Greetings MUGgers! I've noticed that my macbook already has that "hairline" crack that everyone's been talking about. I'm actually shocked since I got my MB last year on April 2008. Based on the threads, it seems that such a problem has been fixed and replaced by authorized resellers. My problem is that I see the crack already but I'm not sure if it's "worthy" of a replacement already. It's already March 2009 and my warranty is expiring. It's already there but then I don't know if the stores will allow it to be replaced. It seems kind of disheartening that my somewhat new macbook had to get a crack right after the warranty expired. The crack's already there but then I don't know how much longer it will take for it to become bigger. What are the requirements/conditions that a macbook's shell can be replaced? What should I do about my MB's condition? EDIT: This is the clearest picture that I could get of the crack on the right-hand side of the laptop. There's really a crack already. This one what I noticed on the left side of my mac. It seems like the case is warped. There's a small gap between the lower case and the top case. Same as above. This is a "crack" that I've noticed from before. It seems different from the first picture I showed, but maybe it could be an indicator as well.
Take it. I bought my black MB to PMC, and the problem wasn't even a crack, but a squeaking sound when pressing the trackpad button, and paint chipping off of the cover near the iSight. They replaced the whole thing.
Do you mean to say you bought it last April 2008? If it is still in warranty why not just go to an Apple Service Center and have the shell replaced? There's a thread in here that talks just about it here and here.
Just to confirm, since you made two separate mistakes as to the date. You bought your MacBook when exactly? April 2007 or April 2008?
@rafael c378 - whoops! thanks for the reminder! i made the edits. hahaha. anyway, the reason why i don't want to bring it yet to the store is that they might deny me of replacing it, saying that that the crack is still "premature". moreover, if i go back to the same store and when the crack is fully "mature", they might say i intentionally destroyed it - hence denying me of the replacement under warranty. i'd like to know what will pass off as a replaceable crack. i'd like to have the casing replaced as soon as possible though. P.S. @jaijin - i had the squeaking sound too! it's there sometimes but sometimes it goes away. what do you mean when you said that the pain chips off? how does that look like exactly? i'm not sure if i have that too. haha.
Why not get Apple care now so if your crack develops you are covered. Plus whatever could go wrong with your Mac!
@ kikoreta actually, yeah, that was my other option. how much apple care cost and how much does replacing the macbook casing cost? although, i'm not sure if i wanna extend my warranty on this one since i've been thinking about getting one of the new macbooks. but that's just a thought, hahaha.
buying an APP for your Mac gives you a higher resale value. If you plan on getting the new MBs and sell your current one, you'd have better options by just adding extra to get a spanking new MB I haven't even mentioned that you'd have peace of mind with APP. Believe me, it saved a lot of hassle. It's has even more value for the money now that your machine is about to end its warranty.
The surface of the Black MB is supposed to be matte. when the coating is chipped off, you'll notice the surface under it is glossy/shiny, kind of similar to the white ones, but not as pretty.
Here're some pictures, maybe you guys can tell me what you think, if it's replaceable under warranty or not. I really take good care of it, I really do. I'm very OC about it. And now that this is happening even just within a year, I hope that there's something that could be done. Thanks muggers! This is the clearest picture that I could get of the crack on the right-hand side of the laptop. There's really a crack already. This one I noticed on the left side of my mac. It seems like the case is warped. There's a small gap between the lower case and the top case. Same as above. This is a "crack" that I've noticed from before. It seems different from the first picture I showed, but maybe it could be an indicator as well.
No matter much you take care of your macbook, as long as you use the keyboard to type with then your wrists will come in contact with the wrist area and eventually (due to the pressure exerted by your wrist on the wrist pad area) cracks will appear. This is a design fault that Apple has supposedly fixed with a better designed case - a replacement that you can opt for. But arent the newer white macbooks supposed to have the case that fixes this problem?
@MacBert - i think they've been updating and updating the shell until they sort of gave up on it, hence the aluminum unibody. haha. but yeah, you do have a point. @taeka - how much does APP cost? i'm not sure if i'm looking at the correct one. but anyway, given the pictures, is it replaceable under warranty?
They'll replace your crack (pic #1), not sure about the remaining photos though, i have the same (pic 3&4) problem.
no doubt they will replace it.. my MB's crack is so minor it can only be noticed when you flash a strobe light in it (right palm rest area). I just tried to ask out if they can replace it (just so happened that I have my MB with me when I chanced upon PMC Greenbelt) -- well im scheduled to go back this coming saturday (top case ordered from singapore I think) I have applecare til january 2011.. very convenient if you ask me.. so if you can spare some cash for it the better
I'm sure they will fix that. I sent mine to Ynzal before and they replaced it after 10-15 minutes (together with a RAM upgrade), but then that's Ynzal. But assuming they have the same servicing/repair policy along with other authorized service centers, I'm affirmative you can get your case replacement right away. @Jaijin: I'm having matte chipping issues too. I'm wondering if they'll honor this considering it's on the four corners of my computer. I'm still under warranty btw.
Wow! thanks for the replies! I'm glad you guys think it's replaceable already. Regarding picture 4 (the shiny crack), what do you guys make of it? i'm just kind of curious. actually, this crack has been there ever since, earlier than the matte crack. i hope it doesn't get worse than it already is. it seems to get bigger. oh, and last, where's the best place to have these things serviced?
Have it done already. My uncle had it fixed on the day his warranty expired and he only had to wait a few days for the parts to arrive. They changed the whole casing.
