Apple addressing cracks on white MacBooks casings - Page 3

Originally Posted by ahoge

Show me any other laptop case that looks even a bit similar to macbook's. It could be the plastic, but probably it's the shape and plastic. I'm glad apple moved to aluminum

Originally Posted by UltimateKylie

Actualy I own a Mercedes, have a sauna and room for a pony... (just kidding about the last two). But I remember the night before I bought it, I was worried what people would think, because I don't want to be associated with anyone who looks down on people.

As a person who uses both Windows and OS X, i find pluses and negatives with both. But Apple hardware is the best, it has unique style and is generally durable. And what does go wrong, Apple takes steps above and beyond to fix.

I've owned several computers, Acer's, HP, Sony, Toshiba. Of those, I would say only Sony comes close to being as friendly on the phone as Apple is. HP and Toshiba love to give you the run around. Oddly enough as cheap as Acer is, and people make fun of them for that, I've never had an issue with the one I owned, or the one my BF currently uses.

I couldn't bear to own one... as I want some style but its plastic is way more durable then my white MacBook for sure. Though I'll be getting an Aluminum MacBook here shortly...

Originally Posted by UltimateKylie

.....have a sauna and room for a pony... ..

Originally Posted by jouster

You mean like not put it in its protective sleeve then put both in my briefcase and carry them to work? Because that must be what produced the cracks on my MacBook.

Truly the worst-made Apple product I've ever owned. Cracks on the case on both sides of the trackpad and on both sides of the top of the screen bezel. the keyboard was out of flush with the base from day one, and the screen has developed the delightful habit of blacking out in certain positions, so the inverter is likely hosed.

Yet I've never dropped it or hit it or anything like that. As noted above it has two cushioned protection layers when it travels. So it's hard to conclude that shoddy manufacturing/design is not the issue.

Originally Posted by BeauGiles

First time poster, long time lurker. The quoted post above explains my situation perfectly.

My white MacBook lives in a black Incase sleeve purchased from the Apple Store. Everytime it's moved from location to location, it's put in this sleeve. Yet last year it still managed to get the crack on the right hand palm rest. Apple replaced the top case (under AppleCare).

Fast forward a couple of months, and the case has cracked again; this time just above the left hand side of the screen, just above the bezel;




My display backlight will randomly turn off, after which I have to adjust the angle of the display, as well as put it to sleep. This happens either by itself, or just slightly adjusting the screen. This has happened ever since I got the LCD screen replaced last year, due to artefacts developing across the screen.

All along the back of the case, near the airflow vents, there are plenty of hairline cracks. Everywhere. Right next to the speaker, there's a crack. Where the screw is on the outside left hand side. there's a crack.

To top it off, the battery's starting to fall apart; the plastic casing is separating from the battery body.


(sorry for sh*t photos - didn't have a decent camera on me).

You can find my rambles continued at the MacTalk Australia forums, here.

</grumble>

Originally Posted by JupiterOne

I caught that reference Mrs. Bucket.....LOL

Originally Posted by doc4kids

as soon as i read this news i called apple about this problem as i have been noticing the cracks underneath my laptop near the vent and the hinges. What the lady told me there was that IM NOT ELIGIBLE since i have an EARLY 2008 white macbook and with those models, they have already "supposedly" fixed the problem. So that i can not claim to have a free repair ( i am still under 1 yr warranty plus i have applecare until 2011). Isnt that RIDICULOUS????? I told her that people are talking about having the same problems and got their macbooks fixed and what she told me was that maybe those macbooks were the EARLIER models... mine was the early 2008 model and apparently they said that they shipped with a white body material that shouldn't crack and if im noticing those hairline cracks then it WONT be repaired under warranty and will be filed under accidental causes and therefore i will be CHARGED.


Guys what can you say about this CRAP!!!

Originally Posted by doc4kids

hi quadra! thanks how do i get in touch with apple hq??

Originally Posted by deltatux

Just demand to speak to customer relations and they should be able to resolve your issues.

That's how I got a complete Macbook replacement because I just repaired it too many times.

deltatux

The more pressing problem with MacBooks to me is the inordinately high failure rate of their hard drives. Seems like clockwork that the stock drives fail after 2 - 2.5 years. I'm proactively replacing/upgrading drives now to avoid unplanned downtime - thankfully those 2.5" 320GB 7200RPM Hitachi drives are fast and cheap

MacBook is a million times easier to get into than the iBooks were.

Coincidentally, a few friends/clients who took their MacBooks to the Genius Bar to get their dead hard drives replaced also ended up getting their mildly cracked top-cases and shells replaced without even asking for it. I think Apple's been proactive about making those replacements for some time, but they have not exactly splashed out the news on the front page of www.apple.com.

Originally Posted by doc4kids

as soon as i read this news i called apple about this problem as i have been noticing the cracks underneath my laptop near the vent and the hinges. What the lady told me there was that IM NOT ELIGIBLE since i have an EARLY 2008 white macbook and with those models, they have already "supposedly" fixed the problem. So that i can not claim to have a free repair ( i am still under 1 yr warranty plus i have applecare until 2011). Isnt that RIDICULOUS????? I told her that people are talking about having the same problems and got their macbooks fixed and what she told me was that maybe those macbooks were the EARLIER models... mine was the early 2008 model and apparently they said that they shipped with a white body material that shouldn't crack and if im noticing those hairline cracks then it WONT be repaired under warranty and will be filed under accidental causes and therefore i will be CHARGED.


Guys what can you say about this CRAP!!!

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Apple is privately acknowledging an issue with the enclosure on some of its white 13-inch MacBooks, which in some cases have seen the formation of hairline cracks during normal usage patterns.

The Cupertino-based Mac maker is said to have issued a bulletin to its authorized service providers in March that essentially reverses its stance on replacing the bottom casing of notebooks that may be experiencing these symptoms.

It was reported in November that Apple was refusing to cover repairs for the bottom casing of the notebooks despite its willingness on occasion to address identical problems with the top portion of the casings containing the keyboard and palmrests.

The bulletin to providers reportedly identified four key areas of the case prone to hairline cracking, including the front portion of the case below the palmrests and trackpad, the areas around the I/O ports, the back rear corners, and the back rear ventilation area.

Apple added, however, that other portions of the case could be affected by the cracking issue. For all instances, providers were reportedly asked to inspect the MacBook carefully to determine whether the cracks could be the result of the notebook haven been dropped or other accidental damage caused by the owner.

In the event that providers are unable to identify signs that the user is at fault for the cracks, they're advise to escalate the notebook for coverage by Apple, regardless of whether its 1-year limited warranty has expired.

A collage of cracked white 13-inch MacBook enclosures.

The exception also applies to the black plastic 13-inch MacBook that was discontinued last year, but does not extend to any other member of the MacBook family, according to those familiar with the matter.

Last October, Apple transitioned its entire notebook line to arguably the most durable aluminum unibody enclosures on the market. It has, however, continued to sell a single version of its legacy 13-inch white MacBook for $999.

Originally Posted by merdhead

I took two MacBooks into the Apple store a month or so and they replaced the cracked tops and offered to replace the cracked shell of another. One was out of warranty. Just take it up to the "Genius" bar.

I have to complement Apple's service in this respect.

Originally Posted by ajaya

Had an appointment at the Genius bar last night at the Westchester Mall in White Plains. Showed them my white (1st Gen-white) Macbook which was chipping on the palm rest and had the cracks as described in this article all over the bottom cover.
My Genius, Jentell (sp?), said he had read the reports on CNET and Apple Insider but said that the sites were 'mistaken'.
They replaced my palm rest cover (2nd time in 2 years) but won't replace the bottom cover. I just filled out the Apple Genius Bar (dis)Satisfaction survey- hope to hear back.
I hope others have better luck getting their cracked bottom cases replaced.

Originally Posted by mitboi

sorry to bring this thread back up, but this is the problem I'm facing...


i have the first generation macbook which i bought on launch.

after finding out that they replace the casing due to the crack recently (last week), i went to the genius bar right away.

the genius basically told me i am out of luck since i had to get it fixed within 3 years from purchase date.

this i found quite unfair.
1. apple never release official info. regard this repair
2. it is a design flaw by apple
3. not everyone keeps up with apple news all the time - if i didn't google it recently, i would've never know about this!
4. upon reading numerous forums, some ppl are still able to get it replaced after the "3 year time limit" - why the discrepancy?
5. there shouldn't be a time limit for this repair period - i had to live with my macbook all taped up for years now.
6. apple announced this repair in APRIL 2009, and I purchased my macbook in MAY 2006. If they only allow the 3 year time frame, that gave me ONE MONTH to get it replaced. Now.. is this fair? Maybe If Apple emailed all the buyers regard this issue or at least post on their website...??

Is there ANYTHING I can do to get it fixed? Any help guys.. or am I really out of luck here, thanks.

btw. I went to the genius bar in Toronto, Canada. After being refused of the repair, I spoke to the floor manager regarding the issue. She kindly told me that she would get back to me via phone the next day, but it has been 4 days already.. she's not going to reply..

Originally Posted by merdhead

I took two MacBooks into the Apple store a month or so and they replaced the cracked tops and offered to replace the cracked shell of another. One was out of warranty. Just take it up to the "Genius" bar.

I have to complement Apple's service in this respect.

Originally Posted by bodypainter

i have just talked to apple austria and apple germany, and they say that there was NO bulletin to repair companies, and that they actually don't fix those problems if they are after guarantee-period.

seems like this info is spreading without confirmation from people who should know.

Originally Posted by doc4kids

as soon as i read this news i called apple about this problem as i have been noticing the cracks underneath my laptop near the vent and the hinges. What the lady told me there was that IM NOT ELIGIBLE since i have an EARLY 2008 white macbook and with those models, they have already "supposedly" fixed the problem. So that i can not claim to have a free repair ( i am still under 1 yr warranty plus i have applecare until 2011). Isnt that RIDICULOUS????? I told her that people are talking about having the same problems and got their macbooks fixed and what she told me was that maybe those macbooks were the EARLIER models... mine was the early 2008 model and apparently they said that they shipped with a white body material that shouldn't crack and if im noticing those hairline cracks then it WONT be repaired under warranty and will be filed under accidental causes and therefore i will be CHARGED.

Guys what can you say about this CRAP!!!

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

I know there is a particular department or individual (I forget their actual title) that handles these things at Apple HQ. And boy do they ever handle it!

There's a thread over on Neowin.net (in the Apple forums) with exact instructions, but I'll have to hunt around for it and dig it up. I'll try to post it later on today. i think there's even a name of a contact . . .

Originally Posted by ajaya

Wow- I got a call from the Apple Store that initially refused to replace my cracking bottom case. They will replace it after all. The only downside is that it has to get shipped out for repairs, meaning upto seven days without my macbook.

Originally Posted by mitboi

i have the first generation macbook which i bought on launch.

after finding out that they replace the casing due to the crack recently (last week), i went to the genius bar right away.

the genius basically told me i am out of luck since i had to get it fixed within 3 years from purchase date.

this i found quite unfair.
1. apple never release official info. regard this repair
2. it is a design flaw by apple
3. not everyone keeps up with apple news all the time - if i didn't google it recently, i would've never know about this!
4. upon reading numerous forums, some ppl are still able to get it replaced after the "3 year time limit" - why the discrepancy?
5. there shouldn't be a time limit for this repair period - i had to live with my macbook all taped up for years now.
6. apple announced this repair in APRIL 2009, and I purchased my macbook in MAY 2006. If they only allow the 3 year time frame, that gave me ONE MONTH to get it replaced. Now.. is this fair? Maybe If Apple emailed all the buyers regard this issue or at least post on their website...??

Is there ANYTHING I can do to get it fixed? Any help guys.. or am I really out of luck here, thanks.

btw. I went to the genius bar in Toronto, Canada. After being refused of the repair, I spoke to the floor manager regarding the issue. She kindly told me that she would get back to me via phone the next day, but it has been 4 days already.. she's not going to reply..