11" MacBook Air Wobbling?

[Viper2005]

My 11" MBA had a slight wobble too, the right side of the palmrest was 1/2 a millimeter from the table.
To compensate I took off 1/2 a mm off the left rubber foot with a small nail file.
Definately didn't want to chance getting a replacement that had other flaws, when my current MBA is fine in all other respects.

 

[Mac32]

I think that was a wise decision. I notice that my new MBA 11.6 unit has a general base temperature that is hotter than my first unit. Maybe it's because I now installed a SuperDuper backup of my previous MBA install, and not a fresh install? Weird... It's the same CPU and all.. Also the screen backlighting on this unit is more uneven than the last one, oh well...

The moral is: if you have an otherwise very good unit..think twice before returning it because of some small issue... You might not end with something that's otherwise as good as the first unit...

 

[crazyyankeefan]

Ugh...I got my 11" MBA couple weeks ago, but I didn't even thought about checking this whole wobbling thing until I saw this thread. Oddly enough, I just noticed the same problem as most of you guys. The left front side doesn't contact the surface. The weird thing is...it happens only when the lid is open. When I close the lid, it's fine. Just so odd.

Edit: Ok...I thought about it. Since the MBA is so freaken thin, could this whole wobbling phenomenon be due to thermal expansion?

 

[superego]

Ugh...I got my 11" MBA couple weeks ago, but I didn't even thought about checking this whole wobbling thing until I saw this thread. Oddly enough, I just noticed the same problem as most of you guys. The left front side doesn't contact the surface. The weird thing is...it happens only when the lid is open. When I close the lid, it's fine. Just so odd.

Edit: Ok...I thought about it. Since the MBA is so freaken thin, could this whole wobbling phenomenon be due to thermal expansion?

I've seen 13" MBP 2010 models straight out of the box to have the exact same problem and they're a lot thicker, so it's not thermal expansion. I think Apple has a problem with either the aluminum casing and/or how they assemble the products.

 

[crazyyankeefan]

OK. So are Apple aware of this situation? If I take my MBA to the genius bar, are they just gonna tell me they find nothing wrong with it? I wonder how many of you guys have try to exchange for a new one, and how was the experience with Apple regarding this issue? Thanks.

 

[Mac32]

Well, you could just get a new one. My new model is completely flat, and no wobbling. And that makes a huge difference in user comfort. I'm very happy with my new unit.

 

[archipellago]

I think that was a wise decision. I notice that my new MBA 11.6 unit has a general base temperature that is hotter than my first unit. Maybe it's because I now installed a SuperDuper backup of my previous MBA install, and not a fresh install? Weird... It's the same CPU and all.. Also the screen backlighting on this unit is more uneven than the last one, oh well...

The moral is: if you have an otherwise very good unit..think twice before returning it because of some small issue... You might not end with something that's otherwise as good as the first unit...

a sad indictment indeed...

 

[Mac32]

Well, the difference in temperature turned out to be minimal (though the fan is also more quiet than in the first unit), and the backlighting...well it isn't that bad. You really don't notice it unless you look for it specifically. I'd much rather have a flat MBA. Anyway, it's easy to go overboard over small things with these Macs, because they are such beautiful machines. Anyway, the one I have now is great. MBA 11' is a fantastic machine, light, fast and super-portable.

 

[crazyyankeefan]

I think that was a wise decision. I notice that my new MBA 11.6 unit has a general base temperature that is hotter than my first unit. Maybe it's because I now installed a SuperDuper backup of my previous MBA install, and not a fresh install? Weird... It's the same CPU and all.. Also the screen backlighting on this unit is more uneven than the last one, oh well...

The moral is: if you have an otherwise very good unit..think twice before returning it because of some small issue... You might not end with something that's otherwise as good as the first unit...

It's weird indeed. Perhaps I should just opt to keep my current one cuz everything else is great, and the wobbling only appears when the lid is open. I can clearly see all four rubber feet touching the surface when the lid is closed. Funny thing is, it doesn't even happen all the time. That's why I suspect it's due to thermal expansion.

Also, speaking of screen uneven, the whole LCD screen on my last MacBook was assembled a little bit tilted. You just got to give Apple props for their build quality.

 

[Mac32]

I don't think its thermal expansion. My new unit never wobbles, period. And it's very cold outside here. Btw. using CoolBookController made a *huge* difference in CPU temps on this MBA unit. By using the lowest volt setting on all CPU speed settings, the MBA got considerably cooler. A must have program IMO..

 

[crazyyankeefan]

I don't think its thermal expansion. My new unit never wobbles, period. And it's very cold outside here. Btw. using CoolBookController made a *huge* difference in CPU temps on this MBA unit. By using the lowest volt setting on all CPU speed settings, the MBA got considerably cooler. A must have program IMO..

So would using this program limit the performance? I haven't felt any heat coming from my MBA so far. It has got warm only. I don't even recall that I ever heard the fan yet. Do you use any cooling pad/fan, such as the xpad?

 

[Mac32]

Check out the program, that's the only thing I use. You only change the level of current used by the CPU. By using less current the CPU runs cooler, with longer battery life...and the same CPU performance.
I didn't notice that much of a difference with my first MBA in terms of temperature(?), but with my second unit the difference was rather large..big improvement. It costs 10$ (paypal), but its totally worth it. (Btw. it's not my program, I don't sell it...just a happy customer.)

 

[crazyyankeefan]

I think that was a wise decision. I notice that my new MBA 11.6 unit has a general base temperature that is hotter than my first unit. Maybe it's because I now installed a SuperDuper backup of my previous MBA install, and not a fresh install? Weird... It's the same CPU and all.. Also the screen backlighting on this unit is more uneven than the last one, oh well...

The moral is: if you have an otherwise very good unit..think twice before returning it because of some small issue... You might not end with something that's otherwise as good as the first unit...

Btw, would you care to explain more what you meant by "uneven screen backlighting"? Also, do you regret exchange your first unit for this one?

 

[tom1990]

I have had the same problem.

The front right of my laptop wobbles, I took it to the genius bar today and the guy there wouldn't do anything for me. He said that all the laptops may have slight variations.

He said he'd charge me 30 pounds to have the bottom panel replaced, I thought it was disgusting so said to him. "If I bought a table, and one of the legs wasn't touching the ground, I'd take it back expecting a repair or exchange, I wouldn't expect to be charged for something I deem to be a manufacturing fault."

So I didn't get any repair, any advice on what I should do?

 

[iJeremy]

I have had the same problem.

The front right of my laptop wobbles, I took it to the genius bar today and the guy there wouldn't do anything for me. He said that all the laptops may have slight variations.

He said he'd charge me 30 pounds to have the bottom panel replaced, I thought it was disgusting so said to him. "If I bought a table, and one of the legs wasn't touching the ground, I'd take it back expecting a repair or exchange, I wouldn't expect to be charged for something I deem to be a manufacturing fault."

So I didn't get any repair, any advice on what I should do?

Call the manager of the apple store and try to get him to see reason. Otherwise I read on here that tightening the bottom screws with a special screwdriver helps. Do a search here and you'll find the thread about it.

 

[crazyyankeefan]

It appears this issue effects the 11" one more than the 13". I took my 11" MBA to the Apple store to exchange for a 13" one. They were very nice, and even waived the restocking fee for me.

 

[dmelgar]

It appears this issue effects the 11" one more than the 13". I took my 11" MBA to the Apple store to exchange for a 13" one. They were very nice, and even waived the restocking fee for me.

Ive had the opposite impression. I thought it affects the 13" more than the 11". Presumably because its larger surface area it take an even smaller angle to appear non-flat and therefore wobble.

I've had three MBAs, 2 11" and 1 13" and none of them had any wobble.

 

[Mars478]

Apple seemed to slightly dismiss my issue but I had a few other issues that caused me to get a replacement. Try to find an issue with your machine. If not demand that it is an expensive computer and the ones in the display do not have this issue.