Cracked MacBook Case

FYI I'm not in the USA but in the Netherlands. I'm sending mine to an authorized service centre here.
Call India's support number and I'm sure they'd be able to advise you on it. Good luck.

http://www.apple.com/support/contact/phone_contacts.html

Does anyone know if a computer has to be mailed off to fix a cracked case or can it be fixed in the apple store?
Thanks!

Hi Ron....

This is a common complaint and an acknowledged flaw. I can't tell you if they are working on it or not, but I can tell you that if you have AppleCare or are still under warranty, they will usually replace the top plate. Evidently it has something to do with the magnetic closure. I would encourage you to take it to the Apple store to have it fixed!

And Welcome BTW!

MWN :o)

How long did the repair take?
I have the same problem. I bought the machine on uk ebay, but in my country the store need the original invoice of the macbook for fixing it in guarantee. The seller couldn't send it to me. I'm going to England next month for a week therefore I ask the repairing term.
Thank you for your answers!

I have had mine for less than a year and the case has already cracked twice, and replaced twice in the Apple store. I have used a Mac for 20 years and have never been as unhappy as now.

I encourage you to take it into the store and speak to someone about having yours fixed.

Is Apple working on a solution? The guy at the South Coast Plaza Genius Bar told me that I was casing it by closing it too hard and that he would fix it as a courtesy. This is not wear and tear. This is a structural defect in the design.

I noticed the same crack on my white macbook. Its a repeated problem surfacing on the discussion forum. I picked up the phone, explained that I've had it just over a year and kept my fingers crossed.

Somebody mentioned on this forum that laptop cases are actually covered for 3 years - info he got from genius bar USA - even though there's no clarification about it after the defaulted 1 yr warranty. Anyway, after holding couple of minutes, Apple Care Support got back to me on the phone and said its made an exception. They'd fix the problem for free. So try your luck and call em. Every company needs their customer's good praise and feedback. They've got mine on this one.

Hi,

I am also having the same problem. Mine is the first generation white core-duo macbook and is out of warranty.

To make matters worse, I stay in India where there is no Apple store 😟 What should I do?

Also, i found that some people got the top-case replaced even without the warranty at Apple store. So is it possible to talk to apple store guys in US or where ever and get the fixing done in India at authorized servicing centers?

Hi,

I am also having the same problem. Mine is the first generation white core-duo macbook and is out of warranty.

To make matters worse, I stay in India where there is no Apple store 😟 What should I do?

Also, i found that some people got the top-case replaced even without the warranty at Apple store. So is it possible to talk to apple store guys in US or where ever and get the fixing done in India at authorized servicing centers?

I had the same problem with my 2nd Gen MacBook, which apple fixed despite it being out of warranty.

If you explain the problem, they seem to usually help you. After all, this is a defect in the product.

And in fact, those people who are extra careful (me) with their MacBooks are actually the ones who have bigger problems - as the cracks take longer to appear. Those who slam the top case down all the time (my missus) will find their MacBooks crack much quicker and more than likely within the warranty!

Hey, I just called the Apple support, and he listened to me and gave me a case number. He said if i give this case number to service center fellows they will repair my laptop 😀

I will go to service center and talk with them today.

after having my macbook for just under 1 year (just within warranty) I had a crack develop suddenly on the right side of the wrist rest.
Further to reading various forums it appeared that this was an all to common report defect! I booked an appointment at my local Apple Store Genius Bar, London (Regent Street), UK. The genius was very helpful (surprising since most customer service people in the UK are dire, and need to be sent to the US for training in what service is!) and booked my macbook in for repair (new top case, and I believe the have to change the keyboard at the same time). I got a call within the next day informing me it had been fixed). So got it repaired in under 24 hours which is top class service as far as I am concerned (I was told it could be 5-7 days for repairs).
Great service from apple. I wonder if this is why the new macbooks are made of aluminium?! and no more C grade plastic.?!

My Macbook is out of warranty and there is no Apple Store or Service Center anywhere near me. What will they do in a situation like this? Just wanted to know if anyone else had the problem with no repair shop near by.
Thanks

I am so disappointed with my Macbook. I switched from pc to Mac after a lot of thought and saving up a lot of money! Before the warranty expired I needed the top case replacing. It cracked at both corners to the left and right of the front. They replaced the casing but I had to wait a week without a computer! Less than six months later, the same issue has arisen - case has cracked again. istudio said is it out of warranty so I have to pay for a new one. I am not bothered about buying a new one, but how long will this last for - six months I guess - so, anyone with the same model should expect to replace the casing twice a year - every year! The cases are outrageous prices as they do not last. I would like to invest in the new imac but my faith in apple has diminished.

I wrote to apple inc in USA, but they replied and told me to deal with it in my home country of Thailand. I called them in Bangkok with my case number and their reply was. "I don't know anything, I cannot help you"!! Very crap service in my opinion.

Is there any way you can actually speak to someone in English who will listen to your complaints??

Any advice would be appreciated.

they will replace the keyboard part under warranty or not.
my macbook is a late 2006 model. and i had to send it back in may of 2008 (i was out of warranty). then just last week (march 12, 2009) i had the same crack form again. i sent it back and got it back yesterday and had a new keyboard again. so it is fixed for a good six months maybe.

this is the part that makes me so mad. i started examining the macbook when i got it back the other day and i found that one of the screws by the dvd drive was tightened too tight during re-assembly, and the plastic has split all around that. and also now when i close my macbook the lid is off set to the right. the lid hangs over the right side of the bottom part like a 1/2" when closed. it was never like this nor was it split around that screw until after i got it back from apple this second time. so i called them again, and they sent me another box to mail it back in again. im getting really irritated because i have to reply on this computer. and i wouldnt be having these problems if it wasnt for the terrible design flaw causing my palm rest to crack. lucky people with aluminum macbooks, i should of waited for that design. i feel that after all the trouble i have been through, apple should replace my plastic piece of junk with a aluminum macbook. i just dont have the time to keep sending this thing off. looks like next time i have to buy a computer i will probably be going back to a pc.

It seems that these cracked cases a real problem and Apple don't appear to be doing anything about it. Apparently, just because I am in Thailand, I have to pay for my new case - everyone else on this forum appears to be getting theirs for free outside of the warranty.

I wrote to USA as I have had no joy with Apple in Bangkok. They diverted me straight back to Bangkok without addressing the problem. I think the Apple service is one of the worst I have come across. I have also warned my friends not to buy the plastic macbook if they want to buy apple at all.

I was considering purchasing the new imac next month, but I wanted to wait to see what sort of feedback I had from this cracked case issue. I have to say, I am sorely disappointed!