I can not express my complete and utter amazement and irritation at this very moment concerning the white Apple MacBook. Exactly 10 days after sharing the discoloration issue select MacBook users were reporting, and 4 days after applying Shieldzones Standard Kit, I am in utter disbelief as I sit here next to the window staring at the yellow discoloration appearing underneath the ShieldZone film. Amazing! How does this MacBook plastic do it?!
Words can not describe how displeased I am at this very moment with my MacBook. I support Apple, I love OSX, but this discoloration issue needs to be addressed. If a durable plastic film - similar to the protective film applied to automobiles - can not prevent further discoloration on the plastic shell, the discoloration must be a defect of the manufacturing process. The discoloration is not caused by oil or perspiration.
I dropped ShieldZone an email informing them of the discoloration. I’ve opened a thread in the Apple support forums. What we need is a resolution. What I don’t want is to have to send a work machine away to have Apple deem the issue as a cosmetic blemish
Apple doesn’t like the attention
I just noticed my Apple.com disccusions account has now be removed from the database. Trust me, I know what my username and password is. Apple obviously doesn’t want me participating in the discussion that I started concerning the discoloration.
As of 6/26, Apple has removed thread access for both user accounts under my name. The initial account as well as the second which I created after discovering I was blocked. I have no idea if the threads even continue to exist. I’ve scoured the boards and have seen no traces.
William
Jun 25th, 2006
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Wow, that’s terrible. I guess this just shows that it’s not because of some people’s greasy hands and fingers
Nick
Jun 25th, 2006
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Having worked in product engineering and manufacturing engineering, I’ve seen some crazy things, so I’ve got a couple ideas to toss around.
My best bet is some sort of heat discoloration (which would only show on the white) that is centered in the area the hands rest on as they keep those areas somewhat hotter than the surrounding areas.
Or, and if anyone has a new one they can refrain from using for a week, some kind of UV reaction that only shows up if used outside / near windows.
Even with the shield, bizarre stuff happens at the microscopic / molecular level. My bet is a bad batch of plastic that just reacts odd.
And don’t be surprised if Apple fixes the future manufacturing runs without ever revealing the root problem. A lot of times in engineering, we never do, we just make the processes more robust to control it.
Derek
Jun 25th, 2006
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I would like to continue hoping that Apple does the right thing to resolve sucha small number of reports and to rectify the issue during future manufacturing processes. Btw, I rarely if ever use the MacBook outside or near the window. Like you, I believe this is some sort of heat issue interacting with the plastic. Something that should not be happening even on a limited basis.
Trackback
Jun 25th, 2006
AppleDefects.com » MacBook Shield Ineffective Against Discoloration! Apple Defects, Defective Apple Products, MacBook runs hot, MacBook CPU Whine, iPod Scratches, dead pixels on my iMac
Jesse J. Anderson
Jun 25th, 2006
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Dude, that totally sucks. I’ve been eying my macbook constantly, wary of any signs of discoloration (none so far).
Kinda funny, I found this post via Digg, I saw it and first thought “crap, I should tell that other 9rules dude from Seattle about this” before I realized I was on your site heheh.
Congrads on getting Dugg, hopefully with your well documented attempt to protect against the staining you will see justice… and hopefully so will the rest of those with the discoloration issue.
chad
Jun 25th, 2006
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That’s very odd. I have a black macbook, so no problem here, but i would like to point out that the area that is discolored is not plastic. It is painted metal. It is also an area which never gets hot. It’s probably a reaction between the paint and the oils in your palm. Very odd.
Derek
Jun 25th, 2006
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I’d love to accept that reason but the film assumingly prevents the oils on my hands from touching the plastic. Where is the reference that the palm rest is painted?
Yeh kinda surprised to see the story hit the front so quick.