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

Macbook palmrest crack

Fiwi said:
ryannel2003, you gave the push I needed to call Mac and complain again. I had called them several months ago and was turned down b/c I was out of warranty. Apparently they've had enough complaints since then that they are indeed fixing the problem even if you are out of warranty. They gave me a CS (customer satisfaction) code# so I could go into my nearest Mac Store and have it fixed. :D
Click to expand...

That's great! I'm always happy to help. I don't think anybody wants to spend $1000 or more on a laptop to have the palmrests cracking after a little more than a year. :)
 
They are only replacing the shell which probably costs like 50 cents to make the plastic. The G-bar really shouldn't make a big deal of it. Mine hasn't cracked yet though :)
 
I went to the Genius Bar here in Atlanta today, and they repaired my cracked palmrest, no questions asked, no charge and done in about 20 minutes. I have been out of warranty for 6 months. The tech said it was a free repair because it was a "known issue."

M
 
So for anyone who has had their case replaced.....has anyone asked the tech whether the replacement SOLVES the issue.....or is the flaw still there and Apple will just keep replacing them over and over?

-Kevin
 
I don't think that palm rest will keep it from cracking. Pressure is still being put on that are. Unless it's pretty darn cushiony, I don't see a small piece of rubber or clothe preventing the crack; it may delay it though.
 
cheekybobcat said:
I don't think that palm rest will keep it from cracking. Pressure is still being put on that are. Unless it's pretty darn cushiony, I don't see a small piece of rubber or clothe preventing the crack; it may delay it though.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I think the only surefire way to keep the book from cracking is to Never Close It. Ever. I think people should start counting the number of times they shut their MBs the way software tracks the number of cycles on the battery. Perhaps the cracks occur after an average of ~500 shuts. It would be an interesting survey.
 
kbmb said:
So for anyone who has had their case replaced.....has anyone asked the tech whether the replacement SOLVES the issue.....or is the flaw still there and Apple will just keep replacing them over and over?

-Kevin
Click to expand...

I've had two replaced on my prior macbook. The first two cracked and I sold it before the third one had time to follow suit... so unless they have resolved the problem in the last 3 months, it's still an on going issue.
 
heatmiser said:
Agreed. I think the only surefire way to keep the book from cracking is to Never Close It. Ever. I think people should start counting the number of times they shut their MBs the way software tracks the number of cycles on the battery. Perhaps the cracks occur after an average of ~500 shuts. It would be an interesting survey.
Click to expand...

As I take my macbook to work each day (weekdays) and therefore shut/open it twice on those days, I think that I should be able to fairly accurately judge how it takes to crack my my current one. I will keep everyone apprised.
 
I just found a hairline crack on my palm rest. Doesn't look major right now, but should I bother taking to the apple store?
 
sixtyone said:
ugh i hate reading about this...

i keep debating about what macbook to get (reg or pro) but seeing all the pics and reading all the threads about it... it's really turning me off of getting a macbook...
Click to expand...

My 2 have the cracking issue popping up now, but I will say

1. it's minor, and
2. the computer is wonderful in every other possible way, so I would not let this turn you off. It does not appear to effect the performance of the computer.

Also, Like I said mine are getting the crack.. I don't have an apple store anywhere with 100 miles of me. Is this a user replaceable part for someone with some skills? Where can I get a replacement?
 
ianhawdon said:
I'm having the same problem too, but I live in Newcastle Upon Tyne (UK) and my closest Apple Store is in Glasgow (some 144 Miles away!)

How would Apple handle a case like this?
Click to expand...

Apple will tell you to take it to the nearest Authorised Repair Specialist, usually your local Apple Reseller. Think you can search the Apple support site for the nearest one yourself!

Apple no longer offer collection/delivery service for Laptops in need of repair in the UK :-(
 
OscarTheGrouch said:
My 2 have the cracking issue popping up now, but I will say

1. it's minor, and
2. the computer is wonderful in every other possible way, so I would not let this turn you off. It does not appear to effect the performance of the computer.

Also, Like I said mine are getting the crack.. I don't have an apple store anywhere with 100 miles of me. Is this a user replaceable part for someone with some skills? Where can I get a replacement?
Click to expand...

Wow I'm glad you find the problem so insignificant
 
AlexanderTgreat said:
Wow I'm glad you find the problem so insignificant
Click to expand...

Compared to other problems the machine could have, yes it is insignifigant. I would rather have a minor crack that does not effect the performance of my machine, than what i had with my compaq which was mobo/power problems that caused the machine to just randomly cut off etc. So, yes in the scheme of things, yes it is insignifigant.
 
I had this problem and was within warranty. I called it in and had a box at my door in a day and had my MB with a new top case 2 days after that.

No questions ask. They are well aware.
 
heatmiser said:
Agreed. I think the only surefire way to keep the book from cracking is to Never Close It. Ever. I think people should start counting the number of times they shut their MBs the way software tracks the number of cycles on the battery. Perhaps the cracks occur after an average of ~500 shuts. It would be an interesting survey.
Click to expand...

For sure, I know for one I'll be recording every time I close this thing!! Or maybe Apple should stop using cheap rubbish to fill their laptops, fire their whole hardware QA department and offer some apology for this issue.


OscarTheGrouch said:
My 2 have the cracking issue popping up now, but I will say

1. it's minor, and
2. the computer is wonderful in every other possible way, so I would not let this turn you off. It does not appear to effect the performance of the computer.
Click to expand...

Some of you fanboys remind me of a girls I talk too whose boyfriend knocks them about 'awww, but I love' him'....

OscarTheGrouch said:
Compared to other problems the machine could have, yes it is insignifigant. I would rather have a minor crack that does not effect the performance of my machine
Click to expand...

'Insignificant', are you joking? So it seems that most MacBooks are destined to crack at some stage of their product life, though most seem to be happening within the first 18 months. Making a product that is bound to break by design fault within 18 months is an absolutely unacceptable flaw on something like a laptop. Imagine if your car cracked down the middle after a few years of use.

sixtyone said:
ugh i hate reading about this...

i keep debating about what macbook to get (reg or pro) but seeing all the pics and reading all the threads about it... it's really turning me off of getting a macbook...
Click to expand...

No I seriously wouldn't, I'd either save up for a MacBook Pro or take my money elsewhere. You shouldn't buy a MacBook and let Apple know why; mine broke yesterday. It's seriously been sitting on a shelf for a whole year, and previous to that was a few months old.
 
XP Defector said:
For sure, I know for one I'll be recording every time I close this thing!! Or maybe Apple should stop using cheap rubbish to fill their laptops, fire their whole hardware QA department and offer some apology for this issue.




Some of you fanboys remind me of a girls I talk too whose boyfriend knocks them about 'awww, but I love' him'....



'Insignificant', are you joking? So it seems that most MacBooks are destined to crack at some stage of their product life, though most seem to be happening within the first 18 months. Making a product that is bound to break by design fault within 18 months is an absolutely unacceptable flaw on something like a laptop. Imagine if your car cracked down the middle after a few years of use.



No I seriously wouldn't, I'd either save up for a MacBook Pro or take my money elsewhere. You shouldn't buy a MacBook and let Apple know why; mine broke yesterday. It's seriously been sitting on a shelf for a whole year, and previous to that was a few months old.
Click to expand...

just take care of the laptoppp
 
ki2594 said:
just take care of the laptoppp
Click to expand...

By taking care you mean literally having it sit on a shelf for a year whilst I traveled overseas, and previous to that closing it gently, always picking it up with two hands and having it pretty much never leave my desk? Next MacBook I get I won't even bother opened the box... :confused:
 
XP Defector said:
By taking care you mean literally having it sit on a shelf for a year whilst I traveled overseas, and previous to that closing it gently, always picking it up with two hands and having it pretty much never leave my desk? Next MacBook I get I won't even bother opened the box... :confused:
Click to expand...


I've come to the conclusion that not open the box is the only way to keep one from cracking.
 
OscarTheGrouch said:
Compared to other problems the machine could have, yes it is insignifigant. I would rather have a minor crack that does not effect the performance of my machine, than what i had with my compaq which was mobo/power problems that caused the machine to just randomly cut off etc. So, yes in the scheme of things, yes it is insignifigant.
Click to expand...


Perhaps you'll change your mind if apple decides that replacing the top case multiple times on every macbook that they have sold is getting a bit expensive and cut you off. Trust me they are pricy little pieces when you actually have to pay for them;)

In any case if you only have the topcase crack on your macbook you should consider yourself lucky because even with that aside they are far from a robust machine.
 
Apple is pretty much replacing all cracks for free. I have had several of my friends with cracks out of warranty getting them fixed. I have IS on all my computers so I know they wont crack.
 
just thought id throw this out there. i made an appointment and went in the week after the iphone came out. and they were so busy, but still replaced the cracked case, same day. i was very happy
 
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