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You likely need a new top case and clamshell. It's been a few years, but clamshells were about $600 or so and top case with keyboard were around $300 or so? I can't remember exactly. Honestly, it won't be worth it.
 
No, I haven't. As much as I know Apple Care wouldn't replace or repair optical damage.


Yea... I think I will just do that. There are no better options...


Maybe I was too overprotective about it. A lot of people I know who don't care at all about their stuff and just use it don't have stuff like this happening to them...


Besides the scratches and dents everything is working fine... You're right. It's just a tool. I think I spent too much time admiring its design and look and caring about it getting a scratch. I calmed down a bit.


Yea it's just that. I think it isn't worth the money. Ay, **** happens. It's just that it was such a dumb mistake. Forgetting about the zip.
I remember when I did this to my iPhone 5S back in the day. Much like you I was fortunate to only have cosmetic damage. It sucked but I eventually got used to it. At the end of the day, if the only thing damaged is the aesthetic, the correct answer is to be thankful (even if it still feels ******) and try to learn from the mistake and be more careful (because if there is a next time there's a good chance the damage won't just be cosmetic)
(I really do feel your pain though, I'd cry if I dropped my MBP...)
 
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I’d buy a skin to try and cover the external damage if the MacBook is still working ok.
 
I know exactly how you feel and I couldn’t live with it. Try to sell it to recoup some cost and get another one. Just bite the bullet and don’t overthink it.
 
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That reminds me of the time I accidentally dropped my lovely, aluminum all around Windows (gasp!) laptop. It hit the floor (no carpet) and now one of the corners is bent, the power button on that corner doesn’t work consistently and I’m still pissed at… well, basically myself.
I am quite overprotective of my stuff, too. I’m trying to remind myself that these are articles of daily use and theres going to be wear and tear no matter what.
Like one thing I absolutely hate but can’t avoid - keyboards on laptops becoming shiny over time.

So yeah, I think I know how you feel OP, but I like what someone else said here about it being battle scars 😅
 
Hard case + sleeve. Always.

The great thing is, since the M1 Air is virtually identical to previous MBA, the cases are very cheap, often under $10.

Forget about fixing your M1 Air as you'll need to replace the entire chassis and display. Hang on for M2 Air.
 
Arrrgh... I was walking, having my Macbook in the bag in which I carry it around, but I forgot to close the zip. It slipped out of it and fell to the concrete full of loose gravel. It is working but it has dents and scratches all over the body.
Is there a way to get a new aluminium body for it? What would you do?
I'm so angry right now because I'm so overprotective with this stuff and there isn't a single device I manage to keep save. I'm so clumsy... Maybe I should start using stuff and not trying to protect it. It will happen anyways sooner or later.
Like others say, put stickers on it. Hey, put a band-aid over the boo-boo!
You likely need a new top case and clamshell. It's been a few years, but clamshells were about $600 or so and top case with keyboard were around $300 or so? I can't remember exactly. Honestly, it won't be worth it.
If you can afford $900 for a new case, that might be between a third and half the way to a new machine anyway.
You can't judge your macbook by its cover
I see what you did there!
I know exactly how you feel and I couldn’t live with it. Try to sell it to recoup some cost and get another one. Just bite the bullet and don’t overthink it.
It's a healthy patina, so why would you want to get rid of it?
 
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when did you purchase it? many credit cards offer insurance in the first 90 days of purchasing a product.
 
Arrrgh... I was walking, having my Macbook in the bag in which I carry it around, but I forgot to close the zip. It slipped out of it and fell to the concrete full of loose gravel. It is working but it has dents and scratches all over the body.
Is there a way to get a new aluminium body for it? What would you do?
I'm so angry right now because I'm so overprotective with this stuff and there isn't a single device I manage to keep save. I'm so clumsy... Maybe I should start using stuff and not trying to protect it. It will happen anyways sooner or later.
you can cover it with a nice case like this



all scratches will be hidden
 
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I guess your MBA isn't really as light as Air... Go grab a case for your laptop and cover its scars. If it does not function properly, take it to Apple for service.
 
Arrrgh... I was walking, having my Macbook in the bag in which I carry it around, but I forgot to close the zip. It slipped out of it and fell to the concrete full of loose gravel. It is working but it has dents and scratches all over the body.
Is there a way to get a new aluminium body for it? What would you do?
I'm so angry right now because I'm so overprotective with this stuff and there isn't a single device I manage to keep save. I'm so clumsy... Maybe I should start using stuff and not trying to protect it. It will happen anyways sooner or later.
dont drop your laptop
 
This thread should be a warning to all potential mac buyers and should serve as a warning to all because these type of threads are becoming very common 'I damaged my macbook and don't have Apple care, what do i do'.

GET APPLE CARE!!!!
 
In case of sharp edges that can't be covered by a case, I recommend the following:
Buy some fine sand paper, 240 grit or higher. Switch off the MBA and position it in a way that any aluminum sanded off can't get into the keyboard or speakers. Gently sand the sharp edge smooth. Really, take your time! I had a MBP with some sharp edge at the front, and this was super easy to fix. Yes, you sand off a bit of the anodized surface. But it makes the MBA useable again. Just be careful.
 
Pics please!

Yes always annoying when you do this - I like my machines. Personally, i'd put up with it; I managed to catapult my work 2015 15" into a steel window frame - the display no longer sits flush and it has a big dent in the top and bottom. It's worked fine for a few years since and the worst of the bottom case damage went with the last battery swap.

You don't *have* to get Apple Care - contents insurance can cover this for less if you don't do it too regularly and they will replace old for new if you have the right policy.
 
This thread should be a warning to all potential mac buyers and should serve as a warning to all because these type of threads are becoming very common 'I damaged my macbook and don't have Apple care, what do i do'.

GET APPLE CARE!!!!
But AppleCare doesn't cover cosmetic damage, does it? It literally wouldn't have helped here.
 
Since it's still working I suppose it has only some superficial scratches. As said APPLE CARE will not take care of it, ironically.

So, if selling is not an option, I would recommend having a look at some covers or stickers to apply and hide imperfections :D
 
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But AppleCare doesn't cover cosmetic damage, does it? It literally wouldn't have helped here.
If it does not help then why is the forum littered with threads of people asking for help when they have dropped their Apple device (iphone, ipad, macbook) wanting the cosmetic damged to get fixed and the number one reply from experienced Apple owners is 'Go get Apple care'. Are they all wrong then and MR mod's should be removing such posts due to members giving missinformation?
 
Arrrgh... I was walking, having my Macbook in the bag in which I carry it around, but I forgot to close the zip. It slipped out of it and fell to the concrete full of loose gravel. It is working but it has dents and scratches all over the body.
Is there a way to get a new aluminium body for it? What would you do?
I'm so angry right now because I'm so overprotective with this stuff and there isn't a single device I manage to keep save. I'm so clumsy... Maybe I should start using stuff and not trying to protect it. It will happen anyways sooner or later.
Out of sight out of mind. Get a full body case for it. Or skin.
 
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OP, I'd like to add my voice to the chorus telling you not only to continue using it if everything works, but also to not lament the damage. As other posters have pointed out, we all accumulate scars and slight wear, it's a part of life. Isn't it amazing that your computer that you love using went through this (unfortunate) adventure and came out the other side working perfectly, with some added marks of character?

Steve Jobs allegedly said something relevant, in an excerpt from this article (in the journalist's voice):

I used to use an iPod as a voice recorder, fitting a microphone accessory over the protective neoprene cover. One day, while interviewing Steve Jobs, I pulled out my iPod to begin recording. Jobs recoiled as if I had introduced something toxic into the room. His look seemed to say, why would you hide something so gorgeous? My translucent neoprene was making a mockery of all the innovation and sweat that he and his employees had expended on visual design. Besides, he told me, "I think stainless steel looks beautiful when it wears."

Everything wears, nobody goes through or gets out of life in perfect condition, and I think it's pretty neat that your MacBook Air is still trucking along despite taking a pretty good fall. I say get AppleCare on your future tech if you tend to be clumsy, but then keep using it until you can't anymore or decide to upgrade. If you give yourself a few weeks (time heals many things) I think you'll warm up to the battle scars on your computer and continue to enjoy using it for the great tool that it is.
 
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