Dented MBA upper casing, help required with regards to possible repair?

[HadhafangV2]

Hi guys,

First of all, my first time posting on this forum, apologies in advance if I break any roolz . . . .

Right. Christmas time, I leave my MBA on the floor, its fine and safe. Next thing, one of my parents answers the landline phone, and passes it over to the other. The process of stretching the cable of the phone, pulls the base station off the table, and onto the top of my MBA.

There is a single dent in the ally casing, doesnt in anyway affect the running of the machine at all, and its not an uber dent. But its noticeable, and anyone with an MBA knows its a lot of money, for a perfect looking piece of equipment. So I hope I'm not alone in my opinion that I want it to be perfect.

My question is, how easy can just the top aluminium cover be replaced, as I cant see any screws or inclination as to how its afixed, or if it even can be at all? I'm pretty much assuming, though I havent yet checked, that my 3 year applecare, isnt going to cover my parent dropping the phone on my MBA. So I'm aware that I may have to resolve this myself.

I'd just like to point out that when it happened . . . . I almost cried.lol

A second question, which wonders off topic so apologies again, opinions on parallels desktop 5 for mac? Rating this or slating it? Peoples opinions and/or experiences would be appreciated in this regard.

Many thanks in advance, Rich Godfrey.

 

[MacDawg]

No, unfortunately Apple Care does not cover damage

I prefer Fusion to Parallels and it works great
But you could download the trials of both and form your own opinion
Both have their fans and detractors

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[Scottsdale]

You can swap out the aluminum case parts yourself with some work. I have found all of the aluminum case parts (lid, bezel, top case, and bottom cover) on eBay. I have seen each part for around $50 or less new. Sometimes people sell used ones cheaper. This is a much cheaper repair than paying Apple a fortune to replace the same parts.

Use iFixIt.com for instructions on teardown and replacement.

Good luck.

 

[Jophster]

Gutted

Hi All
Just to add to this thread...
I have owned by MBA for less than 2 Months and it was in Good to Very Good Condition when I bought it.
Now, I have taken it to school three times and already, I have got a serious bump on the top left corner of the laptop.
I am so annoyed with myself because now, every time I open/close the lid it grinds away a little at the base.

This is basically just a warning that although this machine is made to be portable - MAKE SURE YOUR MBA IS PROTECTED AND SAFE from bumps and scrapes.

It is so disheartening to have damaged something so lovely (and valuable) in the first place.
Don't be a dumbass - don't do what I did!

 

[Scottsdale]

Hi All
Just to add to this thread...
I have owned by MBA for less than 2 Months and it was in Good to Very Good Condition when I bought it.
Now, I have taken it to school three times and already, I have got a serious bump on the top left corner of the laptop.
I am so annoyed with myself because now, every time I open/close the lid it grinds away a little at the base.

This is basically just a warning that although this machine is made to be portable - MAKE SURE YOUR MBA IS PROTECTED AND SAFE from bumps and scrapes.

It is so disheartening to have damaged something so lovely (and valuable) in the first place.
Don't be a dumbass - don't do what I did!

For around $50, you can replace it with a new one. Look on eBay for awhile, and eventually you will find a perfect one or new one for $50 or less.

 

[robeddie]

Hi guys,

I leave my MBA on the floor, its fine and safe.

Ok, that's just funny to me. Leaving a bare (un-cased) Macbook Air on the FLOOR, with other people walking around the house is 'fine and safe'.

?!?!?!? I'm speechless.

 

[alphaod]

IF you're lucky you'll get a Genius that will set you up with a Tier 2 repair for only $450; otherwise you may be looking at Tier 3 for $850.

 

[GoCubsGo]

IF you're lucky you'll get a Genius that will set you up with a Tier 2 repair for only $450; otherwise you may be looking at Tier 3 for $850.

Or you do it yourself as stated above and bob's your uncle.

 

[btbrossard]

Ok, that's just funny to me. Leaving a bare (un-cased) Macbook Air on the FLOOR, with other people walking around the house is 'fine and safe'.

Well, it's not going to fall onto the floor that way...

I would have to admit that I have on more than one occasion left my powerbook on the floor next to my night stand when I'm too lazy to put it away after using it before bed. I think I'm asking for one of my kids to step on it...

 

[robeddie]

Well, it's not going to fall onto the floor that way...

I would have to admit that I have on more than one occasion left my powerbook on the floor next to my night stand when I'm too lazy to put it away after using it before bed. I think I'm asking for one of my kids to step on it...

My feeling is, if u leave it out, eventually somthing is going to happen. Id rather spend 2 seconds putting it away than spend 2-thousand dollars replacing it.
My wife always walks away from her macbook with the lid open on the coffee table. Ive told her to at least close the lid, if not put it in the bag when not in use. Well, whaddya know, the other day her mother trips with a glass of water in her hand, spills on the keyboard. Fix = $700.

Because my wife was too lazy to take care, we're now out a bunch of money.

 

[Scottsdale]

My feeling is, if u leave it out, eventually somthing is going to happen. Id rather spend 2 seconds putting it away than spend 2-thousand dollars replacing it.
My wife always walks away from her macbook with the lid open on the coffee table. Ive told her to at least close the lid, if not put it in the bag when not in use. Well, whaddya know, the other day her mother trips with a glass of water in her hand, spills on the keyboard. Fix = $700.

Because my wife was too lazy to take care, we're now out a bunch of money.

You better lose your attitude, or you won't have to worry about your wife ruining her Mac anymore. Seriously, being a know it all doesn't help the situation. I am sure she feels terrible, but I wouldn't even consider it her fault. Accidents happen. I think it's best with spouses to just let them learn on their own. If you talk to her like she's a five year old, your marriage isn't going to last long. It's a lousy MacBook, it's not like someone was killed or injured. BTW, how is your mother-in-law? Hope she is okay and didn't hurt herself? You have the wrong attitude, sir. Dealing with people like that isn't going to get you very far in life or make you very popular. We all make mistakes, and we all learn from our mistakes. I am sure you made a mistake once...

 

[Steven in VA]

dented mine, too

I use a padded Brenthaven sleeve inside my bookbag (career teacher--60 and still tote a bookbag.) It's great--except one day I set my bag on the bottom step of a stairs, the bag tipped over, and the corner of my MBA slid out of the sleeve while still inside my bookbag/backpack, just barely hit the (brick) floor, and dented the corner. Genius Bar said $850. Scottsdale, is just that top piece of the lid, the actual cover, replaceable separate from the display? If so, 50 bucks would be SUCH a deal.

It's a Rev A 64GB SSD. Works well, but I've read a lot of the Runcore and hopes-for-Rev D MBAs. Should I sell it while it still has value (and 2 years of Applecare) and hope for a good Rev D under $1,500 to come along, or just get the Runcore 128 and use it for 2 more years. I do the usual (schoolwork, iTunes, iPhoto, email) with it, but I'd like to edit video in iMovie as well. What's the best option? Thanks for any advice, and apologies to whomever this post bothers; I'm a newbie and can't PM.

 

[Synchromesh]

You better lose your attitude, or you won't have to worry about your wife ruining her Mac anymore. Seriously, being a know it all doesn't help the situation. I am sure she feels terrible, but I wouldn't even consider it her fault. Accidents happen. I think it's best with spouses to just let them learn on their own. If you talk to her like she's a five year old, your marriage isn't going to last long. It's a lousy MacBook, it's not like someone was killed or injured. BTW, how is your mother-in-law? Hope she is okay and didn't hurt herself? You have the wrong attitude, sir. Dealing with people like that isn't going to get you very far in life or make you very popular. We all make mistakes, and we all learn from our mistakes. I am sure you made a mistake once...

I had no idea this website was authorized to give marriage and life advice. All funny stuff aside, imho it's absolutely his business how he treats his wife. If I was to let my wife/girlfriend learn $700 lessons every time, we'd be pretty poor by now. I know I'd be pretty upset if my wife did something like that. Let's leave it that.

To OP: the parts themselves are obtainable, however it's very difficult to do a good job because of the idiotic way Apple glues the screen bezel with doublesided tape. Took me several hours to do it and you can still see ripples which may or may not void your warranty with Apple. Just look at the videos on youtube.

 

[Scottsdale]

I had no idea this website was authorized to give marriage and life advice. All funny stuff aside, imho it's absolutely his business how he treats his wife. If I was to let my wife/girlfriend learn $700 lessons every time, we'd be pretty poor by now. I know I'd be pretty upset if my wife did something like that. Let's leave it that.

No, this site surely isn't a marriage counseling advice center. However, people do interact here, and I believe it's disrespectful to talk about people in such a way whether it is or isn't the topic of this site. Quite honestly, it's tactless and futile, and I don't believe it's the proper example to set for anyone nor do I believe we should have to be subjected to it on a forum meant to discuss Apple products. Allowing the comment, without a reply, would be more disrespectful on my behalf. I don't believe we should disparage human beings on this site... if people want to keep it related to Apple products, then don't show off a lack of class with such a tasteless comment in the first place.

 

[Synchromesh]

Allowing the comment, without a reply, would be more disrespectful on my behalf.

Why, may I ask? Robeddie wasn't speaking directly to you, his comment was addressed to general public. He simply stated the fact that the direct result of his wife ignoring his warnings is an expensive repair to her Macbook. I don't see anything offensive or disrespectful about that at all. Apparently, neither did the mods since they didn't see fit to remove or edit his post. On the other hand, if you take a look at your comment (#11) it's written in a very condescending and rather offensive manner.

With that said, I'm not looking for a fight or trying to pick on you. You seem to be contributing some very good information to this website and I did enjoy reading several of your posts. Just trying to give a heads up on what certain other posts look like to other people.

I apologize to everyone for offtopic.

 

[pflau]

I got a MBP and I also got two very mild dents on the cover right in the middle next to the Apple logo. I don't even know how that happened. The aluminum top is rather easily dented if you asked me.

I tried Parallels and Fusion. I preferred Parallels and bought it. Aero is beautiful on Parallels. Fusion video is buggy.

 

[alphaod]

Or you do it yourself as stated above and bob's your uncle.

That's do-able; you'd either need to buy a new screen bezel or be very careful when removing the old one; I of coursed failed in this procedure thus discovering the hidden costs of my failed method and thus recommend a new display assembly. Of course I'd live with it if I were to encounter such a circumstance once again.

 

[potdude]

haha leaving a macbook air on the floor may be a good idea only if everybody in your household walks around on the ceiling using gravity boots.

 

[potdude]

If you ask me it's not easy to dent as I had my first macbook pro for 2 years and it never got a dent even after sustaining a number of drops. My new macbook pro however does have a small dent after also suffering from a couple of drops off of a bed.

I'd rather take a dent that causes no damage to the screen as opposed to a cheap netbook I had in which a small dent caused major damage to the LCD screen. If your gonna be anal about dents, buy a case, otherwise just deal with it and be happy the machine still works fine.

I got a MBP and I also got two very mild dents on the cover right in the middle next to the Apple logo. I don't even know how that happened. The aluminum top is rather easily dented if you asked me.

I tried Parallels and Fusion. I preferred Parallels and bought it. Aero is beautiful on Parallels. Fusion video is buggy.

 

[fluffyx]

That is NOT a do-it-yourself repair. You need an ESD-safe work environment and it requires rebuilding the computer—you have to take EVERYTHING out to get to the "top case" with palm rests and keyboard.

I'd expect a competitive Mac repair company to charge about $300 for the repair.

 

[elmogs]

I wouldn't recommend repairing it on your own. Here is why:
Getting to the display is not that hard if you get a tear down guide.
The problem is with the bezel. Its attached via very sticky double sided tape. You have to use a blade to get it off and then if you can.....its almost impossible to do it without bending the very thin piece of metal. If you can get it off than you can replace the back. Now when you put the piece back on...the chances of the bezel looking straight even and flush is almost zero. It will always look off with gaps. I have seen some on Ebay that way.
It would be easier if Apple would sell the bezel alone but...they aren't. They are selling the whole display as one piece.
I had the same problem with mine and Apple didn't even bother with replacing the bezel, back case, etc. They replaced the whole Display.
Better to sell it at a discount and then get another that is perfect if the casing is that important to you or have it repaired by Apple. They did it for $450. For me it was worth it because with the corner dent the beauty of the design was compromised and it was one of the reasons I loved the laptop so much. When I got it back it was Perfect. Fit and finish were better than before if possible. They do great work at Apple for sure.
Don't repair it yourself!

 

[phoobo]

astonishing conclusion

My wife always walks away from her macbook with the lid open on the coffee table. Ive told her to at least close the lid, if not put it in the bag when not in use. Well, whaddya know, the other day her mother trips with a glass of water in her hand, spills on the keyboard. Fix = $700.

Because my wife was too lazy to take care, we're now out a bunch of money.

You might be the only guy on the planet who blames his wife in this situation, and not his mother-in-law.

 

[robeddie]

You might be the only guy on the planet who blames his wife in this situation, and not his mother-in-law.

Maybe, but my logic is solid:

Accidents happen, I accept that. The question is what you do to protect yourself from being hurt, or having your valuables damaged, when that accident does happen.

If I decide to jog along the side of the highway, there's a chance I'll be hit one day when a car goes out of control.

If I always jog on the sidewalk, there's a far less chance something that catastrophic will happen.

I was just saying that I actually told my wife something like that would happen if she didn't take care ... and it did!

 

[Scottsdale]

You might be the only guy on the planet who blames his wife in this situation, and not his mother-in-law.

Why blame even the mother-in-law? This was an ACCIDENT. I really don't get it either. What this comes down to is we all have to learn for ourselves... "I told you so" will just make the situation worse. At least the mother-in-law and wife were okay. In the end, it's a stupid computer... I would rather hear, "I am glad you're okay and it's just a computer" from my spouse than "I told you so, you're lazy, and because of your laziness, we're out a bunch of money!"

 

[robeddie]

read my response below