12" PowerBook Wobble?

RedWingsSuck asks: "I recently purchased a 12" PowerBook from ADC. I absolutely love it, but I have noticed an interesting little issue. As it warms up, other users have said the case gets as hot as 120 degree F, it develops a wobble on a flat surface, like a table or something. As it gets warmer, the wobble gets worse. When I first noticed it, I thought I had lost a rubber peg from the bottom, but apparently my problem is not that simple. While on spring break, in San Diego, I went to the Apple Store there, and I was told that a few other people have had this problem, and that if I had purchased the PowerBook from there, they would have replaced it with a new one. Then I called Apple Care, and they told me that they were just informed of this problem. Has anybody else had this problem, if so, what did Apple say about it?"

Comments

You need a Cool Pad

[Anonymous Coward]

Cool Pad.

Re:You need a Cool Pad

[The Herbaliser]

My dad has one of those for his TiBook. They're pretty good. He was having problems with it shutting down on its own when it got really hot, and he hasn't had any problems since.

I've got it, too...

[American AC in Paris]

I have the 12" PB and it does indeed wobble on flat surfaces, esp. as it heats. Overall, it's a pretty minor thing, but I gave the local Apple Store (Towson, MD) a ring to see what they knew.

They said that they hadn't heard of any problems with it (are all the feet there?) but if I wanted to bring it in, they'd be happy to have a technician look at it.

Really, though, it's a fairly minor annoyance, though it's probably the biggest "problem" I'd say the machine has. I've had it for about a month now.

See here

[Erect Horsecock]

They already now about this

Well to keep it short the reader basically explain how to BEND THE CASE so it no longer wobbles.
Also see this thread on Ars Technica that is about the 12" and its wobble issue.

Yes, I definitely have this problem.

[Cecil]

I've found that propping the left rear corner with a nickel works just about perfectly. Not under the rubber foot, just slid in until it presses against the side of the rubber foot.

I am surprised to find that this is actually a problem with the laptop, I had just assumed that it was my cheapo desk that was warped. Although I hadn't noticed this problem with my last laptop, it had much bigger, more flexible feet that I assumed had compensated for the sucky desk.

While we're on the topic of Powerbook annoyances, I am disappointed that they removed the battery backup capacitor from the 12" Powerbook. My friend has a 15" Powerbook, and he can put his computer to sleep, remove the battery, to put in a fully charged one, and the computer does not have to be shut off. They apparently removed this feature from the 12" Powerbook, what a shame. That was one of those tiny but oh-so-nice features that made me want to buy an Apple rather than a PC.

Re:This story looks bogus

[tarus]

Flame bait?

Take a loaded 12" Powerbook, 20 GB iPod, keyboard, mouse, USB hub, 3 year warranty, Soundsticks, airplane adapter, spare battery, and spare power supply and it adds up. As I mentioned, I switched hard.

Stupid? Yes. Bogus, no.

Nope, no problem here

[sobiloff]

I've had my 12" PB for a little over a week now, and it hasn't exhibited this problem at all. The only problem I've had with it was the "B" keytop wouldn't stay attached to the keyboard. I brought it in to my local Apple store and they replaced a broken plastic bit underneath the keytop in about 30 seconds (and for free).

Which hard drive do you have? Its the hard drive that generates the heat folks complain about. I have the 60GB hard drive, and I've measured 110 degrees (F) at the worst. It doesn't really bother me since my hand tends to rest on the outside of my palm, where the case is much cooler, but I can understand it'd be bothersome for others.

I've not had it...

[paploo]

Just to help keep reports balanced, neither of the 12" PowerBooks I've owned have had the wobble problem. They get pretty hotsometimes (although resettin the PMU seems to help with that sometimes), but mine always sits flat.

Re:Is Apple Care worth $330?

[Jord]

If you are planning on keeping the machine for 2+ years more then I would say that it is absolutely worth it.

Since you work or will be working in the computer industry, that laptop is one of your most important possessions. Treat it like your most valuable tool and keep it under warranty.

I see the extended warranty like health insurance for your computer. $100.00 per year for health insurance on your laptop is a great deal.