After having my 60gb hd crash and die the other day I decided it's time to get that annoying crack fixed. My 4th mac and nothing but troubles between this one and my old iBook. I miss my iMac G3 special edition 
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
A 'different' problem with the MacBook casing
- Thread starter iCheese
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yeah they've done that with both of my replacements too, I think it's one part/part number.
I've discussed this problem with a couple of "Geniuses" but it hasn't resulted in anything other than a referral to the local mac fixit shop. I guess I need to just go in and be more forceful. Ironically I'm planning to sell this one to buy a Santa Rosa/November '07 model, even though I think the case construction is utter crap compared to my old iBook. The Pro seems to be somewhat better made, but it seems silly to pay so much for something that's only marginally quicker for my needs.
Oh yeah by the way I don't have Applecare and I've had it for more than a year. One of the guys was pretty nice like trying to get me to "claim" I've had it less than a year but I figured they would look it up, so I didn't press the issue.
Oh yeah by the way I don't have Applecare and I've had it for more than a year. One of the guys was pretty nice like trying to get me to "claim" I've had it less than a year but I figured they would look it up, so I didn't press the issue.
Yeh just be more forecful. thats what i did. i'd had mine for longer than a year and no applecare. ask to speak to a manager.
same cracking problem
I purchased my MacBook in Sept. 07 at the Mac Store in Salem, OR.
Within 4 weeks, the first crack had formed under where the right palm rests, but right along the edge, just as in others' pix.
I took it back to the Mac Store, they said they had never heard of the problem, and asked if I'd dropped my computer.
I told them no, and I wanted it fixed. They said that for $100 they would download my info to keep when it's away being worked on, but they didn't know if the fix was covered under warrant.
I said that's bs. I took my MacBook home (40 mile roundtrip) to download it myself.
In the meantime, I called a REAL Apple Store (in Tualatin, 80 miles roundtrip) and the woman there said to bring it in and they would get it fixed, even though I hadn't purchased it there.
I'll be going up soon - in the meantime the case has split the same way on the left side.
I'm really glad I found this forum - I'll print out other examples on this forum, and take them along with me.
Apple (and the Mac Store in Salem, for that matter) SHOULD replace my $1200 computer, as far as I'm concerned, but I'm a realist.
Any recent MacBook purchasers had this problem?
I'll never again purchase a Mac from a Mac Store, only a genuine Apple Store for me!!
I purchased my MacBook in Sept. 07 at the Mac Store in Salem, OR.
Within 4 weeks, the first crack had formed under where the right palm rests, but right along the edge, just as in others' pix.
I took it back to the Mac Store, they said they had never heard of the problem, and asked if I'd dropped my computer.
I told them no, and I wanted it fixed. They said that for $100 they would download my info to keep when it's away being worked on, but they didn't know if the fix was covered under warrant.
I said that's bs. I took my MacBook home (40 mile roundtrip) to download it myself.
In the meantime, I called a REAL Apple Store (in Tualatin, 80 miles roundtrip) and the woman there said to bring it in and they would get it fixed, even though I hadn't purchased it there.
I'll be going up soon - in the meantime the case has split the same way on the left side.
I'm really glad I found this forum - I'll print out other examples on this forum, and take them along with me.
Apple (and the Mac Store in Salem, for that matter) SHOULD replace my $1200 computer, as far as I'm concerned, but I'm a realist.
Any recent MacBook purchasers had this problem?
I'll never again purchase a Mac from a Mac Store, only a genuine Apple Store for me!!
class action lawsuit?
daneoni - that's a mechanical explanation of what is breaking what
but, this is my third macbook, and I've never had this problem before,
This is not operator error.
This is a defect in design and/or workmanship.
We all need new computers that have had the design/workman ship defect corrected.
If Apple just replaces the broken part with an identical part, it will break again.
then, Apple will replace it again, until the warranties of all the defective macbooks run out.
Then, the problem is solved for Apple, and we're are all left with broken macbooks!!
daneoni - that's a mechanical explanation of what is breaking what
but, this is my third macbook, and I've never had this problem before,
This is not operator error.
This is a defect in design and/or workmanship.
We all need new computers that have had the design/workman ship defect corrected.
If Apple just replaces the broken part with an identical part, it will break again.
then, Apple will replace it again, until the warranties of all the defective macbooks run out.
Then, the problem is solved for Apple, and we're are all left with broken macbooks!!
yes I have had the same issue with my macbook twice!!! now. Both times have been on the right side, just as yours. I am convinced that every macbook if used regularly enough will develope the same issue.
I am hoping that the replacement part is made from stronger or less brittle material.
I did notice that the new top case felt a bit differently than the old one.
I did notice that the new top case felt a bit differently than the old one.
If it is Apple are denying it. I queried whether the design had been amended when I had mine fixed the second time and they were adamant that there was no problem so the design hadn't changed. Apple also claimed they'd never seen the problem before, despite the local store being so familiar with it they didn't raise an eye-lid when I called in and had the parts in stock for this very reason.
I think it's possible the material was changed, but that they are not 'fessing up to it. It's happened enough that many Apple stores recognize the problem when they see it.
It's not like it should cost all that much to change to a different material, probably the same cost. What they don't want is to publicize it, so everyone with a MacBook wants to replace their topcase, even if they never had the problem. My guess is that the overall rate of this problem is low (if still significant.)
I guess I'll know in 6 to 12 months...
madmax-
see the poll above...
one out of three macbook owners state that they've had this identical defect, and from reading the thread many have had it more than once!
and this is just a very small sampling
if this was an auto defect, it would be one of the biggest recalls of all time!
see the poll above...
one out of three macbook owners state that they've had this identical defect, and from reading the thread many have had it more than once!
and this is just a very small sampling
if this was an auto defect, it would be one of the biggest recalls of all time!
The sad thing is, that it's a shocking problem, that's going to effect everyone in time. And so far mac has not even admited that this is even a problem even though they have had to replace thousands of top cases. Even from the random sample that this pole has given us, it is more than obvious that this is more than a minor problem> hell it's more than a major problem, it's a problem of epic proportions. If a company can't make a casing that can stand up the weight of some one's hands I'm seriously worried.
You know, if this was even a random sampling of MacBook owners, I might be worried, but the statistics don't add up. See, the problem is that more people who have had problems with the casing on their MacBook will open and read this thread, hence the high numbers in the poll. Those who don't either don't read this, or may not even come here at all. Common problem with all web-based polling, pretty much.
On that note, my casing has cracked in the same way, but I have a MacStyles MacPad on there, so I'm going to go talk to the Apple Store and see if they can work with me, but I'll probably end up just living with it or gluing it back into place.
jW
On that note, my casing has cracked in the same way, but I have a MacStyles MacPad on there, so I'm going to go talk to the Apple Store and see if they can work with me, but I'll probably end up just living with it or gluing it back into place.
jW
My casing has cracked on the right hand side and the chip has fallen off. The left hand side is starting to crack too.
Sadly my MB is nearly 2 years old (one of the first ones) so Apple won't be giving me a new one. I'll buy a new top case at some point and fit it which will also solve my yellowing problem.
Co-incidentaly - I metioned the yellowing to a genius when I was in having my battery replaced (the problems with this mb....) and he suggested I clean it - said there was nothign they could do
Sadly my MB is nearly 2 years old (one of the first ones) so Apple won't be giving me a new one. I'll buy a new top case at some point and fit it which will also solve my yellowing problem.
Co-incidentaly - I metioned the yellowing to a genius when I was in having my battery replaced (the problems with this mb....) and he suggested I clean it - said there was nothign they could do
As Mal said, we really don't have a good impression of how many affected owners are out there.
Just to clarify- the cracks don't happen because of the weight of your hands, the crack occurs because of the ridges above the screen that contact the top case when shut the lid. The force of impact is small, but is concentrated at where the ridges contact the top case. The designers didn't properly take into account the cumulative effect of shutting the lid hundreds/thousands of times.
I would strongly suspect that Apple has modified the top case specs at some point, to save money on having to do these replacements. They may not announce it, but if it has happened enough times they will notice it and use a some what different grade of plastic. Warranty repair costs add up, the MacBook is not a super high-margin product.
Like others mine cracked and they replaced everything that is associated with the top plate. As I see it I don't really mind it happening, I had to sacrifice my comp for 25 hours, no hassle, and I got almost a brand new computer out of the deal.
Something did get jacked up with the way they put it back in and now CDs dont really go in too well, but oh well.
Something did get jacked up with the way they put it back in and now CDs dont really go in too well, but oh well.
I had my top case replaced in November 07 and it cracked again just after Christmas. This is starting to bug me now.
When it cracked the first time they replaced it under "discoloration" so I'm not really sure if they're going to be willing to replace it again.
To be honest for me it's not a case of what if it breaks anymore. Just a matter of when. The right of my top case is cracked and the left won't be far behind at this rate. The magnetic strips on the screen is leaving grooves on the case.
When it cracked the first time they replaced it under "discoloration" so I'm not really sure if they're going to be willing to replace it again.
To be honest for me it's not a case of what if it breaks anymore. Just a matter of when. The right of my top case is cracked and the left won't be far behind at this rate. The magnetic strips on the screen is leaving grooves on the case.
I had my top case replaced in November 07 and it cracked again just after Christmas. This is starting to bug me now.
When it cracked the first time they replaced it under "discoloration" so I'm not really sure if they're going to be willing to replace it again.
So much for my theory of a new plastic...
Is your MB still under warranty? If so, I imagine they should go ahead and do it.
Yeh it's under Applecare. I'll give them a ring when i feel i can spare my laptop for a while.
Well, I just discovered the same thing on my Macbook, like an idiot I superglued the part back so it didn't chip off (it was hanging loose, I didn't want it to come off during my business trip this week.) I didn't even think of the applecare warranty I purchased with the computer. (August 07 purchase)
Has anyone else done this? Did apple refuse or agree to replace the case?
Anyway, I will bring the computer back to the apple store after next week, when I get home, is there any reference number or other official documentation I can point the apple store to so I can get this fixed under warranty?
Has anyone else done this? Did apple refuse or agree to replace the case?
Anyway, I will bring the computer back to the apple store after next week, when I get home, is there any reference number or other official documentation I can point the apple store to so I can get this fixed under warranty?
madmax wrote, "Just to clarify- the cracks don't happen because of the weight of your hands, the crack occurs because of the ridges above the screen that contact the top case when shut the lid. The force of impact is small, but is concentrated at where the ridges contact the top case.
The designers didn't properly take into account the cumulative effect of shutting the lid hundreds/thousands of times."
That's it, Max - thanks for the precise description, and I believe, the cause of the cracks.
But, the first crack appeared on my macbook only SIX WEEKS after I purchased it, so the cumulative effect theory was minor in my case.
Here's who to email to start publicizing the defect to the general public, and to let Apple know they can no longer ignore us:
news-tips@nytimes.com
Be sure and reference this forum.
The designers didn't properly take into account the cumulative effect of shutting the lid hundreds/thousands of times."
That's it, Max - thanks for the precise description, and I believe, the cause of the cracks.
But, the first crack appeared on my macbook only SIX WEEKS after I purchased it, so the cumulative effect theory was minor in my case.
Here's who to email to start publicizing the defect to the general public, and to let Apple know they can no longer ignore us:
news-tips@nytimes.com
Be sure and reference this forum.
Every piece of equipment has a design flaw. I dont see how calling the new york times is going to fix it. Besides, Apple covers it under warranty, in their store, and they have it back to you in a day or two. Sure there is a problem but the NY times is never going to write an article over something that is pretty trivial. The MB has been out for awhile with this same problem, its nothing new.