Do you have a ‘Crackbook’? Apple pooh poohs your pain…
Many of the white MacBooks the mothership has sold for the last several years exhibit the same problem — cracking of the enclosure around the palm rests, hinges and ports. As often happens, however, Apple has removed any reference to the issue from its own support forums and, when confronted directly, blames the user.
Do you own one of Apple’s inexpensive and (generally) durable consumer portables? I do, and mine has a problem that thousands of other white MacBook owners also share — the polycarbonate body has cracked and a small strip of it has fallen off along the front edge.
My CrackBook is about one year old
Although I personally didn’t take part in Support Forum discussion on the CrackBook, it’s a fact that Apple removed it without explanation or providing any sort of relief to the many complainants. As is oft the case, these folks weren’t dissuaded by this Orwellian redaction and have posted a rather extensive Flickr gallery dedicated to the subject.
Moreover, The Sydney Morning Herald has also picked up the story about the MacBook’s oddly disintegrating white plastic casing, noting that the forums on MacTalk.com.au are home to “countless reports” about the issue (their hosting bill must be astronomical).
For a Mac hating perspective, one with all of the intellectual and moral probity of the tea party and birther movements, check out the UK’s Inquirer, which makes illuminating statements like, “Apple says that the problem has nothing to do with the cheap, shonky, plastic that it uses in its expensive machines. Instead it blames Apple fanboys who were a little rough with their toys.”
Some obvious exaggeration aside, it’s pretty clear that this is a fairly consistent problem that’s occurring across a class of Apple products. Moreover, it’s happening around the world and there is an organized group of people growing up around the issue.
Do we really need the lawyers?
With that background comes news of the inevitable, the California law firm of Seeger Weiss is looking into filing a class action suit over the issue and is asking that those affected step forward and be identified.
Personally, I’m gonna give Apple a call and see if they’ll give me any love. If they agree to take care of the problem, then that’s good and I’ll try to share that here.
If not, then off I’ll go to register my complaint with the lawyers and I’ll share that if and when it happens, as well.
Do you have a CrackBook? Let us know how your experiences with Apple support have been…
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August 6th, 2009
Apple will fix this problem, even if the machine is out of warrantee, for FREE!
It definitely a design flaw. Go to an Apple Store Genius bar and ask nicely
I have had it fixed twice on my macbook — they need to “replace the top case” — no charge.
While it sucks that there is the flaw in the machine , at least they are taking care of it.
I don’t agree with how Apple is handling it on the forums etc. but honestly they will make good and it will cost you nothing.
August 6th, 2009
Apple replaced mine. Just took it into the Apple Store and 1 hour later… FIXED. It did seem like whatever they did made my MacBook heavier.
August 6th, 2009
What does it say about you if you think that the Huffington Post is a reliable source of information? That reveals more than you know about your own “intellectual and moral probity”.
Tea parties? God forbid that people be annoyed about a federal government that is unresponsive to citizen complaints.
And the birthers? The single premise that unites the “birthers” is this one FACT — a Certificate of Live Birth is not conclusive documentary proof that someone was born in this country. People born outside of this country can and have obtained one; that is why neither the State Department nor the state of Hawaii accept this document as valid. It’s really just that simple.
Again, this is logic, which doesn’t compute to people who argue by adjective and think that HuffPo is a reliable source of information, but at least I tried.
August 6th, 2009
Holy christ! I have a crack EXACTLY like the one in the pic! Here have a look..
i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo100/dquirming_octopus/DSC00046.jpg
(type HTTP in before)
I don’t know what to do about it though. I also have another one on the screen at the side, just above where the power cord is attached.
August 6th, 2009
Same as the above poster. MacBook was out of warrantee even.
August 6th, 2009
I had a white MacBook… covered by AppleCare…six orseven keyboards later, two backs ,and a battery and Apple replaced my MacBook with Aluminum Uni-body model 2.4ghz..a higher spec than my current MacBook.
And two weeks later Apple introduced the 13″ MacBook Pro and higher spec white MacBook…which I may have got had I not contacted Apple in time.
So for me…Well done Apple…
August 6th, 2009
My old Black MacBook cracked several times, Apple replaced the case each time, no questions.
August 6th, 2009
my girlfriend has had hers replaced 4 times, each time no questions asked, and done while we waited. and they said that this issue is covered even if you don’t have applecare.
August 6th, 2009
Terrible article. Sure they may have had some problems but I took mine to the Apple store four years after buying the computer withoput Apple Care and they replaced it for free. no questions asked. I was expecting a big bill and I got a smile and I am sorry from the genius. Again terrible article and you should be a shamed.
August 7th, 2009
Why should the plastic crack in the first place?
Answer: 1) Bad design and 2) Wrong materials.
That area can only fail with the raised section on the screen “cutting” into a plastic rim less than 1mm thick… Basic engineering….
August 7th, 2009
Razz which is why Apple learned from their mistakes and made the new macbooks out of Aluminium
August 7th, 2009
Razz why are you even on mac.blorge if you’re just going to troll here?
Either way it’s just a small crack on my case. Doesn’t affect the performance of the machine.
August 7th, 2009
So if someone expresses a view point which is not liked (mainly by you!) they shouldn’t express it ?
The plastic MacBook was not/is not fit for purpose. Have had a Toss for 3 years now and still in one piece and cost 1/2 that of the white MacBook.
And before you ask I’ve owned Macs for 6 years, G4 MacBook, White MacBook, Unibody MacBook and iMac…. and Steve Jobs is king… I was just making a point… end of.
August 7th, 2009
Yes I am,on the blogg Bourne, but it seems that your not in agreement with comments posted here then they shouldn’t be posted.
All I was trying to do was put over a view point, that being the plastic macbook wasn’t thought through.
As yes I am a Mac fan and have been for a number of years owning a G4 iBook…failed two keyboards, two motherboards and a battery. Plastic MacBook very long list.. and now own a uni-body (no problems and 6months old touch wood!), and iMac mouse roller ball no longer works….
For work a 4 year old Tosh, been dropped banded around, not a scratch and spares fitted.
You will find that that small crack will start to scratch your wrist over time.. it did me
August 7th, 2009
Yes I am,on the blogg Bourne, but it seems that your not in agreement with comments posted here then they shouldn’t be posted.
All I was trying to do was put over a view point, that being the plastic macbook wasn’t thought through.
As yes I am a Mac fan and have been for a number of years owning a G4 iBook…failed two keyboards, two motherboards and a battery. Plastic MacBook very long list.. and now own a uni-body (no problems and 6months old touch wood!), and iMac mouse roller ball no longer works….
For work a 4 year old Tosh, been dropped banded around, not a scratch and spares fitted.
You will find that that small crack will start to scratch your wrist over time.. it did me
August 8th, 2009
Seems to me that if you don’t agree with Bourne on this blog your comments get removed, l as did mine! LOL Sad !
and yes I was on mac.blorge…. and yes I am a Mac owner and yes the plastic mac is/was a bad design, I should know had six keyboards in 2 years, but Apple solved my problem.
DBedford/Razz.
August 8th, 2009
FWIW, called Apple today and the AppleCare guy said I need to take to an Apple Store or authorized service center. He said, if it’s as I described, the fix should be free and almost immediate.
Thereupon, the local service guys charge for a dirty look, but I will be in Pittsburgh next week so I’ll have it checked out at the Apple Store when there. Will keep y’all informed.
Ron
March 30th, 2010
I am on my third case on a 2 1/2 year old Macbook.
Each has lasted a little over a year.
Each time, the Apple store in Burlington, MA. was understanding, admitted that it was a known issue and replaced it.
I don’t think the 3rd top case is any sturdier than the first two and I have my fingers crossed that as soon as AppleCare expires, I won’t be having to get a fourth.
November 3rd, 2010
I would like to know if anyone has shared my experience.
Like many people in this forum I have been denied coverage of CRACKING BOTTOM CASE replacement. I was passed around the applecare phone service for 2 weeks, where representatives told me lies about looking at pictures of the computer (when they had not even received any) and supervisors did not return my calls after numerous messages. Finally they declared “accidental damage” and they would not cover replacement costs. When I asked for a WRITTEN STATEMENT of the decision, with reference to a warranty stipulation and copies of photos, they said they would not provide it. They refused to even send me an email explaining their decision and said that for any legal matter I must put my attorney in contact with them.
What kind of company refuses to explain in writing why they are not honouring a warranty which you have paid $300 for?
I think the bottom case issue is very good subject for a collective lawsuit as it is a known flaw and thousands have been denied access.
May 31st, 2011
Adam… not sure if you’ll see this message, but you really ought to see this:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/04/08/apple_addressing_cracks_on_white_macbooks_casings.html
Case in point: The first time I brought it to their attention that my bottom case had cracks, they refused to fix it. That was last year. Then I found that article in March and brought it with me to the store. Then, amazingly enough, they decided to fix it without charging me.
Which says that armed with facts, you get results. No facts, and Apple will act as if it’s all your fault.
Take that article with you and see what happens when they’re confronted with their own secret policy.
June 1st, 2011
Oh yeah… I hope you can forward my previous post to Adam and that he can have his Crackbook repaired. That would be great.