Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Great, so Apple can do it? Why do they claim 400 micron deviation is also good enough?

Why? Because manufacturing always involves variances. That's why you always read about "yields" for new chip or screen technology on web sites. The "yield" is the manufacturer trying to get to a point where the number of units with flaws are at a small enough level that it's acceptable for mass production.
 
.....Think THIS might finally be enough for Steve to start haunting Tim late at night!!?

Tim, STOP...MAKING...CRAP!!!

jacob-marley.jpg
 
Last edited:
Speculation is what happens on Internet forums, this is Macrumors not Macevidence.

rumour
/ˈruːmə/
noun
noun: rumor
  1. 1.
    a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth.
    "they were investigating rumours of a massacre"
    synonyms: gossip, hearsay, talk, tittle-tattle; More
verb
verb: rumor
  1. 1.
    be circulated as an unverified account.
    "it's rumoured that he lives on a houseboat"
    synonyms: said to be, reported to be; More

I think people are forgetting what a forum is. The concept of exchanging views and opinions.

forum
/ˈfɔːrəm/
noun
  1. 1.
    a meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.
    "we hope these pages act as a forum fordebate"
 
I don’t own one and have only handled one in the Apple store but my impression was that the new IPP was prett much designed to be used with a case. Just like the iPhone really.

Which begs the question that if these devices are too delicate/uncomfortable to be used without cases, what’s the point in trying to make them ever thinner and lighter?

We tried the Apple folio case and found it borderline painful to use. Crazy.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: bluecoast
Bendy ipad pro topics get lots of comments..................................

- there are ipad pros that come out of the box bowed

- Apple will change the design/material of these in the next generation

- this won't be the last Apple product that should have been designed better

- Apple prides themselves are the best premium designed products and they deserve the bad publicity they're getting

- Apple needs to do better
 
Those of us who use these in a professional setting will simply not buy them if we’re concerned about durability. That’s how we’ll speak to it.

It’s up to you if you want to waste your own money.

Plus give your opinion like everyone else. :cool:
 
I had every intention of replacing my current Gen 2 10.5" iPad Pro when this was released. I will not be buying one now. […]

The folks here caterwauling over the pic are misplacing their concerns. Bent out of the box or not, this iPad is too fragile for anyone who uses it heavily for work and travel.

I replaced my 10.5-inch iPad Pro with the 3rd Generation 12.9-inch, and I treat it exactly the same as the 10.5 (and iPad Air 2) was treated before. I drain the battery daily with use at work and home. No problems throwing it around in the same bag, in the same manner.
 
It's time for MacRumors to start a new Thread, on who might take over for Cook ... for example, a list of the Top Internal & External candidates the AAPL Board is probably "already" talking to.

The list of Internal candidates is small, maybe even Zero.

I have NO clue who the top External candidates might be ... AAPL is an iPhone company first & foremost, so someone who knows how-best to resurrect the iPhone product line would be ideal.

AAPL will become the next Nokia OR Blackberry without a change of Leadership !

AAPL has lost $400B USD in market cap since Oct 3rd ! ... that's ALOT of Coin !
 
  • Like
Reactions: clauzzz203
If it isn’t noticeable then it’s fine for most people, and doesn’t mean it’s structurally weak. No need for you to try to point out minor manufacturing variations that they can’t notice themselves. If you try to find manufacturing variance, you’ll find it in 100% of products. Take an 8.5x11” sheet of paper and test the tolerances of a Rolls Royce. You’ll find variation in the gaps between panels. Apple is saying that they accept a total variation of 0.4 millimeters on any side when an iPad is laid flat. That’s down from every previous version, but apparently is more noticeable now since this is the first iPad that is flat without a curved back that may have masked the variability to the naked eye in previous generations.

If you try to bend an aluminum product, it will bend. That’s the nature of the metal (it’s soft by nature, but also very conductive of heat, which makes it ideal for computers, which generate lots of heat). The new iPad Pro is as fast as a MacBook Pro but doesn’t require a fan. If you get one that’s obviously bent, return it. But no need to worry people who are thinking about buying one. The vast majority will be just fine.

Your missing the point. If you can see a bend with the naked eye that’s not acceptable. I don’t care about 400 microns, bent is bent. I also don’t want to feel “just fine” about the most premium version of a product in any given category. The design of the new iPP is great in theory but not in execution. As I have stated before, the next iPP will be the same design but will not exhibit any of these “variances”.
 
I replaced my 10.5-inch iPad Pro with the 3rd Generation 12.9-inch, and I treat it exactly the same as the 10.5 (and iPad Air 2) was treated before. I drain the battery daily with use at work and home. No problems throwing it around in the same bag, in the same manner.

I'm sorry. Many here will not believe you unless you make some kind of in-your-face super hyper-excited YouTube video of your daily experiences at home and work. And then it will still be discounted because it doesn't conform to their preconceived narrative.

Maybe MacRumors can send a video team out and follow you around using your new iPad for a week, with a daily end-of-day measurement of flatness?
 
If I take a step back .

I’ve been using apple products since 1980. And they were not defect free. Nothing is . Got to a stage where we would joke around the Apple community, that one should skip a Rev A product , and buy the next version, some of you would remember that .

Though since about 2010 + Rev A mostly just worked out of the box , and even iPhone 4, that device was awesome and I still use mine, I don’t think it was a big issue at all. Over all Apple was nailing it with new products , Rev A were now a must buy !

And from experience, I see apple heading back to those Rev A days , for a company with its resources , it’s not okay. And hence I’m not okay with it .

Apple has build an image of producing products that are the best , keep them to it , at today’s prices .
 
  • Like
Reactions: torana355
I'm sorry. Many here will not believe you unless you make some kind of in-your-face super hyper-excited YouTube video of your daily experiences at home and work. And then it will still be discounted because it doesn't conform to their preconceived narrative.

Maybe MacRumors can send a video team out and follow you around using your new iPad for a week, with a daily end-of-day measurement of flatness?


None of this really happened.
 
I'm happy you won the lottery and got a good iPad. Now tell me how you would feel if your iPad had a bend but didn't notice it till 1 month after you bought it and now apple won't exchange it.

How could you have an iPad for a month and not notice the bend yesterday but suddenly noticed it today?

Btw if you live in the USA and you’ve only had it for a month isn’t the Christmas return policy still in effect.
 
If you buy a bent iPad, return it immediately.

If it got bent while in your possession, it's a much more complicated issue.

iPads are not supposed to be sat on like phones. So, bent phones is a much more severe issue than bent iPads. There must be some degree of rigidity in the iPad's aluminum body, but due to a much larger size, it's easier to bend the iPad with the same rigidity of the material. If your leave your iPad on the sofa and your wife sits on it, or if you leave your iPad on the floor and your kid walks on it, expecting it not to get bent may not be realistic.

I just bought a 2018 MacBook Air, and if I leave it on the couch and someone sits on it, I'm fully prepared for it to get bent. It's a fragile electronic device, not a slab of aluminum. I would think that $1,000 iPads Pro should be treated with some degree of care. Don't buy them for your kids. Get them regular iPads.
 
Last edited:
How could you have an iPad for a month and not notice the bend yesterday but suddenly noticed it today?

Btw if you live in the USA and you’ve only had it for a month isn’t the Christmas return policy still in effect.

I’ve often become aware of an issue reading forums , and checking my device , it has the symptoms . This is for all brands and not just apple .

Due to different components used on iPhones and macs, sometimes people want x component ..... it’s not just defects

To be honest , I would not think to check if a brand new iPad Pro was bent . Never checked my previous ones .
 
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.


yes - you are correct, but when you pay $1000 for a tablet, you would expect that these issues have already been worked out in the development process. The issue really isn't around the process itself, but the response from Apple. The response that this is perfectly normal and we aren't doing anything about it - this releases them from any culpability or admission in what will later be called (if not now), a massive design defect.

The original iPad had years of development and designs to get that right. That similar design has lasted through the years and proven to be mostly durable. It was only with this new design (that Apple always seems to be pushing the boundaries to make it lighter and smaller), that there has been uncovered a weakness in the casing.

What to do about this? Do what Samsung did with the Note 7 and take all of them back in - when they had a battery defect, they removed the device from the market - fixed it in the next revision. Or do they issue a statement about it - saying it is fine and there is no issue.

Since the bendable casing doesn't explode or cause injury (except to the end users pocket book), they issued a statement that releases them from being responsible for any bends in the case.

Been using Apple since 1988 - Used every iPhone and iPad since it has come out... I am OK to pay the 'Apple Tax' but not when that product's value diminishes as the last few generations have shown us. I am paying more for an Apple product now, and receiving less than I have ever received.
 
I replaced my 10.5-inch iPad Pro with the 3rd Generation 12.9-inch, and I treat it exactly the same as the 10.5 (and iPad Air 2) was treated before. I drain the battery daily with use at work and home. No problems throwing it around in the same bag, in the same manner.

The question I would have of you is this: Do you travel abroad or across the country frequently? I'm on several flights a week. Last year, according to American Airlines, I flew the equivalent of three times around the globe. With all of that travel, my 10.5" iPad Pro has been a trooper. Works like a charm, and not a single bend or twist. I have it in a case, but it's certainly not bulletproof or armored (Mosso https://www.amazon.com/Miniko-Vinta...AB4696J5RD2&psc=1&refRID=FRJ75KR9PAB4696J5RD2 ).

I wish I had more confidence in the new 12.9" model. With all of these reports, and Apple's weak responses, I'll wait until the next gen -- or the next Surface Pro, whichever looks best (and most durable) for my needs. Very disappointed that I am put in a spot of reconsidering my loyalty to Apple.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
  • Like
Reactions: jeremiah256
yes - you are correct, but when you pay $1000 for a tablet, you would expect that these issues have already been worked out in the development process. The issue really isn't around the process itself, but the response from Apple. The response that this is perfectly normal and we aren't doing anything about it - this releases them from any culpability or admission in what will later be called (if not now), a massive design defect.

The original iPad had years of development and designs to get that right. That similar design has lasted through the years and proven to be mostly durable. It was only with this new design (that Apple always seems to be pushing the boundaries to make it lighter and smaller), that there has been uncovered a weakness in the casing.

What to do about this? Do what Samsung did with the Note 7 and take all of them back in - when they had a battery defect, they removed the device from the market - fixed it in the next revision. Or do they issue a statement about it - saying it is fine and there is no issue.

Since the bendable casing doesn't explode or cause injury (except to the end users pocket book), they issued a statement that releases them from being responsible for any bends in the case.

Been using Apple since 1988 - Used every iPhone and iPad since it has come out... I am OK to pay the 'Apple Tax' but not when that product's value diminishes as the last few generations have shown us. I am paying more for an Apple product now, and receiving less than I have ever received.

Well said ! My feelings exactly
 
Surely if apple showed an iPad with 400 microns bend this would clear up what is acceptable
 
You know, several very intense rose-colored glasses folks here have convinced me. I should buy the new iPad, and simply put it in a better case. I'm looking at this one:

14153894-black-armored-safe-deposit-box-with-spikes.jpg


I haven't seen any reviews yet on Amazon. Do any of you have experience with this case? Will it prevent my iPad from bending?

Shoot, I think I'm going to need a new backpack, too.
If I were you I would hold off until the Star Trek force fields are invented.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jjudson
How could you have an iPad for a month and not notice the bend yesterday but suddenly noticed it today?

Btw if you live in the USA and you’ve only had it for a month isn’t the Christmas return policy still in effect.
Yes. It ends tomorrow.
 



Apple yesterday posted a support document addressing the 2018 iPad Pro bending snafu that's been circulating around the internet over the course of the last couple of weeks.

129ipadprobend-800x600.jpg

Image via the MacRumors Forums

In the document, Apple describes the new design of the unibody enclosure of the device and how cellular models use a new co-molding process to create the antenna bands in the chassis.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. This is a tighter specification than on any previous model, but Apple says the new design could make any minor deviations more visible than before.New iPad Pro owners first began noticing slight bends in their tablets shortly after the launch of the new device, prompting them to share their concerns on the MacRumors forums. iPad Pro users were worried about the structural integrity of the device, which is the thinnest iPad ever.

Users are encouraged to contact Apple if they believe their devices do not meet Apple's stated specifications, and the company reminds users of a 14-day return period and one-year warranty available on Apple products.

Apple devices have previously had issues with bending, and there was major consumer outcry over a "bendgate" controversy with the iPhone 6 Plus, which saw the iPhone bending due to regular use. iPad Pro owners are, understandably, concerned about another bendgate situation.

Apple last month told The Verge that the slight bending that some iPad Pro models are exhibiting is a side effect of the manufacturing process, caused by cooling of the metal and plastic components, but the new support document offers additional detail on the situation. While no official Apple statement was included in The Verge's article, it clearly said that Apple did not consider the bend to be a manufacturing defect, leading to customer confusion.

(Thanks, Bob!)

Article Link: Apple Addresses 2018 iPad Pro 'Bending' Controversy, Says Subtle Deviations May Be More Visible Due to New Design
Tolerances do exist, and are what define everything from the function, durability, and cost of all products. When we produce performance products of machined aerospace alloys and composites for consumer market, the widest tolerance we hold is .003” and that’s just a form tolerance, purely aesthetic. Critical tolerances are .0002-.0004. Not being able to hold many hundreds of times that, means Apple & Foxconn never actually set a tolerance for that, or they’re not QAing conformance. There would be no reason to even specify a tolerance this great. You might as well put “just wing it” on your drawing. Either way, their non answers indicate they just don’t care to spend the time & money producing a consistent product here, in the thousand dollar plus “pro” tablet market...

Apple making excuses?
Apple making lengthy, lame excuses?
It would appear that their advanced manufacturing process is not advanced enough.
Considering Apple’s tiered pricing, I’m surprised they are not offered “with” or “without” a bend.
 
ladies and gentlemen its real simple...

The iPad pros are meant to be the go to mobile computer, MEANING THERE CORE FUNCTION IS TO BE PORTABLE.

In order to do that, they have to move from one environment to another, case, backpack or not.

When that core functionality of doing what the product was designed to do, damages it in the process, you have an issue because regardless of what apple says or puts as a bullet point on there keynotes, the thinner a product is, unless reinforced with stronger materials, the weaker its going to be!

Simple laws of physics.

Apple in its mandate to create the most thin and sexy devices, overlooked (intentionally or not) this.

You have a device made out of aluminum that obviously bends because it isn't thick enough! Now to make matters worse, they ADDED two weak points to an already thin weak peace of aluminum in the forms of the microphone hole and the magnetic charger!

Every single video I've seen of people intentionally bending these devices shows that those two points are the first points of failure.

Now, you have 2 possible solutions.

1: reinforce those weak points internally
2: use a stronger material.

The Microsoft surfaces uses magnesium which im told is a stronger material (im not a metal expert). Problem with that is, well, its running windows lol.

Apple needs to fix this problem and not pass it off! All you die hard fans cant be blind to the facts at play.

The prouduct isn't structurally sound for its intended purpose. END OF STORY!

Once it bends, its very likely going to continue to bed if the forces at play are continued to be applied to it.

This includes putting it in a backpack, sitting on it on a couch, putting it in a case etc.

Now, I personally recommend regardless of how strong or weak any tablet is designed, based on its very nature you always put it in the strongest case you can find for it, just for extra security, stability and peace of mind!

I am the paranoid type, thus I always go after the OtterBox Defender cases. Yes there bulky and ugly, yet I have yet to scratch or bend a single iPad up until last year when the 10.5 bent slightly again due to it being too dam thin EVEN WITHIN ITS CASE!

Apple replaced it no problem and the bend was so slight, but it still impacted the device cause the screen started displaying distorted colors when touched with some pressure.

YET THE PRODUCT WENT STREIGHT OUT OF THE BOX AND INTO THE DEFENDER CASE THE MOMENT I OPENED THE PRODUCT!

So that was the last model!

I owned the new pro 12.9 and love the device but I ultimately knew this problem would rear its ugly head yet again regardless of case, thus why I returned it!

Also noticed the reports of 10.5 pros developing a white spot lately? How much do you want to bet that bending and flexing of the device over time is causing that? Ill wager it has a effect on it.

Now the new pro is even thinner...

LAWS OF PHYSICS PEOPLE!

Apple needs to reinforce these things. Theres a certain point where things are too thin to be practical or functional and I think we are at that point!
 
  • Like
Reactions: jeremiah256
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.

There is a difference between subtle bends that aren’t visible to naked eye compared to a freshly unboxed unit that is visibly bent.

People don’t forget things like this Apple, address it now before it comes round to haunt you.

I am not buying one of these iPads.
[doublepost=1546797111][/doublepost]
ladies and gentlemen its real simple...

The iPad pros are meant to be the go to mobile computer, MEANING THERE CORE FUNCTION IS TO BE PORTABLE.

In order to do that, they have to move from one environment to another, case, backpack or not.

When that core functionality of doing what the product was designed to do, damages it in the process, you have an issue because regardless of what apple says or puts as a bullet point on there keynotes, the thinner a product is, unless reinforced with stronger materials, the weaker its going to be!

Simple laws of physics.

Apple in its mandate to create the most thin and sexy devices, overlooked (intentionally or not) this.

You have a device made out of aluminum that obviously bends because it isn't thick enough! Now to make matters worse, they ADDED two weak points to an already thin weak peace of aluminum in the forms of the microphone hole and the magnetic charger!

Every single video I've seen of people intentionally bending these devices shows that those two points are the first points of failure.

Now, you have 2 possible solutions.

1: reinforce those weak points internally
2: use a stronger material.

The Microsoft surfaces uses magnesium which im told is a stronger material (im not a metal expert). Problem with that is, well, its running windows lol.

Apple needs to fix this problem and not pass it off! All you die hard fans cant be blind to the facts at play.

The prouduct isn't structurally sound for its intended purpose. END OF STORY!

Once it bends, its very likely going to continue to bed if the forces at play are continued to be applied to it.

This includes putting it in a backpack, sitting on it on a couch, putting it in a case etc.

Now, I personally recommend regardless of how strong or weak any tablet is designed, based on its very nature you always put it in the strongest case you can find for it, just for extra security, stability and peace of mind!

I am the paranoid type, thus I always go after the OtterBox Defender cases. Yes there bulky and ugly, yet I have yet to scratch or bend a single iPad up until last year when the 10.5 bent slightly again due to it being too dam thin EVEN WITHIN ITS CASE!

Apple replaced it no problem and the bend was so slight, but it still impacted the device cause the screen started displaying distorted colors when touched with some pressure.

YET THE PRODUCT WENT STREIGHT OUT OF THE BOX AND INTO THE DEFENDER CASE THE MOMENT I OPENED THE PRODUCT!

So that was the last model!

I owned the new pro 12.9 and love the device but I ultimately knew this problem would rear its ugly head yet again regardless of case, thus why I returned it!

Also noticed the reports of 10.5 pros developing a white spot lately? How much do you want to bet that bending and flexing of the device over time is causing that? Ill wager it has a effect on it.

Now the new pro is even thinner...

LAWS OF PHYSICS PEOPLE!

Apple needs to reinforce these things. Theres a certain point where things are too thin to be practical or functional and I think we are at that point!

Apple addressed the issue with the iPhone 6 by making the 6s stronger. I cannot fathom how they didn’t see this coming, particularly during the testing phase.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.