April 28, 2006 8:00 AM PDT

MacBook Pro Special Report follow-up #8: Display slightly bent, not latching properly -- solutions; cooling solutions; more

by CNET staff

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Display slightly bent, not latching properly -- solutions We previously reported on an issue affecting PowerBooks, where apparent heat warping, undue force or manufacturing defects resulted in warping of the screen housing, causing a situation where the lid does not completely close, failing to latch.

It now appears that a similar problem is affecting a limited number of MacBook Pros, causing similar latching (lack thereof) issues, or manifesting as slight upward curls at the edge of the screen when the unit is closed.

Some users experiencing this problem have had success getting afflicted units replaced by Apple while others haven't.

A number of readers have found success with the use of "Wildeepz" from Radtech -- transparent urethane display cushions for notebooks.

In some severe cases, notebook screen warping can result in a vertical bar and other screen defects.

Cooling solutions While some users have had success with reducing MacBook Pro temperature through application of the 1.0.1 firmware update, others are still experiencing excruciating surface temperatures.

Among the popular third-party cooling solutions available are Griffin's iCurve -- a device for raising a PowerBook off a flat surface, increasing airflow and reducing heat.

MacFixIt reader Allan Marcus suggests the "LapBottom" as another apt cooling device:

"This handy protective device is simply some molded plastic and some foam. You put the foam side against your lap (or tale, or bed or whatever, and the laptop rest on the hard plastic side. They even provide some rubber feet (that go on the LapBottom, not your laptop) to raise the computer a little and allow for air flow."

Keyboard update nullifies whine fixes As noted in separate coverage, the Intel-based Mac keyboard update released yesterday eliminates the effectiveness of some workarounds for reducing a high-pitched whine endemic to some units.

Another whine fix In light of the Keyboard update's interference with some whine workarounds, we'd like to direct attention to a small downloadable binary that eliminates the whine for some users, but will result in about 8% processor usage when the system is idle.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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