Heat-induced PowerBook G4 warping (#8): "Springy latch"; more

Reports of heat-induced "warping" occurring with PowerBook G4 (Aluminum) cases continue to pour in, indicating that is may be a relatively widespread issue. Some machines are showing this problem after only a few weeks of light use.

One reader writes "My 15" PowerBook (1.33) is barely three weeks old. Consistent with other MacFixit reports, the top/front corners of the display have developed a very noticeable upward warp. When the machine arrived, I specifically checked out the gap between the display and computer's body, remembering a MacWorld review that mentioned a 1/16" gap on their test machine when the display was in the closed position. I observed the same gap, but also noticed that the gap was uniform along the entire front of the closed machine. Now, although the machine's main body/CPU section seems to be holding its level/flat shape, the display is another matter. After three weeks of use (with almost pathologically gentle care), the front/top corners of the display are distinctly warped (noticeable when the display is in the closed position). "

"Springy" latch While a slight "wobble" when a PowerBook is resting on a flat surface seems to be the first noticeable, and most common effect of a heat-warped system, another common symptom is strange behavior from the display latch mechanism.

MacFixIt reader Peter Zeitler writes "The lid on my Aluminum PowerBook moved smoothly and latched well when new, but after 8 months it latches irregularly and tends to spring up; when it is cold is is ok but when it warms up the left hinge gets stiff and creaks, the screen resists being moved, and latching is almost hopeless, unless I slide a thin credit card into the latch to push it to the right. At all times, cool or not, there is now a little slop in the hinges. maybe 5 degrees or so; this wasn't the case when new and is not true for my son's machine. Interestingly, his is just fine (after having been fixed for the white spot problem!), but one difference between us that I tend to run processor intensive tasks, so my machine gets hotter, and more often."

The aforementioned reader report also reveals that newer screens installed by Apple for other display issues (including the notorious "white spot" problem) may be less susceptible to warping problems.

Another reader is experiencing the "springy latch" issue in addition to screen artifacts.

"When I first received my 15.2" G4 PB a little less than a year ago, one of the first things I noticed out of the box was that the lid did not sit flush when closed. The right edge had a gap of around 1/16" that would sit flush if pressed on but would spring back up once pressure was taken off. I ignored it at first, but in the last month or so I have noticed that at times the lid will pop open when pressure is applied to the hinge. Also within the last couple of months I have noticed 'screen artifacts'. Most noticeably, two white spots at about the same spot on either side of the screen. I've also noticed on a black screen (not off) speckled pixels stuck on a particular color that look like confetti in Times Square on New Year's Eve (not noticeable against a normal screen). And, yes, my machine can run hot at times, so much so that if resting on my lap, I have to remove it eventually."

We previously noted that severe cases of PowerBook warping can result in a vertical bar and other screen defects.

More on keeping your PowerBook cool Since most warping cases appear to be caused by high PowerBook operating heat, cooling your machine down whenever it is in use can potentially stave off deformities. Yesterday we mentioned Griffin's iCurve as a solution 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. Probably the best $20 accessory you will ever buy for you PowerBook!"

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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