H/P Laptop Monitor

I've noticed that with the H/P laptops, the monitor slowly weakens so that eventually it won't stand up at all. Is this something unique to the H/P?

Is it a function of age?

Can it be repaired?

Right now I'm using my IBM thinkpad, which after sitting around for the past 2-3 years has finally decided to start working again. For how long, I don't actually know.