I bought it with Zelda, and it's the first time in FIFTEEN years that I'm at work and then think to myself: "oh boy, in an hour or two I can go home and play Zelda!" It's that amazing.

      I did have to sell it though. My RSI started acting up and I really really can't risk any problems since I'm self-employed. Damn shame.

      THIS! Last time I felt like this I was a teenager, playing Super Mario 64.

      • I'm sure there are some problems but in general, the Switch is freaking awesome. I bought it with Zelda, and it's the first time in FIFTEEN years that I'm at work and then think to myself: "oh boy, in an hour or two I can go home and play Zelda!" It's that amazing.

        I did have to sell it though. My RSI started acting up and I really really can't risk any problems since I'm self-employed. Damn shame.

        THIS! Last time I felt like this I was a teenager, playing Super Mario 64.

        I'm not sure but I think the N64 pad was designed with an Octopus in mind.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by PRMan ( 959735 )
        I'm 47 and I'm addicted to Breath of the Wild. But the last time I was like this wasn't that far back. Arkham City for me.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by GuB-42 ( 2483988 )

      It is not the console, it's the game, and it is also available on the WiiU.
      It is slightly less beautiful and slightly less fluid but it doesn't affect the gameplay.

      As for RSI, I don't know how the Switch controllers compare to the WiiU controllers. Being the older system, you have more choice on the WiiU so it may be the better option.

  • Nintendo, please read (Score:4, Informative)

    by zifn4b ( 1040588 ) on Tuesday April 04, 2017 @07:26AM (#54169471)
    I won't buy one of your new consoles until you fix the launch issues. These are design flaws and/or failure rate issues with parts from other distributors. If you want me to buy a Switch, fix it. I can play Breath of the Wild on the WiiU until then. Marketing spin doesn't make products better. k thx bai.
    • I'm sure Nintendo reps scan the internet all day for comments just like yours to motivate them to make you happy.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by zifn4b ( 1040588 )

        I'm sure Nintendo reps scan the internet all day for comments just like yours to motivate them to make you happy.

        Excuse me? I thought Nintendo was trying to sell a product to try to compel me and other consumers to spend $300 for a console and then $60 a pop for each game. Did I miss something? It's my choice about what to spend my hard-earned money on. I have no obligation to buy anything and I do in fact vote with my wallet. If you can't grasp the concept then I feel very sorry for you.

        • Did I miss something?

          You missed the sarcasm. Completely.

    • I won't buy one of your new consoles until you fix the launch issues.

      I fear they will manage without your sale keep them afloat.

    • Comment removed based on user account deletion

    • These are design flaws

      Shit if one random reddit post constitutes are design flaw then frankly we should go back to living off the land Amish style. Even then I'm sure some reddit idiot will comment on his butter churner not churning to his liking.

  • Adios, nintendo (Score:4, Insightful)

    by drinkypoo ( 153816 ) <drink@hyperlogos.org> on Tuesday April 04, 2017 @07:29AM (#54169475) Homepage Journal

    Nintendo built their reputation on quality. Now they're just throwing that away? You could beat all the old consoles and their controllers up all day and have them still work. What's this fragile garbage?

    • The core problem is people. Nintendo is suffering like a lot of corporations with quality control issues that are primarily caused by one post on reddit being considered as a representative sample of millions of users.

      What's this fragile garbage?

      To answer that you first need to submit to an MRI. Only then can we tell why the average person's brain is so fragile.

    • This has been going on for a while. During the N64/Gamecube era, Nintendo had an impeccable reputation for build quality. You could literally throw a Gamecube out of a building window and it would survive. Then the Wii came out, and the system was suffering from flimsy construction, major overheating problems, and disc read errors (despite being built on conservative tech). At some point, they bowed to investor pressure and decided to stop making decent hardware, resulting in many QA issues despite not

      • Yes, I would agree that the Wii was the point at which it all went downhill. I just don't know what they are thinking. Gamers are still mad about RRoD and Nintendo is pulling this low-quality crap? Some of the Wii peripherals were still built like tanks, too bad that didn't include the Wiimote itself.

  • Headline sounds a lot better (Score:3)

    by Chrisq ( 894406 ) on Tuesday April 04, 2017 @08:33AM (#54169697)

    Nintendo Switch Consoles Are Reportedly Warping When Docked

    The headline sounds a lot better if you replace "Nintendo Switch Consoles" with "Federation Starships

    Federation Starships Are Reportedly Warping When Docked

    • I hate to break it to you, but you're still in the holodeck.

  • Does the unit fail or keep working? If it keeps working as designed, then so what? Not being argumentative, just curious about the hubbub. Phone manufactures are working on curved phones, so why not a curved Switch?

  • One instance does not constitute data.

    That said, I do think Nintendo screwed up by making a lightweight tablet console. Nintendo consoles and peripherals have always been built sturdy. I grew up with an NES and SNES; the console and controllers were drop-tested thoroughly and never missed a beat. There are legends of people dropping TVs (full sized old CRT monstrosities) on their N64, and the console shrugged it off. My gamecube got kicked and tossed around, and never suffered for it. The Wii-motes c

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by PRMan ( 959735 )
      My Wii DVD drive failed, but it didn't matter that much since I had a Wii U already and I could play all the old games on there.
  • To buy the "NEW! Super Nintendo Switch Lite Color SP XL" that they will start selling in about 6 months. I bet you the dock for that model will have fans in it.

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