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Macbook case cracks on wristpad

Nov 9, 2007 | Comment | Tags: apple

We’ve come across several instances recently of white (and in one case, black) Macbooks having cracks on the wristpad area. Conveniently enough, the damage appears directly beneath the magnets on the upper bezel, and are even in the same shape.

The damage can occur on either side, and after enough time the plastic casing actually will break off, leaving an actual, honest-to-God hole in the case of your laptop.

Obviously this is a manufacturing defect, likely stemming from too much pressure — thus causing the magnets to dig into the weaker plastic of the lower bezel. Ergo. Post facto. The defense rests.

NOTE:I’ve successfully taken in 3 systems so far and been treated very kindly by the Apple store…they made the replacements with no qualms or hesitations.

Here are a few pictures of the damage on different systems. If you have any information on this, please feel free to post a comment.

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Kevin McKeown

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!

typhoon

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

Scott

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.

Nik

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

ScottMac

Yep, take it to your local Apple store -- the repair takes no time at all.

Scott

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.

Buster

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.

Ian G

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!

Thomas K

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

Karlynn A

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.

Ian G

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.

Lee Huai Tu

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.

Kurushi

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.

Kurushi

*single, I don't knowingly singe my laptop

Paul

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 :-)