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Smart Cover hinges rubbing metal residue off on iPad 2

Anyone seeing a problem with there Smart Cover rubbing against the iPad and leaving metal residue?

I have two Smart Covers and both exhibit a small wearing of the metal on the Smart Cover approximately where the two hinges meet the connecting rod that runs between them. It shows as slight dullness on the hinges. On the iPad you can see marks where those points rest against the metal of the iPad. So far, the metal "smudges wipe off the iPad but the finish on the hinges is permanently dulled.

Looking closely as the cover folds back I notice that those two points are closer to the surface of the ipad than the rest of the hinge.

Thanks,
West

Message was edited by: smartpuppy

Late 2010 11" MBA, iPad 2, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Mar 18, 2011 3:01 PM

Reply
7 replies

Mar 22, 2011 8:56 AM in response to smartpuppy

An update on the Smart Cover rubbing against my iPad. After the second Smart Cover started to show signs of the metal being rubbed of its hinges I took the covers and iPad to the Apple Store. None of my friends have had any problems and I haven't seen any other reports like mine. So the Apple Store was awesome, the exchanged the iPad and both Smart Covers and now I can see the difference. It looks like the first iPad might have had some slight back case anomaly or the magnets might have been misaligned which caused the rubbing. The new iPad and Smart Covers aren't hitting each out so things look good.

Anyway, I think my iPad was a fluke (Apple Store hadn't seen any problems come in). I highly recommend the Smart Covers. I love mine and now that they attach correctly I am a very happy customer. Plus, Apple's customer support at the store was amazing as usual.

Thanks

Mar 27, 2011 7:01 PM in response to smartpuppy

I'm having the same problem with mine. The hinges are starting to wear down on the outside and there is a line of graphite or whatever on the back of the iPad that rubs off. I'm not terrible concerned about it other than the aesthetics of the cover if you look close, but the question is, is this normal wear and tear or is only happening to some covers?

I noticed in another thread that you said it was happening again with a new cover and new iPad. So maybe it's just to be expected. I can't decide whether its worth taking back if its just going to happen again.

Mar 29, 2011 1:20 PM in response to JSargeant

I took it back last night, and the Apple store gladly exchanged it for a new one. When the guy went to check with the manager, he said he also looked at the ones they had there and that they had the same problem. It's probably just inevitable. So if it happens again, I'm not going to bother to take it back. I hate to say that Apple designed something poorly, but it seems they should have put rubber bumpers on both sides.

Feb 4, 2012 11:40 AM in response to Brandeplank

All it really is is where metal is rubbing in the hinge itself and it is making a very fine metal powder which may air oxidize. Look at the hinges on any door of your house and you will see the same thing. The reason it is on the back of the iPad is that the magnets attract the metal powder. It is not a defect with the iPad at all. Other than wearing down the hinge component over time this would be normal as well. If the hinge pin had used aluminum or something with less carbon content you would not see it at all. The smart cover is great but the hinge does need a redesign. I have actually done a couple of redesigns that works well. I may publish them on instructables some time. Expensive hobby though ;). I have reverse engineered three case/cover types. That is what I always liked about Steve... Take something someone did not do well and make it better but make it your own!

Smart Cover hinges rubbing metal residue off on iPad 2

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