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Last Post
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Nov 3, 2009 11:44 AM
by: 3rdparty
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Posts:
11
From:
Charlotte, NC
Registered:
Apr 23, 2007
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Magnetic Lid Demagnetized?
Posted:
Mar 28, 2009 6:58 AM
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Hey guys,
I'm having a very disconcerting issue with my aluminum Macbook. It seems the magnets in the screen/below the palm rest used to latch the screen have become weakened or demagnetized. When carrying the laptop in a bag today, I noticed that when I pulled it out, the laptop was actually open, which I thought rather odd. So I got to playing around with it a bit, and if you ever so slightly tilt the laptop backwards, the screen immediately becomes unlatched and pops up.
Seems to me that the magnetism has been weakened somehow. When closing the lid, it still gives a "snap" when it closes, but it definitely is not holding like it should.
I don't have a problem sending it in for repair, but I'm concerned that it will involve replacing the entire display, which I most definitely do NOT want. It took 3 Macbooks when I purchased this one before I could find one that didn't have some kind of dust or other "gunk" under the screen. Mine is also pixel-perfect, and I'd prefer to keep it that way.
My question is this: any way to perhaps "remagnetize" these magnetic latches? If not, would repairing this actually involve replacing the entire display panel?
2.0GHz Aluminum Macbook
Mac OS X (10.5.6)
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Posts:
41,559
From:
Tampa, FL (Vancouver, BC May-Aug)
Registered:
Oct 5, 2001
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Re: Magnetic Lid Demagnetized?
Posted:
Mar 28, 2009 10:29 AM
in response to: aaronparker
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You would need to contact AppleCare or take the computer to an Apple repair site. I suspect that Apple uses permanent magnets to secure the lid. It would be very unusual for a permanent magnet to become demagnetized. Have you put any type of skin on the computer? If so perhaps the thickness of the skin is reducing the magnetic attraction between the lid and main body. Just a thought.
Mac Pro 2.66 Ghz; MBP Unibody; MBP C2D 2.33 Ghz; MBP 2.16 Ghz
Mac OS X (10.5.6)
iMac C2D 17"; MB 2.0 Ghz; 80GB iPod Video; iPod Touch; iPod Nano 2GB
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Posts:
15
Registered:
Jul 19, 2004
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Re: Magnetic Lid Demagnetized?
Posted:
Mar 28, 2009 12:28 PM
in response to: aaronparker
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I recently had the same problem. I took it to the Apple Store, and the genius remarked that he thought the hinge was also more stiff than usual. Anyway, it was sent to a repair depot in Memphis which replaced the entire LCD display, case and all. So far, it has stayed closed just fine since the repair. I'll be keeping an eye on the situation though, as the original problem didn't appear until I'd had the macbook for a few months.
2.4 GHz (Late 2008) MacBook
Mac OS X (10.5.6)
4 GB RAM
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Posts:
11
From:
Charlotte, NC
Registered:
Apr 23, 2007
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Re: Magnetic Lid Demagnetized?
Posted:
Mar 28, 2009 12:46 PM
in response to: Gabe H
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Interesting. I actually found a thread over on Macrumors that indicated that several people were having the very same problem. Many thought it was actually normal, and that if you tilted the laptop back from vertical, the lid would pop open on most.
I was in Best Buy today and tried it on the display. Sure enough, it did the exact same thing.
Seeing that the entire display has to be replaced, I'm leaning towards just living with it. Getting a dead pixel on the replacement or some dust under the glass would bug me much more than this would. I'll likely just get sleeve to zip the Macbook up in, then place that in my messenger bag. It's probably better for the laptop this way anyhow.
Thanks for the replies so far though, very helfpul.
2.0GHz Aluminum Macbook
Mac OS X (10.5.6)
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Posts:
15
Registered:
Jul 19, 2004
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Re: Magnetic Lid Demagnetized?
Posted:
Mar 28, 2009 12:59 PM
in response to: aaronparker
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Mine would pop open if I tilted the macbook so that it was at a fully vertical 90 degree angle with the sleep light facing straight up. Since the repair, it stays closed in that position. It will still pop open if I tilt it past 90 degrees, but I don't find that unusual given the weight of the display.
I haven't noticed any defects or issues with the replacement LCD, but I have purposely not examined it closely. No need to get worked up over something I don't notice during normal use, right?
2.4 GHz (Late 2008) MacBook
Mac OS X (10.5.5)
4 GB RAM
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Posts:
49
From:
Rochester NY USA
Registered:
Jul 10, 2008
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Re: Magnetic Lid Demagnetized?
Posted:
Apr 7, 2009 7:13 PM
in response to: aaronparker
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Hi, my wife's MacBook has just today started exbiting the same anomaly, we noticed. As strange as it may seem, this may be a phenomenon related to the change of seasons and gradually warming temperatures/relative humidity in the northern hemisphere. I really don't think those magnets have lost pull, although they are partly accessible by removing the battery and HD. I forget what it is you do to add magnetism to a magnet, a opposed to demagnetizing one.
Now I have to think like an engineer.
A couple of observations. First, this problem is closely connected to how the screen/lid is rendered infinitely adjustable within the range of adjustment. Every user is aware that a small amount of force merely "bends" the screen against the friction pressure of the hinge clutch, before the clutch actually "gives" and the hinge operates. At this point in the operation, the screen is now rotating with respect to the MB chassis but the clutch is still exerting friction force against that rotation. The keyboard bezel (i.e., the palm rests) acts as a stop to this rotation. Unfortunately, the clutch friction exerts force in the opposite direction of the magnets' pull. Ideally, the clutch friction should lessen as the hinge approaches the closed position, but this is probably a costly engineering prospect. The clutch pressure is probably equal all the way around.
So I think that what's probably happening is that the overall clutch tension is increasing over time, and manages to overcome both gravity and the magnetic closure when the MB is in a vertical position. Under certain conditions. It's plausible to me that slight aging of the materials, or dust, have managed to increase the clutch tension, Lord knows how.
Here's where it's time to experiment.
(I write all this so everybody is clear on the engineering challenge inherent in Jonny Ive's sleek maggie closure, rather than the clunky old latch on my PB G4 Ti vintage 2002)
Shut down the MB and try this: while sitting holding the MB on your lap, vertically, hinge down, and "ajar" as per the problem, open the clamshell to between 45 and 90 degrees, and then wiggle it carefully but vigorously for about 4 or 5 seconds between, say, 60 and 80 degrees, in an attempt to decrease the clutch tension a bit. You might more slowly but repeatedly operate the hinge over a wider range too.
Then in one swift move close the lid smartly. See if the problem goes away. It also seems to help a wee bit if you spend a couple of moments carefully exerting bending pressure on the lid, increasing the "clamshelling", that is, getting the outer (upper) screen corners slightly closer to the palmrest corners than the iSight camera is to the thumb notch. Relatively speaking.
Another thing to try is to stick the powered-down MB in your fridge for 15-30 minutes, to cause an environmental change to the MB's only moving parts (if it has the solid-state drive, naturally), and see whether that works.
In any case, my money is on the clutches in the hinge--they're tightening up.
TiBook 1 GHz -- Plus new MacBook AL Dec 2008
Mac OS X (10.4.9)
512 MB RAM -- 2GB RAM
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Posts:
2,879
From:
Bangkok, Thailand
Registered:
Jan 8, 2004
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Re: Magnetic Lid Demagnetized?
Posted:
Apr 8, 2009 5:45 AM
in response to: aaronparker
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"... this may be a phenomenon related to the change of seasons and gradually warming temperatures/relative humidity..."
Oh no, not another global warming issue! It's hot and humid in Bangkok every day, and my MBP's clamshell magnet is as strong as ever.
I'm in "Shanghai", and I met Gong Li. Woohoo!!
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Posts:
1
From:
New Jersey, USA
Registered:
Jun 18, 2009
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Re: Magnetic Lid Demagnetized?
Posted:
Jun 18, 2009 7:11 PM
in response to: MacSinceEightySix
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MacSinceEightySix, your first suggestion about the clutch tension and trying to lessen it through movement proved to be just the ticket. I was having the problem, and after a few swift tries, it seems to be improving. Thanks for the great engineering idea!
Macbook (aluminum)
Mac OS X (10.5.7)
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Posts:
18
Registered:
Jul 16, 2007
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Re: Magnetic Lid Demagnetized?
Posted:
Sep 16, 2009 6:33 AM
in response to: aaronparker
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I just started experiencing this, too, with one bought right before New Year's (12/30/2009). It seems that this problem appears at about this age.
While MacSinceEightySix's solution seems to work, my question is, how harmful is it to just live with it in the long term? I'd rather not part with my MacBook if it is a nuisance rather than something that could cause a problem long-term. This is especially true if the Apple fix is replacing the screen (potentially with a refurb).
In short, do we think this is a sign of some deterioration that will cause a bigger problem down the road (and when possibly out of warranty), or is this something that will likely not cause more requiring care when stashing my system?
Also, aside from the anecdotes at the Genius Bar, has any "formal" response from Apple been put forth?
MacBook
Mac OS X (10.6.1)
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Posts:
2
From:
Toronto
Registered:
Oct 21, 2009
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Re: Magnetic Lid Demagnetized?
Posted:
Nov 3, 2009 11:44 AM
in response to: aaronparker
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Just chiming in that I'm having the same issue with a late 2008 Unibody MacBook
The hinges keep my lid mostly closed, however it is a bit annoying not to have the lid snap shut to the body.
I haven't gotten around to getting this looked at by Apple, mainly because its nothing more than a minor nuisance now, and I don't love the idea of getting a refurbished screen.
I did call AppleCare and they didn't indicate this was a 'known' issue of any sorts - they said they'd have to inspect it further and recommended I take it to an Apple Repair location
Late 2008 MacBook (Unibody)
Mac OS X (10.6.1)
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