Apple Says Some 2018 iPad Pros Ship Bent, But It's Normal and Not a Defect

[jjudson]

A small number of iPads (and it is small, don't let the forum cognitive bias fool you)...

Companies don't make public responses like this for "small numbers". Apple is undoubtedly seeing a large number of returns and concerns or they wouldn't have made such a statement.

And in a time when they literally make the best ... iPad ... in their history...

While the tech is impressive, it does no good to throw it into a foil bag and hand it to someone for $1500.

And yes, Cook should absolutely take a bow. The number of missteps he has made over the past two years are setting Apple on a destructive path. Aside from bumping specs, Cook has led no real innovation or new product development during his tenure. It's time for him to step aside and for a new generation of technological idealism to take over.

 

[thadoggfather]

Two key points:

1.) Saying ‘Nothing’/ignoring when being inquired from the media _and_ receiving customer feedback is *not* an appropriate route to ignore this. Apple has to respond, why? At this magnitude, it’s genuinely confusing as why the bending was occurring and are they aware of it, and to what extent? (And Apple stores are looking for guidance in addition) Not addressing this concern would only infuriate consumers more and create suspicion of ‘What’s really going on here’ statements.

2.) By them saying it’s ‘normal’ shows at least they reached out too their engineer team to find out more on the bending. By no means are they ‘lying’ , which allegedly the bending is affecting an unspecified amount of iPads, the fact that they provided a response to the bending (Even if it’s a response many are finding ludicrous), shows they acknowledged the bending concern, even if the customer doesn’t like the outcome or explanation.

Even if Apple’s explanation seems bogus, we can’t change what they said, the customer who has a bent iPad, can only hope they can exchange it, if that specific Apple store allows it or if they are in the 14 day return period.

1) People/companies decline to respond all the time. They are under no obligation to simply because a fluff outlet subsidary of Vox media sent out an inquiry.
I can email Tim Cook right now, but I won't hold his feet to the fire if he doesnt care or reply and wouldnt expect him to.

2) It's normal... for this generation, since the bending has become prevalent enough, but it is not normal by any other semblance of standards or stretch of the imagination.

 

[citysnaps]

This is about a big an Eff You as you can get. How on Earth anyone can defend this company is beyond me.
[doublepost=1545294153][/doublepost]
Just stop before you make a fool of yourself any further. Apple admits to a major manufacturing & design screw up (yet another one to add to the pile btw) and you rush to defend them?

No, not defending Apple. Period.

You seem unable to separate Apple having a serious issue, with people engaging in juvenile whines on a public forum. I do understand making a fool of one's self engaging in that kind of behavior is fine with you.

 

[MultiMan]

A lot of devices aren’t bent out of the box. Most of the phones. Most of the tablets. Most of the iPads. A few devices come with factory defects, no matter who makes them, no matter the price point - these things just happen, especially at great volumes.

But when a few Xiaomi phones come bent, no one talks about it.

Also, no one is trying to deliberately bend $300 Xiaomi devices on YouTube for views and no one is creating a narrative around them by doing so.

Rather recent Xiaomi bend test from your favourite bender. There are many more.

 

[44267547]

1) People/companies decline to respond all the time.

Right, We already established this multiple times. Fact is, Apple chose to respond, if others don’t like/agree with Apple’s Response, that’s their prerogative. But they described that they believe is ‘normal’ with the bending. They received an inquiry as to what is occurring with the bending, they addressed it and you either accept it or move on. Period. I’m not providing my own stance on this, but Apple responding and not ignoring this, demonstrates they are aware and establishing guidelines for the retail stores on the concern.

 

[jjudson]

Jony Ive needs to stop this quest for ultra thinness.

Having used iPads (and iPhones) since the very first versions, not once did I ever replace a model because I wanted a thinner unit. For me, it's always been about usability and reliability. I will be sticking with my last gen iPad Pro 10.5" until I see that Apple takes that seriously again.

 

[thadoggfather]

Right, We already established this multiple times. Fact is, Apple chose to respond, if others don’t like/agree with Apple’s Response, that’s their prerogative. But they described that they believe is ‘normal’ with the bending. They received an inquiry as to what is occurring with the bending, they addressed it and you either accept it or move on. Period. I’m not providing my own stance on this, but Apple responding and not ignoring this, demonstrates they are aware and establishing guidelines for the retail stores on the concern.

They can believe the world is flat too, but it isn't so.

I don't buy into 'their' truth or 'your' truth or the notion that in 2018 rapidly approaching 2019, truth is suddenly this flexible, customize-able, fluid concept out of fear of possibly hurting peoples' feelings by realizing they've been duped, or gasp, having rational discourse resulting in some new input being considered that wasn't previously.

To each his own though.

 

[darkslide29]

Saying that it is not a defect is purely a business decision. If this happens during the cooling process of the metal, then it means it is random and beyond their control in the manufacturing process. So, it's not a defect. If it was something they could control, or change in their process, they would be calling it a defect and apologizing. Too bad.

 

[Mackinjosh]

They should just claim they meant to do that. It would be less pathetic than the answer they're currently giving.

 

[thadoggfather]

Saying that it is not a defect is purely a business decision. If this happens during the cooling process of the metal, then it means it is random and beyond their control in the manufacturing process. So, it's not a defect. If it was something they could control, or change in their process, they would be calling it a defect and apologizing. Too bad.

its completely within their control. They contract Foxconn, etc.

So produce iPads at break neck speeds like they have been, have someone take a look at it with their eyes before packing it up, and reject the duds. It's called quality control.

If you dont think the quality is unacceptable, there in lies the problem: there is no quality control

 

[44267547]

I don't buy into 'their' truth.

Ok, so don’t ‘buy’ into it. As I said, that’s your prerogative. I’m not interested or trying to sway your stance on the matter, I’m saying as I have with this entire discussion, they responded, others don’t like it or agree with it, then don’t support Apple if they believe they are behind dishonest. Either way, by them saying ‘nothing’ as you originally implied was the wrong suggestion, in which they did respond on the contrary, it’s just your views don’t align with their reasoning on the bending concern. It’s understandable on why others would be upset, especially if they can’t exchange a bent iPad, but that’s likely dependent on the Apple store.

 

[merkinmuffley]

They fly better when bent.

 

[thadoggfather]

Ok, so don’t ‘buy’ into it. As I said, that’s your prerogative. I’m not interested or trying to sway your stance on the matter, I’m saying as I have with this entire discussion, they responded, others don’t like it or agree with it, then don’t support Apple if they believe they are behind dishonest. Either way, by them saying ‘nothing’ as you originally implied was the wrong suggestion, in which they did respond on the contrary, it’s just your views don’t align with their reasoning on the bending concern. It’s understandable on why others would be upset, especially if they can’t exchange a bent iPad, but that’s likely dependent on the Apple store.

No one is contesting that they haven't responded. I don't think a single person or post in this thread claims "they said nothing"

They certainly said something, it just so happened to be a particularly poor statement that rubs most people the wrong way. Above and beyond. It was so poorly communicated, imo, saying nothing would've been better (which I've conceded is not always a winning strategy either) and letting Apple users bully, police, and gaslight others into thinking they are at fault and they are looking at it wrong, right out of the box would actually work its magic.

It was contested in the bend thread The Verge linked, that users are at fault. Apple is saying some iPads are bent out of the box. So sure, the user can bend a straight ipad with use, but that ends the debate that NO iPads are bent out of the box. It seems like a noticeable amount are.

 

[jjudson]

cooling process... I'm still trying to cool down after this *****

If it wasn't so sad, I'd laugh at your comment...

 

[dogslobber]

Bend It Like Beckham???

 

[scrapesleon]

Eureka it’s a feature now come on Apple your going downhill and can’t see right

 

[tigres]

I hope they are in 'advanced talks' to replace him.

People attribute so much of Apple's financial success to him directly, but I maintain that anyone, even someone somehow MORE incompetent arrogant and ideological than Tim could still produce the numbers they did. Apple sells itself and they could have done so without being so self destructive too. I'd prefer even the Coca Cola CEO to take over if it means de-throning Tim.

It also come to an unsustainable tipping point that is entirely in their control.

They are a trillion dollar company but because of hiked prices year over year, dongles everywhere, nickel and diming customers (you cant fast charge out of the box with your $1100+ phone, and 5w to charge that massive battery is completely unrealistic, and you cant even connect your iPhone to your new usb-c mac without buying a usb-c to lightning, pencils come with 1-tip instead of 2 now despite a $29 price increase for the product for a negligibly small piece of plastic... after years I just started using the second tip and I appreciated having a spare, the headphone dongle is removed in box, the extension cable for MBP's is removed in box, etc etc etc), and denying basic design flaws. Not entirely earned and merit based.

It has and will tarnish the brand. Making everything politically alienating as well, when people from all walks of life and the full political spectrum, share enjoyment and use of modern tech.

Steve was many things, including arrogant, but he also understood a fundamental need to please customers and not show them the door or he will be shown it. He acknowledged this by stating Apple is a leaky ship, and without the right captain to patch up the holes, it *will* sink.

He was even willing to drop the price of iPhone, the first generation, Tim isn't. Tim will pull marketing voodoo of trade in values and go on talk shows to show its just the cost of foregoing a cup of coffee every once in a while. And the iPhone is so many things converged, which we well understand by now without him 'breaking it down.'

Steve was even willing to give out free cases to lessen the blow of antennagate, and crafted a really brilliant keynote to turn attention of the issue over to other manufacturers having faults, not just Apple. Not saying it was moral, but it was brilliantly done... over his most prized possession, the glass sandwich with an Achilles hell, Tim isn't willing to compromise... (though not sure the context for free cases today would make sense as a direct comparison, but AT LEAST something that shows they care, even if we know they dont)

There's nothing brilliant about saying iPads bent out of box is normal and not a defect, contrary to the definition of defect, and using The Verge as their vessel is anything but subtle.

Great post theDoggfather

 

[44267547]

No one is contesting that they haven't responded. I don't think a single person or post in this thread claims "they said nothing".

Respectfully, You still don’t get it or you’re severely confused. I’m referring to this quote in the context of what you said, I’m not saying “They said nothing”, the below implication of what you said is _not_ the correct answer. Again, Apple responding is better than not saying anything at all.

They’d have been better off saying nothing

 

[blackcrayon]

Having used iPads (and iPhones) since the very first versions, not once did I ever replace a model because I wanted a thinner unit. For me, it's always been about usability and reliability. I will be sticking with my last gen iPad Pro 10.5" until I see that Apple takes that seriously again.

Still having most or access to most of the iPads ever released, I can say that it's much, much, much better having them thinner and lighter. The new 11" compared to an iPad 3 or 4? No contest. Usability is greatly improved by having a device that's easier to hold, store, and carry.

 

[Dave-Z]

I have to say, Apple has guts (or hubris--you decide) in making a comment like that. Wow. Just. Wow.

I really did like Apple products. About three years ago I needed to replace my MacBook Pro but Apple's iMac choices weren't that good. I waited a couple years; when they finally updated them I decided the prices were not at all worth the hardware. Instead I built a Linux desktop for half the price I would have spent on an iMac. It's fast. It's quiet. I use it when I need some power (encoding video, etc.).

Last year I moved my primary computing to a 12.9" iPad. Every month I set aside some money to upgrade my computer equipment and watching the iPad keynote this year I was pretty much set on upgrading iPad. Then I saw the prices. I considered it for a month and decided the 30% increase was not worth it (bending issues aside).

Instead of spending $1900+ on a new iPad and keyboard folio, I decided to spend less than $1200 on a 2-in-1 laptop. It's nice and works well. It cost nearly half of what I would have spent and it does more than the iPad. I've since purchased an external monitor and extra power supply for it. (Monitor works just like that Apple/LG thing: one cable connection charges, handles video, and a USB hub.) With these two extra purchases I have STILL spent less than the $1900 I would have.

Apple lost a few thousand dollars from me these past couple years because of their price increases and poor hardware (both in build quality and by using previous-generation components). I'm not saying I'll never buy Apple again, but I am saying that if Apple wants to charge twice what its competitors are charging, they better be delivering something pretty substantial.

One thing I've learned in moving away from Apple is that a lot of great features are available elsewhere (including laptops that actually have a selection of ports).

 

[dogslobber]

If my iPad doesnt contain a bend then is it defective?

 

[thadoggfather]

Respectfully, You still don’t get it or you’re severely confused. I’m referring to this quote in the context of what you said, I’m not saying “They said nothing”, the below implication of what you said is _not_ the correct answer. Again, Apple responding is better than not saying anything at all.

I guess we can agree to disagree. If anything officially issuing a statement and as poorly as they did (from gauging peoples' responses and outrage) has drawn even *more* attention to the issue than less where it might've flown under the radar. How many pages has this thread become in under 24h vs the original linked bent iPad thread?

...If people weren’t aware of the issue before, or confused if user is generally at fault or not, now they are.

 

[MonkeyOnYourShoulder]

Such a terrible imperfection in what is the best and most expensive iPad so far. I was tempted to buy one but now it feels like a lottery - I might get one of the crappy ones.

 

[jjudson]

Yeah, I have loved my iPad Pro 10.5. Use all the time for school. But I may well replace both my MacBook Pro and iPad Pro when the time comes with whatever version Surface Pro is out at that time if this is how Apple continues to do business.

Apple needs to tread lightly with their arrogance. It's not so difficult to switch platforms anymore. Most useful business-related apps are subscription-based, which means if you go from the Mac world to the Microsoft sphere, you simply download the new operating system's app and log on. You might have to replace a minor app here and there, but there really are no substantial roadblocks any longer to changing over.

 

[44267547]

I guess we can agree to disagree. If anything officially issuing a statement has drawn even more attention to the issue than less. How many pages has this thread become in under 24h vs the original linked bent iPad thread?

...If people weren’t aware before, or confused if user is generally at fault or not, now they are.

All I’m saying is, I don’t necessarily condone that I would want to own a bent iPad, but Apple seems to think differently, hopefully for those who do have this issue, Apple still is willing to work with them On providing a unit that does not have a bend. What we don’t know that is confusing to us all, is how many units are actually affected or are still being manufactured this way. That’s also what I find concerning.