[bbolin67]

Niether of the times it was in the case, from what I know my son said he had the MB on his lap and went to turn it so another individual could see the screen using the side of the LCD to turn it and the screen cracked. the first time he was walking carrying it like a book across the room, opened it and it was cracked. Like I said earlier he had a ibook for a full school year caried all over campus (on bike)and never had a problem. That is why I am so confused. I know he is very careful with all his stuff and I probably just got a lemmon. (He still won't let me buy him a PC) /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I will probably buy another or maybe look on ebay for a older ibook and keep this one for my wife with w/ an external monitor. both my son and I are at our ends with the MAC store we have been told repeatedly that it was caused by abuse and I am sick of trying to explain this, if turning your laptop on your lap with the CRT is abuse than I guess it's time to question your R & D.

[braindoc]

Thank you for the response. So there seems to be a consistent pattern. Wherein the crack can be caused by holding the screen to move the bulk of the computer. I wonder if the glossy screen surface is inherently more brittle than the old matte screen, that would be my guess.
In defense of the manufacturers though I don't think any of them recommend moving the weight of the computer by holding on to just the screen. Apple may not have as much torsional bracing in the screen as others to reduce weight and improve aesthetics.
Thanks for the info and warning.

[Typhoon14]

This goes for both posters with the screen issue, especially the second one:
I would call up apple support and be firm. Explain to them that the system has not be mishandled in any way (Don't mention the moving-by-screen incident). Explain to them that you've had lots of Apple portables, and none of them have any had any problems like this. If the first person isn't helpful, ask for someone higher up.
I had to deal with a PowerBook a few years back that had an endless parade of issues. Finally, Apple refused to replace the logic board, claiming the damage was due to user abuse. I eventually ended up threatening to file a consumer complaint, invoking state Lemon Law. At that point, they folded and shipped out a whole new system, free of charge, so it's definitely worth pursuing aggressively.

[RichL]

Quote:

---

Thank you for the response. So there seems to be a consistent pattern. Wherein the crack can be caused by holding the screen to move the bulk of the computer. I wonder if the glossy screen surface is inherently more brittle than the old matte screen, that would be my guess.
In defense of the manufacturers though I don't think any of them recommend moving the weight of the computer by holding on to just the screen. Apple may not have as much torsional bracing in the screen as others to reduce weight and improve aesthetics.
Thanks for the info and warning.

---

yes..this is the 2nd post by someone who's screen cracked performing this action.
In a previous post, I noted a Dell I had cracked the same way. So I'm not sure this is a "Apple" issue as much as it is a "laptop" issue with all manufacturers?
With the popularity of laptops, there are more of them in the hands of people so hence, you'd guess you'd see more of this..also with computer companies trying to take the weight out, they are just more flimsy.
RichL

[NicholasCox]

You know, this may sound nave, but can't you buy AppleCare retroactively, rather than throwing all that money into repairs? Is this a stupid question? I feel like I'm overlooking something, but if you bought it new, then can't you buy AppleCare any time within the first year?

[Typhoon14]

Quote:

---

You know, this may sound nave, but can't you buy AppleCare retroactively, rather than throwing all that money into repairs? Is this a stupid question? I feel like I'm overlooking something, but if you bought it new, then can't you buy AppleCare any time within the first year?

---

Yeah you're overlooking the fact that it is Apple's general policy to blame visible damage of any sort on user error cracked screens aren't covered by AppleCare or the standard warranty unless the machine actually arrives that way originally.

[markost]

Same thing happened to me. Had the macbook for 3 months now, and I LOVE it.... But I was carrying it upside down yesterday and felt an ominous crack. When I opened it there was a hairline fracture which has grown considerably since. There is no evidence of physical damage on this unit. I keep it in a case whenever I carry it. There are no dents, dings or scratches of any kind on it. This computer is my baby. I am an electrical engineer, and am trained in dealing with technology; I have at least 3 different laptops in my house and 2 desktops. I have never ever had an issue with a cracked screen up until now.
When I took it to the Apple store the "Genius" was very rude even after I explained the situation and basically called me a liar. When I asked to speak to the manager she did not budge one inch, and basically just listened to my complaint and regurgitated what the other guy had said. There are plenty of other forums, even on the Apple website, that deal with this same complaint. I plan to call apple customer support later today and in addition to explaining my situation, file a complaint against the manager and "Genius", who were basically laughing at my misfortune. If this does not work out, I plan to file a complaint to the Massachusetts comsumer authorities under the lemon law. There is no way a company should be able to sell a product for this much money with a defect that costs this much to fix.

[dazychaser]

I'm really interested in the results that any gets. My screen was cracked while my macbook was in the possession of my son's 17 year old friend, so I don't know exactly how it happened, but he's offered to pay for it, only the mac store is saying $1200...and applecare is suspended until I pay for those repairs.

[molna]

Hi,
I found this thread by searching on Google.
I have a black MacBook which I got for my 30th birthday 2 weeks ago. Yesterday the screen cracked. I'm not sure exactly when or how it happened, all I know is I didn't do anything unusual. I've had PC notebooks for 10+ years, never ever had any problems. Now I got my first Mac and it lasted for only 2 weeks.
Paying for repair is not an option for me, especially not since it was a gift. I don't know how to approach the Apple Store. I live in London and it was bought in the Regent Street store. I'm terrible when it comes to arguing, so if they are as ignorant as some of you say, things are looking bad for me. I do however EXPECT warranty to cover the repair. I've done nothing that should cause the screen to crack and I'm really concerned about even repairing it as I don't want to live with a computer that needs to be handled like a new-born baby. Might as well go for a full refund option /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[MacCheetah3]

Hi
I hate to be a stickler but the LCD is one of the top fragilest components of a computer [that has one]. With that said, it usually takes a reasonable amount of abuse to crack one. My point being is that both Apples are oranges ( 'PCs' ) have very close to the same tolerance in this area despite certain claims.
Think back hard to when the LCD cracked, what happened right before it? You're going to need some sort of 'story' for Apple anyway.
I don't know if they offer their services to residents outside of the US but...DT&T Computer Services

[tamj]

Hi, I bought two Macbooks. I have only had them less than a month and already the screen is cracked on one of them, I got on the internet just trying to find out what could have possibly happened because we don't know! We have a Macbook Pro that we have had for a year with no problems and we have an HP laptop that we have had for several years with no problem, after reading this I am now wondering if maybe there might be a problem with these screens. I am going to set up an appointment tomorrow with a mac genius and see what they say. I will let you know what becomes of this tomorrow.

[bandahanson]

I purchased a mac on October 2006 and the Display cracked spontaneously as I was surfing the net on February 2007. I got the same response from Apple though I purchased a 3 year warranty. $775 to repair due to the fact that it was "accidental" damage meaning I caused it. I asked for a supervisor and got the most ridiculous run down on why it was my fault. I poked my finger into the display, I put something heavy on the lid, a pet scratched it, I dropped it, there was no air conditioning in the room I was in. I am glad I am not alone, I am collecting as many complaint sites as I can find, I have now 5 sites with folks with the same issue. I believe myself that the macbook heat dissipation is so poor that it eventually causes this problem. Could be wrong but clearly it is a defect and Apple should fix the machines. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[b8375629]

I've never picked up a laptop by the screen, either. I always pick it up by the base ever since I saw my dad destroy the front screen frame of his Sony VAIO doing this. It can happen to Windows laptops, too. Now that I have a new 13" MacBook, I better be careful.
Overall though, I think the casings on notebooks aren't as tough as they once were. My 1999 Sony PCG-F580 had a matte thick plastic casing that reminded me of Tupperware. Doesn't mean you can be rough with it, but it wasn't flimsy like an eggshell, either.

[MacCheetah3]

Hi
I'm betting one couldn't regularly, or even more than a couple of times, pick up a clamshell ( "toilet seat" ) iBook by the screen bezel and not have it crack. Durability is one thing but the fact remains that no portable computer designer -- Don't nitpick about those really small ones, ... -- designs the system to be handled solely by the display ( LCD, bezel, ... ).