Plastic layer is cracking

HEH! I have the same problem.

I'm just going to put up with it. The rest of the computer works great. I have the Marware protection skin on the computer and the problem can't be seen.

I may take the computer into the Apple store next time I'm at the Woodlands Maul where the Apple Store is, and get their advice.

Basically, I'm a Zealot on the MacBook, except for the case design. The case is lousy. The rest of the Macbook I simply enjoy too much to let a stupid case mess it up. This is a week #21 Macbook.

I have the same slim crack on the right-hand side of my MacBook. This is definitely a design issue I hope Apple will correct in the future.

I just called Apple Care and even after much persistence they refused to fix it because it is "accidental damage." They said paying for a repair could be anywhere from $100-$700.

I put tape over the crack so that it does not get worse. I don't have the time or money to fix this.

I got my MacBook in June or July of 2006.

Macbook Mac OS X (10.4.8)

So has anyone gotten Apple to replace the top case under AppleCare? I would really like to get them to do it because I want to sell my MacBook soon and upgrade, but I would rather sell it without this issue. I am wondering if one could use this thread as proof of design flaw considering how many of us have this crack in the exact same spot. Remember the cracks in the Apple Cube?

mine is actually worse than the pics because of my wrist rubbing against it... the piece between the crack and rest of it has actuall fallen off... it's really iratating on my wrist too.... i got mine in late july...

How do you tell when your MacBook was
manufactured?

Mine is doing it too- I have a case number, hopefully they do the right thing and fix it.
It's obviously not due to abuse with so many people reporting this problem, However Apple have a good way of calling this kind of thing " Cosmetic". Unfortunately for people like me who have purchased their computer partly due to "Cosmetic appeal" this is a major issue.
Having said that they eventually did the right thing with the staining issue, lets hope this is the same.

Hi everyone, just thought I would share my experience with you....I too suffered a cracked left hand corner (above the battery) identical to the photos posted here in this thread, Ive had it 5 months and was not impressed, I have not bought apple care yet as it is still under the 1 year manufacturers warranty!

Any how took it to the genius bar here in Manchester (UK) and at first they said it was cosmetic damage and was not covered under that warranty and that there were no records of a "design dault" with my version (week 23 I think), however after politely pointing out that there was no other damage, not even a hair line scratch on my beautiful MacBook the lovely girl offered to replace the whole top case there and then in store.

It took about an hour and the best bit is, I didnt realise that this "top case" part includes the whole keyboard and trackpad-i thought it was just a flat surround...so my MacBook now looks, feels and best of all smells brand new! (mmm i love that smell, they should bottle it and sell it!)

I really hope this is useful to someone because i really was devastated when I discovered the broken corner and after having macs for almost 8 years this is the first time I have ever required a repair, I would have felt pretty hard done by otherwise! Dont take no for an answer, this is obviousley a design fault!

I have the crack on my macbook that is right above the sleep light/IR sensor. I called Apple and tried my best to explain to the woman the issue - and that it's clearly caused by the plastic runner above the screen on the right. She said in filing the case report for it that she would go ahead and put the repair as being covered under the Apple warranty. I also asked if she had heard of this happening before, and she did in fact say she had.

I'll be sending it out at the end of the week and I will update this post when I get it back.

This has been very helpful; thanks to all who have shared information. I do hope they fix it, since it's clearly a design flaw as so many have pointed out. If anyone had positive or negative experiences with repair attempts, please post them, and I'll do the same.

black macbook Mac OS X (10.4.8) purchased 9/06

I just received my macbook back from apple (i sent it out 2 days ago) and the plastic keyboard layer was replaced. Just wanted to let people know that it is covered and fixable - and also a nice sidenote that kinda comes with it is that the keyboard as result is brand new and for a short little while will be oil free, unlike before.

I handed mine in a day ago. Apparently they won't be able to look at it until next week. I don't see how hard it is to look at a crack.
Hopefully they just replace it and get it back to me ASAP. This Dell Latitude is depressing... At least it isn't cracked and/or stained. I guess.

I had the same problem. Called it in on Wed of last week. On Thursday I rec'd empty box. On Friday I dropped it off at DHL. On Tuesday I got my MacBook back, with the top case replaced.
Good as new. Great Service, extremely fast.
Hope this does not happen again.

Took mine into the store, they had the part in stock, and I had it back w/in an hour. Can't ask for more. Granted, it was a weekday morning, but I would suggest anyone else with this problem call ahead to see if they can do the same for you.

black macbook Mac OS X (10.4.8) purchased 9/06

Mine had exactly the same crack sometime in january. Apple fixed it with no charge. After about three weeks I noticed the crack again. When I called apple they sent me a box but when they received it they claimed it was cosmetic. I reminded them tha they fixed it before and they agreed to fix it at last at no cost. It seems it is a problem caused by no support underneath the case on the right side. Just explain to them and they'll fix it.

are there any reports of black macbooks having this issue? It seems they are all white ones....

Putting a moshi palmguard on top might help since it will shield the plastic from stress on that areas and distribute the force of the display bezel over a wider area. The material of the moshi is semi-rigid and hard. Just a thought.