2017 MacBook 12": Slight play in the hinge

[konradsa]

Hi,

I just got a new 2017 MacBook and definitely love it. It's so nice and light, quite a big difference compared to my 13 inch MacBook Pro I had before. Even though it's "only" two points less than the MacBook, it feels quite a bit lighter than that.

But I noticed one thing that may just be a difference compared to my previous 2014 MacBook Pro 13". The screen hinge on the MacBook 12 is not lose, but it seems to have slight bit of play when you move the screen. I also noticed on the train that the screen tends to wobble a bit more than my old MacBook Pro. On my previous MacBook Pro, the screen just seemed higher with no play.

If I remember correctly, I kind of observed the same thing on the display models at the Apple Store last week, but I will definitely go back to check again. Just wondering if anybody else has any more insight into that and noticed the same thing. Again, I don't think the hinge is lose in any way, it just seems that the MacBook 12 screen has a little more play and a bit higher tendency to wobble compared to the 13 inch MacBook Pro. Don't know if it's really an issue or I am just being paranoid about the new laptop.

 

[ApolloBoy]

My 2015 rMB has the same kind of issue, not sure why but it seems the new hinge design tends to be hit or miss when it comes to tightness. Funnily enough I took the reverse route of what you did, I just replaced my rMB with a 2014 13" rMBP. Hinge is super tight on that one.

 

[konradsa]

Thanks for the responses, sounds like it's normal, but I will stop by the Apple Store next to confirm. Too bad, I really liked the tight hinge on my old rMBP. The reason I switched to the MacBook is that I take my laptop with me every day on my commute, and the MacBook is just so much easier to carry along.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

My '16 model wobbles when I am on the bus, but otherwise I don't really see it as a problem at all.

 

[veroguru]

Hi,

I just got a new 2017 MacBook and definitely love it. It's so nice and light, quite a big difference compared to my 13 inch MacBook Pro I had before. Even though it's "only" two points less than the MacBook, it feels quite a bit lighter than that.

But I noticed one thing that may just be a difference compared to my previous 2014 MacBook Pro 13". The screen hinge on the MacBook 12 is not lose, but it seems to have slight bit of play when you move the screen. I also noticed on the train that the screen tends to wobble a bit more than my old MacBook Pro. On my previous MacBook Pro, the screen just seemed higher with no play.

If I remember correctly, I kind of observed the same thing on the display models at the Apple Store last week, but I will definitely go back to check again. Just wondering if anybody else has any more insight into that and noticed the same thing. Again, I don't think the hinge is lose in any way, it just seems that the MacBook 12 screen has a little more play and a bit higher tendency to wobble compared to the 13 inch MacBook Pro. Don't know if it's really an issue or I am just being paranoid about the new laptop.

Just purchased a 2017 model with no play whatsoever. However, my previous version (early 2015) got it's keyboard changed and after that I noticed a annoying wobble. Brought it to a technician and by this time the warranty had run out and I should've paid to fix it - which I refused. The technician had looked at it and just said that the problem was "within the screen" - whatever that means.

 

[ColdShadow]

mine had this issue too.and it became worse and worse.so I took it to Apple Store and they had to replace the whole screen just because of that looser than normal hinge.thanks god it had Apple care.

but even now with the new display replaced,I can feel the hinge is not as secure as I want it and not nearly as secure as it was on my older MacBook Pro or MacBook Air.

so when I tilt it back to certain angel, it falls back with slightest movement while handling the laptop.
the 12" Macbook build quality definitely not very good.there are some small but frustrating design flaws.
I have problems with 'Rattle-Gate" too and seems like there is no solution.
I'm selling the MacBook because of rattle noise issue.
it's just not a well made machine you expect for this much money, that's for sure.

 

[konradsa]

My '16 model wobbles when I am on the bus, but otherwise I don't really see it as a problem at all.

Yeah, the train is pretty smooth luckily most of the time, but I can see that on a bumpy bus this could be a bigger issue.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Yeah, the train is pretty smooth luckily most of the time, but I can see that on a bumpy bus this could be a bigger issue.

We have pretty good roads here, but given the size of the bus and the agressive acceleration/deceleration they do in cities, I tend to hold the screen with my hand most of the time.