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Anyone else have a "creaky" MacBook Air?

My first 13" Air, bought in March 2011, was creaky and just didn't feel as solid as it should. I ended up selling that one (to get my backlit keyboard back when the current gen was released), and I didn't notice it on that one. Ended up taking that back to the Fruit Store a few days later for a defective USB port and now this, my 3rd Air, is flawless. Completely love it!
 
My MBA also makes the occasional click/crack sound. Moving the lid or putting pressure on the body can trigger it. Kinda annoying, as it does make it feel a bit cheap.

Believe it or not, my 2008 unibody MacBook did the exact same thing. Tightening the screws fixed it (for the most part), so I've ordered a $5 pentalobe screwdriver from eBay and plan to try the same thing on my Air.

You'd think Apple would have fixed this issue since releasing the first unibody MacBooks in '08. I guess not!
 
Same problem

It will make wired noise sometimes. But that's the way it is... It should be better after using it for couple months I guess
 
My 2010 11" was creaking a bit and after two trips to the Apple store they were able to fix it (they actually made it worse after my first visit). It's been creak free since then. I know creaks can be annoying, but after my Alienware fiasco I've learned that things could be much worse.
 
My 2010 13" creaks quite a bit now too. Seems to come from around the trackpad area and display hinge, mostly when picking the Air up and moving it (not so much when opening and closing the display).

It didn't do it when it was new - seems to have developed over time. Haven't tried tightening the screws yet.
 
BTW, went to Best Buy and got it exchanged for a new one. Creak-free so far. I am much more satisfied. In fact, the overall laptop feels really solid now when picking it up. It makes quite a difference.
 
The creak problem is so odd... Because, somehow it effects us so much. It's hard to explain.

Some people may call us crazy, but it makes a big difference!
 
Yumunum said:
The creak problem is so odd... Because, somehow it effects us so much. It's hard to explain.

Some people may call us crazy, but it makes a big difference!
Click to expand...

Something that creaks all the time can hardly be called high quality. Creaking makes the laptop feel cheap, while solid feels durable and exudes quality.
 
My MBA is stating to creak when I lift it under the base with one hand. I think the reason for it starting to creak is because I carry it in my backpack a lot of the time.
 
Fixed after it warms up!

My 2011 MBA 13" cracked and creaked badly as well. But I didn't want to return it since I got the Samsung display and SSD. I bought the pentalobe screwdriver from Ebay and did it once and it reduced it. Then yesterday, I waited till the computer warmed up after some Youtube videos. I retightened the screws and they were all loose! Apparently, the head allowed the screws and cover to loosen up. The creaking is 99% fixed now.
 
A fix to my creaking issue on my 11" MBA

I took the bottom panel off and stuck a piece of vinyl electrical tape (Scotch 3m 700) on the black plastic nub that is in the middle of the back panel. Screwed the back panel back on and no more creaking noise.
 
I have a 2 week old MBA, I notice the creaking a decent amount just sitting here with it on my lap on the couch typing and it will creak some from the bottom right front corner mostly is what i have noticed.
 
Mine creaked. I brought it back for the base to be reseated. Since then it has not creaked. Keeping my fingers crossed...
 
Mine is creaking too, mainly at the bottom corners. Even more after 2 months.

And the trackpad has almost stopped clicking- just the tiniest bit of travel left. Looks like a trip to the Genius Bar is in order soon. Luckily it's only 10 minutes away.

Am I correct that both of these are fixable at the Stores? (Probably)

These little things don't make me all that upset anymore- not after being with Apple since 1977- and after using PC equipment, and after seeing the awfulness that some other companies put out there. :D
 
My 13" 2010 MBA would creak slightly on the bottom left corner when pressed. Didn't start to happen until after 4 months or so. Annoying, but I looked past it for some MBA love. :D
 
It's fun to see my older threads still alive! Haha.

I actually do have some new stuff to say though... My Air is getting really creaky. Like, worse than before. Mostly when I adjust the display. It's kinda odd.
 
i dont know if this is the type of creak that people are referring to, but the center area of the bottom of my 11" air "gives" or "flexes" a tad to the point where it hits something, which I'm assuming is the logic board or something. I don't remember this happening before I had water damage and had to replace the logic board, but it's doing it now which is unpleasant. There's an ever so small gap now which is why it's causing the small creak in mine whenever I lift it with one hand.
 
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