Display hinge loose?

Lwasalittlelark wrote:
I gotta agree w/ Joker... in spite of all the whining about the hinge, and it is not as tight as it should be. it really works great for the OTHER 94% of usage... these are still sweet computers.

I see your point, but wonder what's next though. And when?

However it is definitely on the Con side of the argument. The machine has lots of good things vs. older Macbook Pros and of course it is our fave machine compared to others because of OS X and other reasons. So may I recap?

PRO
• Great form factor in 15".
• Size, weight, LED backlit screen, X34 interface, MagSafe adapter- all built-ins combined make it unique to the laptop market (and hey, it's a MAC!).
• Trackpad improvements.
• Mechanical improvements (aluminum lower assembly).
• FW800 interface.
• Other evolutionary model improvements (power savings, GigE, accessibility to HD, new type memory).

CON
• Fit & finish reports (when cover closed)- variations in the closed fit of the top & bottom.
• Hinge issues.
• Smaller battery.
• Glossy screen only (matte screen model NLA).
• Bad run time reports- doesn't meet claim of 5HR runtime.

To the CON side of the argument I would add:
• Nothing REVOLUTIONARY in the new product.

I only have two days left to return. Do you think Apple will fix the hinge under the one year warranty or should I return now and wait for an updated hinge macbook pro? My notebook is primarily used on the couch / bed and this is really ******* me off.

toddmbp wrote:
My notebook is primarily used on the couch / bed and this is really ******* me off.

Sorry to hear... If you are asking if Apple will fix it for you, that's not something anyone else but Apple can answer. I don't think they are fixing it now. I don't own a new MBP (Late 2008). I opted not to buy at this time. Usually Apple announces a general recall as they did with batteries. This would be a major undertaking because they would have to take in and repair hundreds of units. I suspect not. YMMV.

I did carefully examine the samples of MBP's in my local Apple Store. I found variations in the units on display, both as to fit of top & bottom halves when closed and the closure issues related to the hinge. Some of the MBP 15's I checked could stand up almost vertically with the screen open to 90° before closing, some closer to 50°. If I were buying today, knowing what we know, I would open the unit in the store and check it out. I would refuse to buy the unit that did not close completely or had a screen that flopped the test. Alas, hindsight is 20-20.

You are not so lucky. Sorry. Have you tried exchanging yours for a different unit at the Apple Store?

Well, i just decided to keep the unit and pray they have a fix for us. I hate to say this, even with the screwed up hinge i can't think of notebook i would rather have. This maybe off topic but I just ordered a new booq bag... Everyone should check this out. I can't find a nicer bag and sleeve combo.

http://www.booqbags.com/Vyper-exo-XLsystem-with-Vyper-M3

Return it! I returned once, the new one is the same, and now I'm cancelling the purchase.

I got an Apple service engineer to check it out. There's no way it can be adjusted. No screws or anything like that. It is based on a spring. The only way to make it better is to exchange the complete hinge mechanism.

Problem is that Apple is not admitting this is a problem. And since it isn't for most people, they have very little incentive to fix it.

The only way to get Apple to change their mind is to comaplain, do it loud, and return the machines. At some point there will be a smaller cost of redesigning the hinge instead of repackaging returned machines and sell them with a discount. But only if enough people will actually do this.

I doubt this will happen though, and I can only hope it will be fixed in a new model either by pure coincidence or by a stroke of good will of Apple.

/Paul - a very frustrated fanboi

I am one of the lucky customers that is happy with their machine. I have no issues lying on the sofa and using my MBP. Apple seems to be defending their design and saying it's supposed to operate that way but it simply shows the same arrogance they've always had. I owned the Powerbook G3 Wallstreet and the hinges blew out on that machine just after the warranty ran out. Apple never acknowledged that problem. If they were so sure about the design, why would they exchange so many machines rather than simply refund the customers money? Imagine how many refurbished machines are about to hit the store.

I too recently purchased the New MBP and I agree 100% that the hinge NEEDS to be re-engineered to meet the additional weight of the screen. I brought it in to the Apple store in Chicago to check out the display units and they were just the same. When I mentioned my issue to them, they looked at me like I had 2 heads.

I guess they don't keep up to date with these forums to know I am not the only person to think this?

TVUser wrote:
I guess they don't keep up to date with these forums to know I am not the only person to think this?

I'm sure they don't. Had a similar experience in my local Apple Store. You'll never get someone there to comment about the issue even if they know (and I suspect they do!). It would be REALLY bad form (they would likely be dismissed) for them.

Most companies have policies against trashing one's own product. Despite their apparent openness, never heard an Apple employee trash their own product or even denigrate it in public. They probably like their jobs.

Wouldn't you?

Message was edited by: HenryS

Has anyone tried sending in their MBP for repair to fix the hinge issue? I just called Apple and they are sending me a box to send back to tighten hinge and fix battery door.

I'm very interested to see what they do to fix those... Please report back!

My repair is not going as well as I thought. Apple really needs to get it together. They were not able to work on the notebook because there were no notes on file.

Step 1 - Request

Product received by repair center (25-Nov-2008)



Step 2 - Service

On hold - Need information (25-Nov-2008)

The more I think about what happened today really disappoints me with Apple. How could the service rep, "Wendy" acknowledge the hinge issue and loose battery door then send me an Iphone box for repair then loose all the information on what is wrong with my notebook? My notebook repair status still states on hold after I have spent hours on the phone with them.

Yeah, that's happened a couple times for me with an iPod that kept needing repair.

I hope they fix your hinge. Mine has the same problem. Honestly then I'm wondering if I should have gotten the previous model (that is still being sold everywhere).

The rest of the enclosure is great, but the hinge is awful! It feels like a used $400 Powerbook; not a $2500 brand new laptop. :-/


- ask