Hairline cracks in black antenna cover on…

Nov 24, 2010 4:28 PM in response to NeilMister

Good news! Just got back from Columbus OH Apple store with replacement iPad. The Genius there was really cool and took care of it right away. No need to pull out this thread. I had printed it in case they were not helpful. It does look like different plastic on the antenna. I had placed my order for the 3G before they began to ship them, so maybe the first run had different plastic. All is well now. I am glad I moved from a Gateway PC to a Mac mini for my home.

If there are any signs of damage on your aluminum case you are screwed. The thing that saved me was the aluminum was pristine and I only had two small cracks where the aluminum meets the metal.

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Dec 1, 2010 5:59 AM in response to NeilMister

I have the exact same Problem, this despite being extremlly careful with it. Took the iPad back to the dealer and they implied that I had dropped it (although this has nevered happened)and thus nothing can be done. The crack is a very annoying as when held in landscape it can be felt. Sadly, apparently it can not be repaired and I will just have to live with it. It is a bit of a dispointment especially as it seems to also have happened with a number of other users iPads.

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brumi

Level 1

0 points

Jan 19, 2011 2:16 AM in response to NeilMister

I also had this problem. It started with a crack on the right side of the antenna cover. I also haven't dropped my iPad and was quite puzzled. When I wanted to call Apple Care the next day, I noticed another crack at the opposite side of the antenna cover that was definitely not there the last evening. Just appeared over night when the iPad was lying on the table. Apple Care was quite helpful and I had the iPad sent in for warranty replacement. Today I got my replacement iPad, so happy ending for me.

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brumi

Level 1

0 points

Feb 15, 2011 1:37 AM in response to brumi

A little update: The replacement product was a refurbished one with a dent on the sides of the aluminum body and the antenna cover was not properly aligned with the aluminium body. So I triggered another replacement. However, the same iPad was returned with nothing done except a firmware update - the repair-guys obviously did not even read the error description. Now, very upset, I called Apple Care again and demanded immediate replacement. But again, I got the same product returned with nothing done. ***?!?
Gladly, or so I thought at first, the next replacement procedure did return me a new iPad. But again a problem: 3 pixel errors. Can you believe that? Again I demanded replacement, this time I got a new one at first run, but this has a very annoying yellow tint in the lower left corner of the display. At this point I won't take the time and patience to wait if Apple will ever be able to provide me with what I paid for: a new, working and fault-free iPad. I seriously doubt that they can - considering that I got 4 defect products in a row.
I'm finished with Apple and just want my money back.

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Jason.G.

Level 1

0 points

Feb 23, 2011 6:00 PM in response to NeilMister

I just discovered that the same thing has happened to mine. There is a small hairline crack on the left (front facing) side. It is about the same length as the stress crack on my iPhone 3GS two summers ago. Guess I'm driving 2 hours to the nearest Apple store to hopefully get it replaced.

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Rey G

Level 1

19 points

Feb 25, 2011 3:13 PM in response to NeilMister

Just adding my experience. I pre-ordered my 3G iPad when they were first released and a small hairline crack appeared on the plastic of the 3G antenna recently. It seemed to come out of no where one day. I know I had never dropped the iPad and can't think of any time that it took a hit or shock to the case. I've kept it in two different cases during it's life span - a hard case and the Apple designed case. Anyway, first instinct with these types of defects is to search on the web and I saw a couple of other instances where people were experiencing the same thing and this one on Apple's very own discussion boards. I made a Genius appt. today. The rep who I spoke with, informed me that he had never seen this issue but also offered to swap it out for me. He put my sim in the new iPad and instructed me to reset and erase my old one and sent me on my way. Outstanding customer service from Apple once again.

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DR.S.N

Level 1

0 points

Mar 3, 2011 3:57 AM in response to NeilMister

i have same problem about the antenna crack and never drop and today i cleaned th screen and see the antenna cracked at the left side between the black antenna and the aluminum . i am so sad because i hold my ipad until now very careful like as my baby 😟 😟 😟 :(( .

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tlahurt

Level 1

0 points

Apr 10, 2011 6:25 PM in response to NeilMister

I have the same issue with the cracks on both sides of the antanna cover, and I also have taken very good care of my iPad. Theirs not a scratch or mark on it other than the two cracks on the black antanna cover. I made an appointment with the Apple store in Memphis Tn, and they said they had never seen anything like this and I must have dropped it. When I pointed out the fact that it was in perfect condition they said I must have applied to much pressure with my hands when I picked it up. That would be in possible for me because I have rheumatoid arthritis. Then he said he did a search online and found nothing about this happening. I used their dip lay iPad and typed in "cracks iPad 3G" and this site came up along with several others, and they wouldn't even look at the screen. They said that doesn't prove anything and that if it were a defect they would have know about it already. I figured I would have a better chance of getting a replacement if I talked to someone face to face rather than over the phone, but obviously that's not the case so I'm going to call apple tonight and hopefully they will do something.

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slyguy_28

Level 2

188 points

Apr 10, 2011 6:59 PM in response to tlahurt

I shudder to think that an Apple Store employee would treat you like that. They've always treated me so very well in there that I make frequent reservations for OnetoOne training and workshops, I've had more than one iPhone 4 replaced (my fault). They've always been great.

I'll follow up on this post and I hope to see that they've treated you well...
Sly

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Kabal303

Level 1

15 points

Apr 28, 2011 7:07 AM in response to NeilMister

I've had this on mine for a while, I didn't mind that much because they were small, only now a chunk of plastic has actually fallen out between where two of the cracks were and its quite unsightly.

Going to try my luck at the genius bar tomorrow. Hopefully its not a big deal as the ipad is in mint condition in every other way.

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Jun 6, 2011 5:32 PM in response to NeilMister

Okay another p*ssed off customer , Im uploading a picture to show you all.

Mine has the same diagonal crack on the left front corner of the 3g antenna cover. This is Sickening !!! I have only used my ipad for 2 days when i noticed this horrendous crack, now dont get me wrong it doesnt affect usability but when i paid $700++ for this thing it better not crack untill its at least been heavily used for a year or more --- What the F**K apple???

Just when i was considering getting a Mac Book Air too - Not no more ........

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Jun 6, 2011 5:39 PM in response to Devin.Ranger_

Anyone else who has not yet got theirs replaced or gave up - should please upload a pic so i have a better idea if these cracks are stress related and so i have more proof when i goto apple to tear off some heads lol - not literally of course.

PLease Post PICS

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Kabal303

Level 1

15 points

Jun 6, 2011 6:56 PM in response to Kabal303

Never came back to reply but as this thread seems to be coming back to life, Apple did replace it at the genius bar for me 😉

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DPal

Level 1

0 points

Oct 19, 2011 11:54 AM in response to NeilMister

I have this too, and I never dropped it. It runs slightly diagonally across the entire width (top to bottom in portrait mode). Plan to show apple store genius soon too. I also pre ordered mine the day they made it available...

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DPal

Level 1

0 points

Oct 19, 2011 12:26 PM in response to DPal

Here's a pic of my hariline crack on my iPad. I used a flashlight to help the contrast in the pic, otherwise it's a bit hard to see.

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Hairline cracks in black antenna cover on iPad 3G