2009 white macbook still crack defect? [Archive]

efplaya85

Mar 14, 2009, 10:37 AM

Hi I was wondering if anyone has experienced the palm rest cracks with the new 2009 model white macbooks. I have heard these cracks were prevalent before but now I am curious as to what apple did to solve this problem. Does anyone know if the casing of the new 09 macbooks is designed differently? Uses a different material? Does anyone have any information on this issue? Thanks

The reason I am asking is because this cracking defect is a make it break it deal for me. I want to be sure that something has been changing since the previous models that used to crack. I do not want to dish out an extra 200-300 for an aluminum either. Thanks for your help

danb77

Mar 14, 2009, 11:49 AM

If the defect is still there then apple will fix it for free. Then you get a nice new shiny top plate. :-)

See, it's not all bad....

mathcolo

Mar 14, 2009, 11:51 AM

If the defect is still there then apple will fix it for free. Then you get a nice new shiny top plate. :-)

See, it's not all bad....

Unless they deem it your fault and you have to pay for the repair. Then it's bad. :)

acfusion29

Mar 14, 2009, 11:59 AM

Unless they deem it your fault and you have to pay for the repair. Then it's bad. :)

It's a known problem.

efplaya85

Mar 14, 2009, 12:15 PM

lol yes its not bad if they fix it for free but I just don't want the downtime... So if anyone has had the white macbook since january please post and share!

Vulcan

Mar 14, 2009, 01:11 PM

lol yes its not bad if they fix it for free but I just don't want the downtime... So if anyone has had the white macbook since january please post and share!

Cracking is really infrequent with the later MacBooks (after the Penryn revision which took place Feb 08). I've had my Penryn MacBook for about 6 months now and it has no cracks and I know people that have made various different MacBooks and they haven't suffered any cracks either.

Besides, from what people have posted here, the repair takes them 15 minutes.

You're pretty much safe.

priller

Mar 15, 2009, 12:09 PM

Mines almost 13 months old and still no cracks, the problem isn't as common as some people claim.

11800506

Mar 15, 2009, 12:18 PM

I wouldn't say that actually. It is fairly common, since I know two people who have had the cracks, one with a Santa Rosa Macbook and the other with the Penryn model. I would suspect that the plastic Macbooks will always be susceptible to the cracks as long as they keep the current design. I personally would just pay the extra money for an aluminum one and not have to worry about it.

waffle911

Mar 15, 2009, 12:26 PM

Vulcan

Mar 15, 2009, 01:30 PM

polycarbonate is polycarbonate. Even if Apple changed the mixture used to make it, it still has its limits, as is also evident in the iPhone 3G. It will crack, eventually. It may be 6 months, a year, or two years, but it will crack.

What if it doesn't crack until 5 years? The computer most likely will already have something wrong with it by then. Every part on your computer will one day fail, is that a reason to not buy computers at all?

mrtune

Mar 15, 2009, 04:25 PM

A lot of it depends on how you use it as well. I travel with mine daily, so it gets beat up quite a bit even if I try to take care of it. The lid gets opened and closed several times a day. Many times there may be more than normal pressure on the lid due to books or something in the bag, or whatever the reason may be. Then there is others that may use theirs 90% of the time on a desk and never move it, thus may never experience the cracking.

I bought mine December 07. In April 2008 I had the top case replaced because it cracked. Last week I had it replaced again (this time out of warranty) as well as the screen bezel. That was cracked too, right by the stop nubs. Fixed for free again. It's a manufacturing defect that Apple recognizes and will warranty it, even if you are out of warranty or no Apple Care.

While it sucks that it happens and it can be inconvenient, it's nice to get a new keyboard and mouse pad every 6-10 months :).

Prekesh

Mar 15, 2009, 04:27 PM

oh so they give you a new trackpad? thats pretty hot. i can't wait till mine cracks hahaha, no please don't crack macbook <3

mrtune

Mar 15, 2009, 06:51 PM

oh so they give you a new trackpad? thats pretty hot. i can't wait till mine cracks hahaha, no please don't crack macbook <3

Yeah. The top case I one piece. New keyboard, trackpad/button, the whole thing.

IMRS

Mar 15, 2009, 08:28 PM

Yeah. The top case I one piece. New keyboard, trackpad/button, the whole thing.

Well my keyboard has a few non-working keys that were the result of a spill. But if I sent it in to have the crack replaced (which is clearly something that has happened to everybody), you're telling me that they'd probably replace the keyboard while they're at it?

efplaya85

Mar 15, 2009, 08:51 PM

Vulcan

Mar 15, 2009, 09:00 PM

I understand thiings will go wrong and etc but this is a defect and I was just curious if they fixed this defect or if anyone knows what they did about it, why would they continue to sell defective products if they did not modify anything?

They did do something about it.

The first white MacBooks shipped with a rock hard plastic that had the yellowing problem. As a lot of these were cracking, the newer MacBooks ship with a softer plastic that is more resistant to cracking. People that got their keyboards replaced noticed the new ones have a new part number as well.

So to answer your question, yes, Apple has done something about it. Are some cracks still going to happen? Yes, but they're going to be less frequent.

jtibbitt

Mar 15, 2009, 09:30 PM

I had to replace my casing twice because of cracks near the palm rest. But as I understand it, Apple is replacing the casings even if the computers are not under warranty.

waffle911

Mar 16, 2009, 11:16 AM

Looking at my late 06–early 07 MacBook, Apple might have to replace the entire case. I've got all sorts of hairline cracks along the edges of the bottom case where it meets the top case, which is itself tearing apart at the edges. The screen bezel isn't much better off, either. I could end up with something that looks like (but isn't) a whole new MacBook! I dunno, does anyone think they would do it? I mean, it's clear I don't baby the thing, but I don't abuse it either. When I'm not using it, it's mostly in my backpack dividing my textbooks from my notebooks (bridging the gap, if you will), without any other sort of protection. But the bottom of my backpack is kind of cushy, so putting my backpack down on the ground on concrete wouldn't even do much to hurt it.

Warbrain

Mar 16, 2009, 11:45 AM

Mine is actually cracking on the bottom case by where the screen touches the case. Not sure why this is happening but it's exactly where the other cracks had been happening but not on the top case.

efplaya85

Mar 17, 2009, 12:49 AM

Can you guys with the cracks please post what generation your macbook is? I'm looking for info on the new 09 macbook

Warbrain

Mar 17, 2009, 01:47 AM

Can you guys with the cracks please post what generation your macbook is? I'm looking for info on the new 09 macbook

The unibody? Won't crack. It's metal and it's also got a nice rubber gasket around the edge of the screen.

Ivan P

Mar 17, 2009, 01:52 AM

The unibody? Won't crack. It's metal and it's also got a nice rubber gasket around the edge of the screen.

I'm pretty sure, based on the very first post the OP is referring to the white MacBook that is still available - they're talking about it as the "Jan 09 MacBook" as it had it's specs slightly altered back in January.

sine-nomine

Mar 17, 2009, 02:37 AM

My girlfriend has a white Santa Rosa MacBook from late 2007 that has recently developed cracks right where the little 'feet' in the lid hit the palm rest when the lid is closed. You can see that the plastic there is very thin, and that the thing isn't nearly as solidly built as it appears to be on the outside. It kept me from buying a new white MacBook, even though it really did fit my needs better and was less expensive than the aluminum MacBook. I was just worried Apple might try to stick me with the repair bill when it cracked. (And yes, I realize it's a known issue, but so many threads on here about cracks end up with many people accusing the poster of abusing the machine, so I didn't want to take the chance of getting an Apple rep with the same attitude.)

windowpain

Mar 18, 2009, 12:10 PM

Add me to the list. I have a late 2007 macbook that has just cracked.. :(
I take good care of it and there was no warning (no hairline cracks)..just a piece fell off yesterday.

To the OP, you may not find too many people reporting that the '09 macbooks have cracked. I think it takes a while for it to happen. (mine took a year and a bit, a year seems to be about average..)

I'd like to know the answer to the OP's question too, am thinking of upgrading as they are great value for money.

Are they the same material or slightly changed? anyone know?

efplaya85

Mar 18, 2009, 06:11 PM

Someone posted above that they have softer plastic?? But iin order for it not to crack i would get a palm gaurd like moshi palm gaurd...

efplaya85

Mar 18, 2009, 06:18 PM

When i questioned apple support about this , they said they cover the cracks in OR out of warranty so definitly bring yours in to fix

pqwo

Jul 5, 2009, 03:07 AM

When i questioned apple support about this , they said they cover the cracks in OR out of warranty so definitly bring yours in to fix

bump.
i thought i might give a try and ask here instead of creating a new topic.

just curious, i have a white macbook that i brought about a year ago. and within 3 to 4 months of using it, i started to get those hairline cracks on the white part of the bottom case (below the palm rest area) -- which btw i take really good care of my mb. i carefully stow it away, carefully take it out. it saddens me to have cracks on it. i brought it in to the genius at the apple store back then because i worried that it might get worst and what if it starts go even worst i won't be covered, but the guy basically said it's ok, nothing will be harmed. it doesn't need to be replaced.

and now, i was cleaning my macbook, and i realized those hairline cracks have gotten worst, and i've noticed cracks right by the rear vent, and it looks like if i do some more traveling with it, it might as well just break off sooner or later. =(

do you think apple will replace the bottom case for free since they have acknowledged the problem, or do i have to pay for the replacement?
(so much for making a laptop.... when the quality is terrible. now i'm scared to travel my macbook with me just bc i'm afraid it will crack and break on me.)

sorry for a long story posted.....

BOSS10L

Jul 5, 2009, 11:34 AM

I should bring mine in. I bought it in Jan '08 and it developed a crack shortly after, but I wasn't sure if Apple would cover it. Even if they charge me for it, I should get it fixed as I plan on keeping this MB for many years.

Richard1028

Jul 5, 2009, 11:58 AM

but the guy basically said it's ok, nothing will be harmed. it doesn't need to be replaced.

do you think apple will replace the bottom case for free since they have acknowledged the problem, or do i have to pay for the replacement?

Why didn't you settle this the first time you took it in. If a "genius" told me my cracks were "ok" I wouldn't have accepted this answer.

Take it back to the same Apple Store... explain you were already in here about this problem. I think they would fix this at their expense.

pqwo

Jul 7, 2009, 12:12 AM

Why didn't you settle this the first time you took it in. If a "genius" told me my cracks were "ok" I wouldn't have accepted this answer.

Take it back to the same Apple Store... explain you were already in here about this problem. I think they would fix this at their expense.

i guess i was too nice the first time around. gonna bring it to the store and hopefully it'll get settled. i will be mean and demanding if they refuse to replace at their expense! thanks.

lexxiii91

Jul 18, 2009, 05:29 PM

I bought my white Macbook in August last year (2008) while living abroad, but it was still a 'proper' Apple shop. I have moved back to the UK now, and it's still under it's year warranty, due to run out next month... Today (July 2009) I noticed that there is a crack above the screen, just by the magnet, for closing it. Heres pictures:
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/alexflaherty/aa.jpg
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/alexflaherty/aaa.jpg

Will I be able to get this repaired at an Apple shop, and will it cost me?
Im scared of the crack getting bigger, with me opening and closing it.
I take really good care of it, so I can't see how the crack was something that I did :confused:

l.a.rossmann

Jul 18, 2009, 05:44 PM

polycarbonate is polycarbonate. Even if Apple changed the mixture used to make it, it still has its limits, as is also evident in the iPhone 3G. It will crack, eventually. It may be 6 months, a year, or two years, but it will crack.

It isn't just the material used that causes the cracking.

The magnets used to make the macbook snap shut are right behind the square frame that says Macbook on it around the LCD. At the top of this frame, there are fine horizontal plastic protrusions.

It is designed in a fashion that the top case is being hammered each time you close it.

macandipodfan

Jul 19, 2009, 10:47 AM

Will I be able to get this repaired at an Apple shop, and will it cost me?
Im scared of the crack getting bigger, with me opening and closing it.
I take really good care of it, so I can't see how the crack was something that I did :confused:
Mine looked exactly like that and they repaired it. I would think that they'd fix it.

heatmiser

Jul 26, 2009, 12:33 PM

Yes, they'll still crack. 95% of Macbooks (plastic) will crack within 3 years of usage, and over 50% crack within the first year.

Vulcan

Jul 26, 2009, 04:31 PM

Yes, they'll still crack. 95% of Macbooks (plastic) will crack within 3 years of usage, and over 50% crack within the first year.

Source? Those stats aren't even close to being correct.

BlackiBook

Jul 28, 2009, 02:11 AM

My girlfriends has the 2007 model and when it cracked they replaced it with a newer heavier feeling plastic top plate... I would assume that what is on the 2009 models... My white macbook (although it is dead now) never had a cracking problem! Guess I was a lucky one!

MarkCooz

Jul 28, 2009, 03:04 AM

my sister came over my house today, and when she was sitting beside me using her macbook. I noticed that both left and right wristpad has like a line/crack/hole at the very lower middle of the wrist pad

I thought it was a style or design first at first, because both left and right is the exact same thing

same position of the crack, and same length

I took out the protective sticker pad off the wrist ad today, it was getting really dark, that Plastic protective pad was really thick/strong, It's one heck of a sticker/protection...

and mine doesn't have a crack... :)

emsko

Aug 2, 2009, 10:59 PM

Same crack on my white MacBook. Went to the Genius Bar at my local Apple Store today. My warranty expired 6 months ago. They replaced the lower case for free. Had to wait about 45 minutes for the repair to be completed.

ChefJayPeek

Aug 3, 2009, 12:18 AM

I've got the Whitebook model you are talking about. Had it about 3 months, no cracks here. It replaced an original CoreDuo Blackbook that had cracks on both plamrests, but they were there when I bought it used. They did not get any worse with my use of it for over a year before it got drowned. I do not know if Apple changed the polycarb or not, perhaps I do not put much weight on the wrist rests.

Just my 2 cents...

Chef Jay

lexxiii91

Aug 3, 2009, 04:50 AM

Mine looked exactly like that and they repaired it. I would think that they'd fix it.

I went to the genius bar the other day, and they said it was my fault, so they wouldn't fix it :mad:
it wasn't though, i take care of my macbook like it was my baby... :(

Bill Gates

Aug 4, 2009, 12:29 PM

I went to the genius bar the other day, and they said it was my fault, so they wouldn't fix it :mad:
it wasn't though, i take care of my macbook like it was my baby... :(
Call Apple and attempt to get a resolution over the phone. If the person you are talking to is unhelpful, attempt to escalate it, but do so politely. I've had better luck over the phone in the past.

MarkCooz

Aug 4, 2009, 02:05 PM

so it doesn't matter how old your macbook is, they'll still fix the whitebook defect for free??

My sister's macbook is the mid 2007 model.
2.16ghz c2d

greenmeanie

Aug 5, 2009, 06:28 PM

I have the X3100 model and it still looks like new no cracks at all.

efplaya85

Aug 14, 2009, 05:52 PM

I forgot to tell you guys. I bought that moshi palm rest guard so now it can never crack! It is basically like a really thin flexible piece of plastic.

http://www.amazon.com/Moshi-PalmGuard-Macbook-Palmrest-Protector/dp/B000O6ZBMM/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1250286742&sr=8-11