Sending my 13" MBP to Apple Question

I'm wondering if I should (and still can) send my Macbook Pro to Apple for repair.

(I live in Louisiana and there isn't an Apple Store anywhere within 300 miles of me.)

Ever since I've had my MBP it has been plagued with the stiff hinge. It pops when I move it and it gets really annoying.

Lately it has been giving me the beachball a lot and graphically intensive applications crash. (Halo Demo, or even MacPaint!)

Now here's my worry. My MBP is only a few months old, but it has had it's fair share of spills and dents. There is a small dent on the top case and the top right corner of the aluminum display cover is bent up a little . (Not bad and you can't even notice it.)

I totally understand Apple denying me service because of this wear-and-tear, but do you think they'd at least diagnose my problem for me?

Also, I have heard of people getting Apple miracles where they replace the laptop entirely with little fuss. (I'm not getting my hopes up, just acknowledging the existence of such miracles.)

I've also heard of Apple defining problems as "user perceived issue" and sending the device back without looking at it at all.

I really just want my hinge fixed. I'd pay for it and everything. I just don't want to get instantly turned down for the "love" my baby has suffered.

Thanks for any advice you may be able to contribute!

 

84 views and no replies?

Surely someone on this forum has experience sending their product to Apple for repair.

Or am I in the wrong forum? Is there a Mac repair section?

 

Awesome. Thanks for the advice.

I just needed a little reassurance before I sent my baby in. I use her everyday and I don't want to go a few days to a week with out it and it not get fixed.