34 comments so far to “Macbook case cracks on wristpad”

1. Kevin McKeown Reply

   11/9/07 I have this exact problem. Sadly, I first noticed it while in the Sahara Desert on a motorcycle expedition to Cape Town. I got the ’super glue’ out and stuck it back - I didn’t want to get any more sand in it. Oh well, it gives my MacBook that well lived in look!

2. typhoon Reply

   11/10/07 Sameshiit happend to me.Its cronic.I sold my macbook beacuse of it :(((

3. Scott Reply

   11/16/07 This just happened to me. This is the second time I have had cracks in my case. I also have cracks again near the fans possibly due to the heat.

4. Nik Reply

   11/22/07 Same thing has happened to me, and I have a black MacBook. Any way we can get this repaired?

5. ScottMac Reply

   11/22/07 Author Comment Yep, take it to your local Apple store — the repair takes no time at all.

6. Scott Reply

   11/23/07 Yep, take it to your local Apple store — the repair takes no time at all. I sent my Mac in on the 17th and it was returned to me on the 21st with all repairs covered.

7. Buster Reply

   11/24/07 Yep same thing - glad to see a positive result in getting it fixed - will see what happens when I return it to my dealer here in Dubai. Poor design though - its my wife’s machine and she complains it’s not actually as comfortable as her old iBook as the wrist pad doesn’t sit flush like it used to.

8. Ian G Reply

   01/15/08 Does anyone know if Apple is covering these repairs on machines past the 1 year warranty period? I just noticed mine starting to crack last night. I got my macbook in Oct 2006 so it is about 3 months past the warranty. Typical!

9. Thomas K Reply

   01/15/08 had the same thing, try not wearing a watch, first on the left then right, try treating it a little better, I ‘m a teacher and i abuse it opening and closing as often as i do, You sold your macbook b/c of this? Chron sounds like too muchof the Chron….. I used Scotch tape , 3m best you know….sold it? ok JEENyUS but i guess i can bring it in , 3 yr warantee too? probably … tks, Dubai, that’ll be tough, check the mall in UAE?, next to the Chik fil A? it is called wear and tear, manufacturers defect no , thin plastic yes

10. Karlynn A Reply

    01/20/08 The 2 pictures on the right look exactly like my Macbook. I will be taking it in and will hopefully be giving a positive response soon.

11. Ian G Reply

    01/29/08 Apple covered the new keyboard without hesitation. I went to the Santa Clara, CA store. The repair took about an hour and I was back in business.

12. Lee Huai Tu Reply

    02/1/08 Look in to Applepeelz. I have a set for my new MBP and after seeing all the knicks and indentations on the 3M layer, I’m glad that I had them or else they would have been on my case.

13. Kurushi Reply

    02/6/08 I got my MacBook in April 2007 and this exact thing happened to me in September 2007. A MAc outlet replaced the case for me and it was only out of my possession for one night which was impressive, now the same thing has happened again, it’s not about treating it better; to prevent this you would have to close the laptop very carefully every singe time you use it. As obvious as this sounds it’s not realistic to spend 5-10 seconds closing a laptop so it is very much a manafacturer’s defect otherwise they wouldn’t so readily replace it. So yeah as I said I’m on my second ‘hole’ now and I’m in two minds whether to get it fixed, i think I will because it doesn’t look very nice and as someone else said stuff like sand could get in it and really do some damage. Might as well keep getting it fixed until my warranty runs out.

14. Kurushi Reply

    02/6/08 *single, I don’t knowingly singe my laptop

15. Paul Reply

    02/10/08 i just had this occur to me today - the piece has cracked off. the machine was out of warranty, as it is now 15 months old .. but i just called apple support and they have agreed to replace at no cost

16. Chris Reply

    02/12/08 Hi all same problem, about to get third time fix tomorrow - I was assured last time that Apple would fix out of warranty machines, as this is an acknowledged defect - we shall see! I’d rather not be taking back a product every couple of months to get a cosmetic fix when clearly there is a design defect to blame, I will be pushing for a replacement product but don’t rate my chances, one can only try. Good luck to the rest of you as this will be an ongoing problem with your machines.

17. oscar Reply

    02/19/08 I just took my MacBook to the Apple store in Seattle and they will be replacing the cracked case at no charge. Just sign up for a Genius Bar appointment and they will help you. The part wasn’t in but they said they would phone me in a few days to get it fixed.

18. Lisa Reply

    03/20/08 This just happened to my white Macbook too. I had assumed it had something to do with the weight of my wrist, but I see this is a common problem. Thanks for the post. I’m going to take it in.

19. RB Reply

    03/22/08 Same problem, eight months after warranty’s end. I haven’t looked in to getting it fixed yet, I just went with scotch tape, the stuff is great. I had no idea it could be replaced free after warranty, thanks guys.

20. Bernard Asagai Reply

    05/9/08 Hello Everyone, I am a grad student and I really use my machine! T have had this top case crack FOUR TIMES! Apple has replaced it every time, but what happens after the warantee? This a DEFECT and they know it. I seriously am thinking about starting a class action suit against Apple about this. This has caused me many waisted school DAYS because of this design flaw. The internet is flooded with photos of people that have the same problem. Best Regards, Bernard Asagai

21. tara Reply

    05/10/08 I’ve had my macbook for just under a year and just discovered a crack on the wrist pad. Looking at all the comments–this is definately a manufacturing defect! Did everyone buy their macbook in 2007? I’m with you Bernard, let’s get everyone together and file a petition, email me at kiskanomi@gmail.com if you’re interested. Best, Tara

22. Andrew Reply

    05/13/08 I had this same exact problem. Apple fixed it for free with no questions. ~Andrew

23. Srish Reply

    05/21/08 Do they really fix it for free??

24. Srish Reply

    05/21/08 If I take it to an apple store, would they really fix it for free??

25. aLi Reply

    05/25/08 I had the exact same problem, so I took it to an authorized apple service center and they fixed it free of charge. Actually, not only did they change the top case, but also the keyboard butons and the touch pad. It took 3 days though. It would cost around 200 US (270 singapore dollars) to fix this if you are out of warranty.

26. pingback:

    06/11/08 George Edwards » Blog Archive » Why I love Apple [...] where the clamshell magnets meet the main casing. It’s still well within warranty, so after discovering it seemed like a common problem, I took it into my local Apple store in [...]

27. liilaa Reply

    06/13/08 I just discovered a crack and a piece of the casing hanging off…. bummer. I’m glad to here that apple will take care of it, as they should. Does anyone know if the see through hard cases remedy the situation at all? And if yes, maybe Apple should buy us all one.

28. MsWolf Reply

    06/25/08 I’ve heard of people getting CS codes (customer service authorizations) to get this cracked case problem fixed even after the warranty expires. So it’s worth mentioning when you call Apple that you know this is a common problem and a manufacturer defect, if the rep is telling you that you’ll have to pay for the repair. The hard cases - I’m guessing you mean the ones by Speck - do not help prevent these cracks or keep them from getting worse, because these cases stop just below the seam between the two types of plastic, on the front of the MacBook. I can testify personally to this, as my computer developed a nice, long crack _after_ I put on the Speck case. That said, I recommend the Speck case anyway because it does offer some protection from spills, scratches etc. and is fun to decorate.

29. Chris Reply

    07/1/08 Ditto. Just noticed it today with a little sliver hanging off.

30. Macbooky Reply

    07/3/08 Mine cracked — had it replaced (it took about 2 days) I have had it for a month now and it has cracked again…. This is my first and last MAC……… $1200+ I paid for this cheap plastic computer………. It looks nice but you have to handle this thing like you are carrying plutonium I get asked often by people if they should buy one of these MACBOOKS I tell them run away from these cheaply built laptops Apple should definitely have a recall on this and design a case that is not so brittle..

31. Jeff Reply

    07/14/08 I have had my Macbook for 2 years now. I have the same problem as everybody else, in fact I am on my 3 keyboard/wrist pad now. Both times I had it replaced the Apple store in Brea, CA. They were very willing to replace it for free even though my computer is way out of warranty. For Apple to do this is amazing. No other computer manufacturer would do anything like this for free. I am a loyal Apple user now. Plus I save hours of time compared to most of my friends who fiddle with numerous virus problems with their PC’s.

32. jay Reply

    07/16/08 i have the white macbook 1 yr old and just noticed the exact same problem in the same spot! i’ll take it in to the apple store in santa monica and let everyone know what they said J

33. FloridaMac Reply

    07/24/08 Mine will be a year old in October and it has a crack on the wrist pad AND on the bottom along the length of the vent. I even purchased a $70 padded case to prevent this trash from happening. While it is no charge to repair and takes only days, it’s a huge inconvenience and serious flaw! I’m very disappointed that this is even an issue for a giant like Apple.

34. John McMillan Reply

    07/28/08 I can’t believe this either. I loved my old ibook and wish it was still alive. I think this might be the last mac laptop for me. I don’t like shelling out a premium to have problems like this. It is inconvenient and now I have to purchase a warranty for two laptops because of this problem. Definately last time I invest in an apple product!