Macbook Air M1 Screen (A2337) - it's incredibly fragile, how can I protect it from cracking again?

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Macbook Air M1 Screen (A2337) - it's incredibly fragile, how can I protect it from cracking again?

I have seen other posts on here asking similar questions, and the answer is always: DO NOT put a screen protector on because you don't need one, it will also damage the screen. I wonder how many of them have used one of these constantly for the best part of a year like me. In that short time my screen has cracked twice from perfectly normal, careful usage. I'm not a noob, I'm a platform architect who has been in tech for 25 years and have never broken anything else, ever.

I know how to handle tech and I know what can be considered reasonable usage. Nevertheless, my replacement screen has just cracked again, and from the lightest of pressure as I closed the lid. I had to pay for the replacement as Apple told me it was my fault (it really wasn't), and after spending tens of thousands with them over the years, it cuts deep. I know there's an ongoing legal situation, but that is immaterial to this question.

I can only conclude that for me (and many others), these screens are not robust enough for normal use, and a practical solution is required. I have never known anything break so easily and I want to prevent it happening again - it's infuriating, expensive and time consuming. So, I would like to enquire as to whether there are any safe and reliable ways to stop my screen cracking from normal, gentle usage. I'm not being facetious here, I need a practical solution. This is the best piece of technology I have EVER used, it's amazing, I want to keep using it, but without the screen cracking ever again!

thank you,

p.s. before someone says AppleCare - No. I shouldn't have to take out insurance against my macbook breaking from normal, gentle usage. I have also lost faith in them after being fobbed off the first time.

MacBook Air (2020 or later)

Posted on Mar 10, 2022 4:29 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

callaway

Level 2

480 points

Mar 10, 2022 11:55 AM in response to roadtonineveh

I have a 2020 MacBook Air M1. From day 1 I've had a screen protector (for glare) AND a keyboard cover. I've done this with every MacBook I've ever owned. I don't travel with it, but I'm constantly opening and closing the lid and it does move around the house with me. I've only ever opened it from the center groove that P.Phillips described. Now, not to jinx myself, but knock on wood... I've never cracked my screen. I'm not sure if this is helpful, but wanted to pass my experience on to you. Good luck!

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Answer 2

ku4hx

Level 7

23,604 points

Mar 10, 2022 5:00 AM in response to roadtonineveh

I believe you, I've been in similar circumstances with different non electronic devices.

Sometimes you just have to cut your losses and get a different "thing" as there are lemons produced in every factory. Should you have to do this? No, of course not. But the reality is sometimes you have to trade off that offensive device, with proper disclosures, and move on. I've done just the with "devices" far more expensive than any Mac will ever be. Think 4 wheels.

A hard pill to swallow I know. I have one of those pills sitting in the closet upstairs. It works, but I'd never pawn that dog off on anybody. Enough is enough, so there it sits for when my son or grandson decide they want to play with it.

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Answer 3

PRP_53

Level 10

92,281 points

Mar 10, 2022 5:08 AM in response to roadtonineveh

In personal experience the MBA is fragile but there is a reason for the groove in inside of Lid. It, lid souls alway be o[ened and closed using the specific groove.

That is because the groove is dead centre of the Lid and applies equal pressure on the surface to the Screen.

Opening or closing it from a corner will apply extra pressure one of the two hinges and warp the screen. Thusly - risking Cracking the screen.

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Answer 4

Mar 10, 2022 11:09 AM in response to PRP_53

Thanks, I suppose I will need to be extra careful in future 🙂. I really want to prevent this happening again though. I’m looking for a practical way of giving the screen at least some protection, but without damaging it or affecting the display quality. Are there any products out there that might fit those requirements?

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Answer 5

Mar 10, 2022 11:19 AM in response to ku4hx

Thanks, I really appreciate the reply. Those are wise words, and I usually share your philosophy to be honest. It happened this morning and thankfully I am already feeling less grumpy about it. So much so that I’ve already ordered another - which is arriving tomorrow 😄. I will fit it myself and keep my fingers crossed it doesn’t happen again. If it does, I’ll throw it in the cupboard as you suggest. Cheers!

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Answer 6

SergZak

Level 6

10,354 points

Mar 10, 2022 11:25 AM in response to roadtonineveh

If you put a screen protector on the screen to "protect" it, this adds thickness to the screen glass itself. The tolerances are so tight on these MacBooks that you can cause more damage with that protection because the screen glass is already (without the screen protector) literally thousandths of an inch away from the keyboard. Any kind of top case protector/keyboard protector will have the same effect. Any crumbs or foreign objects left on the keyboard/top case will have the potential to cause issues.

Sad fact is that with the ever-increasing quest for "thinness", the fragility of today's devices (not just Apple products) is causing them to be increasingly more fragile as thinness increases.

Personally, I would be willing to accept a thicker device if it were more robust. I don't need to have a device (eventually) to be as thin as a sheet of glass (is this what manufacturers are working towards?)

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Answer 7

Mar 30, 2022 9:14 AM in response to SergZak

Thanks and sorry I'm a bit late replying, I've been ill for the last couple of weeks. I hear what you are saying, and I too would be happier with a slightly thicker screen assembly for a more robustness. It's funny, I'm an engineer in my day job, making tradeoffs is a big part of the job, and I accept that as a matter of course. But when it comes to my personal stuff I don't want to compromise. I want a super thin screen that's super tough too, which is obviously impractical and silly of me!

I like your perspective - I think I need to be more realistic, and more gentle when closing the screen!

cheers!

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Answer 8

Mar 30, 2022 9:22 AM in response to callaway

Sorry about the delay - I've been ill the last few weeks. Your comment is really helpful thanks. The screens are so delicate that any sort of screen cover would toughen it to some degree, and as you haven't seen any issues using one yourself, it gives me the confidence to maybe try one out. Using the centre groove is a good point as well, both times mine has cracked I had closed / opened it from the top corner.

Thanks for your advice, much appreciated!

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Macbook Air M1 Screen (A2337) - it's incredibly fragile, how can I protect it from cracking again?

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