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Andrew88088 · Aug 8, 2008, 05:50 PM

The Apple Store replaced mine on site for free. He did it in about 15 minutes and said that he put a 90 day warranty on it. I asked him if they had changed the plastic in the new top cases and he said as far as he knew, they hadn't.

Simon · Aug 9, 2008, 04:48 AM

No, the plastic has definitely not been changed. What has supposedly happened though is that Apple increased the distance between the plastic bumper bars on the screen bezel and the edge of the bezel.

PowerbookG3 · Aug 9, 2008, 06:02 AM

I've heard of cracks appearing as well.

It was a guy trying to sell/trade on another forum.

I guess this means that the new casing should be some form of metal, because the plastic isn't cutting it.

Brien · Aug 10, 2008, 11:09 PM

Well, just like with the new iPhones, that's what happens when you design plastic that's only a few mm thin. So in one respect I'm hoping they do decide to go to metal casings (and hopefully have color options like the iPods, even a black option would be great).

Mine started cracking again last week, and also was having problems with the optical drive, so it's at the repair depot. I am hoping that the fifth time is the charm, but the people on the phone and in the store aren't very pleasant to deal with.

BoingoBongo · Aug 10, 2008, 11:35 PM

I have an appointment in the morning to get mine looked at. Hopefully they can fix it on the spot.

Brien · Aug 17, 2008, 11:16 PM

Case #3 has started cracking, so I'll need to book another trip to the Genius Bar.

Boingo: in my experience it's usually a 1-day repair. And with all the iPhone hysteria still going on I don't think they'll be slow enough to be able to do it in 1-day, but try and see if they can. I'd love if they would do mine same-day.

BoingoBongo · 10:28 PM

I dropped it off last Monday and picked it up today (it was done on Thursday, but I don't live nearby, so I didn't make it there until today).

Overall, I'd give the repair job a C+. It looked fine in the store, but I didn't really look that closely. I just noticed there were no cracks and went on my way. When I got home I noticed there is a "chip" on the back of the new palmrest pad right behind the keyboard near the hinge. It look like a tool or something nicked it and then bent it a little. The trackpad clicker barely clicks at all. I mean, it works, but I can't actually feel the click, you know? Also, the whole thing seems "warped." It sticks up a little on the sides (leaving a small space open), and looks as though it wasn't the exact right size. It must have been repaired right at the end of someone's shift or something. The screws on the back were also in way too tight, and as a result were bending the bottom case.

Pretty disappointing really. I can't tell if I'm actually any better off or not, but the Apple store is too far away, and I'm really sick of trying to find appointments online that fit my schedule.

tripletaker · Aug 19, 2008, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by tripletaker

*sigh*

Looks like mine has the same problem too. I bought mine in January 2008. So after 8 months I have a crack. I should have gotten a MBP. Time to sell it after I get it fixed!

By the way, the Genius told me that 99% of the cases crack because people hold the computers with one hand on the exact same spot. He said if my computer cracks a number of times I'm doing something wrong.

jokell82 · Aug 19, 2008, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by tripletaker

By the way, the Genius told me that 99% of the cases crack because people hold the computers with one hand on the exact same spot. He said if my computer cracks a number of times I'm doing something wrong.

The genius is wrong. It comes from the top case repeatedly closing onto the bottom case, and the plastic on the bottom case just can't take it.

BoingoBongo · Aug 27, 2008, 09:28 PM

I got too annoyed with my botched repair job that I took it back to the store today. They keys looked crooked and goofy, and the whole keyboard was warped. It was really weird. The Genius noticed it right away. He said that they had sent it out to be serviced last time, but they had the part in stock today, so they were able to replace it in the store.

Now I'm very happy. Apple definitely does have fantastic customer service in its stores.

mms4zd · Sep 16, 2008, 11:35 PM

so I was just sitting here doing my homework when I was stabbed in the palm by something and I looked down to find a piece of the supposedly indestructible polycarbonate shell FALLING OFF my black MacBook! I have had my amazing computer for 2 years this-coming January and this is the first time I've been disappointed. I decided to do some research and here I am... I had absolutely no idea that there were problems with the shell. I clean and care for it religiously and this happens? This should not happen- period. I take better care of this notebook than some people do of their own children and pieces are FALLING OFF. Like a damn molting canary! Ridiculous.

vexborg · 04:45 PM

Edit - Merged from another thread.

Yesterday I discovered a crack at the edge of the right side of palmrest on my MacBook - it's about 3 cm long.

After doing a bit of Googling, I found out that is a quite common problem on the MacBook due the "stand-offs" on the display bezel hitting the dge of the palmrest roughly 2 mm from the very edge. I then looked at the left side, I noticed that another crack has started to form there as well!

I've written Apple here in Denmark and asked if I can get the palmrest replaced? The problem here is that the MacBook is out of warranty, so I'm not hoping for much - if anything at all.

For the time being I've put a piece of white gaffatape over each crack (doesn't look that bad, but it isn't an ideal solution). The positive thing is that the sharp edges on the palmrest are now ok to keep my wrist on

vexborg · Oct 8, 2008, 11:11 AM

An update:

Just spoke to AppleCare, after they've asked me a couple of questions, and after I told them what exactly was wrong with the palmrest - they asked me to send the MacBook in for repairs (which they'll do for free).

<Mr. Burns> Excellent! </Mr. Burns>

bernholzr · Dec 21, 2008, 02:59 PM

Clearly, the raised areas near the top edge of the screen section are impacting the surface of the keyboard deck and cracking it on both sides of the mouse pad. I just epoxied the left side, that had splintered with a sharp point sticking out. The I noticed the left side also cracked in a similar but less hurtful way and noticed what was causing the cracks.

I intend to discuss the matter with Apple.http://forums.macnn.com/images/smili...school/mad.gif

tooki · Dec 21, 2008, 07:38 PM

Apple is repairing affected units, even out of warranty. You shouldn't have any trouble.

It was slightly redesigned along the way to help the problem (on newer versions, the little feet are farther in), but I suspect the real problem is the top case plastic being too thin, and the redesign only helps a little bit.

But I advise everyone to try and avoid storing the MacBook under high compression if you can avoid it. (E.g. don't stuff it into a full backpack.)

Cold Warrior · Apr 8, 2009, 08:08 PM

http://www.macnn.com/articles/09/04/...acbook.cracks/

FYI

Simon · Apr 9, 2009, 02:16 AM

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...s_casings.html

deVilliers · Apr 9, 2009, 07:42 AM

If you're in the UK then you are protected by statute. Section 14(1) of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 requires requires that anything that you buy as a consumer be of satisfactory quality. Section 14(2B) provides that this relates to the appearance and finish, freedom from minor defects, safety and durability.

The limitation period is six years - so this applies well after the initial 12-month warranty expires. If the cracks start to appear more than six months after the purchase, the customer has the responsibility of demonstrating that the fault is due to machine itself. If the cracks appear before 6-months then this is presumed.

Also, if these issues are within the first six months then Section 5A applies - which gives further customer protection.

filzy · May 19, 2009, 02:58 PM

I am experiencing BIG problems with all my macs.

The first mac had a hardware malfunction where the cd wouldn't eject.

The second mac the PLASTIC WAS MELTING ON IT

The third mac had a software problem where it was missing all the drivers.

I am now going to the apple shop tomorrow and demand the aluminium one for all my problems.

Hope this helps.

And for the price you pay for them they should work probably.

Cheers

jokell82 · May 19, 2009, 03:23 PM

So because you had problems you feel you're entitled to an upgrade? If you came into my store *demanding* an upgrade I would do nothing of the sort, and I have a feeling the people at the Apple store will react the same way.

Simply go in and ask for help, and point out *nicely* that this is the third time you've had a problem with your machine. I suspect that will get you a lot farther than any demands will.

bishopazrael · May 19, 2009, 04:26 PM

I gotta agree.. how does you having separate issues with 3 separate macs translate into free upgrades and new hardware?

solecrazy · Jun 15, 2009, 01:23 AM

i was just about to take my 9 month old macbook to the apple store to have my top case replaced for these hairline cracks...

right side of macbook

left side of macbook (crack starting to appear)

and now with my bad luck...my younger brother accidently knocked my macbook off my bed and i have this crack in the right corner also...do you guys think apple will still replace it for free?

Simon · Jun 15, 2009, 02:19 AM

Who cares what we think? It's Apple you should be worried about. Go show it to them. Be kind and be honest. If you're not lucky first time you can try another time.

Langdon · Jul 27, 2009, 04:50 AM

So is this problem still happening on the newest batch of white macbooks?

Or has apple wised up and changed the plastic composite so it isn't prone to cracking from the lid closing down on the palm rest.

Rumor · Jul 27, 2009, 04:56 AM

Originally Posted by Langdon

So is this problem still happening on the newest batch of white macbooks?

Or has apple wised up and changed the plastic composite so it isn't prone to cracking from the lid closing down on the palm rest.

Nope, it is still happening. My roommate bought one about four or five months ago, and it began cracking on the top case.

Big Mac · Jul 27, 2009, 06:42 AM

Defective by Design

emsko · Aug 2, 2009, 10:57 PM

Same crack on my white MacBook. Went to the Genius Bar at my local Apple Store today. My warranty expired 6 months ago. They replaced the lower case for free. Had to wait about 45 minutes for the repair to be completed.

SierraDragon · Aug 3, 2009, 01:03 PM

Interesting _long_ thread. I wonder how many of the posters here are the same ones who argued here and elsewhere that plastic Mac cases were superior to metal because metal scratches (matters naught to me) and deforms (absorbing energy, IMO a good thing) when abused.

-Allen Wicks