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PrintMacBook Casing Defect: Prevalent Cracking
News Type: Event — Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:51 AM EDT
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While attending Macworld Conference and Expo '08, a hairline crack developed in my 1st Generation MacBook, which was just outside its one-year manufacturers warranty. That hairline crack has since become a split in the plastic casing which, when not held down by a piece of tape, results in a sliver of plastic jutting out from the area where my wrist comes in contact with the laptop as I type.
For the record:
- The MacBook has never been dropped.
- Being portable, the MacBook is ported around in a backpack designed for a MacBook but is otherwise treated gingerly.
- Having a lid, the lid is often opened and closed. (Shocking, I know.)
- The MacBook has 2GB of third-party RAM which probably didn't play a role in the split casing, but which I'm noting for posterity because Apple's support technicians usually make a big deal of pointing it out.
- The MacBook has been in for repairs once, under warranty, for a split in the display casing, which occurred along a seam.
Gathering Evidence
Until recently, I simply sighed every time I opened the lid on my MacBook. The crack was annoying, but I wrote it off as an anomaly that I'd have to live with, based on being outside the one-year, manufacturer's warranty.
Yesterday, I left a comment on this article [Newsvine link] by Kyle Baxter:
Whenever I end up in the market for a new portable, I'm either going with an Air or a MacBook Pro.
I won't consider another MacBook until they move beyond plastic casings, because they just don't hold up. My Macbook still runs just fine, but it drives me nuts that I'm holding a piece of the casing down with a piece of scotch tape.
Shortly thereafter, multiple MacBook owners came forward to state that they too had a split casing, in the exact same location. A quick flickr [Flickr link] search for the terms "macbook" and "crack" turned up [Flickr link] 317 photos, most of which depict cracks in the same location.
Searching Google with similar terms brought up multiple hits, often to forums, describing the same issue.
Design Defect?
Jeremy Emberling blogged about an identical crack in July of 2007:
MacBook Cracked [jeremyemberling.com]
Emberling speculates that the magnet which holds the MacBook display shut may be too strong, thus creating a stress fracture on the plastic base.
Engadget also reported on the issue in 2007:
Revenge of the crackBook [Engadget link]
No precise word on whether Apple is feeling generous with repairs here, but a few anecdotal reports make it sound like Apple isn't buying claims of it being a problem with build quality. We can understand a bit of skepticism, but given the fact that this isn't the first time cracking has appeared, we would hope Apple fesses up and fixes these things right quick.
To be fair, many of those who posted images on Flickr are reporting that Apple is fixing the issue under warranty. With that said, others are reporting that Apple support representatives have denied the existence of a design defect in the MacBook casing, no official acknowledgment of the issue has been posted to Apple's support website, and no recall has been announced.
Unfortunately, this leaves those who are outside their manufacturer warranty with a cracked, but still relatively young, laptop -- or, presumably, paying the price to have the issue corrected.
One could argue that purchasing the three-year AppleCare plan would extend the coverage and negate the issue, but it's hard to swallow that argument, unless you imagine an Apple Store employee selling the extended coverage on the basis that "your MacBook is going to crack, so you'll want to purchase an AppleCare plan to avoid paying for the repairs when it happens."
Proving a design or manufacturing defect may be difficult, but setting legal definitions aside:
The plastic casing on Apple's current MacBook lineup sucks, and evidence seems to indicate that it's as likely as not to crack, within (or just after) a year of ownership, under normal usage.
To that end, I've created a Flickr group to collect evidence of widespread cracking:
MacBook Casing Defects [Flickr link]
UPDATE
Yesterday, I sent out an email to the sjobs@apple.com address to inquire about the issue and also to point to this article.
Today, Nate Doss, from Apple Customer Service, contacted me in response to that email. He had read through the discussion.
- He also confirmed that it's not currently classified as a "known issue" but added that it's an issue that is being looked into.
- MacBooks that are out of warranty will be repaired, on a case-by-case basis. This means: So long as you haven't dropped it, they'll probably repair it for free.
- They're sending me an overnight box, and the tech I was transferred to thought that if all goes well, I should have it back by Wednesday if I mail it off on Monday, but that it could take 3-5 business days once they get it.
- When asked, that same technician confirmed that they use a different top case now, and that a certain subset of MacBooks are affected by the issue, but he didn't provide anything specific on that front, and I didn't press the issue.
- Regarding those who are in a similar situation, I asked Nate Doss who to contact and he said to just call the tech support line (1-800-800-2775) and if the person you speak with is unfamiliar with the issue, ask them to do a bit more research. If that doesn't help, he said to request a Customer Service Representative.
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4.2
{"commentId":1625932,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
I guess I'm going to have to turn in my Apple Zealot membership card.
{"commentId":1625932,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"brianford"}
- 4 votes
#1 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:52 AM EDT{"commentId":1625968,"authorDomain":"hemphill"}
That's probably the most annoying place for a crack...
{"commentId":1625968,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"hemphill"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1625990,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1626017,"authorDomain":"kyleb"}
Thanks for the article, Brian. The more attention you bring to it, the more likely Apple will recognize it as a problem.
I figured before, too, that it was merely a localized problem on my friend's Macbook, but with the number of people dealing with the exact same problem, I think that's unlikely.
Interestingly, it looks like they solved the problem with the MBA. Rather then the two plastic pieces at the top of the lid which keep the Macbook's screen off of the keyboard, the MBA has a rubber piece that rings the screen. The Macbook's design focuses the force of closing the screen on two spots, while the MBA's rubber piece distributes it and absorbs the force.
The plastic just sounds too weak, too. Even with the Macbook's faulty design, the plastic shouldn't peel up like that.
I'd send this to Apple and see what happens. It's worth bringing to their attention.
{"commentId":1626017,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"kyleb"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":1626084,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
If you found 317 photos, I would say Apple clearly has a design flaw and has no choice in the matter. I would send a copy of this article to Apple and say "fix it" or go class action. That is far too many defects in the same area.
{"commentId":1626084,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1626093,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1626102,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
But those are just on Flickr. There are lots of other posting sites also. Did you check the Apple Support Forums also ?
{"commentId":1626102,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1626114,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1627466,"authorDomain":"jwbuchan"}
I would send a copy of this article to Apple and say "fix it" or go class action.
Easy there big guy, no need to get lawyers involved over a little crack in a computer. Yeesh.
{"commentId":1627466,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"jwbuchan"}
{"commentId":1627481,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1627524,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Easy there big guy, no need to get lawyers involved over a little crack in a computer. Yeesh.
Sorry that you poo-poo the idea of quality. However as a design engineer, if something I designed did that, I would be rather embarrassed. BTW, how many products have you designed jamiewb ?
BTW, I was not mentioning the lawyer thing to actually get lawyers involved. However sometimes when dealing with returning products, just mentioning that word can make a huge difference.
Also "little cracks" lead to bigger cracks, they let in dust that does not get filtered at all which will lead to hard disk problems, etc. So its not as simple as you might think.
However. End of subject for me.
{"commentId":1627524,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1627588,"authorDomain":"jwbuchan"}
I didn't poo-poo quality, I poo-pooed over-zealous suggestions of litigation. Sorry that wasn't clear.
{"commentId":1627588,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"jwbuchan"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1627614,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1628749,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Brian. I can drop all effort if you would like as I don't appreciate getting called "over-zealous", however it seems in showing the Manager of the Apple Store locally that he agreed with my comments and this is a common issue and Should not be a issue nor cost you anything at a Apple Store or a authorized repair center as the early models did have a abnormally high return rate for exactly what you are having.
Later MacBooks (I was told) do not have this problem, it is restricted to several batches of the first general MacBooks and mainly White ones as those are more popular.
{"commentId":1628749,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1629452,"authorDomain":"elvo86"}
Going waaaay back to 1.3...
Interestingly, it looks like they solved the problem with the MBA. Rather then the two plastic pieces at the top of the lid which keep the Macbook's screen off of the keyboard, the MBA has a rubber piece that rings the screen. The Macbook's design focuses the force of closing the screen on two spots, while the MBA's rubber piece distributes it and absorbs the force.
I wonder if a 3rd-party fix could make the MBs work more like MBAs in this regard. It'd be a preventative measure, so it won't make a difference for those who already have a crack, but it'd be nice for others who haven't yet seen one.
{"commentId":1629452,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"elvo86"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":1663759,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}
I wonder where production was outsourced.
{"commentId":1663759,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1947072,"authorDomain":"bwiney"}
Thanks for the string. MY MB developed cracks at the palmrests within the last month. Just had my MB repaired for free at the new Apple store in Boston even though the warranty ended. I called the Applecare line first and was quickly told that the warranty had ended and that I would have to pay for the repairs. I referenced this forum and that many people had reported this problem and had their MB fixed for free after warranty. He said "Wait till I get clearance for this repair." 5-10 minutes later he returned with clearance and a repair number, everything covered. He said that I could only send it to Apple for repair and I couldn't take it into an Apple store. After hanging up, I went to the Apple store with the repair number and had a genius fix it in the store in about 1 hour!
Thank you very much for the info. People: do the research!! I didn't have to argue with anyone but I did have to reference the different forums with hundreds of people reporting this cracking case issue. Also, having a repair number from Applecare made the store visit simple: no talking to managers or presenting evidence of manufacturing defect.
{"commentId":1947072,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"bwiney"}
{"commentId":6183312,"authorDomain":"g-iii"}
I have the same problem! Im so glad to have bumped into this article. All the while I thought it was my fault, and was wondering what I did, as I used my macbook rarely and with great care. Thanks for posting!
{"commentId":6183312,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"g-iii"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1626039,"authorDomain":"2timothy42"}
Good luck getting it fixed man. Apple's customer service is awful, especially when there is "evidence of a drop." Not saying you dropped it. They will though.
I have had three situations with MacBook Pro like that. I definitley didn't drop anything. They accused me of abuse towards the machine that voids the warranty. Drives me nuts!
I would never buy another Mac again if it weren't for the fact they make such phenomenal machines when they are working. But this is the case in point why I NEVER purchase AppleCare.
{"commentId":1626039,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"2timothy42"}
- 3 votes
#2 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:14 PM EDT{"commentId":1626081,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1626099,"authorDomain":"emix"}
I'll live with the crack if it comes to that.
Doh! You tipped your hand - they'll never fix it now!
{"commentId":1626099,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"emix"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":1626100,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1626194,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
"evidence of a drop."
That is simple to see with the naked eye on a white plastic case, especially with rounded edges. Yours has no ding marks. If it has been dropped, stress lines or "crows feet" will show up, if needed, a low power x-ray will verify that. Hit them with the technical facts. Apple has always been a engineering driven company.
{"commentId":1626194,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":1626315,"authorDomain":"2timothy42"}
It's harder to deny a multitude of reports.
Yeah I agree for your case that is probably true.
What drives me nuts is when things totally unrelated to a drop go wrong and because there is a minor ding, they blame it on that.
For example. I had a minor (smaller than a dime) ding on the corner of a MacBook Pro. Happened within the first week of purchasing it. The computer worked fine for 10 months. Then at month 10, the screen started twitching and having colored lines in it. Sure enough, I take it in, won't fix it under warranty because of the ding.
I have had at least 5 other "scenarios" like that as well.
I think it is almost more them accusing me of lying than it is the cost that bothers me most (although the cost is pretty bad as well).
{"commentId":1626315,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"2timothy42"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1629657,"authorDomain":"doradora"}
I had the opposite experience. I dropped my 12"GB PB, TWICE, and make nice dents in each front corner. Over it's lifetime I had it fixed by apple three seperate times (AppleCare) and each time they replaced the part in question no problem. They could have easily claimed that the PB broke due to the damage I caused, but they never did. Once the tech actually bent the bottom case back a little bit for me! Never had a problem with Apple Customer Service.
Oh - and my wife's MacBook has the crack, and Apple is fixing it under warranty. They just accepted it without question, and are sending a box. It was easy.
{"commentId":1629657,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"doradora"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1630299,"authorDomain":"kbrennan"}
Both my Macbook (black) and my wife's (white) had this problem. The people at the Apple store fixed them without any hassle, and told me that it was a recognized defect and that it would be fixed even if I hadn't purchased AppleCare.
{"commentId":1630299,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"kbrennan"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1630654,"authorDomain":"acidreflux"}
You mean you took it in for service and got satisfaction, instead of posting a big article on the Internet about it without even talking to the manufacturer first? How positively 20th century of you!
{"commentId":1630654,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"acidreflux"}
{"commentId":1630796,"authorDomain":"ejronin"}
You mean you took it in for service and got satisfaction, instead of posting a big article on the Internet about it without even talking to the manufacturer first? How positively 20th century of you!
Perhaps it's a living document... he could be making other users aware of a not so small problem. He did say evidence that the problem is or was being denied on various levels despite the prevalence of it among macbook owners.
oh wait... Brian just said that.
{"commentId":1630796,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"ejronin"}
- 8 votes
{"commentId":1631143,"authorDomain":"acidreflux"}
Note that nowhere in the article do you state that you have even inquired with the manufacturer. It appears someone else did, and their problems were addressed in a satisfactory fashion.
{"commentId":1631143,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"acidreflux"}
{"commentId":1631210,"authorDomain":"ejronin"}
Note that nowhere in the article do you state that you have even inquired with the manufacturer.
The article was published Thursday Mar 27 (yesterday) and Brian makes an update that includes part of yesterday. Hence, living document and... I'm sorry you're wrong.
UPDATE
Yesterday, I sent out an email to the sjobs@apple.com address to inquire about the issue and also to point to this article.
Today, Nate Doss, from Apple Customer Service, contacted me in response to that email. He had read through the discussion.
{"commentId":1631210,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"ejronin"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":1631214,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1626066,"authorDomain":"darkside"}
A friend had hers crack there as well.
What are you doing without a 3-year service plan!? :-P
{"commentId":1626066,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"darkside"}
- 3 votes
#3 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:21 PM EDT{"commentId":1626086,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1626096,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Its a design or manufacturing flaw. Apple has been good in the past on covering those area's, I don't see a reason they would change now.
{"commentId":1626096,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1627057,"authorDomain":"nickford"}
I have that exact same crack in mine (I eventually lost the piece you have taped down and I just have a piece of clear tape covering the open space, don't want dust in there, etc.).
Mine's an October 2006, but I have 3-year AppleCare and I intend to have it replaced or repaired, I also have multiple hairline cracks all over the machine that don't really do anything other than look cheap.
And my machine makes, and has always made, a loud cracking noise every time I open it from the lid being closed (talk about cheap).
{"commentId":1627057,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"nickford"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":1627186,"authorDomain":"sphinx"}
And my machine makes, and has always made, a loud cracking noise every time I open it from the lid being closed (talk about cheap).
Huh. Mine has done that on occasion, as well.
{"commentId":1627186,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"sphinx"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1629981,"authorDomain":"lewk"}
Folks:
I have to wonder if people who think that the lid making a cracking noise when you open it or how flimsy and fragile the MacBooks are, has ever picked up a Dell laptop. Or nearly any other brand of laptop. I'm not saying that the MacBooks are perfect, but they are drastically more solid and better built than most other laptops. Maybe Dell makes a laptop with a metal case like a MacBook Pro, but I've never seen one.
And what products other than DVDs, CDs, do we expect as high a level of perfection in as we do with laptop computers? From the numbers I'm hearing here, it appears that Apple may have a case failure rate of what? < .1%? Sure perfection would be nice, but we live in a world where physics and the laws of nature make it impossible.
Also, my policy for Applecare is: always on laptops, seldom on desktops - only if it has something radically new & different, e.g. Dual 2.5 GHz G5s with liquid cooling. Laptops inherently are going to be stressed more - from temperature changes going in and outside frequently to being bumped around (even in a padded case) - so an extended warranty makes sense on them.
{"commentId":1629981,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"lewk"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1630169,"authorDomain":"nickford"}
No one mentioned Dell or any other brand, why would you? No one here is saying MacBooks are no good because of this problem (which appears far more widespread than you make it seem). We all spent in the neighbourhood of $1500 on these computers and we don't like to see pieces of them falling off. Doesn't seem that hard to understand. If I had spent $500 on a Dell, I would still not expect pieces to fall off, but I would be approximately 1/3rd as disappointed as I am with my MacBook's ugly cracks.
{"commentId":1630169,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"nickford"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":1626207,"authorDomain":"sphinx"}
It's rather sad, actually. My Macbook developed the same crack problem, and superglue seems to help. :-p
However, my dad is somewhat biased against Macs, and he once mentioned "Yeah, you never see our Dells do that."
Sigh.
It'd actually be interesting to see if all the Macbook crack reports came from right-handed people. It's possible that case flex when gripping the Macbook, open, near that corner could exacerbate the situation.
{"commentId":1626207,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"sphinx"}
- 3 votes
#4 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:47 PM EDT{"commentId":1626235,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1626449,"authorDomain":"sphinx"}
And there we go.
Myth Busted!
{"commentId":1626449,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"sphinx"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":1628863,"authorDomain":"a-l-o"}
Hmm. I have the exact same crack (and the same Scotch-tape band-aid). I'm also left-handed. What's interesting is that the trim on the right-hand side is now cracked, as well. It's very frustrating. Perhaps it's a conspiracy to get me to upgrade to the Air prematurely?
{"commentId":1628863,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"a-l-o"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1628969,"authorDomain":"sphinx"}
What's interesting is that the trim on the right-hand side is now cracked, as well.
Trim? You mean the outer casing?
{"commentId":1628969,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"sphinx"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1630810,"authorDomain":"ejronin"}
It's rather sad, actually. My Macbook developed the same crack problem, and superglue seems to help. :-p
Jack, you can get certain CA glues (super glue) that has microfillers in them that will expand slightly and fill the split while serving to further strengthen it to prevent the issue from a happening again... I use the Zap-a-gap green for models. It's great stuff... just don't glue yourself to yourself - it takes a long time in soapy warm water to unstick yourself.
{"commentId":1630810,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"ejronin"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":1637798,"authorDomain":"sphinx"}
Jack, you can get certain CA glues (super glue) that has microfillers in them that will expand slightly and fill the split while serving to further strengthen it to prevent the issue from a happening again... I use the Zap-a-gap green for models.
I just used Krazy Glue. It works pretty well, though the first time I did it, I guess I didn't bond enough of the crack surface, and it got loose after about a month of use. But, it's now been holding strong for about... 2 months, with no sign of loosening.
It's great stuff... just don't glue yourself to yourself - it takes a long time in soapy warm water to unstick yourself.
I actually almost did that. I brushed a finger against an exposed smear of glue just after I'd smoothed down the cracked strip, and the glue had begun to harden enough that it gave quite a bit of resistance to my pulling.
Thankfully, I didn't have to resort to a razor blade. I was not about to subject my Macbook to warm, soapy water. :-p
{"commentId":1637798,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"sphinx"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1626241,"authorDomain":"masternav"}
In response to the cross-exam that Apple service employees do, I have a friend who is an Apple Genius at one of the stores and has been for 4-5 years now. One of the most recurrent issues he reports in our more candid conversations are the repeated efforts of people who have abused their computers, and claim they haven't done anything to abuse. Everything from liquids under the keyboard to shattered screens reported as - "it just happened". The rate of incident that involves people who try to circumvent the system and get abuse treated as a manufacturing defect is fairly high according to him - hence the close scrutiny and the challenge.
Having been involved in servicing PCs - I can say that I am very sympathetic to his claims. I've faced irate customers who absolutely deny any spill issues, that the dents in the side of the case "just happened" or "I don't know how that happened", in an effort to get something for nothing. It is these questionable claims that "piss in the waterhole" for the rest of us who have genuine issues that bear some resemblance to damage or abuse. Slender plastic flanges are never a good design feature - as it seems to indicate by the evidence offered. Good luck in working with Apple to resolve it. Just curious, has anyone checked to see what the ratio of "flawed" MacBooks to "unflawed" ones actually is. If I am the owner I don't care if I'm not statistically significant, I don't want my computer to be damaged regardless. However from a corporate perspective, there are critical thresholds that are set on issues like this.
{"commentId":1626241,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"masternav"}
- 7 votes
#5 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:52 PM EDT{"commentId":1626371,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1626550,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Well your article has been forwarded to the manager of the Seattle Apple Store and I am heading down there now to pick up a second 1 TB Time Capsule (Mine was a dude), and will see if they have any words of wisdom on the whole thing. Would a Speck Hard Shell cover that at all ?
{"commentId":1626550,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1626648,"authorDomain":"emix"}
Mine was a dude
Wanted a dudette, did you?
{"commentId":1626648,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"emix"}
- 7 votes
{"commentId":1626662,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1626666,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
I didn't see the option for that, but I will check at the Apple Store, no question :-)
@Brian
"I guess I'm going to have to turn in my Apple Zealot membership card."
I would say that is far more important, a case is cheap, a dedicated Apple Zealot is not :-)
{"commentId":1626666,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":1627999,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Did you notice this Brian ?
Cracked Palm rest and other casing problems
I'd recommend you call apple or go into apple store. Based on your description and the age of your macbook it sounds like it falls into that first batch that had issues with the plastic used in the palm rest. This is a known defect that apple has been replacing for free.
I had mine replaced back in November for the same issue.
It is not exactly the same as yours, but seems to be almost all on white model's
I am assuming this is a different magnet crack ?
{"commentId":1627999,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1627216,"authorDomain":"DrJuice"}
I've only seen this on the white MacBooks, does it happen on the black ones too? It seems like the black case is made of the same plastic that the keyboard of the white one is (or it's treated or untreated the same way, or whatever).
{"commentId":1627216,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"DrJuice"}
- 3 votes
#6 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:11 PM EDT{"commentId":1627454,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1627710,"authorDomain":"genesntees"}
I've had a black MacBook for over a year and never noticed this, until I read this article and took a look. Sure enough, I have the crack, it just hasn't broken away from the case, thanks for the heads up!
{"commentId":1627710,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"genesntees"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1628865,"authorDomain":"rfletcher"}
It's happened on my black MacBook. I've uploaded a couple of photos to the Flickr group. They'll show up when the admin approves them, I imagine.
{"commentId":1628865,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"rfletcher"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1629582,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1627819,"authorDomain":"stevehouse"}
I gottum white MacBook Crackum on the right side too. I got annoyed with it getting bigger and just snapped the sliver off. Does that mean it'll never get fixed, you think? I'm within warranty.
{"commentId":1627819,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"stevehouse"}
- 2 votes
#7 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:36 PM EDT{"commentId":1628223,"authorDomain":"enthusiastic"}
Boo! I have this laptop . . . on which I am typing. My peeve is that my click bar doesn't, you know, "click" per se. It is more like the "press real hard" bar. We really should all just geek out and learn to build our own laptops and run shareware (right? That's what it's called?).
{"commentId":1628223,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"enthusiastic"}
- 1 vote
#8 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:45 PM EDT{"commentId":1628480,"authorDomain":"stevehouse"}
Buy a Mighty Mouse; I love mine...
{"commentId":1628480,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"stevehouse"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1628684,"authorDomain":"nickford"}
Don't buy a mighty mouse. I hate mine... It sits in a box because the scroll ball doesn't work which makes it useless and infuriating.
{"commentId":1628684,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"nickford"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1628715,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}
I really liked it at first, but cleaning the rollers that the scroll wheel hits is a real pain (read: virtually impossible), so it gets kind of useless fast. If I can find an effective way to clean them, I might start using it again, but as of right now I've been using my trackpad more than my mouse even at my desk.
{"commentId":1628715,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"spiffie"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1628803,"authorDomain":"nickford"}
Exactly the same position.
{"commentId":1628803,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"nickford"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1628816,"authorDomain":"darkside"}
yeah - scroll ball is a nice concept with poor implementation.
{"commentId":1628816,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"darkside"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1629572,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1629851,"authorDomain":"nickford"}
And I dropped $70 on that thing...
{"commentId":1629851,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"nickford"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1630606,"authorDomain":"stevehouse"}
Well I've only had mine for three months, so maybe I haven't had that problem yet. Sounds like it definitely needs a more easily accessible scroll ball.
{"commentId":1630606,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"stevehouse"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1628607,"authorDomain":"DrJuice"}
I wonder if something like the Invisible Shield or Best Skin Ever may help prevent this.
Were the iBook topcases flush with the rest, the way the PowerBook/MacBook Pro cases are?
{"commentId":1628607,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"DrJuice"}
- 2 votes
#9 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:04 PM EDT{"commentId":1628637,"authorDomain":"gmeighty"}
My C2D MacBook developed this issue last year, and I should share that I succeeded in getting it repaired under warranty. I took it to a neighborhood Apple Authorized Service Center, not an Apple Store, and pointed out that the raised ridges on the LCD bezel near the cracks seemed to be related.
The tech agreed, did some checking, and eventually ordered a "version 2 bezel" which has the ridges moved further inward than the bezel I initially had. The entire top surface was replaced as a unit, including the keyboard and touchpad.
2 day turnaround, including the initial visit, part ordering and delivery, and repair labor. All covered under my Apple warranty. It seems, with the creation of a "version 2 bezel," that Apple does in fact recognize this as a design flaw.
{"commentId":1628637,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"gmeighty"}
- 2 votes
#10 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:16 PM EDT{"commentId":1629608,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1630327,"authorDomain":"gmeighty"}
Yeah, the difference with the newer bezel was not much ... but it was different. Also, I should have said "further outward" rather than "inward," as they moved toward the top edge of the scree, perhaps by 1/8" or less as you observed.
Previously, the point of impact was solely on the wrist rest, in an area where it is unsupported from below. Moving the ridges even that tiny bit toward the edge made them land on the wrist rest still, but at a point where the edge of the lower casing is supporting it from below.
I don't know if it helps in the long term, as I upgraded to a MB Pro as soon as I got mine fixed ... but they have definitely made some modification, however slight, in recognition of the problem.
{"commentId":1630327,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"gmeighty"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1628639,"authorDomain":"happywaffle"}
Not enough posts in this thread (like, hardly any) from people who have actually contacted AppleCare about this issue.
Brian, call AppleCare. Explain the symptom. It is a known issue. It will be covered. If not, ask to be escalated. It will be covered.
~ fin ~
{"commentId":1628639,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"happywaffle"}
- 2 votes
#11 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:16 PM EDT{"commentId":1629564,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1629888,"authorDomain":"happywaffle"}
Brian,
Although some agents are sticklers about not getting a word about your issue until they've gotten your credit card, generally speaking, if you call with an issue that Apple's covering, then there's no charge for the call.
Even if you do set up a paid agreement, it's a trivial matter for the agent to cancel the charge once they've determined that your issue should be covered.
-Kevin
{"commentId":1629888,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"happywaffle"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1628647,"authorDomain":"info-124"}
I guess I would do the same. but it's really annoying.
{"commentId":1628647,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"info-124"}
- 1 vote
#12 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:21 PM EDT{"commentId":1628654,"authorDomain":"info-124"}
I tried to give a comment, but it didn't accept it. What's wrong?
{"commentId":1628654,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"info-124"}
- 1 vote
#13 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:22 PM EDT{"commentId":1629561,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Did it give you a message saying something like "Not accepting comments due to *SpiceWeisel* " ?
If it did, the server was busy.
{"commentId":1629561,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1628655,"authorDomain":"gmeighty"}
*DOUBLE POST* sorry
{"commentId":1628655,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"gmeighty"}
- 1 vote
#14 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:22 PM EDT{"commentId":1629541,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1628656,"authorDomain":"djehuty"}
You've been fireballed.
{"commentId":1628656,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"djehuty"}
- 5 votes
#15 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:22 PM EDT{"commentId":1628665,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}
Quick! To the Analytics!
{"commentId":1628665,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"spiffie"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":1628777,"authorDomain":"kyleb"}
*That* should help get this talked about...
{"commentId":1628777,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"kyleb"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":1629415,"authorDomain":"elvo86"}
It's fun when a Newsvine user who's had to take a break from Newsvine because he needs to actually finish school and get a job PDQ :: blushes :: finds Newsvine user "Brian Ford" featured in the DF linked list.
{"commentId":1629415,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"elvo86"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1629527,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1630074,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
Instead, he responded to say his wife had the same issue on her MacBook, and then sometime last night he posted the link.
I noticed the link this morning when I fired up Google Reader...Cool.
{"commentId":1630074,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1628703,"authorDomain":"paul-12"}
I'm typing with my right wrist resting on an identical crack. This is my second MacBook to experience the same exact crack. I too have never dropped it or handled it roughly.
An Apple Authorized Service Center (NOT Apple) replaced the entire top case on my first one with no questions asked (it was under warranty, though). The really annoying part is trying to find three or four days when I don't need my laptop...
{"commentId":1628703,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"paul-12"}
- 2 votes
#16 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:39 PM EDT{"commentId":1628743,"authorDomain":"masto"}
My girlfriend's MacBook cracked just like that. We brought it in to an Apple Store and they replaced the cracked piece. About six months later the new one cracked in exactly the same way.
{"commentId":1628743,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"masto"}
- 2 votes
#17 - Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:50 PM EDT{"commentId":1628798,"authorDomain":"chrisbroadfoot"}
Mine was fixed under warranty. (Black Macbook)
{"commentId":1628798,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"chrisbroadfoot"}
#18 - Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:16 AM EDT{"commentId":1628800,"authorDomain":"chrisbroadfoot"}
My black macbook (6 mo old at the time) was fixed under warranty for this defect.
{"commentId":1628800,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"chrisbroadfoot"}
#19 - Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:17 AM EDT{"commentId":1628815,"authorDomain":"randybias"}
I have a black MacBook. It's cracked in the exact same place(s). I've already had the case replaced once. The second case cracked within 2 weeks of usage.
{"commentId":1628815,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"randybias"}
- 2 votes
#20 - Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:23 AM EDT{"commentId":1628821,"authorDomain":"randybias"}
I have a black MacBook. It cracked just like that in the same place(s). I had the case replaced. It cracked again almost immediately, between 2-4 weeks after replacing it.
I wish Apple would figure out some way to fix this that doesn't involve constantly replacing the case.
{"commentId":1628821,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"randybias"}
- 2 votes
#21 - Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:25 AM EDT{"commentId":1628828,"authorDomain":"ryanmax"}
This happened on my black macbook (core 2 duo). A call to Apple Australia confirmed it was a "known issue", and they replaced the top-case free of charge. I'm in NZ for what it's worth, but all our parts here come through Australia.
{"commentId":1628828,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"ryanmax"}
- 2 votes
#22 - Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:29 AM EDT{"commentId":1629093,"authorDomain":"redwolf"}
No signs of cracking so far on my black Macbook, but good to know it's recognised as a known issue for those of us in Australia and New Zealand.
{"commentId":1629093,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"redwolf"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1628840,"authorDomain":"badeen"}
Happens on my black macbook every 5-6 months. Complained alot and they replaced it once for me... it's worse than ever now and I'm dreading going in there and arguing with them. Right now i have the problem in the front right, and the left front and it's starting to happen in the right front.
{"commentId":1628840,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"badeen"}
- 2 votes
#23 - Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:38 AM EDT{"commentId":1628846,"authorDomain":"paul-13"}
Had this happen on my white MacBook and the case was replaced under warranty (less than a year old). Decided soon after that the plastic casing wasn't for me and went for a MacBook Pro ... wouldn't get one again purely for the quality of the design.
{"commentId":1628846,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"paul-13"}
- 2 votes
#24 - Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:45 AM EDT{"commentId":1628926,"authorDomain":"peternlewis"}
{"commentId":1628928,"authorDomain":"peternlewis"}
Mine is cracked in exactly the same way. A bit of superglue fixed the problem for the moment.
{"commentId":1628928,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"peternlewis"}
- 2 votes
#26 - Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:39 AM EDT{"commentId":1629506,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":1629645,"authorDomain":"peternlewis"}
Yeah, the post validation did weird things (because I wasn't logged in I think) - it told me "oops, this page doesn't exist" when it tried to validate. Then I retried, same result. Then when I got the email validation, and responded to that, both posts appeared. Odd.
Anyway, go the superglue!
{"commentId":1629645,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"peternlewis"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1629698,"authorDomain":"sphinx"}
I wonder if the "quiet Apple Store fix" will still be available if you superglued the crack. I did the same thing, and hadn't thought about just taking it in for a possible free repair.
{"commentId":1629698,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"sphinx"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1630373,"authorDomain":"gmeighty"}
Super Glue might seem to rule out a free, or even proper, fix. That permanently affixes at least part of the top panel to the lower casing, which means it cannot be cleanly removed even if a replacement was warranted.
{"commentId":1630373,"threadId":"240972","contentId":"1393716","authorDomain":"gmeighty"}
- 3 votes
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