Horizontal Marks on MacBook Air screen from keyboard recess

[jonnyb]

Just what I needed - another thing to obsess about!

On my screen, corresponding to where the bottom line of the keyboard recess is, I have a horizontal marks on my screen. Does anyone else have this? I've tried buffing with some iKlear and a soft cloth but it won't go away.

I can't see it when the screen's on but it's bugging me now, as these things tend to do. With my old Powerbook I kept the plastic sheet in between the sceen and keyboard but assumed this was not necessary with the recessed keyboards.

Now it seems its the edge of the recess, rather than the keys themselves, which is the problem.

 

[mhnajjar]

Sorry to hear that mate

 

[jonnyb]

I wish I could be one of those people who considers this sort of thing a 'battle scar'!

What's the surface of a MacBook Air screen made of? Is there any point in presisting with polishing gently in the hope these marks will disappear?

 

[goshya]

horizontal line

Hi Jonny.

I had exactly the same problem with my MBA first gen.

The display was replaced once and the problem reoccured with the new display because apple didn't replace the topcase.

I was able to give back my MBA after a long, well, "fight" with apple second level support and right now I'm waiting for my second gen. MBA, which is delayed because of the 120gig HD shortage.

Best regards
goshya

 

[jonnyb]

thanks goshya - how long after purchasing your 1st MBA did this problem occur? Mine is about 6 months old. Did they make a big fuss the first time you took it back?

 

[GoCubsGo]

I would have thought they would have figured this one out already. Air, MBP, MB ...
Guess it is a nice way for these guys to sell their stuff. I'm ordering one right now. I actually had it for my PowerBook but stopped using it when I finished school and the PB sat in clamshell mode 100% of the time. I felt it was trapping heat too much so I took it out.

I think I'll order a 13" one in the unlikely event this is a "problem" that is "within spec" of the machine.

I hope Apple does consider it a problem that should be repaired.

Alternatively, I wonder how these would fair ... I'd venture to guess if you use them it completely takes the magnetic contact away making the lid unsecured.

 

[goshya]

Hi Jonny.

I can't remember but I think it occured pretty fast, like after one or two month.

They didn't make a big fuss out of it at all. I went to the Apple genius bar (I was in Tokyo at that time) and they tried to clean the display with some special glas cleaner, but the line was still there.

There is actally a good way to show them this line:

Choose a screensaver with a dark background (like "computername" screensaver). Activate the screensaver (e.g. choose a corner to activate it)

In my case the line was better to be seen with a black background.

As I mentioned before the second display had the same problem after a while because they hadn't realized that I might be also necessary to exchange the topcase. Expensive error...

Hope I could help.

Best regards from Germany
goshya

thanks goshya - how long after purchasing your 1st MBA did this problem occur? Mine is about 6 months old. Did they make a big fuss the first time you took it back?

 

[SFStateStudent]

This is an ongoing problem with all MacBooks and Apple has for quite awhile felt that this issue was one of cosmetics and doesn't take away from the functioning of your MacBook. I took my MB in after two weeks, and showed them the problem and they refused to do anything. So, I brought it back in to see what the cost would be to replace the screen. They said $600 and they would need the MB to be left at the store for about two days. I was not willing to pay for a repair and filled out the customer survey and explained that I was not satisfied and the next day the Store Manager gave me a call and told me to pick out a new MB, which I did, then selected the new BlackBook Penryn. Bottom line was Apple saw the problem, and even though it was a cosmetic issue, I told them that my MB had dropped $600 in value in a matter of two weeks and that just wasn't a good investment for me, according to their tech people that wanted to fix my MB for $600... Anyway, they'll address the issue and hopefully to your satisfaction. I keep the foam insert between the keyboard and the screen 24/7.

 

[jonnyb]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to take it into my local Apple store to see what they say about it. I also have what looks like some dust or dirt under the screen. If I do manage to get it repaired you can be sure I'll use the foam insert from now on.

 

[yoppie]

I have this problem with my Core Duo MacBook. I wasn't aware that this was a widespread issue so I never complained to Apple about it.

It doesn't bother me since I only notice it when the computer is off or waking from sleep. I can't see it when the computer is on.

 

[funkyc]

I have this problem with my Core Duo MacBook. I wasn't aware that this was a widespread issue so I never complained to Apple about it.

It doesn't bother me since I only notice it when the computer is off or waking from sleep. I can't see it when the computer is on.

as above, i have this problem with my c2duo macbook
wish i had complained abt it as someone above did and gotten a new laptop! then i would have paid the difference to change to a macbook air as these things are pretty heavy - esp when needing to lug it around with my textbooks etc all the time

 

[SFStateStudent]

esp when needing to lug it around with my textbooks etc all the time...

Lugging your MBA/MB/MBP around in your backpack with textbooks also puts added pressure on them causing the scratches or smudges to appear much sooner. I've since purchased a LapTrap/Backpack that I keep my MBA in all by itself, thereby not putting any undue pressure on my MBA. Hope this helps...