Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Simple. They need to make an egg shaped or spherical iPad. Some of the strongest shapes structurally.
 
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]

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.

The problem though is are we really going to wait 18 months for them to fix this issue on the next gen version, when the product is less then 3 months old?

Thats totally unacceptable! I shouldn't have to go without a pro for close to 2 years now, because apples own incompetence.

I doubt Steve Jobs would find that acceptable.

The product should be recalled or redesigned now and replaced! end of story. Its way to early in its lifespan for it to have this many issues.

This isn't a bend thats happening 12 months down the road. These just came out 3 months ago. Its obvious there is a problem with them!

Fix it now! Not 18-24 months from now!

If they do, ill happy rebuy one in a few months!

I doubt they are going to do that though and thats the issue!

I much rather have apple said, "Hey guys we wanted to get this thin as possible but we overlooked this, so we're going to redesign it and replace every one that has an issue"

Id respect them so much more for that!

Instead they tell me, just live with our design mistake and if it gets worse you pay for it?

No. not acceptable!
 
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.

You are joking, right? The bend in that picture doesn't look very microscopic to me.
 
You are joking, right?


Heres the issue! A macbook is a clamshell design. Its 2 halfs support one another when its closed. Its core function is to open and close. If there is going to be any weak point, its going to be the hinge.

Also you cant have the same tolerance levels for products of diffrent sizes and functions! Im not going to use a mabook pro the same way im going to use an ipad, and im not going to use my imac the same way i use my iphone.

My Imac sits on my desk and is rarely if ever used! as its designed to be.

My iphone is designed to be portable
my ipad is designed to be portable
I dont have a macbook but if i did, its designed to be portable!

see my point here...

of course cars have bends in them, there designed to bend and have curves for certain components.

Thats like saying sculptures have bends in them too...yeah..so what...im not going to use a sculpture the same way i use an ipad.
 
Once again this is bendgate with 6 Plus all over again. When I bought it I was scared ******** that my iPhone (which I paid full price for) will bend. I bought wallet like case at first, then later hard shell from Spigen and finally after 1 year I ditched all cases and left it naked. I carried it all time in my front pocket, with or without case. Been sitting in a car with it in front pocket, bending to tie my shoes with it in front pocket and guess ahat - it never got bent. Just cause there are bad samples out there does not mean that whole design of new iPads is wrong and we have mass hysteria here from Apple haters and wannabe engineers.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
400 micron is 0.0157 of an inch. That is pretty piss poor for anything precision related.
400 micron is 0.4 of one millimeter. It's ridiculous to say that this is unacceptable. You can't even hold your thumb and your index finger apart from each other at 400 micron without them touching each other. The least distance that you can maintain for several seconds is about 1 millimeter, which is 1,000 micron.
 
Well its quite clear Apple has sleeper cells in this forum as some of the justifications for this current “bendgate” is breathtaking. Not saying all those who agree with Apple but definitely a few.

In 20 years time, much like other things in fashion, many of us will look back at these Apple scams and say to ourselves “what the f..k was i thinking”.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Yourbigpalal83
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
Great, doesn't mean we can't have the counterpoint:

coun·ter·point
/ˈkoun(t)ərˌpoint/
noun
noun: counterpoint

  1. An argument, idea, or theme used to create a contrast with the main element.
    "I have used my interviews with parents as a counterpoint to a professional judgment"
You can also have rumors that are dead wrong, which is part of the discussion.
[doublepost=1546801176][/doublepost]
For $2k.... wouldn’t describe it as ‘subtle’
My 11" iPad Pro was $799, but exaggerate the point.
 
Sounds like a bad design decision then. iPads had their SIM cards/cellular antennas for ages without any extra bending. It is probably more the case of Apple still striving to go lighter and thinner. I am quite surprised they still sell cellular iPads when we can easily tether them to so many phones nowadays. After all, they do not sell MacBooks with SIM card slots.
 
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

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.

I certainly don’t travel those miles. I don’t see how airline travel would be different then car travel if you carry-on your device (which you should). Perhaps packing bags tightly would be the biggest difference. However my iPad is put in a loose padded pocket (meant for 15-inch laptop of the mid-2000s), it has a 1-litre (full) water bottle sitting in the same bag, along with whatever random things of the day (accessories, glasses, clothes, food, whatever). I throw, not place, the bag in my car as I sit down (twice daily). It lands on an uneven bolstered bucket-seat, not a truck bench.

This is the same treatment my other iPads had with the almost-equivalent case (Apple Leather Smart Case for iPad Air 2, Apple Leather Smart Cover for iPad Pro 10.5, Apple Smart Folio for iPad Pro 12.9). You could easily be harder on it, but that might pass beyond acceptable use in my eyes.

As to your last point paragraph... It could be 100 bent devices or 10,000 and it would still seem like the same volume on this website. It would also still be a relatively small number of devices sold. Apple’s response has been fine with me, “here are our specifications, to the micron, it will not change shape during normal use, anything beyond this is a defect, here’s our return policy”. I just don’t understand what more people want as a response, articles like this one put images of severely bent iPads beside the Apple statements. Apple’s statement of “this is normal” does not apply to these unrelated images.
 
400 micron is 0.4 of one millimeter. It's ridiculous to say that this is unacceptable. You can't even hold your thumb and your index finger apart from each other at 400 micron without them touching each other. The least distance that you can maintain for several seconds is about 1 millimeter, which is 1,000 micron.
Mine (11" LTE) is bent, it's less than 1mm, probably less than 0.4mm. You can see it when you hold it against a straight edge, but otherwise not. I have decided to just keep it. It is not good design, but it's overblown. I knew of the bending before buying, and I bought anyway.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AdonisSMU
I cannot believe people are actually arguing FOR Apple in this case. This is an obvious mistake by Apple, there's no reason to defend them and their defense is absurd.
 
ladies and gentlemen its real simple...

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!
Good points - reminds me of a longtime issue among bicycle builders. For many years bicycle frames were made primarily of steel. Over the years, frame manufacturers developed various steel alloys, such as manganese-molybdenum (Mang-Moly) and chrome-molybdenum (ChroMoly) to maintain better weight-to-strength ratios. Then, starting in the late 70s other non-steel materials were used in order to further reduce weight and rust decay. Aluminum alloys were used, resulting in the need for large diameter tubing to compensate for aluminum's lack of inherent rigidity. Carbon fibre synthetics were also developed. Aluminum has a much shorter fatigue life than steel, and if even a slight dent is incurred on a tube it is susceptible to disastrous failure - as in denting an aluminum can makes it very easy to crush. Carbon fiber is very light weight, doesn't rust, but is very susceptible to failure with any crack in the tubing developed in high stress conditions. It is also very expensive. The most successful metal frames are of titanium alloys, not susceptible to rust, quite strong and light, but also very expensive. Of all of the materials currently used, steel and aluminum provide the most bang per buck. Steel remains the most durable and least expensive, but is relatively heavy (it is never used by bicycle racers these days). Aluminum is light weight, rust resistant, and fairly durable if not dinged via a crash or some other traumatic stress, and fairly inexpensive. Carbon fiber is the lightest, but very expensive and not crash worthy (racers nearly all use carbon bicycles, but they can throw them away if they wreck and get another team bicycle). Titanium, my favorite, is way aesthetically pleasing, rust resistant and strong, lighter than steel, but very expensive. My point in this diversion is that if Apple seriously wants to remain with the ultra-thin device paradigm, they could learn a bit from bicycle frame manufacturers and builders and explore the various alloys and synthetic materials available. If people really are willing to spend big bucks in the name of light and thin, perhaps materials other than aluminum and/or plastic should be explored.

BTW, the earliest aluminum bicycle tubing which came out, I think, in the late 60s/early 70s, had the same problems with durability as Apple is having with bending aluminum products. The early aluminum bicycles used tube dimensions the same as were standard for steel, and got a reputation for handling like noodles and easily bent - hmm. That's when guys like Gary Klein came out with wider aluminum tubing and stronger aluminum alloys for use in mountain/off road bicycles. Aluminum and thin don't mix well.
 
Last edited:
I didn’t experience this issue. I put the Apple provided covering and never looked back.
 
Every aluminum device that has ever been made is subject to some manufacturing variability. In my experience the 11” has been just fine. I do use the Apple Smart Keyboard, which covers the back (so does the Smart Folio), so consider that if you are worried. I had the 10.5” Pro and several earlier iPads and the 11” is by far my favorite.
[doublepost=1546714987][/doublepost]
If excessive bending is a result of a manufacturing defect they will repair or replace it.
i always run case-free with my ipad because i don't like the added weight and bulk and just use it around the house, i don't travel with it much so i really want to not get a case

but i do always add applecare when i buy a new ipad which i do every couple of years

i really like this new ipad so i am in for one (in canada an 11" with apple care is almost $1300 so it really is an investment)

apple has always treated me well so i assume they will stand behind their product

i still would love to know if bending is a) hitting the 12.9 more and 2) the cell version more also

so maybe i won't buy a 12.9 cell version :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: G5isAlive
I just heard a rumour that Tim Cook has been in contact with a high ranking official of Wakanda to formalise a steady supply of Vibranium. Its a done deal and is only being held up by King T’Challa having gone somewhat missing. Word has it that his return will coincide during the next AGM of The Avengers (supposedly slated for April 2019) so finger crossed it will all come to fruition before the next release of the 2019 iPhones and iPads.
 
I just heard a rumour that Tim Cook has been in contact with a high ranking official of Wakanda to formalise a steady supply of Vibranium. Its a done deal and is only being held up by King T’Challa having gone somewhat missing. Word has it that his return will coincide during the next AGM of The Avengers (supposedly slated for April 2019) so finger crossed it will all come to fruition before the next release of the 2019 iPhones and iPads.
i am pretty sure that blackberry has already cornered the vibranium supply so i would be skeptical of that particular rumor ...
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Marekul
ultimately i fear in time you will.

Im not saying all this stuff, recording youtube videos and typing these massive posts for attention. I love apple products, and i want to see them done right and sell a ton of them. Thats best for everyone.

The problem is that when apple designs something so thin without really looking into the consequences of it being that thin, denies a problem when there clearly is one (yes YOUR ipad not be bent at the moment but alot of peoples are out of the box) then tells costumers that if its bend its expectable OR you have to pay them for their own design mistake through no fault of your own, thats Apple taking advantage of the costumers and its not fair.

My Ipad Pro 12.9 wasnt bent. THAT SAID, they could not guarantee me that with every day use IN A CASE that it wouldent bend and if it did i would have to pay to have it repaired or replace out of my own pocket, despite video evidence showing time and time again the design is flaw, with daily use it ultimately is going to bend, and sooner or later ill be in this situation where the bed is bad enough where it will effect the performance of the screen and internals.

Now everyones saying the next ones will be better? Thats still a good 15 months away at the soonest based on past history!

No, you solve the problem now! Like i said before, this isnt something thats happening over time thats easy to overlook, THIS IS RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX AND WITH DAILY USE!

Im a huge apple fan, but my loyalty only goes so far and i refuse to defend a brand who's clearly at the moment choosing to ignore a clearly obvious problem.

This isnt one or two reports, this is multiple reports across the globe on a product thats entry cost is 800 dollars!

for that price i demand and deserve much higher quality control and strength in the product.

Im not asking for a indestructible bulletproof ipad. I fully except that if you put anything under enough stress and pressure it will fail.

Im asking for is re assurance that with daily use this thing wont bend and fail over time! for 800 dollars entry, thats more then a reasonable request.

Its also sad when there budget model ipad is stronger and more durable for a fraction of the price (i bought 3 of those as gifts for friends and family with one going to myself as a temporary solution for now, plus a 2nd homepod on sale with the money i got back from the 12.9 inch pro and pencil) and those all feel much more stable and stronger then the higher end model that costs 2 times as much)

I dont think anyone is being unreasonable. I think its apple thats being unreasonable and unpractical and its a shame because its founder, the late steve jobs was famous for flipping out over such issues and wouldent stand for it.

If the companies founder wouldent stand for these issues, why should the costumers?
 
did Mercedes try and defend themselves stating that is was normal and part of a new manufacturing process?
Yes. They said it can happen and replaced the car.

There wouldn't be a need for a warranty if there weren't manufacturing issues.
 
The problem though is are we really going to wait 18 months for them to fix this issue on the next gen version, when the product is less then 3 months old?

Thats totally unacceptable! I shouldn't have to go without a pro for close to 2 years now, because apples own incompetence.

This isn't a bend thats happening 12 months down the road. These just came out 3 months ago. Its obvious there is a problem with them!

Fix it now! Not 18-24 months from now!

If they do, ill happy rebuy one in a few months!

It is time for Apple to introduce the iPad Pro to the "S" cycle. This way they can alpha and beta test (like they are already doing now:mad:) the initial model and fix it in the "S" cycle!

I will buy the S models.:)
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.