My Macbook Air hinge has cracked! What do I do?

[JKSLtd]

I love my MBA dearly & it gets a lots of use - just home stuff; MN, emails, online shopping, etc.

The other day the screen started 'flopping' backwards a little bit, not unusably but annoying.
I googled a bit about the hinge and there seems to be a problem with Macbooks and that the flopping precedes a crack...
Mine just cracked :(
I feel slightly ill because of it.

I can still use it, the screen is just a bit too far laidback - putting more stress on the hinge I think

My nearest Apple store is Lakeside and I could get there during the school day but when I try and find out more about booking an appt the website doesn't work for me.

Do I need to go through Apple?
Will they do anything (have seen old threads, 2009, that they have fixed them)?
How do I book an appt/do I have to book an appt, can I just turn up at the store with my MBA?

I know nothing of Macs but I'd say take it to a repair centre, they will probably charge if it's out of warrenty, the wires for the screen go thru the hinge on a laptop, it might be putting undue stress on them.

An Apple store or any computer repair place?

Well if it's out of warranty, one that says it can deal with em otherwise Apple, but I would get it fixed ASAP really, with a laptop if the screen connector goes that's pretty much it, they charge so much for a replacement it's not worth it, my brother makes a tidy sum converting them to home use only (i.e putting a connector on them so they can connect to a standard monitor to be used as PCs), I expect Macs to be the same really only probably more pricey to fix knowing them.

Thanks :)
I have managed to use the apple website, there are spaces at the Genius Bar on Thursday when I could get there (with DD), should I go for it?
Do you know if I have to pay for an appt? or just for the repair work (if they say they'll do it)?

Take it to an apple store. You do not pay for a genius bar appointment. They will have a look at it and may even if fix it for free.

Book the appointment through the apple website saves you waiting around.

Thanks Lemon - i'm just sorting what DH is doing Thurs morning then I will book an appt. Think it will take me about 45mins-60mins to get to Lakeside (& find the shop), so a mid-morning should do.

Have made my appt :)

Fingers crossed they can do something, though from what I read on the old Apple threads, I'll have to leave it with them, so that's 2 trips to Lakeside Christmas shopping sorted

Well my MacBook is in Apple hospital :) they are repairing it for free a apparently it is a known fault. Should take a few days so until then I am learning to MN on my phone - though haven't tried the app yet.

Thanks for your help:)