My Biggest Complaint About My Macbook Pro 17″ Bending Itself and Warranty Not Covering It

About a month ago I began to notice a large gap developing between my Macbook Pro lid and its base when I have the computer closed, and decided that it was cosmetic, the computer was getting old, and I would just deal with it. Then the gap became larger to the point that it is sometimes difficult to get the lid to latch shut so I decided to visit the apple store to see what they could do for me. I also ran a search through google to see if anyone else had the same problem and found that many had, and that the damage was a result of lifting the computer up from the superdrive region with the lid open where the frame is apparently weak. From what I read these Macbook Pro owners were either given a new computer under warranty, or had their damaged units repaired under warranty.

I scheduled an appointment at the University Village Apple Store here in Seattle and sat down at the Genius bar with Evan, who was my Genii for the day. I told him what my problem was, gave him my Macbook Pro, and watched as he was able to duplicate the problem with the latch, and verify the aesthetically displeasing gap between the lid and base. He then attempted to manipulate the latch, was unsuccessful, and asked me if I pick the computer up with one hand with the screen up. I answered yes, told him that when moving it from living room to the den that I sometimes pick it up with one hand from the portion with the superdrive in it, and was told that the weight of the computer causes it to bend itself when lifted with one hand, warping the bottom portion over time to the point that it does not line up with the lid when closed. He also told me that my picking it up with one hand was negligent misuse of the computer, the damage is not covered under my warranty, and that I needed to replace the bottom portion of the computer at my own expense, at a cost of roughly $600-700. I explained to him that I felt that the computer was incredibly expensive, is made of aluminum, and should be able to support its own weight without self destructing. I also contended that lifting the computer with one hand is not negligent, and should be something that one can do with a portable computer (it does not say anything in the owners manual about using two hands to handle the computer). Evan (the genii), then said that our conversation was over and that I needed to talk to apple legal if I had any more questions about my warranty, so I asked to speak to his manager.

The store Manager Angie held the same line with me that the genii had, and basically told me that it was my fault and that I needed to pay for the repair if I wanted it. I told Angie that I read that other people had the same damage occur to their Macbook Pro’s and Apple had replaced or repaired their units under warranty, and asked her what was different between their warranties and mine. She said that she was not personally aware of any cases so I showed her the sites, she then told me that Apple is not responsible for what people say on the internet, nor is she familiar with their cases. I asked her if she could do some research, become familiar, and then get back to me and was told no. So long story short: my Apple bent itself because apple did not design it for every day use, and now I have to repair it at my own expense. I didn’t design it, just paid almost $3,000 for it, and feel robbed and laid away (this is my first Apple ever!).