Samsung Knowingly Markets Defective 2-in-1 Chromebook: Suit
Samsung concealed a “known material defect” in its Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 device with a 360-degree rotating touch screen “that can be folded to the back of the chassis along two hinges so the device can be used as a tablet…
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and in various positions,” alleged a complaint Monday in U.S. District Court in Newark, New Jersey, that seeks class-action status. “Unbeknownst to consumers,” the hinges can “detach from their mounting point within the display and break through the screen when the display is moved,” said plaintiff Tony McCoy, a Norman, Oklahoma, resident who, according to the complaint, bought a Chromebook Plus from Best Buy for about $600 in December 2018. Attempting to open the device or change the display angle “causes the screen to split, rupture, or suffer other serious damage,” the complaint said. Samsung “failed to disclose” the defect, and “continues to misrepresent the capabilities” of the device. Even when consumers contact Samsung about the problem, the company “typically denies” that the defect exists, “and asserts hinges only fail when misused,” it said. “Defendant unjustly profits from this scheme by routinely refusing to provide repairs free of charge.” The lawsuit alleges Samsung violated the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and breached “the implied warranty of merchantability,” among other infractions. Samsung didn’t comment.