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Level 1

5 points

Bent my macbook :(

Ive had it for two days.

I dont know if anybody else does this, but if I need to move my laptop I'll pick it up by one hand on either the left or the right side. Anyway... I picked it up on the left side with my thumb over the ethernet port and bent the chassis slightly. You cant see it but you can sure feel it, I also have a few little depressions in the left speaker grill from my fingers. Also if you hold it one handed on the right side it bends the superdrive slot slightly.

I just wanted to let people know that this isnt as "robust" as one might think.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.5), 2nd gen

Posted on Nov 6, 2008 9:25 AM

110 replies

zdrucker

Level 1

0 points

Nov 7, 2008 8:14 AM in response to MikeK5117

I totally understand where you're coming from... but seriously, the computer doesn't even look that bad, I mean... it looks as if you could bend it right back... and don't get me wrong, I don't think that you should have to, but I'm just saying.

SSnow

Level 1

8 points

Nov 7, 2008 8:45 AM in response to greene-r74

I feel your pain.

Unfortunately that is the nature of aluminum, it bends quite easily. Last week I had my new MacBook Pro sitting on my bed and my dog came along and knocked it off. When it fell, it fell on its side causing the magsafe power plug to hit the floor first. I have a platform bed so it only fell about 2 feet and it was on thick carpet, but it hit with enough force to bend the magsafe port as well as the casing next to the speaker grill. The aluminum casings are sturdy, they are just quite malleable and do not take bumps and knocks that well. Though, I'm not that upset because every aluminum MacBook Pro or PowerBook that I've owned ends up with a few dings or dents eventually.

greene-r74 Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 7, 2008 9:56 AM in response to Michael Flynn

I'm kinda bummed just because its new. Its really not that bad, so I'm not going to worry about fixing it. Just wanted people to know about it so they can be carefull. That is about the only drawback of aluminum. It bends. If they used a stronger aluminum alloy it would probably fix the problem but then the price goes up. Or maybe add some reinforcement in that location. I think thats a pretty common way to pick up a laptop so I was surprised to find a dent.

SSnow

Level 1

8 points

Nov 7, 2008 12:46 PM in response to greene-r74

Don't forget, the weight would go up too...

ronin48

Level 1

0 points

Nov 7, 2008 1:07 PM in response to greene-r74

Umm. I took a sledge hammer to my new unibody MacBook and now it's bent and banged up. Do you think Apple will replace it with a new one? I thought these things could withstand a nuclear blast, were waterproof to 2000 meters, and could be dropped from an airplane.

Seriously. Can we all just use some common sense? If you abuse your MacBook, it will show. Don't abuse it and it will stay looking like new.

Nov 7, 2008 1:17 PM in response to ronin48

get ready for some reaction to your response.

greene-r74 Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 7, 2008 1:24 PM in response to ronin48

I dindt abuse anything. I took it from my lap and sat it on the coffee talble. I'm not expecting Apple to replace it.

robogobo

Level 2

352 points

Nov 7, 2008 1:36 PM in response to ronin48

@ronin48 you're that guy, huh? it's really better if you just don't say anything. Ever.

robogobo

Level 2

352 points

Nov 7, 2008 1:38 PM in response to Michael Flynn

It really should be considered defective, or flawed in design. This is a very common way to pick up a notebook. I do it all the time with my Powerbook. There shouldn't be a "wrong" way to pick up your computer (save for using a C-clamp or something radical like that).

robogobo

Level 2

352 points

Nov 7, 2008 1:39 PM in response to LukeD

Yeah, maybe they'll eliminate the ethernet port in future models.

Nov 7, 2008 6:06 PM in response to greene-r74

that is exactly how i pick up my old white macbook, will have to be careful when i get my new one. thanks for the tip

Nov 7, 2008 7:04 PM in response to greene-r74

greene-r74 wrote:

Looks more the ENET Cable was still attached while picking it up. Just looks like an act of neglect. I have put a good amount of pressure on the upper and lower portion of ENET area and no give at all.

Smells like fish to me.

Nov 7, 2008 7:05 PM in response to deconfrost

deconfrost wrote:
This is verry disturbing.

If it really happens the way you explained, than this issue is a no go for Macbook and Me.

I ALWAYS pick up a laptop on the side with one hand... This because I have to move from 1 to another room like 100 times a day... Meanwhile I am often on the phone or have papers in my second hand.. so I cant use it for picking up the Macbook with 2 hands...

I was doubting if I would buy a 13" version or a 15" version. I decided to buy the 15" but now i don't know so sure anymore... 15" is more heavy... so this kind of bending would happen definitely in my case.

Ill wait out some more experiences... and foto's for now...

Make sure to disconnect the cable too...

LukeD

Level 4

3,144 points

Nov 7, 2008 10:12 PM in response to greene-r74

Had this been a plastic notebook, it would have cracked to pieces.

At the end of the day, I would rather have a tiny dent versus shattered plastic.

greene-r74 Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 7, 2008 11:12 PM in response to William Rivas

I use wireless, the only time an ethernet jack was ever plugged was to see if it was bent enough to not plug in. If it was neglect or abuse I would have titled this thread don't drop your macbook with the ethernet jack plugged in. I'm an honest guy and have no reason to lie to anybody on here. It happened just as I said, and I have nothing to gain by posting on here. I'm glad some people are taking this for what it is so it doesn't happen to them.

Bent my macbook :(