Macbook Pro unibody casing coming loose

Fiii

Hi guys.

Apologies if this is in the wrong place - I'm not sure if it would be better here, or in 'Laptops'.

Looking for a bit of advice.
I bought a Macbook Pro back in Dec 2009. Have had no problems with it until now.
On Wednesday night just gone, I notice that on closing, the edges of my laptop didn't line up. I had a closer look at it, and noticed that the casing on the bottom left hand corner of the display has come loose. It has never been dropped, and is always stored in a padded case when not in use.
I treat it with a great amount of care, so this isn't something I have done to the laptop.
The machine still works fine - there are no cracks in the screen etc. It looks like it just needs to be glued, for want of a better word, back in to place.

I did a bit of searching, and have seen online that a number of people seem to be having the same issue on this model of the Macbook Pro. Obviously a design flaw.
I've been on to Apple Ireland, and because it is out of warranty, they want nothing to do with it. Bull frankly, considering it's a machine that cost me 2k not 2 years ago, and shouldn't be falling apart after 2 years of careful use.
So now I am waiting to hear back from Apple UK (I bought it in Belfast) to see will they sort it out.

If they won't, does anyone out there know how I can fix it? An how much cost I'm looking at?
I brought it to an Apple seller in Dublin, and they suggested I would need to get a whole new display, which seems stupid, as the display is fine, it's the casing causing the problem.

I've attached a pic. Sorry for the quality - it was taken on the 3GS.

Thanks all.
F

Sad Professor

That's very bad. I'd keep annoying Apple about it. They repaired many white Macbooks that had casing problems outside of warranty.

You bought it from the Apple Store in Belfast, yeah? If so, quote them the UK Sales of Goods Act. They have no particular obligation to you as the manufacturer now that the warranty is out, so you need to the emphasise the fact that as the reseller they are legally obliged to repair faulty products. Like our own Sales of Goods Act, the UK one doesn't give a timeframe. You can go the small claims route if they don't comply. You probably need to be talking to customer service rather than technical support.

Iomega Man

As a matter of interest Fiii were the hinges making a creaking sound prior to this happening?

Fiii

Thanks Sad Professor - I think I will read up on the Sales of Goods Act.
I've sent them (the Belfast Apple store) off an email with pictures to show them. If they come back and say they won't fix it, I might just drive up there anyway and see can I talk to someone face to face.
I mean this thing cost more than my car for heavens sake! It really shouldn't be falling apart after 2 years.

No Iomega Man, no creaking from the hinges. No warning signs at all. One minute it was perfect, the next this!

Colonel Panic

My 2011 MBP's hinges creaked and it seemed slightly out of alignment. I was worried something like the op's problem would happen so I got on to Apple to replace the screen.

This sort of thing should not be an issue with such expensive machines. Good luck op! Be persistent!

Achtung! Bono

Apple retail or Apple authorized service provider will do this for free. i recently had my mid 2009 macbook bottomcase where the whole thing came of gradually, i had it fixed no questions asked. It is a known defect in these macbooks.

Only takes about 5 minutes. Call any apple/provider and give them the serial number, they will order the part, or if in stock, just arrange to go in and get it repaired.

States clearly here on Apple.com the known fault and that they will fix for free.

http://www.apple.com/support/macbook-bottomcase/

This problem can arise from leaving Macbook on a non hard surface.

Fiii

Achtung! Bono wrote: »

Apple retail or Apple authorized service provider will do this for free. i recently had my mid 2009 macbook bottomcase where the whole thing came of gradually, i had it fixed no questions asked. It is a known defect in these macbooks.

Only takes about 5 minutes. Call any apple/provider and give them the serial number, they will order the part, or if in stock, just arrange to go in and get it repaired.

States clearly here on Apple.com the known fault and that they will fix for free.

http://www.apple.com/support/macbook-bottomcase/

This problem can arise from leaving Macbook on a non hard surface.

Thanks for that. On mine though, it's actually the top case, rather than the bottom one, if that makes sense.

Just to update this, the Apple store in Belfast got back to me today, and have agreed to sort it free of charge.
Phew!

Achtung! Bono

oh ok. I can understand your relief. Glad things worked out for you.

Sad Professor

Achtung! Bono wrote: »

States clearly here on Apple.com the known fault and that they will fix for free.

http://www.apple.com/support/macbook-bottomcase/

That's the plastic Macbook. The OP has a Macbook Pro, which isn't covered under that program.

Glad to hear you are getting it sorted, OP.

Achtung! Bono

Oops!! fair enough.