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Level 1

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Late 2008 Macbook Pro Hinges

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

2008 macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Oct 23, 2008 4:14 PM

241 replies

Mac-Medic

Level 6

17,301 points

Oct 26, 2008 4:42 PM in response to Forbina

What do you think Apple will do about this?

Whatever it is, I'm sure engineering is working on it fast to avoid a recall. I wouldn't be surprised if ones coming off the assembly line right now are tighter, by whatever means to achieve it. My MBP was built last week and I'm supposed to receive it this week. It will be interesting to see how tight the hinge is. I will let you know.

Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support' (designed exclusively for an iPhone/iPod touch)

Oct 26, 2008 6:18 PM in response to Mac-Medic

I came on here for this very reason also. Very frustrating that it falls over so easily. I was hoping I would read that an adjustment would be possible to tighten it! I got mine the day the stores got them too. It took me 3-4 days to get it to work because of a Migration software issue and noticed it right away after that.

Oct 26, 2008 8:56 PM in response to thegrillboy

I have the same problem with my new macbook pro. Hinge is loose and the lid closes when the computer is held up at about 60 degrees. Can they tighten the hinge?

Mac-Medic

Level 6

17,301 points

Oct 26, 2008 9:04 PM in response to kjchipmunk

Can they tighten the hinge?

I doubt it. From all the photos I've seen, it looks like it's part of the display assembly.

When was yours produced/built. Enter your serial number here to find out.

http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support' (designed exclusively for an iPhone/iPod touch)

jamin13

Level 1

85 points

Oct 26, 2008 9:25 PM in response to thegrillboy

I have tested a lot of them in store on display were so weak but the one I bought was perfect. The MacBooks hinges are a lot tighter though.

tcphoto1

Level 1

46 points

Oct 27, 2008 7:05 AM in response to thegrillboy

According to the link above, my MBP was produced 10/08. I have no issues mechanically or cosmetically including the hinges. Yes, I owned the Powerbook G3 Wallstreet with the exploding hinges and remind Apple anytime I need service. It was the only issue they did not help me with.

Oct 27, 2008 8:24 AM in response to thegrillboy

My guess is that the hinge is more loose because the bottom section of the laptop is lighter than it used to be relative to the lid. If the hinge was too tight, you wouldn't be able to just lift the lid without bracing against the bottom half of the laptop to open it. (A tighter hinge would mean that just trying to lift the lid with your finger would end up lifting the entire unit instead of opening it.)

Message was edited by: BigZaphod

Forbina

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2008 10:29 AM in response to Mac-Medic

Yes Dave, keep us posted. I visited The Apple Store today and cancelled in MBP-order. They had removed the new MBP from the exhibition due to the loose hinges.

Mac-Medic

Level 6

17,301 points

Oct 27, 2008 10:48 AM in response to Forbina

Just received mine and it's loose like the rest of them. This really disappoints me. I'm up the creek without a paddle. 😟 I live 90 miles from the nearest Apple Store, and Apple will not refund or exchange the unit under any circumstances, because it's a CTO unit. I might as well put it on eBay.

Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support' (designed exclusively for an iPhone/iPod touch)

Oct 27, 2008 10:56 AM in response to thegrillboy

I was disappointed to discover the same problem and am hoping there will be some kind of resolution for all of us earlier purchasers. I love this machine otherwise. It is the most solid feeling and best looking laptop I've ever owned.

Oct 27, 2008 11:05 AM in response to thegrillboy

I believe ALL of the new pros have the problem. Many of you are saying that you don't have the issue, but really, you do, you just don't realize it. The hinge is PERFECTLY FINE UNTIL hold the macbook pro upright. You must make the keyboard vertical from the ground. When you do that, the display will fall towards the keyboard. This is because the display is much heavier than the previous one. Hopefully Apple will find someway to fix it and we can all take it in to an Apple store and they can fix it.

Oct 27, 2008 1:29 PM in response to thegrillboy

I'm looking forward to hearing when this will be resolved. I was at the Apple store yesterday dissecting all the problems I read about in this forum including problems with the trackpad and frankly I thought it worked great. The hinge problem was the only thing I could replicate and frankly I agree it is a problem. Especially how bad it could become after months of use. Hoping people will update this fix when and if it appears.

Forbina

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2008 2:07 PM in response to eastvillager

Ok. This is my conclution based on testing the new MBP myself and feedback from this and other forums: The new MBP (not the new MB) has a serious problem with loose hinges (or the screen is to heavy). The screen closes when the machine is hold up at about 60 degrees. This is Apple and this is a laptop. This is not acceptable. We must keep this topic hot until this is solved. Apple must comment this officially.

Message was edited by: Forbina

Forbina

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2008 2:49 PM in response to Forbina

I have now sent a request to the Apple Macbook Pro Team. If they respond I will post it here.

Oct 27, 2008 3:39 PM in response to Forbina

I returned mine today, my 14 days was to expire on the 29th. They were nice enough to wave the restocking fee at the Apple store I went to because it was the weak hinge. I ordered a 13" MB with upgrades to ram and hard drive.
I may regret not having the firewire and larger screen, but I didn't want to deal with the screen flopping down on my hands anymore.

Late 2008 Macbook Pro Hinges