How fragile is the Macbook Air

1. Move the cat.

2. Move the Air so the cat can't sit on it.

ArielleE,

Well I am no expert on structural integrity but I would have to say, yes it would be fine. I finally got a chance to hit up my local Apple store yesterday to test one before I order one next week and one of the things I took notice was how sturdy it was built. It truly feels rock solid. I was worried about this as well because of my dogs, kids and taking it to and from school but now I feel confident in it. Hope this helps.

Nuke

Well give me some helpful points then, just kidding. Yea i've tried doing a little research on the scratching aspect but I found that some said it was hard to and others said it was easy so I will just see what happens when I get. The Twelve South case is something to look into (thats the one I am getting) that would help if you were worried about scratches with out compromising size and style of the Air.

We've got Maine coons, so I DO NOT want any of them sitting on my MBA 😢. So I put it where the cats can't sit on it!!

I've also bought an Incipio Feather case which is beautiful and will keep my shiny Mac shiny 🙂

Tara

I would probably not take the chance. While the bottom section of the casing is fairly rigid, the lid is actually quite thin. A relatively small amount of flex could be enough to crack your display. Things like pressure distribution make a difference as well. If a cat decides to take a nap on your Air, it's weight will be evenly distributed and less likely to cause a problem. However, if a cat is walking across your Air... its individual foot steps are concentrating more pressure on smaller areas.

Is it likely to break it? Probably not. Is it worth taking the chance? Again, probably not.

I had my 2010 13 on a book on the table. It slid off and the back part of the lid hit a lamp base just about in the center and broke the screen. A new screen is 699 because apple will only allow the entire lid to be replaced. Since I first had it I noticed the one week spot is the center of the lid on the back. It can be pushed in surprisingly far. Just happened to be the spot I hit.

Yes, its my fault clearly, but I am really dissapointed that it costs so much to repair and that spot can be pushed in so far. I've always been very worried about simply putting it in my computer bag. I am considering going to the eleven which feels stonger, or jumping ship. If Techrestore would finally offer a anti glare screen replacement I would go for that. Especially if it had no glass. These screens seem too fragile for an ultraportable. An ultraportable needs to be tough, not fragile. Thin glass and a top that can be flexed easily in is a recipe for disaster. Add to that a screen which no one can replace, and I suggest you think twice before buying the computer. It is not that tough I believe.

I didnt answer your question well. I would check out that computer stand that holds the computer upright. Of course a cat could nock it over.

If it's near the wall you could try going to an office supply place and getting one of those slanted letter holders that go on the wall. Make sure its metal and secure it well. Also make sure its deep enough and drop the computer in upside down. It should work the way the wires stick out the sides. Of course a cat grabbing wires could pull it out, but that would pull it off the table too so you must be safe in that regard.

I have heard of reports that the Macbook Air is fragile when it comes to the center of the lid when it is closed. That if you put pressure on the center it can damage the screen. Does anyone know if this is true or heard of this?

The center of the MBA seems a little fragile. I tested some other models (not mine!) to see how sturdy they were, and it seems a little weak where the Apple is.

However, I don't think any damage will happen unless you intentionally do something at that area. It should be the same with all other computers because of how it carries the screen's components and stuff.

I purchased a Mac Air 13 inch in July 2011. In December I discovered the same problem, a small crack in my LCD which resulted in me losing the display altogether.

Mac Technicians assure me that the problem was mine, I had done something to damage the screenm they said So, I swallowed the bitter pill and spent around $ 660 (in South Africa) to repair the screen. It was returned to me on 31 December 2011.

Tonight I discovered again there is a tiny LCD crack. At the moment I can still view with the screen but probably not for long. I have no idea how this crack happened. The Mac Air is treated very gently, housed in a hard case, and only used by me. There is no dust, grime or stone between the keyboard and screen.

I have checked the screen covering (plastic/ glass?) and there is absolutely no sign of any damage whatsoever, not even the smallest pinprick indentation.

I am now more convinced than ever that Mac has a serious manufacturing weakness with these fragile screens and should actually recall all of them. The purpose of this machine is portability and lightness, which MUST be supported by robust hardware.

There is no way, whatsoever, that I will be prepared to part with another $600 for a repair, exactly one month after having the machine repaired. To date this Mac Air has cost me over R$2000 and is not yet six months old! I must add that if I do not get satisfactory service I will certainly be investigating the problem under the new South African consumer act. Furthermore, I will make contact with all relevant bodies including the press and consumer complaints council in order to find a satisfactory solution.

I have an iMac, iPod, iPad, and an iPhone this being the most recent and disappointing of my acquisitions. I have been a Mac user for over 5 years without ever returning any other device for repair. Personally I would never again opt for the Mac Air, especially now that it has to go into the workshop once more. Other Mac products are reliable and robust. Why the problem with the Mac Air?

I spent 15 year working firstly a programmer and later in project management. I also completed training as a Microsoft Computer Technician. I am now in a different business but nevertheless still a power user. But, its seems, I will now have to revert to my old reliable netbook for travelling, which is at least 8 years old and has never given me single hardware problem. I’m a very, very disillusioned Mac User.

Yes its true .... Its very very fragile

It happen with me too and apple support didnt admit that saying its my fault

I keep it in a sleeve, and it got damaged from the middle although no sign of crack from lcd or back side

Apple wont admit it!!!!

Jodehdxb

I keep it in a sleeve, and it got damaged from the middle

Youre posting to a thread nearly 2 years old.

keeping a notebook in a sleeve doesnt protect it from impact if it receives a crushing injury.

I guess it depends on how big your cat is.