Macbook Air 2017 model Inside Screen cracked

[RAMASAMY]

I bought my Macbook Air in June 2020. 3 Days before, When I turned on my Laptop, I noticed white patches on the top right corner of the screen and two blue vertical lines. I took it to Apple Authorized Service Center in Saudi Arabia. They said that the screen is cracked inside and it needs to be replaced. They asked me whether it was fallen or did I use force to close the MacBook. I haven't done anything like that. But they said that the warranty won't cover this one and I need to pay SR.230(62 USD) for inspection by the technician and SR.2500(700 USD) for screen replacement. But this one is six just months old; there is no external damage to the MacBook. We don't have an apple showroom in KSA. I have requested the service center people multiple times to do it under warranty as there is no visible damage on the laptop. But they didn't listen to it. Is there any way to repair this under warranty from Apple.? Anyone has experienced this issue.?

 

[chscag]

Even if you were here in the US, Apple would tell you the same thing. Unless you purchased Apple Care Plus which covers accidental damage, there is no warranty on a damaged or cracked screen.

I don't even know if you could have purchased Apple Care Plus in Saudi Arabia. It's not available some countries.

 

[mwidjaya]

I have not seen such a screen fault that manifest like that.

Is it possible, someone else used this laptop and somehow grabbed it by the top right of screen, applying too much pressure on the screen?

 

[RAMASAMY]

Even if you were here in the US, Apple would tell you the same thing. Unless you purchased Apple Care Plus which covers accidental damage, there is no warranty on a damaged or cracked screen.

I don't even know if you could have purchased Apple Care Plus in Saudi Arabia. It's not available some countries

Apple care plus is available in KSA. I checked the apple website. But I was not aware of this at that time.

I have not seen such a screen fault that manifest like that.

Is it possible, someone else used this laptop and somehow grabbed it by the top right of screen, applying too much pressure on the screen?

The service center person also said the same thing. Applying pressure on a mac book cover might have caused this. But there is no physical damage or crack on the screen.

 

[Audit13]

The service center person also said the same thing. Applying pressure on a mac book cover might have caused this. But there is no physical damage or crack on the screen.

Applying pressure to the outer casing does not always leave visible signs of damage.

 

[chscag]

We've seen this before especially with students carrying their MBP or MBA in a back pack loaded with books. And as @Audit13 stated, pressure to the case may not be noticeable or leave marks. However, the damage is internal.

Sorry to hear that you will have to pay over $700 to get it repaired, perhaps you can find another repair service that will replace the screen for less.

 

[T1o2m3]

I just my MacBook Air on Dec 27 2020, 12 days later I noticed that about 1 inch of right screen was dark. Took it back to company I purchased from. Too bad so sad, you have to pay to get a new screen. Two weeks old, two f..ing weeks old and I need to buy a new screen. I have had laptops for years and I did nothing unuasl to this piece of ****. It was either sitting on table or on my lap. Never left the house. They tell me I should have bought "AppleCare" then it would have been covered, of course except for $125 deductible.

So if shipping company uses it as a basketball, you pay for their damage, unbelievable.

This is the last Apple product I will buy

 

[Audit13]

I just my MacBook Air on Dec 27 2020, 12 days later I noticed that about 1 inch of right screen was dark. Took it back to company I purchased from. Too bad so sad, you have to pay to get a new screen. Two weeks old, two f..ing weeks old and I need to buy a new screen. I have had laptops for years and I did nothing unuasl to this piece of ****. It was either sitting on table or on my lap. Never left the house. They tell me I should have bought "AppleCare" then it would have been covered, of course except for $125 deductible.

So if shipping company uses it as a basketball, you pay for their damage, unbelievable.

This is the last Apple product I will buy

Did you buy this directly from Apple or an Apple reseller?

 

[T1o2m3]

I bought this from a reseller, they showed me a picture of the "impact" spot on the computer. It was finger prints on the screen. Which they say sent photos to Apple, and Apple agreed that it was not covered. When I got home used some glass cleaner and finder print wipes right off.
If I understand this correct, grabbing the screen is causing the screens to fail. I don't remember seeing a change in design saying "don't touch screen". Who does't grab the base and screen when you go to move a laptop.

 

[beach bum]

I bought this from a reseller, they showed me a picture of the "impact" spot on the computer. It was finger prints on the screen. Which they say sent photos to Apple, and Apple agreed that it was not covered. When I got home used some glass cleaner and finder print wipes right off.
If I understand this correct, grabbing the screen is causing the screens to fail. I don't remember seeing a change in design saying "don't touch screen". Who does't grab the base and screen when you go to move a laptop.

I don’t. If I have to move the laptop, I’ll either close the lid or handle the base only. The pressure that you use when gripping the screen repeatedly will lead to a damaged screen.

 

[T1o2m3]

Well if you do , you are one of the very few I have ever seen who do. I have worked on and with computers for 35 years since Laptops were called lugables. Been part of large IT shops where every one has laptops. Never saw a laptop screen fail because someone has grabbed the screen. This may have been because they were usually Dell or something similar .

 

[beach bum]

Well if you do , you are one of the very few I have ever seen who do. I have worked on and with computers for 35 years since Laptops were called lugables. Been part of large IT shops where every one has laptops. Never saw a laptop screen fail because someone has grabbed the screen. This may have been because they were usually Dell or something similar .

If I’m remembering correctly, I’ve heard stories about the MBA screens and how fragile they are and that they are prone to breaking/cracking, etc if handled incorrectly since 2011(?). The MBA is light enough that I’ve never needed to handle by the screen when moving the laptop to a different location.

 

[canuckRus]

I just my MacBook Air on Dec 27 2020, 12 days later I noticed that about 1 inch of right screen was dark. Took it back to company I purchased from. Too bad so sad, you have to pay to get a new screen. Two weeks old, two f..ing weeks old and I need to buy a new screen. I have had laptops for years and I did nothing unuasl to this piece of ****. It was either sitting on table or on my lap. Never left the house. They tell me I should have bought "AppleCare" then it would have been covered, of course except for $125 deductible.

So if shipping company uses it as a basketball, you pay for their damage, unbelievable.

This is the last Apple product I will buy

No 90 day CC Purchase Protection coverage?

 

[T1o2m3]

We changed from MS to Apple in 2012, got a MacBook Pro. Which was a real workhorse. The number of times I grabbed it, even lifted it by the screen, which I admit, shouldn't have done. Never phased it. It is finally after 9 yrs of pounding(literally beside me on the workshop bench) is getting a well deserved retirement. I was expecting similar capabilities from this Apple product. I can grab my iPad, grab my phone, but not this device ? When this "broke", I was literally using this on my lap in my comfy chair. In comparing this to other devices, this should come with a warning about being excessively fragile, and looking at Apple's web site for Hardware issues, screen issues are 6 of the 10 listed.

If I have numbers right for a "warranty", AppleCare, I pay $279 then I pay $129 deductible with max 2 incidents in 12 months. To flat out replace it I was quoted $650 by a local repair shop. Probably could beat that if I shop around. So I would have saved $200. So if you get Apple care basically you pay for the 1st screen repair. You start to save when it breaks the 2nd time. 3rd break your on your own.

So the question that comes to my mind is "How often are these things breaking" ?? Is this a design issue ?

Not too sure what "CC" is ,

 

[Apple_Robert]

We changed from MS to Apple in 2012, got a MacBook Pro. Which was a real workhorse. The number of times I grabbed it, even lifted it by the screen, which I admit, shouldn't have done. Never phased it. It is finally after 9 yrs of pounding(literally beside me on the workshop bench) is getting a well deserved retirement. I was expecting similar capabilities from this Apple product. I can grab my iPad, grab my phone, but not this device ? When this "broke", I was literally using this on my lap in my comfy chair. In comparing this to other devices, this should come with a warning about being excessively fragile, and looking at Apple's web site for Hardware issues, screen issues are 6 of the 10 listed.

If I have numbers right for a "warranty", AppleCare, I pay $279 then I pay $129 deductible with max 2 incidents in 12 months. To flat out replace it I was quoted $650 by a local repair shop. Probably could beat that if I shop around. So I would have saved $200. So if you get Apple care basically you pay for the 1st screen repair. You start to save when it breaks the 2nd time. 3rd break your on your own.

So the question that comes to my mind is "How often are these things breaking" ?? Is this a design issue ?

Not too sure what "CC" is ,

The difference between the MBA and the older MBP that you remember using, is that the tolerance level for the MBA is much, much smaller due to how thin the screen is. It doesn't take a lot of force to cause damage. A person may not even now damaged was caused by how the computer was held or carried etc.

As @beach bum stated, it is always best to carry a Mac from the base when moving about the house. And if you need to close the lid, make sure that nothing is in-between the screen and the keyboard, or that that the Mac isn't grabbed by the outside screen corner or even the center.

CC = credit card.

 

[beach bum]

We changed from MS to Apple in 2012, got a MacBook Pro. Which was a real workhorse. The number of times I grabbed it, even lifted it by the screen, which I admit, shouldn't have done. Never phased it. It is finally after 9 yrs of pounding(literally beside me on the workshop bench) is getting a well deserved retirement. I was expecting similar capabilities from this Apple product. I can grab my iPad, grab my phone, but not this device ? When this "broke", I was literally using this on my lap in my comfy chair. In comparing this to other devices, this should come with a warning about being excessively fragile, and looking at Apple's web site for Hardware issues, screen issues are 6 of the 10 listed.

If I have numbers right for a "warranty", AppleCare, I pay $279 then I pay $129 deductible with max 2 incidents in 12 months. To flat out replace it I was quoted $650 by a local repair shop. Probably could beat that if I shop around. So I would have saved $200. So if you get Apple care basically you pay for the 1st screen repair. You start to save when it breaks the 2nd time. 3rd break your on your own.

So the question that comes to my mind is "How often are these things breaking" ?? Is this a design issue ?

Not too sure what "CC" is ,

While I think that this was a known issue with the MBA screens, maybe it's time to learn a new 'muscle memory' in that you pick the MBA up by the base rather than the screen or close the lid when transporting to another location. The Mac line offers some great laptops, and if you handle with reasonable care, they will last a long time.

Just a point of reference, I recently gave to family members my late 2010 and early 2011 MBP where I swapped the hard drives to ssd and upgraded the ram to max capacity in both machines. I also think that the iPhone and iPad are more dense than the lid/screen of the MBA are are able to tolerate those type of pressure points over the MBA screen.

CC may reference 'credit card', not sure about that though.

 

[mwidjaya]

maybe it's time to learn a new 'muscle memory' in that you pick the MBA up by the base rather than the screen

This is clear as day.

Why would anyone pick a laptop up by its most fragile part?

If he is recalling that a 2012 MBP can withstand such abuse, maybe.

I know that gen of MBP are build quite solid but if subjected to repeated stress/pressure like that, I suspect it would fail too.

 

[chscag]

The difference between the MBA and the older MBP that you remember using, is that the tolerance level for the MBA is much, much smaller due to how thin the screen is.

This. And the fact that all newer models have retina screens with high pixel density. That makes them even more delicate.

 

[canuckRus]

We changed from MS to Apple in 2012, got a MacBook Pro. Which was a real workhorse. The number of times I grabbed it, even lifted it by the screen, which I admit, shouldn't have done. Never phased it. It is finally after 9 yrs of pounding(literally beside me on the workshop bench) is getting a well deserved retirement. I was expecting similar capabilities from this Apple product. I can grab my iPad, grab my phone, but not this device ? When this "broke", I was literally using this on my lap in my comfy chair. In comparing this to other devices, this should come with a warning about being excessively fragile, and looking at Apple's web site for Hardware issues, screen issues are 6 of the 10 listed.

If I have numbers right for a "warranty", AppleCare, I pay $279 then I pay $129 deductible with max 2 incidents in 12 months. To flat out replace it I was quoted $650 by a local repair shop. Probably could beat that if I shop around. So I would have saved $200. So if you get Apple care basically you pay for the 1st screen repair. You start to save when it breaks the 2nd time. 3rd break your on your own.

So the question that comes to my mind is "How often are these things breaking" ?? Is this a design issue ?

Not too sure what "CC" is ,

CC=Credit Card

 

[T1o2m3]

I believe the last two statements have terms that express my issue, "most fragile part" and "delicate". Never heard those terms used before when describing a laptop.
As I had said I used the MBA no different than dozens of others I have used. Example: grab it by the left corner base, the far right corner base, support screen with fingers and carry to the next room. The repair shop defined the "Impact point" as finger prints in bottom right corner. The fact that I a 63 yr old person can squeeze hard enough to cause damage, Wow ! That the buyer has to buy an initial Warranty and that the cost of Warranty and the screen deductible are basically the same as repair cost for a new screen. In my opinion leaves me to believe this is a known design issue.

I finish off by relating back to the gentleman who started this thread, he like I was accused of "dropping", using "excessive force" . We have done neither, but simply used the device.

 

[Rockbottom14]

I also had similar problem, last night i was so shocked found out black area and flickering on the right side and the bottom. I had checked 3 hours earlier and it was fine ten i left it stand by with kept it open. There was not incident at that time and i'm pretty sure there was nothing hit the screen. I'm so baffled since i bought it 1 month ago.

Some people also had simmilar issues :
- https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/spontaneous-internal-crack.2174537/
- https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...acked-screen-in-touchbar-macbook-pro.2034096/
- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3306673
- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7995345?answerId=32177226022#32177226022

P.s. i went to apple authorized service center, i told the the chronology, and she seemed ignored and put the blame on me. She said the technician will check further cause. But possibility warranty may be voided and the charge could cost $500.


I'm so baffled if i should pay big ammount money for something that was not caused by me.

 

[mj_]

@T1o2m3 Don't bother with resellers. More often than not they're like insurance companies and will outright deny all claims by making out the most insane excuses. Only the persistent customers, the one that don't take No for an answer, are then handled and taken care of. Go straight to Apple and make a warranty claim with them. Your warranty is with Apple, not with a third-party reseller.

 

[SmOgER]

It really is a common sense not to grab this gen MBA by the screen. And if you do so proceed with caution. I've had and used numerous non-retina MBAs and never once did I manage to damage the screen.

As for replacement though, I reckon the best way is to buy a used screen and replace it yourself.