I have an original 2006 white MacBook from the release in August of that year. To date, I’ve had no issues as many have reported. The case of my notebook computer is neither cracked nor stained. This is probably because I wash my hands and I don’t rest all my weight on the palm rest of the computer.

If Apple’s taking responsibility for this issue, why is it regular “news” that Apple is shipping out a replacement to this or that customer? I feel the same way about “ongoing coverage” that MS is still taking care of RROD problems on the Xbox 360. Despite a company’s attempts to satisfy customers, they get slammed by statistical outliers discovering the company’s human fallibility and ignoring that the problem is being resolved.

“The appeal of a unibody replacement grows ever stronger.” This is editorial is late. This would have better context if mentioned when Apple first announced the unibody line where it made more sense for inclusion. Otherwise, it feels to me like beating a dead horse.

Had the same issue, and solved it: the problem are the plastic pads that are supposed to keep the screen from touching the keys when you close the macbook. Turns out they are too hard, and under pressure, they damage the top case.

The solution? Get some rubber pads and place them on the screen bezel (I use wildeepz, which are damn expensive, but get the job done). With enough padding, they make sure the plastic pads Apple so kindly provided don’t touch the top case, and don’t do damage to it.

Hope this helps someone out there!

Jan

whew, glad i got a unibody mbp.

Had this problem after about 7 months of using my white MacBook, it was covered by the 12 month warranty and apple replaced the top part. Havent had another dont know whether its because i am using it as a desktop with its lid closed so therefore its not getting transported and leant on! Think the white MacBook case quality is poor.

Also noticed on the bottom of it where the screen hinge is there is slight cracking there. This im guessing is moving the monitor to far back such as when your stood up to look at something you generally move the screen right back!! (or i do because im lanky)

Steve

I don’t “squeeze” my Macbook while it’s closed (why ever would you do that?) but the keyboard part still cracked about 18 months in.

The Genius who saw to the replacement assured me that Apple are now making the part in question thicker and tougher, so I shouldn’t see the problem again.

But… you don’t think he was possibly spouting bull, do you?

Is going to be expensive to replace the whole compuater evrytime, then must liekly the new part is going to stronger.

As someone with a cracked Macbook (8 months old) I would like to send out a resounding FUCK YOU to the people telling us how we are “mistreating” our macbooks by not washing our hands and treating it with “care”. My macbook lives on my desk. It never moves. I close the top gently, I have NEVER slammed it. And yet, I have cracking taking place on the front right corner. In the exact SAME spot as everyone else’s, and on my sister’s! The macbook I have is only 8 months old but is out of warranty because it is a replacement machine for my old one began showing signs of RSS (Random Shutdown Syndrome). That machine also had its casing replaced because it began cracking. It will now cost me $250 to replace my outer casing on the new machine because its out of warranty. The hair-line cracking taking place on the air vent plastic on the bottom of the machine (which could not have possibly occurred because of mistreatment) cannot be replaced, apparently. The fault is a fault of Apple and has nothing to do with our treatment, those without the cracking, you are lucky, or I would say, just wait it appears out of NOWHERE.

o_o I just read this article, and now a crack has appeared out of nowhere, right where the little bar thing on the lid on the right side presses down. I think after I finish my French homework I’ll use some superglue and stop being so rough on the ol’ girl, she’s less than a year old, but I guess I’ve been treating her a little rough.

Do the black MacBooks crack too?

Please excuse ‘whoever you are’, that assumes people are throwing around their computers and mistreating them. HELLO!!?? Why would anyone do that? As with others on this site I LOVE my MacBook, and treat it with respect. Things are not made perfect but hopefully with all of this information Apple will remedy the problem and produce a better product. I have had my computer for a little over 2 yrs and the first crack happened at about 6 months. Since it was quite small I duct taped it but now out of nowhere there is a bigger crack on the other side. I had no idea until now that so many others had this same experience.

I’ve had my Macbook for around 16 months, it cracked on the top casing around the screen about a year ago. Small pieces started breaking off the edge. I took this to the Apple Store and it was fixed for me under guarantee. A little annoying though to have to give it up for 5 days while they fixed it. Now, I have a crack on the casing at the bottom, on the side to the left. I will definitely be taking it in to get repaired again as a macbook costs too much to hold it together with sticky tape.

I rarely take my macbook out, it’s carried in a case when it’s out and it hasn’t been dropped. I usually leave the lid open too.

My almost year-old MacBook cracked in exactly the same spot. It’s basically where you rest your palm when using the mouse. The edge on this MacBook has a very sharp edge unlike the older version which was smooth and didn’t hurt my hand. Poor design.

Mine’s an ’06 too, and yep, same thing, same place, second replacement. It just started yesterday and I’m grateful to see that I’m not alone.

I too am insulted by the brazen, pompous accusations of misuse/mishandling. No, not ever. I even use an external keyboard most of the time.

This could be bad, just stepping foot in an Apple store never bodes well for my budget. Can’t wait! ;)