Late 2008 Macbook Pro Hinges

Paul Panotzki wrote:
I'm have a lump in my throat. I was one of the first ones in Sweden to get the new MBP, now I'm returning it with tears in my eyes. The engineers at the authorized service center haven't even seen it and I had to show them how to open it. Now I have to wait for the next one tol arrive end of November. I'm just hoping that isn't in vain. I wish this wouldn't be an issue for me, but it is.

Forgive me, I can't help but be a little philosophical here--what a love/hate relationship we have with these devices! I know your feeling and feel your pain! The thought of losing mine gives me sweaty palms and nightmares in the night. We want them to be the ideal mate and are so disappointed when they do not live up to that ideal. Might be a message in there for us on our relationships, dependencies and addictions of all kinds...

Time for me to move on to other things. Always appreciate the exchange here in these forums though.

I find it a bit strange that this issue seems to be considered a feature (or at least defined as a good behaviour) by Apple.

If a computer costs $2000 you should be able to have some expectations, a screen that doesn't stay put isn't one of them (according to me at least)

Apple, it's time to Fix the hinges!

Message was edited by: Host

I decided to return my machine. I'm under 14 days but it's build to order so I hope I can convince them to take it back. I can't spend a year+ modifying the way I lounge just because Apple rushed a product out the door.

Whatever Apple want to call it, the reality is that this is a defect.

Why would they choose to make the hinge work properly on the Macbook and not the Macbook Pro? Because it is a design or manufacturing defect not a "feature".

Wow, this is a shock to me. Why do they have this forum here if those in charge of repairing them don't get access to it?!
But your entry does make me feel much better about returning my MBP. As much as I loved the 15" screen and firewire port, I did mainly want a laptop, not a desktop! I wanted something that I could use on my lap in bed or where ever and not have it close up on me. And the $2500 price tag with tax and a printer put my purchase bordering at $3K. For that price, I wanted something I would be happy with. My new 13" MB arrives Monday!

Wow, this is so odd. This can't be random, right? (My hinges are GREAT btw, much better than my 2006 MBP). Again: ODD. Has any one narrowed down the variables for the people with loss screens? There HAS to be some common aspect...

This is like main annoyance #3, after not waking from sleep and losing bluetooth connections, that have made me very disappointed with my new MBP. Further, this is one of the 2.8 GHz models, which they don't seem to carry in the Apple Stores, so once I take it in, I'm going to be without a computer for at least a week. For the people who are saying they're not experiencing it, simply lift and tilt your computer towards you, at about 45 degrees the screen will fall forward. Mainly a pain when sitting on a couch or a bed. If you can tilt your computer to 90 degrees and not have the screen move at all, then you're not affected, if it does move, then it has the flaw. My old MBP did not exhibit this behavior.

I am in bed, it is rare that I use the laptop in bed, beds are for sleeping. There are lots of great places to use your laptop like in the living room, a cafe, other places, where you can behave like a real live human. Remember those, the animal type that needs to eat, breathe and have light shine on their face? For now but not for long, I am in bed, knees up, pillow under them, lying down, keyboard is at a 25 degree angle, screen is tilted in about 85 degrees and is staying put.

If Apple decides there is a problem with the MacBook Pro hinge, then it will be addressed. Until then, how about we spend less time on these forums and instead enjoy a real life that needs our attention...

I have just recieved my new macbook pro 15. It seems to be one of their nicest machines to date. I do not have the issue some people are seeing - however, It does make a small creak noise when it gets close to closing. I opened the lid about 20 times to see if it go worse and it didn't but having heard all of your posts I have to say that there must be some sort of defect because I can almost hold mine at 90 degrees without it closing. I. as well, use my computer in bed alot and would be very upset if it didnt stay open. Anyone else hear some very slight popping noises or creak sounds when they open theirs?

I just bought a new MBP and love it but I can't use in bed or relaxing on the couch with this hinge. We need a fix asap. Should I keep the notebook and wait to send back to Apple in the future for repair or take it back now and wait until they have a fix?

If you are not happy with it, send it back. If you can live with this feature (not problem according to Apple), then keep it. I think it`s naive to think that Apple ever will fix this on this model.

I think I know why Apple did this: they don't want you to stress the screen too much by having to apply pressure to move it; they want to make it easier to move the screen; and, they want to reduce fingerprints on the black border. If you had to apply the same pressure to move the screen in comparison to previous MBPs, the screen would pick up more fingerprints because the user's hands would naturally spread out to the black border area to initiate movement.

As it is, a simple, light gesture moves the screen where fingers naturally "pinch" the screen on the top left or right, just a hair shy of the glass: the thin aluminum border is just the right width to accommodate pinched fingers. The next time you move your screen, take a look at where your hands go: probably the 4 fingers grip the back of the screen, and the thumb is used to pinch at the top right or left - frontside - of the screen, touching, slightly, the index finger which is at the top on the backside of the screen.

Look fanboi, it is not Apple who decides if it is a problem. If customers feel it is a problem, then it is.

Forums like this help me know I'm not the only one with this problem, and hopefully Apple will see this, too. My screen moves both directions (forward and back) when I'm using the laptop on my lap. Haven't hit my hands, but do have to stop to readjust -- particularly when I'm working in a chair, car, or elsewhere. A concern that I worry will get worse in time as the hinges loosen. I was hoping they could just tighten it, but maybe that isn't an option.??

All four MacBook Pros on display at the Stonestown Apple Store [San Francisco] have the weak hinge issue. I was able to return my 2.53 MBP for a refund - and they waved the restocking fee.

I'll happily purchase another one once the weak hinge issue is resolved. Performance wise, this machine is a screamer - there were no disappointments in that department.