How to minimize hinge wear on MBP?

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Level 4

1,874 points

How to minimize hinge wear on MBP?

Since I bought my MBP at the end of December, I've been putting it to sleep by closing the lid, mainly because I'm changing locations a lot and need to close the computer before moving it.

This means the lid is being opened and closed many times a day.

But now, after reading a number of posts on these forums regarding hinge issues (popping sounds) I'm wondering whether it's better to minimize wear on the hinge by leaving the MBP lid open whenever possible, i.e. leave it on a desk and just put it to sleep using the finder menu rather than closing the lid.

With my iBook G4 I never worried about this, and after several years of use, the hinge one day made a cracking noise and since then has been slightly wobbly and looser on closing...

Is hinge wear something I need to be concerned about with my MacBook Pro? One of the reasons I upgraded was for the more robust build (aluminum vs plastic).

I hope the hinge is more durable.

15" uMBP antiglare, 2.53 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB HD, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Jan 16, 2010 9:57 AM

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Answer 1

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Jan 16, 2010 10:06 AM in response to Lutetia

I'm wondering whether it's better to minimize wear on the hinge by leaving the MBP lid open whenever possible, i.e. leave it on a desk and just put it to sleep using the finder menu rather than closing the lid.

Yes, of course it is. Moving parts wear a litle bit every time they move, so the less they move, the less they wear.

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Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Jan 16, 2010 10:08 AM in response to Lutetia

There isn't a great deal you can do other than just taking reasonable care. If you haven't already you should get AppleCare your machine is covered by the warranty for a full 3 years. That way if anything does happen then it's covered.

Regards,

Roger

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Answer 3

Jan 16, 2010 10:18 AM in response to Lutetia

Lutetia - I don't think this is something to be overly concerned with. The lids are designed to be opened and closed. I think most of the people in the forum that have had problems with their lid are due to Manf. defects in a small percentage of machines sold. I do the same as you - I open and close the lid probably between 3 to 6 times a day and it still seems solid as a rock and does not make any noise (knock on wood 🙂. I've had mine since Nov. '08.

M.

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Answer 4

Jan 16, 2010 10:22 AM in response to Lutetia

...one more thing. I would urge folks to open and shut the lid with some amount of care. Don't slam it shut or push it open roughly. That's just common sense in taking care of your high end electronics.

🙂

Message was edited by: marconiusrex

Message was edited by: marconiusrex

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Answer 5

Lutetia Author

Level 4

1,874 points

Jan 16, 2010 11:01 AM in response to eww

Thanks everyone for this good, common sense advice. I admit I was secretly hoping someone would say, just open and close to your heart's content since MBP hinges can never break down!

Thank you for this reality check.

I am so happy with my new computer I was opening and closing it all over the house, not because I needed to, but just because I could.

I have a desk, and (unless otherwise necessary, i.e. need to work elsewhere) my MBP will now be sitting on it!

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