iBloggedThis » Apple MacBook discoloration issues

Apple MacBook discoloration issues

June 12, 2006 on 1:58 am | In MacBook, apple |

If your brand new MacBook mooing isn’t enough of a problem, now there are reports of a casing discoloration issue. It appears that there are more than a few people on Apple’s support site, who are experiencing this issue.

The symptoms of this problem first seem to appear after about 2-3 weeks of use of the Macbook. As you can see in the image to the left, most commonly, yellowish-redish spots appear on the plastic where the palm rests, and on the trackpad button. These spots cannot be removed by any cleaning solution, and seem to only get worse over time.

Macbook owners are speculating that this is the result of the plastic not being able to handle the amount of heat that the Macbook displaces. The Apple Genius Bar has not been able to help anyone so far, as they have not seen this issue before in any of their product lines.

If you are starting to see this problem appear on your MacBook, join the discussions over at Apple’s website. Hopefully, Apple will come up with some solution sooner rather then later, but I just don’t see how they will be able to do anything other than replace the affected laptops.

Featured Information

With the evolution of internet and the search engines, search engine optimization is adopted widely today, and new seo companies are emerging. Also the wireless internet provider has increased to a larger extent, they also provide the services of budget hosting, dial up and dsl service, which in turn benefit the user not only in terms of cost but also in terms of quality. With this advancement communication around the globe is very cheap through ip phone and people can benefit from distant learning e.g. microsoft training.

77 Comments »

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI

This looks like a problem with the plastic reacting to the oils or sweat from the user’s hands.

Comment by Anonymous — June 12, 2006 #
Is that fake tan rubbing off?

Comment by Taoski — June 12, 2006 #
[...] iBloggedThis Â» Apple MacBook discoloration issues [...]

Pingback by MacDent Pro » Blog Archive » Apple MacBook discoloration issues — June 12, 2006 #
If Marware offers their pad kit for the MacBook, get it. I love the one on my MacBook Pro. I wish I would have gotten one for my Aluminum PowerBook before it suffered from the pitting problem. :(

Comment by N9YTY — June 12, 2006 #
This sounds like an odd idea, but it worked on my iBook when I had a similar problem: Brasso.

I got the idea from a story about cleaning the scratches off your iPod with Brasso. Since I had already gotten used to the concept of using Brasso on plastic, it didn’t seem like a big jump. Everything else I had tried didn’t work. The Brasso cleaned it right up.

I very much doubt it’s a heat issue. The location under the hands looks like skin oil deposits.

Comment by Pete — June 12, 2006 #
This would happen all the time with my 900MHz G3 iBook (stupid sweaty palms). A standard “power of oranges!” cleaner plus a non-abrasive scrubby worked fine to clean it.

Comment by Jerm — June 12, 2006 #
[...] Macbook owners are reporting a new problem with the good-looking notebook: …most commonly, yellowish-redish spots appear on the plastic where the palm rests, and on the trackpad button. These spots cannot be removed by any cleaning solution, and seem to only get worse over time. [...]

Pingback by zerotwohero » Blog Archive » schweat schtains — June 12, 2006 #
I was going to comment that the user needs to wash his hands after eating Cheetoes before using this white laptop.

Comment by Peter — June 12, 2006 #
Hehehe… maybe this is why the black Macbook costs more!

Comment by BravoHotel — June 12, 2006 #
Combined with the Mooing this laptpop is just like a COW now.

CowBook.

Comment by rcran — June 12, 2006 #
rcran, you’re so right… laughed a lot with your comment…

Comment by Lucas — June 12, 2006 #
I don’t see how this is new. The old Aluminum G4s did the same thing. Also the casing is made from metal and not plastic.

Spraying with Windex worked for me on the Alu powerbook for several years.

Comment by TT — June 12, 2006 #
Although it’s fun to pick on Apple, my almost new Sony 17″ laptop has the same problem and even worse the letters are wearing off the keys at an alarming rate…

My Toshiba or smaller Sony don’t have the problem but the A690 (the big sony) gets a lot of use.

Comment by bobm — June 12, 2006 #
Poopoo on my MacPoo

Comment by Jon — June 12, 2006 #
You need to try Mr Clean’s Magic Eraser - It will clean it off very easily.

There is no need to make such a fuss you just need to look for a solution instead of complaining about it so much.

Comment by ajshades — June 12, 2006 #
The best way to get rid of the same type of stains on white iBooks is to use an eraser, like the white Staedtler type.

(The worst examples of human filth collecting design are transparent keyboards. If you turn them upside down you see a disgusting collection of bread crumbs, boogers, hairs and dandruff flakes.)

Comment by Olle Bergman — June 12, 2006 #
I’m seeing this yellow discoloration on my two week old MacBook. Before anyone continues blaming sweaty or dirty palms, I routinely soap/ rinse my hands before touching my computer. Call it a habit after I noticed discoloration on my older iBook. I noticed discoloration about 1 week into the purchase so I slapped the Apple stickers on to the palm rest area. Discoloration continued.

I’m thinking it has to have something to do with the type of plastic used on the MacBooks.

Comment by Derek Punsalan — June 12, 2006 #
I and a friend have the same thing with our ibooks that were bought last fall…but here’s the thing, I think it has to be in large part due to the choice of plastic. My previous laptop was a FIRST generation white ibook 500Mhz, and it lasted for a couple years and never had the hand-specific discoloration…I think this is because computer testing is done by robotic automation, and therefore they don’t have real people’s hands rubbing on the plastic all day :(

Comment by yomama — June 12, 2006 #
Seriously doubting it is a problem due to heat, as those areas remain cool to the touch even when running the cpu at full load. The most heat you will ever find is underneath the laptop by the corner of the power adapter. Everywhere else is cool to the touch.

btw, CowBook is brilliant… hehe. :)

Comment by Hamza — June 13, 2006 #
Looks like grubby hands to me!

Comment by Matt — June 13, 2006 #
[...] esoterica: piratebay.org attendace doubles after police raid macbook review (+) and macbook discoloring issues (-) MMORPGS?. MMO okay. RPG no. best buildings of the year, by businessweek. pornographers versus pirates. how holograms are made craigslist to grow to 100+ cities? sweeet! google’s version of ebay? gbuy. wow, insurance fraud + arson to get rid of SUV/cars debt. ridiculous some seriously good negotiation tips volvo cars AUTOMATICALLY BRAKES. great for a bad driver like me. wikipedia founder discourages academic use of wikipedia. true that. wow.. perfect bubble rings [video]. kinda.. cool. [...]

Pingback by catharsis » to make meaning, not to make money. and full house [kdrama] — June 13, 2006 #
Boo-hoo, people. Try washing your filthy hands for once. This happened to two of my friends’ iBooks. Soft Scrub cleaned it up. The Magic Eraser is a good idea though.

If it’s getting discolored only on the parts that you touch all day long… it’s probably the heat. Idiots.

Comment by Chris Coleman — June 13, 2006 #
I second the idea of using Mr Clean’s Magic Eraser - it’s the only thing that removes the similar gray discoloration from my iBook. These reddish stains, though - they’re different in appearance, so maybe MCME won’t work.

Comment by Chris @ Stomp Tokyo — June 13, 2006 #
Definitely try an eraser. 12″ G4 Powerbook owner here, and if this is the same problem happening, a good, soft eraser will do the trick. With due respect to whoever suggested Brasso, I must caution that Brasso is extremely corrosive to many plastics and surfaces - it is brass polish.

Comment by El Diablo De Verde — June 13, 2006 #
One of the MacBooks at the La Encantada Apple Store had this problem. The Mac Specialist was scrubbing and scrubbing, to no avail.

Comment by the Dude — June 13, 2006 #
Try TiArmor from Vix Inc.
It will protect from scratches, staining, etc. Had it on my Aluminum PB.
It’s also nicer feeling than the top of a PowerBook.
I think it’s http://www.vixinc.com

Comment by Elmo Umlang — June 13, 2006 #
[...] After much discussion, it looks like there might be a solution to the Apple MacBook discoloration issue, which we reported on earlier in the week. Unfortunately this solution does not come from within Apple, but from user trial and error. [...]

Pingback by iBloggedThis » A Dangerous solution to the MacBook discoloration issue — June 14, 2006 #
OK, people who are still saying this isn’t a heat or plastic issue and that washing hands and/or using cleaning agents will fix the problem are either stupid, trolling or very likely both. Actual MacBook users with this weirdness have reported over and over and over that no non-drastic cleaning agent works. Furthermore, there’s the HD and the battery exactly where the hands go, so assuming this is due entirely to hand cleanliness is, well, dumb.

Btw, I was going to buy a MacBook (would be my first notebook computer), but will now wait to see how all this plays out.

Comment by John — June 14, 2006 #
Shit. I live in GER right now (yahoo, world cup and I have tickets!!) I’m going to California for vacation and I’m planning on buying a macbook there cuz it ends cheaper and I prefer US-Keyboards.

You can probably guess my problem:
I want this thing. BAD. On the other hand, this sounds - BAD.
Now what? I’m just on the verge of switching from PC to Mac and now this happens.

What do you guys think? Will apple change this in the next 7 or so weeks? Probably not, huh? (like I didn’t already know =)

So how high is the probability of my MacBook not having this problem, seeing as there seem to be a lot of people who aren’t suffering from this.

Please answer - I need help with this. Thanks in Advance - Chili Pepper

Comment by Chili Pepper — June 15, 2006 #
http://www.appledefects.com/wiki/index.php?title=MacBook_Discoloration

I have documented all the information I can find relating to this Discoloration issue.

Comment by ck — June 15, 2006 #
Somebody set up a website about the problem: http://stainedbook.info/

Comment by jen — June 20, 2006 #
NOT a new problem. I replaced the top case of my G4 iBook for just this reason. It’s WHITE plus oils in your skin, an idiotic compination that Apple for some reason keeps repeating (first with the G3, then the G4, now with Intel… 3 generations of stains). Just like cigarette smokers shouldn’t have white furniture/curtains unless they like tawny yellow after a year or so, people with HANDS should really avoid the WHITE MacBooks.

Comment by Matthew — June 24, 2006 #
After two or three weeks you’re experiencing this? I’ve had my MacBook for two weeks now and there isn’t a sign of it starting. Of couse, I do wash my hands like an obsessive compulsive madman.

Comment by marc — June 25, 2006 #
this is lame. it looks like a hobo has been using my laptop for years.

Comment by Brian — August 5, 2006 #
[...] My white apple macbook is now over 2 months old. However I never really got to use it on a daily basis until last month when my desktop crashed. I didn’t have time or finances to have the desktop fixed so I chose to use my macbook for the meantime. See, I only use my macbook when I have to go out of the house for business . It’s been 2 weeks now and I noticed that the casing where my left wrist rest on has some discoloration. Now I was aware that Macbook discoloration issues but I never thought it would happen to my beloved MAC! I am an obsessive compulsive person and wash my hands all the time, well including the wrist. I tried cleaning it with just plain water but to no avail. I was reading this thread in the Apple Forums and discovered that I am not alone. In fact Apple will replace the discolored casing after Apple Acknowledges MacBook Stains As Manufacturing Defect t looks like all the complaints about the white MacBooks have finally gotten through to Apple. [...]

Pingback by My White Apple Macbook » isulong seoph » Blog Archive - Search Engine Optimization — August 7, 2006 #
[...] Apple’s MacBook seems to be going through some teething problems. Users have reported palmrest discolouration issues, random shutdowns, and Airport-related kernel panics. The MacBook I’ve had for a month and a half has been afflicted with all three. It’s only randomly shut down once, luckily. The discoloration isn’t all that bad. But the kernel panics… I have to have Airport turned off at work, otherwise it’ll crash within the hour. Any other wireless network works just fine. [...]

Pingback by Mac-less existence. :: canspice.org — September 12, 2006 #
I had a discoloration issue with my MacBook, so I called Apple and they are sending me a brand new one. See my blog for more details: jworthen.blogspot.com.

Comment by Happy Apple — September 18, 2006 #
Apple just sent out an update for macbook fan speed.

this should be a start in fixing the problem.

my macbook keeps getting worse over time and i’m trying whatever i can to make it better.

i downloaded the update and it’s stopped so far.

Comment by anonymous — September 21, 2006 #
i sent my macbook in and they said the problem was fixed, but a few short weeks later, it’s WORSE! i’m mad!

Comment by Whit — October 18, 2006 #
Ok, a question. I’ve got a white G3 iBook, and have never suffered any of these maladies. I notice in several posts people referring to “wrist wrests”. Dudes, you’re computers are dirty because you’re being lazy. Get yo wrists off the computer.

There, problem solved.

Comment by James — October 23, 2006 #
I forgot the question….why are you being so lazy and resting your hands on the computer?

Comment by James — October 23, 2006 #
[...] Page Summary: As you can see in the image to the left, most commonly, yellowish-redish spots appear on the plastic where the palm rests, and on the trackpad button. The location under the hands looks like skin oil deposits. These spots cannot be removed by any cleaning solution, and seem to only get worse over time. I noticed discoloration about 1 week into the purchase so I slapped the Apple stickers on to the palm rest area.read more | digg story [...]

Pingback by » Macbook Discoloration problems with pics — October 26, 2006 #
It is a defect apple will replace it they replaced mine they actually have a version 2 top case

Comment by thomas — October 27, 2006 #
i recommend getting a keyboard cover. I got mine from ebay.

Comment by sillyjane — November 17, 2006 #
it’s not grubby hands. i wash my hands every time before handling my mac.

proof:
1) it’s darker on the left (over the battery, get it?)
2) I’m right handed, so even if my hands were dirty, the discoloration should be darker on the right.

get your wrists off the computer? dude, they’re called palm rests. it’s a real hassle to type with your hands floating.

Comment by sonja — November 20, 2006 #
i don’t think this is related with heat. its just the sweaty palms, or the oil..or whatever..white plastic is bound to get dirty..no matter how clean ur hands are. anyway..to get rid of the stains, just use a white eraser..gets rid of it very easily. i got rid of the stains on my macbook.

Comment by sid — December 12, 2006 #
I called apple, they said it is a common problem and that it is not related to your hands being dirty. They are going to send me a box to pack my computer in and then all I have to do is mail it and they will return it within 5 days. Shipping is paid for by apple. Call and complain, they will take care of you!

Comment by Josh — December 16, 2006 #
I just did the same thing as Josh and should get a macbook with new plastics hopefully. I’m a teacher and couldn’t send it in unless we were on a break!

Glad to see them take care of this issue

Comment by Kim McClellan — December 23, 2006 #
Does anyone know how long Apple will continue to replace the palmrests? I want to get mine fixed eventually, but right now I don’t want to be without it for a week just for a cosmetic problem. The ideal time would be over the summer, but I have a feeling that by that point Apple will view the discoloration as normal wear-and-tear since it will be a year old.

Comment by James — December 30, 2006 #
I just got a refurbished macbook, ordered it last week, so like early feb, will it have type 2 top cover?

Comment by korry — February 19, 2007 #
I returned my macbook under warranty for a new casing - the type 2 top cover. 4 weeks on it’s discolouring already. I find a Steadtler Mars plastic pencil rubber cleans much of it off, but you need a vacuum on-hand to prevent the rubber filings getting under the keys and mouse button.
Has anyone else had issues with their type 2 top?

Comment by Rob McLeod — February 21, 2007 #
[...] The next day, I picked it up again, and my hard disk was replaced, as I expected. However, there was one thing unexpected they did as well. I had the nasty orange discoloration problem at the palm rest areas, and I didn’t tell them about it (although it was pretty obvious), because I only wanted one issue to be resolved at a timeâ€” but also because I’d heard bad reports that people would have to send their MacBooks in for two or three weeks at a time to get the keyboard area cover replaced, and that sometimes the repair people would mess up other things as well. [...]

Pingback by Pax Asiana » Experience with Apple Support — March 3, 2007 #
This issue isn’t isolated to mac alone. Many plastic PC products with white colors suffer this discoloration. It also occurs on white rubber on earphone and keyboardwires.

Comment by ch4dwick — March 20, 2007 #
To balance this equation, after almost 1 year of HEAVY use I have yet to experience ANY problem with discoloration, mooing or performance with my macbook pro. Best computer ever! I do wipe it down weekly with soap and water. The track pad has bufffed out, actually making it nicer.

Comment by flyguy — April 6, 2007 #
[...] I took my MacBook to the Apple Store in Annapolis to get the palm rest replaced. I was having the discoloration issue that some of the early white MacBooks have had. Luckily they had the part in stock, and had it back to me in 3 hours. [...]

Pingback by MacBook is fixed at Cromulent Code — April 9, 2007 #
I HAVE THE SOLUTION!

I don’t know if anyone as discovered it yet, and I’m sure that Apple is replacing cases for free now, but I found something that takes away the stains on the wrist rest (and even the yellowing of the outer case). Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! It works a treat! Try it, and let me know how it goes.

Comment by Troy — April 20, 2007 #
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is the solution - I used it on my mac (4 months old) and it worked beautifully, so I used it on my roommates, which was 4 years old and exponentially more dirty, and it looked brand new afterwards…go get one and you will be really happy!

Comment by Kristen — May 1, 2007 #
The Mr clean worked well to clean the palm rest. Also, we now use a ShaggyMac screen & keyboard protector. Works like a charm!

http://www.shaggymac.com/

Comment by Paul R — May 6, 2007 #
My Macbook has the same problem with discoloration. My roommate has the same computer, and he doesn’t have the problem. His is a bit newer, so that may be the reason. I also have a shiny white Apple wireless mouse that I use constantly, palming and fingering it all day long with NO discoloration. So I have concluded that it is something in the skin of (only) some people which reacts with the particular plastic on the computer palm rests.

Comment by Ron — May 26, 2007 #
I must disagree. There must be some sort of normal wear and tear that can be cleaned with a Mr. Clean and this problem of discoloration. I had discoloration, tried everything (including Mr. Clean) to no avail. Got it replaced, and now it has remained white despite same usage. Any minor spots this time around can be cleaned with Mr. Clean (and most anything else for that matter), but there are cases where this discoloration goes beyond cleaning and needs some new parts.

Comment by Jimbo — June 21, 2007 #
I bought my first white macbook a few weeks ago, and I too experienced this discoloration problem. I thought I would be stuck with yellow/tan stains on my mac forever, but I tried a little windex (on a paper towel) and it came off!! I was amazed

…just be careful to ONLY get the surface with just a little windex…

Comment by Lauren — July 1, 2007 #
MAC has locked the Discussion:

Topic: Yellow Discoloration

132 posting and, This topic is locked - replies are not allowed.

Looks like someone dosent want us chattering about this. But I could be paranoid!

This “yellowing” is more of a graying of the palm rests and although I know its not dirt its pretty gross. It looks dirty and I’ve tried cleaning the area and only remove some small amount of dirt but the small spots, increasing in size, always stay.

:( not happy about this for sure.

Comment by Marker — July 4, 2007 #
Hi everyone. My MacBook has experienced minor discolouration issues. I have found that using an expensive perfume/after shave (it’s not a waste of money! lol), rubbed vigorously with a soft cloth brings back the original white brilliantly! Try it or your money back… well, not quite. :)
Samuel

Comment by Samuel — July 8, 2007 #
Magic eraser. That is the answer. Thanks for the idea!!!

Comment by Karen — July 9, 2007 #
Hello. I have had my Macbook 5 months and I never have my palms on the top case (use a mouse) and I clean my Macbook regularly with the solutions provided at the Apple Store. My first top case bezel discolored after just 2 weeks of use. The replacement bezel discolored after another 2 weeks of use, in the exact same area of the bezel and precisely the same shape/pattern. I then replaced the bezel yet again (3rd one) and it seemed a bit more durable as it took 1 month to discolor - again, in the exact same spot and precisely the same shap/pattern. It has nothing to do with skin oil and what people are mentioning - but heat. The new replacement plastics are thicker and the palm rest is much less hot than before. But the defect has not been solved by Apple. I have Apple Care, so I will continue to replace the covers until the problem is gone (hoping that Apple keeps improving the covers iteratively in batches). It is amazing and sad. I will soon be getting my 4th cover. The good news is, at least here, I have called the Apple Store, they have ordered the replacement cover and agreed to call me when it is in stock and I have just come in and they have replaced it in 15 minutes, rather than taking the Macbook for days or a week as is the norm. However this is the minimum I expect when I’ve been back so many times in 5 months for the same issue.

Comment by discoloration — July 25, 2007 #
I brought mine to the local Apple store today. They replaced the whole keyboard/trackpad assembly despite my MacBook being out-of-warranty. Now it is looking good as new. From what I’ve read on various sites, Apple is unofficially taking care of this.

Comment by Kelp — August 17, 2007 #
Eraser works ok… I just tried it (regular pink eraser on the back of a pencil). Now can anyone help me get pink eraser shavings off my black sweater?

Comment by Cyndi — September 27, 2007 #
Yeah, I JUST bought my MacBook… It’s even a new model with core 2 duo… and within a week i started getting a palm mark on the right hand side where my hand rests… So I took it to apple the other day and after a little convincing they aggreed to replace the whole top piece. So I just take it home and start looking at it… And I swear they just cleaned it somehow, but there is still definitely hints of the mark still being there….

I’m glad that they cleaned it off if that’s what they did, but I’m kind of upset that they told me they replaced something if they in fact didnt… So if it starts to come back I’m going to go up there and complain because this is BS…. I didn’t spend over $1,000 just to have my brand new computer start wearing and to have crappy customer support. They could have at least said “Hey, we just cleaned it and it seems to be fine.” in which case I still would have insisted on getting the top piece replaced…

In any event, I’m just going to get the Marware thing or whatever it’s called that they sell that just clings to where your palms rest… Doesn’t look as pretty but when I go to sell this laptop sometime down the road at least it will look like it should.

Comment by Jordan — October 19, 2007 #
I had really bad discoloration on my rest pads and track pad after only a couple of weeks, I was very upset. I tried the iKlear and other cleaning products, but nothing worked. I used an eraser (a white eraser, “STAEDTLER,” mars plastic brand) and it came right off!!! I am so excited! My 2 month old computer looks like it should, clean and white! Thanks for the tip, it really worked!

Comment by mia — October 30, 2007 #
Just sent it back.

Comment by Andy Samberg — November 19, 2007 #
The Magic Eraser did the trick!!! No marks at all!!!

Comment by Chris — November 28, 2007 #
Clorox with bleach took it off in about 2 seconds.
Just spray toilet paper with cwb and wipe it off.

Comment by Taylor — November 30, 2007 #
I recently got a white macbook, and after several months began to yellow around the edges. I also experienced discoloration on the palm rests. While it seems a little daunting to use cleaning products on such an expensive electronic device, the Mr. Clean Magical eraser restored my macbook to near perfect condition.

However, the discoloration of the palm rest on my computer was more of a grey-ish color than the burnt orange in the photo above.

I HIGHLY recommend the magical eraser.

Comment by sarah — December 3, 2007 #
[...] I can’t wait to see the tech support calls we’re going to get on this on. “My wireless isn’t fast enough!” “Facebook won’t load!”…I’m wincing already. Hopefully Apple will at least test this product enough so that its top cases won’t discolor and turn pink, or crack into bits. I love my job. [...]

Pingback by HeiseHeise.com - Blog » Why the Macbook Air will fail — January 16, 2008 #
those with sweaty hands, use rubber gloves LOL! i covered my palm rest with clear and glossy plastic. :)

Comment by nintuks — February 20, 2008 #
I’m pretty sure it is a reaction to the sweat and heat as many have said, this happened to my macbook the other day, it was quite strange I thought I must have had red ink on my hands or something but no, I was lucky though it came off with a damp cloth and a little elbow grease.

Comment by Adenowa3232 — May 2, 2008 #
try using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
Works great

Comment by --21-- — May 3, 2008 #

Apple MacBook discoloration issues

77 Comments »

Leave a comment