A 'different' problem with the MacBook casing

[iCheese]

I just noticed a problem with my white macbook case, and it isn't discoloring. The two spots on the wrist area, where the two magnet latches make contact with the case when the macbook is closed, have started to seperate into a fine crack that I can seperate with my finger. This really pisses me off, I know Apple will replace the top case after I bring it in to show them, but it is just such a hassle when this shouldn't have happened in the first place

I guess I made this thread so I could ask other macbook owners if they have experienced this same problem. Anyone?

[Xander562]

this is the first time i've ever heard of it.... you should be happy that's ALL thats wrong with your macbook, compared to this persons.
Yet, i agree it should never happen in the first place.

[iCheese]

Ya I agree...considering how long I have had my macbook so far I guess since I haven't had any discoloring, something bad had to happen.

[iCheese]

Just a few minutes ago I was going to use my macbook and I quickly placed my wrists on the computer, and I guess somehow I was able to pull my hands back just enough to actually catch on one of the cracks and pull it apart, breaking it. I finally took some pics to show everyone what I mean.

http://img411.imageshack.us/my.php?i...ecrack1tf9.jpg

http://img172.imageshack.us/my.php?i...ecrack2dr5.jpg



I was going to take it to the apple store tonight to show the 'geniuses' but the online reservation maker said they wouldn't be able to help me tonight, so I am going first thing tomorrow morning. I am hoping they will have the part at the store so it can be repaired quickly, I am going on a trip on friday and I have to bring the computer with me!

[Rapmastac1]

Whoa dude, that is like totally messed up, I'm looking at my Macbook trying to figure out HOW!?. Have you ever dropped your machine, have Apple look at this immediatly, that is crazy. Maybe the magnet is pulling it out, but the only strong enough magnetical force to do that would kill your hard drive at the same time, so that is out. WOW!

[iCheese]

I have always handled my macbook carefully, and I have never dropped it once. When I travel with it, I keep it in a padded case so it is well protected.

[iCheese]

Well I took my macbook in to the store today and the person there said that apple would fix my macbook under warranty

[perezoso]

Originally Posted by iCheese

Just a few minutes ago I was going to use my macbook and I quickly placed my wrists on the computer, and I guess somehow I was able to pull my hands back just enough to actually catch on one of the cracks and pull it apart, breaking it. I finally took some pics to show everyone what I mean.

http://img411.imageshack.us/my.php?i...ecrack1tf9.jpg

Wow. That picture looks *exactly* like the crack that recently appeared on the case of my 9 month old MacBook. I called Apple today and they said they will repair it under warranty.

But it's spooky how closely that pic resembles my MacBook's problem.

[JamesWvr]

Originally Posted by perezoso

Wow. That picture looks *exactly* like the crack that recently appeared on the case of my 9 month old MacBook. I called Apple today and they said they will repair it under warranty.

But it's spooky how closely that pic resembles my MacBook's problem.

Agreed, my palm rest is cracking in the EXACT same spot, but thankfully it hasn't broken off yet.

I had my top casing replaced this past February because I was having the discoloration, so now it looks like I'll get have it replaced again!

[peapody]

i have the crack, and it is going to be shipped to apple today to replace the topcase of my blackbook. anyone have any idea how long repairs will take? i really need my computer ...

aside from that just getting my blackbook ready for leopard...after this repair, and a harddrive upgrade to 250gb, I think i will have my ideal computer!

[deepy]

This has happened to my macbook just above the sleep light on the right hand side palm rest. what crap!! my macbooks just a couple of months over a year old and i dont have applecare. what do i do? i'm going to take it to show a genius this week but what are my chances?

Surely this is classed as an inherant fault in the item and means it is not of merchantable quality at the time of sale if such an issue exists. i'm in the UK. does that mean that under the sales of goods acts i can demand a repair or replacement even though its not under warranty? i know apple class cracked plastic not as a fault covered by the warranty BUT its obviously not right to sell an item that will crack after a year of usage automatically.

[generik]

It is not a problem, think different!

[miles01110]

Wow, that's just shoddy construction.

[generik]

Originally Posted by miles01110

Wow, that's just shoddy construction.

No it is not, it is unique construction. Each MB exhibits unique cracks.

[vegansnake]

Same problem with my white MB (cracks showing up), where you able to have the top case replaced?

[iCheese]

Originally Posted by vegansnake

Same problem with my white MB (cracks showing up), where you able to have the top case replaced?

Yes they replaced the top case without a hassle, but after they replaced that part the screen's backlight wouldn't work anymore. They guy on the phone told me they were going to have to send it to their repair depot so they could replace the broken part (LCD, inverter, or logicboard, maybe a combination). I need to wait 10 to 15 days before I will get it back

[matttrick]

Originally Posted by generik

No it is not, it is unique construction. Each MB exhibits unique cracks.

haha.. sort of like the ripped jeans that people pay $100+ for eh?

[Jon90]

Update :

I have had no luck with Applecare.

I phoned them 27/10/06 and the initial reaction was that it was not covered and must have been my own fault. The adviser gave me his e-mail address so he could have a look at the discussions and photos and get back to me.

After about 8 e-mails to this guy chasing for a response and one month passing since my first notification - > NO RESPONSE

I have not bought Applecare yet - and with this sort of 'care' I am not sure if I will. I also do not want to pay a one off charge to phone to get them to fix a poorly manufactured machine - I though the 90 day free telephone support would be for help on using the thing and not for reporting 1 year warranty issues. It seems ridiculous to me.

Anyway, I am not sure it will get me anywhere but I have now written a letter to Applecare with copies of all my correspondence and hope this may get something moving.

I didn’t expect this type of struggle and don't really have the time for it. Its my 1st Apple computer and at this rate it will probably be my last.

Disappointing.... Great OS and Software but poor hardware.

[bernardyap]

mine having the same problem on same area!
confirm it is apple hardware defect.

http://img83.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01508eu7.jpg

will send to service center on coming monday and let see what they will do

[dcposter]

My white MacBook is cracked in the same spot...right side of the palm rest. Took it to the Genius Bar and the dude there seemed sorry to say he couldn't fix it. "I'm authorized to fix the discoloration problem, but not this problem," he said. When I got home I called Apple tech support and explained that this doesn't seem to be an isolated problem. They agreed to repair it. C'MON APPLE! Why is it always like pulling teeth to get you guys to fix what is obviously shoddy hardware? Step up!

[Jwalker9]

Well i shipped mine off to Tennessee today. I hope they replace the top case and dont hassle me about the crack. It will be nice to have white palm rests again. Mine had some nice wear to them. Does anyone know if the touchpad is part of the topcase? It would be awesome if that was replaced too but I doube it will be.

[Mattydj]

I got my macbook back from a repair center south of where i live today after getting a replacement hard drive fitted. On reading the documentation they had written up about the work they had carried out i noticed under Bezel And Palm Rest condition (yes it had it's own section on the sheet) they had noted the crack on the front of my laptops palm rest (not fixed it mind )

Now it's just starting to come off. It's snapped off on one side and is starting to come off on the other side. I'm worried theres gonna be no ends of cut wrists if it does come off.

[Chile Mac]

I followed with much attention this thread, and after many opinions and experiences that I read, I think that the problem can be the excessive stress that have been exposed the computer in the movements inside your bags... I imagine that the computers have a limit to stress it and when that limit is broked, the consequences are the cracks.
I also noticed that the mainly cracks are in the right side and just in the contact point between the magnet with the palm rest area. It's look like the same problem (stress) in all cases plus that maybe the palm rest area are very fragile or at the rest, look like to be a so sensitive part of the case... maybe too much.
Anyway, I bought my MB on last september in NYC and until today, I don't have any problem in this way, and it seems like there aren't cracks to worry. I hope this will follow the same way in the future

[Jwalker9]

Well i know in my case in particular, that it can't be due to the case that i carry the macbook in. It's a brenthaven with excellent protection all around. I usually have it out on my desk but whenever i take it anywhere, its in the brenthaven. When i took it in for the ASC to look at it, he stated that he thought the crack was probably due to bubbles in the plastic. He said that perhaps during the molding of my topcase there was a bubble in that spot that over time burst through the contact of the lid meeting the palm rest. My opinion? I think it has something to do with the right side of the lid snapping shut before the left side. I'm right handed and when i close the lid, tend to pull it down with my right hand, perhaps causing the impact tonot be evenly distributed on both sides? I really dont know but i do find it very interesting that the problem seems to only occur on the right side...

[hansning]

Originally Posted by iCheese

I guess I made this thread so I could ask other macbook owners if they have experienced this same problem. Anyone?

same problem. i also have a similar crack on the left front corner, but that one i don't mind so much. this one scratches me, and it's really annoying.

i've already replaced the topcase because of the discolouration, and now this...