Macbook palmrest crack

[FCBarca]

So, we had a chip on our palm rest on the macbook, a 2nd one, this week.

The first one happened last summer and it was still under warranty and they replaced it for free...This time, at the G Bar, they weren't going to and tried to charge us $200 but I complained pretty resolutely at the Apple reps and manager and they ultimately said they'd do it 'this time' for free...Seems like such a scam.

I've researched this problem a lot and it's an admitted design flaw from Apple...The magnetic latch for closing the macbook eventually wears down the plastic palm rest and it eventually cracks...They have no solution for it either which seems ridiculous as we spent the last year using a soft layer of felt to try and protect the surface on closing and it STILL cracked a year later (So, surprisingly, even with some sort of cushion layer it still broke in nearly the same amount of time)...This means it will definitely crack again and so I'm not sure what to do...I'm thinking of trying to unload the laptop and simply buy the aluminum version or something...Seems like such a joke...Any suggestions?

And to be honest, it does boggle the mind how Apple simply won't come out with a fix/solution to the problem instead of still peddle these plastic macbooks that will continue to have the same problem

 

[Insulin Junkie]

And to be honest, it does boggle the mind how Apple simply won't come out with a fix/solution to the problem instead of still peddle these plastic macbooks that will continue to have the same problem

Maybe the problem simply isn't widespread enough, despite what research on the internet makes it out to be.
Having said that, I agree, I think they should strive for a fix the moment such a problem becomes known to them.

 

[FCBarca]

And it does bother me that they intentionally feign ignorance on the topic, it's a well known issue...They know it's going on and they still try to charge me $200 for it until I complain...Seems like shoddy business practices from a company trying to set itself apart.

 

[MacHappytjg]

AHHH crap, im about to buy a version 2 macbook top i hope this doesnt happen to me, since i have a core duo and has a version 1 (aka Bronze connector) Im makin my macbook zebra

 

[FCBarca]

I'm honestly perplexed how this hasn't happened to EVERYONE with a plastic macbook...We don't slam the case shut or use it nonstop with constant opening/closing...Either way, this should be a feature that shouldn't harm the case instead of it cracking the way it does.

Shame too because otherwise, we LOVE this macbook

 

[netnothing]

I'm honestly perplexed how this hasn't happened to EVERYONE with a plastic macbook...We don't slam the case shut or use it nonstop with constant opening/closing...Either way, this should be a feature that shouldn't harm the case instead of it cracking the way it does.

Shame too because otherwise, we LOVE this macbook

And this is the exact reason why Apple hasn't officially listed this as a defect. If it happened to everyone, they'd have to address it. At this point, they can deal with it on an individual basis and basically wait it out until the last MacBook sold with Applecare expires.

-Kevin

 

[MacHappytjg]

the one i just bought for 100 better not crack or ill kill somone i have a rubber thing that goes over will it does anyone think it will help it from not cracking if it decides to?

 

[FCBarca]

the one i just bought for 100 better not crack or ill kill somone i have a rubber thing that goes over will it does anyone think it will help it from not cracking if it decides to?

The problem with that idea, unfortunately, is that anything too thick will prevent the magnetic latches from working properly much less allow a proper seal when closing the macbook

We tried a thin piece of felt that the Apple store actually suggested for a year and figured it was helping (And believe me, it's a pain to constantly place it there or not lose it)...In the end, it still cracked a year later.

 

[Winter Charm]

I believe that the crack is made by when the macbook is closed, and pressure is pushing on top of it. What I did is that I used the radtech keyboard covers and covered the whole keyboard+palm rest. Now when my MB is closed it sits on the cloth rather then on the top case. I figured if it can't touch the case it wouldn't crack.

not necessarily... force can be transmitted... for example.. if you cover your shoulder with bubblewrap, and then get someone to punch you there, you would still feel it... just not as much... so with the cloth there you should still take care and NOT slam the lid really hard... it could and still might break your macbook.

 

[Winter Charm]

what they should use is EITHER weaker magnets OR thicker plastic casing... just in that area... because it is HARD to open those lids without using force (atleast for me)

 

[Winter Charm]

I'm honestly perplexed how this hasn't happened to EVERYONE with a plastic macbook...We don't slam the case shut or use it nonstop with constant opening/closing...Either way, this should be a feature that shouldn't harm the case instead of it cracking the way it does.

Shame too because otherwise, we LOVE this macbook

its happened to me -- i mean really and i dont have a macbook at the moment... the casing of my Toshiba cracked... and im pissed... so im planning to get a macbook.

 

[194567]

I read on a local (that means in Dutch) apple support website that apple got an extended warranty on this problem. Very nice to know that some stories confirm it.

 

[Brien]

How long? Applecare is up in a year and I've had the top case replaced 3 times.

 

[MacHappytjg]

The problem with that idea, unfortunately, is that anything too thick will prevent the magnetic latches from working properly much less allow a proper seal when closing the macbook

We tried a thin piece of felt that the Apple store actually suggested for a year and figured it was helping (And believe me, it's a pain to constantly place it there or not lose it)...In the end, it still cracked a year later.

well it did latch down when i had the rubber thing on because it was thinner where the magnets where just doesnt have a proper seal.

 

[Brien]

The problem with that idea, unfortunately, is that anything too thick will prevent the magnetic latches from working properly much less allow a proper seal when closing the macbook

We tried a thin piece of felt that the Apple store actually suggested for a year and figured it was helping (And believe me, it's a pain to constantly place it there or not lose it)...In the end, it still cracked a year later.

Well if mine cracks again, hopefully by then the Aluminum ones are out and then I might have a justified reason to upgrade. Heck, maybe Apple will be nice and replace this lemon.

 

[iag48]

I just took my macbook to the genius bar because the palmrest were cracking. They told me there would be a 7max turn around period. I am still under warranty. By the way I took it to the apple store on 5th ave in NYC.

 

[opti]

This subject is of interest to me, as I just bought a cheap MacBook on eBay with cracks on the palmrest AND the bezel. It's out of warranty.

I figured I'd have to replace the casing myself, but it looks like a lot of people have gotten free replacements at the Genius Bar? That would make me a happy camper.

 

[194567]

This subject is of interest to me, as I just bought a cheap MacBook on eBay with cracks on the palmrest AND the bezel. It's out of warranty.

I figured I'd have to replace the casing myself, but it looks like a lot of people have gotten free replacements at the Genius Bar? That would make me a happy camper.

That would be awesome, how much did you paid for the macbook?

 

[opti]

That would be awesome, how much did you paid for the macbook?

$590 shipped for a C2D 1.83 GHz. I'm mainly targeting broken MacBooks, but the bidding seemed so low for a fully functioning machine. Even working Core Duo MacBooks typically go for close to $700.

 

[iag48]

Big thanks to the Apple team of 5th avenue NYC. I was told yesterday the turn around time would be 7 days but I received a phone call this morning from the apple store telling me my precious was good to go.
They also replaced the keyboard!!!

 

[jjahshik32]

My mom has had her macbook for 2 1/2 years now and even though the keyboard is very dirty and the screen is pretty dirty since she never cleans it and her dog is always on her lap with the dog's tongue hanging out.. the white macbook never had any cracks or any other problems..

I think alot of people who has had these cracks actually either dropped it at once point or did something for it to crack because it wouldnt just crack without force, it just isnt physically logical.

 

[Brien]

My mom has had her macbook for 2 1/2 years now and even though the keyboard is very dirty and the screen is pretty dirty since she never cleans it and her dog is always on her lap with the dog's tongue hanging out.. the white macbook never had any cracks or any other problems..

I think alot of people who has had these cracks actually either dropped it at once point or did something for it to crack because it wouldnt just crack without force, it just isnt physically logical.

Uh, no. This thing sits on a desk 90% of the time, and it's had the case crack 3 times. Many other people baby these laptops too, it's not abuse, it's a design flaw. Your mom is just lucky.

 

[Brien]

My mom has had her macbook for 2 1/2 years now and even though the keyboard is very dirty and the screen is pretty dirty since she never cleans it and her dog is always on her lap with the dog's tongue hanging out.. the white macbook never had any cracks or any other problems..

I think alot of people who has had these cracks actually either dropped it at once point or did something for it to crack because it wouldnt just crack without force, it just isnt physically logical.

Uh, no. This thing sits on a desk 90% of the time, and it's had the case crack 3 times. Many other people baby these laptops too, it's not abuse, it's a design flaw. Your mom is just lucky.

 

[Mackan]

Big thanks to the Apple team of 5th avenue NYC. I was told yesterday the turn around time would be 7 days but I received a phone call this morning from the apple store telling me my precious was good to go.
They also replaced the keyboard!!!

The topcase which they replaced comes in one piece, which includes the keyboard.

 

[Abstract]

Well, I have seen it on others, now it has hit my White C2D 2.0 Macbook.

What is Apples procedure on this?

Sorry about the crappy picture, my P&S has focus issues.

Mine has cracked there many many times. I had a rev A MacBook, and had 3 covers replaced for free (under warranty). Then I got my entire MacBook replaced for a lot of other reason (long story), and my new MacBook's keyboard cover has also cracked on the replacement. It's 1 year old now.

The reason they don't find a permanent fix for this is because they don't want to make the LCD "feet" thicker, or make it out of rubber, as it would make the laptop uglier. That's the only reason I can think of, because this really is a widespread problem, according to Apple resellers I've spoken to, and even some Apple people who secretly post at MR.

not necessarily... force can be transmitted... for example.. if you cover your shoulder with bubblewrap, and then get someone to punch you there, you would still feel it... just not as much... so with the cloth there you should still take care and NOT slam the lid really hard... it could and still might break your macbook.

Nobody said, or implied, that the suggested solution made it indestructible, or absorb all shock, pressure, and force. They suggested that it may help.