Hairline Cracks with MacBook

[markyb]

I bought my Macbook in November 2007.

I've always looked after it and it has never been dropped. The other day whilst opening it up to power it up, I noticed that a crack just where your wrists sit...

*Photo not from me, but exactly the same

After looking on the net for this kind of problem I noticed that loads of other people had the same issue with MacBooks bought from around 2007. I closely checked over the rest of the casing and there were more, only tiny little cracks. One was where the back of the lid, another around the air vents.

I called up Apple Directly and explained and the lady on the phone managed to authorize the repair. I've taken my MacBook in and they are going to replace all of the casing under warranty.

Anyone else had this? I was half expecting to part with some money.

 

[LordSplodge]

Yes. They fixed my MacBook when this happened six months out of warranty. Took them about 1/2 an hour.

It's a known fault with that era MacBooks. Only trouble now is my keyboard area is a hell of a lot whiter than the rest of my MacBook.

 

[markyb]

Yes. They fixed my MacBook when this happened six months out of warranty. Took them about 1/2 an hour.

It's a known fault with that era MacBooks. Only trouble now is my keyboard area is a hell of a lot whiter than the rest of my MacBook.

Is the replacement casement modifed in any way to stop this happening again?

I did wonder about my used keyboard against the new white case

 

[Solaris]

Common fault. Mine has done exactly the same, so has a friend of mine. The area around the iSight camera is also prone to cracking

 

[theheyes]

I'm looking at the same thing on mine now, on the lid too. Mine is from late 2006. I've been meaning to take it in for repair but I'm not sure whether they would do it now. I've just taped it up. It looks ugly but its been such a workhorse over the years I just accept that its going to have a few cracks and scrapes.

 

[J1234]

It's a known manufacturing fault, they should just replace it for you no questions asked, whether it is in warranty or not.

 

[Starky]

It's actually a design fault.

The problem is that the plastic edges on the top of the screen apply to much pressure to the area where your cracks are appearing when there is pressure on the Macbook. For instance if you have it in a bag with books and you're walking about then this is what causes the damage.

I took my Macbook back and was told that it was a manufacturing fault caused by a batch of plastic that was used that wasn't strong enough. However after they replaced it the same thing happened again fairly quickly - I've not taken it back again yet but I'm pretty sure that they would fix it out of warranty

 

[Type_R]

It's a known manufacturing fault, they should just replace it for you no questions asked, whether it is in warranty or not.

+1 - happened to my 2006 (summer) black MB...replaced with no questions asked

 

[Solaris]

Who would I contact about getting it fixed?

 

[LordSplodge]

Who would I contact about getting it fixed?

Apple (call the AppleCare number!)

 

[LordSplodge]

Is the replacement casement modifed in any way to stop this happening again?

I did wonder about my used keyboard against the new white case

The keyboard area is what they replace so you'll have a nice shiny keyboard and the rest of the MacBook will be less white lol!

Anyway it could happen again as it is a design flaw in the MacBook. That's why they switched to aluminum. The Apple Genius I saw said they had altered the design but it still could happen again although less likely. He also said Apple would keep fixing it when it happens!

 

[ilikedthecore]

Yep, mine is currently being repaired for the second time

I thought they had made the replacement part with a different material but obviously not.

 

[LordSplodge]

I thought they had made the replacement part with a different material but obviously not.

It's to do with where the plastic top meets the bottom rather than what it is made of that is the problem.

That's why they switched to aluminum and yes the new WhiteBook is still technically prone to the plastic peeling issue.

 

[Fillado]

My mid 2006 MacBook is fine, although the entire keyboard/mousepad "thing" was replaced in early 2007 due to that discolouration of the palm rests problem.

Although from lots of opening and closing the top has become slightly curved:

 

[Kevin Clark]

Happened to mine too. Bit of clear Scotch tape has done the job nicely.

I think it's to do with the grease and oils from your hand maybe 'attacking' the plastic in that area.

 

[disfunktion]

Had mine replace twice already, and its going in a third time in a week.

No questions asked at Apple Store.

 

[PardonTheWait]

it's the 'feet' on the lid bashing into the topcase that does it, after time it just cracks on some people's machines. From shutting the lid over and over and over.

 

[MrMoonX]

they will replace the palm rest outside of warranty as I had mine done the other week, but as for the bottom casing which also has tiny cracks they wont, seems weird, but at least I cant see the bottom of the mac

 

[Kevin Clark]

it's the 'feet' on the lid bashing into the topcase that does it, after time it just cracks on some people's machines. From shutting the lid over and over and over.

I'm not so sure.

I'd love to know how many cases have gone on that side from people who are left handed.

I never slam the lid on mind.

I still think it's sweat from your hand.

 

[macfb]

I had my old whitebook repaired by Apple twice for this problem, I then had a motherboard problem, I now have a Alu MacBook after I demanded a replacement.

Good times!