Discoloration on the aluminum macbooks

I noticed that my 13" macbook, purchased in early March has the same type of whitish discoloration. It looks like the finish has been rubbed off. On the right hand side of my mousepad where my had rests there is a large splotch and on the left hand side there is a dime sized splotch that has nothing to do with where I rest my hand or anything.

I have AppleCare, but were you able to have Apple to fix this problem? I'm having a hard time finding others with this same problem, but I honestly don't know what I could have done to cause it.

You touched the computer, and did not clean it after you used it.

Do the Mr. Clean magic erasers work well to clean the aluminum MacBooks? They work like a charm on my white MB and my fiance's black one.

this discoloration is caused by a design flaw in the aluminum unibody. apple should have treated the aluminum with an iridite coating (or annadize). But annadizing is quite expensive, so iriditing would have probably been more cost effective.

bottom line: apple is charging a pretty penny for their laptops. i think they're worth it because they're GREAT machines/software, BUT, let's face it, many of us also purchase macs because they look awesome.

it's amazing to me that apple dropped the ball on this. me thinks they should fix each laptop, or offer partial refunds. 🙂

"apple should have treated the aluminum with an iridite coating (or annadize)."

As a matter of fact, the MB(P) covers are anodized. The discoloration is caused by someone not cleaning the case after it was used.

My laptop is not a MB(P) (Macbook Pro). It is a 13 inch Macbook--the new unibody, purchased late 2008. Btw, how do you know the MB Pro covers were annodized? Either way, I can't imagine that Apple expects their customers to clean the laptop after each use, just to prevent permanent discoloration. Does the instruction manual warn us about this? I've had many laptops in the past, different brands, and I've NEVER had to clean them after each use, and they never got discolored.

Also, if the aluminum cover is treated PROPERLY (iridite or annodize) then it wouldn't be necessary to wipe the laptop after each use. I love both my Macs, but this is unacceptable.

"how do you know the MB Pro covers were annodized?
Apple states that the covers are anodized. When I worked with Apple's Product Design team, I was involved with the testing of the anodized material.

"Does the instruction manual warn us about this?"
Warn about what: that the covers are anodized aluminum? Yes. Warn that the user should take take in the maintenance and handling of the computer? Yes.

"I've had many laptops in the past, different brands, and I've NEVER had to clean them after each use, and they never got discolored."
I bet that none of them had aluminum covers.

"if the aluminum cover is treated PROPERLY (iridite or annodize) then it wouldn't be necessary to wipe the laptop after each use."
The covers are anodized ("iridite" is a completely different process) properly, and it is up to you to maintain your computer properly.

"Just because Apple states they were anodized doesn't mean it was actually done"
If you had any knowledge of aluminum, you'd realized that bare aluminum oxidizes quickly. Despite what you believe, the covers are anodized, and they are anodized properly.

"I've ever had I've protected like a mother hawk."
A mother hawk with dirty feet.

"Apple did not warn me that the sweat and oils from my hand could cause this unsightly white discoloration"
Apple's documentation mentions that you need to care for your computer. Individuals use their computers differently, and it is not up to Apple to pretend it's your mother. It's up to you to take care of it. Do you put away your dishes without cleaning them first?

"I'm making a Genius appt at the local Apple store. It'll be interesting to find out what they have to say"
I'm sitting on the edge of my seat.

Have you had any luck with Apple? My computer has the same discoloration that yours seems to have but Apple is not responding to any inquiries. We took it to an Apple store and they said nothing could be done because it was cosmetic, but we are trying to remedy the situation. Let me know if you've had any luck. Thanks!

actually, i'm embarrassed to admit that I haven't taken it into the store yet to show them the discoloration.

on the phone the store manager said they'd try a special cleaner to get rid of the "stain" and if it didn't work they would most likely replace the laptop. i hope this turns out to be true. problem is, the discoloration is not a stain, so the cleaner won't work. the discoloration is a reaction to my skin oils (maybe also lotions) reacting to the aluminum. This shouldn't happen at all. At the very least it should take YEARS and YEARS, not months. There should've been a proper warning also.

bottom line. i love this laptop but it wasn't anodized correctly. plus, apple markets their computers as sleek and fashionable, computers for the hip, etc. They emphasize Form every bit as much as Function. So, the way it looks is obviously a selling point. These discolorations are not acceptable.

"There should've been a proper warning also."

Apple's documentation reads that you should keep your computer clean. I'm sure that the documentation doesn't read "be sure your hands are sticky and greasy, and you shouldn't bother cleaning your computer".

Whenever someone else uses my MB I get the white marks all over, so I get a damp paper towel and clean and dry it. Then it's back to normal... So just clean it.