Screen doesn't "spring unlock" on 17' MBP

Question

I have had all sorts of powerbooks these years, and have been used since the Titanium ones to a kind of "spring open" screen mechanism, in the sense that when one unlocks the latche(s) the PB or MB screen slightly but clearly jumps open from some 5 mm and stabilizes here, in a position where a simple push will continue the unfolding movement.
(on PCs instead, you generally need both hands, one to unlock the latch and the other one to raise the screen)
I've even seen this feature described as specially intended to a simpler user interface in an interview from J. Ives, Apple's chief designer...
Now, I just bought a 17' MacBook Pro some weeks ago, and this doesn't work.
Initially, I thought it may be a feature of the MBPs and their "two-latches" lock system, but since then I've tried a 15' MBP whose double-latch still allows a perfect "spring-opening" when activated.
I now believe my MBP has a weak spring there.
Of course, being outside US in a tiny town, it is absolutely obvious if I bring the machine back to my reseller, they'll just tell me this is a normal way of working, and will never take it back.
I have three questions:
1) can someone confirm that other 17' MBPs indeed do "spring open" when the screen latches are unlocked?
2) is there a risk that the screen articulation turns even weaker later on, possibly turning the machine unusable? Presently, the screen does stay in place when unfolded, but in an uneasily weak sort of way: for instance, if I try to move the MBP when open, I have to be very slow otherwise the screen may possibly smash closed -in a word, it seems the screen hinges are really weak, compared to any other model I've used, from Ti to 15' MBP.
3) Is there by any chance a place within the MBP documentation where this "spring open" mechanism would be clearly described as a feature?
As I said, for sure my local reseller would just laugh at me, but maybe the AppleCare support may be more aware...if this was described somewhere...
Indeed, what I am wondering now is whether the current 17' MBP hinges are just the same as the previous 15' machines that would be a little overstressed here, or if indeed it works everywhere else and I've a specific issue here...
Thanks for any comments!
MBP 17', among many others   Mac OS X (10.4.7)  

Answer 1

You have a worldwide 1-year warranty (unless you bought AppleCare, which would make it 3 years) that is provided by Apple. Any AASP worldwide is required to repair your MBP free of charge.
You can locate your nearest AASP (or "Centre de Services Agréé" as it's called in France) here:
http://www.apple.com/fr/buy/locator/
All "Apple Centers" are also authorized to repair your MBP:
http://www.apple.com/fr/buy/applecentre/
Alternatively, you can contact AppleCare directly and send it in for repair yourself.