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Lid closing problem on new PB - question!

G

Greenone

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 19, 2005
405
0
Hi -

It's not that the lid won't close, it's that the front right corner has a slight gap in it compared to the front left corner which closes snuggly. I know many PB's are known to have lid-closing problems/latch problems later on. I'm wondering if these problems are less likely if the PB's came with snuggly-fitting lids (uniformly) to begin with. I.e. it seems if the lid fits snuggly in both corners, it will last longer/not have future problems.

Feedback?

I don't want to bother charging and installing/getting started, if I might need to return it.

Thanks!
 
varmit

varmit

macrumors 68000
Aug 5, 2003
1,830
0
Greenone said:
Hi -

It's not that the lid won't close, it's that the front right corner has a slight gap in it compared to the front left corner which closes snuggly. I know many PB's are known to have lid-closing problems/latch problems later on. I'm wondering if these problems are less likely if the PB's came with snuggly-fitting lids (uniformly) to begin with. I.e. it seems if the lid fits snuggly in both corners, it will last longer/not have future problems.

Feedback?

I don't want to bother charging and installing/getting started, if I might need to return it.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
As long as you PB works, it can't be returned. Its concidered a tolerable defect. But you also have to see it this way, the PB doesn't have little rubber knobs on the lid, so when it is closed, this is suppose to be a gap, otherwise the screen would be up on the keyboard. I closed my PB, and its only a milimeter higher on the right side, so its no problem at all.
 
G

Greenone

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 19, 2005
405
0
varmit said:
As long as you PB works, it can't be returned. Its concidered a tolerable defect. But you also have to see it this way, the PB doesn't have little rubber knobs on the lid, so when it is closed, this is suppose to be a gap, otherwise the screen would be up on the keyboard. I closed my PB, and its only a milimeter higher on the right side, so its no problem at all.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your response!

While waiting, I did a google search and came up with an interesting article/review of this problem:
http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/pbg4.ars/3
It was very educational (he also addresses other issues) but left me wondering what to do (the author decided to keep his). I called Apple and they're willing to take it back and send me another - no problem (it was BTO and cost a lot and perhaps that's part of the reason, don't know). Unfortunately I'm going to have to wait 3 weeks after they've received my PB back - before I'd get the new one, and there are no guarantees the new one won't have the same or worse issue. So I've got some deciding to do! I'm tempted to keep it but it really should be that way - not according to this guy - who backs up his arguments quite a ways - check it out...
 
AlBDamned

AlBDamned

macrumors 68030
Mar 14, 2005
2,641
15
Hmmm... many, if not all PowerBooks have this problem. Mine does, my mum's does as well. I've got over it with mine but there's no denying it's intensely annoying when you've just spent the money they cost, especially when some cheap Windows laptop made of plastic fits nice and flush.

After some thought, I no longer buy the whole, "the keyboard would show up on the screen if it was flush". That's not strictly true as the screen is slightly recessed from the bezel and the keyboard barely rises above the palm rests. What we're talking about here is slightly dodgy manufacture. There may well be a millimetre gap thanks to the rubber screen feet, but there's not really any valid reason for the gap being bigger on one side than the other, nor any "rocking" if you alternately press each side of the screen when the PB is closed.

If it really bugs you, then send it back and wait, but be assured there'll probably be some other "acceptable defect" with the replacement. The lids also get looser with age so you could have it a month and notice it's got bad on the new one.

If it's really bad, I'd send it back on the reckoning that that particular aspect will be better on a replacement, but it's a calculated risk.

Here's two pics of mine with the lid closed. Right side noticeably worse(higher) than left.
 

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G

Greenone

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 19, 2005
405
0
Well I'll be damned!

:)

Those were great pics, thanks! I really appreciate your two cents (or twenty - for the pics).

My mac-geek neighbor came over and showed me his 17" PB and his is way worse than mine (actually looks more like yours - no offense) and he said the same thing: that they're all like that to some degree - some worse some less. That strangely made me feel better so I'm keeping it. ;) I just put in the software and popped in Harry Potter to see how it looks with a movie. Not as clear as my TV but still very nice!

I don't know what I"m doing - how to do anything. Even on PC's I'm clueless except for knowing how to write papers, save them, print them, surf the net, play with my photos and check e-mail! :rolleyes: So I have a lot to learn. Unfortunately, I have no way to get online unless I go plug it into our cable whatchamacallit (see I don't even know what you call it). I thought I could do Airport because of all my computer-oriented neighbors but alas...no connection to steal from. So I'll have to find out about how to get set up with wireless. If you know of a good but inexpensive option, please share!

Thanks again!

Edited: actually mine looks pretty much like yours...yours just looks worse up close like that!
 
D

Demon Hunter

macrumors 68020
Mar 30, 2004
2,284
39
Sorry to hear your luck guys, mine has no gap at all, perfectly straight. But I also have a dead pixel. :rolleyes:

If you got a perfect screen, keep it, that's a no brainer!
 
G

Greenone

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 19, 2005
405
0
Finally - I'm typing on the new PB!

Figured out how to plug it into our cable internet so now I'm actually typing in bed! I'm loving this! If you can't tell, I've never had a laptop before. This is AWESOME.

Still bummed that one of you has a perfectly straight/flush lid though (happy for you, bummed for me).

Hmmmm...things could be a *bit* faster. Do you think it's cause I haven't added the extra gig of ram yet so it's only 528 mb of ram and that makes things slower? I chose the 100/7200rmp BTO option so you'd think that would help a little. Even in backspacing it's kind of slow when I need to back space a couple of words' worth...
 
bousozoku

bousozoku

Moderator emeritus
Jun 25, 2002
16,120
2,399
Lard
I've still not had a problem with my PowerBook lid after so many months, but I always open it and close it in the centre.
 
F

Ferrence

macrumors member
Sep 3, 2005
47
0
Same here!

My 15" PB has the same problem. No big deal tho.

If it bothers you, you can buy those little plastic circles (forget the technical/brand name), that rest on the corners that cushion and level the lid.

Just a thought.
 
G

Greenone

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 19, 2005
405
0
Ferrence said:
My 15" PB has the same problem. No big deal tho.

If it bothers you, you can buy those little plastic circles (forget the technical/brand name), that rest on the corners that cushion and level the lid.

Just a thought.
Click to expand...

Really? Do you think they really work? I can't imagine what you mean so it's hard to do a google search for them. If you come across them please send me in the right direction - thanks!

This is so much fun, typing somewhere besides an uncomfortable chair at an uncomfortable desk!
 
F

Ferrence

macrumors member
Sep 3, 2005
47
0
Found it!

Greenone said:
Really? Do you think they really work? I can't imagine what you mean so it's hard to do a google search for them. If you come across them please send me in the right direction - thanks!

This is so much fun, typing somewhere besides an uncomfortable chair at an uncomfortable desk!
Click to expand...

They're called "Wildeepz Display Cushion." You could "Google" it.
 
lieb39

lieb39

macrumors 6502
Mar 17, 2005
284
0
Melbourne, Australia
My Friend's 17" PB has the gap, pretty bad. Pick it up and you can feel it, and obviously see it. But he doesn't mind.

I just hope I don't get it when I get my 15". Ah well.

-lieb39
 
G

Greenone

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 19, 2005
405
0
Ferrence said:
They're called "Wildeepz Display Cushion." You could "Google" it.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot! Hey there's no "favorites" area to drag down and save it in. Is that what 'bookmark" is for?
 
AlBDamned

AlBDamned

macrumors 68030
Mar 14, 2005
2,641
15
Would anyone agree that this problem would disappear if they used a catch on each side (still operated from one button in the middle)? It just seems there's too much to be held down by one catch. Someone at work has a 12" PB and I'm not sure, but I don't think this problem occurs to the same level it does on the bigger models, mainly due to the smaller, lighter screen.

edit: actually, does the 17" have two catches?:eek:
 
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