Apple's Dan Riccio Says 2018 iPad Pro 'Meets or Exceeds' Quality Standards of Design and Precision, More Info to Come

[Defthand]

The warping itself isn’t as problematic as Apple’s smug defenses to product flaws in general.

In reality, the only issue might be that the tablet rocks when using a stylus, making precise line sketching difficult. But as others have noted, warped iPads have been declared ineligible for repairs because Apple considered them damaged. We don’t know what deviation from perfect flatness that Apple used. And did service personnel actually measure, or did they only make a visual assessment?

Speaking of prior models, why wasn’t this manufacturing anomaly observed before now, especially if the standard was lower before?

Regardless what tolerances Apple considers acceptable, the customer should decide if a warped unit is acceptable. Unlike cars (which are popular analogies for arguments) iPads are boxed and can’t be inspected until after they are purchased.

Ultimately, it is Apple who cultivated customers expectations of the brand. Apple’s boasts about its engineering and manufacturing prowess, as a justification for its luxury pricing, doesn’t give Apple the same leeway as a cheaper brand.

 

[zoozx]

iBendy

 

[MacFather]

Deleted.

 

[matjamca]

I’d say the bend in the picture exceeds Apple’s ‘expectations’.

I’m seriously losing faith in Apple. I hope they get taught a lesson with their greed.

 

[pat500000]

Rico’s head is bent.
Apple is giving you a middle finger in front of your face and says it’s a way to say thank you. You guys can’t be serious believing him.

 

[kemal]

The one in the picture sure looks like more than 0.4mm.

I did check photocopier paper just now in a caliper. 90 microns per sheet.

 

[tbsteph1]

Earlier this week, Apple told The Verge that some 2018 iPad Pro models are shipping with a slight bend in the aluminum chassis, which is a side effect of the manufacturing process that is not expected to worsen over time or negatively impact the iPad's performance.

Many MacRumors readers were concerned about Apple's position that a noticeable bend is not a manufacturing issue, prompting MacRumors reader Craig to send an email to Apple CEO Tim Cook to express his concerns.

Image via MacRumors reader Bwrin1​

While Cook didn't respond, Craig did get a reply from Apple's VP of hardware engineering, Dan Riccio, which he shared with MacRumors and we which we have confirmed to be from Apple's corporate mail servers in Cupertino, California.

In the email, Riccio says that the iPad Pro's design "meets or exceeds" all of Apple's quality and precision standards.

Apple's specification for iPad Pro flatness is up to 400 microns, which is "even tighter than previous generations." Riccio reiterates that this level of flatness won't change during normal use, nor does it affect function. From the email:
Riccio's email also says that a company statement was not included in the original information disseminated by The Verge, and that Apple will be reaching out to media outlets to comment officially.

The original email was sent late on December 20 and suggested a comment would come "later today," but that didn't happen, so it's not quite clear when Apple will provide more info to the media. We may be hearing an official, more reassuring statement on the 2018 iPad Pro before the end of the day.

Minor bending of the new iPad Pro models first came to light shortly after the devices launched, and new iPad Pro owners who noticed bends shared their concerns on the MacRumors forums.

Apple was quiet on the issue until this week, when the company told The Verge that the bending is a side effect of the manufacturing process and not a defect that impacts iPad performance.

The bend is said to be the result of a cooling process involving the iPad Pro's metal and plastic components during manufacturing. iPad Pro models experiencing this issue are exhibiting the problem right out of the box, according to Apple, so it's not an issue that shows up or worsens over time.

Apple told The Verge that concerns over the structural rigidity of the iPad Pro are unfounded and that it stands by the product.

Article Link: Apple's Dan Riccio Says 2018 iPad Pro 'Meets or Exceeds' Quality Standards of Design and Precision, More Info to Come

Well, the picture shown at the beginning of this article is quite misleading in that the bend is well beyond Apple’s stated tolerance of 400 microns. (Probably more than 10 times.). I believe this whole issue is more than likely faux news flaunted by the Verge.

 

[Porco]

So if it’s more bent than a previous iPad it’s beyond an acceptable bend... yeah, I think that is Apple agreeing it’s unacceptable to be noticeably bent. Ok then.

A bend that is, at most, the thickness of 4 sheets of paper seems like a reasonable tolerance. That wouldn’t bother me. I don’t think that is what anyone would be complaining about... ?

It feels like Apple are bungling this from a PR perspective. If this 400 micron bend is Apple’s own standard all they need to do is say they’re happy to replace any iPad that exceeds that tolerance out of the box and that the issue shouldn’t affect many devices. *shrug*.

 

[Glideslope]

Arrogant or not, bring Forstall back! I miss the conflict at the executive level that resulted in better products to all of us.

Scott and Bob !!!!!

 

[KPandian1]

Must say how small Apple spins 400 microns, however what’s missing is the per length factor. 400 microns per ?
The iPad Pro photo shows a bend over possibly the length of the iPad of about a third of it’s thickness.

I am waiting to see the iFixit video of the 400 micron deviation that Apple claims and how benign it is. Maybe they will tell us the "per" part, and the angle of the deviation.

 

[RealityM]

It feels like Apple are bungling this from a PR perspective. If this 400 micron bend is Apple’s own standard all they need to do is say they’re happy to replace any iPad that exceeds that tolerance out of the box and that the issue shouldn’t affect many devices. *shrug*.

I'm willing to help Apple overcome this PR problem by purchasing a bent iPad at 50% off. They'll have a million of them. Or not if they don't change their position on this.

 

[bdkennedy1]

With a curve that big, it’s not going to fit into a case.

 

[Mescagnus]

That's because it wasn't bent out of the box, per the source post.

Shoddy work by MacRumors in using some random image they had of a bent 3rd generation iPad Pro that isn't actually connected to the issue at hand.

This!

The photo in this article is not illustrative of the 400 microns tolerance Apple has mentioned.

 

[justperry]

That's because it wasn't bent out of the box, per the source post.

Shoddy work by MacRumors in using some random image they had of a bent 3rd generation iPad Pro that isn't actually connected to the issue at hand.

I knew I saw this iPad picture before, couldn't remember where, great you pointed that one out, MR should not be using this in this article.

 

[pat500000]

You know what...? F buying mac pro.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

The warping itself isn’t as problematic as Apple’s smug defenses to product flaws in general.

In reality, the only issue might be that the tablet rocks when using a stylus, making precise line sketching difficult. But as others have noted, warped iPads have been declared ineligible for repairs because Apple considered them damaged. We don’t know what deviation from perfect flatness that Apple used. And did service personnel actually measure, or did they only make a visual assessment?

Speaking of prior models, why wasn’t this manufacturing anomaly observed before now, especially if the standard was lower before?

Regardless what tolerances Apple considers acceptable, the customer should decide if a warped unit is acceptable. Unlike cars (which are popular analogies for arguments) iPads are boxed and can’t be inspected until after they are purchased.

Ultimately, it is Apple who cultivated customers expectations of the brand. Apple’s boasts about its engineering and manufacturing prowess, as a justification for its luxury pricing, doesn’t give Apple the same leeway as a cheaper brand.

i can already imagine the threads... Which do you prefer one that bends to the left or one that bends to the right?

 

[Internet Enzyme]

Not if it specifies the maximum deviation that any point on the unibody can have from a reference level. The larger the area, the more impressive that is considering the level of technology needed to work with all the various materials and composites in the manufacturing process.

The reference level being a completely flat device? Not sure if u did anything here besides just restate what he means by 0.4mm tolerance. 0.4mm still sounds like a lot

 

[Greymacuser]

Timmy Kook quality. When you need it to stink yet cost more than gold.

 

[pat500000]

Well, the iPad shown in the picture they keep tossing on my screen is certainly more than the 400microns they say is within tolerance. If that one is a valid return, then I’m cool. I’d like to see an image which depicts a 400 micron bend, and then we can discuss if Apple is nuts or not. I imagine 400 microns is probably nothing anyone would even notice. Heck the camera bump is nearly four times that.

Apple worker: “i’m sorry but your bent it. You can’t return it.”

 

[Shiro_Simba]

Arrogant or not, bring Forstall back! I miss the conflict at the executive level that resulted in better products to all of us.

Yes ! This exactly . Though conflict, that is people fighting for what they believed , we got great apple products . Now it’s all yes people

 

[KPandian1]

That's because it wasn't bent out of the box, per the source post.

Shoddy work by MacRumors in using some random image they had of a bent 3rd generation iPad Pro that isn't actually connected to the issue at hand.

Can somebody post a fresh out of the box bent iPad 11 2018 so that MacRumors can replace this photo?

Apple has admitted it ships bent iPads. If this much curve is seen in one week+ use, imagine the typical life of an iPad in a backpack, case or not.

The 9.7 looks more attractive, older standards of quality in build - limited by the storage size!

Edit: This photo is apt for this article because the article did not claim that the iPad is out of the box - rather how it looks after a brief period of use.

 

[pat500000]

And where do you see this? They are happy with the current deviations. They never said anything about fixing the manufacturing process. That's the problem. They are not even acknowledging that it IS a problem, so they are not looking to "fix" it. People are pissed at their greed and hubris. To charge what they do for their devices and then to claim that bent iPads are acceptable is a slap in the face. Again, they are NOT saying this is a problem... at all. They are saying it is NORMAL.

Forget it. Can’t convince people in denial.

 

[Beenblacklisted]

I love this guy Dan, He will convince thousands of sheeple a bent ipad is how it should be. The scary part is , this brainwashing will be effective.

 

[DNichter]

I’d say the bend in the picture exceeds Apple’s ‘expectations’.

I’m seriously losing faith in Apple. I hope they get taught a lesson with their greed.

I agree, it does. The bend in the picture though actually occurred from exerting pressure on it while in a backpack, not a manufacturing issue like the one the article is about.

 

[9081094]

Apple communication with its customers has been lacking recently.

When they needed to address a situation (iPhone throttling), there was lack of information.

When they do address potential issues (iPad tolerances), the response sounds insulting and condescending.

Apple’s always silent under Saint Cook as there is a possibility they have to spend money on a faulty product. Unlike other premium brands only class action lawsuits will get them into action.