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MacBook: Peeling plastic coat on black MB?

S

Spanko

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 16, 2006
13
0
I'm considering getting a MacBook, preferably a black one, but then I read this: http://marklem.com/mlem/?p=8

Supposedly the plastic coat of a black MB flaked/peeled off just at a light scratch of a fingernail.

I obviously don't plan on running my fingernails over my MB, but if it really peels this easy, I would guess just carrying it next to a book in a laptop bag might leave marks.

Could someone who has a black MB please share their impressions regarding this issue? Anyone noticed it does or doesn't scratch easily? If it does, I suppose I'll have to go with the white one. Assuming that one doesn't have the same issue...
 
Another reason why its a bad idea to be the first person to jump on the wagon. Looking at those pics make me want to hold off until later on down the road.
 
from the way the finish looks, i believe the matte finish is even more scratchable than the white ones. the whites won't show scuffs as much cause it's opaque and glossy, but a matte finish - as soon as there's a scuff, you'll see it. another characteristic of this type of plastic is that you can file it off - either with harder stuff, or your fingernails i suppose.
 
Over at Apple Support Forums, someone (not Apple Support, though) suggests this might not be valid (http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=485590&tstart=45), but I reckon the only way to know would be for more people with black MBs to report. Not expecting anyone to scratch their own MB, but perhaps someone has accidentally scratched theirs with or without flakiness, or perhaps someone else will try it in an Apple Store? No Apple Stores in my country.

EDIT: Similarly here: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=484394&tstart=45

Since there is only that one report, and since I don't expect it would be a problem to have it repaired/replaced/returned if it in fact does flake, I went ahead and ordered one.
 
I went to Apple Store Michigan Avenue earlier and tried this and it did not scratch for me. I thought I was giving it a pretty good go too.
 
dpaanlka said:
I went to Apple Store Michigan Avenue earlier and tried this and it did not scratch for me. I thought I was giving it a pretty good go too.
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot for taking the time, that's very good news.
 
Spanko said:
Thanks a lot for taking the time, that's very good news.
Click to expand...

I was going to do some downtown shopping this morning anyway, and I remember this post from last night. I wanted to go see the MB anyway, so I figured I'd try this.

EDIT: I have pretty crappy fingernails though. I'm sure ladies with long perfect nails could easily scratch any surface they desire.
 
dpaanlka said:
I was going to do some downtown shopping this morning anyway, and I remember this post from last night. I wanted to go see the MB anyway, so I figured I'd try this.

EDIT: I have pretty crappy fingernails though. I'm sure ladies with long perfect nails could easily scratch any surface they desire.
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Works for me; my fingernails are crappy, too. ;)
 
But is it just a black protective plastic coating that is suppose to be removed. My ibook had some i needed to peel off when i i first opened it.
 
Holy Aluminum Undergarment Batman!

From Post #29 on the Replacing the MacBook RAM, Hard Drive (Video) and Benchmarks Thread
MrCrowbar said:
I was trying out the keyboard of a black Macbook in a retai store today when I found a sticky thing on my finger. Kinda like these screen protection foils but black with a white A on it. I looked at the A-key and it was (yes) silver! Showed it to the employee and he couldn't believe it. He totally freaked out when he scratched and rubbed the next key and the black sticker went off. Turns out the whole black Macbook has this vinyl style stuff on it. Peel it off and you get Aluminum goodness! It seemed like hours to me when we removed this black stuff and there were lots of people around freaking out.

So the 150$ more ARE making a difference: an aluminum enclosure beneath a protective black layer. :eek: Totally worth 150 bucks if you ask me. It just looks like a redesigned powerbook actually. OMG, I'm so getting a black/aluminum one! How strange no one noted this yet. I mean, them peeling off the black stuff from the NY Store cube was definetely a sign. :rolleyes:
Just kidding. After all, it's MacRmumors :)
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OK now the end of this post is confusing me. Is the whole post a joke? Or if not could you see the key legends on the aluminum keys underneith the sticky black stuff? This is very serious if you aren't kidding. :confused: :eek:
 
I am a bit confused about the color...

Hi,
yes, I always thought Plastic can be colored any way you like, before you injection mold it to an APPLE MB container...
From what I've been reading, APPLE or rather ASUSTEK paints a white MB black???? eeegh:eek: That is definitely not state of the art.
In general I am VERY DISAPPOINTED about the quality issues on ALL NEW MACBOOKS.
There is absolutely no excuse for this and I think that APPLE fans are way too forgiving.
I like Mr. Jobs, but he should kickk some a... at ASUSTEK, and fast.

A company like APPLE cannot, especially when tackling new markets AND when attracting a whole new bunch of customers, afford this kind of crap. People are turned off by such ?performance.

Hope they get their act together soon, as I am in the market for a MB (white:p ) and later a loaded 17"MBP with the new MEROM processor. Of course, I'd like one anodized in my favourite color...

Does Mr. Jobs know about this "OLD" 'technology' which has been used to color whole aluminum exteriors of skysrcapers.... THIS would be easy for people who can wait a bit, and the method is cheap.
 
DeVizardofOZ said:
I like Mr. Jobs, but he should kickk some a... at ASUSTEK, and fast.
Click to expand...

Well, you seem to be from China. Asustek should be close to you. So my plan would be you tell them to do something about it all those problems. And while you're at it, show them how to apply thermal paste properly! Everyone will be grateful. ;)
 
Thanks Mr. Frankly

but this is for Steveee. APPLE could be much more responsive. Their handling of the Q issues is, at least, unprofessional.
Wish I could help to help myself, ha;)
 
MrFrankly said:
Well, you seem to be from China. Asustek should be close to you. So my plan would be you tell them to do something about it all those problems. And while you're at it, show them how to apply thermal paste properly! Everyone will be grateful. ;)
Click to expand...

The MacBooks are painted? :confused:
 
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