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Does your MBA Creak?

Spacekatgal

Spacekatgal

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 9, 2009
203
0
I'm usually not one to ask for total perfection in my Apple products - but I am kind of surprised that the new Macbook Air creaks when the seam on the back panel is pressed. It's almost like they didn't screw it back together all the way.

Something I associate with the unibody design is a solid feel. Is this just my MBA, or do yours do it as well?

Bri
 
I dont try to make it creek and just use the MacBook Air normally and I never hear a creek

Try going to the Apple Store and see if the other MacBook Air does the same.

If not, ask for a different MacBook Air.
 
LouieSamman said:
I dont try to make it creek
Click to expand...
Does this mean you rarely touch it? Or pick it up in a certain way.

Did Steve Jobs say you're holding it wrong? .... :eek:


I use mine without avoiding anything. I pick it up however I want. Because I bought it to do work with, it's a tool.

No creaks, no squeaks, no odd noises, just good solid construction.
 
Spacekatgal said:
I'm usually not one to ask for total perfection in my Apple products - but I am kind of surprised that the new Macbook Air creaks when the seam on the back panel is pressed. It's almost like they didn't screw it back together all the way.

Something I associate with the unibody design is a solid feel. Is this just my MBA, or do yours do it as well?

Bri
Click to expand...

Mine is doing the same thing. Here's how I tested it:
- close the MBA
- hold it with bottom panel facing up
- rub the black plastic strip back and forth

In my case, I heard some creaking sound as if the strip isn't secured properly.
 
Last edited:
I am the guy who started the thread that is linked a few posts up. I had this issue. It annoyed the hell out of me. everytime I would pick it up it would creak and crack like the metal was bending. I returned the first one the second one did it as well (but not as bad) I ended up returning the second one and getting the 11" no creaking.

I came up with a theory, It seems that "some" of the 13" models bottom plate flex when pressure is applied. Its like some are bowed out a bit and therefore you get a bit of flex. When that happened, I could see the gap where the body and the plate meet getting smaller when flexed and back to normal when not.
my theory is that the combination of flexing metal and the metal rubbing against each other causes this issue.

Again, not all are like this, Many seem perfectly solid even on the bottom. But, of the 20 or so I have handled about 5-7 of them did it.
 
Mine does sometimes. It did it as I was removing it from the box for the very first time.
 
Mine randomly creaks when I change positions when typing. Happen on the bottom right side where my palms rest on my 11.6" MBA. Thought it was strange, but only happens sometimes... I don't try this on purpose.
 
My MBA definitely creeks. This is definitely not something u want to experience when paying a premium price for a computer. I'm glad to find out im not the only experiencing this, and I think I might try to exchange it as well.

Otherwise, its an absolutely excellent laptop.
 
This has to be the bottom not being screwed on properly. I have never seen it on an MBA, but I have heard it on other aluminum Macs. Remove the bottom cover, ensure it's properly fitted, and replace all the screws tightening them all down firmly without stripping any/etc.
 
Scottsdale said:
This has to be the bottom not being screwed on properly. I have never seen it on an MBA, but I have heard it on other aluminum Macs. Remove the bottom cover, ensure it's properly fitted, and replace all the screws tightening them all down firmly without stripping any/etc.
Click to expand...

I agree, however the new MBA uses 5 point security torx T-5 screws. Not been able to find it anywhere. I asked at one genius bar a week ago and even they didn't have anything which could open these screws.
 
Mine creaks so bad it's defective for sure.

everytime I pick it up. CREEAACK.......CLACK......

It's not the bottom, it's the plastic. Makes a racket.

It's going to have to go in sooner or later. It's a very obvious defect so the Apple store better fix it or ill start creaking loudly.
 
If it creaks in your everyday use and it bothers you, take it back. I know I would find it irritating if much advertised solid unibody construction creaked like any cheap laptop. Considering the high price, you should expect and demand quality.
 
bcaslis said:
I agree, however the new MBA uses 5 point security torx T-5 screws. Not been able to find it anywhere. I asked at one genius bar a week ago and even they didn't have anything which could open these screws.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm also pretty sure that screwing the bottom panel in tighter would be helpful, but this screwdriver is the problem. I have zero idea where you'd get something like that in Boston. Amazon doesn't seem to have any security sets for a T-5 either.

Bri
 
superego said:
If it creaks in your everyday use and it bothers you, take it back. I know I would find it irritating if much advertised solid unibody construction creaked like any cheap laptop. Considering the high price, you should expect and demand quality.
Click to expand...

I bought it online and the Apple store

So My guess is that this isn't isolated. Which means that a memo will get to the stores eventually, and it will be easier to replace.

Then again you don't know until you try.
 
as far as the screws go, they are a torx plus head. it is very specialized and not available at any hardware or hobby shop store. I have found a few places online but a set of them is about $53
 
I think the headphone jack side of the bottom case, the middle screw to be more specific is slightly loose. If I pick up the Air holding the sides, it gives me a small "click" sound.

It does bother me indeed. My Air is otherwise perfect and I don't want to risk getting a replacement with bad screen, dead pixels and whatnot.

I hope Apple Store will start carrying the specialized torx screw driver and tighten it up right on the spot rather than replacing the unit or taking it away for repair.
 
jfyrfytr25 said:
as far as the screws go, they are a torx plus head. it is very specialized and not available at any hardware or hobby shop store. I have found a few places online but a set of them is about $53
Click to expand...

Took maybe two minutes, but it looks like this is the bit for less than a whopping dollar... hardly $53.

LINK IT

Take a look. It's a T5 Security Torx Bit. I am sure iFixIt.com will sell these sorts of things shortly also. In addition, Apple will probably use this on all of their Macs from now on, so we will all need them anyways.

There are like 15 sellers for this part for less than $1, so we surely can all buy them for now.
 
sinophilia said:
my god, how anal can some people be... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

When you pay the same amount of money as a Core i7 Dell Studio laptop with 4GB RAM, 500GB 7200rpm HDD, ATI HD5720 and a 1920x1080 15.6" display for something as underpowered and overpriced as the MacBook Air, wouldn't you be anal about it's build quality?
 
Follow up

I called Apple support to see what my options are.

He told me now Apple Store Genius Bar has torx driver. I have an appointment setup for tomorrow. I'll see if loose screw is causing the "click" sound on one side of my MBA11" (see above). I'll report back.
 
Does anyone have an 11" that creaks? It seems to a 13" thing only. My first started creaking badly. My second 13" didn't creak at all at first but now is creaking some. My 11" is rock solid with no signs of creaking.

Edit: never mind. I now see that there is a creaky 11" too.
 
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