Hairline cracks in black antenna cover on iPad 3G

Question

Level 1

5 points

Hairline cracks in black antenna cover on iPad 3G

Anybody else having this problem?
Never dropped.
Have AppleCare but Apple says I must have dropped it and wants $419 to fix it!

iPad 3G 64GB

Posted on Sep 18, 2010 6:27 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 12, 2018 1:02 AM in response to NeilMister

This whole thread makes me a little queezy. I just bought my iPad 2 3G and I don't want to go through what I did with my MacBook white... re cracks. I had a **** of a time getting Apple to replace the cracked case on my MacBook even though I was under Applecare. I know several other people, personally, who had the same problem with cracks and had theirs replaced no questions asked.

So what's with Apple plastics? My MacBook is all cracked to sh*t again. Now I read that the only plastic part on the iPads is having the same issue, and some people are having to fight for a fix while others are being treated properly... what gives Apple? (Yes, I do realize Apple will not post a reply here. It is a retorical question)

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Answer 2

Tamara

Level 6

13,738 points

Sep 18, 2010 7:14 PM in response to NeilMister

I think you're the first person I've seen here that has reported this. Is it possible that something in your bag may have been pressing on the plastic to cause cracking?

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Answer 3

NeilMister Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 18, 2010 7:42 PM in response to Tamara

No I never take it anywhere. Just use it in the house.
I'll be the first to admit I've dropped my phone before. But I take pretty good care of my iPad and have never dropped or hit it on anything.

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Answer 4

wattsn

Level 1

23 points

Sep 24, 2010 6:10 AM in response to NeilMister

Me too. My iPad has been kept in an Apple case 1090% of the time and I am anal about keeping it pristine. Just noticed a crack in the plastic at one end of the antenna cover. Not contacted Apple yet.

Gutted.

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Answer 5

sara_kim

Level 1

0 points

Sep 29, 2010 10:19 AM in response to wattsn

I have literally just noticed a crack in the antenna on my iPad! I'm sure I haven't dropped it. Also gutted!!

Have you managed to get yours sorted or anything? X

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Answer 6

Oct 4, 2010 1:24 PM in response to NeilMister

same here. i baby mine, no drops. small (3 mil?) diagonal crack. doesn't seem to affect functionality though. am certainly not spending to fix.

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Answer 7

wrk79

Level 1

0 points

Oct 6, 2010 5:59 AM in response to NeilMister

Same here, I've just noticed.

Currently it's just a crack but if something breaks of I don't know. I've never ever dropped my iPad.

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Answer 8

sara_kim

Level 1

0 points

Oct 6, 2010 7:06 AM in response to NeilMister

Just to update - I went to the Apple store in Covent Garden, London yesterday to see if there was anything I could do about the crack. All the staff I showed seemed baffled by it, as it's the only bit of damage on the device so it clearly hasn't been dropped. Anyway, turns out that they are going to replace the whole iPad for me. Happy days! 😀

X

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Answer 9

tomik72

Level 1

0 points

Nov 1, 2010 5:54 AM in response to NeilMister

I have the same problem here. Always had the iPad in a Tucano Second Skin folder, never dropped it and there are 2 cracks in the antenna plastic 😟

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Answer 10

Fredric

Level 2

360 points

Nov 1, 2010 9:17 PM in response to tomik72

Makes me wonder if I should get the "Square Deal" protection plan. It is cheaper than AppleCare, and covers accidental damage. I notice that most of the posters reporting this problem are outside the USA.
Waiting for larger sample before drawing any conclusions.

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Answer 11

Nov 3, 2010 12:56 AM in response to NeilMister

I just noticed the same thing too - it's a short diagonal crack across the top corner of the black plastic antenna. I'm sure I have never dropped or whacked it - I take really good care of it and it's pristine. My guess is a design defect leading to a stress fracture at the narrowest part of the plastic where it meets the aluminum.

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Answer 12

Nov 6, 2010 3:43 PM in response to JonGraves

Happy ending - replaced at my local Apple Store, no questions asked.
Genius agreed that it looked like a stress crack rather than impact damage.

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Answer 13

Nov 13, 2010 1:40 PM in response to JonGraves

I have the same issue too. ***** that i rely on the ipad to study. Can't do anything until dec 11. Got to keep this thread alive. I suspect more cases coming. Still going to get one for my girlfriend though.

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Answer 14

Nov 24, 2010 4:05 AM in response to NeilMister

@NeilMister. This morning I have noticed the same, looking at some pics of other users who have the same problems confirms that the the chips/cracks are identical and in identical places which makes me believe that this is stress/manufacture related. My ipad has not been dropped, is always in its apple case when not in its dock, chip at the end of the antenna cover near the physical on switch.

Will try apple and see what they suggest from a UK consumer point of view.

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Answer 15

Nov 24, 2010 10:30 AM in response to NeilMister

Same issue. No drops ever and fully protected. Never left my house with it before I noticed the cracks. Cracks in 3G iPad where the black plastic meets the metal housing. Took it to Apple store in Columbus OH and they said they have not seen it before. Genius suggested I wait a few weeks and check the forums to see if it a widespread problem. If so he was sure Apple would replace or repair the issue.

I am going to take it back today with some of the successful resolution stories from this thread. It is getting colder in North America and I bet this thread starts to get really busy with the temperature changes. Plastic and metal expand and contract at different rates.

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