Apple macbook air has a defect hinge problem
4th February 2009
UPDATE: Apple finally fixed my apple air under warranty, if you have the same problem please quote my serial number W880634NY5. This way they can not tell you they do not fix this problem under warranty. Good luck, and please post your experience.
Apple macbook air has a defect hinge. After 10 months the hinge breaks. Apple does not cover hinges under warranty.
links to problem below
http://mindspacemind.blogspot.
http://forums.macrumors.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://flickr.com/photos/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/26/macbook-air-hinge-defect-not-covered-by-apples-warranty/
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/160467/macbook_air_hinge_problem.html
http://macbookairhinge.wordpress.com/
Tags: Air, Apple, hinge defect, Mac, warranty
February 5th, 2009 at 2:12 am
Exact same thing happened to me. Started off by getting loose where the monitor side would just fall shut if it wasn’t all the way back. Then the plastic along the inside (when it’s opened) started splitting and by about a week, the hinge started coming out exactly like yours. Same side, same way, identical to stuff I’m reading on the net.
This is obviously a defect. I baby my Air like it’s made of gold. Took it to the Apple store, they first said “wow, can’t believe that happened, we’ll order a screen and fix it”. I was excited, left, the screen came in, they called me and said it would be $600. I freaked out, told them not to do anything I’d be right there. Told them I didn’t want it fixed, made a big scene in the store because I was very upset (first apple I’ve ever owned and was very let down). Manager remembered me coming in and said he was the one that said he’d fix it and he would honor that. I was very pleased with that decision. I am sure however, that I have gotten one of the last ones fixed ‘no charge’ that they will ever do unless Apple issues some sort of recall.
Apple has REALLY dropped the ball on this…I expect more from them.
February 5th, 2009 at 3:53 am
Wow, that looks bad! Apple should be able to take care of you if you go up the chain of command. They’re a very reasonable company as long as you talk to the right person.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Same thing happened to me. I have a tiny scratch on the other side of the computer, not even attached to the hinge. He asked what happened here. I told him I didn’t know, but that’s been there almost since I got it. They claim it might have something to do with the hinge failure. I know it doesn’t. As I’m reading how many times this has happened to other people. I was done using the computer, as I closed it, the hinge popped. It was nothing I had done.
I hope they cover it, because I’m not spending $800.00 for a little plastic hinge!
March 1st, 2009 at 12:25 am
We purchased a MacBook Pro on December 27, 2008, and experienced the same hinge defect less than 40 days of normal everyday use. The Apple Store denied a problem of this nature and attempted to place the blame on us. This infursted us and we let them know that we intended to pursue it further. They decided to replace the laptop but told us that if this should happen again that it would be our problem. I personally think it is a design problem in that they use a heavy glass in the monitor. Apple should fess up to this design problem and spare their reputation. This may be a subject for the Federal Trade Commission or possible a class action lawsuit. We have been very pleased with Apple support but are very disappointed with their stance on warranty for this obvious flaw in design (they denied knowledge of such a problem). Their deniel tells all.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:57 am
When I worked for Apple as a Mac genius, It was the same story with the MacBook over heating. Day after day people would come into the Genius Bar and yell that there was a heating problem with the MacBook. It took awhile but Apple finally admitted to it. I had to replace the Heatsink and sensor on alot of MacBooks. Then there was the software update that would sometimes kill the motherboard.
Then they had the issue with the plastic top case on the white macbook.
Apple replace the top case only if people complained. ( the top case would turn different colors)
I own a first gen MacBook Air that show no signs of wear. But i do keep it protected and away from friends and family! They can buy there own
As an FYI, Apple had an issue with the first G4 Titanium models. BAD HINGES! They just cracked ‘or’ Snapped. I know because I repaired them!
A (former) Mac Genius from Apple Fifth Ave NYC
March 8th, 2009 at 5:14 am
Same problem
March 11th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Mine just broke tonight. Bought it in June, it was my first mac. I was planning on buying a macbook pro for more heavy computing and if they don’t fix this under warranty then THIS WILL BE MY LAST.
March 13th, 2009 at 10:45 am
My less than two month old mac book screen now goes flat when it is opened up. Heard a crack this morning while opening it. No trace of any visible damage. This is the second one that did this..
March 27th, 2009 at 2:19 am
I have had the same problem with my MacBook Air, went into the Apple Store and the genius seamed to be aware of the problem and booked me in for an appointment and pretty gave me the impression that they would repair it under warranty. I will let you know how I get on with my appoint in a couple of days.
March 29th, 2009 at 6:44 am
My new macbook airs hinge popped while putting in down onto my bed (open)!
Now my screen goes back 180 degrees.
April 9th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Can we do anything about it? I’m very unhappy about this myself.
April 11th, 2009 at 2:30 am
mine broe,k after 10 months the apple store in sheffield uk accused me of doing it so a letter has now gone to apple, but it will be the last product i buy from them if they dont sort it and that includes i phones or anything else. It s a bit like a car manufacturer telling you a door hinge isnt covered and uve broke it because u have been opening the door. Im amazed no one in America has started some sort of legal challenge
April 11th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
wow i was thinking of buying a mac book air but after reading all these comments and how alike they are im thinking twice about buying one now, i dont want to be paying out for a hinge that breaks through no fault of my own
June 30th, 2009 at 12:55 am
Mine has just now broken as well, call in to Apple in the UK and they just passed on the buck to go to the Apple Genius bar, when i went there same old story not covered by Warranty you need to pay to get it repaiered.
June 30th, 2009 at 4:07 am
I have no macbook pro nor air ,
but here in Japan, some users have same
problems about hinge, and I read a blog,
which said, took his note pc to genius bar
and got repaired it for free.(late June 2009)
July 12th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Same hinge problem with my air, two months after the warrenty ran out. Took it in to the apple store, and 5 days later it was returned fixed. They also fixed the loss of sound too, all at no charge to me.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:35 am
I have the same problem. I’m live in Romania. They Apple does not cover hinges under warranty.
August 12th, 2009 at 12:58 am
I have a mac air and have not had the hinge break. I did just drop the computer on my hardwood floor. It now has a gap between my top and bottom cover. I was searching to find out much it cost to replace the case pieces if anyone knows. Just as a coincidence I help big companies with online reputation management. It is hilarious (read sad for apple) that this site ranks so well for mac defects in the case, but that they have not taken steps to handle this.
Apple if you read this, google me so you know who I am, figure out a way to actually fix the problem, then feel free to contact me about sites with reviews like this! L.O.L.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I have the same issue. Exactly like in the photo, cause by simply opening the computer. I send my Air to the factory, and they called saying that I have caused the problem myself. They were incredibly rude, and offered to repair it for 400£. I told them to send it back and that I would contact Apple again. Now I am waiting to get it back and send pictures of the cpu to Apple. They admitted at the call centre that there ‘have been issues with the hinges, and we will see if this matches to other cases.
Thanks Hunter for the serial, hopefully it helps to make my case. Will update as soon I know more, I will fight this all the way. It is a DEFECT that seems to be repeating itself in an identical form. Apple will eventually recognise this, I will go and camp in front of an Apple Store if needed.
August 23rd, 2009 at 2:34 am
I have the same problem too. My MacBook Air is like a human with no backbone. I have to get something really hard and heavy to support the back while I’m using it. I brought it to the apple store and they told me that the screen must be replaced and it will cost me like $800. Sucks! Its still broken and I’m not paying that much to repair it. It’s Apple’s problem and they must do something about it. I didn’t even drop the laptop or anything, it was a defect.
September 4th, 2009 at 10:15 am
To all of you who have the hinge problem, I bought a month ago the mew macbook air 2.13 ssd 120 gb and it had a hinge problem, when I opened the it, the screen would fall again down ( closes ) and it was difficult to work with it so I brought it back to the apple reseller and they fixed it ( replaced the entire screen with it ) UNDER WARRANTY. I have apple care but I spoke to a guy who works as a reseller and he told me that apple finally recognized the problem as a manufacturing problem. I bought my macbook air in Belgium - Brussels. Of course I was happy that it was ” fixed” but now each time I open the mac I hear a sound which seems like 2 parts scratching each other. Went again to the store and there they told that they don’t hear or feel anything. There was a lot of noise in the store so tomorrow I’ll be going to a apple technicien and ask his opinion instead of those stupid fucks in the store. I’ll let post tomorrow . Don’t give up, we paid enough !!!
September 14th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Apple seem to be accepting responsibility now. Mine is being fixed free of charge as we speak.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2948
September 18th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Just got off the phone with apple they are fixing my notebook for free, they are even sending me a box!
I love apple even more now…
October 6th, 2009 at 8:07 am
I had to fight to finally get mine repaired. Apple said no then I went in and the store talked to AppleCare and FINALLY they agreed. Gee thanks. I guess I am supposed to be forever thankful to Apple for fixing a hinge on a 6 month old MacBook.
Yes, they tried the “customer broke it by opening the cover too fast” but I called BS.
October 18th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
My mac book air screen is doing the same flopping over thing… any ideas how to fix? i’m thinking duck tape? i have taken very gentle care, unfortunately i’m 6 months out of warrantee, the sound card went.. and they blamed me because of a very sight barely visible dent that happened the first week i had it.. they said the solid state was “almost indestructible” ..maybe so long as you dont ever subject it to normal use! they wanted $320.00 for a new sound card..there are new computers coming out now for less then that. i like the soft ware lit buttons, light weight.. but not impressed with its durability.
October 26th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Fantastic post. Thanks everyone for all the great comments. This just happened to my air.
How long does it take them to fix it. What is required?
Thank you!
November 10th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Thanks for the post. I’m going to try and bring mine into the apple store and see what happens. I’ll take a print of that link you said about apple fixing it for free: http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2948
I will get back to you and let you know how I get on.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Happenned to my wife’s air tonight. Bought it Feb 08 from the online Apple store. Happy to find this post, I’ll bring it with me to the apple store tomorrow. I fear it’s going to be a battle has the warranty has expired and we didn’t buy apple care.
December 18th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
I have the same problem. However, I had a dent which was made a year ago on the same corner where the crack in the hinge happened. I took it to the Apple Store today, they told me because of the dent, the call back will not apply to my machine! I explained that the dent was there a long time ago and had nothing to do with the crack. They said I’m to pay SGD75 for them to run a diagnostic before determining whether the machine will fall under the “Call Back Catergory”. So in the event that my machine doesn’t fall under the category, then Apple would have made SGD75 from me nonetheless!
Still trying to pursue the matter.
December 20th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Mine has just broken..
Just over 12 months old - it gets used every day, still.. you should expect the hinges on a laptop to be heavy duty.
I’ve got two toshiba’s that are a couple of years older & still going strong.
This is the second major issue with the Air - have had fan replaced - that was a stupid fight with apple support.
I hate apple support..
January 5th, 2010 at 8:37 am
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January 20th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
same problem here…. Mac Book Air overheats all the time.
the hinge got broken about a year after the purchase. i took it to the Apple dealership in Dubai, they refused repairing it. same in Moscow, Russia. finally in Canada Apple fixed it for free, which was really nice. 4 months later, it’s broken again…