13" M1 MBP - Lid has slight gap

[Lihp8270]

So last week I received my new 13" M1 MacBook Pro (purchased from Apple), then a few days ago I received the Apple leather sleeve for it. I noticed while taking the laptop out of the sleeve, that there was a very slight pop like air escaping, and I thought that was the case.

Today, I actually had a closer look at what causes the noise and I noticed that when the lid is closed there's a slight gap in the back left corner (near the escape key). Now this is barely noticeable (other than the pop of the the screen coming off of the rubber seal when you take it out of the case), and you can only see it if you hold a light source behind it.

As a reference for how much of a gap there is, its just enough to slide a piece of paper into though it is tight to get the paper in.

Would apple consider this to be in tolerance? I do also have a 2019 Intel MBP 13" here too as my Mrs has that one, and that one closes much better and seals all the way around.

Being in the UK, I can't just take it into an Apple store for them to look at, and since I've had the laptop for 9 days, it's close to the end of the 14 day return period. I don't want to go through the hassle of a return and exchange if I'm just going to get another with the same issue.

Similarly, I don't want the constant pressure of the laptop sleeve forcing the screen down to cause damage over time.

So what are the MacRumors forum thoughts? Is everybody's M1 MBP closing properly on the seal all of the way around? or am I being picky and paranoid, with there being nothing to worry about?

 

[Apple_Robert]

I think Apple would consider than acceptable tolerance. If it isn't impeding normal function and use and given that it is hardly noticeable, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Lihp8270]

I think Apple would consider than acceptable tolerance. If it isn't impeding normal function and use. Given that it is hardly noticeable, I wouldn't worry about it.

In honesty, I wouldn't have even noticed if it wasn't for the tight fit of the leather sleeve. If I just kept it on my desk I would never have noticed.

 

[Apple_Robert]

In honesty, I wouldn't have even noticed if it wasn't for the tight fit of the leather sleeve. If I just kept it on my desk I would never have noticed.

That leather sleeve will loosen up a little the more you use it. I have a Walnut leather sleeve that is very form fitting as well.

 

[Mt.Zzf]

So last week I received my new 13" M1 MacBook Pro (purchased from Apple), then a few days ago I received the Apple leather sleeve for it. I noticed while taking the laptop out of the sleeve, that there was a very slight pop like air escaping, and I thought that was the case.

Today, I actually had a closer look at what causes the noise and I noticed that when the lid is closed there's a slight gap in the back left corner (near the escape key). Now this is barely noticeable (other than the pop of the the screen coming off of the rubber seal when you take it out of the case), and you can only see it if you hold a light source behind it.

As a reference for how much of a gap there is, its just enough to slide a piece of paper into though it is tight to get the paper in.

Would apple consider this to be in tolerance? I do also have a 2019 Intel MBP 13" here too as my Mrs has that one, and that one closes much better and seals all the way around.

Being in the UK, I can't just take it into an Apple store for them to look at, and since I've had the laptop for 9 days, it's close to the end of the 14 day return period. I don't want to go through the hassle of a return and exchange if I'm just going to get another with the same issue.

Similarly, I don't want the constant pressure of the laptop sleeve forcing the screen down to cause damage over time.

So what are the MacRumors forum thoughts? Is everybody's M1 MBP closing properly on the seal all of the way around? or am I being picky and paranoid, with there being nothing to worry about?

Hi,

I have the same issue. I bought my M1 MacBook Pro directly from Apple Retail Store. After couple days of usage, I noticed the same thing when I tried to put it into a tight sleeve. The MacBook was turn on by itself when I tried to put it into the sleeve, so I took it out and took a close look at the lid and the body. Then I found that on two shorter edges, there is a gap less than 1mm when the lid is closed.

At the beginning, I thought the lid was bent but I didn't drop it or bend it. So I use a business card to check if the body or the lid is deformed, by simply placing the edge of card against the inner surface of the lid and body. The testing result showed none of them are bent and they are in good shape.

So I took a closer look at the hinge. and I found that when the lid is closed, and when you look at it, the hinge is not 100% flash with the bottom surface. I guess this might be the cause of the gap between the gasket and the aluminum body when the lid is closed. So the gap is actually slightly bigger one the hinge side.

Not sure if this is a defect or a common issue. I did a bit research online. It seems people complaining about this similar issue for the earlier model but not the 2019 or 2020 model. But again, maybe not all the people with this issues don't go online to post, so we might seeing few people compliant about this issue.

I went to apple store right after I found this "problem", the sales told me that he used to work in Genius Bar and seeing this a lot and this is pretty common and should not be seen as a problem. I was in 14 days period, but I was kind of convinced by him. Hence I keep mine and didn't return it for a exchange.

Wish there will be other people with same issue posting here. So we can know if this is really a common issue that built into the manufacture tolerance or we just got lucky to get a unit that is not that perfect.

But so far, I enjoy my MacBook and Mac OS, even though this gap is still bugging me.