Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Macbook 12" difficult to open?

FearGhost

FearGhost

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 4, 2011
111
11
Cambridge, UK
Hi all, I picked up a Macbook 12" yesterday and I am loving it so far.

One problem I have found is how difficult it is to open the lid. It feels as if the magnets that hold the lid closed are too strong and the whole laptop lifts up to almost 45 degrees before letting go! It is not easy to hold down the lower part due to very little gap between the lid and main body.

Anyone else have this problem or is mine faulty?

Thanks.
 
Sorry, my machine (the 1.2Ghz version, not that this should make a difference...) opens one-handed with no problems.
 
FearGhost said:
Hi all, I picked up a Macbook 12" yesterday and I am loving it so far.

One problem I have found is how difficult it is to open the lid. It feels as if the magnets that hold the lid closed are too strong and the whole laptop lifts up to almost 45 degrees before letting go! It is not easy to hold down the lower part due to very little gap between the lid and main body.

Anyone else have this problem or is mine faulty?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yes, I found this too - you're not alone! The trouble is that it's so thin as well, you need hands like a surgeon (or a Chinese child) to smoothly open it. I wasn't able to open it consistently with just one hand, definitely needs another to try and brace the bottom.
 
keysofanxiety said:
Yes, I found this too - you're not alone! The trouble is that it's so thin as well, you need hands like a surgeon (or a Chinese child) to smoothly open it. I wasn't able to open it consistently with just one hand, definitely needs another to try and brace the bottom.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Looks like its the luck of the draw. Part of me is glad that is holds closed securely until I need to open it! :)

Does it get any 'looser' over time?
 
FearGhost said:
Thanks! Looks like its the luck of the draw. Part of me is glad that is holds closed securely until I need to open it! :)

Does it get any 'looser' over time?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't know unfortunately, just briefly had one in the office and used it as much as I could to try it out. I've got a clunky 15" cMBP :D

I imagine over time she'll be broken in, hopefully get better for your use. Nonetheless if you go to an Apple Store you can try out some of the floor models and see how they compare, as brookter1 didn't have the same issue that we did. If there's an issue then there wouldn't be a problem with getting it replaced.
 
keysofanxiety said:
I wouldn't know unfortunately, just briefly had one in the office and used it as much as I could to try it out. I've got a clunky 15" cMBP :D

I imagine over time she'll be broken in, hopefully get better for your use. Nonetheless if you go to an Apple Store you can try out some of the floor models and see how they compare, as brookter1 didn't have the same issue that we did. If there's an issue then there wouldn't be a problem with getting it replaced.
Click to expand...
Thanks keysofanxiety, I'll hopefully get chance to visit the local Apple Store this weekend.
 
  • Like
Reactions: keysofanxiety
My magnets are strong but don't cause me and issue. I'd rather them strong that to weak if I'm honest
 
I just wish I had smaller fingers to be able to hold the lower part down when opening it :) This thing is sooo thin!
 
FearGhost said:
Hi all, I picked up a Macbook 12" yesterday and I am loving it so far.

One problem I have found is how difficult it is to open the lid. It feels as if the magnets that hold the lid closed are too strong and the whole laptop lifts up to almost 45 degrees before letting go! It is not easy to hold down the lower part due to very little gap between the lid and main body.

Anyone else have this problem or is mine faulty?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I talked to the Apple store about this in the past. Several issues play into it. First and foremost, when the rubber grommet around the lid is new, it tends to be a bit stickier, so if you leave it closed for a while or there's pressure like the pressure a case would apply, it may be more difficult to open. Humidity also will make that seal a bit stickier. Finally, the surface you're on has a big part in it. If you place it on a rubber surface, it'll open right up, because almost no amount of pressure will cause the laptop to slide. If you put it on a smooth hard surface, you may have to brace the back with your hand to assist so it doesn't slide. Opening it on your lap should always only require one hand because of the angles it sits at... but like all of the above scenarios, it's perfectly normal if it's not a one-handed thing. That whole one-handed thing is more for marketing\photos than anything else. LOL
 
FearGhost said:
Hi all, I picked up a Macbook 12" yesterday and I am loving it so far.

One problem I have found is how difficult it is to open the lid. It feels as if the magnets that hold the lid closed are too strong and the whole laptop lifts up to almost 45 degrees before letting go! It is not easy to hold down the lower part due to very little gap between the lid and main body.

Anyone else have this problem or is mine faulty?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
For me it went like this: when I first got it, it opened one-handed. Then, suddenly it needed two hands. But now it's back to one hand. I guess it's a very find balance to exactly make it open one-handed.
 
Thanks for all the comments. I've tried stopping the Macbook from moving by holding it at the back and the lid now opens much better. It still lifts off the desk slightly but is much better.

Also, I'm hoping that the seal around the edge will become less 'sticky' over time and hopefully this will improve in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks again.
 
I don't have a problem with this. The magnet holds it enough to close but easy enough to open with just my thumb.

Better too strong of a magnet than too loose, right?
 
I find that I can get the top to separate from the bottom easily enough, but it only opens a little bit before the base will come up with the top if I try to open it one-handed. However, I somewhat expected that prior to purchase considering how light it is. It's got, in my opinion, fantastic weight distribution when open though.:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back