Is anyone else's Macbook losing plastic around the edge of the keyboard?

It seems like a lot of people are having this problem with their first gen intel macbooks. You can take it to the apple store and they'll most likely replace the cover for free.

It looks like mine might be in the early stages

Update:
Didn't take too long and now mine is loosing plastic

Apple does indeed replace it. That's what I did to mine, but I had to wait until it was pretty bad. When I took it in at first, they said since it was only the width of the nubbin at the top of the screen that it was as bad as it would get. Then they replaced it.

Mine is a second gen (released November 2006), by the way.

Yes, same thing happened to my wife's macbook about after 1 year of use. Apple was so kind as to replace the entire top handrest and changed the keyboard as well. I recommend to get a AppleCare package with your Mac.

Is this something they took care of there at the apple store, or did they have to send out?

They took care of it at the store in a couple of hours. They'll tell you they need it for longer, but it goes very fast if they have an extra case in stock.

Mine is peeling too, i hope the mac store can replace it.. i didn't get apple care. I wish I could just buy the part and replace it myself.

Yes, this is happening to mine too.

My girlfriend's MacBook was doing that and she got it replaced for free but her new keyboard seems non responsive at times and it has started to chip again. So it will have to be replaced again.

I got mine replaced at a repair shop on campus for free, but my computer was still under warranty. So far it hasn't cracked again, i think it comes down to how hard you close your macbook. I'm more gentle this time around.

My keyboard works fine, you should take hers back ad get them to fix that up. The only thing for me was the touch pad the surface felt weird at first.

I'm having a similar problem but mine is warping just above the Slot-loading
optical drive. about a one inch gap.

that's one inch wide

I guess I am joining the others already in session because this morning the edge of my laptop started to crack. I am so upset this is my prefer computer. I do hope they change it because I think this is the cheap material they use

Yes, I'm having this problem as well. (I've had my MacBook for more than a year as I type this, and this started in mid-December 2007.) The same thing is also happening right at the edge of the keyboard above the USB/FireWire ports. If Apple doesn't change the design, I'm going to a different notebook manufacturer and back to Linux; I can't stand this, and I won't support faulty design by paying $1000+ for another Apple laptop.

You can get the part from ifixit.com for $199; I already looked. If my Mac weren't out of warranty, I'd have taken it to Apple at the first signs of cracking; by then, however, the warranty had run out a couple of weeks prior....

I haven't had my Mac long so I do not have this problem yet (knock on wood) but what I do find irritating is the sharp square edge where my wrists rest when typing. I hurts... anyone find or know of a solution to this yet?

Oh, I was so happy to see this page. I thought I had dropped the computer and that was what had started the problem. Now, I can see about my warranty repair. Has anyone else dealt with Apple the European warranty services?

I haven't dealt with European Apple services, but I've taken my things to the Genius Bar in my city, and they've fixed me up every time.

I didn't like the sharp-edged feel on the edge of the keyboard surface but didn't expect it to crack! I bought my MacBook 10 months ago (May 07) and don't know if the warranty will cover this repair/replacement. Does anyone know? Is this a problem that will reoccur due to poor design? (the plastic has chipped away on the right where my wrist sits. About 2" cracked off...

The crack on mine is almost identical to yours. What will Apple do to fix this?? I got mine in May 07. Will the general warranty cover it?

Yes! You are within a year. I recommend you bring it to your nearest Apple store. I had mine fixed and the problem hasn't returned.

I have this too....I bought mine refurbished and there was a hint of it right when I got it. Now it's all over the place. Oh well, it's an excuse to buy a MBP. :)

A few of my friends have had this issue. Hasn't happened on mine yet. One guy sent it for repair. It took about a week and was covered by the warranty. Done at the Manchester Arndale store, england.
There was another crack at the right-hand side of the hinge that wasn't fixed, they just replaced the upper cover and left a small hole in the lower case. He seemed happy with it, but I'm not so sure.

same thing happened to mine in the same place.
it's a defect and if you take it into an apple store they should fix it for you no charge unless your warranty is up.

Just happened few days ago to my almost-two-years macbook :(

http://flickr.com/photos/fajran/24137...

I have a white Macbook since May 2007. I had mine broken just like in the picture, also the CD slot is obviously warped. Very disappointing. Lately I started to experience problems with ejecting CDs because they are being compressed by the warped slot! I really love Mac OS, but this is really annoying.

So, though many of us have this problem, I gather that Apple does not consider it severe enough to recall the problem computers.

Does anyone know how to initiate their action?

Does anyone know if there is an official Apple warranty issue page?

And for those who had a repair/replacement, was the new piece any better than the old?

susana.

Hi,

plastic macbooks have this problem
if its under a year, then get it fixed from the apple store, pronto!
get applecare in case the heat is a consistant problem!

I will post more photos of my cracked/fixed macbook soon!

Yeup. Mine developed this today and it is 3 months out of warranty. Awesome!

My case cracked in the exact location of Ted Grubbs's posted 6 months ago. If I took a photo it is in the exact location. Is there a recall on this yet, also I live overseas, but will be in Orlando in June. Do I need to contact the Apple Store there ahead of time so they can have the case in stock?

Mine is cracked in the right corner! Aaagh! I would totally call them before you go and see if they have it in stock. I bet they do, judging by how widespread this is. I have heard that they will replace this within the first year. I guess I am about to find out, too. I need to take mine in.

Just got this fixed yesterday, took them an hour 'cause they had the part in stock.

Just got back from the Apple Store. They wouldn't replace the top case because it was out of warranty.

They should own up to this issue, just like they did for the discolored trackpads. It's not our fault.

Yes! A strip slightly longer than an inch, near the edge where I rest my right hand, cracked off. Laptop was about six-months-old when this happened.

Same here... it seems that the right edage is peeling off slowly... I am using back tape to cover it... track pad is fading out too...

my macbook also has a crack on the wrist rest area...and on the upper left side of the nubbins....will they fix it?

I was at the Apple store today. The technician there said it depended on how old my computer was. My computer was manufactured about 18 months ago, and he said that it was still eligible to be fixed. I'm sorry that isn't more specific, but it is something.

Wow! I'm surprised but at the same time relieved to know I'm not the only one dealing with this...I was debating on whether to even have the crack fixed right now but I most certainly don't want it to get worse (considering I've only had my macbook for 4 months!) the nearest store to me is about an hour away but I think I will just make that a chore for the weekend but I will be calling first.

Just tonight a piece broke off where my left wrist sits, just as described by others. Couple inches long, starting from about 1.5 centimetres to the right of the left hand corner (does that make sense?), and stopping about an inch before it reaches the trackpad button.

I intend to call Apple tomorrow morning (sods law, it broke just before Apple closed and I didn't get through in time on the phone), and feel confident they will be able to resolve it for me. After all, it's clearly a design flaw, my macbook is less than a year old, and there's no real reason it should be like this.

People buy Mac for a number of reasons, one of which is the reputable build quality. This has really disappointed me in an otherwise glorious Mac experience, and I really hope they can put it right to my satisfaction.

Will try to remember to post back here when I call tomorrow.

mine cracked on the left first and now its on the right too.exactly like the picture above.i thought my sister had knocked it.id rather it be that than apple sell me shoddy goods.

Just an update; I took it into the Apple store (an hour's drive away) on Sunday, and they repaired it within a few hours. They'll say it may take 7-10 days or something, but that's likely to cover themselves. If they have the part in stock they can probably do the repair the same day. Just ask the Genius you speak to for an off-the-record estimate.

My only concern now is that it happens again a day after the warranty expires or something, as it looks to cost over £100 outside of warranty! Not impressed with that considering its clearly a design fault and not user abuse.

It's happening to mine too. I called apple, they say they will replace it for free!

My wife has had this same chip problem three times. It is also under warrantee. However, it has chipped again and the apple store says that they will not replace again after we left the store after they repaired it the third time. Not sure why they say that but can apple do that if it is a defect and under warrantee?

My computer did the same exact thing. I had it fixed once in April and it just occurred again this week. I'm going to see what I can do, but my warranty is up and I have a feeling they'll tell me I'm SOL. Clearly a design flaw due to the magnetic clip at the top of the case.

Maybe they should make harder plastic, or softer magnets ...

This is so annoying... I took my MacBook in to get it fixed and I was out of warranty, and it is RIDICULOUSLY expensive to fix that piece of plastic that they designed wrong. Does anyone have any alternative suggestions on what I could do to get it fixed?

didn't happen to my wallstreet powerbook!

It happened to my mackbook as well. Started about 2 weeks ago. As I noticed and wanted to stop the crack going further, I used some superglue and the it appear to have fixed the problem. To my disappointment, today I noticed the crack is still growing alongside the edge of the keyboard, now pretty much stretching from the remote control sensor to near the right of the trackpad. I am now covering it with duct tape as I don't want for things to get worse. I am not sure if I should have it replaced if it will happen again in a few months. I seems to me that the only reason these macBooks are considered "affordable" is because of their cheap build quality. Not impressed.

Ours cracked in the same place. We had it fixed while under warranty. I thought we were too rough with it and could have caused the crack. Once it was replaced, we took care to not grab it by that edge (only the hinge edge). Well, just out of warranty it cracked again. I can barely stand to look at it. Great laptop, and it's embarrassing to have it taped together. Really classy. Duct tape would work better (thanks bertie!) cause clear tape just keeps peeling off... I was trying to 'disguise' it :) I don't have $200 to spend on a cosmedic fix. Like has been mentioned, Apple should replace since it's obviously a design/product flaw. I guess I'll try calling the Apple store.... but doubt anything will happen.

Today mine also broke in exactly the same place like yours on the bottom right side and it looks like the left side is giving up too.
I am totally disgusted with Apple,as I have bought (via a mail order catalogue company) my laptop few months ago.I have shouted at my kids thinking it was them that done the damage,but I would have never thought that an Apple Macbook,would come with this sort of problem.I am disgusted.
I am still paying for mine which make me even more angry.I have also checked for my warranty and somehow the apple website it is telling me that my warranty is expired and this can't be.
I will be phoning them tomorrow and I live in London,so I do not know how it will end up for me and my laptop.
What a disgrace for a company like Apple.

I live in belgium, same problem right corner in the magnetic area, will go to apple store too bought it november 2007 and it broke 2 months ago, so it's only 8 months old!!! I thought it broke because it transport it in a laptopbag with school books and the schoolbooks had been pressing against the cover, if it wasn't for this site I also thought it was my fault!! Thx alot guys!!

i have a macbook pro 17 - about two years old, problem has just started a few months ago, plastic on the edge above my front-loader superdrive slot. hard to avoid resting my hand/wrist on it when typing, but i'm hoping it doesn't break or catch on something one of these days!

Both of my daughters and myself all got Macbooks last Christmas and all three computers have developed cracks on the right side!! We are a Mac family and have happily had Macs since day one, but this problem is a big concern and obviously a design fault. I am very disappointed with Apple.

Both of my daughters and myself all got Macbooks last Christmas and all three computers have developed cracks on the right side!! We are a Mac family and have happily had Macs since day one, but this problem is a big concern and obviously a design fault. I am very disappointed with Apple.

I started getting a crack on the left side next to the track pad a couple of weeks ago but I am not under apples warranty, this really blows because i really take care of my laptop

I came searching for answers to this same question. I knew for a fact that I didn't do anything to damage my computer but couldn't figure for the life of me why the HE double hockey sticks it was falling apart. I've been fond of my macbook, got it 7mths ago, but now I'm thoroughly ticked off with apple for not doing something to rectify this problem. It wasn't my intention to pay for such inferior design - even in a "superior" product.

Yep, same problem here. My macbook is 25 months old and therefore 13 months out of the 1-year limited warranty. I didn't buy AppleCare because i'm pretty careful with these things. Evidently, this is a design flaw. If not, then it is a design-intention so they can make more money a few years down the line from those who didn't buy the Apple care. I'm going to chance my luck with the Apple store in Milton Keynes. Will let you know how I get on.

See pics of my damaged macbook here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/guyweb/s...

This can almost always be traced to the little magnet bits at the top of the LCD hinge, It seems to be that this problem occurs on various production runs from various manufacturing centres.

You may or may not be provided with a replacement, It really depends on the store the current employee and the mood they are in today. I've found this to be covered under "Cosmetic Damages" meaning most likely they will charge you for the repair, Which usually is simply changing the exterior case as well as possibly putting in a new bezel above the LCD (Which, I should add is held in with nothing more than double-sided sticky tape.)

For some reason, This seems to be more common on systems being sent to European customers. I have two MacBooks, One purchased in the states, One purchased at a shop in London, The MacBook purchased in London (Mid-2007 - White) hasn't showed this problem, But the MacBook purchased in the states has. So it seems to be a bit of luck as well as where you purchase / where you are located.

As was mentioned above, It will usually cost between £130 - £150 if you choose to have a third-party company make the repair. Luckily, I didn't need to pay for the repair to be done on the US based MacBook, It was covered via AppleCare. I'm not entirely sure how Apple will handle your MacBook, being that you decided to not purchase AppleCare (Known by staff as APP.)

-DK

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As you can see i got the same problem but both sides :(

i tried everything at the right side, i glued, plastered even ducked tape it but it looks horrible !

and when the left side almost came out of its place I've put a transparent sticker on both sides which doesn't hold that good :s

I bought it 10 months ago but this start to occur since the 5th month!!
I'm still within the one year warranty but the problem that i live in Egypt where there is no Apple Store, only retailers & resellers..

I don't know but after reading all of your comments I'm thinking to go check it out with them specially because two of my colleagues at work had the same problem..

We should do something !!
How come they still ignore this issue till now & repair it only when they like.
Can't we do some kind of petition or so?

It's my first mac but I'm so disappointed because here in Egypt a MacBook costs like 2 branded laptop with the same specs :(

Shicco

I'm in Ireland and the same thing is happening with mine. I just rang the store that I bought it in and they said they'll replace it for free. :) At least they're being nice about it.

hi
the same has happened to my macbook i got it for christmas 08 i put glue on it to try and fix but now it looks tacky do you think they will still change it me even though i put glue on it i didnt get apple care so im hoping the warrenty will help me out

if any one can giv me any advice it would be very helpful
thankyou

The same is happening to mine. I took my arm off my MB and a piece plastic came with it (HOUR AGO). It's the second piece to come off. My CD entry also is messed up. It won't take in any CDs. I need to take it in ASAP but I have to back it up just in case. So we'll see when that happens.

hi, the exact same thing happened to me on one side only. Delighted to have found this forum and see that it wasn't just me that has this problem. Am still within warranty period so fingers crossed

I am so glad to have found this thread, as I too thought someone had cracked it. I bought my macbook about 8-9 months ago and it has just developed a crack on the right side. I called Apple and my 90 day phone support had of course expired. They oh so benevolently (cough cough) said that since my hardware was still under warranty, he would offer me a special rate to buy 3 years of phone support. I basically laughed at him, so he offered me an 'exception'. We eventually found an Apple service store here, as there is no Apple Store anywhere near me. I am calling today to see when they can replace it. I did, well my 16 year old daughter, who just got a macbook for her birthday, find a way to hopefully prevent it from happening again. We bought a package of those little silicon 'feet' that are adhesive on one side, used for keeping items from sliding/marking up surfaces. We purchased round ones, that just fit into the top 2 corners of the LCD half of the macbook. We got very low profile ones, around 1/8" thick or so. They seem to stick quite well and when you close the lid, they provide just enough padding to keep it from snapping shut. They also are just thick enough to keep the little plastic things from hitting on the edge of the macbook, hopefully taking care of this ever happening again. The silicon pads are thin enough that the macbook still 'sleeps' if you close it and they are hardly noticeable.

I hope this helps some of you. I do know that I didn't spend all of the money I did on a laptop to have something like this happen. My old laptop (now my son's) is over 6 years old and is like new. I am seriously considering fixing mine, selling it and getting a more solidly constructed 'PC' laptop, even if it isn't as pretty and converting to Linux. There are 2 Mac minis and 2 macbooks in our home as we were converting to macs to flee Windows and to have more energy efficient computers. The minis just sit there and I am happy with them, but I don't know about the laptops, especially as I cart mine around and use it daily for work.

Same for me, both sides where the Magnet meets the palm rests. Gutted, I bought this reconditioned from Apple April 2007. I've used it about 30 hours in total and have it in a Speck Case all the time. Its looked after. When i saw this today I freaked.
Its Apple, its Supposed to be Quality, isn't it?

This is a Design Fault and Apple should cover it, if they don't I shall not be happy. This will only get worse and as I type I am not allowing my hands to touch the rests in case it gets worse.

No APP Cover here, so lets see what happens.
I will let you know either way.

Yes, I bought my last macbook 9 months ago and happened exactly the same as everyone else. I am going to Apple Store tomorrow, fingers crossed!

I got my apple MacBook Feb 2008 and I had to take it to the apple store to have to the chipped hand rest repaired just 2 months after getting it. Now it is chipping again so I called to see it I can get it fixed again for free and lady said I would have to come in to see. I then asked how much would it cost if it is not free and she said about $200! WTF!!

Anybody have any experience getting it fixed in Singapore? Anybody know if its possible to to change the entire casing (if possible)? Mine has tons of scratches on it :(

I have the exact same problem. Mine is actually on two spot and part of the plastic on one side is actually broken off exposing a gaping hole. I read in another forum that this defect is under warranty since it is a designee flaw and I am taking mine to apple store for replacement tomorrow

Thank God I found this... I just noticed a tiny crack where my left wrist sits, and I've had it 1 year and 2 weeks.... Hope I don't have a problem getting it replaced.

Yes, this has happened to both mine and my best friend's macbook. This is a huge design flaw. The little nubs on the top lid, when clasp shut, cause the bottom plastic on either side of the track pad, to crack over time. What I did was place a couple pieces of tape over the crack to prevent it from cracking more. I never close the lid anymore either. The new all aluminum macbooks do not have this flaw. I am never getting another laptop again. The next computer I get after this one completely dies out will be the imac. You just get more bang for your buck.

Have this problem too - had to cover with gaffer tape to protect (see photos) the bottom left hand corner & all along the RHS (past the DVD slot).

Does it matter how long I've had this (I bought it at launch of the first generation Intel MacBooks), although I do have Applecare.

Could I still get it replaced at my nearest AppleStore?

PS. I'm in the UK.

PPS. Also have a problem with the adapter cable sheathing splitting (see other topic)

Adam, this is an epidemic. Apple had used and is using inferior plastic in the previous MacBooks. I have one MacBook that has its top case and bottom case both cracked 2 times. Please tell Apple to replace your MacBook. It's a design flaw.

If you have time, there's a group over at Flickr devoted to MacBook cracks. If the genius does not replace the machine for you, showing him or her those pictures might help.

YES!!! I had mine for only a few days and it started comming apart in the same place as yours. I went ahead and got an incase for my mac thinking that it would help and it is not helping at all, it is getting worse.

Mine is... Any ideas on where I could buy a replacement case?

I had the same problem. But apple changed the cover, with no charge. I believe the lines in high relief, on both sides of the screen, are the guilty ones...they yet marked the ex-cracked place on keyboard cover again...

I'm a college student...But I actually relatively rarely use my Macbook compared to pretty much everyone else (and it never goes outside of my dorm room, except the few times a year I anal retentively pack it up and bring it home). I got it in July 2007...And I take such good care of everything, I really wasn't concerned with warranties and such. Of course, now that it isn't covered any more, a crack decided to spontaneously generate over night. I'm more than a little pissed.
Mostly because of the horrendous customer service. Why the hell should I have to pay $49 to talk to someone because my not-quite-two-years-old Macbook is suffering from an Apple design flaw? I called the "local" store and they said "Well, we could maybe fix it. Definitely not for free though...And we can only give out price estimates in person. But we've seen a lot of people coming in with this problem." From my college, that local store is four hours away. As a pre-med student, I don't freaking have time to drive four hours one way, and possibly have them tell me they can't fix it, or suggest an obscene repair cost...And I certainly don't have time for them to dick around and keep the computer during the week.

hm..i bought my macbook 1 month ago and it appears to have the same problem, but on a initial stage...so I bought a silicone keyboard shield (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx...) and it seem's better.

faulty cases class action lawsuit

http://www.lawyerseek.com/Practice/Co...

Cover cracked on me too. But I live in Europe and I bought the notebook 14 months ago; will they still repair it for free since it's a common flaw?

This has happened to me too! but I bought mine from a Apple reseller - will they still change it or do I have to actually go to a Apple store? The nearest one to me is London... I got mine in May 08 so I should still be in warranty...

Mine is cracking, but on the top piece around the screen, right above the notches. I bought it last may, and don't have apple care. I just tried to call the apple store and the guy just said it was up to the technician. The store is an hour away so I didn't want to go there if they won't repair it. So do you think they would repair it?

So, we're all sad and frustrated. Our MacBooks are cracking up like eggshells. Now we know why they went to aluminum and WISH we had waited...RIGHT??!! C'mon Apple, give up another option, versus running back and forth to your repair shops or being SOL, this is ridiculous. This cracking does NOT occur from regular use, its a design defect. Help us out here - at least tell us how to preserve the damned thing, esp. for the poor people who aren't under warranty. This is just a long shot, but maybe there's something we can put on the outer edge to prevent this cracking. We want to be repeat customers and someday upgrade with you BUT damn it, WE GOT BURNED HERE.

My macbook ha also cracked on the right hand side 2 inches on the seam and starting on the left . It is less than a year old . Seems like many are defect , and the new tops probably the same material . Use it everyday and dont want to send it in for weeks , any ideas ?, Am in Norway and Glos. Basically think apple have sold soemething of low standard and should have used an alloy or similar . Warranty soon out so will have to act fast .

I bought my MacBook in the States from Apple.com in December 2008. I have been extremely careful of my mac and have treated it gently. Just today, May 11, I was softly wiping the surface with my microfiber cloth and just above the two lights, on the right hand side, a chip about and inch and a half long came off!! I can see inside! I was so angry and shocked, especially since I spent so much money for it and it is my first Mac.
I live in Germany and so I called the local store that sells Macs and they said to bring it in and they will need to keep it for 10-14 days! They told my to bring in my original receipt, which I don't have, but I told them isn't the serial number enough, and they said a reluctant yes.
Let's see what happens. I am so glad I found this forum because it it good to know I did not do anything wrong and it is clearly a design flaw. I am frustrated, though, because I use my Mac EVERY DAY and now I have to give it up for two weeks.
What happens if this occurs again after my one year warranty is expired? I think something like this should be covered without a warranty.

Someone else wrote that it is so sharp where you rest your wrists while typing. I totally agree. It hurts to type!
If I had known about these drawbacks, I would have spend the 300$ more to get the aluminum instead. Whey does this "high quality" company make cheap, plastic, sharp cases for their laptops at all?
All in all, very disappointing.
I'll report back after I go to the shop in Duesseldorf.

The same problem with my computer. It had cracked right above the "sleep" light. My Black MacBook is one month out of warranty. I guess I'm out of luck. I'm pretty upset about it since I had to save up for a while to buy this computer and now it is broken. What can we do? =(

+1. My Macbook was breaking on exactly the same spot as displayed above (in the first picture). Can we use this thread the get the plastic replaced for free? To my opinion it's a product/design error.

/Thomas

I bought mine from Amazon. It's no longer under warranty. Took it to the Apple store tonight - it was fixed for free in less than an hour, no questions asked.