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2016 MacBook screen defect

L

LostAggie

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 15, 2011
510
163
So I just had to exchange my MacBook because the keys were putting oils onto the screen and when I went to wipe them off yesterday there was a very straight line were it was wearing away the screen coating. I didn't take a pic because I was panicked as it was 3 days past the 14 day return policy and rushed down to apple to show them. The guy at the store was awesome and exchanged when he saw it but now I am worried this may happen again but several weeks or months down the road.

Has anyone else seen this?
 
There are several threads on this just do a quick search :)

This occurrence seems almost as often as reporting sticky keys on this board
 
LostAggie said:
So I just had to exchange my MacBook because the keys were putting oils onto the screen and when I went to wipe them off yesterday there was a very straight line were it was wearing away the screen coating. I didn't take a pic because I was panicked as it was 3 days past the 14 day return policy and rushed down to apple to show them. The guy at the store was awesome and exchanged when he saw it but now I am worried this may happen again but several weeks or months down the road.

Has anyone else seen this?
Click to expand...

Why worry you get a years warranty and this is an obvious defect so they'll fix or replace if it happens again.
 
LostAggie said:
So I just had to exchange my MacBook because the keys were putting oils onto the screen and when I went to wipe them off yesterday there was a very straight line were it was wearing away the screen coating. I didn't take a pic because I was panicked as it was 3 days past the 14 day return policy and rushed down to apple to show them. The guy at the store was awesome and exchanged when he saw it but now I am worried this may happen again but several weeks or months down the road.

Has anyone else seen this?
Click to expand...

One tip is to clean your fingers more often.
Where do you think those oils come from?

That's also a reason that when closing the lid, I usually keep a plain sheet of paper between the keyboard and the screen.
I have done that since I first had a PowerBook titanium. The keys transferred finger oils then, too (2001 when I first saw that issue)
 
DeltaMac said:
One tip is to clean your fingers more often.
Where do you think those oils come from?

That's also a reason that when closing the lid, I usually keep a plain sheet of paper between the keyboard and the screen.
I have done that since I first had a PowerBook titanium. The keys transferred finger oils then, too (2001 when I first saw that issue)
Click to expand...

There's no way that should be an issue.

I'll simply switch to a completely different device if this one can't even freakin' take care of this.
 
The OP did mention "oils", and transfer from the keys to the screen would be from one source - your fingers.
Unless you can say that you never touch the keys with bare fingers.
Not saying that is the only issue, only that it something that you have to consider if you see oil on a screen.
Actual wear spots within the first 2 weeks of ownership seems like that should be caused by some part of the screen or hinge is improperly installed, plus a lot of physical handling during that time. Warranty is likely, but could be just part of the nature of a (thin) laptop. And, that's just my opinion, or just something where we can agree to disagree.
 
DeltaMac said:
The OP did mention "oils", and transfer from the keys to the screen would be from one source - your fingers.
Unless you can say that you never touch the keys with bare fingers.
Not saying that is the only issue, only that it something that you have to consider if you see oil on a screen.
Actual wear spots within the first 2 weeks of ownership seems like that should be caused by some part of the screen or hinge is improperly installed, plus a lot of physical handling during that time. Warranty is likely, but could be just part of the nature of a (thin) laptop. And, that's just my opinion, or just something where we can agree to disagree.
Click to expand...

I had a microfiber cloth that was made for this one n between when I put into bag. It just worries me the coating on the glass is so subpar compared to the rest of the device.
 
DeltaMac said:
The OP did mention "oils", and transfer from the keys to the screen would be from one source - your fingers.
Unless you can say that you never touch the keys with bare fingers.
Not saying that is the only issue, only that it something that you have to consider if you see oil on a screen.
Actual wear spots within the first 2 weeks of ownership seems like that should be caused by some part of the screen or hinge is improperly installed, plus a lot of physical handling during that time. Warranty is likely, but could be just part of the nature of a (thin) laptop. And, that's just my opinion, or just something where we can agree to disagree.
Click to expand...

My disagreement would only be about whether this is acceptable or not. If it is indeed the case, like you say, that it's part of a thin laptop, then thin laptops are definitely not for me, and I would dare argue, not for anyone. It's simply too thin.

You also can't expect people to wash their fingers before use so it simply is a failure of a product.

However, not everyone is reporting this issue so I think there might be some sort of batch-specific flaw that has made this problem more likely. I still have hope for my third Macbook to not show this issue within 2 weeks. But if it does, I'll get something else.
 
WillemSleegers said:
My disagreement would only be about whether this is acceptable or not. If it is indeed the case, like you say, that it's part of a thin laptop, then thin laptops are definitely not for me, and I would dare argue, not for anyone. It's simply too thin.

You also can't expect people to wash their fingers before use so it simply is a failure of a product.

However, not everyone is reporting this issue so I think there might be some sort of batch-specific flaw that has made this problem more likely. I still have hope for my third Macbook to not show this issue within 2 weeks. But if it does, I'll get something else.
Click to expand...

Oils on the screen with a laptop this thin are inevitable but the coating wearing away is NOT acceptable!
 
Guys let's be clear, it's a defect (as OP stated). The keys aren't supposed to touch the screen when the laptop is closed, doesn't matter how thin it is. Only a minority of people here have reported this oddball issue and the ones that have, have been able to have the problem addressed.
 
Last edited:
Oh boy I am in serious need for a new Apple laptop and this is scary. I read on here about the MacBook Pro having this issue and I didn't know the MacBook also has the issue. My now dead 2011 MacBook Pro never had a single screen issue. It has to be the anti glare they put on the newer screens or just a design flaw. You would think this stuff would be tested over months to see how it holds up before being sold.
 
I would bet that seal around the display is not installed correctly. As the seal should stand proud of the lid & glass by approximately 1/32" it`s not much, however it does provide a cushion and prevents the glass contacting the keyboard or chassis.

I travel globally for work purpose, and don't baby my rMB, it just goes in the bag with my other gear in a sleeve, and no marks on the display including fingerprint oil after 11 months of use.

Q-6
 
Got my third one yesterday. Sending it back today; the screen is already damaged. I'm done with it, no MacBook for me.
 
Just a question. Is anyone using any kind of screen or keyboard "protector"? I never noticed this with either the 2015 rMB or the 2016 rMB.
 
So "transfer of finger oils from keyboard to screen" somehow is translated as "damaged" (?)
Can someone explain this?
 
Lets cut to the chase here, this is a build issue even other laptops/IPP/SP4/2 in 1's etc with add on floppy KB covers etc etc that even have contact do not damage or even re-distribute oils on to the screen

Whatever the surface finish/material iof the rMB keys is it seems it should not touch the screen under normal use or transport to avoid transfer of normal finger oils etc (not sticky buns fingers as some suggest is a flaw) or to avoid damage to screen coating by abrasive contact

It's simple, it should not happen under normal use as others suggest the clearance tolerance seems inadequate on some rMB, pointing to a lapse in quality control on assembly and/or components that facilitate the clearance between KB and screen
 
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SteveJUAE said:
Lets cut to the chase here, this is a build issue even other laptops/IPP/SP4/2 in 1's etc with add on floppy KB covers etc etc that even have contact do not damage or even re-distribute oils on to the screen

Whatever the surface finish/material iof the rMB keys is it seems it should not touch the screen under normal use or transport to avoid transfer of normal finger oils etc (not sticky buns fingers as some suggest is a flaw) or to avoid damage to screen coating by abrasive contact

It's simple, it should not happen under normal use as others suggest the clearance tolerance seems inadequate on some rMB, pointing to a lapse in quality control on assembly and/or components that facilitate the clearance between KB and screen
Click to expand...

Correct there is a rubber seal that runs around the display, this prevents the display touching the keyboard (KB) & trackpad etc. equally the tolerances are obviously extremely tight with the keys sitting slightly proud of the unibody top case. Any minuscule deviation in the fit of the display seal or the keys and the KB will impact the display surface.

This I believe is the root cause of some owners woes. As stated my rMB is a working tool, just back from a heavy engineering project in Vietnam, and now working on a trip to Papua New Guinea, so in short it gets put in a sleeve, then a bag with a bunch of other gear and pretty much travels the globe, taking all that comes.

Best bet for those with affected units is to directly compare with other rMB`s, then take it up with Apple. Another thing springs to mind is thermal expansion/contraction as the display seal appears to be hard rubber/silicon, those in colder climates may be more affected. It`s disappointing to see units slipping past QC, equally Apple is very much pushing the boundaries physical size for notebooks with the rMB. All that can be done is to request Apple to replace the unit in question.

Q-6
 
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LostAggie said:
I actually have this and it didn't help the marks on the screen itself. I think the coating they use is just not good.
Click to expand...

With such tight tolerances on the rMB, anything between the KB and display is asking for trouble. All being equal, and the rMB assembled correctly the keys, trackpad and display will never come into physical contact, equally the gap is very small, likely as little as 1/32"

Q-6
 
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