Yellow Discoloration

yuck! that's unacceptable for a month old computer. mine isn't that bad, but i can see it getting that way.

i think you're right, it's a chemical change in the plastic itself, not a surface "stain". i'm going to try diluted bleach tonite and will post "before" and "after" pics to see if it helps.

but this is crazy, we shouldn't have to be amatuer chemists to clean our NEW laptops! i have a feeling this problem is going to only get bigger.

If they send you a new machine isn't that the point? And if that's how apple works and you don't like it, well you know. Keep in mind not everyone has this issue, so if you get a new one it may as well be perfect.

Obviously no one here can fix it, but if apple gets enough calls and complaints they'll take action. As far as we know apple employees do not read these forums, so all your complaints could be going unheard. You have to address it with apple if you want it resolved.

Nick

"And if that's how apple works and you don't like it, well you know."

I know what? It's been past 14 days so I can't return it, so "I know" what? "Tough?"

"Tough" isn't an answer.

I am not going to waste my time sending in a computer to get back another one with exactly the same problem. I don't understand what is rocket science about this concept. Once the person who posted this originally who has sent his in gets his back and has had it for a while then I will make my backup and go without for almost a week while I wait for a replacement. Until then, there's no point in wasting my time dealing with it.

Well, I just phoned AppleCare about this - I figured that even if they do nothing about it, I have a case number so that I can prove this was a problem within the first three weeks should there be any kind of recall, and also they have some record that there is a problem. I highly recommend anyone with this problem to do the same so that Apple are at least aware of it.

The guy I spoke to was very helpful and sympathetic, but given that it is considered "cosmetic", he said there wasn't a great deal he could do - especially over the phone, obviously. He recommended that I take it to a local registered Apple servicer so that they could look at it, which I will do as soon as I get some time (though no doubt they will just tell me it's dirty). He also said that he can't guarantee that they will swap the machine, because it is cosmetic, which is what I figured would be the case until it becomes a recognised issue. In an ideal world, enough people would complain so that Apple eventually agreed to replace the palm rest and track pad on every white MacBook (I don't want to swap the rest of the machine, which works like a dream).

Anyway, to those who doubt this issue because of the lack of pictures, I have the same problem as others that have posted - it doesn't show up very well on photographs, although it is fairly obvious to the eye. Nonetheless, I had a go - please bear in mind that it looks worse in real life (I could have turned up the contrast in PhotoShop, but that would be cheating):

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/YellowMacbook.jpg

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/YellowMacbook2.jpg

There is also a thread over on the MacRumors forum about exactly the same problem, in which someone has posted some better photographs:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=204203

He is write call or go to the store and see what they propose to do o ryou can all start a new company selling latex gloves with the apple logo printed on them. "iGloves"

Until then, there's no point in wasting

my time dealing with it.

Also no point in complaining here either. Apple doesn't monitor the forum, only hosts to make sure it all flows well. Unless you call and tell them about the problem they'll think it's an isolated incident and won't address the issue as they should. It's like shooting yourself in the foot. I'd call and b*tch them out and demand a new one immediately if it were me, and if they didn't I'd call AMEX and tell them I'm not paying for it. But again, you have to tell them, not us.

Nick

Hello. I thought I would add in some info on this topic.

I have owned (personal and work) 4 laptops in my time.

PB 1400 (Epic)
PB G3 500 (Pismo)
PB G4 1ghz (P88 or TiBook)
PG G4 1.67 (The last PPC PB)

On all of the computer, I noteid that they got dirty. It was harder to see this on the first 2, but the last 2, it's easy tosee them get dirty. I typically use Clorox Disinfecting Wipes on the computers, whiping everything down except the screen. I do this when the computer is off. I have found that I pick up a lot of dirt and grime off the laptops.

Now, I don't have a MacBook (yet) but I would assume that you could use these whipes in the same monor. Just be careful and don't squeeze the wipe over the keyboard or any other openings. The trackpad will act up if it's wet, and it's better to have the computer off so you can close it to get the top and bottom of the case.

Oh, and one more thing. Clean your hands.

I also do this same procedure on the Windows based laptops.

YMMV, but this is what works for me.

Pismo G3 / Ti G4 1k / 2 xServe G5 / 2 xServe G4/RAID Mac OS X (10.4.6)

I have taken some photo's. I must point out it was alot worse but after several iKlear cleaning attempts and some hard rubbing the patch on the left palm rest is smaller, but still visible.

Photo 1 = Brand New MacBook free from dodgy colour

Photo 2 = Left Palm Rest the most noticable part

Photo 3 = Left Palm Rest and Mouse Button, slight discolour on the mouse button
Photo 4 = Above the USB & FireWire ports slight discolour

Click Here and Enjoy the slideshow

Other peoples are worse, but still this shouldn't happen to a 3 week old MacBook. To combat it getting worse I now use an Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse so I dont touch the plastic.

Article posted at MacFixit.com as well.

http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=2006061208413499

Also posted here:
http://ibloggedthis.com/2006/06/12/apple-macbook-discoloration-issues/

We've had the Macbook since late May, and haven't experienced this issue yet. Now I will have to look closer to double check.

MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.6)

i'm curious...... is this all on the white ones, or black also??

Any chance that the plastic is porous in the area(s) that are experiencing discoloration?

I poked around at the MacBooks at an Apple store a couple of weeks ago, but I can't remember what the palm rest felt like.

G4 Mini Mac OS X (10.4.6) 1GB and SuperDrive Upgrade

Though I don't think they wipe the HD for the fun of it, you could remove it before shipping and put it in a static safe bag for the duration. They have hard drives if they want to boot it (or use a DVD for that matter).

Figures this ickiness surfaces just after I ordered/received mine.