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ghanwani

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 8, 2008
4,821
6,142
See attached. What would cause this?

Machine is about 2 weeks old.
 

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Jimi72

macrumors member
Oct 23, 2013
45
31
See attached. What would cause this?

Machine is about 2 weeks old.

I had exactly the same issue with the first MBP I picked up earlier this year but the line on mine was across the keyboard.

Took it back to the Apple Store for a replacement and noticed that the new one had a similar line across the track pad just like yours.

I've tried every cleaning technique I know to remove it and nothing seems to work. Over time I've learnt to ignore it but after some use and in the right light you can see it very noticeably.

Would be interesting to find out if any one else is having this issue and if there's any way to fix it!
 

dyn

macrumors 68030
Aug 8, 2009
2,708
388
.nl
Jewellery comes to mind (braces, watches) as well as the packaging machine in the factory (or any other kind of machine). It could also be something else that requires the use of a detergent.
 

ghanwani

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 8, 2008
4,821
6,142
I don't use any jewelry.

I'm hesitant to use any kind of detergent. I have tried a dry cloth and also a damp cloth, neither works.
 

dyn

macrumors 68030
Aug 8, 2009
2,708
388
.nl
Just us a bit (read: a drop) of dish washing detergent (or whatever you want to call it). The service of the trackpad is glass and a bit of dish washing detergent works fine on that (many people use it to clean their glasses). Only apply it on that small spot, rub it and do use a damp cloth (or one that is a little bit wetter; just don't soak the trackpad). Not everything can be cleaned with water alone, sometimes you need the extra detergent in order to dissolve the dirt. It's also what they use to clean birds covered in oil.
 

Jimi72

macrumors member
Oct 23, 2013
45
31
Just tried dish washing detergent and haven't had any luck with it unfortunately. Perhaps it's improper application of some sort of coating during manufacture.
 

dyn

macrumors 68030
Aug 8, 2009
2,708
388
.nl
That's a possibility too. Seems like getting it fixed by Apple is the only option left.
 

ZapNZs

macrumors 68020
Jan 23, 2017
2,310
1,158
I am guessing the texture over this area feels ever so slightly different? It appears to be a defect in the finish, which I assume is some form of powdercoating since this is glass (versus anodizing on the aluminum body). If it is, there is no way to fix this issue on your own and there is no way for Apple to fix the issue without removing the glass top of the trackpad, stripping the existing finish (which is quite durable and likely tough to remove), reprepping the surface, and redoing the powdercoat (so replacing it is more financially sensible for Apple.)

Some abrasives can reduce the visual appearance of a coating defect, but given this would modify the texture & color, likely expedite wear on the portion of the finish hit the abrasive, still leave some degree of cosmetic imperfection, and potentially void a warranty, I don't recommend trying.
 

Jimi72

macrumors member
Oct 23, 2013
45
31
I am guessing the texture over this area feels ever so slightly different? It appears to be a defect in the finish, which I assume is some form of powdercoating since this is glass (versus anodizing on the aluminum body). If it is, there is no way to fix this issue on your own and there is no way for Apple to fix the issue without removing the glass top of the trackpad, stripping the existing finish (which is quite durable and likely tough to remove), reprepping the surface, and redoing the powdercoat (so replacing it is more financially sensible for Apple.)

Some abrasives can reduce the visual appearance of a coating defect, but given this would modify the texture & color, likely expedite wear on the portion of the finish hit the abrasive, still leave some degree of cosmetic imperfection, and potentially void a warranty, I don't recommend trying.

Yeah it seems like there isn't really a quick fix for this. The interesting thing is it becomes more visible after using the trackpad, then after wiping off any smudge marks it's more or less indistinguishable.

On mine it almost looks like some sort of adhesive has been dragged across the trackpad.
 

ghanwani

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 8, 2008
4,821
6,142
So...

My OCD got the better of me and I took it in to the Genius Bar. They acknowledged the issue and agree it was a defect. At first they said since it's a cosmetic issue, they can't do anything. I insisted it's a new machine and so I'd like to look into returning it, so the Genius talked to the manager and came back and said they're willing to do a return/reorder. My machine wasn't backed up when I took it in. And so I told them I'll just live with it as long as it's guaranteed to not impact how the machine works.

I'm just concerned if I exchange it, I may end up with a machine that has some other defect. Did any of you guys that have the problem (or any other cosmetic problem) get it replaced or did you just choose to live with it?
 

epca12

macrumors regular
Jun 11, 2017
244
67
UK
It might be worth going back and getting it replaced if it's bothering you, although as you say there's the worry of another issue on the replacement
 

ghanwani

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 8, 2008
4,821
6,142
Yes, I'm already in my 3rd unit. Returned the first because of graphics that turned out to be a software issue. The second was replaced after it had been in for repair 3 times and came back with a click sound when opening after the 3rd repair. Somehow I'm not having much luck with these.

What's that saying -- 4th time's a charm? :D
 

wiffle

macrumors regular
Apr 5, 2017
166
78
Yes, I'm already in my 3rd unit. Returned the first because of graphics that turned out to be a software issue. The second was replaced after it had been in for repair 3 times and came back with a click sound when opening after the 3rd repair. Somehow I'm not having much luck with these.

What's that saying -- 4th time's a charm? :D

Return for a 2017. I'm on my first 2016 replacement after being approved for a CRU due to keyboard, display issues, and failed repairs... And of course, the replacement has the same sticky key issue. Going to speak to the Genius bar tomorrow and see if anything can be done to get me a 2017 version...
 

ghanwani

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 8, 2008
4,821
6,142
Return for a 2017. I'm on my first 2016 replacement after being approved for a CRU due to keyboard, display issues, and failed repairs... And of course, the replacement has the same sticky key issue. Going to speak to the Genius bar tomorrow and see if anything can be done to get me a 2017 version...

Let me know what happens. I have at least a couple of days to decide.
 

Jimi72

macrumors member
Oct 23, 2013
45
31
Return for a 2017. I'm on my first 2016 replacement after being approved for a CRU due to keyboard, display issues, and failed repairs... And of course, the replacement has the same sticky key issue. Going to speak to the Genius bar tomorrow and see if anything can be done to get me a 2017 version...
I was tempted to take mine into the Apple Store this weekend but have decided it's not really worth it. I've been lucky with my unit in that I've had no keyboard, screen or other hardware issues (touch wood!)

The mark on the trackpad is annoying but not worth trying to exchange my unit for. Would still be interested to find out what happens when you take yours in though.
 

wiffle

macrumors regular
Apr 5, 2017
166
78
Let me know what happens. I have at least a couple of days to decide.

I was tempted to take mine into the Apple Store this weekend but have decided it's not really worth it. I've been lucky with my unit in that I've had no keyboard, screen or other hardware issues (touch wood!)

The mark on the trackpad is annoying but not worth trying to exchange my unit for. Would still be interested to find out what happens when you take yours in though.

Sorry been talking about my issues on three different threads haha. In short, store leader wouldn't really budge on a direct upgrade to a 2017 even at my insistence, as well as how frustrating this little journey has been (10+ days without a unit to work with a project deadline for the end of June). He insisted on a topcase replacement on what is an essentially brand new 2016, which I eventually agreed to at the promise that they'd expedite the repair.

I mean - at the end of the day, if the replaced topcase yields no further issues related to sticky/high-frequency keys, I'm okay with it. After all, they did upgrade me from a refurb 2.6/512/560 to a brand new 2.9/1tb/560 so I can't really complain about much. There's just something about that 2017 keyboard that is appealing to me, even though it is totally possible it's all just in my head.
 

ghanwani

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 8, 2008
4,821
6,142
Update: I ended up having some minor issues with the fan as well (sounded a bit funny) so I ended up returning the machine. They said they would make me good if I ordered another max'ed out config, but I decided against taking that offer. Instead I just went back to the nTB config similar to what I had before (base processor, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD). I did not enjoy the touch bar because I found I would keep accidentally triggering siri or some other function. I also like the physical escape key because I use 'vi' as my primary text editor.

Anyway, I have the 2017 nTB now and just finished setting up. Quite happy with it so far.
 

Jimi72

macrumors member
Oct 23, 2013
45
31
Update: I ended up having some minor issues with the fan as well (sounded a bit funny) so I ended up returning the machine. They said they would make me good if I ordered another max'ed out config, but I decided against taking that offer. Instead I just went back to the nTB config similar to what I had before (base processor, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD). I did not enjoy the touch bar because I found I would keep accidentally triggering siri or some other function. I also like the physical escape key because I use 'vi' as my primary text editor.

Anyway, I have the 2017 nTB now and just finished setting up. Quite happy with it so far.
Just out of interest how old was you initial device? Did you return it within the 14 day window?
 

ghanwani

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 8, 2008
4,821
6,142
Just out of interest how old was you initial device? Did you return it within the 14 day window?

Original device was purchased in January. It had a DRAM failure, followed by a bad key, followed by some trackpad issues. The last time it was sent in, it came back with a clicking sound when opening/closing (probably poor assembly by the repair tech). At the second failure, the genius had said if there are more problems they would replace the unit. However, when I took it in at the 3rd failure, despite the notes in the system, the genius refused to replace it. So when the until came back repaired and had the clicking sound, I asked to speak to the manager. She immediately agreed to swap the machine for a maxed out config because they didn't have my config in the store.

With the replaced unit, I did notice the flaw within 14 days and so I took it back in. They agreed to replace it, I said I'd think about it. Eventually I decided to do it. By then it was a few days outside the 14 day return period.
 
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