Reader Courtney Chelo asks:
After 5 years with my freshman year standard issue Dell laptop (which is dying a slow, painful death) I'm ready to leave the PC world for a Mac. I don't need anything fancy... I'm going with the MacBook 2.4GHz... the question is: if I get the white one, will it turn yellow? Some say "YES!" some say "GOD, NO!" and others say "I don't want to learn to use a Mac and you shouldn't either!" (boo to them). So what's the story from all the picky AT/Unplggd'ers out there? Am I better off getting the black one?
Courtney,
To be honest, after working with Apple for a few years, I've seen this problem come and go like a stray cat on my front porch. It's a very common problem with the matte white material used in Macbooks and Nintendo DS Lites that becomes stained with heat and wear over time from our hand oils.
However, that does not justify another few hundred simply to get a black one if you don't need the upgrades or don't like the color. A very simple solution to clean off any discoloration is to grab a Mars Plastic Eraser and get erasing. We've done it to many computers when I used to repair them and it works like a charm. Unless the customer has kept the discoloration there for years, the eraser trick will get rid of the majority of yellow and dark spots on your handrest.
Your next best option is to grab a Macbook skin vinyl sticker that covers that keyboard area. These are easily replaceable and a cheap solution to protect discoloration.
I hope that helps!
-Anthony
Photos courtesy of Neil Zone.
My husband and I both got white Mac laptops 2 years ago. Mine is still white and looks great. My husband's computer is grayish brown. One of us is in to hand washing, the other one, not so much.
view maipop's profile
my partner has the white one, and I wish she had gotten the black. performance aside, another good reason to buy macs is that they are pretty, and they don't look all that pretty when they're all dirty. although I understand it's borderline excessive to pay $300(?) more for just a different color (the upgrades make no real difference to me).
view amt230's profile
Hi Courtney,
I work for an Apple service provider. I think you may be referring to the discoloration of palm rests which was common in first generation white MacBooks, but not in subsequent versions (like the ones you would buy today). If the matte surfaces of your MacBook get a little dirty from use, try Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, works great (only matte surface though, it will dull the shiny parts).
Good luck with your new Mac, you'll love it!
-James
view secret_agent's profile
My buddy's white macbook is discolored... my buddy's black macbook just started PEELING.
My Mac Book Pro on the other hand, is fine =). I'd say get one of them. Metal is always better anyway. So is a dedicated video card and 15" screen.
view shess's profile
I used rubbing alcohol and swabs (qtips for between the keys) on my old g3 ibook. It looked so good when I resold it several potential buyers commented on how clean I kept it.
view ryanprice's profile
courtney here - thanks, everyone! looks like i'll be going with the white macbook! i'll just clean it obsessively... it'll be my penance for treating my current machine like a frisbee in college!
view closertotheocean's profile
Apparently you've made your decision, but I too have a white macbook and the only discoloration issues i have are when dirty people mess around with my mac. My friend who has a black macbook has a different problem.... the oils from your fingers and hands, and just the constant touching causes the black surface to get a shiny appearance that makes it look like the computer is greasy.
White macbook FTW!
Congrats on the conversion to Mac! You'll love it! I made the switch a few months ago and wish I had done it sooner!
view marabve's profile
I clean mine with a dry Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I use Iklear for the screen. Works like a charm :).
view Michael Dumas's profile
I got a white mac book right when they came out, and slowly over time without me noticing it did discolor where my palm would rest. I took it in to an apple store and they replaced the panel and told me that the problem was the plastic but that the new plastic they use doesn't do it. So don't worry. Any problems like this can be taken care of in the first year free f charge if you buy from apple.
view nboxwell's profile