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A 'different' problem with the MacBook casing

Has your macbook casing cracked?

  • Yes

    Votes: 136 37.3%

  • No

    Votes: 229 62.7%
  • Total voters
    365
elcid - you don't seem to be too put out... so don't email NYTimes

I am and I recommend to anyone that is - do email them

A design flaw in one of Apple major sellers would be a big story to a lot of people

btw - MB owners are getting their macs back, and having to send them in AGAIN!!!!
 
elcid said:
...Besides, Apple covers it under warranty, in their store, and they have it back to you in a day or two...
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But mines been replaced twice under warranty, and now it's out of warranty so next time it won't be covered:mad:
 
Hi. New to forum

iCheese said:
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 :mad:

I guess I made this thread so I could ask other macbook owners if they have experienced this same problem. Anyone?
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HI. I just joined the forum. I purchased a macbook last week. So far no cracks but I can see a line where the magnets touch, will keep an eye on it.
 
My MacBook exhibited the crack only a few months after I bought it. Apple replaced the casing since it was discolored. With this one, I made a couple "pads" out of Scotch tape to absorb the shock of the magnets (about 4 layers of tape). It's not pretty, but I'd rather have this than cracks. So far it's been pretty effective.
 
 
Off to the genius bar

Well, I have an appointment set up Sunday for this cracking problem (it's become a chip now, as the plastic broke off and is missing.) Hopefully this is the only time this occurs, and apple chooses to cover it under applecare.
 
Richdmoore said:
Well, I have an appointment set up Sunday for this cracking problem (it's become a chip now, as the plastic broke off and is missing.) Hopefully this is the only time this occurs, and apple chooses to cover it under applecare.
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Can you post some pics of the cracks. I took my new macbook (2 weeks old) and took about 30 pics of ALL the sides/edges/back/bottom near writing so I can have some proof of it looking normal.

How long did you have your mac until it cracked?
 
This case cracking is interesting cause my wifes Black Macbook hasn't show any signs of cracks *knocks on wood*. She doesn't transport it anywhere with her.

I've been thinking about going and getting a MB for work but if the cracking is an issue and Apple is being a PITA, then eek.
 
joeyd929 said:
Can you post some pics of the cracks. I took my new macbook (2 weeks old) and took about 30 pics of ALL the sides/edges/back/bottom near writing so I can have some proof of it looking normal.

How long did you have your mac until it cracked?
Click to expand...

Here's a good picture.

I've contacted a major newspaper in California, with information about the defect.

Within 2 days, I got an email back, asking me for my phone number, which I just sent to the tech reporter who contacted me.
 
Update

Ok, I took the macbook to the genius bar today, it was a very busy Sunday at 11 am. I had 2 people in front of me, the first one had a flat battery that they wouldn't take under warranty (they said that even with applecare the batteries are only covered for one year, it was just worn out, they compared it to replacing tires on a car.) While she was getting a new battery the genius noticed a crack in the macbook topcase, and repaired that under warranty. The next guy in line had a crack and piece coming up exactly where mine was (mine had actually broken off last week).

For my computer, they just looked up the serial number and told me that it would be fixed in one hour, and sure enough I came back an hour later and they replaced the topcase.

I was expecting to be without the computer for a few days, so I was surprised that they repair was so fast, I wonder how many of them they have been doing lately.....

My Macintosh was purchased from an apple store in Tigard, OR in June, 2007, and travels with me 26 weeks out of the year. I did not take a picture, but it looked just like all of the other ones posted online.
 
Hoping

I too have the same problem and actually made a reservation to talk to a genius. It seems, however, that there are mixed results with everyone, half get theirs fixed, the other half are turned down. Now my warranty is still valid for like 5 days so that's one advantage for me, I'm just keeping my fingers tied that they replace my top. If they tell me that it's not covered under warranty I'm just going to complain that it's a flaw on the company's part.
 
seany06 said:
I too have the same problem and actually made a reservation to talk to a genius. It seems, however, that there are mixed results with everyone, half get theirs fixed, the other half are turned down. Now my warranty is still valid for like 5 days so that's one advantage for me, I'm just keeping my fingers tied that they replace my top. If they tell me that it's not covered under warranty I'm just going to complain that it's a flaw on the company's part.
Click to expand...

Can you print out pix, etc. from this website, and others listed above?
 
That is hard to believe - what are Apple at?? There are two Stores selling nought but Apple (that I know of) here in Kazakhstan. At least I can pop in and chat to the guys there if I have a problem.

From looking at the pics I would guess that the user is picking the Mac up by that side to move/carry it and (unintentionally) putting some extra pressure on that side which forces the magnetic part to break the coating - just a guess? I know when I pick mine up I hold it tight, but then I move my hand under it and carry it in my palm.

BTW, I come from Nor'n Ir'n originally :)
j26 said:
It's really annoying, but there are no Apple Stores in Ireland, so I can't just pop in, and since I'm preparing for exams I can't afford to be without it, even for a few days.
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Getting good

Maybe they repaired the top cover fast because they are getting good at it from having to do so many lately?
 
riscy said:
From looking at the pics I would guess that the user is picking the Mac up by that side to move/carry it and (unintentionally) putting some extra pressure on that side which forces the magnetic part to break the coating - just a guess? I know when I pick mine up I hold it tight, but then I move my hand under it and carry it in my palm.
Click to expand...

Actually, I try to hold at the hinge side whenever possible, it just seemed safer that way (less flex). And it still happened to me.

I don't travel too much with my MacBook either. I do take it to work and then home each day, but don't handle it much beyond that. Hopefully my new top case will hold up.
 
dougnewman said:
Mine cracked last week. Right side, under the magnet. White MacBook (Late 2006).

It's going to the Apple Store day after tomorrow. Still under warranty, thankfully...
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Can you let us know how Apple treats you and how long it took to get it fixed?
 
fixed no problem

When I went in, the guy at the bar looked at it, said they see this problem often, and then told me to sign a piece of paper and come back the next day. He called less than 24 hours later and my macbook was good as new.

Worked out great, better than I expected. :)
 
seany06 said:
When I went in, the guy at the bar looked at it, said they see this problem often, and then told me to sign a piece of paper and come back the next day. He called less than 24 hours later and my macbook was good as new.

Worked out great, better than I expected. :)
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I'm glad they are admitting to it. When I went in there to purchase my wifes macbook they all acted as if I made something up. Then again, it was sales person vs genius bar tech.
 
Me too

My Mac Crack happened within the first six months that I owned my MacBook. Unfortunately, I was seriously ill for at least another six months and am now well out of warranty. I'm going to go to my local Apple Store and see what they'll be willing to do. Honestly, this hasn't been the best Apple product I have ever known. I hate the keyboard and I own a rickety little LifeBook B3010D that handles wifi much more reliably. Too bad.:(
 
 
This is such an obvious design flaw. But what about places where there are no Apple Stores? If you buy your MacBook from an Apple reseller, we can expect nothing but trouble... the standard sales person in a reseller store is most likely gonna say that he has never seen this cracking before, and that you caused the crack, and that AppleCare doesn't cover it... and there you go... fooled to pay premium for something literally falling apart, and accused of lying. Well, it is bound to happen at some places, right?
 
ikondave said:
My Mac Crack happened within the first six months that I owned my MacBook. Unfortunately, I was seriously ill for at least another six months and am now well out of warranty. I'm going to go to my local Apple Store and see what they'll be willing to do. Honestly, this hasn't been the best Apple product I have ever known. I hate the keyboard and I own a rickety little LifeBook B3010D that handles wifi much more reliably. Too bad.:(
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I guess at least it's better that you're well and your MacBook isn't, rather than vice versa...

Good luck, like the other poster said print out the threads and take them with you. And if that doesn't work, call up Apple and try that.

Mackan said:
This is such an obvious design flaw. But what about places where there are no Apple Stores? If you buy your MacBook from an Apple reseller, we can expect nothing but trouble... the standard sales person in a reseller store is most likely gonna say that he has never seen this cracking before, and that you caused the crack, and that AppleCare doesn't cover it... and there you go... fooled to pay premium for something literally falling apart, and accused of lying. Well, it is bound to happen at some places, right?
Click to expand...

If you are under warranty, you should be able to call up Apple right? (at least in the USA.) I know it can get dicey overseas though, depending on who is doing the servicing...
 
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