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Usually if you are in for the same problem over and over and over, at some point they may offer a replacement machine. My old iBook had a logic board issue, and it was replaced twice, finally they gave me a new machine, and new AppleCare to go with it.
 
A pair of questions regarding having the top case replaced...

1) Would this result in getting a new keyboard/trackpad?

2) Is there anything I can do prior to visiting my Genius Bar tomorrow to "help" them decide to replace it, like clean the keyboard or anything like that? If so, any tips on how to clean the keyboard?
 
Does anyone know how much Apple would charge to replace a casing (only the top for me) that's not for repair reasons for a machine under warranty? I'm getting scratches which, sooner or later, are going to become grisly. I'm just curious.
 
I don't think it will eventually get cracks but all models up to the new unibody are prone to. I'm pretty sure some users who have a white/black MacBook don't have any cracks.

I just bought a refurbed 2.13. It came with a few bonuses like 4gb ram and 500GB hard drive. My wife and I use it as a second computer and backup. Then I wondered if I should return it and get the newest model as I didn't want to have to worry about the top case cracks. Think I'll keep what I have as it was a super deal and hope for no cracks:) Thanks for the reply.
 
A pair of questions regarding having the top case replaced...

1) Would this result in getting a new keyboard/trackpad?

2) Is there anything I can do prior to visiting my Genius Bar tomorrow to "help" them decide to replace it, like clean the keyboard or anything like that? If so, any tips on how to clean the keyboard?

Update: After prodding my genius with "well, i talked to a rep yesterday, here's the case number, he said it would be free..." blah blah blah, Apple replaced my top case free, My top case I guess also comes with a keyboard and mouse. those are brand new too.
 
Does anyone know how much Apple would charge to replace a casing (only the top for me) that's not for repair reasons for a machine under warranty? I'm getting scratches which, sooner or later, are going to become grisly. I'm just curious.

140 plus labor.
 
Mine just cracked

ooooooh I'm pissed! I treat my mac with tender-loving care (like many people do) & this happened! I'm taking it in on Thursday at 10AM, I have a customer number & everything. The phone rep was trying to sell the phone support, i'm like ....umm NO, i'll get applecare when i'm ready (next month).

What i'd really love is if they said "this is really damaged, we can't fix it" and give me the NEW white Macbook with the Glass Trackpad! Wishful thinking but i'm free to dream!:p lol I hope they can fix it.
 
ooooooh I'm pissed! I treat my mac with tender-loving care (like many people do) & this happened! I'm taking it in on Thursday at 10AM, I have a customer number & everything. The phone rep was trying to sell the phone support, i'm like ....umm NO, i'll get applecare when i'm ready (next month).

What i'd really love is if they said "this is really damaged, we can't fix it" and give me the NEW white Macbook with the Glass Trackpad! Wishful thinking but i'm free to dream!:p lol I hope they can fix it.

Took my 2.13 in recently, and they replaced it within 20 minutes with a new topcase. They said they had some thicker replacement units in the back which should hopefully solve the cracking problem.

My experience for a minor repair is to get a genius bar reservation as soon as they open on a weekday like you did to hopefully get a quick in store while you wait fix.

Good luck.
 
Just got my MacBook cover replaced at the Cardiff Apple Store

A pair of questions regarding having the top case replaced...

1) Would this result in getting a new keyboard/trackpad?

2) Is there anything I can do prior to visiting my Genius Bar tomorrow to "help" them decide to replace it, like clean the keyboard or anything like that? If so, any tips on how to clean the keyboard?

I lived with my MacBook keyboard cover cracked for several months because there was no Apple Store in Cardiff Wales. Well, that all changed recently with the new St. David's Apple Store (it is great looking btw). I took in my U.S. bought MacBook. After a 10 second inspection (to rule out other damage such as dropping the laptop etc), the genius ordered a U.S. replacement cover (yes, it comes with keyboard and trackpad) at no cost to me. It arrived in one day and the next day my MacBook was returned to me looking all brand new. I could not be more delighted. Apple, by now, knows about the crack and does not need convincing to replace it.

Now I have to be careful not to slam the lid down.
 
My baby is all fixed!

So, they gave me new topcase & told me the same things about the thicker replacement units. I'm happy that they didn't give me any problems.

As I sat & waited for my computer to come out from the back...I saw computers with MAJOR problems(cracked screens, broken keys etc,). So, I was patient..and it paid off because it was free.

So what that I didn't get the new one with the glass trackpad...i'll live! lol;)

Thanks for the reassurance!

Took my 2.13 in recently, and they replaced it within 20 minutes with a new topcase. They said they had some thicker replacement units in the back which should hopefully solve the cracking problem.

My experience for a minor repair is to get a genius bar reservation as soon as they open on a weekday like you did to hopefully get a quick in store while you wait fix.

Good luck.
 
Awesome. I just got home from school and i opened my macbook to find my first 1 inch crack on the bottom case.

A question to those who replaced their case: How bad was the condition of your case that you could get Apple to replace it for free. I can't take a pic of my computer cuz my camera for some reason isn't good at all for macro shots but yeah, i do have a one inch grayish crack to the left of my track pad.

I found a image on google and it looks exactly like that except approximately only one inch

http://www.macgeekblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/macbook-topcase.jpg
 
If it's a crack, you're within applecare, and it doesn't show signs of abuse (like someone hasn't stepped on it), then you'll be good.

Yes its indeed a crack, just like the one in the picture i liked to though as i noted, its approximately only 1 inch. And yeah i'm under apple care and no abuse whatsoever (just lifted up the lid and saw it there, it wasn't there this morning).
 
Use eyebrows to stop cracks

Buy your favorite color of velcro and cut some strips of the furry side and stick em below the "line". Now when I shut my macbook, it gives that satisfying "close sound" that my unibody companion makes. :D

I'm sure you guys can make it look prettier than my eyebrows.
 

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I didn't realize that this cracked palm rest was such a common problem. I have the crack on the right palm rest and up by one of the magnetic line things. The closest Apple Store to me is like 200 km away, if I happen to be in Toronto with my MacBook (which could be soon) will they fix my MacBook even though it's out of warranty? Technically I am still under Best Buy's warranty, but they will send it away and say it will be 6 weeks, so I'm only going to use that for issues I can't live with.
 
My white MacBook's palmrest rim cracked yesterday, and I just got its top case replaced today. It was a same-day repair at my local Apple Store. Pretty quick fix with a good outcome, but annoying issue :rolleyes:
 
I lived with my MacBook keyboard cover cracked for several months because there was no Apple Store in Cardiff Wales.

How old was your MB when they replaced the top for free? Mine is over 3 years old and only started to crack 6 months ago.
 
I didn't realize that this cracked palm rest was such a common problem. I have the crack on the right palm rest and up by one of the magnetic line things. The closest Apple Store to me is like 200 km away, if I happen to be in Toronto with my MacBook (which could be soon) will they fix my MacBook even though it's out of warranty? Technically I am still under Best Buy's warranty, but they will send it away and say it will be 6 weeks, so I'm only going to use that for issues I can't live with.

6 weeks is bogus. They said the same for me, but with my gateway. It took 10 days. The issue is that the thing had too much dust in it, and the Geeks used a compressor and broke the fan. Then they sent it out. They repair depot said they got more dust out and put in a new fan. It came back missing 3 screws, and a weak hinge. They sent it out again, and it took 10 days. So 6 weeks isn't true.
 
Please read this. Apple came through for me!!!

My macbook top case cracked for the second time (palmrest). Between the first and second cracking, my bottom case started cracking too, around the hinge and in the front. I'm out of warranty but had heard a rumor that Apple had started replacing the bottom cases out of warranty so I decided to go to the Apple store and try my luck.
The genius said no problem on replacing the top case again BUT there was no way they could fix the bottom case... that he couldn't override it in the system, it was not an out of warranty repair PERIOD. So I was like "oh well at least the top case will be new.
So... the next day I pick up my macbook and take it home. When I unwrapped it I could not believe my eyes!!!! The top case was barely even attached! I could literally run my fingernail around the edge under the top case! It was only attached at the front right corner.
I called AppleCare.
The guy I talked to said he had NEVER HEARD of an Apple Store NOT fixing the bottom case out of warranty. So for all of you out there who get turned down at the Apple Store, they are wrong. He asked me to return it to the store, and apologized for all my trouble. The store shipped it off to the Apple repair place and I just got it back today delivered by fedex. (about 5 days)
They replaced: display assembly, display bezel, top case, bottom case, shield and clutch!!! All for free.
Thank you apple I love you again! Just like I used to.
Everybody, if you can't get anywhere with the geniuses at the store, call applecare. They rock!
 
The funny thing is, if someone hadn't done such a terrible job fixing my top case, I never would have called apple and I would have never known that I actually could get all my cracks fixed (haha). So thank you apple repair guy who did a poor job of it.
My macbook is over 18 mo old btw.
 
I'm thinking about getting a refurb of one of these macbooks, and it's only the palmrest issue that puts me off.

I'd quite like a fw400 port, and I also like the easy-replaceable disk drive. But is the palmrest such a pain as to make a purchase (even with applecare) not worth it?
 
Looking at one of the 'newer' versions of the white macbook, I noticed that the plastic is different than the older ones...Perhaps they finally figured out how to keep the crack from occuring...My old one, got a crack, again :mad:
 
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