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Level 1

0 points

Plastic layer is cracking

So yeah, since I bought my week 32 MacBook back in late August, I've been unbelievably careful with it. It's never been dropped or handled roughly, and when I take it out, it's always in a protective case. HOWEVER, all of that doesn't seem to be enough, because the top plastic layer has cracked in TWO places. And I don't know how the heck it happened.

The first crack I noticed about two weeks ago, and it's a chip on the bottom left-hand corner.

I didn't say anything because I figured that AppleCare would just think that I dropped it and I'm trying to mooch a new case off of them. However... today, while using it, I take my palm off the plastic layering, and I notice this:

That's on the right hand side... right where the little protrusion on top of the screen lines up with the plastic covering to prevent the screen from hitting the keyboard. Now, I ALWAYS close the screen gently. And I never put any weight on it when its closed.

So what is going on? Should I report this to AppleCare? I know they dont cover cosmetic issues but I seriously don't believe that a laptop thats over two months old should already be falling apart like this.

Posted on Nov 6, 2006 12:37 PM

122 replies

Huy

Level 1

5 points

May 1, 2007 6:59 AM in response to CmasDiver

My Week 20 MacBook has experienced a crack on the bottom left corner, as seen on the web and reported on a few websites.

I asked for a replacement bottom case (the part with the IR sensor) but Apple said it is not covered by warranty.

Unhappy with my cracked MacBook.

May 1, 2007 7:33 AM in response to kickisaacout

I have exactly the same problem. Less than twelve months old and in otherwise excellent condition.

dtm3dd

Level 1

0 points

May 1, 2007 8:08 AM in response to kickisaacout

Hey guys, I have the same problem but twice on either side of my track pad. I plan to take it in soon whenever I dont need it, however, I have stuck down the bits that were pealing away with some light glue (will upload pics later). Just wondering if this will affect my warranty at all. I have done nothing else, it was just bugging me so I had to stick them down.
Cheers
D

J.Kyle

Level 1

0 points

May 1, 2007 9:31 AM in response to kickisaacout

I thought I was the only one! I got my MacBook back in September, and I just noticed the cracks a week ago. My cracks are exactly in the same places: left-hand corner is chipped off, and there is a crack along the frame right above the IR sensor. I think it's pretty obvious this is not "accidental damage" but a flaw in the casing...

I'll post pics to the Flickr group soon.

May 1, 2007 10:55 AM in response to kickisaacout

This happened to mine ages ago (like 2 months after I got my MacBook--back in like October). I took it to the local Apple Store (Memphis, TN) and they said they would do the repair there, but they didn't have the part in and they would call me back when they got it in so I could hold onto my computer and use it till the part came in. They got the new top in like 2 days and I ran the computer in and it was fixed in like 3 hours. It *****, but they were so quick and nice about fixing it I can't really complain.

MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)

May 1, 2007 11:27 AM in response to kickisaacout

This is happening on my core duo macbook as well. Unfortunately, I'm just outside of my one year warranty. Any chance that they'll fix it after the one year mark?

This really worries me, as I work for a production company where people are using macbooks, and where a hip, professional image is imperative for most of our staff. If this starts happening on those machines, it's going to cause us a whole lot of problems.

Macbook core duo Mac OS X (10.4.9)

May 3, 2007 2:44 AM in response to kickisaacout

Sorry for the bad quality because of lighting, but mine is cracked too...

[img] http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/2141/img0003vp3.jpg[/img]

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/2141/img0003vp3.jpg

MacBook - 2.0ghz, 1GB Ram, 80GB - (Late 2006) Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Haribol

Level 4

2,455 points

May 3, 2007 3:24 AM in response to infinitethrill

Till now,I thought I'm lucky,but just now I've noticed,that I also have this problem... 😟
The crack is about 1'' ( 2.5 sm) .

May 3, 2007 10:54 PM in response to kickisaacout

Follow up: I took it into the Apple store, pointed to it, and they just said ok, come back in 2 hours... And thats it, a receipt that says 150 dollar part, and 150 for installation! Good thing it's under warranty!

WestwindG

Level 1

120 points

May 4, 2007 4:48 AM in response to kickisaacout

Me too... crack on right right. First a little splinter like piece. Then the corner seems to sink and you can see how then the "skin" is. It's not a year old.
Will try Apple as it's still under AppleCare. My old G3 iBook was much tougher.
Good luck all!

MacBook Intel (1st gen) Mac OS X (10.4.9)

mplanet

Level 1

0 points

May 4, 2007 11:00 AM in response to kickisaacout

My black macbook just did this a few days ago, I'm not happy about it. I'm going to call up applecare and see what they can do.

dobes918

Level 4

1,440 points

May 4, 2007 11:23 AM in response to mplanet

Mine has the same splintered right-hand crack, which I taped in place so the piece wouldn't break off. I brought to the repair place today and without even questioning it they ordered the part for me under warranty. They seemed to know all about this crack and only checked that there were no dents or scratches that looked like I had dropped it.

There really was no problem - I think all of you should take yours in and see if you can get them repaired.

Oh -- one more thing. The case I have now is already a replacement because my original case discolored. As well as the crack, there is a separation along the left side. The genius told me that was inevitable because when repair cases are put on they don't have the machines to snap them in place that the factory does. So he told me that replacement cases are much more likely to show gaps, etc. than original cases.

kdm21506

Level 1

0 points

May 5, 2007 7:12 AM in response to kickisaacout

last night i realised the same crack on mine rang my closest mac store who did nothing to try and help me at all and wouldnt even ring apple tp see if it was a manufactoring fault

WestwindG

Level 1

120 points

May 5, 2007 9:14 AM in response to kdm21506

My white MacBook had a crack on the right side. I took it into Apple store and they changed it in 30 mins as it was slow day for them (the said it can take 2-5 days). No charge so this must be a design issue. Plus the replacement is much sturdier - it looks like the newer MacBooks (mine is 1st gen, summer 06) so I think they will replace any cracked Macbook cover. The old (old? less than a year) was also very hard to keep clean so I now have one of those "Marware" keyboard covers...

Good luck to the rest of you!

MacBook Intel (1st gen) 13" white Mac OS X (10.4.9)

ballistik

Level 1

100 points

May 5, 2007 10:59 AM in response to kickisaacout

They'll replace it. It's a known issue in a few MacBooks. Take it to the Apple Store nearest you and tell them. Tell them it just happened and they'll replace it for you, sometimes right there in the store under 30 minutes! Keep in mind if they do not have parts they made need to ship it to Apple which will take 7 business days, not bad for a newish laptop!

-B

Plastic layer is cracking