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Palmrest scratches on unibody MacBook

While I would suspect on first inspection that the "scratches" are from a watch clasp or similar item, what stops me from being certain is that if you look at the OP's first 3 or 4 pictures, all the "scratches" go in the same direction. A watch clasp I would expect to produce scratches in multiple directions.
 
Why can't those who don't have to say anything useful not just stay out of the discussion?

It seems to be a manufacturing problem, even if only a few people are experiencing it.

(I am still on a white MacBook, which started getting cracks in the case some months ago. And that wasn't my fault either. It IS a design flaw.
Same with the MacBook Air screens with the lines. Apple isn't perfect, but we can expect a bit more in some cases.)

So everyone with a perfect MacBook just stay out of here and be happy that your's perfect.
 
being a machinist i would say it looks more like the coating is just separating from the aluminum. the scratches do not follow the grain of the metal and the way it is noticable in some angles probably supports that theory. someone said earlier tungsten carbide lol but the truth is aluminum is EXTREMELY easy to scratch. especially on something that needs a very fine finish. I could take another peice of aluminum and scratch it.

For better understanding of the angles with the light. If i took a piece of abrasive cloth and scratched the aluminum with the grain it gives a different finish than if i went against the grain.
Last week I was working on bronze/aluminum parts and it was scratched. I went with the grain with some abrasive and the scratch wasnt hidden. You go against the grain it fills in the scratch and makes it less noticable at different veiwing angles.


Anodized aluminum is only coated. The coating is on average only .002" thick. Thats less than the thickness of paper.

In the end it all depends on the exact finishing process of the aluminum. As with all metal there are defects, hard spots and many other things that could affect the finish size and quality of the metal.
 
It could also be that the acids in your skin are corroding the aluminum. The anodized layer isn't very thick and it's also porous. Allowing the acids and electrical charge in your skin to turn the aluminum to aluminum oxide. The corroded aluminum would appear white. I've seen the acids from hand prints rust bare steel. Some people have this problem, some don't.
If you really haven't scratched it, take it back and tell Apple to give you a new topcase, because their anodizing process was faulty.
 
Hayduke60 said:
If you really haven't scratched it, take it back and tell Apple to give you a new topcase, because their anodizing process was faulty.
Click to expand...

This is the most difficult part. How do you prove that the aluminum palmrest is "faulty?" :confused: Furthermore, with Apple well protected themselves by specifically stating that cosmetic flaws are not covered under warranty, this is just a waste of time IMO. :(

Therefore, the only conclusion I can derive is that unfortunately MB owners, like me, who had this problem are simply SOL. :( However, one can still sell their MB & re-purchase another one if those scratches got too "irritating." :)
 
SPEEDwithJJ said:
If you want to talk about cars, you should read about the common complaint on how easily the paint wear off on the new 08-09 Mitsubishi Lancer. Tell what you just mentioned to those owners & I'm very sure none of them will be impressed by your comments. A lot of owners are suggesting that Mitsu cheap out & supplied super thin coating in order to bring the price down to compete with its competitors.

OK. For the second statement, are you trying to say that if one cannot "take care" of his/her Alu MB "cosmetically," he/she is better off going to buy a PC notebook & use Windows? :confused:
Click to expand...

You go ahead and put your hand on any car a couple of hours every day...let me know what happens to the paint. You have to understand the surface before you start using it. In this case, Apple probably knows the metal will scratch and wear off...so? It's expected with any surface. It's up to you to protect it. Hence the disclaimer in the warranty.

As far as using Windows...maybe you should? What does that have to do with anything? I don't see where I said that in my statement :)

Here's an idea for everyone who just likes to use their laptops as they come: buy a plastic, black/dark colored laptop. It won't show any dirt, stains or discoloration. Also, try not to wear a watch when you're using it, have greasy hands etc...Actually, it's safe to say that any surface you use daily will need some sort of protection if you don't want it to get messed up.

And let's get over the manufacturing defect theory. Show us a macbook that has this problem somewhere else, not where you touch it every day...and then we can talk about a problem.

Just to clarify, I think WE should've expected this to happen when WE bought an aluminum, anodized laptop. It's up to us to protect it...You just cannot treat these surfaces like plastic.
 
megacrazy said:
You go ahead and put your hand on any car a couple of hours every day...let me know what happens to the paint. You have to understand the surface before you start using it. In this case, Apple probably knows the metal will scratch and wear off...so? It's expected with any surface. It's up to you to protect it. Hence the disclaimer in the warranty.

As far as using Windows...maybe you should? What does that have to do with anything? I don't see where I said that in my statement :)

Here's an idea for everyone who just likes to use their laptops as they come: buy a plastic, black/dark colored laptop. It won't show any dirt, stains or discoloration. Also, try not to wear a watch when you're using it, have greasy hands etc...Actually, it's safe to say that any surface you use daily will need some sort of protection if you don't want it to get messed up.

And let's get over the manufacturing defect theory. Show us a macbook that has this problem somewhere else, not where you touch it every day...and then we can talk about a problem.

Just to clarify, I think WE should've expected this to happen when WE bought an aluminum, anodized laptop. It's up to us to protect it...You just cannot treat these surfaces like plastic.
Click to expand...

There's a slight problem with your analogy. The exterior of cars are not built with the specific purpose of resting your palms on it for several hours at a time each and every day. Laptops - especially in the area of a palmrest - would presumably be designed to expect such treatment.

Also, while washing and waxing your car certainly extends the life of the finish, it would take years for a standard clearcoat finish to wear away thru normal wear and tear even if proper care is not taken. If it did suddenly wear away, it would be covered under warranty.

In this case, it's normal day to day use, and there appears to be an issue. Why would one not expect it to be a warranty repair?
 
I don't think we should have to buy extra protection for (premium) products.

Why do you have to buy an case for your iPhone to prevent it from cracking (if it really does preventing, I don't know). There's no need to buy an extra case for all other phones and they don't get cracks! I hope they use better material this time around.

Apple isn't perfect, they have design flaws and material issues as everyone else, but we as the customers should at least expect some quality.

Remember the cases with the MacBook Pro's and the faulty Nvidia graphics cards? No one admitted it in the first place but as time went on they (Nvidia mostly) acknowledged the problem.


This particular problem here isn't common at the moment, but the Unibody's still are relatively new (given that they are Rev. A) but who knows, maybe more people will experience it. Or maybe even yours will sometime. Or Not.

Normal wear and tear is ok, quality issues are not.


And again, I think we heard ofthe enough that "WE" should buy extra protection and take even more care with our products. Thanks for your advice.

But now, please try to find out more about the problem together, as it seems it really is one. (I for myself believe those who say they only have used their MacBooks for only 2 weeks and without wearing watches, so it seems a manufacturing problem of some kind)

Everyone with the issue should list the production week, factory or whatever else could be useful.
 
sk8mash said:
I give up. People aren't going to accept that this isn't due to normal wear and tear. Oh well...
Click to expand...

I agree with you. Mainly because my Macbook Pro has an oxidation issue, where the aluminum started to turn black on the left palm rest, but not the right. Apple said it was my sweat, or a watch... but I wear my watch on my right wrist, and I'm pretty sure my wrists sweat the same.

But it's a cosmetic issue, so I'm SOL.

So in the future just remember to take your business elsewhere. That's what I plan on doing.
 
H$R said:
Apple isn't perfect, they have design flaws and material issues as everyone else, but we as the customers should at least expect some quality.
Click to expand...


I think since Apple products are expensive, a lot of owners expect somewhat to be perfect. I think that's pretty much the case.
 
megacrazy said:
You go ahead and put your hand on any car a couple of hours every day...let me know what happens to the paint. You have to understand the surface before you start using it. In this case, Apple probably knows the metal will scratch and wear off...so? It's expected with any surface. It's up to you to protect it. Hence the disclaimer in the warranty.
Click to expand...

Put my hands on a car a couple of days every day?!?!? :confused: Are you asking me to do stupid things? :confused: I know I am stupid & I'll be the 1st to admit that but I buy my car to drive, not to put my hands on my car for a couple of hours every day. :rolleyes: You think I don't have any better things to do? :confused: By the way, that is not normal usage of a car. :eek:

Did I even say all the cars are like that with regards to the paint? :confused: I just said that the new 08-09 Mitsubishi Lancer seems to be like that. I'm using that as an example that perhaps the quality of the aluminum palmrest may be similar.

As for the Mitsu Lancer, you obviously have not read anything about them. I'll put some links to keep you up to date:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/313/RipOff0313051.htm
http://www.mitsubishi-forums.com/t32276-2008-lancer-paint-chips.htm
http://www.mitsubishi-forums.com/t27094-2008-lancer-paint-cheap-not-hard-enough-.htm
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f18835f

By the way, didn't people initally also say that it is user's fault that the white MB's plastic chassis will crack after some time? :confused: Isn't that just cosmetic damage? :confused: So why did Apple replace those chassis for free? :confused:

Furthermore, I'm not as anal as some of those guys in the links who went to lodge complaints at the BBB regarding their car paint. :eek: You think Apple will not do anything for me if I'm that "hardcore" & just go to the BBB to get my issue resolve? :mad:

I've been very reasonable, logical, and realistic all this time. :) I didn't even contacted Apple to let them know about this issue that I have. I've also previously mentioned in an earlier post that my main purpose is to find out is if there are more people with similar experiences to me. I want to give Apple the benefit of the doubt & I'm giving Apple the benefit of the doubt.

I don't know what you're trying to suggest. I had these "scratches" after only 2 weeks (it could have been there earlier but I didn't noticed it). I'm careful with my MB like I had earlier mentioned so it kinda "pisses" me off to see those "scratches." What would you have felt if you're in my shoes? :confused: I bet you would have already demanded an explanation from Apple. The interesting thing I find from your comments is that you seem to suggest that I'm a crazy person, who spend so much money to buy a MB & try my best to destroy it as soon as I can. :eek: I really wonder who in that right frame of mind will do that. :confused:

And finally, no offense mate. I'm not trying to get into any kind of fight with you & I'm not interested in that. If my comments offend you in any way, I sincerely apologize. :eek: The same goes to everyone else. :)
 
hey guys, question. I got a replacement uMBP 3 days ago, when i looked down today i noticed I have these FINE scratches (has to be seen at an angle) on the palm rest on the left side. Do you guys apple will replace this for me or do you guys think they'll just tell me tough luck. My scratches arent as bad as the ones posted in the thread but im afraid it may get worse. I have about 7 more days in my 14 day return period. What do you guys think?
 
rgarjr said:
Yeah it looks like a lot of fine scratches. Keep us posted what they say.
Click to expand...

i mean, im not being TOO anal here right. This laptop is 4 days old and I already have alot of fine scratches. Only things i wear on my wrists on THREADED (the ones that teenage girls make) bracelets, but the thing is, i wear it on both wrists and the right palm rest has zero scratches.. Worst thing is, im so anal about my computer that i actually type without my palms actually touching the laptop (i know LOL).
 
Surface Peeling for sure

I am a proud owner of a Macbook Pro 15 inch (2.4 4GB DDR3 250GB). I purchased this machine from an Apple store in Feb 2009. The machine has been great and I appreciate all the benefits of the OS against Windows.

Yesterday morning I encountered what appeared to be a surface mark on the bottom right hand side near the trackpad. I wiped the area with a dry cloth and was horrified when small area of the surface came away. It seems as though the surface is peeling!!

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/luthra.rahul/UnibodyMacbookProSurfacePeeling?feat=directlink

I have taken images (please follow the above URL)

I am extremely meticulous when handling the machine. I do not wear jewellery and my watch is worn on the left hand this is happening on the right!
 
Maybe the cracking and peeling are heat related issues. It took about 12-18 months for people to report cracks in their white MacBooks, maybe this will become an issue for more and more users, something to keep an eye on for sure.
 
It's been a while since I've posted in this thread, but to update you guys: I never did take my MacBook into Apple due to a couple of reasons (no Apple stores near to me and doubts about if they would actually fix or replace it for a cosmetic issue). It looks like it's actually gotten worse, but it really doesn't bother me anymore since it's only when I'm in very specific lighting that it shows. In fact, the blemishes sort of have made me more attached to the MacBook, sort of personalized you might say. :eek:

But one thing I noticed the other day is that comparing the aluminum of my MacBook to a new 13-inch MacBook Pro, the color of the aluminum is slightly different. the MacBook's aluminum is more nickel in color while the MacBook Pro's aluminum is definitely more silver or lighter in color. I don't think this is due to grime etc. getting on my MacBook since I clean it with a damp cloth quite often. So I was thinking that perhaps it's just a particular batch of aluminum that was used that was more susceptible to the problems we've see posted in this thread?

I posted two photos, both with my MacBook (which has the palmrest marks problem) on the left and the Macbook Pro on the right. I made sure to switch the positions of the MacBook and the MacBook Pro to make sure it wasn't just the lighting causing the color differences.
 

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stephenbenedict said:
A couple months back, I noticed that the right palmrest of my unibody MacBook had a collection of fine scratches, like someone brushed it with steel wool (it can only be see in certain lighting conditions though). At first I thought that one of my siblings had caused the scratches by wearing a metal bracelet while borrowing my MacBook. However, more recently I've noticed that the left palmrest also now has the same type of scratches. Since I discovered the first scratches I've been careful to make sure that anyone who uses my MacBook takes off any jewelry that might scratch it so I'm sure that that's not the cause. Otherwise I can only think that maybe the moisture or occasional sweat from my hands has reacted in some way with the aluminum. Seems weird but I don't know what else to think. I didn't think aluminum would wear easily either but could that be it? Any ideas would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

I have the exact problem. I'm not wearing any bracelets, watches, or long sleeves, but after a year of using my macbook pro, weird scratches appear in the left palm rest. It's not really noticeable, but you'll notice it if you look closer.

I thought I'm alone, good thing I'm not. :D
 
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