Cult of Mac: a blog about the Mac, the iPod, the iPhone - and the people who love them

26 comments

Hey I learned this trick when I was getting my pilots license… if you get a drill with a bit slightly larger then the crack… and drill a hole at the very end of the crack, on the end its moving too. That should stop it.. but it still shouldnt be cracking. this is what aircraft mechanics do to aluminum and fiberglass that is cracking on the outside of aircraft.

Brandon, on February 23rd, 2009 at 9:27 am

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.

Mike, on February 23rd, 2009 at 10:19 am

Here’s a trick where you don’t have to drill your computer!

See those two horizontal lines on either side of the camera, above the screen? If you carry your Macbook front down (so you’re palming the front, where it opens), you’re putting pressure on those two strips in exactly the spot where the cases keep cracking. Don’t squeeze your Macbook while it’s closed, and it won’t crack.

brad, on February 23rd, 2009 at 11:18 am

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

Jan Hilmar, on February 23rd, 2009 at 12:08 pm

My MacBook cracked in the same spot when it was close to a year old. I had it replaced in December (08) and the new one is already cracking in same spot two months later (2/09). I did have an MacBook before this one (circa 2003) and NEVER had the cracks show up. I wonder what is different about the newer ones that keep cracking?

FYI– I use clear tape to hold the plastic down, it is more aesthetically pleasing. Though duct tape may be more a guy-thing.

Lisa, on February 23rd, 2009 at 12:41 pm

whew, glad i got a unibody mbp.

firesign, on February 23rd, 2009 at 12:52 pm

My MacBook’s 8 months old & I have NONE of the problems — cracks, smudges, etc., etc — that’re mentioned here.

Like some’ve mentioned, I wash my hand BEFORE USING A WHITE PLASTIC keyboard & physically I treat the MacBook like what it is — an extremely sensitive, very highperformance piece of electronics.

I don’t know what people expect from a notebook.
They throw the damn thing around as if it were a hardened briefcase or whatever then complain when it breaks.

CaryMG, on February 23rd, 2009 at 2:11 pm

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

Steve, on February 23rd, 2009 at 5:03 pm

My husband’s white MacBook has cracked twice. The fixed it once but now it’s cracked again. It’s got some scotch tape on it. Luckily he’s not the type to fret about that sort of thing (it would bug the hell out of me).

julianne Fishell, on February 23rd, 2009 at 5:56 pm

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?

Belengazi, on February 23rd, 2009 at 8:33 pm

PS @ CaryMG:

I don’t throw my ‘book around at all; it’s always treated carefully as I can’t afford to buy another. Always in a well-padded sleeve when out of the house.

Yet it still cracked.

Speak of what you know please sir…

Belengazi, on February 23rd, 2009 at 8:42 pm

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

GamingGambling, on February 23rd, 2009 at 10:14 pm

CaryMG: You assume too much. My MacBook spends the vast majority of its time on a stand on my desk. It is rarely carried around and when it is, I do so with the utmost care because I’m all too aware that it is an “extremely sensitive, very high performance piece of electronics”.

But *despite* the care I have shown it, the case has still cracked twice. To accuse me, and all the other people who have this problem, of mistreating our computers is unfair. To put it mildly.

I’m inclined to agree with Jan Hilmar about the pressure applied by the plastic spacers on the lid of the MacBook, but even that doesn’t explain the first bunch of cracks I experienced, which appeared on one side of the keyboard, not at the front.

Giles Turnbull, on February 24th, 2009 at 1:24 am

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.

Fiona, on February 24th, 2009 at 1:38 am

Wow Lisa, how did you get a MacBook in 2003?

Andrew Fishkin, on February 24th, 2009 at 1:35 pm

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.

Squight, on February 24th, 2009 at 7:03 pm

@Fiona, the Genius who sorted me out told me that, although I have Applecare, I would have been entitled to a free repair even without it since Apple acknowledges this is a design flaw.

It’s worrying if Apple is being inconsistent in its handling of the fault.

If I have a crack-up for a second time I’ll be beating a path to the Genius Bar with a pretty f**king angry look on my face that will debunk any idea they may have of me paying for the repair.

Belengazi, on February 24th, 2009 at 8:03 pm

Do the black MacBooks crack too?

dmmcintyre3, on March 2nd, 2009 at 1:01 pm

People who keep accusing other people of throwing your macbook around are making me really mad. I treat my macbook better then anybody and I still got the cracks. It just depends on each computer. If you got a model within 06-08 if it hasn’t happen to you yet, trust me it will.

scottatl24, on March 4th, 2009 at 11:21 am

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.

AppleBiddy, on March 8th, 2009 at 9:05 am

P.S. Say no to drilling

AppleBiddy, on March 8th, 2009 at 9:17 am

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.

Anita, on March 8th, 2009 at 1:39 pm

Hey dropping by to say hi and maybe I’ll stay for a little while.

WatsMyRick, on March 11th, 2009 at 1:32 am

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.

LisaN, on March 12th, 2009 at 9:10 am

Mine black mackbook (err crackedbook) cracked right after the one year was up. I have used electricians tape to keep it in check, but it still cracked more.

The cracks are caused by the two little feet when the top of the monitor rests where your hands are, but I’ve found a simple (and cheap) solution. I purchased a package of self-adhesive rubber stoppers and put one each top corner of the monitor, so that it still closes but that the little metal feet dont touch the casing.

[img]http://www.westfloridacomponents.com/mm5/graphics/hw051.jpg[/img]

Rory, on March 21st, 2009 at 6:02 pm

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!

AMN, on April 7th, 2009 at 3:54 pm