MBP Warping Pics

[kingkezz]

Hi, I just wanted some opinions on whether to take this to apple or not.

I bought a top end MBP 15' on 22nd Jan 07. My face hurt from smiling that much that day. It was beautiful. But after a couple of days I noticed a very slight protrusion from just above the latch release.

Also the lid sits flush at one end but not at the other.

At first I didn't think it would bother me, but after reading post's on here and realising I'd spent 4k on a computer, I thought, maybe it did bother me.

Now I know my warping is no where near as bad as others I've seen so I wanted to know if you thought I should do anything about it.

Also what do I say to the Apple Store guy if I take it down there.

 

[mistyz23]

Hmmm I've only had mine for a couple of weeks and my lid lines up just like yours. It doesn't bother me because it still closes and puts it to sleep when I close it so I'm not planning to do a thing about it unless it causes some sort of menacing problem.

 

[DA-Steve]

my 17" mbp doesnt appear to be warped, but when you hold somthing perfectly flat against it like a tradesman metal ruler its quiet obvious its got a bit of curve to it.. not too worried about it unless it gets worse

 

[bearbo]

i honestly don't see any warping, can you point out to me?

 

[taylorwilsdon]

Take the top of a hammer and push it back in. I did it on the front and it looks fine (no scratches) but it is annoying. Apple probably isn't going to give you a new computer, sadly I didn't even bother trying.

 

[raddsigns]

I would send it in. This is a cosmetic defect - I went through three MBP's with this same issue before I got one that was satisfactory. I took it to the Apple store and the Genius Bar told me it was not normal and would be covered under the warranty. If it were me - I'd take it in and get it fixed before its out of warranty.

 

[iLoveMyMBP]

its supposed to be like that.....mines like that.....all the models are the apple store are like that.

 

[dvader]

I would send it in. This is a cosmetic defect - I went through three MBP's with this same issue before I got one that was satisfactory. I took it to the Apple store and the Genius Bar told me it was not normal and would be covered under the warranty. If it were me - I'd take it in and get it fixed before its out of warranty.

Did the Apple store people give you dirty looks for coming in with this problem? Honestly, I would want to get a new MBP if it had warping issues (no matter how slight it looks), but I would be a bit worried that they might think I'm nitpicking.

But the real reason why I would be afraid to ask is because they might just say no and that this is not a real problem (followed by a dirty look )

 

[Jiddick ExRex]

Seeing as it dents outwards it really doesnt' seem to me that it will come off as you abusing it.

 

[raddsigns]

its supposed to be like that.....mines like that.....all the models are the apple store are like that.

None of the models at the Apple stores I have been to are like that - it is a warped case, and its not supposed to be like that.

If I'm looking at the right thing - the second photo shows it the best - the thin strip of casing above the latch release protrudes out, and if yours is like this, Apple Care will cover it - unless of course its due to damage that you caused.

Like I said - I had three consecutive models arrive like this from an online order, each time I sent it back and was told it is not normal and this warping shouldn't be there. I was actually issued a credit to my order for the hassle I encountered. I doubt Apple would hand out credits if that is the way the case was designed.

 

[raddsigns]

Did the Apple store people give you dirty looks for coming in with this problem? Honestly, I would want to get a new MBP if it had warping issues (no matter how slight it looks), but I would be a bit worried that they might think I'm nitpicking.

But the real reason why I would be afraid to ask is because they might just say no and that this is not a real problem (followed by a dirty look )

No - after sending two back to Apple via mail order I went into the store to see if they could help as I didn't want to be without the computer for another 3-4 days while a replacement came. Three different guys at the Genius bar looked at it and said it was not normal - but sending it back was my best bet, as it was not something they could fix in the store. It is the bottom cast that is warped and would require the entire machine be disassembled in order to pry it back into place. According to them it was too intensive of a repair for them to do in store.

No one gave dirty looks - they all affirmed me that it was not normal.

 

[GimmeSlack12]

The latch is in the middle of the computer. So of course there will be a bit of bending when only one point is hold the lid closed.

Honestly you can probably take it back and get replaced, but I would not expect you to get a replacement that is significantly better and do you really want to waste your time?

And why oh why oh why do people post pictures that are really blurry (2nd pic)?

 

[dvader]

No - after sending two back to Apple via mail order I went into the store to see if they could help as I didn't want to be without the computer for another 3-4 days while a replacement came. Three different guys at the Genius bar looked at it and said it was not normal - but sending it back was my best bet, as it was not something they could fix in the store. It is the bottom cast that is warped and would require the entire machine be disassembled in order to pry it back into place. According to them it was too intensive of a repair for them to do in store.

No one gave dirty looks - they all affirmed me that it was not normal.

Well that's good. I asked because where I'm from, I think people would say, "Come on, give me a break!" Kinda rude, but that's how some places can get.

 

[iW00t]

It is normal. Mine is exactly like that.

I hope in the next revision they'd put a iron bar or something stiff inside to reinforce it though.

 

[XP Defector]

How can it warp so bad! Was it like that out of the box or could this be the heat generated by the thing itself?

 

[DA-Steve]

can u post better pics? with something straight for reference

 

[kingkezz]

Did the Apple store people give you dirty looks for coming in with this problem? Honestly, I would want to get a new MBP if it had warping issues (no matter how slight it looks), but I would be a bit worried that they might think I'm nitpicking.

But the real reason why I would be afraid to ask is because they might just say no and that this is not a real problem (followed by a dirty look )

That is exactly what I'm thinking, it is only minor, and it probably is a nitpick. But its my new baby, and I want it to be perfect haha.

I certainly didn't cause the damage I've only had it for 3 weeks and it was fine out of the box, I can only assume the heat caused it to pop out.

As for the blurry pic. Shoot me. It was taken on my phone.

 

[Eric1285]

Maybe it's from the MBP not having enough support when you carry it...like if you typically carry it with just one hand on an edge or something like that. I could definitely see aluminum bending from those forces. IMO this is not something Apple should cover under their warranty, because it's probably mostly caused due to user error. Metal should not warp like that under normal temperatures. It's more likely that you either carried it wrong or at some point put it under some sort of weird stress that caused the warping. Still, it looks easy enough to fix...just take the thing apart and bend it back into place.

 

[dvader]

Maybe it's from the MBP not having enough support when you carry it...like if you typically carry it with just one hand on an edge or something like that. I could definitely see aluminum bending from those forces. IMO this is not something Apple should cover under their warranty, because it's probably mostly caused due to user error. Metal should not warp like that under normal temperatures. It's more likely that you either carried it wrong or at some point put it under some sort of weird stress that caused the warping. Still, it looks easy enough to fix...just take the thing apart and bend it back into place.

The problem is if we are using it like any other careful user, warping shouldn't be happening. This doesn't mean we have to be super-duper careful about our laptop and treat it like it's a fragile crystal. That would be too stressful. But at the same time, we shouldn't be throwing down on the table hard or slamming the lid shut. I'm guessing some people are like the former while few are like the latter. Most of us are probably somewhere in the middle. We treat it like a regular computer. Under those conditions it shouldn't warp.

So I guess in relation to your post, even if he did carry it in the way you proposed, do you still think it would warp that much even if he did that once or twice? Obviously I don't recommend carrying it wrong every day, but it might happen once or twice. Under those cases, it shouldn't warp, no?

I'm asking cause I don't know...

 

[tip]

My MBP was warped as well when I purchased it. I actually bent it back, very slowly. I wouldn't recommend you do it yourself, but take it to an Apple store - it shouldn't be like that.

 

[kingkezz]

Maybe it's from the MBP not having enough support when you carry it...like if you typically carry it with just one hand on an edge or something like that. I could definitely see aluminum bending from those forces. IMO this is not something Apple should cover under their warranty, because it's probably mostly caused due to user error. Metal should not warp like that under normal temperatures. It's more likely that you either carried it wrong or at some point put it under some sort of weird stress that caused the warping. Still, it looks easy enough to fix...just take the thing apart and bend it back into place.

It has left my desk thrice. User error? By carrying a portable computer? I think not. But your exactly right, it shouldn't warp under normal temperatures, so why has it.

I took it down to my Apple Authorised Service Provider - we only have one 'Apple Store' in Australia, and I think it's in Sydney - and she said she'll tell Apple what she see's and it would be up to them to decide whether it's covered. She said it probably won't be a problem and should only take a few days.

She also told me it was a major job - the whole bottom casing would need to be replaced - and she had only done it about 15 times. That scared me a little bit. But I'm sure it will be fine.

So I'll report back in a day or two and let you know how I go.

 

[NewSc2]

mines is kind of like that. it doesn't really bug me though... it might be slightly less warped than yours. even on a flat table i can't notice any warping but if i look really REALLY closely i can see it.

 

[cobravap]

mine is exactly like that. Er was until i messed up the keyboard today. I was actually going to take it to an apple service center today (but school was too long)

 

[steve jr.]

Mine has this as well. My keyboard and trackpad died and I had to send it in for repair (under warranty). When I got it back, it was dented out like that but I didn't realize it until I left the store (I did it through CompUSA, who sent it to Apple). When I push it in, it just pops back out. I should probably make my way to the Apple Store to get it fixed. Joy.

 

[kingkezz]

so apple care tell me on the phone today that it has been escalated and bought to the attention of there engineers who will decided if it is a manufacturers defect and therefore whether it will be covered, clearly it is, and I'm confident it will be repaired, but until then, I've got my puter back.