Apple addressing cracks on white MacBooks casings

Posted:
in Current Mac Hardware edited January 2014
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.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 107
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    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.



    No surprise here! Apple is famous for cracks!



    Macbooks + iPhone = lots of cracks!



    Does Apple ever produce a product without a problem?



    white Macbook - cracks

    white iPhone 3G - cracks

    iPhone 3G both colours - dust and light leaks

    newest Macbooks - graphic display issues

    iMacs - 20" severe gradient issues

    iMacs - 24" uneven backlighting from left to right... left brighter than the right by up to 50%





    Anyone else wanna add to the list?
  • Reply 2 of 107
    ivladivlad Posts: 742member
    It looks like the same plastic used in white iPhone. Apple should really drop using plastic in general, it just so bad.
  • Reply 3 of 107
    cu10cu10 Posts: 294member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by iVlad View Post


    It looks like the same plastic used in white iPhone. Apple should really drop using plastic in general, it just so bad.



    Ummm, on second thought:



  • Reply 4 of 107
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by iVlad View Post


    It looks like the same plastic used in white iPhone. Apple should really drop using plastic in general, it just so bad.



    No- Apple needs to just stop using CHEAP plastic. There are much better grades- just look at many of the other laptops around.
  • Reply 5 of 107
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by italiankid View Post


    No surprise here! Apple is famous for cracks!



    Macbooks + iPhone = lots of cracks!



    Does Apple ever produce a product without a problem?



    white Macbook - cracks

    white iPhone 3G - cracks

    iPhone 3G both colours - dust and light leaks

    newest Macbooks - graphic display issues

    iMacs - 20" severe gradient issues

    iMacs - 24" uneven backlighting from left to right... left brighter than the right by up to 50%





    Anyone else wanna add to the list?



    AppleTV- Cracks, heat issue , scratch inducive and standby mode issues.

    All iPods with metal backs- scratch inducive.
  • Reply 6 of 107
    tumblertumbler Posts: 4member
    Quote:

    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.



    I've got an unsightly crack in the plastic on my Macbook's palm rest. I'm out of warranty by now. You think I could I bring this into the Apple store to have it repaired? Who is the "provider" referred to above that would be inspecting this and escalating for coverage by Apple?
  • Reply 7 of 107
    nagrommenagromme Posts: 2,834member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by italiankid View Post


    Anyone else wanna add to the list?



    Sure... products from any company? (Including some that wouldn't fix a crack under warranty, much less AFTER warranty as Apple has done before and is doing again now.)



    You won't find a single product from any company that never showed cracks or flaws for any user. And you won't find a product where people aren't more likely to post about a problem than to say "all is well." This creates an impression that a rare (but still bad) problem is the norm. That's human nature.



    I'd also suspect that people are more likely to a) notice and b) CARE about minor cosmetic issues on an Apple product, because Apple products have such perfect minimal design that flaws seem extra glaring. (Not to mention, people scrutinize Apple products online and send each other off to look for flaws. They'd rush off to find them on Dells too... except nobody's that excited about the design of a Dell in the first place.)



    This is not to excuse Apple--products SHOULD be perfect, it should be immediately clear to everyone what is and is not abuse, and repair policies should be fully established in the consumer's favor from the very start--not corrected late as has happened in this case. When Apple fails to meet these standards, they should be called on it. However, it's not some "Apple specific" problem.



    (All is well I am the owner of badly-abused, dropped, sat-upon, tossed-around, caseless iPhone 3G that nevertheless has flawless plastic with zero cracks or scratches. The chrome, however received minor scratching from a gruesome gravel incident. The plastic, amazingly, showed nothing from the incident. The glass too is still perfect. I'm lucky--as I hope MOST 3G owners are--but I feel for those who have not been so lucky. I don't deny that your cracks are real. Whether you unlucky ones are 40% of buyers or 4%, it still sucks when you notice a crack.)
  • Reply 8 of 107
    abster2coreabster2core Posts: 2,501member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by italiankid View Post


    Does Apple ever produce a product without a problem?



    white Macbook - cracks

    white iPhone 3G - cracks

    iPhone 3G both colours - dust and light leaks

    newest Macbooks - graphic display issues

    iMacs - 20" severe gradient issues

    iMacs - 24" uneven backlighting from left to right... left brighter than the right by up to 50%





    Anyone else wanna add to the list?



    Has a mother ever produce a product without a problem?



    Including you. IMO
  • Reply 9 of 107
    gtl215gtl215 Posts: 242member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    AppleTV- Cracks, heat issue , scratch inducive and standby mode issues.

    All iPods with metal backs- scratch inducive.



    inducive? You're saying the plastic itself directly "causes or influences" the cracks? I think you mean normal circumstances are "conducive" enough to cause cracks in the plastics. The plastic itself doesn't cause the cracks.
  • Reply 10 of 107
    Hi all,



    Check out this Flickr group which has a huge collection of some far worse "cracked macbook case" photos:



    http://www.flickr.com/groups/crackedmacbook/pool/



    the ones shown in the Apple Insider article have only subtle cracking compared to some of the MacBooks in this Flickr group which have missing pieces and huge cracks (my MacBook is in this pool of photos).
  • Reply 11 of 107
    tofinotofino Posts: 697member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by italiankid View Post


    No surprise here! Apple is famous for cracks!



    Macbooks + iPhone = lots of cracks!



    Does Apple ever produce a product without a problem?



    white Macbook - cracks

    white iPhone 3G - cracks

    iPhone 3G both colours - dust and light leaks

    newest Macbooks - graphic display issues

    iMacs - 20" severe gradient issues

    iMacs - 24" uneven backlighting from left to right... left brighter than the right by up to 50%





    Anyone else wanna add to the list?



    out trolling again, huh?
  • Reply 12 of 107
    The palm rest on mine has chipped at the edge just through normal use. I noticed a man on the train a few weeks back and his had done the same.
  • Reply 13 of 107
    italiankiditaliankid Posts: 279member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    AppleTV- Cracks, heat issue , scratch inducive and standby mode issues.

    All iPods with metal backs- scratch inducive.



    Apple designs and makes products that scratch so you buy it again and again and again because it does not wear well.





    I am glad they got sued and lost in court for the 25$ million.





    More suits need to follow!
  • Reply 14 of 107
    italiankiditaliankid Posts: 279member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Tofino View Post


    out trolling again, huh?



    Truth hurts right? Sorry to burst your bubble.



    You see, Fanbois like you let Apple get a way with it and this is why you get problems with every single product they make. Now if people voice their opinions, Apple would listen.



    I suggest you keep your defects and stay happy!



    I will continue to complain because I pay a premium for the products and I expect a PREMIUM product.
  • Reply 15 of 107
    gtl215gtl215 Posts: 242member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Tofino View Post


    out trolling again, huh?



    they're all out today. They love when problems surface with Apple products, because when problems arise with other another company's products there is no forum to complain about them. Apple actually has people dedicated enough to their products who create forums. I don't know what the point of Apple-bashing is when you are in sites created BY and FOR apple fans...trolls are constantly shocked and appalled at the number of people who like Apple - they don't stop and realize they're on a site dedicated to Apple fans. Go to engadget or gizmodo or somewhere else that isn't explicitly Apple-centric. I'm sure you'll find more sympathetic readers. Better yet, go to Dell Insider...oh wait it doesn't exist...well, then try TUDW...oh wait, it doesn't exist....etc
  • Reply 16 of 107
    gtl215gtl215 Posts: 242member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by italiankid View Post


    I am glad they got sued and lost in court for the 25$ million.



    Ha, apple cares about $25 million. Sure. You have any idea how much money they made on those first-gen nanos? Selling a $200 product at 40% margins, then 5 years later being sued and paying back 10 bucks per customer is a slap on the wrist, at BEST.
  • Reply 17 of 107
    My MacBooks is cracked. I never even thought to bring it in, I just applied some tape and was done with it.
  • Reply 18 of 107
    quadra 610quadra 610 Posts: 6,757member
    And??



    Some of you should take better care of your stuff.
  • Reply 19 of 107
    italiankiditaliankid Posts: 279member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by GTL215 View Post


    they're all out today. They love when problems surface with Apple products, because when problems arise with other another company's products there is no forum to complain about them. Apple actually has people dedicated enough to their products who create forums. I don't know what the point of Apple-bashing is when you are in sites created BY and FOR apple fans...trolls are constantly shocked and appalled at the number of people who like Apple - they don't stop and realize they're on a site dedicated to Apple fans. Go to engadget or gizmodo or somewhere else that isn't explicitly Apple-centric. I'm sure you'll find more sympathetic readers. Better yet, go to Dell Insider...oh wait it doesn't exist...well, then try TUDW...oh wait, it doesn't exist....etc



    Wanna know why?



    You said it perfectly.



    THESE sites are APPLE related. NOT Microsoft related.



    I am tired of going to Macdailynews or AppleInsider or any other Mac site to hear about Microsoft or bashing Microsoft. I come to these sites to hear about APPLE! So you guys keep complaining about everything else but Apple, YOU in turn have asked for the bashing of Apple products because they are just as inferior to the competition.



    When sites start to refocus on their main subject - Apple... and we can discuss the good of Apple and not what Dell is doing with Adamo or what Microsoft are doing with Windows etc etc... Let us worry about Apple. We got enough problems with Apple to deal with!



    105+ fixes from 10.5.6 to 10.5.7

    100+ fixes from 10.5.5 to 10.5.6



    200+ fixes YEAKS!
  • Reply 20 of 107
    italiankiditaliankid Posts: 279member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jlanganki View Post


    My MacBooks is cracked. I never even thought to bring it in, I just applied some tape and was done with it.



    great to hear you spent tons of money to use tape on it.



    lol





    SAD!
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