MacBook Pro surface damage.

I am very sorry to hear what happened to your MBP 😟. I know apple does not cover things like that, but maybe you can pay them for a new case?? You will pay a bundle to get a new case tho (way more than $100... they charge $100 for a gig of ram).

Hi there welcome to the forums. About your misfortune, however it will fall under either misuse or cosmetic damage which Apple guarantee wouldn't cover. It surely won't cost as much as the laptop itself but it will be a costly repair I am afraid.
However depending on your travel insurance and the airline perhaps you may stand a leg, if you put your case forward about mishandled luggage. Then again they might fight back about carrying your valuables (and surely the MBP will be categorised as such) as cabin luggage rather then hold.
Contact AppleCare and explain the damage to get an estimate and perhaps you can claim that from your travel insurance.
Good luck.

You could try your home insurance for damage but I don't know what kind of coverage you have though.

Well, since your folks gave it to you as a gift, then perhaps its best to get it repaired by Apple. Expect to pay around 4-hundred dollars for the case replacement based on others with similar accidents. The price is certainly an estimate since it will vary depending on whether it involves the lower and/or the upper case replacement, etc.
Regards,

This should give you a general idea of parts cost. Does not include labor ... If you just damaged the back of the LCD panel, that is the cheapest case part.

http://www.dttservice.com/macbookpro.html

> Is there some kind of skin or something I could put on it to hide/possibly prevent future damage?

This case can take a truck driving over it, about the same level of damage that can be inflicted by baggage handlers and the like ...

http://www.radtech.us/Products/MacTruck.aspx

There is a place that can help you - I think, - though it will be costly:

For $450 you can have it painted, and it will masque your blemishes:

http://www.colorwarepc.com/


There is another company that has "stickers" that you can put on, but their website has been down for a month now.



I don't want to sound like a jerk, but I hope this experience has taught you that there is NO replacement for a GOOD laptop bag. It is VERY foolish to put anything valuable in a suitcase, especially a computer. Suitcases get thrown, tossed, dragged, fall off carts, and you're LUCKY there aren't any internal component damages.

Protect your investment, spend at least $100 on a GOOD laptop bag, so you can bring that investment on the airplane with you. Laptops ARE NOT CARGO, and they will not replace it for you.

Also keep in mind that even a suitcase doesn't protect your belongings from the elements, and NO airline carrier will replace electronics that were damaged due to weather within a suitcase. They will tell you that you should have kept your valuables with you.

Sorry for your circumstance, I hope that link above helps. You can also purchase a new topcase which will be just as expensive as the paint service through places like ifixit.com

when your computer is fixed, just get yourelf a quality case, which i'm sure you will do. Then when u travel, i will always be in its protective case, and u will have little to worry about.

I like the Brenthaven cases, they really protect the computer.

You made a mistake as u said, u know it needs to be fixed, just get it done somehow, and move on. It's a lesson of life..........

Most credit cards cover accidental damage for up to 90 days from date of purchase. Call the credit card company and request a "loss/accidental damage form". They will fix or replace your item with no hassle. Make sure that you have the reciept and all of the particulars. I once had my front tire stolen on my new bike - within a week, I was compensated.

No offense, but why would you put something that valuable in your suitcase?? Since 9/11, no suitcase can be locked (well, you can lock it, but they can break the lock if they have to examine it). Someone could have easily stolen it, or moved it around when looking through your baggage. Frankly, you're lucky the machine still runs properly :/

Anyway, good luck with the case replacement!