MacBooks shipped between October 2009 and April 2011, regardless of warranty status, may qualify for a free “bottom case” replacement if the rubber surface has begun to separate from the metal bottom case. The company is also offering to refund owners who have paid for a repair or replacement bottom case due to this issue from authorized service providers. Users can choose to visit an Apple Retail Store or service provider, or order a self-service kit directly from Apple.
The program, which is available world-wide, covers affected MacBooks for two years from original purchase date regardless of other warranty — and Apple’s technote on the issue suggests that if necessary, they may extend the program. The note advises that if a user’s MacBook falls within the affected time period but is not exhibiting signs of the problem, no action is required. Users who are near an Apple Store or authorized reseller can set an appointment with the provider to handle the repair.
Users who are not near an Apple Retail Store or authorized service provider can order a replacement kit online, which includes a new bottom case, the proper screws, a Phillips head screwdriver and instructions. Removing the bottom case of the affected models (the second and third-generation “unibody” models, also known as MacBook6,1 and MacBook7,1) is not at all difficult.
The program does not affect the warranty status of any other part of the affected MacBooks, and does not cover MacBook Pro or MacBook Air models.
