Apple initiates MacBook bottom case replacement program

Posted:
in Current Mac Hardware edited January 2014
Apple has initiated a case replacement program for MacBooks shipped between October 2009 and April 2011 to resolve an issue where the rubber separates from the bottom of the case.



The MacBook Bottom Case Replacement Program is available to owners with affected MacBooks, regardless of current warranty status.



Apple offers three options for replacing the case: set up an appointment with an Apple Genius and visit an Apple Retail Store; visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider; and self service by ordering a replacement case kit online. Do It Yourself kits include a new bottom case, screws, a Phillips head screwdriver and instructions for removal of the old case and installation of the new one.



Customers who have paid for a repair or replacement because of the issue can also contact Apple regarding a refund. The note advises that no action is required for owners who aren't currently experiencing the issue.



The program will be offered worldwide and will cover affected MacBooks for two years from the original purchase date, though it does not extend standard warranty coverage. Further extensions of the program may come as Apple continues to "evaluate service data."







Apple introduced the redesigned polycarbonate unibody MacBook with a unique non-skid rubber bottom in October 2009. The entry-level notebook line received a quiet update in May 2010, adding Nvidia GeForce 320M graphics.





According to Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu's checks with suppliers, the Mac maker will update the MacBook line in a matter of months. Wu estimates the white MacBook accounts for roughly one-third of Apple's portable business, which makes up 73 percent of all Mac sales.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 10
    dagamer34dagamer34 Posts: 494member
    I can't help but think that the white MacBook is dead. It really doesn't fulfill any purpose in the lineup any more. The low-end $1000-1200 market is super crowded with 4 different models to choose from.



    I predict when the MBA goes Sandy Bridge, the MacBook disappears. Heck, the MacBook Air should simply be renamed "MacBook" at that point. The only reason the $999 even exists is for education purposes in schools, and I see that need being filled by the iPad in the future.
  • Reply 2 of 10
    kindredmackindredmac Posts: 153member
    Where the heck is the warranty coverage for all of us MacBook owners with original models that have the splintering of the plastic around the edges???
  • Reply 3 of 10
    koheletkohelet Posts: 58member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by KindredMac View Post


    Where the heck is the warranty coverage for all of us MacBook owners with original models that have the splintering of the plastic around the edges???



    When I took my whitebook in for a logic board replacement, they also replaced the top case. Just take it in and ask a genius to fix it. I should do that again (and get my keyboard fixed)
  • Reply 4 of 10
    stelligentstelligent Posts: 2,680member
    The bottom has finally fallen off the Apple train.



    LOL
  • Reply 5 of 10
    stelligentstelligent Posts: 2,680member
    Quote:

    According to Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu's checks with suppliers, the Mac maker will update the MacBook line in a matter of months.



    You can stop right there. Shaw Wu is about as accurate as the weatherman. Hasn't he been booted from his previous analyst gig?
  • Reply 6 of 10
    idaveidave Posts: 1,283member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by dagamer34 View Post


    I can't help but think that the white MacBook is dead. <snip> The only reason the $999 even exists is for education purposes in schools, and I see that need being filled by the iPad in the future.



    "One third of Apple's portable business." — There's your reason. The Air, while it's a great computer, has limited storage and non upgradeable RAM and storage. Some prefer otherwise. And the iPad, well...
  • Reply 7 of 10
    xamianxamian Posts: 37member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by KindredMac View Post


    Where the heck is the warranty coverage for all of us MacBook owners with original models that have the splintering of the plastic around the edges???



    +1



    I have had cracks not only on the top case, but the bottom as well. I have been supergluing mine because they deemed it to be "cosmetic" and not something to be replaced. Of course now I'm well outside of the Applecare period, not that it mattered to them while I was still covered...
  • Reply 8 of 10
    juanguapojuanguapo Posts: 75member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by xamian View Post


    +1



    I have had cracks not only on the top case, but the bottom as well. I have been supergluing mine because they deemed it to be "cosmetic" and not something to be replaced. Of course now I'm well outside of the Applecare period, not that it mattered to them while I was still covered...



    Ha! My wife and I (like you) were told by their retail "genius bar" that it was cosmetic and not covered under our warranty despite being told the complete opposite by Apple customer service. The last "genius" we spoke to was so belligerant that when we left and returned to speak to a manager, he sheepishly walked out to try and shake my hand to apologize for his behavior.



    I blogged about it after my last experience with the Apple Macbook Pro hinge. There's pics and everything on my site.



    http://juanguapo.wordpress.com/2011/...es-with-apple/

    (towards the bottom with Flickr links)



    When we called Apple customer service (aptly named "Apple Care"), we were told it was covered under warranty as long as it wasn't damaged we caused.



    After the plastics were replaced three sepearate times (top, bottom, display, etc.), Apple customer service demanded the retail store replace it, and they did.



    The replacement machine was a unibody such as the one mentioned in this article yet there have been no issues with cracking or separation to speak of (yet).
  • Reply 9 of 10
    bjojadebjojade Posts: 91member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by xamian View Post


    +1



    I have had cracks not only on the top case, but the bottom as well. I have been supergluing mine because they deemed it to be "cosmetic" and not something to be replaced. Of course now I'm well outside of the Applecare period, not that it mattered to them while I was still covered...



    We have replaced literally hundreds of top cases on Macbooks, all out of warranty, but covered by Apple's warranty extension on the problem. Takes about 25 minutes to do the repair. Find an Apple Specialist in your area to take care of you. At the Apple Stores, they may be too busy with iPads to take care of you.



    -----

    According to Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu's checks with suppliers, the Mac maker will update the MacBook line in a matter of months.



    ------



    Um, couldn't this be said about ANY of Apple's product lines that are more than 6 months old? I'm guessing that on the next plain MacBook, we'll see a price drop to $899 or even $799. Apple's finally in the camp where they can offer a lower cost product. The gap to the $1199 MacBook Pro right now is too large to NOT upgrade to that machine.
  • Reply 10 of 10
    kgbwnetkgbwnet Posts: 28member
    Ordered the kit and arrived in less than 12 hours. Came in a box much bigger than the MacBook, well protected. Included were instructions, case bottom, a screw driver and 10 screws (yes, two extra).







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