Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference to kick off June 10 at 10 a.m. PDT with Keynote address

The Keynote will be available to stream on apple.com, the Apple Developer app, the Apple TV app, and the Apple YouTube channel. On-demand playback will be available after the conclusion of the stream.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

stauffere Author

Level 1

0 points

Yellow Discoloration

Unless otherwise noted, your Submission should either be a technical support question or a technical support answer.

Locked by an Apple Discussions Host

I have a three week old Macbook. The plastic on the palm rest and on the screen bezel where you open the screen has begun to have a yellow discoloration. At first, I thought it was dirty so I cleaned it with the stuff that I used to clean my iBook with and it had no effect (tried several things, a damp cloth, Windex, Magic Eraser). I thought it was some dirt from touching it but then I noticed that it was starting to appear at the bottom of the screen, where I have never touched this thing. I am concerned that there is a problem with the plastic that they made the palm rests out of. It is a different material than what was used on the iBook, I think.

So, does anyone have any insight into what caused this or how to clean it off? I know it doesn't affect how it operates but I don't want a brand new laptop that looks like I chain-smoked three packs a day while using it.

PowerMac G5 2x2GHz, Macbook 1.83, Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Posted on Jun 10, 2006 11:00 AM

262 replies

stauffere Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 12, 2006 6:10 AM in response to m4ttsn0w

Mine is the 1.83GHz model. The discoloration is also appearing near the spot where you put your finger to open the Macbook and that makes me think that it is from touching it. However, it is also starting to appear on the bezel below the screen, which I don't remember ever touching. I am going to try to take pictures, I had no idea this many people were having this problem. I guess it is comforting to know that I am not just a dirty person.

iPud

Level 1

25 points

Jun 12, 2006 6:40 AM in response to HiramvdG

The yellow component of sweat is actually urea. It would be found in both smokers and non-smokers sweat.

PhAdE

Level 1

0 points

Jun 12, 2006 7:47 AM in response to stauffere

For what it's worth, I'm just logging in to tell you guys I have the exact same palm-rest discoloration on my Toshiba Satellite P30. It's made of basically the same polycarbonate that the macbook is made out of, and has gone from silver (Roughly #C4C4C4) to greenish dark grey (Roughly #899A87) in the 2 spots where my hands sit while typing. I'm planning on buying a mbp at some point, and the wife is planning on picking up a white macbook, so this issue is pretty concerning.

Good luck figuring it out.

m123456

Level 1

0 points

Jun 12, 2006 7:54 AM in response to stauffere

people (maybe some of those here) have brought it to gizmodo's attn.

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/laptops/macbooks-looking-skanky-179985.php

Jun 12, 2006 8:05 AM in response to stauffere

This worries me much so I'd like to ask all of the people with this prob to deliver more informations to figure out whether it's a Hardware- or User-related problem:
1. Which processor? (seems that heat is playing a major role)
2. Which HD (size) and WHICH rpm? (faster HD is getting hotter, see above)
3. Does any thing you lay between your hands and the case solve the prob (does this coloration really comes from perspiration or does the color change 'cos of the heat from ...)

Pics of other machines or hints to really resolve this prob (what does Apple says etc.) might also be very welcome.

Too many 😉 Mac OS X (10.4.6) ACSA, ACTC, ACHDS, ACDT, ACPT

Jun 12, 2006 8:13 AM in response to Egbert A. Friedrich

I have a black MacBook and the wrist rest area has definitely gotten a little shiny as a result of sweat and fingerprints, but there's no discoloration (obviously). I gotta say this problem makes me really glad I paid the extra $$$ for black. I haven't tried any products like iClean yet to remove the shine, but I sure hope I'm not in the same boat as those with white MacBooks where that's concerned.

One thing I can't help wondering: if the Invisible Shield people released a MacBook product, would it be able to protect against this sort of thing happening, or is that not likely?

kjk

Level 4

1,317 points

Jun 12, 2006 8:25 AM in response to stauffere

i actually remember this being an issue with the Powerbooks as well-some people's sweat seemed to adversely affect the finish of the palm rest areas.

i've had my MacBook since opening day, and have no yellowing or discoloration anywhere yet (knock on wood). The one thing I would question is that some people are blaming the heat-while my MacBook definitely ranks (according to the IntelMac database) as one of the "hotter" running ones, the top of my MacBook is very cool at all times, and there is no heat anywhere near the palmrest/trackpad area. The hinge gets warm, and the underside near the connectors gets quite hot, but nothing on the top surface.

edit: it was actually pitting of the PowerBook surface:
http://saladwithsteve.com/osx/2004/10/powerbook-pitting.html
ugh.

PaulNYC

Level 1

105 points

Jun 12, 2006 8:25 AM in response to andrewjnyc

Andrew, would you mind trying to clean off your palmrests to see if the stains are permanent? I had a black macbook that I returned for other reasons and was going to order a white macbook, but now when I read these yellow discoloration posts I'm having second thoughts.

Cosmetically, it seems to boil down to this:

1. white macbook: small scratches everwhere but not so visible, yellow discoloration that doesn't go away

2. black macbook: smudges all the time, easily scratched and visible scratche and nobody knows what the surface material really is and whether it will start peeling in the near future.

Jun 12, 2006 8:26 AM in response to stauffere

Here is another photograph:

http://img235.imageshack.us/my.php?image=213yk.jpg

I have the base model with the only upgrade being the RAM (to 2GB.)

Inaki

Level 1

10 points

Jun 12, 2006 8:27 AM in response to Egbert A. Friedrich

This seems to e the same problem we have with lamps in the entertainment industry. Oils from the body will react with heat and burn through the glass. It seems to me that if the plastic in the MB is soft enough to be corroded at a lower temperatur that may be what's happening. Best way to avoid this (like we do with lamps at least) is to clean the surface with isopropil alcohol, which will evaporate the oils with it.

PaulNYC

Level 1

105 points

Jun 12, 2006 8:33 AM in response to BitBucket

Here is another photograph:

http://img235.imageshack.us/my.php?image=213yk.jpg

I have the base model with the only upgrade being the
RAM (to 2GB.)

That looks worse than awful. Yuck! I would really like to give it a go with some good cleaner though....surely some of it must come off?

Jun 12, 2006 8:36 AM in response to PaulNYC

I have tried Windex, Simple Green, the much-vaunted Magic Eraser, and just soapy water. It doesn't come off or even lighten -- it's almost as if the plastic is actually changing to that color.

I haven't called Apple yet because I don't want to be without a computer for 4 days until I know the issue will be resolved and I won't have to keep sending it back every 2 weeks to get the casing replaced.

cecemf

Level 1

31 points

Jun 12, 2006 8:46 AM in response to PaulNYC

Did anyone tru to bring it back to the store ?
If so what they say ?
Are they gonna change it ?

Nick A

Level 4

1,522 points

Jun 12, 2006 8:47 AM in response to BitBucket

Unless you're calling apple to ask about it what's the point of filling up these forums with complaints? I'm not singling you out, but if something is wrong with it you need to make it known to apple and have them take care of it.

Nick

Jun 12, 2006 8:51 AM in response to Nick A

Have you ever dealt with AppleCare?

The answer will be "we'll send you a box, send it back."

I send it back.

They send me another machine.

Lather, rinse, repeat. I want to know that the problem will be fixed the FIRST time without having to be without a computer 4 days each time they do it.

I'd also rather not have to make a complete system backup and keep doing that over and over each time I go to send it back, since every time you send it in they format the hard drive just because they like doing it.

Yellow Discoloration