Macbook casing crack

warrenstown

Hi everyone,
I have a black Macbook that I bought when they first came out over 18 months ago (so I'm out of warrenty). Just before Christmas a crack appeared where the magnetic latch meets the palmrest area near the keyboard, a picture should be attached but here's a link also
http://blueeyedcreature.net/apple/CrackBook.jpg
(It's a picture I found in the web but the crack is identical to mine).

I called the authorised Apple dealer on Merrion Square in Dublin and it's costs about €80 to get an estimate on how much it will cost to fix, between the courier to the repair centre (in Apple, Cork I'd imagine so I can't drop it in myself) and the engineers time. Plus I would also be a week without a computer.

I also see that it would cost me €49 to speak to Apple directly about this: "If your product is within its 90-day complimentary support period or covered by an AppleCare Protection Plan, you will not have to pay for the support. Otherwise, you may purchase per-incident support for £35 (UK) or €49 (Ireland)."
I imagine that's in addition to any courier/parts and labour costs I would eventually pay to get it fixed.

Since this is a common fault, has anyone else had repairs carried out to fix it that didn't require an €80 estimate?
Or maybe someone has some other ideas?

Thanks.

Ham'nd'egger

Try pop into Merrion Square and plain old show them the MB and they can give you a fairly good idea. Alternatively, Mactivate in Ballycoolin or Typetec in Ballymount would help you with same; I got a written quote from Mactivate once for a casing for a PB in the past so the precedent is there. A similar issue happened to a guy I know and his black MB, so they should have a good idea straight off.

decob

i had the same problem, mactivate replace it for me as i had 3yr apple care on the thing. Gotta say that apple care is well worth the extra cash. So far i've gotten that crack fixed, a replacement battery and a new power adapter.

Cabaal

decob wrote: »

i had the same problem, mactivate replace it for me as i had 3yr apple care on the thing. Gotta say that apple care is well worth the extra cash. So far i've gotten that crack fixed, a replacement battery and a new power adapter.

especially if you bought apple care while you were in the states

rymus

replace the laptop completely or just replace the broken bit? Have some wacky warped casing on my macbook pro at the moment and need to get it sorted.

440Hz

Hamndegger wrote: »

Try pop into Merrion Square and plain old show them the MB and they can give you a fairly good idea.

They may not tbh.

I brought my sister's MBP into CAMi, which is the official Apple reseller in Brussels after Christmas, with a battery issue, and asked them to simply plug one of their chargers into the machine to test a few things (I didnt have mine with me). They told me that they would not even look at the machine without charging me €80 and more to test the power supply. Apparently, this is what Apple directs resellers and repair hubs to do. grrrrrr

condra

My own macbook is falling apart. P1ssed off with Apple right now.

warrenstown

Thanks for your help everyone. I'm disappointed with Apple at the moment: The crack on the casing, the random shutdowns, the disaster that was the Safari update and now the new itunes update.

Anyway, I'll try get a quote from Mactivate over the phone as I don't want to spend half a day trying to get to the store on Merrion Sq to be told they can't look at it!

whiterebel

warrenstown wrote: »

Thanks for your help everyone. I'm disappointed with Apple at the moment: The crack on the casing, the random shutdowns, the disaster that was the Safari update and now the new itunes update.

Anyway, I'll try get a quote from Mactivate over the phone as I don't want to spend half a day trying to get to the store on Merrion Sq to be told they can't look at it!

Mactivate DID pick up for free, check if they still do. Just googled the problem and there seems to be a genuine fault in that part of the casing. if I were You, I'd take a run at Apple Customer Service - worst that can happen is they say no. Be nice but firm, and tell them its disgraceful that a machine that you bought because of "alleged" reliability is exactly the opposite, and that you wish you had bought a Dell/HP/Sony/Acer or whatever, and you'll never buy Apple again, and you'll be telling all your friends exactly why. Tell them the price you are being quoted just to examine it etc.

You don't pay to talk to CS - BTW did you call in to Apple about the problems you listed previously? I always call with a Hardware issue, and get the case number to make sure there is a history built up which you can refer them to later, in case it is a problem machine.

Unless they get these sort of calls, they will never admit theres a problem. We told people for a long, long time there wasn't a problem with the iBook Logic Boards, under instruction from the company, even though we were taking 30/40 calls a day with exactly the same problem, on exactly the same machines. Lo and behold they eventually came up with the Out of Warranty repair programme.

Will

wow exact same place mine cracked. i dont mind too much to be honest, just cosmetic

whiterebel

Sorry should also have said how awful it would be if the surrounds of the crack were sharp and causing injury such as bleeding, blood poisoning, loss of digits, Winter vomiting bug etc......:D

Zapp Brannigan

Mine has cracked there too. My white MAcbook is also slowly turning yellow. Not too happy with Apple at the moment specially after dropping a grand and a half on this.

warrenstown

Hi evryone,
Mactivate got back to with the price of €235 (€195 + VAT) to replace the top casing. That 3-year Apple warrenty would have been worth it now!
I guess I won't be getting it repaired but thanks Whiterebel, I'll bring up my problems with Apple in a firm but friendly way and get a case number in case of a future recall or something.

deevey

i have this upper casing spare, I bought it when my own macbook started getting the "dirty syndrome", but i turned out getting it was replaced under warranty.

I could do it a hullofalot cheaper than 200 euro if your interested.

Chardee MacDennis

be cheaper just to do it yourself

http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-922-7601-13-Black-MacBook-Top-Case-with-Keyboard_W0QQitemZ270204689900QQihZ017QQcategoryZ25439QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

deevey

yup bought mine on ebay too ... had to pay a stupid amount of import duty on it which made it a wee bit more pricy ! $42 shipping ! rip off merchants :-S ..

oops didn't read the "black macbook" bit, my spare upper is white.

Chardee MacDennis

sorry i just realised that too!!! for some reason i thought it was a black one!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-922-7885-13-White-MacBook-Top-Case-with-Keyboard_W0QQitemZ300193315447QQihZ020QQcategoryZ25439QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Even cheaper, you'll have to figure out whether you have a grade a or b though (i'm not sure of the difference)

Zapp Brannigan

Hmm how hard would it be to fit one of them covers?

xebec

Same problem for me. My solution was a small piece of duct take over the crack, looks a bit unsightly but I'm the only person who sees the computer anyway. I find the turning yellow more frustrating.

Chardee MacDennis

Zapp Brannigan wrote: »

Hmm how hard would it be to fit one of them covers?

seems pretty simple i am doing it pretty soon to replace my keyboard.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/MacBook-Core-Duo/Upper-Case/86/6/Page-5/Upper-Case

pow wow

I just had the exact same thing fixed on mine for free (still under the 12 month warranty). It is a 'known' fault with macbooks so you could try getting on to Apple directly yourself and sounding off about it not being a wear and tear issue and more a weakness with the housing...maybe if you shout loud enough?

I'm not looking forward to the next time a lump snaps off it, I already had the bottom casing around the battery replaced after it developed a crack all the way along the hinge. :mad:

Gordon

Weh, same thing here. I should have got it fixed ages ago when it started to appear ~4 months after purchase.

It's to do with resting your palm on the area, I tend not to put my hand there and bought a mouse to use instead and have stopped the crack from getting bigger. Thank god it's not yellow though

flywheel

yeah it's a problem alright, even has it's own flickr group:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/crackedmacbook/

Thephantomsmask

ellscurr wrote:

I just had the exact same thing fixed on mine for free (still under the 12 month warranty). It is a 'known' fault with macbooks so you could try getting on to Apple directly yourself and sounding off about it not being a wear and tear issue and more a weakness with the housing...maybe if you shout loud enough?

I'm not looking forward to the next time a lump snaps off it, I already had the bottom casing around the battery replaced after it developed a crack all the way along the hinge. :mad:

I've got a similiar problem, it's several inch long cracks running along under the fan outlet, l only bought the MB last May so l assume apple would have to replace the casing since it's still under warranty. Can l still report this as a hardware fault to them over the phone outside the 90 days telephone support as l haven't gotten applecare yet?

warrenstown

Thephantomsmask wrote: »

I've got a similiar problem, it's several inch long cracks running along under the fan outlet, l only bought the MB last May so l assume apple would have to replace the casing since it's still under warranty. Can l still report this as a hardware fault to them over the phone outside the 90 days telephone support as l haven't gotten applecare yet?

I called them on 1850-946-191 today even though I'm out of warranty, they'll listen to your problem first and then say if they'll be able to help you.

I was ringing them about the problem MB's have with shutting down without giving a low-battery warning, (you can check out how I got on here http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6460901#6460901 )
and I mentioned about the case. As a previous poster suggested, I should get the matter logged and get a case number in case Apple decide to do something about it in the future.

Thanks as well to those who pointed out the replacement covers on ebay. Though the crack doesn't affect me, I'm thinking ahead to when I sell the laptop in the future, maybe it won't make that much of a difference at that stage either!

Skud

I have the same problem and mine is only 3 months old. Sorted it out by gluing it back temporarily. Sending it back in april when i'm studying for my exams. Gonna try to upgrade to apple care i guess cause if it's only 1 year warranty dont want this happening again

a5y

I've the exact same problem. I bought my mac last July, and as soon as I get my data backed up I'm ringing up to see what I can get done about it. >:(

The Black Oil

Apologies for bumping this but I remembered there was a thread about it.

I've the same problem, bottom right hand corner. Will back up my data and see if I can get it sorted over the Easter holidays. I've a couple of essays to do, meh. I'll give them a call at some point.

scoot on

Same problem here too. It doesn't bother me too much really. I'd like to change the casing myself though, anyone know how difficult this is to do?

The Black Oil

Apologies for bring this back up but I'm only getting around to sorting this now.

Does anyone have the url for dec tech or however they spell it. Can't find the website. Can't get through on the phone either. Have my case number from Apple though.

Basq

My own MacBook (about 14 - 15 months old) has been giving me nothing but grief.

Overheating, cracks where latches meet (same as OP), screen imperfections and slight swelling causing plastic to bend on right hand side of the case (possibly due to the overrheating).

Wrote a letter in Word detailing my problems, provided photos, diagrams of temperatures (to indicate oveheating) and rang their helpline to get an e-mail address to send it to. He couldn't give me one and kept relaying me to the Feedback page where you can't attach documents (etc) - it's just a simple webform.

So got the postal address of Apple in Cork and sent it to the CS Manager... and 6 weeks later, still no response!

I know if I phone them, they'll just give me the runaround that I never sent it. In hindsight, I should have sent it via registered post.

Simon201

Also have hairline cracks coming from the right hand corner of my Macbook. Will be up to Mactivate soon again with my Applecare as well! No other probs though running great!

sedohre

Hi, I wonder if there should be a sticky or something with people sharing their stories about their Hardware problems with solutions in regard to their macbook or other apple products and especially if they were able to get things repaired when they were out of warranty.

I've read numerous threads on different sites saying that people got there top case replaced even though it was out of warranty.

I thought I had a basic 1yr warranty and my top case cracked for the second time. I rang Apple Care (1850-946-191) and was told that I had 2 days left on my warranty even though that would have meant I had a 1yr + 17days? warranty. I was given a case number and told I could bring it in anytime as I had now reported the issue within my warranty.

I don't know what they would have said if it was out of warranty, as I've said there are reports that they are replacing the top case out of warranty, (but none in Ireland I believe)

Other information people my want to look at is this link

http://www.appledefects.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page


Hope this is helpfully for people, especially if people think they are just out of warranty like me

Basq

It's as simple as this..

The Mac OS is fantastic.. but their materials / hardware they use (especially on laptops) is not up-to-par.

Sad Professor

Did you have any luck getting it fixed, basq?

Everyone should remember that 1 year manufacturer warranties are just voluntary things. The seller (Apple as well in most of these cases) is still obliged to repair/replace a faulty product and you are perfectly within your rights to demand that they do so up to at least 2/3 years after purchase.

Skidmcmarx

This happend mine just last night . Purchased in June last year. Its only the second time i've had any trouble with my macbook.

Just got the little crack on the armrest. I'll be bringing it into Compub in Limerick today to have it sent off for repair.

Am i correct in sayin that because its still under warranty this is covered. It's not gonna cost my an arm nd a leg??

Basq

Sad Professor wrote: »

Did you have any luck getting it fixed, basq?

No, I never bothered pursuing it further.

Really don't know where to start.. they ignored my letter (though I've no proof cos I never sent it registered) and they phone support is woeful.

sedohre

Skidmcmarx wrote: »

This happend mine just last night . Purchased in June last year. Its only the second time i've had any trouble with my macbook.

Just got the little crack on the armrest. I'll be bringing it into Compub in Limerick today to have it sent off for repair.

Am i correct in sayin that because its still under warranty this is covered. It's not gonna cost my an arm nd a leg??

If it is the usual issue of the top case around the keyboard cracking and if it has no sign being abused (or dropped) then I believe it should be covered.

fjon

I've got the same crack as well.
After reading this I decided to check on my warranty. Turns out it expires on Mar 30th, so I might be in luck.
I guess if I ring them up before them I'm entitled to get it fixed.
What I'm wondering is - how long does it take to get fixed, and do I need to send it off to Cork for this? Or can I, say, drop it into Mactivate and have it done there?

Sad Professor

fjon wrote: »

I've got the same crack as well.
After reading this I decided to check on my warranty. Turns out it expires on Mar 30th, so I might be in luck.
I guess if I ring them up before them I'm entitled to get it fixed.
What I'm wondering is - how long does it take to get fixed, and do I need to send it off to Cork for this? Or can I, say, drop it into Mactivate and have it done there?

Get on to Apple ASAP. They should organise for your Macbook to be collected by courier. I'm not sure how long it takes. Maybe a couple of weeks.

I've no experience of going the Mactivate route. But I suppose that might be quicker.

Gauge

From my experience Apple will almost certainly not pick it up for you by courier- when I told them I couldn't get to any of the authorised centres in Dublin the guy on the phone couldn't give me a solution.

tinner777

did anyone have any joy getting the casing fixed by apple out of warranty? is it really easy to replace?

cnocbui

Glue a small amount of carbon fiber across the crack on the inside using super glue.

tinner777

just spoke to a smashing lad called Shane at apple customer care and have been told that they will fix it for free :D:D:D

sweet-rasmus

who are you going to for the job? i need my get my macbook repaired a second time and would love it even more if the place collected and returned the mac free of charge (i'm in dublin). went with dectek last time but they only collected and it was a pain to pick up (or pay to have it returned).

tinner777

stream solutions in cork mate

sweet-rasmus

a bit far from me alright! i might ask typetec...