Whoa, are you the only one with this issue?? I havnt seen anyone else complain about the new unibody... hmm I've been through 3 and so far all of them were perfect.
Get it exchanged.
Get it exchanged.
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Gaps in unibody MBP lid! Please help. Pics included
- Thread starter Alucardx03
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This probably won't help since it seems you bought it directly from Apple but... I bought my unibody from Amazon in December and 3 weeks later I noticed a gap very similar to yours on the back hinge part. It was enough to not be a big deal but it did bug me. I contacted Amazon and they promptly replaced it. I am quite satisified with the replacement.
Take it back to Apple and explain how the gap is not within specs and should be repaired or replaced.
Take it back to Apple and explain how the gap is not within specs and should be repaired or replaced.
Calling it a "bargain" is a bit of an overstatement. It's not a bargain at all. It's expensive for a laptop today when you compare its specs with machines from other brands.
I think that the gap will sort itself out, and I wouldn't take it back for such a tiny gap, but
1. Put one on each side.
2. It didn't work the one night you tried it. Once! I suggested that it'll straighten itself out over time, but not overnight. Machines in the past have straighted themselves out over time when they did what you did. It won't take 6 months or something, but definitely more than 1 night.
Well, I'll leave the books on there for a few days and see what happens. And, I'm getting an InCase hard shell case for the computer and will see if the additional weight on the lid will be adequate to weigh that side down.
it's funny... I'm reading parts of this thread only to discover there are some really anal people out there who have nothing better to do other than moan about the state of there Mac's. I wonder to my self, if your not happy about it why not return it for an exchange? Apple offers 14days exchange without questions usually. Alternatively, rip it to shreds and rebuild it - like i do.
Seriously, that teeny tiny gap is nothing!!
I've seem much worst on previous aluminium MacBooks.
Seriously, that teeny tiny gap is nothing!!
I've seem much worst on previous aluminium MacBooks.
Whoa, slow down there, cowboy. First, I explained that the computer is not within the 14 day return window (in my first post, actually). Second, who in the thread is moaning? I've already admitted that I can be a little anal about my Macs, and am not complaining at all. In fact, I've posted this in the forums to get other people's advice, which many have been nice enough to give. And third, I'd rather not rip into my $2500+ computer, thanks.
and you call this a gap!!!
I call THIS a gap!
LOL i couldn't help myself.
I'm still holding hope for the textbooks. It will take longer than one night for the problem to be corrected and it may never be perfect, but better.
i shop at THE Gap. maybe you can take ur unibody and sell it to them!
I call THIS a gap!
LOL i couldn't help myself.
I'm still holding hope for the textbooks. It will take longer than one night for the problem to be corrected and it may never be perfect, but better.
Don't take it so personally but making a post with a title "Gaps in unibody MBP lid! Please help. Pics included" comes across as moaning. Especially when it's a 0.5mm gap that doesn't affect performance. My MacBookPro has a BIGGER gap!! Perhaps I should post you some images huh?
Yeah well, Dell's can be pretty reliable too, but I wouldn't be caught dead using that crap either. We're also talking about design and form factor, not reliability.
If you're happy with your big ass gapped lid, cool. You enjoy that. And if it bothers you that he has issue with his in this thread, move along. I'm sure you can find some other thread to get involved with more productively instead of calling the OP a moaner because he expects his product to NOT be ****ed up out of the box.
People, you can have all the opinions you want if this is an important issue or not. The bottom line is, it SHOULD close flat on both sides. You can't really argue that. It's not a feature that one side doesn't close completely. It's a flaw. It's not unreasonable to want it to close correctly. Insulting him for this is really uncalled for.
I fixed it... using a few books
it's metal, it'll bend and flex, Just required a little persuasion!!
I fixed it... using a few books
it's metal, it'll bend and flex, Just required a little persuasion!!
haha, fair enough.
Also...
If your machine has been damaged while it's being serviced by some so-called techie at Apple, then the chances are, you have a right to have the damaged corrected.
If you didn't or couldn't do it shortly after the service was carried out, just explain to Apple you are a busy guy and your job takes you out of the country, blah blah blah... If your in doubt, contact Apple and speak to them, only then then will you know, what they can do for you. Maybe nothing cause it's too long, could be everything...
A friend of mine return his MacPro, it came back working but with a huge dent on the front mesh. A few weeks later I persuaded him to call Apple, eventually Apple agreed to exchange the entire machine. now, I'm not saying Apple will do the same for you.. but there's certainly no hard in asking. Right?
This is disappointing. I have a bent lid for my classic MBP, and I thought the unibody model wouldn't have such problems. One less reason to upgrade.
Oh well, at least they fixed the gaps in between the grey rubber lining and the aluminium. One step at a time I suppose.
Oh well, at least they fixed the gaps in between the grey rubber lining and the aluminium. One step at a time I suppose.
I fixed it... using a few books
it's metal, it'll bend and flex, Just required a little persuasion!!
Well, my Santa Rosa Macbook Pro has the same issue, but it's a moot point. The old magnetic hinge mechanism was to blame. The new unibodies do away with the mechanical hinge, and only use magnets. Therefore, there should be no issues with the new MBPs. My 2.2 gHz machine is three times as bad as my unibody, but I've accepted it as a design flaw. I would be willing to bet there isn't a single machine (that hasn't been bent back) that does not have this flaw. Also, I don't think bending the screen is going to do any good. I have a feeling the glass is preventing any flexing.
Also, I just received my InCase hardhsell today. Unfortunately, when the screen is opened, there is not enough clearance on the right side to clear the case, so the hinge gets stuck. On the left side, there is plenty of room. I have checked and it is definitely not the the fault of the case. This leads me to believe the entire screen was put on crookedly, which is why I have the gap.
Now that I'm not even able to use a hard shell on it, I think I'm going to make an appointment at the Genius bar. I'll see what they say. I was going to live with it, but it's becoming more of a problem if if the flaw prohibits me from adequately protecting my notebook.
Well, I spoke with my father, who is an industrial engineer, and showed him the computer. He immediately noticed the flaw, and explained the problem. Apparently, the screen was not situated correctly, and is actually rotated and bent slightly, therefore blocking the plastic InCase hardshell and causing the gap. I asked him if bending it back into place was a possibility, and he said it probably wasn't. Just like I thought, the glass is going to act like an internal brace to prevent any permanent movement. Even if the metal is straightened out, the glass is going to bend it back over time.
Needless to say, I'm going to make an appointment and take it back to the Apple store. Maybe they can open up the case and reattach the screen. I'm going to try to talk them out of sending it back in, and we'll see what happens. I'm also going to make sure my dad is there to adequately explain the problem.
Needless to say, I'm going to make an appointment and take it back to the Apple store. Maybe they can open up the case and reattach the screen. I'm going to try to talk them out of sending it back in, and we'll see what happens. I'm also going to make sure my dad is there to adequately explain the problem.
It’s been a long time since my last post and I thought I’d write an update.
Right after my last post, my schedule got very busy, so I was not able to send the computer in for repair right away. Just last week I made the call to AppleCare. The guy sounded genuinely shocked that I was having such a problem with the top of the case. They sent me a box since I don’t have the time to go to the Apple Store (working three jobs), and I sent the computer back this last Monday.
I wrote the technician a letter, outlining the problem and asking him very nicely if they would work on the computer on a soft surface. Last time I had my MBP repaired it came back in appalling condition. We’re talking 2mm-deep scratches, and gouges. Not only that, but the computer came back absolutely filthy and disgusting. The Apple Store manager replaced the computer, but I didn’t want to have to go through that hassle again.
Anyway, I got the computer back after only a day. The turnaround was unbelievably fast. They ended up replacing the entire screen. I’m happy to report that the screen is now almost completely perfect. There is still a small gap, but it is so minor and miniscule that it doesn’t matter.
Also, I’m happy to say that the screen doesn’t suffer from any backlight bleeding, like my previous screen did. No dead pixels, no dust under the screen, and no other weird screen issues.
Though the computer came back to me a little dirty and grimy, it was worth it. I can now use my computer with peace of mind, knowing that there isn’t a sizeable gap when the screen is closed.
If anyone else is having problems with backlight bleeding or gaps when the screen is closed, I would recommend sending it in for repair. I’m very glad I did.
The bottom line is that it's not normal, and the majority of the new MBP's do not have this issue. It's a quick fix that gives peace of mind and positively affects retail value.
Right after my last post, my schedule got very busy, so I was not able to send the computer in for repair right away. Just last week I made the call to AppleCare. The guy sounded genuinely shocked that I was having such a problem with the top of the case. They sent me a box since I don’t have the time to go to the Apple Store (working three jobs), and I sent the computer back this last Monday.
I wrote the technician a letter, outlining the problem and asking him very nicely if they would work on the computer on a soft surface. Last time I had my MBP repaired it came back in appalling condition. We’re talking 2mm-deep scratches, and gouges. Not only that, but the computer came back absolutely filthy and disgusting. The Apple Store manager replaced the computer, but I didn’t want to have to go through that hassle again.
Anyway, I got the computer back after only a day. The turnaround was unbelievably fast. They ended up replacing the entire screen. I’m happy to report that the screen is now almost completely perfect. There is still a small gap, but it is so minor and miniscule that it doesn’t matter.
Also, I’m happy to say that the screen doesn’t suffer from any backlight bleeding, like my previous screen did. No dead pixels, no dust under the screen, and no other weird screen issues.
Though the computer came back to me a little dirty and grimy, it was worth it. I can now use my computer with peace of mind, knowing that there isn’t a sizeable gap when the screen is closed.
If anyone else is having problems with backlight bleeding or gaps when the screen is closed, I would recommend sending it in for repair. I’m very glad I did.
The bottom line is that it's not normal, and the majority of the new MBP's do not have this issue. It's a quick fix that gives peace of mind and positively affects retail value.
MBP Lid De-laminating from screen - Pics added.
Hi All,
Seeing the concerns about the screen gaps, I thought you might appreciate seeing some pics of my virtually new MBP and the defect that developed. The hinge had been quite stiff from day one, but it took about 3 weeks before I noticed the air gap between the lid and the glass of the screen. As you can see, the rubber seal gave way and this resulted in the lid closing at some weird angles (never mind gap irregularities). It was working fine in every other respect but nevertheless it went back to Apple and returned a week later with a new lid (expected) and the return paper listed it had a replaced motherboard and logic card (not expected). I still do not know why, but I live in hope that Apple took the opportunity to fix some early build issues they would rather not talk about. Anyone out there have any ideas?
For the record, the Geekbench score is in the 3450 region, depending on what's running, so it has not slowed down any. I would be interested to know if anyone else has had similar problems.
Hi All,
Seeing the concerns about the screen gaps, I thought you might appreciate seeing some pics of my virtually new MBP and the defect that developed. The hinge had been quite stiff from day one, but it took about 3 weeks before I noticed the air gap between the lid and the glass of the screen. As you can see, the rubber seal gave way and this resulted in the lid closing at some weird angles (never mind gap irregularities). It was working fine in every other respect but nevertheless it went back to Apple and returned a week later with a new lid (expected) and the return paper listed it had a replaced motherboard and logic card (not expected). I still do not know why, but I live in hope that Apple took the opportunity to fix some early build issues they would rather not talk about. Anyone out there have any ideas?
For the record, the Geekbench score is in the 3450 region, depending on what's running, so it has not slowed down any. I would be interested to know if anyone else has had similar problems.
Attachments
You need to have that looked at RIGHT away!
Unless you somehow caused that to happen...
Not guilty!
Dear Drewsof7,
Thanks for your concern, and as I say, it's now fixed! I believe that opening and closing the lid on a regular basis was my "totally abusive" contribution to the defect. As friends have noted, this would not have happened if I had not taken it out of it's wrappings. No, really, it happened over a period of less than 3 months from new, and there was I, extolling the virtues of the exceptionally robust design of the unibody over my old titanium MBP.
The good news is that the lid (on inspection following reading this thread) has a consistent gap all round - which just goes to show, they DO know how to get them made the way they were designed ......... eventually.
You need to have that looked at RIGHT away!
Unless you somehow caused that to happen...
Dear Drewsof7,
Thanks for your concern, and as I say, it's now fixed! I believe that opening and closing the lid on a regular basis was my "totally abusive" contribution to the defect. As friends have noted, this would not have happened if I had not taken it out of it's wrappings. No, really, it happened over a period of less than 3 months from new, and there was I, extolling the virtues of the exceptionally robust design of the unibody over my old titanium MBP.
The good news is that the lid (on inspection following reading this thread) has a consistent gap all round - which just goes to show, they DO know how to get them made the way they were designed ......... eventually.