Hardware damage, warrenty

[mdt562]

On my left palm rest of my powerbook i have notice black little dots. I tried to wipe it off with just water but it didnt come out. On inspection i notice theres a crack in the aluminum. I bought this powerbook last october and i think it comes with 1 year warrenty, correct me if im wrong. I didnt buy applecare. Well before i make my 60mile trip to the applestore if there any hope for me?

 

[mkrishnan]

It's corrosive pitting from the chemicals coming out of your skin, believe it or not. I think the heat on the left side makes it worse, maybe. I don't know if Apple warrantees it, or tries to sneak out of it. You can forum search here for more info....

At least I think this is what you're describing... look at this thread: link

Is that what you are experiencing?

 

[mad jew]

Unfortunately, I think you'd be very very lucky to get any help from Apple on this front.

 

[mdt562]

Yes, exactly what im experiencing. But reading that thread did not help me at all. O well i guess theres nothing to be done

 

[Sun Baked]

That is also cosmetic, and those issues are likely specifically excluded in your warranty.

 

[WildCowboy]

I had this issue as well when my PB was about 15 months old (purchased January 2005). I had it in for an AppleCare repair for a keyboard issue, and they replaced the top case for me without asking while they were in there. All was covered by AppleCare since I was outside the one-year window.

I think I have just lucked out though, as they had to take the top case off anyway for my other repair. It was simple enough for them to put a new one back on. I don't know how much luck you'd have getting them to do a repair just for the pitting. They'll say it's a cosmetic issue...

 

[gman71882]

You can buy your apple care warranty for your mac anytime in the first year of having it. That will extend your warranty to 3 full years from the purchase date. (adds 2 years)

 

[Counterfit]

I had this issue as well when my PB was about 15 months old (purchased January 2005). I had it in for an AppleCare repair for a keyboard issue, and they replaced the top case for me without asking while they were in there. All was covered by AppleCare since I was outside the one-year window.

I think I have just lucked out though, as they had to take the top case off anyway for my other repair. It was simple enough for them to put a new one back on. I don't know how much luck you'd have getting them to do a repair just for the pitting. They'll say it's a cosmetic issue...

When they replace a keyboard, they usually just replace the whole top case. Saves them time.

As for the issue, I think the word needs to get out that people who have high skin acidity should either prevent their skin coming in contact with substances easily damaged by it (aluminum, lacquer), or cleaning the parts their hands have touched more often than they normally would.