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

[lec0rsaire]

Correct. Although I am not sure why you care about the company (they don't care about you), I get expecting a high quality product. For me, my iPad Pro is perfect and everything is as expected. Should I throw that experience out the window because there was a bad batch in manufacturing? Or because they called it normal? Both of which make no difference to me and my iPad. No, I don't believe so. I still think the whole thing is overblown and most of the noise on here is just from people who enjoy blasting Apple. That doesn't make any of them wrong, or Apple right, but it's just kind of silly to get all up in arms about.

I care about this company for no other reason than my own selfishness. I enjoy their products and want them to keep making ones that I just have to have.

I also think it’s hypocritical of them to say an iPad Pro bent right out of the box is no big deal yet ask you to pay out of warranty prices when an iPhone’s chassis is slightly bent but with otherwise no physical damage.

 

[thadoggfather]

I care about this company for no other reason than my own selfishness. I enjoy their products and want them to keep making ones that I just have to have.

I also think it’s hypocritical of them to say an iPad Pro bent right out of the box is no big deal yet ask you to pay out of warranty prices when an iPhone’s chassis is slightly bent but with otherwise no physical damage.

FANTASTIC point/observation!

How likely are legacy 6+ users to upgrade that clearly dont have or need bleeding edge tech, when they have been told they are at fault for something they arent?

I would say not very likely.

 

[Greymacuser]

Timmy Kook quality manufacturing.
My older Apple tech never had these problems.

 

[AutisticGuy]

This is a collection of absurd comments. The human body is asymmetrical. Is that a defect too? I have a brand new 12.9" iPad Pro and yes it has an ever so slight curvature that I didn't notice until I read this article. To see it you must look at it in a way that it was not meant to be used. As far as I am concerned this iPad an exceptional piece of functionality.

Nothing is perfect is this world, and if you always demand absolute perfection in form you will be absolutely unhappy functionally until you can live a life with all its bump and bruises.

Bro, the human body also comes with two elbows......I'm not sure your logic is intact.

 

[itguy06]

Even though I have concerns about Tim as a CEO, as a product supply guy he knows very much what he is doing. It is arguable that he helped save Apple just as much as SJ.

How so? I've been an Apple guy since 2002 and don't remember this many people being pissed and this many lackluster products under Steve.

Under Steve we got:

• Imac
• iLamp Imac
• iPod
• iPhone
• iPad
• Mac Mini
• Best of breed laptops (Macbook Pro, Macbook Air)
• Downloaded Music and Movies

There were a fair bit of flops too (Motorola ROKR, iPod HiFi, etc) but all in all Steve brought us new stuff we wanted. Tim brought us crap we don't want or need (Touchbar, bad keyboards, few updates on Macs, bent iPads, Beats, etc).

I still have my doubts Tim is the right guy. He may know supply chains but he sure as hell doesn't know technology or how to move the ball forward.

 

[GuruZac]

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.

Same, but to be honest, I don't see anything on the new iPad Pros that the 10.5 can't do as well. There's nothing I'm using my 10.5 for that is in any way taxing it performance wise, and from a design POV, still a great looking device.

 

[thadoggfather]

It is honestly very refreshing to hear many people have woken up from their slumber, and wont be bullied or gaslighted no matter their preferences.

This behavior, and competition, can only improve the situation.

If you absolutely must have an iPad now, get a 2018 non-Pro thats $229 ($100 off at retailers!), nearly a fourth to a fifth the cost of the Pro devices, and show Apple you're interested and in the market but not *that* interested for the price and shortcomings.

Of course if you dont have to have an iPad now, sitting it out seems best.

 

[nt5672]

Yes fire the designer because manufacturing couldn't execute.

A proper design is also designed for manufacturing. Unless you have a designer that has no ideas except to make it thinner, until it bends. I'm sure engineering told someone that it was going to bend, but no one in the design department listened. That is the ultimate responsibility of Ive.

 

[DNichter]

I care about this company for no other reason than my own selfishness. I enjoy their products and want them to keep making ones that I just have to have.

I also think it’s hypocritical of them to say an iPad Pro bent right out of the box is no big deal yet ask you to pay out of warranty prices when an iPhone’s chassis is slightly bent but with otherwise no physical damage.

That's fair, I agree with both your points. I like their products as they have always done right by me, but I am definitely aware that that may not always be the case.

 

[timber]

Same, but to be honest, I don't see anything on the new iPad Pros that the 10.5 can't do as well. There's nothing I'm using my 10.5 for that is in any way taxing it performance wise, and from a design POV, still a great looking device.

That is because iOS is quite limited.

It is great as a smartphone OS but above that you either have very specific or very limited needs.

 

[Arran]

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

Anybody’s guess.

And it opens up an interesting dilemma: If, in the future, you take your abnormally flat iPad in for a repair, will the Genius accuse you of deliberately straightening it, thus voiding your warranty? Maybe you should give it a little bend before leaving home - just so it looks ‘normal’.

All sorts of dumb stuff is possible when black becomes white and up becomes down.

 

[avanpelt]

This kind of mediocrity with regard to product quality is one of the things that can happen when the people at the top create an environment where everybody "gets along" (i.e. doesn't make waves). That mindset trickles down from the top.

There was an article two or more years ago now, I think, that highlighted the fact that Tim Cook was insistent that there not be intense arguing back and forth like there used to be when Jobs was at the helm and had the final say on whether a product shipped or not.

I find it hard to believe that not a single one of Apple's product engineers tried to bend the new iPad Pro while it was in development to test its durability. Perhaps someone noticed the problem but felt that they shouldn't/couldn't speak up about it?

 

[ctg7w6]

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.

And see this is the ridiculous thing... A defect is an "imperfection that impairs worth or utility." Does the iPad still function correctly and exactly as it should? Yes. Is the worth impaired? Perhaps, if you try to sell it, a bent iPad is worth less.

But just because something happens randomly does not mean it is outside of their control. Perhaps it is... In which case they have manufactured some items that do not conform to the "model." Companies usually rectify this rather than the customer simply having to suck it up.

I simply don't understand people like you. Are on the Apple board of directors? Are you heavily invested in their stock or something? Why would you argue that consumers should simply accept products and excuses like this? Are you not a consumer? Why do you want to weaken your position as a consumer? I understand wanting consumer and producer to have a good relationship so that both can keep profiting from the exchange, but why side so strongly with the producer?

 

[GuruZac]

That is because iOS is quite limited.

It is great as a smartphone OS but above that you either have very specific or very limited needs.

This is true, but is also the reality of 95% of iPad owners. The only reason I have a Mac as well is because there are a few of my classes where certain tasks use software not compatible with iOS. Everything else my iPad Pro can handle no problem. I have also found the newer iPad specific multitasking features in iOS to be quite functional and certainly increase my productivity. For my med school classes, organizing notes, taking pictures of slides/powerpoints, recording lectures, using anatomy/phys 3D apps all are quite handy and are done on my iPad Pro. It's a great device.

 

[BaracksPhallusPalace]

Tim Crook is out shilling and virtue signaling for censorship on his platform... meanwhile he's completely silent on issues like this. He is a joke.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

Based off Apples response to the bending, did Apple imply/say anything about them ‘changing the design or the frame’? I don’t think they did. They may not change anything at all, if this is truly what they believe that this is not a defect or an Anomaly, that it is in fact part of the manufacturing process, where the casing will be exactly as they intended it to be.

I don't think that they did say anything about changing the frame or supporting structure. I do know that I'm gong to pass on this design.

 

[Boosf]

They're just not holding it right.....

 

[DCIFRTHS]

I really don't know how you define a "small amount of torsion", but mine doesn't flex when I try to flex it. It also doesn't feel weak. I'm sure I could flex it if I wanted too, but I also believe I could flex most of metal objects that size, from previous iPads to trays and metal plates without too much effort if I really wanted.

Perhaps you're a much stronger person than me.

Is 'structure feeling weak' really the reason you're not getting one?

Yes. That's the reason. I do not feel that it's worth the price tag because it truly feels flimsy to me. I am making no judgement by saying someone is wrong to purchase or like the device. It's just not for me. A small amount of torsion is hard to define as I am not using any type of gauge to measure the amount of force I am putting on the device. I can assure you I did nothing that would have broken the device, or caused any damage to it. Unfortunately, I do not have the strength of a superhero, so I doubt that I'm any stronger than the next person in line. lol

 

[ChrisChaval]

My opinion is that speaking up on a forum such as this about problems is not a waste of effort at all. Even though they don't actively participate, I would bet that Apple monitors the general chatter on forums like this. If a problem becomes a common topic, they will be made aware of it. I have no proof of this of course, but in this day and age, companies are typically tapped into online forums and social media.

So, I say post away. It's harder to sweep something under the rug when the subject is the target of many discussions.

They got the message during throttle gate

They will get the message this time, too

 

[sdhatts]

After having the 11-inch iPad Pro for less than 3 weeks, it had a serious bend to it. I returned it to the Apple Store and they said they would replace it free, only as a one-time courtesy. Next time though, it will cost me $99 because I have AppleCare. Please!!

 

[BaracksPhallusPalace]

the 2017 10.5" iPad Pro I still believe is the best product Apple has ever created.

 

[rafark]

"You're not bending it the right way" - Steve rolling in his grave

- Steve rolling in his grave - Steve bending in his grave.

Fixed it.

 

[DakotaGuy]

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.

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.

The main reason why Cook will not be shown the door is Apple is such a strong brand name that even major missteps don't seem to have any effect on it. If it was another brand with more fickle customers he would have been gone long ago. I hate seeing it happen, but I can't blame Cook and the rest of Apple management leveraging the brand name as hard as they can for maximum profitability.

 

[BaracksPhallusPalace]

The main reason why Cook will not be shown the door is Apple is such a strong brand name that even major missteps don't seem to have any effect on it. If it was another brand with more fickle customers he would have been gone long ago. I hate seeing it happen, but I can't blame Cook and the rest of Apple management leveraging the brand name as hard as they can for maximum profitability.

He has made it abundantly clear that he cares more about using his position of power to further his own personal agenda, rather than actually making Apple a better company towards its customers. He apparently thinks that everyone who buys Apple devices should live within the same silicon valley frame of mind that he does. He talks about how important encryption is to freedom, yet is all on board with censorship and stifling voices of those he feels people shouldn't be listening to. He is a hypocrite and a fraud.

 

[mikethemartian]

Thankfully Jony Ive didn’t design the Golden Gate Bridge.