Macbook - Should I be concerned?

Netty4mac · Netty4mac #1 (**permalink**)

03-11-2007, 10:02 PM

Well, you know the left side of the MB with all the plugs in it? Today I noticed that it feels alittle loose. Near the end there are 2 small screws, it feels loose right there. I could push the plastic in and see it move. Should I be concerned?? Do you guys think maybe the screws need to be tightened alittle?

Macky has never been dropped or bumped by anything before...

cwa107 · cwa107 #2 (**permalink**)

03-11-2007, 10:05 PM

Sometimes the screws will back out a bit over time and just need a little tightening. I don't think it's a real big deal, but if you can find an eyeglass repair kit or a jeweler's screw driver set, I'd see if you can snug those screws up just a bit.

Netty4mac · Netty4mac #3 (**permalink**)

03-11-2007, 10:08 PM

Ok, I think I have one of those sets. Sounds like a good idea. Thanks!

Jonnyfive · Jonnyfive #4 (**permalink**)

03-11-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwa107

Sometimes the screws will back out a bit over time and just need a little tightening. I don't think it's a real big deal, but if you can find an eyeglass repair kit or a jeweler's screw driver set, I'd see if you can snug those screws up just a bit.

Netty don't do that, the screws are just decorative. Purely for looks, they don't actually hold anything.

That's why there's some give, it's normal with all macbooks and I hear the iBooks as well.

Netty4mac · Netty4mac #5 (**permalink**)

03-11-2007, 10:13 PM

Oh I see..I guess it should be okay then.

cwa107 · cwa107 #6 (**permalink**)

03-11-2007, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonnyfive

Netty don't do that, the screws are just decorative. Purely for looks, they don't actually hold anything.

That's why there's some give, it's normal with all macbooks and I hear the iBooks as well.

OK, on the MacBook Pro, they actually hold the palmrest to the bottom chassis. I guess the MacBook is different?

EDIT: I answered my own question, no they aren't "purely decorative", they do indeed hold the palmrest to the chassis. See iFixIt...

moss918 · moss918 #7 (**permalink**)

03-11-2007, 10:47 PM

Yeah, mine does that too. I'd say nothing to worry about.

kgeier82 · kgeier82 #8 (**permalink**)

03-12-2007, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonnyfive

Netty don't do that, the screws are just decorative. Purely for looks, they don't actually hold anything.

That's why there's some give, it's normal with all macbooks and I hear the iBooks as well.

decorative screws?

what will they think of next. tighten the screws, they are there for a reason.

skye · skye #9 (**permalink**)

03-12-2007, 12:16 AM

wow netty, i had the same problem but i am glad you asked because i didnt want to seem dumb and anal asking the question

Reel1 · Reel1 #10 (**permalink**)

03-12-2007, 12:21 AM

Netty, I think I remember someone else here with the same issue. He/she called apple and they advised them that the left side is meant to have a bit of flex.

Netty4mac · Netty4mac #11 (**permalink**)

03-12-2007, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reel1

Netty, I think I remember someone else here with the same issue. He/she called apple and they advised them that the left side is meant to have a bit of flex.

Oh ok. Thanks for all the info everyone!

jaster · jaster #12 (**permalink**)

03-12-2007, 12:30 AM

I have to add me two cents. Why in the world would Apple, known for their clean crisp designs, put DECORATIVE screws on the side of their macbook? That makes no sense at all. I am sorry Johhnyfive, but I don't buy it. According to disassembly instructions I found online, the screws are functional and do need to be removed when disassembling the macbook. I would tighten the screws if they seem loose, some flex is needed, but I know on mine there is no looseness.

cwa107 · cwa107 #13 (**permalink**)

03-12-2007, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaster

I have to add me two cents. Why in the world would Apple, known for their clean crisp designs, put DECORATIVE screws on the side of their macbook? That makes no sense at all. I am sorry Johhnyfive, but I don't buy it. According to disassembly instructions I found online, the screws are functional and do need to be removed when disassembling the macbook. I would tighten the screws if they seem loose, some flex is needed, but I know on mine there is no looseness.

Exactly - and you don't want to lose those screws either. They are very non-standard and would be difficult to replace if they worked themselves free over the course of normal use / carrying around.

Reel1 · Reel1 #14 (**permalink**)

03-12-2007, 12:54 AM

Netty there are many with the same issue as yours and mine

http://discussions.apple.com/search....flex+left+side

Netty4mac · Netty4mac #15 (**permalink**)

03-12-2007, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reel1

Netty there are many with the same issue as yours and mine

http://discussions.apple.com/search....flex+left+side

Thanks for the link! I guess it's not much to worry about.

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Netty4mac #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 17, 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,560 Mac Specs: Macky the Macbook Pro 2.3Ghz i5 4GB Ram, Mr.Pink 16GB White iPhone 4	03-11-2007, 10:02 PM Well, you know the left side of the MB with all the plugs in it? Today I noticed that it feels alittle loose. Near the end there are 2 small screws, it feels loose right there. I could push the plastic in and see it move. Should I be concerned?? Do you guys think maybe the screws need to be tightened alittle? Macky has never been dropped or bumped by anything before...
	QUOTE Thanks

cwa107 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 20, 2006 Location: Middletown, Pennsylvania Posts: 26,684 Mac Specs: 15" MBP, Core i7/2GHz, 8GB RAM, 480GB Crucial M500 SSD	03-11-2007, 10:05 PM Sometimes the screws will back out a bit over time and just need a little tightening. I don't think it's a real big deal, but if you can find an eyeglass repair kit or a jeweler's screw driver set, I'd see if you can snug those screws up just a bit.
	QUOTE Thanks

Netty4mac #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 17, 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,560 Mac Specs: Macky the Macbook Pro 2.3Ghz i5 4GB Ram, Mr.Pink 16GB White iPhone 4	03-11-2007, 10:13 PM Oh I see..I guess it should be okay then.
	QUOTE Thanks

moss918 #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 03, 2006 Location: UK Posts: 709 Mac Specs: iMac 2.93C2D 4GB	03-11-2007, 10:47 PM Yeah, mine does that too. I'd say nothing to worry about.
	QUOTE Thanks

skye #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 12, 2006 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 1,224 Mac Specs: Macbook 2.0ghz coeduo 1GB RAM 80 GB HD SuperDrive	03-12-2007, 12:16 AM wow netty, i had the same problem but i am glad you asked because i didnt want to seem dumb and anal asking the question
	QUOTE Thanks

Reel1 #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 29, 2006 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 606 Mac Specs: 2.16 GHz Intel Imac Core 2 Duo//MacBook 1.83 Core 2 Duo//G5 Power Mac	03-12-2007, 12:21 AM Netty, I think I remember someone else here with the same issue. He/she called apple and they advised them that the left side is meant to have a bit of flex.
	QUOTE Thanks

jaster #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 08, 2004 Location: Ft. Bragg NC Posts: 415	03-12-2007, 12:30 AM I have to add me two cents. Why in the world would Apple, known for their clean crisp designs, put DECORATIVE screws on the side of their macbook? That makes no sense at all. I am sorry Johhnyfive, but I don't buy it. According to disassembly instructions I found online, the screws are functional and do need to be removed when disassembling the macbook. I would tighten the screws if they seem loose, some flex is needed, but I know on mine there is no looseness.
	QUOTE Thanks

Reel1 #14 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 29, 2006 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 606 Mac Specs: 2.16 GHz Intel Imac Core 2 Duo//MacBook 1.83 Core 2 Duo//G5 Power Mac	03-12-2007, 12:54 AM Netty there are many with the same issue as yours and mine http://discussions.apple.com/search....flex+left+side
	QUOTE Thanks

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