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Cracked MBA Screen. Not sure how it happened?!?

JasonDawg18

JasonDawg18

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 30, 2005
109
0
Hi all,

I have a 2010 MacBook Air. Yesterday, we noticed a hairline crack in the middle. We're not sure how it happened. Nothing dropped on it. No misuse. We never dropped it. It just appeared.

I called to get an estimate for replacement. It came back at around $600. Do I have any recourse with Apple?

Also, I purchased the computer in December with a Bank of America Visa card. Do you know if they offer any protection, like i've read that AmEx does?

Thanks in advance!
 
One of my friends cracked her screen when she picked it up by the top edge, the MBA screens seem fairly fragile compared to the MBP ones.
 
I would go to the Apple Store and explain the situation. No way I would pay a buck for that thing to get fixed.
 
No one said it cracked on its own but if it cracked under NORMAL USE, that is still considered a defect. If you're typing on your keyboard and one of the keys breaks off and the underlying mechanism is all broken, it didn't break on its own but its also not your fault (lets assume the keyboard is less than a year old and has been used normally that entire time).
 
bizzle said:
Right, because LCDs just crack on their own.
Click to expand...

I'm really not exaggerating. We have no idea how it cracked. No foul play.

Do you guys suggest I go into a store or call the Apple Repair phone line?
 
Call Apple and explain your situation, they will make a note and schedule an appointment with a Genius at your nearest Apple Store (assuming you have a local Apple Store).


Applecare coverage can also be handled by third party stores (authorized partners) - which might be an option for you if no Apple store is convenient.
 
Sorry to hear that. I'm looking at the MBA and I hope it's not that fragile. I would primarily use it for home use and hardly ever take it out of the house. I know the wife wants a MBA, but hope she doesn't damage it.
 
I think if you explain what happened, it is just a hairline crack and there is no signs of any damage to the machine there is a good chance that you will get it replaced for free.
 
How ironic. Mine did the exact dame thing literally right before my eyes this morning. I keep the entire laptop very clean, so it's very obvious if something happens. Just after I opened my 13" I saw a crack in the center of the display. Moments later it grew larger to a length of approx 3".

I drove the 2 miles to the Apple store & before I got two sentences out, they put a new one on the counter in mere minutes I was gone.
 
I cracked a screen before....it was a MBP though and it was cause my kid stepped on it while I unfortunately left it on the floor next to the couch....I paid $500 for the screen but was reimbursed $800 by AMEX insurance since I bought it on my card, so I actually made $300
 
maclaptop said:
How ironic. Mine did the exact dame thing literally right before my eyes this morning. I keep the entire laptop very clean, so it's very obvious if something happens. Just after I opened my 13" I saw a crack in the center of the display. Moments later it grew larger to a length of approx 3".

I drove the 2 miles to the Apple store & before I got two sentences out, they put a new one on the counter in mere minutes I was gone.
Click to expand...

Wow!! Talk about service! How old was your MBA when you had it serviced? Did they give you a new screen or a whole new MBA?
 
Take it to apple store and ask for a replacement. Tell them everything and ask them very nicely. They should replace it. 600 dollars is just plain outrageous.
 
maclaptop said:
How ironic. Mine did the exact dame thing literally right before my eyes this morning. I keep the entire laptop very clean, so it's very obvious if something happens. Just after I opened my 13" I saw a crack in the center of the display. Moments later it grew larger to a length of approx 3".

I drove the 2 miles to the Apple store & before I got two sentences out, they put a new one on the counter in mere minutes I was gone.
Click to expand...

Did you have Apple Care or was this under the standard 1-year warranty?
 
Sorry to hear your bad news. I would be disgusted. Hopefully you will be able to get replaced for free. Good luck.
 
christophermdia said:
I cracked a screen before....it was a MBP though and it was cause my kid stepped on it while I unfortunately left it on the floor next to the couch....I paid $500 for the screen but was reimbursed $800 by AMEX insurance since I bought it on my card, so I actually made $300
Click to expand...

Wouldn't they ask you how much it cost for the repair? I don't see why they would give you $800 unless you lied and said it cost that much. Seems like they would want a receipt of the repair too.
 
Kyllle said:
Wouldn't they ask you how much it cost for the repair? I don't see why they would give you $800 unless you lied and said it cost that much. Seems like they would want a receipt of the repair too.
Click to expand...

I think they have standard costs in the system, I claimed the insurance on the front end, then got the screen repaired. I guess its like car insurance, they see whats wrong then they pay you whatever its assumed cost is, if you fix it yourself, you can keep that payout.
 
I think (I'm just guessing) that the reason that all of these MBA's are cracking is because the glass panels that they use have structural defects that don't show immediately, but show after a fair bit of use.
 
christophermdia said:
I cracked a screen before....it was a MBP though and it was cause my kid stepped on it while I unfortunately left it on the floor next to the couch....I paid $500 for the screen but was reimbursed $800 by AMEX insurance since I bought it on my card, so I actually made $300
Click to expand...

I was going to say the same- you could have it repaired if you bought it with an Amex card. Heck- I dropped my son’s iPod Touch and cracked the screen and I claimed it and was reimbursed the full amount. In two days. Amex is great.
 
christophermdia said:
I cracked a screen before....it was a MBP though and it was cause my kid stepped on it while I unfortunately left it on the floor next to the couch....I paid $500 for the screen but was reimbursed $800 by AMEX insurance since I bought it on my card, so I actually made $300
Click to expand...

Which amex card? do you have to do anything special? i have an amex platinum I'm kind of tired of having to pay the hugh fees every year and don't really use any of the benefits lol
 
it sounds to me like something you could get repaired for free because you are within the one year applecare period and they will not be able to find any evidence of mishandling (a shoe footprint on the lid, for example). as someone already said, escalate the claim if necessary. i would go into the store, if possible, because i prefer to talk these things out with human beings face to face. but, if that is not an option, give a call. it can't hurt.
 
BigB82 said:
Which amex card? do you have to do anything special? i have an amex platinum I'm kind of tired of having to pay the hugh fees every year and don't really use any of the benefits lol
Click to expand...

AMEX doubles the warranty, doesn't matter which AMEX it is.
 
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