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12 Inch MacBook Rattles

D

donster28

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 5, 2006
1,726
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Great White North
Tried searching for this but cannot seem to find a topic specifically for the 12-inch. I apologize if I missed it.

Finally got my 12-inch MacBook today, just the base model, after much debate in my head. I finally figured it's better than the iPad Pro for me since I can do more with it. I might be in the minority in saying that the keyboard is what sold me on this (plus of course the wonderful screen). I just don't make any typing mistakes as I used to using these keys.

Anyway, after the honeymoon period, I noticed that there is a slight rattle on mine coming from inside the keyboard base, when I tilt the unit left and right. Sounds like something has a give inside for some reason. Curious, I also checked the demo units at BestBuy and the Apple Store and noticed a similar 'tock' sound. It's not really bothersome to me but it's kinda odd and unsettling to know that there might be something loose inside.

Has anyone noticed this on theirs? Please say yes...hehe...thanks guys and gals.
 
Return it, but if its not bothering you why even bring it up. Mine has no rattles and the units i test before i bought had no rattles. Maybe its just in your head.
 
Mine does it as well. I wonder if it has anything to do with the force touch trackpad mechanism, because thats what it feels like.

EDIT:After reading up a bit it seems that it is indeed the trackpad. Doesn't really bother me at all.
 
Wasnt the 13" 2015 retina doing this too?

There was a post a few weeks ago where a few people had it.
 
Its "normal" mine and all the demo units on the floor do it when you tilt the machine in hand.
 
Mr Retina said:
Its "normal" mine and all the demo units on the floor do it when you tilt the machine in hand.
Click to expand...

It's good to know it's just not me. Thanks!

David58117 said:
Wasnt the 13" 2015 retina doing this too? There was a post a few weeks ago where a few people had it.
Click to expand...

I believe so too, but as far as I know, there were units that were rattle free.

Dark said:
Mine does it as well. I wonder if it has anything to do with the force touch trackpad mechanism, because thats what it feels like.

EDIT:After reading up a bit it seems that it is indeed the trackpad. Doesn't really bother me at all.
Click to expand...

I actually thought that it had something to do with the trackpad but to my surprise, it doesn't happen when I hold the screen with my right hand when it's open. I think it is something inside the screen assembly. It doesn't bother me anymore either...it doesn't rattle in normal use anyways. :)

What surprises me is how many people ask what kind of computer is it....and then they conclude with "is that an Apple?" LOL! To me, no matter what the critics say about it, this laptop is a looker and a pleasure to use.
 
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I had the same rattle in my rMB. The Genius said it was a loose battery and sent it off for repair. When I got it back from repair, they replaced the screen and the lower half and there was still a rattle. I sent it back again and they replaced the screen a second time. It still rattled. I had it over two months and they still returned it because they could not repair it. Too bad because I really liked that laptop. I bought an iPad Pro instead.
 
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BoneHead001 said:
I had the same rattle in my rMB. The Genius said it was a loose battery and sent it off for repair. When I got it back from repair, they replaced the screen and the lower half and there was still a rattle. I sent it back again and they replaced the screen a second time. It still rattled. I had it over two months and they still returned it because they could not repair it. Too bad because I really liked that laptop. I bought an iPad Pro instead.
Click to expand...

It is indeed frustrating.
 
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UPDATE:

I decided to try the lottery game again and test my luck after noticing that the gold units at another Apple Store did not exhibit the rattling I've experienced with the space grey ones.

To my delight, the gold unit I purchased did not have the rattle!!! Although gold was not my first choice, I still love the subtle colour. It morphs to different shades with different kinds of lighting, and it looks great with the black Incase Hard Case on it).

This goes to show that there are good units out there, and with my little observation, the gold units seem to not exhibit this problem most or at all.
 
It is SO slight you really really have to be listening for it. I mean really, how isi that going to affect your usage. Are you going to normally tilt is side-to-side during normal usage?
I'm not trying to say your worries are an unwarranted in your eyes, but people hold Apple to endless expectations. These things are made in China on a massive production scale. Even if it was a defect, it can easily get through.
I have been using Macintosh since 1988 and Apple II before when they were proudly Designed and Manufactured in California. And I have never heard of or seen a perfect machine.
Cheers
 
TyWahn said:
It is SO slight you really really have to be listening for it. I mean really, how isi that going to affect your usage. Are you going to normally tilt is side-to-side during normal usage?
I'm not trying to say your worries are an unwarranted in your eyes, but people hold Apple to endless expectations. These things are made in China on a massive production scale. Even if it was a defect, it can easily get through.
I have been using Macintosh since 1988 and Apple II before when they were proudly Designed and Manufactured in California. And I have never heard of or seen a perfect machine.
Cheers
Click to expand...

I should have made another update stating that the rattle has become louder to the point where you actually hear it while just slightly tilting the Macbook.

I agree that a slight rattle might not be cause for concern, but when it worsens, it becomes a different story.

Again, this does not change the fact that there are good units out there that do not rattle at all.
 
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donster28 said:
I should have made another update stating that the rattle has become louder to the point where you actually hear it while just slightly tilting the Macbook.

I agree that a slight rattle might not be cause for concern, but when it worsens, it becomes a different story.

Again, this does not change the fact that there are good units out there that do not rattle at all.
Click to expand...
Yes, my rattle was noticeable in my first rMB. They even sent me a brand new one from China and it was even louder than the first one that was repaired twice. It was at that point where I completely gave up and bought an iPad Pro.
 
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BoneHead001 said:
Yes, my rattle was noticeable in my first rMB. They even sent me a brand new one from China and it was even louder than the first one that was repaired twice. It was at that point where I completely gave up and bought an iPad Pro.
Click to expand...

I was about to do what you did. After seeing the iPad Pro in person, I was immediately in love with it LOL.

I still have until the new year to decide if this is a keeper so I'll put this MacBook through its paces to make sure everything works.
 
BoneHead001 said:
There should be better quality control in the manufacturing — the Gold should be the same quality as the Space Grey.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I was thinking.

After researching about the rattling, I was almost convinced it is a normal trait. But learning that some units rattle louder than others, I knew that it might not be a common problem to all units...I was right.
 
WHat's wrong with people lately ? Quite a lot of threads about people shaking their notebooks searching for rattling :confused:
 
Max(IT) said:
WHat's wrong with people lately ? Quite a lot of threads about people shaking their notebooks searching for rattling :confused:
Click to expand...

Not just by shaking them. The rattle is heard just by simply handling the MacBook. If you happen to grab it from horizontal to vertical, the rattle happens. Some are more noticeable than others and the others only exhibit it when you slightly shake the MacBook left to right.

Nevertheless, these units should not have anything loose inside, and slightly (not vigorously) shaking it is the only way to find out.
 
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donster28 said:
Not just by shaking them. The rattle is heard just by simply handling the MacBook. If you happen to grab it from horizontal to vertical, the rattle happens. Some are more noticeable than others and the others only exhibit it when you slightly shake the MacBook left to right.

Nevertheless, these units should not have anything loose inside, and slightly (not vigorously) shaking it is the only way to find out.
Click to expand...
yep, I would have returned it ... I just found strange to shake a $1300 notebook
 
I have it as well. More of a thunk with mine... dull sounding. I discovered it the other day when moving the computer from lap to table (almost dropping it thanks to the dog) and thought something felt odd. Then I turned it side to side and found the thunk. Came here to see if anyone else had the issue.

It's coming from the screen, not the trackpad in mine. Research shows rMBP are also having this phenomenon. I might take it to Genius Bar if it gets worse. There is a video of a guy on YouTube that has the same sound, albeit much louder than mine. Discussion there says its something to do with a plastic panel in the display.

Gotta love Apple warranty though. I'm sure they will fix or replace if there is an issue.
 
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I just got a rMP and it has the rattle as well. I only notice it if shake it. It fells and sounds like something is loose inside. I also have a rMBP 13" 2015 that has the same issue. Kind of disappointing for a product that costs this much.
 
Queen6 said:
It`s the new "Force Touch" trackpad think about it :rolleyes:

Q-6
Click to expand...

Both my rMB and rMBP sound and feel like it is coming from the top by the lcd not down near the trackpad but it really hard to tell. Maybe it is the trackpad.
 
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