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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.

User uploaded file

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:

User uploaded file

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

Reply
122 replies

Jun 21, 2018 1:02 AM in response to kickisaacout

I bought my Macbook in March 2008 and I am having the same problems. It started with visible cracks in the bottom right but finally it broke and about 1.5" of the plastic is missing. I also have two hairline cracks in the indentation in the front where you lift the display up when the computer is closed -- has anyone else experienced this. And to top it off, my microphone input doesn't work. I haven't dropped the computer or anything.

The biggest issue is that I am in Hanoi, Vietnam until next spring. I have not been able to find an authorized place to do repairs here. There are some store that sell Macs in Hanoi, but I am not sure I trust them to do repairs. Any suggestions? I have applecare and I can wait until I am back in the States in the spring of 2009 if that is the best option.

Nov 9, 2006 8:08 AM in response to kickisaacout

I have the exact same cracking on the right bottom edge of my macbook. I thought about calling applecare, but really don't feel like having to have my macbook out of service for however long. Maybe I should though since others are having the problem. I think it is a combination of the stop that is on the top edge of the screen and my right palm resting on it. It is very frsutrating. I thought about super gluing it.

Dec 28, 2006 10:52 PM in response to kickisaacout

I have got the exact same crack above the sleep light... in fact it's so similar to the second photo is uncanny. Never has this machine been dropped or abused in any way. From my experience, cosmetic issues have never been covered by AppleCare. I had a TiBook whose paint started chipping off and Apple could have cared less. Then I had a AlBook whose palm rest started to oxidize and again, Apple didn't really seem to care too much. I would love to get this fixed because I would like to sell it soon and obviously this is going to affect the resell value.

Macbook Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Dec 31, 2006 3:21 PM in response to kickisaacout

I think it's the magnetic latch is a problem. Look at the top left hand and right hand corners above the screen and you see two lines that pop out. Under it are the magnets and where you showed people the cracks was exactly where the two magnet meet so i think that the magnet on both the palm rest and the display bezel where too strong and could have done something like that.

Jan 9, 2007 3:39 AM in response to jamesliu

Actually, the problem is due to the lack of support behind that plastic piece. When any compression felt on that corner, the knobs on the lid rest there and can cause that cracking. I just noticed mine tonight and investigated a little. I treat my macbook like a child, but I still have this issue.

For all the people that are seeing this problem, when was your macbook ordered? I ordered mine at the end of August. So I was wondering if this is a batch thing because the message boards seem to have quite a few lately.

Jan 12, 2007 10:23 AM in response to kickisaacout

I had cracking on the left side a long the side and also started on the left corner just the below the flat top. I took pics and sent it to the depot they replaced the lower case a fan and also the hard drive bumpers or something like that. I also had issues where the mic wasn't working but I think they fixed that too. I still see the warped flat top which i think is caused by the magnet closure tabs but that is no issue so far.

Plastic layer is cracking

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