Trackpad button rubbing on bezel

[iann1982]

Hi All,

Just had my air replaced by customer relations following three faults in the first 5 weeks of owning - the new one's great - had it for 4 days but i've just noticed that the bezel is getting scratched where the trackpad button sits (at either side) surely this isn't normal?

It's not a biggy at the moment - the left side is noticeable - the right is if the light shines on it in the right way.

Is this just "how they are"? My white macbook wrist rest broke for a similar reason, but after almost 2 years of daily service, 4 days and marking?

Any advice greatly appreciated, I really feel that Apple must be thinking i'm a constant moaner! I really am not it just seems to be bad luck.

 

[iann1982]

Anyone? Would be interested to hear from people even if they have this but just don't think it's an issue?

 

[zedsdead]

My trackpad scratches the bezel as well, left side more than the right. It seems the button is raised too high and rubs against the bezel when it is closed. Apple replaced the entire thing once, and its happening again slowly. I could make a fuss, but at this point it is getting annoying. The Apple Genius said just put a cloth inbetween the two when the Air is closed.

It's really a shame about the build quality of the Airs. I have had to replace mine twice, and have it repaired twice because of defects. Otherwise, I really love the machine.

 

[johnnj]

Was happening to my Air, too. My first one had this problem REALLY badly, to the point that it looked like black grease was being shed from the aluminum, plus the lid didn't stay closed because the factory didn't install the magnets that keep it shut.

Customer Relations arranged for me to pick up a new Air from the local Apple Store because the service depot couldn't figure out where the black stuff was coming from and put the repair into service limbo.

The new Air started with the black rubbing stuff about 3 weeks in. When I took it to the Apple Store, I spoke with the manager that helped me with the previous swap and then the "genius" at the service desk wiped it off and told me to come back if it happened again. Of course 2 days later it was back.

At this point, I didn't think that this level of build quality was in line with the $2500 price tag, so I asked and they agreed to swap it for the new 2.66 15" Pro. I have to say... I miss the lightness of the Air, but the MBP is the BEST laptop I've ever owned.

It's funny because I keep on reading about other people that have the rubbing problems but no one at Apple, either at Applecare or in the retail store seems to have seen it or heard about it before.

John

 

[iann1982]

Good to hear I'm not alone!

The genius said that mine was the only one he'd seen, I've taken a Rev A and a Rev B in with the issue.

I know it's cosmetic but it's annoying. If I knew that it was such a big problem I'd have put a cloth in-between - if they replace it i'll be sure to do that..

 

[uniforms]

Mine too!

I have a B SSD and the same thing is happening to me! I have yet to go back to apple, but mine is actually making a small dent into the screen. I will have to take it in. Otherwise the machine is awsome.

 

[iann1982]

Really good to hear that I'm not alone with this issue - it seems so small and trivial that I've questioned if it's worth complaining about - having read what others have said I'll continue to pursue it.

It seems like Apple either needs to make the rubber cushioning on the LCD bezel firmer and longer, or the trackpad button slightly lower.

 

[zedsdead]

Really good to hear that I'm not alone with this issue - it seems so small and trivial that I've questioned if it's worth complaining about - having read what others have said I'll continue to pursue it.

It seems like Apple either needs to make the rubber cushioning on the LCD bezel firmer and longer, or the trackpad button slightly lower.

Once they put the glass trackpad in the air this issue will go away. It won't help us now though

 

[gsampson]

Mine was doing the same thing. Once I realized where it was coming from I placed a cloth over this area so it doesn't happen again. My MBA is in repair for the hinge being loose, so I'm hoping I get a new screen so the rubbing will be gone and I can keep it from happening again.

 

[iann1982]

Well - customer relations are calling me back on Monday, i've found a few websites that document it - some far worst than mine. Will keep you updated, if I get a replacement, i'll be sure to keep a cloth in between!

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1690364&tstart=0
http://blog.scoopz.com/2008/03/02/macbook-air-faulty-screen-damages-trackpad/
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1909345&tstart=0

 

[johnnj]

I don't think it's a trivial matter. These machines are expensive and one of the Air's main feature is the way it looks. If a chronic cosmetic problem appears, then the unit has failed in one of its primary design objectives.

Btw, my first one had it worse than any of the ones pictured in those links. When I took it to the store they thought that I'd spilled something into it and it was leaking out. They wouldn't even send it to the repair depot until they opened it and checked for signs of liquid damage.

Good luck with yours. To Apple's credit, they've really gone out of their way to make me happy with my purchase.

John

 

[iann1982]

I don't think it's a trivial matter. These machines are expensive and one of the Air's main feature is the way it looks. If a chronic cosmetic problem appears, then the unit has failed in one of its primary design objectives.

Btw, my first one had it worse than any of the ones pictured in those links. When I took it to the store they thought that I'd spilled something into it and it was leaking out. They wouldn't even send it to the repair depot until they opened it and checked for signs of liquid damage.

Good luck with yours. To Apple's credit, they've really gone out of their way to make me happy with my purchase.

John

Hi John,

Thanks for your message, you're right, it's not trivial! I asked for a replacement through customer relations and have just got it exchanged at my local store.

Has your new one had any problems? I'm worried about closing the new one incase it happens to this as well. The problem got worst over the last couple of days - it wasn't just to the left of the iSight cam, there were slight markings all of the way across the bezel.

The new one seems to have a bigger gap between the base and the top. I imagine the next model will do away with the button and eliminate all of these problems...

 

[Sound Evolution]

Dear,

From day one I use the radtech ScreenSavrz

http://www.radtech.us/Products/NotebookScreenSavrz.aspx

This protect your bezel from scratches.

With kind regards,
Bas

 

[johnnj]

Hi John,

Thanks for your message, you're right, it's not trivial! I asked for a replacement through customer relations and have just got it exchanged at my local store.

Has your new one had any problems? I'm worried about closing the new one incase it happens to this as well. The problem got worst over the last couple of days - it wasn't just to the left of the iSight cam, there were slight markings all of the way across the bezel.

The new one seems to have a bigger gap between the base and the top. I imagine the next model will do away with the button and eliminate all of these problems...

Well, I ended up getting one of the new Pro 2.66 models, since it was the same price. Since there's no button or display bezel, there's no rubbing. There's a few obvious things I miss about the Air, but in general I'm much happier with this machine and it's had zero problems so far (knock wood).

I hope the one you have now ends up being perfect!

John

 

[iann1982]

Well, I ended up getting one of the new Pro 2.66 models, since it was the same price. Since there's no button or display bezel, there's no rubbing. There's a few obvious things I miss about the Air, but in general I'm much happier with this machine and it's had zero problems so far (knock wood).

I hope the one you have now ends up being perfect!

John

Part of me wondered if I should ask about replacing it with a Pro instead, but I felt i'd give it one last try... Does the weight difference between the pro and the air not bother you? I had a whitebook before and I really notice the difference in my back.

 

[MBAir]

Had this issue with my Rev A, and having the very same thing with my Rev B.

 

[iann1982]

Had this issue with my Rev A, and having the very same thing with my Rev B.

It seems to me that when it's closed on the desk it's fine, the screen sits slightly above the trackpad button, staying nicely out of contact - the top clamshell curves ever so slightly so that contact in the middle is avoided.

I suspect once it's put away in a bag and transported somewhere, there's more pressure on it so they're pushed into contact - I can see when I apply gentle pressure on the top clamshell it's moving into contact with the button, obviously things are going to push against the machine, it's a fact of life. Mine's very well looked after, always transported in an incase sleeve and that sits in a custom bag.

Could the people also having these issue confirm that they're transporting their macbooks around rather than being stationary at a desk?

 

[NC MacGuy]

My Rev. A didn't have this issue but my Rev. B does. Not a super big deal for me anyways since it cleans off rather easily and isn't denting my bezel.
One way to solve it if it really bothers you is get an Invisible Shield/Best Skins Ever wrist-trackpad kit. Gives it just enough extra room between display and body to stop it.

 

[MBAir]

Also, with Rev B, I can see keyboard marks on the screen. Anyone facing the same problem? It kinda sucks having to clean the screen every other day.

 

[MBAir]

It seems to me that when it's closed on the desk it's fine, the screen sits slightly above the trackpad button, staying nicely out of contact - the top clamshell curves ever so slightly so that contact in the middle is avoided.

I suspect once it's put away in a bag and transported somewhere, there's more pressure on it so they're pushed into contact - I can see when I apply gentle pressure on the top clamshell it's moving into contact with the button, obviously things are going to push against the machine, it's a fact of life. Mine's very well looked after, always transported in an incase sleeve and that sits in a custom bag.

Could the people also having these issue confirm that they're transporting their macbooks around rather than being stationary at a desk?

Yep, I carry mine everyday to work. However, there is no pressure what so ever on the laptop while in the bag as the latter is quite roomy, and I only carry the charger, Airport Express, business cards, etc.

I'm about to order a 17" UMBP as well, guess things will be worse once I start carrying both laptops!

 

[iann1982]

Yep, I carry mine everyday to work. However, there is no pressure what so ever on the laptop while in the bag as the latter is quite roomy, and I only carry the charger, Airport Express, business cards, etc.

I'm about to order a 17" UMBP as well, guess things will be worse once I start carrying both laptops!

Perhaps pressure's the wrong word, if a laptop's on a desk, closed - there's no friction between the top halfand the bottom, if it's ins bag and the twoparts don't lineup quite right then there's constant friction.

 

[johnnj]

Part of me wondered if I should ask about replacing it with a Pro instead, but I felt i'd give it one last try... Does the weight difference between the pro and the air not bother you? I had a whitebook before and I really notice the difference in my back.

Well, yeah... I notice the difference in weight. It's hard not to. I commute to NYC from NJ and I walk to/from the trains at home and in the city. However, the difference isn't really THAT huge. I definitely don't regret making the change. I think the build quality is just overall better on the Pro. 4 gigs of ram, a 2.66 cpu, and the 500gb hd I popped in there help to ease the back pain, if you know what I mean.

John