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MacBook Cracks and Apple Support
- Thread starter Flickie
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Someone in a cafe who had the same laptop as me (mine is black btw) said that they have a problem with getting hairline cracks in the palmrests. There is no soft rubber or anything to protect the hard plastic surfaces from each other, or that was his explanation after gettin gthe plastic replaced. i haven't had that poblem yet, but I did find a way that hopefully will help this problem. I ran across these little round felt stickers designed to protect objects from bumping or rubbing into each other (maybe like paintings ona wall?) Anyway, it was $1.49 a package, so I bought them and stuck them on. Maybe less aesthetic with the white computers, but hey, maybe it works? So far so good!
And I have to agree that you were mistreated. I'm, sorry, assuming someone is lying is not good customer service. That is a good way to keep customers from coming back!
And I have to agree that you were mistreated. I'm, sorry, assuming someone is lying is not good customer service. That is a good way to keep customers from coming back!
I just found this thread after my wife noticed that her Macbook has the same type of chipped plastic on the right side of the palmrest. She opened it up and just noticed it yesterday. We had never noticed anything there previously.
Unfortuneatly, the MB is about 4 months out of warranty. However, the upside is that we bought it on the Amex card, so they should cover it.
I've never dealt with the Geniuses at the Apple Store. Can I walk in and show them the defect and will they give me a case number and quote for the repair? That way, I could send that to Amex for them to reimburse me for the repair costs.
Anyone have any idea as to the cost of this repair. I saw on pbfixit.com that the top case and keyboard costs $150. I suppose that I'm looking at about $400 for this repair. Can anyone confirm?
Thanks.
Unfortuneatly, the MB is about 4 months out of warranty. However, the upside is that we bought it on the Amex card, so they should cover it.
I've never dealt with the Geniuses at the Apple Store. Can I walk in and show them the defect and will they give me a case number and quote for the repair? That way, I could send that to Amex for them to reimburse me for the repair costs.
Anyone have any idea as to the cost of this repair. I saw on pbfixit.com that the top case and keyboard costs $150. I suppose that I'm looking at about $400 for this repair. Can anyone confirm?
Thanks.
I'm just adding to this thread so that there are more voices out there: same thing happened to me just today on my 9/2006 MB (1 gen). I don't know what causes it because I tend to type with my palms off the rests. Not only that but the MB is my secondary computer. I mostly work on my Mac Pro.
I wonder if it has to do with heat? I have already had they heat sink and screen replaced...
I wonder if it has to do with heat? I have already had they heat sink and screen replaced...
Which store did you go to? I had the very same issue by the latch, almost identical. They replaced the casing for free, but the problem persisted, and after another lid replacement it seems to be behaving itself.
Certainly not an isolated incident - I had no idea when the crack developed either. My MB just sits on my desk plugged into external periperals and isn't touched. Print this as testimony! lol.
Certainly not an isolated incident - I had no idea when the crack developed either. My MB just sits on my desk plugged into external periperals and isn't touched. Print this as testimony! lol.
All three of my friends with MacBooks have identical problems with a crack above the right magnet. I don't understand why people seem to act like, "If you take care of it, it will last..." when obviously this has nothing to do with how well one cares for it and everything to do with the fact that the plastic on the lip is ludicrously thin.
Well, I called apple today - they did the usual disclaimer about how the repair center might consider it to be my fault etc etc. I'm not too worried though. The issue is all over the web. There's a flickr group even: http://flickr.com/groups/crackedmacbook/
The only odd thing about mine is that it's on the left side, not the right. hmmm....
The only odd thing about mine is that it's on the left side, not the right. hmmm....
If a Genius at a store is not aware of the problem, then this is going to be his first suspicion. I wouldn't go overboard at that response (not that OP did).
If you call Apple they should know better. Or print out one of the numerous threads on this problem and bring it to the store with you. A manager should be able to look at the printout and okay the warranty repair.
I have the cracks and a intermittent BT problem, and am going to print out one of the longer threads here to bring with me.
Unlikely. Nearly every laptop on the market is made in China, Taiwan, or somewhere nearby in East Asia. It's been that way for decades. This isn't a "Communist China" problem, it's an "Apple doesn't give a damn" problem. The older iBooks and Powerbooks weren't made better because China "wasn't quite as Communist" in the early 2000s; they were made better because Apple paid more attention to QC when they had a smaller market share.
Many of these problems are likely design issues, not manufacturing defects.
Stuff like cracked casing, top cases that turn color...these seem like design issues due to choice of material and thickness of the top casing (though its impossible to say for sure.)
This happens a lot with first gen Apple products because their designs almost always push new trends and are not based on previous designs (for example the magnetic latch of the MacBook, and how the screen rests against the top case with the raised ridges.)
I'm not defending the defects, but it is easier for say Acer or Dell to swap some colors or slightly change the shape for a new notebook model and call it a day.
Apple also makes a lot of design choices for aesthetic reasons, which are great if you don't have a problem come up. For example, I really like their notebook power adapters, but many people have had problems with the strength of the thin cord (mainly where it connects to the adapter.)
It is what it is. The problem rate is low enough for me to continue to choose Apple products (and I had to bring my MacBook in for the cracked case problem), but that's easier for me to say since I've never had out-of-warranty issues. Another choice is to simply never buy a first rev. Apple product, not a totally unwise choice since you have plenty of options to choose from, now that the Intel transition is a couple of gens old.
Stuff like cracked casing, top cases that turn color...these seem like design issues due to choice of material and thickness of the top casing (though its impossible to say for sure.)
This happens a lot with first gen Apple products because their designs almost always push new trends and are not based on previous designs (for example the magnetic latch of the MacBook, and how the screen rests against the top case with the raised ridges.)
I'm not defending the defects, but it is easier for say Acer or Dell to swap some colors or slightly change the shape for a new notebook model and call it a day.
Apple also makes a lot of design choices for aesthetic reasons, which are great if you don't have a problem come up. For example, I really like their notebook power adapters, but many people have had problems with the strength of the thin cord (mainly where it connects to the adapter.)
It is what it is. The problem rate is low enough for me to continue to choose Apple products (and I had to bring my MacBook in for the cracked case problem), but that's easier for me to say since I've never had out-of-warranty issues. Another choice is to simply never buy a first rev. Apple product, not a totally unwise choice since you have plenty of options to choose from, now that the Intel transition is a couple of gens old.
Well add me to the list, but I am not under wty. Too bad we cannot get a judgement for apple to replace all of them with a new piece that WON'T break again.
Now, that outta be enough people.... is the apple employee running around here undercover doing damage control convinced? ... or would Apple rather keep running aroiund here paying people to say there are no design flaws.
Now, that outta be enough people.... is the apple employee running around here undercover doing damage control convinced? ... or would Apple rather keep running aroiund here paying people to say there are no design flaws.
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How far out of warranty are you? They might still do it for you if you phone up. It's a 10 minute repair.
The cracked palmrest is a known issue by Apple. I walked in with mine and showed it to the guy and he looked at me and said "Yup. What else?" When I said just that he said sure, it would take 3-5 days. It really took 25 hours.
For those of you who might be wondering how this goes, here it is. The topplate is a whole assembly. So you get a new keyboard, trackpad, button and cover. From my reciept it would have cost me 139.06 for the parts and 85 for the labor for a total of 224.06.
Hope that helps!
For those of you who might be wondering how this goes, here it is. The topplate is a whole assembly. So you get a new keyboard, trackpad, button and cover. From my reciept it would have cost me 139.06 for the parts and 85 for the labor for a total of 224.06.
Hope that helps!
Well, count me among those with a missing sliver of Crapbook on the edge of the right palm rest. What's the word on these repairs? Will they cover this defect out of warranty? I rather find out ahead of time before I have to deal with anyone at the local "Genius Bar."
And let me preempt the fanboy trolls: this wasn't caused by misuse. I've babied this POS. Its a design flaw: the strength of the magnetic latch + the thin plastic on the palm rest + stress from the ridge on the bezel = crack, then break. Apple should own up to this very obvious design flaw.
And let me preempt the fanboy trolls: this wasn't caused by misuse. I've babied this POS. Its a design flaw: the strength of the magnetic latch + the thin plastic on the palm rest + stress from the ridge on the bezel = crack, then break. Apple should own up to this very obvious design flaw.
i'm also a MacBook user and i've seen these cracks on my friends MacBooks, sometimes around the whole keyboard area. it's just ridiculous that we pay 1200+ for these computers and all of the sudden they want to turn their back on us. Macs are great computers but when it comes down to business, they seem to get really specific.
i called today for a friend to find out if they would cover the cracks under warranty and of course they said no. i don't have any cracks on mine..yet..around the keyboard but since everyone is having these problems with theirs, i was worried about it eventually happening to mine.
i called today for a friend to find out if they would cover the cracks under warranty and of course they said no. i don't have any cracks on mine..yet..around the keyboard but since everyone is having these problems with theirs, i was worried about it eventually happening to mine.
ok, so i found out what's causing those cracks around the keyboard.
a lot of people i know SLAM their macs closed when they're done with them. i lightly close mine, very softly. those cracks seem to appear where those 3D lines are. i can't really describe them but they're on the screen itself in the upper left and upper right corners.
i believe these cracks are starting from people slamming their screens down and over time, cracking into the computer. i looked at my Mac from an angle and noticed that i can see more of a wear in those spots from those lines.
my macbook has no cracks so far so maybe closing it gently is the way to go.
a lot of people i know SLAM their macs closed when they're done with them. i lightly close mine, very softly. those cracks seem to appear where those 3D lines are. i can't really describe them but they're on the screen itself in the upper left and upper right corners.
i believe these cracks are starting from people slamming their screens down and over time, cracking into the computer. i looked at my Mac from an angle and noticed that i can see more of a wear in those spots from those lines.
my macbook has no cracks so far so maybe closing it gently is the way to go.
Yeah my brother had this issue with his macbook. The key to getting it fixed is to not try and take it to a genius. They will try and tell you that you broke it.
The best way is to call up applecare, make sure to emphasize that you can NOT go to any of their stores. Then make sure to use phrases like "defective", "no physical abuse", "issues of this issue cropping up online with other users," etc etc and you'll eventually get it replaced.
I think this has happened to enough people that it is not just from slamming the lid. I know I take good care of mine, as it is my work notebook and the data on it is important.
I like the overall design of the notebook, and how the lid sits flush against the case when closed. But those thin lines end up concentrating the force of impact into a small area. You should never slam the lid down anyway of course, but over time it's like a repetitive stress injury. They just needed to use less brittle plastic, or change the shape of those 2 bumps/lines to spread the impact.
For those having problems with their local Apple store, I would print out this thread and show it to the employee. I printed out a copy when I went in, but didn't need it because the Genius seemed totally familiar with the problem. I was about to explain how I take good care of my MacBook, etc., but he said it was totally fine.
I like the overall design of the notebook, and how the lid sits flush against the case when closed. But those thin lines end up concentrating the force of impact into a small area. You should never slam the lid down anyway of course, but over time it's like a repetitive stress injury. They just needed to use less brittle plastic, or change the shape of those 2 bumps/lines to spread the impact.
For those having problems with their local Apple store, I would print out this thread and show it to the employee. I printed out a copy when I went in, but didn't need it because the Genius seemed totally familiar with the problem. I was about to explain how I take good care of my MacBook, etc., but he said it was totally fine.
Not at all. This has nothing to do with slamming the lid closed and everything to do with cheap plastic and stupid design. Apple designed it with a magnet closing system so that people could just close it and throw it in their bags without cumbersome latches and buttons. But even a fool could have figured out that resting the brittle palmrest on a super thin lower case edge and then adding the daily stress of the bezel closing with the small tabs hitting in a focused way over and over again WILL cause cracks. Whoever missed that should be fired from the design team. The only Apple solution, besides a total redesign, is to replace with stronger, higher quality materials. I don't know if they've done that?
The other solution, which I think works, is to use something like the Moshi palmguard which is a very thin layer of hard plastic. When you put that there, the impact of the upper bezel is distributed evenly across the lower case and I think that will prevent cracking.
well, i've seen people that i know and they usually just close their macbooks with more force than needed and they have these cracks on the right and left side. so, it's got something to do with closing it, not just design and cheap material. they probably went with this plastic to shave extra weight off.
who knows. it's certainly a big problem that they're not so willing to fix. today they told me that body damage is only repairable if something with the computer caused the damage. for example, the battery blowing up or something like that.
whoever that was earlier made a good point about printing out this thread and showing it to them when going in for repairs.
also, does anyone know how long it would usually take to fix something like this? i'm a photographer and being without a computer is like being without water.
who knows. it's certainly a big problem that they're not so willing to fix. today they told me that body damage is only repairable if something with the computer caused the damage. for example, the battery blowing up or something like that.
whoever that was earlier made a good point about printing out this thread and showing it to them when going in for repairs.
also, does anyone know how long it would usually take to fix something like this? i'm a photographer and being without a computer is like being without water.
There is another contributory factor to this problem..
I have also suffered dual splits on both the left and right hand sides after 12 months use of a first gen Macbook. I had 3 year Applecare so an Apple Approved repair was undertaken by a 3rd party. The 3rd party told me that Apple would see this as wear and tear and my fault, which I was peeved at, since I have treated the machine respectfully. However, he put the issue through as a mechanical failure and replaced the entire top pad in an hour for free.
So, I thought I best take even more care - gentle closing, careful lifting, but within 2 months another crack appeared on the right hand side. Grrr. It's still there as I have yet to report it to Apple. I can only put his down to the Bezel issue plus an extra issue....
The laptop bag I keep my Macbook in is not the rock solid type, but is fairly well cushioned. However, any books in the bag place a little pressure on the Macbook (when its in the closed position). Any pressure placed on the closed Macbook adds to the force from the bevels onto the keyboard area. So, be careful what goes in your bags people and never rest anything on your Macbook. If you gently squeeze the closed case between thumb and forefinger, you can see the force baring down at the bevel point. Not good.
I have also suffered dual splits on both the left and right hand sides after 12 months use of a first gen Macbook. I had 3 year Applecare so an Apple Approved repair was undertaken by a 3rd party. The 3rd party told me that Apple would see this as wear and tear and my fault, which I was peeved at, since I have treated the machine respectfully. However, he put the issue through as a mechanical failure and replaced the entire top pad in an hour for free.
So, I thought I best take even more care - gentle closing, careful lifting, but within 2 months another crack appeared on the right hand side. Grrr. It's still there as I have yet to report it to Apple. I can only put his down to the Bezel issue plus an extra issue....
The laptop bag I keep my Macbook in is not the rock solid type, but is fairly well cushioned. However, any books in the bag place a little pressure on the Macbook (when its in the closed position). Any pressure placed on the closed Macbook adds to the force from the bevels onto the keyboard area. So, be careful what goes in your bags people and never rest anything on your Macbook. If you gently squeeze the closed case between thumb and forefinger, you can see the force baring down at the bevel point. Not good.