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Warped MacBook Pro: Don't trust AppleCare
- Thread starter nwiese
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At least on the Core Duo MBPs, there are no clips on the left side of the palm rest in the exact area of separation in the picture. The only thing holding the case together in that area is the screw on the side of the case, nearest to the corner.
Are you able to pull up on the case? Is the screw on the side of the case still holding the case together?
Are you able to pull up on the case? Is the screw on the side of the case still holding the case together?
The warranty expired 2 months ago and so, I can't go back now. I am not too worried about the frame, though, since it is actually my employer's laptop... I just tell everybody it is mine. LOL
Why don't you just remove the top case, bend it back gently on a firm surface, then screw it back in? I am in no position to judge but the computer doesn't have to be dropped to get this type of damage. Like most other university students I carry my computer to class, if I set my laptop bag down too hard it will damage the computer. I used an Acer Laptop last year and i set it down too hard cracking the case. With my new MacBook I have taken the proper precautions to ensure this doesn't happen. I added extra padding to the Laptop portion of the bag, plus invested in a padded sleeve. Taking these steps I have had no problems.
It does not have to be set down hard for damage like that to occur. Example, with the Acer I had I slipped and fell really hard on some ice landing right on top of my bag and laptop. I immediately checked the laptop (after checking my body for damage
). There were no cracks or dents or anything. Later in the year I set my bag down a little harder then normal, and it got a big crack in it. It was the way the bag went down and the angle the laptop was impacted at. Obviously falling on the computer is a harder fall, but it really depends where the computer takes the impact. It does look like something similar has happened here.
It does not have to be set down hard for damage like that to occur. Example, with the Acer I had I slipped and fell really hard on some ice landing right on top of my bag and laptop. I immediately checked the laptop (after checking my body for damage
). There were no cracks or dents or anything. Later in the year I set my bag down a little harder then normal, and it got a big crack in it. It was the way the bag went down and the angle the laptop was impacted at. Obviously falling on the computer is a harder fall, but it really depends where the computer takes the impact. It does look like something similar has happened here.MacBooks have this feature as well?
When i read the specs and comparison of MacBooks and MBPs, i only noticed that MBPs had the feature.
Example, with the Acer I had I slipped and fell really hard on some ice landing right on top of my bag and laptop. I immediately checked the laptop (after checking my body for damage
Exactly what happened to me with my Lenovo V100. The side of the case cracked and dented, exposing some weird yellow material above the screen. The impact was the worst at the top left corner of the screen. Good thing it didn't crack. Lenovo's huh.
I like to trust people, but there were two things which threw me off a little bit. Firstly, the picture shows us something that doesn't look like simple heat expansion. There was a much greater force involved for the case to be lifted that much.
Secondly, the OP began this thread by saying that he discourages others from buying Apple products. He hasn't even seen this situation resolved yet, and he's ready to assault Apple over it. Combine that with the fact that his post is narrowly avoiding "troll" status, I'd say that I have a reasonable degree of suspicion.
Well then, it's not really much of a concern to you then huh
Although I stand by the fact I never have dropped my laptop, I also agree that it is unlikely heat expansion. Although this was my initial suspicion, heat expansion tends to not seperate as far apart as my mine did. And although I do not like being called out on whether I did or did not drop my laptop, I encourage people to give their own oppinion on the possibility of what could have happened. My biggest problem is not with apple computers, but with applecare and not even attempting to investigate what happened with my computer. Like many who purchase apple products, I expect the same trust I give to apple in ensuring I receive a quality product when I report to Apple that something is wrong with my computer. And to an earlier post, I did try pushing down to snap it back in place but with no luck. All the screws are still in place. Although it looks dropped because of the small bow in the metal, I find it difficult to believe the the dark plastic ring above it would remain completely unharmed if dropped, even on a softer surface. Unfortunately, I only have a cell phone as a camera right now in college, so i can't take any high resolution pics. Everyone who has a macbook pro knows how financially crippling it is and for all the time I spent saving I wish could understand how upsetting this situation can be. I was honestly only surprised that Apple did not believe me especially with their near perfect reputation. But because of how much I love my computer, i will save all my money for a new bottom case even if its 610 bucks
even if its 610 bucks 
...i will save all my money for a new bottom case
Dude, just remove the top, straighten it (bend it back) if necessary, and put it back together! Save your money!
...or, I'll do it for you for only $475. That will save you the parts and labor (which you haven't even considered).
Such a deal!
Definitely an option, and not all that difficult. iFixit.com has a guide that would be very useful. IIRC, there are 21 screws to remove. The entire upper case will come off, along with the keyboard, which is attached to the upper case. Just disconnect a single ribbon cable and then you're free to work the metal back into shape. The trickiest part of the disassembly will be to release the clips holding the top case to the bottom case. I run my fingernails through the gap.
On a side note, I don't see how this could possibly be a result of dropping the computer. There is no apparent damage to the bottom case and it doesn't make sense for the top case to bulge up from a drop. As I mentioned previously, there are no clips in the area shown (left side of the palm rest) in the picture which holds the top and bottom sections of the case together. There is the screw on the left side of the case nearest the corner, and clips in the area around the latch release and Superdrive, but none in the area shown.
You don't need to remove the cable if you are simply lifting the top up, adjusting the clips, and putting it back down an closing it. Just a quick note... when I lifted the top off my MBP, the microphone (I think that is what it is) over the left speaker popped out of it's hole and made it hard to close... until I figured out something must have popped out of it's hole!
Maybe the male of the clip didn't set right inside of the female and it rose up over time.
[Insert dirty joke here...]
On the Core Duo machines, there are 21 screws to remove if you follow the iFixit.com directions: 4 on each left and right sides, 2 on the back near the display hinge, 4 on the bottom, 2 in the battery bay, 3 holding the RAM cover, and 2 under the RAM cover. Perhaps not all are required for removal of the top case, but that's what the iFixit.com instructions stated, so those are what I removed.
Maybe the male of the clip didn't set right inside of the female and it rose up over time.
[Insert dirty joke here...]
Dirtiness aside, that's a good point. When I took my machine apart, I noticed one of the guide pins on the left side was bent -- bent in such a way which caused the pin to sit flush with the top case rather than sticking out at a 90 degree angle from the top case. This caused the left palm rest to be slightly higher than the right, but not nearly as much as the OP's machine. I noticed this after I received my machine after my Superdrive was replaced under warranty. I guess the repair person was careless and bent the pin accidently, but I fixed it and the top case sits perfectly again.
You have to remember that these computers are being built at production rates (fast) in China so some things get overlooked, or passed so you don't get fired or shot, or missed because they don't look terrible at the time.
I can see how a clip looks good but turns out bad over time.
Drop it about 6-8 inches and you'll hear the HD sorta restart. It'll be a loud like cheeeche... Try it on a bed. But watch out, I did it quite a bit with my 12" PB. And then whenever I moved it, the HD would restart and then the computer would freeze.
i had this same problem they ********ted me ....one store wants to charge me 610 like you said and another store said 1000 the applecare says if it affects the function...and mine has completly warped over the cd drive with a dvd stuck inside....im considering a lawsuit because as far as im concerned their warrant specifically states it will be covered for if the function of the computer is affected...i dont understand how one store can tell me one price and another store tell me an even higher price...this problem will get recognized when they get hit with a bunch of class action lawsuits...its commonly recogized problem with in the community...just google it you will find tons of people with this problem...i guess its just not common enough for apple to realize they need to completely overhaul the design of their product...p.s. no i didnt drop my laptop it sits on my desk all day everyday!