I think I'm officially done with 13" exchanges

So the first one I had had the top half of the screen much brighter than the bottom half, which turns out to be something that's pretty normal with most if not all MacBook Pro's I've come across.

Still, before then I exchanged it then the second had scratches on the palm rest from a studio light in addition to being grossly misaligned top lid (when looking at the sides):


Then the next one had a super recessed battery indicator button and same screen issue with brightness (wasn't sure if it's all or selective, but replaced it anyways to avoid doubt)

The next one I got had a dead pixel that the manager replaced immediately.

Now this one seems fine, except for a slight grinding noise when opening the machine. I've heard lots of machines squeak when opening, which is probably a similar cause. I already see how:


compared with the left side that is flush:


and it's a slight noise I didn't really notice in the store when I opened the machine up. I don't want to go back and deal with them, waste my time, and have the staff think that I'm crazy. But dead pixel, I think above all else, was something I did not want to live with.

What do you think? Argh, I'm beginning to think a not flawed 13" isn't out there and I should just deal. If I have problems, I'll deal with Apple care I suppose. Bottom line is quality control is out of control on these MacBook Pros. I also had an i7 antiglare that I got replaced immediately because the first one had a dent on the screen that the manager immediately recognized.

Waiting for my X25-M and Optibay to come so I can put in an SSD.

 

If you can stand to hear a noise when you open or close the machine, and it's not super loud or anything, I'd keep it.

However, if it truly makes you unhappy, you should consider exchanging/returning it as you'd make yourself feel miserable with buyer's remorse each and every time you open/close it.

My say: If I were in your same position and the noise wasn't super loud, I'd keep it.

 

I hate to be "that guy"...but I'd send that thing back too.

You didn't pay thousand + for a machine with clear hardware/cosmetic issues out of the box. You just didn't. TBH, I wouldn't have even left the Apple Store with the machine without opening the box and thoroughly inspecting the machine right there at the Genius bar.

In fact, I'm surprised they didn't offer you that option. for their own peace of mind as well as your own.

 

I'd feel like such a pain opening something in the store for some reason. But yeah, I can see why that's a good idea considering the fact that he's gone through so many replacements.

 

I did open it in the store and sniffed around for dead pixels, didn't hear or feel the noise until I opened it at home.

 

where do you get these things?

my 13" MBP came in perfect... and I have 2 acquaintances now who have bought them, and they are perfect too. Its like your Mac dealer sells them out of the back of an unmarked van or something... or you must be one of the most unlucky people I've heard about.

 

I think about this quite often, in addition to me being very observant.

 

What you call observant, I'd call OCD tendencies.

Enjoy your mac my friend

 

I just noticed my MBP also has the misalignment issue you mentioned ... If I didn't come across this thread I wouldn't have noticed.

That being said, I could not care any less ... It's probably 1mm (or less) of difference.

 

akin_t: does the misalignmnet cause a grinding noise when you open the machine?

 

Mine had a few very small scratches on it as well Believe it or not he opened 3 new Macbook Pro's for me at the store. He was very nice and I figured nothing was perfect. Here and there one can always find a few small defects. Hell, even my new M3 had a fews things here and there lol..

I picked the one which looked the best out of the 3 and just bought a new lear InCase cover. Problem solved

 

Woah which store did you go to?!?

Wish I could get them to open up some boxes for me!!

 

I have a similar problem, it is misaligned but it is flush on the right and off by maybe a milimeter on the left. No sound.

 

nice of the store to do. and yea...nothing is perfect. think of the imperfections as the device coming "broken in" as a feature. nothing worse than obsessing over perfection, considering how short-lived it would be even if it did start perfect, you know?

 

Tiny scratches and top and the bottom of the chassis being misaligned by a milimeter? Wow, I bet those windows folks had it that easy XD