does your mba lie flat

[uber gorilla]

The Amazing All-Embracing Response to the Wobble Issue

Here it is folks, the reason for all your wobbles:

Think about the surface on which you're using the MBA. That's what will be invariable causing the wobbles.

Case in point: The front left foot on my wonderful MBA doesn't sit flat on the desk (wooden) in my bedroom. However, when placed on a glass surface at work, or in my lounge room (coffee table) it sits flat as a tack.

Why?

It's the laptop's fault. And yet again, it really isn't. Because the laptop is so darn thin, any variation in the level/evenness of the surface on which it is placed will be accenuated. But when the surface itself is perfectly flat, it won't wobble and its thinness won't make a difference.

(Then again, this is just my crackpot theory. But it seems true when you think about it!)

 

[chickenninja]

of course it wobbles it floats on a thin cushion of air, if you stand on it you can use it as a hover skateboard. try it!
P.S. use tape to fix this problem (really!! put a piece of tape on your floating corner)

 

[dicin]

Very scientific theories indeed!

I placed my MBA on various surfaces and it did wobbled slightly. You were able to take a business card and slide it under the front left foot. I returned it after 4 days and got the MBA replaced. On the same surfaces today it is absolutely perfect.

 

[Macmel]

Here it is folks, the reason for all your wobbles:

Think about the surface on which you're using the MBA. That's what will be invariable causing the wobbles.

Case in point: The front left foot on my wonderful MBA doesn't sit flat on the desk (wooden) in my bedroom. However, when placed on a glass surface at work, or in my lounge room (coffee table) it sits flat as a tack.

Why?

It's the laptop's fault. And yet again, it really isn't. Because the laptop is so darn thin, any variation in the level/evenness of the surface on which it is placed will be accenuated. But when the surface itself is perfectly flat, it won't wobble and its thinness won't make a difference.

(Then again, this is just my crackpot theory. But it seems true when you think about it!)

Well, I'm not an engineer, but I think wobbling is produced because the four rubber feet on the MBA are not in the same plane or because the surface they sit on is not flat. The computer could be 10 inches thick and it wouldn't be sitting flat on a glass flat surface if the rubber feet are uneven. It has nothing to do with the thickness.
As I see it, they would have probably used a different material for the outer case, similarly weighed and more resistant than aluminum, but wouldn't be as cheap. So this problem is linked to the design and is going to be worse if you are used to pick your computer from the corners. Good news is this problem is as easy to solve as it is to cause it: just flex it a little bit.
I just can see how this can happen through the manufacturing process and how many of them are going to be slightly bent, but I wouldn't take it to the Apple store just for this.

 

[brad.c]

... just flex it a little bit. ...

How about an iron? Or, if it's running hot, spray it with a fine mist and smooth it out?

 

[dahcheet]

How about an iron? Or, if it's running hot, spray it with a fine mist and smooth it out?

I've heard that those new fangled steamers are pretty good at doing this. Maybe you can just leave it on the bathroom counter while you take a shower.

 

[brad.c]

I've heard that those new fangled steamers are pretty good at doing this. Maybe you can just leave it on the bathroom counter while you take a shower.

If only you could hang it by a Kensington security slot.

This sounds similar to the MBP-screen-closes-unevenly threads in the past, although potentially more annoying. I'd hate a wobble when typing.

Seriously, if flexing works, how easily will the problem re-occur? I guess time will tell.

 

[dahcheet]

If only you could hang it by a Kensington security slot.

This sounds similar to the MBP-screen-closes-unevenly threads in the past, although potentially more annoying. I'd hate a wobble when typing.

Seriously, if flexing works, how easily will the problem re-occur? I guess time will tell.

I haven't noticed any flexing in mine nor is it wobbly when it's on a table. Of course, it's hardly ever on a flat surface. I'm usually using my Air while I'm in the my Love Sac.

I'd imagine that if you can flex it back to flat you could re-flex it to wobbly. Do it too many times and the aluminum might fail.... no good.

 

[instant hit]

let me preface by saying this is for those seeking absolute perfection in the balance of their mba's.

i don't know if it's applicable to mba's in general, but i found mine to be built within very strict manufacturing tolerances. originally, i wanted to realign the display panel but that involved literally dismantling everything, so i focused on my second minor problem: the (im)balance on flat surfaces.

placing the bottom cover on a flat surface, lo and behold, it lay perfectly flat. i proceeded to test my hypothesis that the screws were to blame.

starting with the middle screws on the side, i torqued them into place, opened the lid at maximum angle; no wobble. going through process of elimination, i proceeded to work in sets of 2, placing screws on opposite sides of each other, and in-between checking for balance. eventually, i narrowed down which screws needed careful torquing and 15 minutes later, the persisting imbalance was eliminated. no more bending, massaging, or other method of coercion here.

i don't know if that procedure will work for everybody. it can be destructive if you don't use at least a #0 philips, but otherwise it doesn't involve modifying the feet or accidently bending the aluminum sheet out of shape.

 

[ddd269]

let me preface by saying this is for those seeking absolute perfection in the balance of their mba's.

i don't know if it's applicable to mba's in general, but i found mine to be built within very strict manufacturing tolerances. originally, i wanted to realign the display panel but that involved literally dismantling everything, so i focused on my second minor problem: the (im)balance on flat surfaces.

placing the bottom cover on a flat surface, lo and behold, it lay perfectly flat. i proceeded to test my hypothesis that the screws were to blame.

starting with the middle screws on the side, i torqued them into place, opened the lid at maximum angle; no wobble. going through process of elimination, i proceeded to work in sets of 2, placing screws on opposite sides of each other, and in-between checking for balance. eventually, i narrowed down which screws needed careful torquing and 15 minutes later, the persisting imbalance was eliminated. no more bending, massaging, or other method of coercion here.

i don't know if that procedure will work for everybody. it can be destructive if you don't use at least a #0 philips, but otherwise it doesn't involve modifying the feet or accidently bending the aluminum sheet out of shape.

Great..! Instead of complaining, you did something. Kudos to you my friend. We need more members like you.

I for one, don't care about the wobble. The degree of wobble changes, daily for me, depending on the surface and also how I carry my MBA (which bag, laying flat, standing upright). It seems to flex and change the degree of "twist" depending on circumstances.

Come on guys, this thing is only about 3/4" thick and 3 pounds. You didn't expect it to be rock solid, did you? The other Mac notebooks flex too, but because of it's heft, it plants it self firmly on the surface that you're working on.

As for your tightening goes, I'm sure you'll need regular adjustment as time goes on and the stress that your MBA goes through. My advice... Just ignore the little things and enjoy your MBA!

 

[instant hit]

Great..! Instead of complaining, you did something. Kudos to you my friend. We need more members like you.

I for one, don't care about the wobble. The degree of wobble changes, daily for me, depending on the surface and also how I carry my MBA (which bag, laying flat, standing upright). It seems to flex and change the degree of "twist" depending on circumstances.

Come on guys, this thing is only about 3/4" thick and 3 pounds. You didn't expect it to be rock solid, did you? The other Mac notebooks flex too, but because of it's heft, it plants it self firmly on the surface that you're working on.

As for your tightening goes, I'm sure you'll need regular adjustment as time goes on and the stress that your MBA goes through. My advice... Just ignore the little things and enjoy your MBA!

i think it's one thing to complain; it's another thing if you idly stand-by and wait for the complaint to fix itself or wait for some sort of divine intervention. but yeah. hopefully retightening won't be necessary. it's been roughly 48 hours since the operation. and my mba goes wherever i go -- which sadly the same cannot be said for my mac pro being lonely.

also, a little addendum to my other post here. you can also try to take the same bottom cover, turning it upside-down, and checking the balance that way. if you need to add some bias, make sure to slowly add force and continually recheck the balance until it sits perfectly flat. then reattach according to my procedure above.

i make no guarantees whatsoever so YMMV!

 

[dibara2003]

no wobbles here. interesting theories

 

[Terwal]

No wobbles here either... and by the way: no pb with the backlit keyboard or the spinning HD either...

Great machine... very happily surprised after 1st day of use...

 

[shadowmatt]

Mine did a little bit. I have fixed it though, its really easy.

You need to remove all the bottom screws and apply a sideways pressure on the base towards where it wobbles (place hand flat on base and push), This will shift the base by a fraction but it will even it out.

Try on a flat surface to see if it still wobbles, if it does try again with the pressure / sliding.

Once its fixed screw in the 4 corner screws first and dont over tighten. Test again to see if it lies flat. If it still does put the rest of the screws back in. If it doesnt loosen the screws and tighten again in a different order.

Remember which screws are which, they are smaller at the front.

This does work. The case can move a fraction of a mm and it does alter if it sits even. Try to get the gap between the case and the base even on both sides.

 

[NC MacGuy]

let me preface by saying this is for those seeking absolute perfection in the balance of their mba's.

i don't know if it's applicable to mba's in general, but i found mine to be built within very strict manufacturing tolerances. originally, i wanted to realign the display panel but that involved literally dismantling everything, so i focused on my second minor problem: the (im)balance on flat surfaces.

placing the bottom cover on a flat surface, lo and behold, it lay perfectly flat. i proceeded to test my hypothesis that the screws were to blame.

starting with the middle screws on the side, i torqued them into place, opened the lid at maximum angle; no wobble. going through process of elimination, i proceeded to work in sets of 2, placing screws on opposite sides of each other, and in-between checking for balance. eventually, i narrowed down which screws needed careful torquing and 15 minutes later, the persisting imbalance was eliminated. no more bending, massaging, or other method of coercion here.

i don't know if that procedure will work for everybody. it can be destructive if you don't use at least a #0 philips, but otherwise it doesn't involve modifying the feet or accidently bending the aluminum sheet out of shape.

A man after my own heart! You've proved my theory anyway...

 

[ojwk]

When I'm typing at high speeds the screen has a tendency to wobble. Same front left foot slight wobble fixed immediately after very mild flex!

 

[w00tini]

I just wanted to chime in that I had a mild flex in mine as well. but once I gave it a firm, but gentle, twist all seems to be well now. my only concern is that this is a cast molding and no amount of twisting will fix it forever...it may bend back a bit.

Anyway, if it does I am going to try the screw removal/replacement listed by a previous poster.

It should be noted that the Apple folks have offered to replace my Air with no hassle at all. As soon as one comes in stock, I can swap it out. But to be honest, I've got so much stuff on the laptop now, I'd be pained to get a brand new one. I have an RA# and repair ticket so I'm going to give it a week and if it comes back, I'll get it replaced.

 

[jarpod]

its sad... i just got my mba and it woobles a lot!!! i flexed it a little and solved 95% of the problem....

I dont want to wait 2 weeks for another air... lets hope it stays that way....
other than that I love my computer....

about the printer rebate.... did you guys had a hard time slashing your mba's box for the upc code?

 

[joegomolski]

no wobbles, and no heat problems either!

 

[iJeff]

The bottom left feet of my MBA is a bit off (seems like a common problem). Did the "flexing exercise" as suggested by some here and it is now better.

 

[RoDe]

Hi guys,

The problem are not the feet. The aluminium is the problem. I had the exact same thing with my MBP.
The MacBooks don't seem to have this problem, 'cause they're made out of plastic.

I have also seen this problem with alu. powerbooks, and not just once.

I don't exactly know why, it could be the manufacturing process. I know this because I studied airplane construction (must confess I never finished the study). So I fairy intensively worked with aluminium. I know that aluminum gets bend very easily and that because of heat it can start to warp a little. It also, depending on the type of aluminium, has the tendency not get back into shape, after it expandid because of heat.

I've seen that Apple is currently hiring some-one that knows carbon-fibre. I can only hope their going to abandon aluminium in favour of carbon-fibre for their portables. It will make them stiffer and lighter at the same time.

 

[Alkiera]

Hi guys,
I've seen that Apple is currently hiring some-one that knows carbon-fibre. I can only hope their going to abandon aluminium in favour of carbon-fibre for their portables. It will make them stiffer and lighter at the same time.

WHile I hear you and agree on issues with aluminum; carbon-fiber is not really the answer. Was a carbon fiber-based laptop at BestBuy the other day, it felt about as solid as a house of lincoln logs; I picked it up, and though light, it flexed like crazy.

The one of the best things about the MBA is how stiff it is when lifted with one hand.

 

[RoDe]

WHile I hear you and agree on issues with aluminum; carbon-fiber is not really the answer. Was a carbon fiber-based laptop at BestBuy the other day, it felt about as solid as a house of lincoln logs; I picked it up, and though light, it flexed like crazy.

The one of the best things about the MBA is how stiff it is when lifted with one hand.

I don't know which one you picked up, but the ones I picked up had that same problem. They feel flimsy and not so strong. However this has to do with sloppy manufacturing process, besides most of the carbon fibre you find on laptops these days are there just to show off. They don't have any structural purpose.

Carbon fibre when used properly can be stiffer than aluminium or titanium.
The key is how you layer it and and if you use a sandwich material, like a aramide fibre honeycomb material. That stuff is great. It looks incredibly flimsy but is incredibly strong.