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Corrosion or flaking of Magic Mouse's aluminum finish - RESOLVED . . . kinda

*LTD*

*LTD*

macrumors G4
Original poster
Feb 5, 2009
10,703
1
Canada
One of the very rare occasions when I actually have a complaint about an Apple product (or at least an unresolved issue.)

Behold:

After several months of use, I've noticed that the aluminum finish on my Magic Mouse (near to where my thumb and ring finger rest) seems to be flaking off or otherwise corroding somehow.

It's not a stain, as nothing I've tried will remove it.

I also noticed some slight corrosion or flaking on the topmost line of the edge (the sharper edge) of the mouse where the aluminum housing meets top of the mouse. The damage is on both sides of the mouse in either case.

Needless to say, I'm quite displeased. I take very good care of all my Apple hardware, I keep them spotless. I don't use any harsh, abrasive cleaners to keep them looking like new. My hands are usually clean - just as clean as any other user's hand. Maybe too clean. In this age of H1N1 and other various nasties floating around, hand-washing has been raised to almost obsessive levels.

I assume the Magic Mouse's finish would be durable enough to withstand regular use.

I wonder whether this has happened to anyone else.

Pics below:

http://img706.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=img2120b.jpg

Thanks for your time.
 
jeremy.king said:
bring it to a genius
Click to expand...

Yup. At my local Apple Store as I'm typing this.

Spoke with Apple directly. They were extremely helpful and quite concerned actually. Spent 1/2 hour with them and they decided it would be best for me t bring it to an Apple Store and likely get it replaced on the spot.
 
So I'm back, and . . .

Success!

I had a very pleasant and very interesting experience at the Apple Store today, which really underscores Apple's commitment to the customer experience. Apple really is all about making its customers happy. Then again, at the end of the day, I wasn't just some guy off the street looking to pull a fast one. I had a case, I was gently prodded a bit to state it and defend it, and everything turned out nicely. I walked in with my documentation in a nice leather folio, with a visibly pristine iPhone 3G (bought in August 2008) in my hand.

The details:

So the Genius looked at the mouse, was pleased I had brought all my documentation, including the Magic Mouse Warranty booklet. He even called up all the notes of the conversation I had with Apple Canada earlier in the day (I was lucky enough to get a same-day appointment, since there are several Apple Stores near me.)

He took it out back and returned a few minutes later, saying that Apple's warranty really doesn't cover things like this. With a look of shock on my face I politely told him that the warranty does indeed cover defects and damage of a manufacturing/design nature for 1 year, and I showed him again that this wear and tear was not only premature, it was absolutely out of the ordinary when it comes to anodized aluminum, which is specifically treated to resist such wear and tear. These are actual holes and pits in the surface of the anodized aluminum itself. I told him that this isn't normal, and given the fact that it's on both sides of the mouse where one would actually hold it, the physical concentration/location of the defects rules out any deliberate or accidental damage.

Then he calmly and almost in a genuinely friendly manner said: "You're really serious about this, aren't you? You're really not happy with this, are you? If I don't give you a new mouse you're going to go right back to Apple and tell them all about me and my manager, aren't you?" His tone was not accusatory or challenging, but rather, he wanted to determine how committed I was. I politely told him that I would have no choice. What a refreshing response from him, though! I thoroughly enjoyed his decision to make me "work for it" a bit.

He then said: "I really want to give you a new mouse, because I want you to leave here happy. But I'm afraid to do it because I think you will *never* be happy with this, right? These aren't supposed to *remain* perfect, they cannot look brand new forever." I again showed him the receipt and told him that it is patently unreasonable to assume that anodized aluminum would show pitting and scarring only 4 months after normal use - I wasn't sleeping with the thing in my hand and touching it 24/7. The customer exercises a reasonable standard of care with the expectation that material fitness would hold up for an accordingly reasonable amount of time (if not even more.) Especially when the material in question has been treated specifically to resist corrosion and damage, especially from normal wear and tear over a period of only 4 months.

By this time we both knew I'd be walking away with a new mouse. In fact he knew that from the beginning, but simply had to test for any falsehood regardless, which I actually appreciated. If I didn't seem convinced with my own case, why should he be? He then saw my point and saw that I was dealing with him on the same level, smiled and went out back again. After about a minute he returned with a brand new Magic Mouse, expressed some concern that I'd just keep coming back to replace it and that I'd never be truly happy, etc. I told him if that was the case I wasn't going to do so because it would be a manufacturing defect that I wouldn't want to experience over and over again. I'd simply go back to using one of my Mighty Mice.

He shook my hand, told me it was a pleasure dealing with me, returned my receipt with an additional new receipt, and wished me well.

I'm very impressed. I'm impressed with their attitude, that they didn't roll over immediately but wanted me to demonstrate my case a bit, and that at the end of the day all they wanted to do was make me happy (because they knew Apple Canada certainly would - might as well resolve it first before it gets back to Apple.) It seems Apple takes themselves seriously (along with their mission statement) and takes their customers seriously.

Well done, Apple (Store)! :)
 
I had a microsoft mouse which had a similar scuffing problem on the mousewheel.

I phoned them up, spoke to a robotic sounding call centre woman, gave them my address and had a new one through the door the next day.
Absolutely zero 'friendly begging', proof of purchase, travel, effort etc - didn't even have to return the old one.

That's my idea of decent customer service, and what I expect from most companies.
My apple uk experiences are nothing compared to both microsoft and dell - their hardware failure rates have been higher, it's a real effort to get to a store (booking?!) and the downtime required is magnitudes greater.
 
VoR said:
I had a microsoft mouse which had a similar scuffing problem on the mousewheel.

I phoned them up, spoke to a robotic sounding call centre woman, gave them my address and had a new one through the door the next day.
Absolutely zero 'friendly begging', proof of purchase, travel, effort etc - didn't even have to return the old one.

That's my idea of decent customer service, and what I expect from most companies.
My apple uk experiences are nothing compared to both microsoft and dell - their hardware failure rates have been higher, it's a real effort to get to a store (booking?!) and the downtime required is magnitudes greater.
Click to expand...

How long after your purchase did you notice the scuffing?
 
Not 100% sure, well over a year I suspect.
I've had another microsoft 'standard' mouse and a logitech mx510 replaced, both of which had loose connections where the cable enters the mouse - both years out of warranty (I assume - both were older than 3 years and no longer in production) - They were both replaced over the phone with new models, without serial numbers, no reciepts, free calls. Logitech asked me to cut off the usb connector and free post it to them when the new one arrived (I never bothered).

I bought a dell 24" monitor off ebay that developed a problem with the power switch about a month into using it - Strangely dell couldn't find the serial number and kept asking me for a dell invoice (which I didn't have obviously), yet still sent round a man with an identical replacement next day - who waited while I took it out and tested it, leaving with the old one.

I've rma'd a few ram sticks before, and waited about 4 days for a warranty replacement of a WD hard disk. I've had two identical nforce3 MSI boards (both were bought refurbished from the same shop) fail, while pretty much every other pc and component since the first pentium 60 I bought and the k6-233 machine I built has run until obsolescence (even two clicking 40gig IBM deskstars).
I feel that the apple of late has slipped hugely in quality, I've had at least one issue with pretty much every machine I've had of theirs - not counting things like hard disks, which seem to fail exponentially more, crammed into poorly cooled cases (my suspicion anyway).

I've never had a problem returning the odd peripheral I've had that was within warranty, which was the point in my post - I should be satisfied with my purchase, it should work faultlessly. I prefer to buy online, prices are cheaper and you don't have to luck out dealing with some low paid salesman. I don't want or expect to have to have a long conversation with someone regarding a product I'm not happy with. I don't want to have to justify returning it or play word games. I don't want to be at the mercy of some guy's current mood.
Anyway, I like to complain if I don't get the service I want (and then just charge back the purchase...)
 
I must say, the wear on the anodized aluminum shocked the hell out of me.

I suspect the rep I spoke to was a bit confused himself, since I doubt he'd ever seen anything like this before with a Magic Mouse.
 
It does sound strange to have anodized aluminium flake off - I guess it was a one-off/small batch that had issues and you're the only one that it irritated enough to want a replacement (I would have done the same).

Minor cosmetic issues are one thing, but I know so many people that never push companies/shops to replace things that haven't lasted or broken.
 
Dear Thread Starter, you yourself state that it is "patently unreasonable" for anodized aluminum to wither away like this. Now, look at it like this.. if it was "really" aluminum, would it be in the position that you found it, just within 4 months of use?

I got my Magic Mouse yesterday...this is the first "aluminum" series product from Apple on my desk..it replaced wireless mighty, and I was just wondering whether the aluminum that Apple states is really aluminum..for my own hunch about magic mouse is that it is not aluminum, it is just a finish of aluminum...or I am missing this entire aluminum thing...

What do you feel about it? :apple::)
 
Out of curiosity, do you wear a ring on your mouse hand? If so, I wonder if this might be a case of bimetalic corrossion, and if it is, you may wish to take your ring off, as Apple certainly won't replace that under warranty.
 
Not to revive an old thread, but I like the part about testing your sincerity. Yesterday, I watched a blue-collar guy walk into the Apple store while I was at the bar and demand, "I need this replaced, today!" "What's wrong?" "Hell if I know, I just took it out of my pocket and it wouldn't turn on." *out comes the otoscope* "Ok sir, look here, see that red dot?" BUSTED!

Hahaha, he just shrunk to nothing, hung his head and left with a huge sigh. I hate when people try to screw companies like this, but I LOVE when they take that walk of shame XD

Let's hope my new toy (Magic Mouse) doesn't have this seemingly freak issue =\
 
Update:

No, I don't wear a ring while using the Magic Mouse.

So I got my exchange, as seen above - brand new Magic Mouse.

A few months later . . . same problem.

I'm not sure what sort of "aluminum" this is, but resilient it aint!

I won't bother returning it. I submitted the problem as an "engineering issue" to Apple Canada, along with pics of both Apple Magic Mice (old and new) as well as a detailed timeline. I advised them of the situation and asked for nothing in return. No point.

I'm still going to use my current (and flawed) Magic Mouse because overall it's a great device, but it's a shame about the poor finish of the "aluminum."
 
I think the corrosion is from acids in sweat which varies from person to person which is why some people have the issue and others don't. I had the same issue on my 07 MBP where I rested my palms. I don't wear any rings, bracelets or a watch. It was a known problem and has apparently been fixed on the new unibody MBPs but I'm not taking any chances and have palm guard on mine. However, I have not had the issue on the magic mouse yet. I we'll have to keep an eye out though.
 
The bottom parts of the mouse do not have a "aluminum finish", they are made out of aluminum, specifically a anodized aluminum alloy and in your case it appears you revealed some impurities in the slab that went into your mouse, TWICE.

Then again it is always a possibility that you carry a unnatural energy that is manifested trough your fingers and manifests into transmutations of bits of the metals which they are touching, do lights by any chance flicker when you go near them ?

stevep said:
Anodising the surface does not increase strength to any perceptible degree, it merely provides protection from natural oxidation and attack by acid (found in sweat), salt solution (also sweat, and the cause of electrolytic corrosion) and alkalis (found in soap products). So, washing your hands before using your PB might easily be just as damaging as leaving them dirty, if you don't rinse and dry thoroughly!
The anodic coating can vary from 5 to 120 microns in thickeness, 25 to 50 microns being the usual range. It increases the surface hardness (an indication of scratch resistance), but not the tensile strength. It will considerably reduce the fatigue strength (ability to resist continual stress reversals, eg bending back and forth).
Click to expand...
 
People who use their mac for porn always have fading letters on their keyboard and now flaking aluminum on the mouse.
Ask me how I know this
 
intel said:
People who use their mac for porn always have fading letters on their keyboard and now flaking aluminum on the mouse.
Ask me how I know this
Click to expand...

LOL!

Nah, i don't spend THAT much time with it.

But that was very clever. ;)
 
valexa said:
The bottom parts of the mouse do not have a "aluminum finish", they are made out of aluminum, specifically a anodized aluminum alloy and in your case it appears you revealed some impurities in the slab that went into your mouse, TWICE.

Then again it is always a possibility that you carry a unnatural energy that is manifested trough your fingers and manifests into transmutations of bits of the metals which they are touching, do lights by any chance flicker when you go near them ?
Click to expand...

Hahaha this is hilarious "do lights flicker when you go near them?"

Honestly, i mean i see from the pictures, I wouldn't have even noticed the corrosion you speak about. I wonder if I carry this 'unnatural energy' too... hhahahaha
 
Thanks *LTD* for the post. I have the same problem on my Magic Mouse, only the parts when my fingers hold it, and there’s a little corrosion, like dented scratches beside the top plastic edge.
I love Apple, but agreed with you we are not used to have problems with quality at all. I’m a user since 1992, and maybe some new or PC users don’t know about Apple’s quality policy, at least in the past.
It’s weird but in Apple Discussions theres no one thread treating this.

Also my new iMac 27 i5, had black blurred stains inside the monitor, underneath the glass surface... Of course Apple replaced the LCD part.
I hope Apple keeps taking care of their quality.

By the way, the marks on the “supposed aluminum” sides, were caused by a regular use, not by sweat ...
 
I think it was definitely from corrosion due to sweat. I have an 07 MBP and I too have corrosion on the aluminum from where I rest my palms...it suckssssss. And I use a magic mouse with my iMac and I just checked and I too have the same issue on it. :( bahhh.
 
yes is acid hands mine are like that touch a bit of clean degreased steel, next day its got fingerprint etched into it

causes me no end of trouble as I make 5 inch gauge live steam loco's as a hobby
 
vincenz said:
No offense, but some people have caustic fingers...:eek:
Click to expand...
He's 100% correct. Although internally our chemistry must stay within very narrow limits to keep everything functioning, by the time it reaches our skin things change drastically.
Example: We all know women who wear a certain perfume and men drool instinctively as they walk by. Another woman, just as pleasant to the eye but different body chemistry might instead smell like that biology experiment unearthed in the back of the 'fridge.
I can wash my hands in mineral spirits with no ill effects, the husband reacts violently to same. He can wear the cheapest watch from the discount store, I am extremely reactive to base metals and can only wear gold, titanium, etc.

You, sir, are caustic :)
 
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