First Generation Macbook Air Hinges

dk345

dk345

dk345

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Joined
30 Dec 2008
Posts
422
Location
York
Hi Guys,

I have a first generation, Rev. A Mac Book Air which I've owned for about 3 and a half years now. It's served me well and I'd like to think I've looked after it, no scratches or dints or anything!

However, last night I opened it up to do some work and there was an almighty crack. Fearing I'd broken something, I went to close the lid and rather than needing a bit of force to close the lid, it just fell straight down.

I flipped over the laptop and the plastic part between the two hinges was twisted almost. A quick google leads me to a picture of the exact problem I have - it would appear one of the hinges has failed.

Now, this website lead me to an Apple Discussions page and Apple's support pages. Both of them seem to suggest that Apple admitted it was a fault with the laptop, not the user.

I've booked a Genius appointment for Monday and I was wondering if anyone else had this problem and what you think the chances of me getting it repaired for free are? I don't think it'll happen, especially seeing as I didn't buy Apple Care (although that would have expired anyway) and it has been 41 months since I bought it. But I really can't afford what will likely be a huage bill.

But yeah, what does OcUK think?

Thanks
 
Hmm, out of warranty I think you will find a free of charge replacement very unlikely. Have you checked out for replacement parts and if you can repair yourself if upgrading is not a notion, but it does look like it has served you well!


RTJ
 
No, I'm not hopeful of a free repair. But it seems some people have managed to get it done, albeit with much younger Air's.

I've had a quick look around and the hinges cost about £20 and the process of replacing them isn't too much hassle, but it sounds as if there's a good chance that I'll break something else, which I'd rather not do.

That's why I was wondering if anyone else had experience replacing them.
 
I had this exact problem. 2 years and 9 months old, so well out of warranty. They replaced with no hesitation and for free within 2 working days.

The replacement is the entire top of the laptop, including screen. :)
 
Should add, the conversation went along these lines:

Me: Opened it one day, heard a cracking noise, broken hinge :( :( :(
Them: Oh noes
Me: I googled to see what went wrong, brought me to a Apple page saying it's a known problem, telling me to visit your nearest Apple Store
Them: Yep, no problem. Sign this, come back in 2 days, we'll replace the entire top case for free.

Done.

For info, the invoice cost for the top case replacement was £290!
 
Well, I have printed out the Apple Support article that says I have to bring it in, but also the forum posts where people have had it repaired for free.

So, maybe I'll be lucky and get the repair done for free :D

If that's the case then I'll post back here for the benefit of Dr House and anyone else who finds the post.

Thanks for your opinions guys, especially Sloth for his experience - exactly what I was after.
 
They should repair it for free. It's definitely a known fault, although they might pull the old "inside of 3 years of the purchase date" nonsense. If they do just give them hassle and they should sort it for you =]
 
Just to get back to this thread. I went into the Apple Store on Wednesday, told the bloke what had happened. He turned it over, looked at it and I signed two forms. Off to pick it up on Wednesday next week, all sorted free of charge. Woo! :p
 
And to finally close this thread, I got my Air back today from the Apple Store.

New top clamshell replacement, new hinge, lid and screen. And, they said they'd scratched the bottom case too, so they've replaced that! Which is why it took the full 7 days rather than 5.

So, all in all... Incredibly happy! :D
 
very good, thanks for the update I will take my one in when I have time.

Shame I already bought a new one to replace it but I will just sell the old one.
 
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