Apple Addresses 2018 iPad Pro 'Bending' Controversy, Says Subtle Deviations May Be More Visible Due to New Design

[partsofspeech]

I am concerned 1 million times more with lack of 2nd lightning connector, lack of mouse support, and lack of proper file management than the bent.

I have taken out screen protector and back cover from my iPad Pro. I throw it to the backpack on the go. The tablet is to be used for productivity, not an object for careful guarding. After a few years of heavy use, it would show its age; then I move on to a newer version. This way the money on that expensive product is well spent.

I saw a guy cover Macbook Pro’s keyboard with plastic protector, when using and not using it. Why thinking about so much about its re-selling value when it is being used? This behavior had prevented that guy, sub-conciously, from getting any creative job done on his Macbook Pro.

 

[iLLUMI]

I'm not disregarding the serious side of this matter however on a lighter note, one day people will look back and ask "you mean iPad's weren't foldable/bendable back then?" or "I would have complained too if my iPad didn't bend ALL the way"
We may one day have foldable/bendable iPads, but until that day ... iPad's should not bend.
Flex slightly, yes.
Bend so that it wobbles and annoys you when you try to use it whilst laying on a desk/table, no.

 

[torana355]

I’m not saying there aren’t issues, but there is a difference between normal failure rates when you are producing 300m devices annually and a straight up design flaw.

The problem is, many people here immediately jump to design flaw, hardware failure, and a failure of Apple QC. It’s not black and white, but that would be too reasonable.

So where exactly do you draw the line? When in your opinion is something a design flaw? Keeping in mind we don't have access to the data Apple has. Im curious on your point of view.

 

[citysnaps]

You really think Apple is going to release that data to the public? No, so we have to use some common sense and join the dots. It doesn't take a genius to see there is some sort of issue here.

We have to? No. You and a few others here certainly can, knowing stuff like this is likely a huge part of your life.

Me? I'll simply wait on the sidelines until there's more information before passing judgment. I'm in no hurry. Life goes on. Too many more important things to be concerned about.

 

[djgamble]

Do people actually think it's possible to manufacture a product without microscopic bends?

...

Your BMW's and Teslas also have bends in them.

1. 3D printing has given me greater appreciation for this. People on forums seem to be happy with the results they get from spraying their print bed with hairspray so that the bottom layer sticks (despite not being level). No matter how many times I try to explain it, most will not accept that the lack of adhesion on one corner is due to the model printing on an ever so slight angle and that their whole model will be bent on that side if they use hairspray (with this increasingly being the case as they start using more glue/hairspray as the bed's levelling gets worse over time rather than being corrected periodically). To them, their models work fine (and they don't notice the inherent bending because it's their baby being criticised). I bet it's the same people who then whinge to no end about how a large iPad looks more severely bent from the worst angle possible (anothouh it seemingly sits flat on a bench... which will also be slightly bent, ironically).
2. Yes and so does my more modest Subaru maybe one day I'll drive a luxury sports vehicle and have the privelige of being able to whinge about ever so slight imperfections in it.

 

[Naraxus]

When is the board finally going to wake the **** up and shove Tim Cook's a$$ out the ****ing door with Jony Ive in tow?

 

[Baymowe335]

So where exactly do you draw the line? When in your opinion is something a design flaw? Keeping in mind we don't have access to the data Apple has. Im curious on your point of view.

I don’t know if there is a line. I just always talk about being reasonable and doing our best not to use the easiest data available, which is usually peoples’ anecdotal personal experience. That is the measure of truth for most people here.

In this case, it’s a few pictures and a video of someone purposely bending one. Sure, Apple made a statement, but people get mad if they say nothing too. Apple basically just explained their process.

I have tired head on these ____gate issues. It’s the same thing every product release, which I chalk up to a few bad units that get a lot of buzz because it generates clicks, views and discussion since it’s Apple.

My measuring stick is that if it were TRULY a design flaw, the mountain of evidence would be so large, it’d be impossible to bury because Apple sells so many devices.

If an iPhone actually had an antenna problem that was so severe, it would be more like the iPhone 4 problem.

Until we see that mountain of evidence, it’s probably isolated and an overreaction.

 

[startergo]

I think they should rename it flexpad pro. This is the only way to go around this engineering marvel.

 

[mmomega]

I have 6 boxes of Tissues in my office for about 30 posters in this thread.
Grow the ***** up.
If the tissues don't work, I have a shoulder, but it's limited use only.
Then there is an ejection seat.

 

[iTurbo]

No skin off my back because I wouldn't buy an iPad (or any tablet from anybody for that matter).

But it does seem crazy that they are trying to say this is normal or acceptable given even their history of manufacturing. I would not be happy.

 

[torana355]

We have to? No. You and a few others here certainly can, knowing stuff like this is likely a huge part of your life.

Me? I'll simply wait on the sidelines until there's more information before passing judgment. I'm in no hurry. Life goes on. Too many more important things to be concerned about.

Fair enough but im sure there are people that are looking to buy one of these iPads right now. It does not hurt to at least be aware that there could be issues with the products design.

 

[brentsg]

1. 3D printing has given me greater appreciation for this. People on forums seem to be happy with the results they get from spraying their print bed with hairspray so that the bottom layer sticks (despite not being level). No matter how many times I try to explain it, most will not accept that the lack of adhesion on one corner is due to the model printing on an ever so slight angle and that their whole model will be bent on that side if they use hairspray (with this increasingly being the case as they start using more glue/hairspray as the bed's levelling gets worse over time rather than being corrected periodically). To them, their models work fine (and they don't notice the inherent bending because it's their baby being criticised). I bet it's the same people who then whinge to no end about how a large iPad looks more severely bent from the worst angle possible (anothouh it seemingly sits flat on a bench... which will also be slightly bent, ironically).
2. Yes and so does my more modest Subaru maybe one day I'll drive a luxury sports vehicle and have the privelige of being able to whinge about ever so slight imperfections in it.

My dad sold cars years ago and there was a crazy lady that wanted a perfect Honda. They would get stock in for her preferred model and she would arrive with calipers in hand, measuring door jams and all sorts of things, in search of the perfect sample. I’m not sure if she ever found it, but all the sales guys would hide when they saw her coming.

I think of that every time I read these new product ___gate threads.

 

[torana355]

I don’t know if there is a line. I just always talk about being reasonable and doing our best not to use the easiest data available, which is usually peoples’ anecdotal personal experience. That is the measure of truth for most people here.

In this case, it’s a few pictures and a video of someone purposely bending one. Sure, Apple made a statement, but people get mad if they say nothing too. Apple basically just explained their process.

I have tired head on these ____gate issues. It’s the same thing every product release, which I chalk up to a few bad units that get a lot of buzz because it generates clicks, views and discussion since it’s Apple.

My measuring stick is that if it were TRULY a design flaw, the mountain of evidence would be so large, it’d be impossible to bury because Apple sells so many devices.

If an iPhone actually had an antenna problem that was so severe, it would be more like the iPhone 4 problem.

Until we see that mountain of evidence, it’s probably isolated and an overreaction.

While I may not agree with everything you said I respect your point of view.

 

[Starfyre]

“Apple says this process helps ensure the new iPad Pro models can meet a flatness specification of no more than a 400 micron deviation along any side, which less than the thickness of four sheets of paper.“

If there is no more than a 400 micron deviation, why is it blatantly noticeable? Clearly the flatness specification is not being met and the deviation is greater than 400 microns....

 

[brentsg]

“Apple says this process helps ensure the new iPad Pro models can meet a flatness specification of no more than a 400 micron deviation along any side, which less than the thickness of four sheets of paper.“

If there is no more than a 400 micron deviation, why is it blatantly noticeable? Clearly the flatness specification is not being met and the deviation is greater than 400 microns....

Because a clickbait picture is more effective than one that is at spec.

 

[Halfsnap]

Do people actually think it's possible to manufacture a product without microscopic bends?

Every product is designed with a tolerance metric. There is no such thing as a product designed with zero tolerance. This includes ultra fancy luxury products (smaller tolerances) to crappy products (large tolerance levels).

You do know that your Macbook Pro, Macs, iPhones, etc.. all have these same tolerance levels, right?

Your BMW's and Teslas also have bends in them.

The new iPad is soft aluminum, and it's way too thin... therefore, it bends. Quit making excuses for them, and let them admit they need to fix it, just like they did with the iPhone 6.
[doublepost=1546756882][/doublepost]

How so? Nothing is “flat” or “straight”. Nothing.

Your reasoning is pretty "flat"!! LOL

 

[Gravydog316]

Question:
Is this just iPads with cellular?
or ones with just wifi too?

 

[Xowi]

Do people actually think it's possible to manufacture a product without microscopic bends?

Every product is designed with a tolerance metric. There is no such thing as a product designed with zero tolerance. This includes ultra fancy luxury products (smaller tolerances) to crappy products (large tolerance levels).

You do know that your Macbook Pro, Macs, iPhones, etc.. all have these same tolerance levels, right?

Your BMW's and Teslas also have bends in them.

This release/design is not acceptable and below what is expected from apple. They had lightning in a bottle with the prior iPad Pro but dropped the ball with this poorly designed model.
[doublepost=1546758048][/doublepost]What happened to the Apple quality most of us cut our teeth onover the years, this was such a massive fumble and hope the next model will have a new case design thats better than this crap-out-of-the-box.

 

[Gravydog316]

This release/design is not acceptable and below what is expected from apple. They had lightning in a bottle with the prior iPad Pro but dropped the ball with this poorly designed model.
[doublepost=1546758048][/doublepost]What happened to the Apple quality most of us cut our teeth onover the years, this was such a massive fumble and hope the next model will have a new case design thats better than this crap-out-of-the-box.

It's the fault of stupid metal products.
We NEED to make things out of sturdy plastic!

 

[bobob]

Just a heads up -- we had some complaints about the photo that was previously used in this article, so I've swapped the original photo for a different photo of a 12.9-inch 2018 iPad Pro demonstrating a slight bend. The original photo featured a more significant bend and some users rightly pointed out that it was not perhaps the same issue that Apple is describing.

Does the swapped picture show a freshly unboxed iPad?

I'd encourage you guys not to focus too much on the photos in the article

Is this actually meant to be a professional response from a high profile website?

Us "guys" (apparently women need not concern themselves with such things) would prefer photos that match the article, rather than duplicitious ones intended to incite anger.

If the situation is so uncommon that there is not an actual picture of a freshly unboxed iPad displaying the defect described in the article, here are two possible alternate choices: do not post a photo at all, or post an accurate scale illustration showing the maximum 400 micron tolerance over the length of an iPad.

 

[Hoosier317]

So what happens if your iPad gets bent after 1 Year period?

...absolutely nothing. That’s on you. It’s not a manufacturing defect if your device gets bent after a year of ownership.

 

[ani4ani]

Do you know how QC works?

No clue what you’re talking about in your second point.

Yes I do actually; as an industrial design engineer for 40 years, I know you apply design tolerances to ensure effects don’t occur, e.g. a bend in a spirit level effectively stops it acting as a spirit level, so you apply tolerances in the design such that during manufacture, you ensure you end up with a spirit level and not a banana!.

I would find it in incredulous that Apple decided during design that a 1:15 tolerance was acceptable. Basically they are saying that a perceptible bend in the product was fine, whereas you would in reality, knowing anything that was visually perceptible would cause returns and claims, you would tolerance the product such that the outcome was something not visually perceptible. If that was impossible, you would find a different manufacturing process that would achieve an outcome within tolerance.

The other point is, that actually stating a tolerance in this way (just saying 400 micron / 0.4mm) is also stupid (and just made up for marketing spin), since the effect is entirely different depending which product they were applying it to, e.g 400 micron over the length of a phone would be very perceptible whereas across the length of a 12.9 inch iPad, less so (but still very much so actually).

 

[Gravydog316]

You all demand smaller, lighter, thinner products!
I blame you.

 

[trifid]

We have to? No. You and a few others here certainly can, knowing stuff like this is likely a huge part of your life.

Me? I'll simply wait on the sidelines until there's more information before passing judgment. I'm in no hurry. Life goes on. Too many more important things to be concerned about.

You sit on the sidelines while we fight for stuff like Error 53, Staingate, Throttlegate, Touch disease, MBP 2016 faulty keyboards, you know topics where Apple tries to keep quiet and delay recall/repair programs as far out as possible but user "noise" eventually wins out.

 

[plantemichel]

What a shame Apple come on stop taking your customers for stupids. At the prices you’re selling your products make them flawless. Oh I’m missing Steve Jobs.