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Avoiding space gray discolouration by choosing silver ?

M

macaron95

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 5, 2014
220
17
hi

I am about to buy a new MBP and before investing €2000+ i wanted to make sure that Silver color never had the same issue as the Space Gray color (discolouration each side of palmrest).

I used to buy Space Gray products and never tried Silver before.

If Silver is safe i’il go for it

I would be upset and frustrated to spend so much money into a Mac that would have this kind of cosmetic issue on a few months...


Thanks
 
Seriously? You're thinking of buying a MacBook Pro and more concerned about some discolouration each side of palmrest rather than a keyboard that will probably only last you a year or so, flexgate, staingate etc? My keyboard on my 2018 MacBook pro already has an issue with the caps lock and is only five or six weeks old lol
 
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I haven't had this issue with my Macbook Pro 2016. No discoloration at all. I suppose if you lay your palms flat and use lotions or other creams on your hands multiple times a day there might be a slight color change or staining after a long period of time. But daily use.. I can't see it. I use mine most of the day for programming, haven't seen any color problems. If you are worried about it, then yes I'd just go with the silver. Save yourself the trouble. :)
 
I've never seen or heard of the problem and wouldn't be dissuaded from getting a Space Gray model if that's what you prefer.
 
Haven't seen it with my Space Gray devices yet. Including my iPhone 6+ I had for 3 years.

If you have nightmare sweat chemistry like me though, you might feel safer with the silver. That said, I never got discolouration on my silver devices but I did manage to cause pitting on basically every single one of them. Magic mouse, MacBooks, the lot.

It's the worlds lamest superpower. I am slightly-corrosive-man.
 
Daily use of a silver 2016 MBP for about 27 months -- no discoloration. The silver has held up well. (No keyboard issues either.)
 
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I have a 2017 MBP 13' Space Grey. I love it. No discoloration on my wrist wrests. My wife has the 2017 MBP silver and she spends many many many hours on hers every day - no discoloration on hers either. Loving the space grey.
 
I had a space grey 15 and it showed smudges and the track pad became smudged. Had to regularly alcohol wipe it down.

Picked up the 13 quad core in silver. Silver stays way cleaner looking.

The other weird thing, I just do my work and forget there is only 8 GB RAM. This machine just chugs on. very snappy.
 
If you want to be extra cautious, get the silver. I've never seen anyone complaining about silver having discolouration issues. On the other hand, I've seen a few w/ space grey models having issues, the one you just described.

My 2012 rmbp 15" which is on year 7 is still in pristine condition. You would not believe it is a 7-year-old computer when you look at it. Silver finish definitely triumphs when it comes to longevity imo.
 
SDColorado said:
There has been some discussion of it. Not sure what causes it. Perhaps just an individuals PH balance? ¯\_(⊙_ʖ⊙)_/¯
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8388000
Click to expand...

Hard to get a good idea of how legitimate the OP's photo is in that thread. 1) He needs to take the picture without the screen on as it's backlit like a mofo. 2) He needs to use something better than the camera from an iPhone 3G.


EDIT: Not your fault, of course.
 
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crawfish963 said:
Hard to get a good idea of how legitimate the OP's photo is in that thread. 1) He needs to take the picture without the screen on as it's backlit like a mofo. 2) He needs to use something better than the camera from an iPhone 3G.


EDIT: Not your fault, of course.
Click to expand...
Was going to say, almost looks like a screen reflection - especially if there is a little hand grease there.
 
BigMcGuire said:
Was going to say, almost looks like a screen reflection - especially if there is a little hand grease there.
Click to expand...

There have been several threads on it here, Apple support and other forums. I have never had the issue myself, but for some, it does seem to happen. Not sure why, but it is really a *thing* for a few. I would just be guessing by saying it is a chemical reaction with some individuals and the anodization. I really have no idea :)

Here are a few more...

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8059252
https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/78loim/macbook_pro_space_grey_discoloration/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/space-grey-macbook-pro-owners-discolouration.2071299/

On the other hand, my old Space Grey 2016 model (now my wife's) has yellowed over time as a whole compared to my 2018. We get some very intense sun at times and I think maybe UV is responsible? Hard to say, but it definitely looks yellowed by comparison.
 
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Get the color you want, I was on the same boat before getting my tb mbp in space grey... After 12 months no regrets at all.
 
Anodize is a chemical reaction. There is no coating to wear because the coloration becomes part of the base metal. Anodize, for Space Gray, has a dye added to the bath. Silver simply has no dye added to the bath, and therefore does not alter the color of the base metal. Both are anodized just like the other. Get what you prefer. For me, it's silver all the way.
 
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Porkchop Sandwich said:
Anodize is a chemical reaction. There is no coating to wear because the coloration becomes part of the base metal. Anodize, for Space Gray, has a dye added to the bath. Silver simply has no dye added to the bath, and therefore does not alter the color of the base metal. Both are anodized just like the other. Get what you prefer. For me, it's silver all the way.
Click to expand...

So what does make it discolor for some people? I don't think it is widespread by any means, but it does seem to happen to a small number of individuals. Some chemical balance in the skin/perspiration?
 
SDColorado said:
So what does make it discolor for some people? I don't think it is widespread by any means, but it does seem to happen to a small number of individuals. Some chemical balance in the skin/perspiration?
Click to expand...
Likely a variance from batch to batch in the anodizing process. I can't recall which bath it is exactly, but if I recall correctly the first bath (in the line) is degrease and then chemical conversion..if one of those two is not executed properly, the (end product) anodize will end up with like a dust on its surface. Then, once it's dipped in the last bath, the surface will have some areas which did not receive an even conversion and will perhaps be susceptive to wear. But, it's only aesthetic, meaning, the actual conversion (anodize) is still intact. Also, there are indeed many people who have a naturally acidic touch through their hands and metallic surfaces should be wiped down following handling. Luckily for me, the Italian in me must secrete olive oil so I'm ok : )

It's hard to say what the problem is for the people who've had an issue. Handling over time will begin to wear on the coloration of an anodized surface but, a computer shouldn't really be affected by that..who knows? Maybe a plating expert will chime in. I'm just a machinist by trade so while I'm familiar, I'm no expert. My guess is variances from lot to lot. Heck, I think even the amount of electricity running through the different baths or water hardness during the plating process would have an affect on the end product, aesthetically. Silver it is for me.
 
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I've this same problem too, my macbook pro 16" is only 3 months old. I don't wear long sleeve, and it wasn't dent or scratched. The paint just one day came off, and I can tell it will continue to peel off. I'm super disappointed with Apple since I've been a fan of its product for a long time. And they wouldn't help me fix it since it's Cosmetic Wear and doesn't affect the performance of the machine. I'm also shocked that the Space Grey is sprayed on. Don't believe whatever people tell you, it's cheap paint, and it'll peel off.
 

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The silver color is rock solid and resists showing nicks and other wear and tear better than the space gray. My silver MBP is still in pristine condition after five years. If you like the space gray, go for it and make sure you treat it right ... but the silver is more durable aesthetically.
 
I prefer the space gray color, but will be buying silver for this reason. I believe silver is sort of the 'base' material color and the safest way to go.

Plan on keeping my next machine for a very long time, and want to aim for reliability.
 
Geepaw said:
The silver color is rock solid and resists showing nicks and other wear and tear better than the space gray. My silver MBP is still in pristine condition after five years. If you like the space gray, go for it and make sure you treat it right ... but the silver is more durable aesthetically.
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Yeah, I had a silver 2012 MBP that I recently sold - it looked BRAND new on the outside. I was so impressed, I've got a silver M1 MBA coming this week.
 
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