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When people are picking up demo units with a bend and a bulge, and when I've seen a couple 10.5 demo units with a white spot belly button, DEMO UNITS, with my own eyes, there's something more going on than a fringe one-off. Especially massive threads flooded with posts from users who have been on this board for years without a real axe to grind. The white spot issue is an issue. It makes me glad as hell I didnt get the 10.5 and opted for the 12.9, but still not very confidence instilling since the 12.9 could have crop up too (though not as frequently)

Make ipad engineering great again.

That's fair, but I haven't seen it myself. Most of the noise I have seen is from people who don't own the device. There are definitely some bent iPad's, but it's still an overblown issue. People just enjoy hating on Apple, rightly so or not.
 
Apple can get away with this because Apple fans will accept it. Next year Apple will release the iPad pro 11s and 12.9s (s=straight) and have the Apple fans cheering.

I think you are right. As soon as they started using celebs as bait to get the masses on-board, it was over. Now with Apple catching the masses, people will put up with anything to be part of the Hip popular thing. With the masses come tech illiterate sheep to spend their money because Hollywood tells them to. Quality can drop and products ignored because the masses are there to keep the monster eating.
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What is Apple thinking? I guess they won't budge until they get a class action suit against them and negative press.

They have to keep those corporate lawyers busy somehow!
 
What an entertaining thread. Over 700 posts and counting. I’ld like to know the percent of flaws. Mine was perfect, as are the ones I’ve seen purchased by friends and family.
 
That's fair, but I haven't seen it myself. Most of the noise I have seen is from people who don't own the device. There are definitely some bent iPad's, but it's still an overblown issue. People just enjoy hating on Apple, rightly so or not.

If a tree falls in the forest, but you didn't personally see it, did it still happen?
If Azerbaijan is a country you aren't aware exists (fair), but its on a map and people objectively live there and can report on living there, does it still exist?

Not meaning to be rude, but anecdotally having not seen it as one user with one device, isn't very conclusive at all. Its anecdotal, but inconclusive.

Now, if you've gone to 10 stores, looked at 30 units, not one time seen or heard about it, there might be something more there to your claim.

Doesnt mean your Apple gear is crap, or you're a sucker, but come on!
 
So the manufacturing processes that they rave about and make videos to showcase, make bent iPads?

"Ok".................
That's what I thought exactly.
When the unibody MacsBook came out, they also proudly showcased the milling process from a solid block of aluminum.
But they should have made sure that the recycled aluminum flakes work in the first place.
I wonder if Tim just looked at the cost savings and went "It's gonna be fine ..."
 
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What’s really annoying about this whole situation is the fact that some people kept defending Apple by blaming forum members for mistreatment when the only thing they did was carrying their devices in laptop bags. Even if it wasn’t for this manufacturing issue, people should have never blamed others for following the expected behavior anyone with a mobile device would have. The whole “you are holding it wrong” notion is just plain wrong. Mobile devices are meant to be carried and sustain considerable damage while being carried in bags.

I also find this extremely annoying. The defenders typically resort to things like:

"I've never had an issue with an Apple product". To which I say, congratulations. That doesn't mean others have had the same rosy experiences. Personally, I've had to return several Apple products over the years due to defects.

"All devices will bend". To which I say, yes, they will. But the key is at what threshold does this occur. It is entirely possible to have a device that is simply too thin/fragile for it's intended use, especially when talking about something designed for portable use.

"There only a few people with the problem". To which I say, you have no way of knowing that. Especially when they start quoting percentages. There is no way they have access to those stats. In fact, nobody including Apple would know this because if someone decides to buy and keep a product that has this defect, they won't know about it.

"The vocal few complain on forums but most people are not experiencing any issues". To which I say, this assumes that anyone with a problem will always post about it on a forum. I would submit that there are a great number of people that never post in a forum like this yet can be experiencing problems. And we would never know about them.

And the best one...

"If you don't like it, go elsewhere". Okay, this one is my favorite because what they always fail to acknowledge is that there really are no alternatives to Apple products that still work within that Apple ecosystem. The ecosystem is a real thing. People have spent a lot of money and time buying and learning the apps that only work within this walled garden and it's not a simple matter of just going to another manufacturer. And because Apple is the exclusive maker of the hardware that is compatible with their OS combined with the prices they ask for them, the expectations of excellent quality in return are rightfully high.

If one lives in a gated community and pays high maintenance fees, they should expect a high quality product and experience in return.
 
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I have returned mine (11")... not because of it bent out of the box.
But consider I use almost everything Apple (Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and iTunes media). This is insulting.
Do they really think having an ecosystem locking people in is a permanent thing??
I have the same media and alternative apps purchased on both Play Store and iTunes. (As long as they are available on both)

With Apple's current growth/decline, I wouldn't be surprise if they change their privacy stance in the future just to push profit.

By then, it no longer matters, if they all ended up privacy invasive, I will just pick one that's cheaper with the same if not better quality.
 
That's fair, but I haven't seen it myself. Most of the noise I have seen is from people who don't own the device. There are definitely some bent iPad's, but it's still an overblown issue. People just enjoy hating on Apple, rightly so or not.

Overblown or not, bending out of the box on a VERY expensive device should NEVER be called NORMAL by the company because it is NOT normal. If it is NORMAL by their standard of manufacture, they are doing it wrong. I would expect a Chinese knock-off to unbox bent, not a real iPad from the richest company in human history who prides itself on design and quality and charges accordingly. THAT is unacceptable.
 
For everyone freaking out, how many are bent?

Next, show me cases Apple refused to replace.

Again, it’s stupid if they don’t replace them, but I’m not convinced they wouldn’t and I doubt very many shipped bent. I have one and it’s perfect.

What I think they are saying is it’s not a manufacturing defect that impacts all of them.
 
I also find this extremely annoying. The defenders typically resort to things like:

"I've never had an issue with an Apple product". To which I say, congratulations. That doesn't mean others have had the same rosy experiences. Personally, I've had to return several Apple products over the years due to defects.

"All devices will bend". To which I say, yes, they will. But the key is at what threshold does this occur. It is entirely possible to have a device that is simply too thin/fragile for it's intended use, especially when talking about something designed for portable use.

"There only a few people with the problem". To which I say, you have no way of knowing that. Especially when the start quoting percentages. There is no way they have access to those stats.

And the best one...

"If you don't like it, go elsewhere". Okay, this one is my favorite because what they always fail to acknowledge is that there really are no alternatives to Apple products that still work within that Apple ecosystem. The ecosystem is a real thing. People have spent a lot of money and time buying and learning the apps that only work within this walled garden and it's not a simple matter of just going to another manufacturer. And because Apple is the exclusive maker of the hardware that is compatible with their OS combined with the prices they ask for them, the expectations of excellent quality in return are rightfully high.

If one lives in a gated community and pays high maintenance fees, I expect a high quality product and experience in return.

I agree, the "return it and shut up" crowd is my favorite too. So we should just sweep unacceptable corporate behavior under the rug? And even if so, what alternative exists in the Apple ecosystem? None. And it's not like there is a plethora of good Android tablets out there either really; Samsung (with old spec hardware for 2018) and Huawei (I dont think you can even buy it in the US). What else that isn't a budget/kids/e-reader?

The "but mine doesn't have it" and "unless I see it then it's not a problem" defenses are hilarious. As if we have dozens if not hundreds of people who are lying, including media outlets who pointed this out to Apple.

And Apple ACKNOWLEDGED it to be truth in a lame duck reply. Not even a "we're sorry we will replace all of these at no charge even outside the 14 day window we stand by this very expensive product as being the best out there" The correct corporate response when your pitch is luxury products hence the pricing and touting your manufacturing process and attention to detail. Rather just an arrogant "it's normal" response.

EVEN THEN some still defend Apple. That is really the saddest part.

Again, I've owned every iPhone since the 3GS and hate the Apple bashing just because it's Apple as it's lame, but this time with that lame duck response it is fully warranted. Why would I want to continue buying increasing price products just because of the Apple tax from a company who doesnt care what they put out?

So you're telling me much smaller companies with less resources like Xiomi and Huawei can put out $300 budget phone with metal backs and they aren't bent our of the box, but on a $800-2,000 it is acceptable?
 
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That's fair, but I haven't seen it myself. Most of the noise I have seen is from people who don't own the device. There are definitely some bent iPad's, but it's still an overblown issue. People just enjoy hating on Apple, rightly so or not.

Not sure about that. If Apple is the one addressing this, it implies that this is a significant issue enough such that they want to do some PR damage control.

Aside, I would be disappointed if a premium product had flaws like this. Of course people would be more vocally upset. You would expect a self-proclaimed pompous company to stand by their QC.
 
If a tree falls in the forest, but you didn't personally see it, did it still happen?
If Azerbaijan is a country you aren't aware exists (fair), but its on a map and people objectively live there and can report on living there, does it still exist?

Not meaning to be rude, but anecdotally having not seen it as one user with one device, isn't very conclusive at all. Its anecdotal, but inconclusive.

Now, if you've gone to 10 stores, looked at 30 units, not one time seen or heard about it, there might be something more there to your claim.

Doesnt mean your Apple gear is crap, or you're a sucker, but come on!

The difference is I am going by what I have personally seen. A few (maybe 10-12) bent iPad's on this site with pictures and none in store and no issues with my own iPad. I am also considering the amount of people on here I have seen with straight iPad's. I totally admit it's a problem, I just think it's overblown.
 
For everyone freaking out, how many are bent?

Next, show me cases Apple refused to replace.

Again, it’s stupid if they don’t replace them, but I’m not convinced they wouldn’t and I doubt very many shipped bent. I have one and it’s perfect.

What I think they are saying is it’s not a manufacturing defect that impacts all of them.
Apple will always downplay the problem.

I think it is a major issue in there new manufacturing of the bodies.

I'm sure they are increasing QA as we speak and are throwing away lots of casings in production to minimise the complaints.

Even if Apple would throw away 20% of all casings right now, we will never know.
 
Samsung is going to release folding phone so Apple beats it by selling a bendable iPP.
 
Overblown or not, bending out of the box on a VERY expensive device should NEVER be called NORMAL by the company because it is NOT normal. If it is NORMAL by their standard of manufacture, they are doing it wrong. I would expect a Chinese knock-off to unbox bent, not a real iPad from the richest company in human history who prides itself on design and quality and charges accordingly. THAT is unacceptable.

I agree, it shouldn't be called normal. Apple is definitely wrong for that. Then again, I can't control what they say and it has no bearing on me, so what am I supposed to do? Curse and yell at my computer keyboard? No. I'll be more critical of future products and I'll move on.
 
Yes, new cars are sometimes delivered with defects. However, in the case of an iPad you can return it or exchange it, whereas with a new car.... good luck, you'll need it
I'm sure if you take home a NEW car and everything is fine and you find out the frame is bent the dealer will take back the car. apple says hey your Frame on your car is a little bent its fine and sends you on your way.
 
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Not sure about that. If Apple is the one addressing this, it implies that this is a significant issue enough such that they want to do some PR damage control.

Aside, I would be disappointed if a premium product had flaws like this. Of course people would be more vocally upset. You would expect a self-proclaimed pompous company to stand by their QC.

I think they are responding to it because of sites like this and the press that lose their minds because of an Apple manufacturing issue (really anything negative about Apple, people get off on it). I agree, if I bought my iPad Pro and it had the defect, I would be bummed and I would return it. Fortunately for me, I have no bend and I love the product. Ultimately what Apple does or says makes no difference to me. I don't work for them or own Apple stock. If I start to have a bad experience with their products, I won't buy them anymore.
 
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