Apple MacBook screen destroyed after woman accidentally leaves card on keyboard, viral video sparks debate

Courtesy: TikTok video

A TikTok video is making the internet collectively wince, and for good reason. It shows just how easily a MacBook screen can be destroyed by something as harmless as a piece of card.

The clip comes from TikTok user “classicheidi,” who shared her shock after opening her MacBook Air to find the display ruined. Instead of a clean desktop, she was greeted by black bars, flickering colors, and a screen that looked beyond repair. The culprit was not a fall, a spill, or even an accidental drop. It was a simple piece of card she had placed on her keyboard before closing the lid.

In her video, she explained that she had no idea something so small could cause so much damage. What she expected to be a harmless act turned into what she called “the biggest jump scare of the century.”

So how does something this simple shatter a pricey laptop screen? According to Apple, it has everything to do with the design of its MacBooks. These laptops are built to be incredibly thin, which means the gap between the keyboard and the display is extremely tight when the lid is closed. This “tight tolerance” leaves little room for error. Even a thin piece of paper, card, or keyboard cover can press directly against the display, creating enough pressure to crack the delicate layers inside.

Apple has a clear warning about this in its support documents. It advises users to remove any material from the display, keyboard, or palm rest before closing the lid. That includes camera covers, palm rests, and keyboard protectors. Ignoring this advice, as many have learned, can lead to costly repairs.

Tech repair experts back this up, saying they have seen similar cases caused by everything from business cards to sticky notes. While the damage may seem shocking, it is a direct result of how tightly Apple’s laptops are engineered.

For MacBook owners, the takeaway is simple. Before closing your laptop, make sure the keyboard is completely clear. What feels like a harmless habit could end up costing hundreds of dollars to fix, and no one wants that kind of surprise when they power up their device.