Decker

I'm curious : Did any journalist at the Nintendo Switch preview function mention the screen scratching issue? It seems like a really big deal - especially if it can happen in the first few uses of the system. Seems like a big oversight if nobody noticed it. I am wondering if they used screen protectors or something on the demo units.

Adam Tyner

Digging through the January preview event stuff, one of the few comments I could quickly find is this one from VentureBeat:
Someone on Reddit asked this question and was told that there weren't screen protectors at the preview events, although who knows if they guy who answered actually knows what he's talking about?

windom

It sounds like my son's Switch has the flickering screen issue as seen here:

I don't know if it would be better to exchange it at the store, if that's even possible yet, or have Nintendo fix it which will probably take a few weeks. Exchanging it would lose all his game progress.

fumanstan

Seems like the official one is in stock on Amazon. Since my phone uses USB-C I realized I could just use the same charger for the Switch and it seems to charge decently fast.

fujishig

If you have Nintendo fix it, I'm fairly sure you'll lose all your game progress as well.

As for screen scratching... the bumpers are actually on the outside of the screen so if you put it in straight the scratches will generally be around the bezel and not on the screen itself, but there are no guides or anything to help you put it in straight. I'm surprised they didn't use gorilla glass or something similar, because even if the dock doesn't scratch it, it's a freaking portable with a huge non replaceable screen.. I remember the original DS also had a major scratching problem, which was magnified by the fact that it used a stylus.

It's also possible there is a manufacturing defect. As I said before, a lot of people seem to have docks that are slightly curved in the front when it should be completely straight, which adds to how tightly the system is gripped by the dock.

The one complaint I can kind of understand from Nintendo's side is the whole charging from the bottom thing. It docks from the bottom, of course the charging port is going to be on the bottom. Still really, really stupid that the WiiU tablet stand is a better dock than this thing. They also have some BS proprietary thing which will prevent third parties from just making their own docks, I believe.

DVDTalker76

I read something online implying that the scratched screens - while a big deal - might be pretty isolated incidents at this point. Would explain why it didn't come up at the press events, anyway.

Wouldn't this be as simple a fix as having it dock upside-down? Pull it out, turn it over to use.. no big deal.

Adam Tyner

They could just remove the completely pointless front of the dock. It's just a slab of plastic. No electronics inside that part.

fujishig

Docking upside down would be pretty non intuitive, though.

I thought the same thing at first about the front of the dock, in fact I was initially surprised there was a front because I thought it was exposed like the WiiU stand. But someone would complain it doesn't protect the screen in docked mode, I'm sure (so instead, it does the opposite!).

That kickstand is also the flimsiest thing I've ever seen.

Decker

I could see how dead pixels or flickering screens could be an isolated occurance, but the screen scratching isn't due to a mechanical failure or faulty part -- it's a design flaw as inherent to the system as the RRoD on the launch 360s or the battery in a Note 7. It may be an easy problem to prevent by just taping a microfiber cloth to the inside of the dock (however an inelegant fix that is), but I don't see how anyone could dismiss it as a few isolated occurrences if it's happening to multiple folks using the system as designed after only a couple of days. In my book, that's unacceptable wear & tear.

Adam Tyner

From what some people are saying -- folks on GAF are going nuts posting pictures of their docks, measuring things to tenths of a millimeter, etc. -- it sounds like there are small but significant variances as part of the manufacturing process. It's obviously still a design flaw, but it may not be as widespread as those other two scenarios either. (I mean, it very well may be, but it's too early to say yet.)

My Switch is scratch-free for the moment, but it definitely doesn't just "lift" out of the dock without making contact either. I'm thinking about getting one of those USB-C extenders and never actually putting the Switch in that dock again.

I really wish Nintendo would respond.

RichC2

People are already trying redesigns on their own: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2105260

Sub-Zero

Nintendo's online store currently lists the Nintendo Switch dock as "Currently out of stock."

https://store.nintendo.com/ng3/us/po...ryId=cat831380

Perhaps Nintendo is quietly redesigning the Nintendo Switch dock.

lopper

Or maybe is just... out of stock.

http://http://gizmodo.com/nintendo-d...lin-1793053187

DVDTalker76

Man, even on gaming forums??

fumanstan

http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/8/148...amazon-support

Seemed inevitable.

majorjoe23

At this point, I don't know if I need to be able to watch Netflix on an 18th device.

fujishig

It would give you something to do with it after you finish Zelda...

In all honesty, if you don't have an ipad or tablet the portability of it would make it appealing for Netflix, etc... if the wireless actually worked well.

fumanstan

I have a tablet with a higher resolution that i'd probably to watch movies and shows on anyway, but I can see how it's appealing for people that don't want to bring multiple devices with them. I'm travelling for work a lot lately and already have a laptop, tablet, two phones, and planning on bringing the Switch with me.

RichC2

I would assume it would have a noticeably longer battery life while streaming video vs. gaming as well. I know the nVidia Shield had roughly 4.5 hours of game time vs. 8.5 hours with video.

So I could see that being a handy spare portable

Dan

I've only spent a couple hours with the Switch... I bought it Thursday night, then flew to LA for 4 nights, and didn't get back until midnight last night. So the only time I really used it was for an hour or so on each flight.

I think I damaged one of the analog thumbsticks, since I put the thing in my backpack with no case. So... I might be buying a new right-hand JoyCon sooner than later, although it appears to work fine, it's just... bent... and it might just be the rubber on top. We'll see.

Anyway... not much to add to the discussion. Zelda is fun. I never really played the other 3D Zelda games so it's very new to me. Handheld, The thing isn't very comfortable, maybe just because I'm not used to it yet.

I haven't docked the thing yet, but I'll watch out for what others have said. I already threw a screen protector on my Switch, so it shouldn't get damaged. I also bought a Pro Controller which I haven't had a chance to use yet.

I bought 1-2-switch, and I really don't know why. I was thinking my wife or kid might like it when I bought it, but really... they probably won't even care. I shouldn't have bothered. Too bad I already opened it, though, thinking we might get a chance to play it on vacation (we didn't). We'll try it out maybe tonight. If it's lame, I guess I'll trade it in and take the loss.

I like the screen size. Some apps would be nice, but aren't necessary really.

Sub-Zero

Thank you for the information. And the dock is already back in stock at Nintendo's online store, though interestingly, it now only comes with the dock itself (I thought an AC Adapter and HDMI cable were originally included with the purchase of the Nintendo Switch dock).

fujishig

No, the dock was always sold by itself for a whopping 60 bucks without any cables. Supposedly they were going to offer a version with cables for like 90 bucks but I don't think it's ever gone up.

60 bucks for another way to damage my screen without the benefit of charging? What a steal!

Sub-Zero

Thank you for clearing that up for me. My confusion came from the fact that on Nintendo's website for the Nintendo Switch it only lists the "Nintendo Switch Dock Set" that includes an AC Adapter and HDMI cable along with the dock itself:

http://www.nintendo.com/switch/buy-now/

Adam Tyner

I used mine handheld for the first time today and felt the same way. Tough to go from hours and hours and hours with the pro controller and then move to that...where my hands are spaced so far apart, the system is so thin... It looks gorgeous, though.

Adam Tyner

I bought this USB-C extender cable and tried it out for the first time this afternoon. Works like a champ. I can still play on the big screen but don't have to put the Switch in the dock. Now I just need to find some kind of stand so it's not just sitting around.