Late 2008 Macbook Pro Hinges

Got a brand new 15" MBP with a loose hinge. Saw a Genius about the problem today and he insisted that it was normal and called it a feature (so a stiff MBP hinge means it's defective?). I don't know anyone that would want something like this as a feature. From what I can tell, people are either indifferent about it or they absolutely hate it. I have yet to see someone praising its usefulness. Can you say Kool-Aid?

Anyway, the Genius said that a loose hinge doesn't hinder normal operation. I told him that the screen keeps falling when I'm using it on my couch. He said that I'm not supposed to use it in on the couch since it's "not a laptop." Oooookay.

Someone needs to tell Microsoft that their Laptop Hunters campaign is useless since Apple doesn't sell laptops.

I read the first page of messages on this topic, and the last page. Took me a while to figure out what the fuss was about. By picking up the computer, and changing its angle from flat down (normal) to about 30 degrees angle, the display will slowly creep and change angle. I typically sit with the computer on my upper legs, so this really isn't an issue for me and it took a while for me to understand what was up.

So, for curiosity sake, I grabbed my 2007 Titantium MacBook Pro, 15'' model, opened the display, and did the same angle change and the display did NOT change angle. There is no LCD creep at all.

This isn't a problem for me, as I said earlier.

But, here's where I could see it being a problem. In fact, it could cause one from purchasing the newer MacBook Pro unibodies. It would be an usual environment, but I have seen this situation where I worked. In some industrial environments, the computer is mounted at about an 80 degree angle in a rack. The keyboard is nearly facing you, head-on. Typically the computer is mounted at about 5'5" from the floor in a special rack. As you look up slightly, you see a nice computer display, as if you were getting ready to have a conversation with the display as you are standing.

I would bet not one single person has this type of mounting requirement, but a specialized commercial situation could.

The new unibodies cannot function in this environment, with a LCD remaining open without creeping. The LCD will creep as gravity tugs. +The Titantium MacBook Pros will not creep at all.+ Admittedly, a "hook" or bar is used to secure the LCD, no matter what notebook computer is used in this environment, so the argument is almost moot, but there it is--a reason where LCD creep can occur beyond inconvenience.

Accept the fact this is inherent in the hinge design. Debating the Genius at the Bar is silly. There is not a thing he can do to solve this. He probably has never seen this before, and I'd bet there is no tech bulletin on it. He would probably look at you like a deer staring in the headlights when you angle the opened MacBook Pro at a 80 degree angle to demonstrate the LCD Creep.

If LCD creep is a problem, and one cannot work around it, then this is the wrong computer for purchase.

Creep and all, this has been a marvelous computer for me, though. It smokes my Titanium in performance.

How about presuming that not all users of the 15” UMBPs, and some of the 17" UMBPs are experiencing the same issues? I set these things up for a living, and have yet to see any more than 2-3% AT MOST of the hundreds of 15" UMBPs I’ve set up in everything from home offices to mixed Mac/PC laptop/desktop academic (300-400+, networked, Ethernet+Wireless), enterprise (140-200+), and graphic design (20-30+, networked, Ethernet + Wireless). I’ve actually set up an unusual, but necessary from a spacial standpoint, 80 degree rack-mount setup several times, in fact, with 15” UMBPs. The display lids stayed just where I put ‘em, just like my G4 PBs, etc. always have.

I’d say, if anything, it’s a QC issue affecting a small overall percentage of 15” UMBPs. The distorted view one gets on user discussion forums often allows for a view that does NOT accurately reflect the overall user base’s experience, i.e., ‘... if I have the problem, and others *in this discussion group* have a problem, then it must affect ALL of Product A’ ... As someone how’s sent every one of the malfunctioning 15” UMBPs back to Apple through my Rep, who’s cross-shipped another that same day, it’s a small number of QC-affected 15” UMBPs. Almost ALL of the hundreds of 15” UMBPs I’ve set up have NO such issue, AT ALL. I won’t put up with any laptop that can’t hold the lid/display at whatever angle is within the design spec, at whatever angle within the entire 360 degree range for the laptop body. Neither should anyone else. But to say that it’s a design flaw rather than a QC issue is wrong. How do I know? From what I’ve been getting paid 260.00/hr. to do since October 15th! ;^)

Best,

Charlie

I'd go along with that... maybe amend our anecdotal evidence with perhaps batch manufacturing time frames or something. Here's some more of my anecdotal evidence. Our training labs have a total of sixty unibodies, Spring-purchased. ON MY DAY OFF (today, being Saturday), I went to the lab, pulled out the carts (10 computers/cart), and checked one unibody per cart. Six carts. The six machines I check had the LCD creep. OK, FWIW, that is anecdotal evidence #1.

On my way back, I drove south to the Apple store, and just like the guy with the earlier message, checked the unibodies on display. I didn't talk to a sales droid, or anything. All I did was walk in and did a quick angle check. All had the LCD creep. So, that is anecdotal evidence #2.

Finally, this Monday, I'll talk to our tech guy who services Macs and he has a Service Source account. I'll see if he can find a bulletin on this from Apple's tech program.

Actually, since you make $260.00/hr, maybe you have access to Service Source. I don't. You could log in and look it up. Or actually, I'll bet anyone reading this with a Service Source account could nail this issue down quite fast.

Basically, can the hinge tension be adjusted, or do the hinges have to be replaced? Routines and procedures would explain the options in the Service Source.

I did. They can. I hope this helps! ;^)

Best,

Charlie

15" wrote:
I did. They can. I hope this helps! ;^)

Hiya Charlie... I'm lost here. You adjusted the tension of the hinges??? Is that what you mean?

I'm sorry- I wasn't clear... I did check on it via Service source; the hinges are adjustable. This doesn't mean, I suppose, that in every case that will fix the issue; I imagine some would require a hinge replacement. But it's encouraging to find that they are indeed capable of some adjustment. :^)

Best,

Charlie

Would you mind providing some kind of citation we can carry into an Apple store, i.e., page 263 of this manual explains how to do the adjustment? Or a screen shot or something? That would be incredibly helpful.

Thank you!

Ah cool! I'll talk to my tech next week and see if he'll do a search on this. Just went to http://www.ifixit.com , but couldn't really see how these hinges have a tension adjustment. But the photo doesn't reveal much:

http://s2.guide-images.ifixit.com/igi/SE3FM6lN23Qv1TZT.large

Charlie... I realize the Service Source license forbids your doing a screen capture or direct COPY/PASTE of the hinge adjustments, but could you paraphrase the routine towards hinge tension adjustment?

Am at my church now, getting ready for morning service, and the pastor just bought one of these machines to replace his old and dying white MacBook. I'm typing this message on it.

I didn't tell him of the issue, but have been oooing and ahhhhing his computer in front of him, picking it up, etc. Yup, he too has the floppy display. Would he ever hold the computer at an 80 degree angle? Noooooo.....! ;>) Will he ever even be aware of this problem? Highly doubtful... But, as others have said---the future wear on the hinges of this excellent computer could (possibly) cause some issues later.

FWIW, this 15" MacBook Pro Unibody computer must be VERY popular as I am seeing it in more places than I ever thought would be possible.

I have just spent 2 days installing all the software into my new MBP 15inch and as soon as i sit down on my sofa and lift the laptop up slightly i experience the same problems as everyone on this thread, the screen shuts. Its completly useless for comfortable couch surfing.

I sympathize, even though none of my 3 15" UMBPs suffers from this malady... but, since I've no idea what the Apple policy about such divestitures are, I'm gonna have to pass. I can say that if you insist, either through e-mails/call to Apple with respect to your MBP's hinge issue, and/or visit an Apple store, and have their Genius Bar personnel look up hinge tension adjustment, it's ther, and they cannot, ethically, deny its existence in Service source.

Start with that, and that might pry some help from the gatekeepers of Apple. But I value my access to posting on this forum, so I'm gonna bow out as as far as supplying any more specific info. on the hinge matter.

I hope you understand my position! :^/

Best,

Charlie

I'll be more open about it... there is nothing in the latest Service Source regarding adjusting hinge tension with the current hinge design. Nor is there anything in the current Knowledge Base accessible via techs only, or Apple Care Technical Support, or in the service bulletins.

We'll let it go at that....

Are you an Apple engineer? Work with L1 through L3 Support teams? Even if you are, I see no point in claiming, by implication, that no procedure exists anywhere; I'm lookin' at it, right now.

What's more, I know of three shops, all Apple Certified, that routinely perform this adjustment, at a set fee... let's just say they are in the Western MA area.

I'm willing to leave it at that, with an asked and answered implication that I'm a liar, there, Larry.

Best,

Charlie

Hi, Charlie. I'm in Western MA myself, and I might like to avail myself of one of those shops' services. Do you mind naming names? Thanks.