Well sad to say i purchased a new macbook 13 inch for my wife which is beautiful. Then, i went out to purchase the new macbook pro 15 inch so i did. When i got home and lay in bed the screen wouldn't stay up. i was so mad. i returned at best buy and the apple rep couldn't believe it. We opened 2 more new macbook pros and same thing. The hinges are weak. So i returned it and called apple . Apple says they are aware of this new issue on the new late 2008 macbook pros and need more complaints from us to fix it. The apple rep suggests to wait a few weeks before purchasing one. Really bad!!!!!!! over $2,000.00 and screen/hinges feels 5 years old
Actually, I've been thinking of posting at least two of the three I know (one's flat out with all kinds of repairs/warranty issues and will be 'under water' for quite some time)...
Since I'm unsure how they'd feel about my naming them specifically on these forums, for a variety of reasons, I'll ask them tomorrow when they open, and I'll either post them subsequently or explain their reasons for declining my 'invitation'... NONE of them are Apple Stores; they are all 'independents', so they get the final say- it's not, literally, 'my business', as it were... ;^) BUT- I'll ask!
Our in-house service tech showed me the tech material that is annually refreshed from Apple. We are an in-house repair warranty shop for Apple, and service school computers as well. We dug, and dug, and there is nothing about tension adjustment on the hinges, as recently as our March Source.
I was formerly an Apple tech, passed all the exams, serviced Macs from the early 1990s until about 2002, promoted to admin, got out of it--too much of a headache. I'm not current, but I'm not ignorant of how Apple offers support for an area that it admits a problem. I still get the bulletins on a monthly basis, but cannot access the Service Source associated with the bulletins. But, none of the bulletins mention the hinge as being problematic.
I'm not accusing you of being a liar, but there is nothing from the Apple sources about adjustable tension, or hinge replacements, etc., which you say you have seen.
Now, you are talking about MA service shops that will perform a fix that, no doubt, is not endorsed by Apple (my speculation). Our tech speculates that a fix involves removing the hinge peg from a wrap-around sleeve. The sleeve would be replaced with a smaller one, cold pressed on the peg, thus putting more tension on the peg. He doesn't like this because he foresees a noisy hinge in the future.
Not calling you a liar... Maybe I'm confused with what you are writing and all the hush hush stuff. I forecast that you will not be allowed or able to share the names of these shops, contact person for them, even in private e-mail. The solution will be hushed and buried in the name of protecting an account here in the forum and we will continue with floppy lids.
I just received the computer in my sig and am happy to report there is no hinge problem. The screen holds strong at pretty much every base angle. I have zero complaints.
He claims he can't post direct solutions from restricted Apple tech bulletins, etc., or it could jeopardize his account here. True statement since that stuff can't be re-broadcast.
That may be, but the names and URLs of reputable repair services that work on Macs and vendors who sell Mac parts are posted in these forums scores or hundreds of times a day. I know, because I've been doing it myself for over ten years.
Whether having the hinges tightened by a service other than AppleCare will affect one's warranty is a separate question, and anyone who contemplates doing so should investigate that beforehand.
I had the same problem with my unibody 15" MBP. Whenever I was couching surfing on my back the scree would close. I could only couch surf by holding the screen open. After one day it was back to the store and I walked out with the 1.86 Macbook Air, which I love. The MBA can even do a very good job with x-plane. The unibody 17" hinge passed the couch test for me but it was just too big. Apple please fix the hinge!!!
Just bought a closeout late-2008 MacBook Pro 15" (manufactured in April) and, yes, the hinge's looseness surprised me after owning an iBook G4 12" and a MacBook 13". Like others here I often use the notebook while lying back in bed or on the living-room sofa.
I am considering returning the MacBook Pro and buying another, but only if the just-refreshed 15" model's hinge is fixed. Yes? No?
Add another one with a too loose hinge. Fine when laptop kept flat but in bed at about 50 degree angle and the screen closes to within about 2" of keyboard. Colossal pain in the arse!
i have a macbook 13" (just purchased a week ago and waiting for the upgrade to arrive tomorrow so i can send this one back in exchange) and i have the same problem with the hinge. its annoying because i use it on my lap all the time and every time i lean forward the screen falls back. happens when i pick it up with the lid open too.
just an fyi. apparently its not unique to MBP.
I can't believe I got rid of my Santa Rosa MacBook Pro for this POS MacBook Pro. Trackpad is annoying to use on apps that require a lot of clicks and the hinge is KILLING ME. I usually sleep with my Mac and check emails/news in the morning in my bed-- now I can't do that. Waste of $2500. Unless they fix this soon, this WILL be my last Apple computer system.
I wonder why my friend's MacBook 13"'s hinge is very firm even I try to shake it up side down it still open as it was, but my 15" MacBook Pro just lift it 45 degree and the screen is closed down.
Did they fix this in the Mid 2009 MacBook Pro line? I am very jealous of them. Ahhhh
over $2,000.00 and screen/hinges feels 5 years old
