Reliability of polycarbonate unibody Macbook?

[TheWhiteFalcon]

I'm looking at getting a 2009 unibody Macbook(polycarbonate), and was curious to see if they're generally reliable, and if there are things I should watch out for with these models?

 

[chscag]

Look for any cracking of the case especially the top lid and around the bottom edges. We have had forum members report cracks with their White MacBooks of 2009 vintage.

 

[pigoo3]

Of course realize that you're talking about a 4-5 year-old laptop computer…so it's not going to be perfect. But most of the issues (not usually major) are (as "chscag" mentioned)…associated with cracks/chips in the plastic case.

But from an "electronic standpoint"…these models don't really have any issues that wouldn't crop up in any other 4-5 year-old computer.

- Nick

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

I know it's older, I have a lot of older Apple hardware and know it's generally reliable. I just know some models were duds, like the G3 white iBooks.

If there is cracking around the hinges should I stay away from it? Or just be careful with it?

 

[pigoo3]

If there is cracking around the hinges should I stay away from it? Or just be careful with it?

I don't know how familiar you are with the design of the white MacBooks. But the cracking was almost entirely confined to the top-case (the part that includes the keyboard & trackpad).

- Around the perimeter of this top case piece could chip (if someone was trying to remove it)…due to prying.
- The palm rest area could crack. I think that this was mostly due to people picking the laptop with up with one hand (with the display open)…and pressing too hard with the thumb in the center of one of the palm rest areas.
- The bezel around the display could crack/chip. Again most likely due to someone trying to remove the bezel via prying.
- Generally speaking the actual exterior case pieces didn't develop cracks (unless a serious drop was involved). But since the hinge area is a high stress area…I have seen cracks there. But that was more due to a user over-opening the display until it "maxes-out". Which can damage any laptop when this is done.

Basically…if you're able to examine this computer before purchasing…any of these areas can be closely inspected for any issues.

- Nick

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

Those are the cracks I'm looking at. Any need to worry about it? I'm pretty good at taking care of stuff, so I'd do my best not to exacerbate it.

 

[chas_m]

Those cracks look cosmetic and probably don't affect hinge operation, but they will get worse over time even if you are careful.

For the record, this is not a "unibody" MacBook. No white or polycarbonate (plastic) MacBook used that designation. Unibody MacBooks were produced from aluminium and only for a very short time (they were redubbed "MacBook Pros" a bit later with some modest changes).

Unless this 5-year-old MacBook is an incredibly sweet deal, I'd pass on it for practical reasons not related to the cracks.

 

[pigoo3]

For the record, this is not a "unibody" MacBook.

Sure there was. They were the last MacBook models sold from 2009 till the discontinuing of the MacBook line. They had more rounded edges than the earlier MacBooks...and they had the now familiar larger trackpad with no separate trackpad button:

MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.26 13" (Uni/Late 09) Specs (Late 2009, MC207LL/A, MacBook6,1, A1342, 2350*) @ EveryMac.com
http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...-13-polycarbonate-unibody-mid-2010-specs.html

I agree...these "Unibody" MacBooks really aren't "unibodies" like the aluminum unibody laptops/notebooks. I think that the plastic exterior was molded to look like/similar to the 13" unibody aluminum MacBook's and MacBook Pro's (which were made from a "milled single block of aluminum).

My wife had one...it was actually a pretty good computer.

- Nick

 

[nickyr]

Those are the cracks I'm looking at. Any need to worry about it? I'm pretty good at taking care of stuff, so I'd do my best not to exacerbate it.

My 2010 macbook has been handled like a newborn baby since new and still has those cracks around the hinges. I just bought a cover and now you can't see them.

Electronically though, it's run every OS from new with no problem (I have upped he RAM to 4GB) and is currently running Mavericks without a hitch.

 

[chas_m]

Nick: I'm not sure *Apple* ever called them that but I will stand corrected until I am certain of that. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[pigoo3]

Nick: I'm not sure *Apple* ever called them that but I will stand corrected until I am certain of that. Thanks for pointing that out.

It's been 4+ years since these 2009 ("Unibody") MacBooks were first released. And off the top of my head...I cannot specifically remember seeing Apple calling these MacBooks "Unibody" either.

I know that "Everymac.com" has always called them "unibody"...but I am not sure where they got that term (I don't think that they came up with it themselves). I think Everymac.com "regurgitates" whatever is in the popular press.

I did a quick search at Apple.com to see if I could find something...but nothing specific came up. It certainly wasn't an exhaustive search. Maybe someone with a few extra minutes & the curiosity will dig in more deeply.

- Nick

 

[chscag]

I thought the late 2008 aluminum MacBook was the only unibody MacBook that was produced but I may be wrong about that.

 

[chas_m]

That's what I thought too. In any event, thanks to the pictures the OP generously provided we all know what he's talking about there so the point is somewhat moot.

 

[JohnCL]

Look here guys. ;D

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks John! I was sure Everymac.com didn't dream up the "Unibody" term out of thin air.

- Nick

 

[as90]

Hey, I was just wondering, are these cracks superficial most of the time? Or do they get really bad over time and actually result in the whole thing falling apart? silly question I know but I'm curious what type of POS i suckered myself into.

 

[as90]

lol not so durable afteralll