Be careful with your space gray finish

[itsamacthing]

Thank you for all the replies, thoughts, and comments.

I'm not going to return it... that would be taking advantage of Apple Care and I don't agree with doing that.

When the space gray got scraped off the corner by the Apple Keyboard, it looked so big to me (it does catch the light).. and now after 24 hours it's a little smaller in my mind and I am sure in time it will dull and be less shiny, **I hope. I will also eventually forget about this.

I was more or less hoping there was a way to minimize the shine from the very tiny spot that lost it's space gray..

Thinking I can rub something on that spot to minimize the shine so it's unnoticeable. Maybe a paint pen?

Altho, I do have a feeling that since the bottom of the screen is always on the desk when the screen is open, it's probably going to get scratched from time to time.

 

[macintoshmac]

Thank you for all the replies, thoughts, and comments.

I'm not going to return it... that would be taking advantage of Apple Care and I don't agree with doing that.

When the space gray got scraped off the corner by the Apple Keyboard, it looked so big to me (it does catch the light).. and now after 24 hours it's a little smaller in my mind and I am sure in time it will dull and be less shiny, **I hope. I will also eventually forget about this.

I was more or less hoping there was a way to minimize the shine from the very tiny spot that lost it's space gray..

Thinking I can rub something on that spot to minimize the shine so it's unnoticeable. Maybe a paint pen?

Altho, I do have a feeling that since the bottom of the screen is always on the desk when the screen is open, it's probably going to get scratched from time to time.

Thank you for the photo. Now, you can't even see the scratch if you are working on the laptop, right? I think that's the best solution. Use the laptop, scratch is not anywhere visible to you if you are using it as intended (in open configuration).

It is minor, really minor. I have a similar bump that I realised on my 2011 MBP, probably from a couple of falls from the back seat of the car (while being in a padded bag) down on the car floor on hard braking. Nothing to lose sleep over.

 

[jerryk]

covers are awful. why pay so much for a machine if you're going to cover up the gorgeous design with cheap ugly plastic?

it reduces the value so much. plus makes em thicker and heavier.

How does it reduce the value since they keep the finish looking brand new?

For me it has been the opposite. When I sell my units every couple of years they look the same as the day they arrived. As a result I always ask for, and get, top prices.

 

[jackoatmon]

How does it reduce the value...?

A heavier, thicker machine with cheaper, uglier materials, colour and finish has inherently less value than a lighter, smaller, better designed one. Sure, you can make it so the person who buys it from you gets a slightly cleaner look, and you may manage to eek out an extra $100 or whatever on resale, but that's a teeny fraction of the value you get from just having a way better machine. And plus that value goes to the person who owns it after you – not to you.

Covers and cases are just a waste of great industrial design. The computers are made of metal specifically so you can bang em around and suffer no consequences. That's the whole point!

 

[jerryk]

A heavier, thicker machine with cheaper, uglier materials, colour and finish has inherently less value than a lighter, smaller, better designed one. Sure, you can make it so the person who buys it from you gets a slightly cleaner look, and you may manage to eek out an extra $100 or whatever on resale, but that's a teeny fraction of the value you get from just having a way better machine. And plus that value goes to the person who owns it after you – not to you.

Covers and cases are just a waste of great industrial design. The computers are made of metal specifically so you can bang em around and suffer no consequences. That's the whole point!

I disagree with most of what you said. But, that is fine. I view computers as a tool to use and not much more. I replace them every couple of years as I do other tools in my business.

 

[killawat]

Covers and cases are just a waste of great industrial design. The computers are made of metal specifically so you can bang em around and suffer no consequences. That's the whole point!

Surely you jest. The design is to look good. They are made of metal And glass.

Don't forget the glass.

One good drop from waist level and you are toast.

Thinkpads are durable. Ives think you are computing in a museum or law office nowadays. I ain't hatin, The skinny books look good but they're slippery.

 

[winterny]

How does it reduce the value since they keep the finish looking brand new?

For me it has been the opposite. When I sell my units every couple of years they look the same as the day they arrived. As a result I always ask for, and get, top prices.

I don't use cases or covers on my Macbook Pro and never have on any previous laptop. With rare exception, my machines look essentially as good as new even after multiple years of use, including hundreds of trips through the airport, use at home, offices, datacenters, on airplanes, in cars, etc.
The few exceptions where I did have damage to my laptops was in cases that a case surely would not have helped (ie: machine was dropped, or something heavy was dropped on it).

I couldn't imagine putting a cheap ugly case on my laptop, but hey, to each their own.

My laptop is either "naked", or in my backpack: https://www.amazon.com/Timbuk2-Upto...Backpack/dp/B00M48QMDA/ref=dp_ob_title_sports

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

That's a -tiny- mark. Not worth worrying about.
You'd better prepare yourself -- I predict that, over time, there will be MORE marks.
If you use the thing in the real world, it's going to get moved around, and "marked up".

It's all we can do to exercise reasonable care to minimize this from happening.
But sometimes, it just "happens anyway" (sigh).
Like Sinatra once sang, "That's life…"

 

[itsamacthing]

OP:

That's a -tiny- mark. Not worth worrying about.
You'd better prepare yourself -- I predict that, over time, there will be MORE marks.
If you use the thing in the real world, it's going to get moved around, and "marked up".

It's all we can do to exercise reasonable care to minimize this from happening.
But sometimes, it just "happens anyway" (sigh).
Like Sinatra once sang, "That's life…"

It is a tiny mark, but I take care of my stuff even if I use it in the real world and I'm kind disappointed that that happened on day 2 so easily ..

 

[Sterkenburg]

It's a really tiny mark, and that's coming from someone who obsesses a lot over the first scratch on his devices

A few tiny scuffs like that, i.e. caused by the laptop coming into contact with other items, are pretty much normal wear and tear, and you will likely get at least a few over the lifetime of a machine. If you want to keep them to a minimum, then I guess a case is the only way to go.

Look at it this way: you would have gotten a small imperfection somewhere anyway. It eventually has to happen. The one you have there is barely noticeable and gives you a good excuse to leave the "babysitting shiny new toy" mode. Just use and enjoy your Mac normally, it still looks great

 

[psik]

I still don't know what to think - are these minor imperefections ok or not? Could they gradually grow and grow and is using apple care the best way to hold apple care accountable? I hold not the answer. But I hope for some solution

 

[mydogeatsbeats]

what you can try is using a lead pencil (not joking) (I hope thats the right word) for covering it! It works, but it will get off if you put it in a sleeve because its not permanent

 

[maerz001]

I still don't know what to think - are these minor imperefections ok or not? Could they gradually grow and grow and is using apple care the best way to hold apple care accountable? I hold not the answer. But I hope for some solution

Apple care doesn't cover cosmetic surgery

 

[IllIllIll]

It is a tiny mark, but I take care of my stuff even if I use it in the real world and I'm kind disappointed that that happened on day 2 so easily ..

Do you own/drive a nice car?

 

[psik]

Do you own/drive a nice car?

wait dont tell me ur about to make a comparison between a car out in the wild and a mac out in the wild

 

[IllIllIll]

wait dont tell me ur about to make a comparison between a car out in the wild and a mac out in the wild

Sure, why not? A car on the road is the same as a MBP being used on a desk. They're both operating in environments where they're meant to be used.

 

[SolidSnakeskinBelt]

Reminds me of the edges of my black iPhone 5

silver blemishes everywhere from poor anodizing

 

[psik]

Sure, why not? A car on the road is the same as a MBP being used on a desk. They're both operating in environments where they're meant to be used.

Ok..... and your point is? If ur suggesting normal wear and tear here, it wont work, because a macbook making contact with the external world is not considered wear and tear. If you are suggesting accidents causing damage it wont work, cause the macbook has not been in an accident.

Second, your point is problematic, cause what the car is exposed to in the real environment is so different. I still dont understand what you mean

 

[IllIllIll]

Ok..... and your point is? If ur suggesting normal wear and tear here, it wont work, because a macbook making contact with the external world is not considered wear and tear. If you are suggesting accidents causing damage it wont work, cause the macbook has not been in an accident.

The point is, unless you bought your MBP just to have it sitting on a table looking pretty, it's going to undergo some cosmetic wear and tear. If you're that squeamish about spending a significant amount of money on something that can ding or scratch, then maybe you should be looking for a cheaper alternative.

Second, your point is problematic, cause what the car is exposed to in the real environment is so different.

YOUR office/workspace may have padded walls, a plush carpet, and pillows everywhere, but most environments where a MBP would be used would have other things around that can possibly mar or scratch the finish.

I still dont understand what you mean

That's OK. Others understand. Let it go.

 

[futuredada]

What worries do people have.

It has to be more punk! And will live happier.

 

[killawat]

We have to get away from this notion that protection is lame. There are plenty of ways to be protected and still have fun: Plastic Cases are bulky yes but extremely effective. There are also screen protectors, palm rest guards, skins, keyboard covers. Plenty of options. Do you really want to pay a damage claim for AppleCare+ when you can help prevent it in the first place?

So many unintended dents and scratches occur every day but it doesn't have to be this way.

 

[seadragon]

We have to get away from this notion that protection is lame.

Or we have to get away from this notion that these devices need to be coddled, protected and kept in showroom conditions. Small scratches and dents are just part of everyday life having a portable aluminum bodied device. It just gives it character IMO. Just like a comfortable pair of shoes, or a well used tool.

I liken it to seeing keyboard players onstage with rather expensive synths that have been scratched, dented, and knocked around moving from place to place, but still going strong and sounding as good as ever. Believe me, I know my view is likely unpopular. Buts it's my view nonetheless.

 

[Super Xander]

I think the space grey case is more likely to get scratches than the silver one.
Got a MacBook Air in a year, not a single scratch at all. With the space grey it is full of scratches and my habits are not any different than before.

 

[AustinIllini]

We have to get away from this notion that protection is lame. There are plenty of ways to be protected and still have fun: Plastic Cases are bulky yes but extremely effective. There are also screen protectors, palm rest guards, skins, keyboard covers. Plenty of options. Do you really want to pay a damage claim for AppleCare+ when you can help prevent it in the first place?

So many unintended dents and scratches occur every day but it doesn't have to be this way.

I get AppleCare with the understanding that I will not be using a case on my MacBook Pro. I would do the same for my phone, but phones are just so much more susceptible to damage than a laptop in my usage case. I don't buy an Apple product to maximize resale. I buy an Apple product for the quality build and quality experience. No way I'm ruing a $2000 computer with a $40 piece of plastic.

 

[itsamacthing]

This has nothing to do with my BMW and it's in pristine condition, for a car. Which means normal wear n tear that cannot be avoided beyond waxing every 2 weeks. A passenger opened the door without care and the door smacked a concrete pole about 1 month ago..I had expected the worst..but couldn't find a single blemish.

In the past, my space gray devices have come in contact with many devices on my desktops and it didn't rub off the finish..pretty disappointed actually that the finish, albeit small as the nick is, rubbed off so easy just by rubbing the apple keyboard a bit when I opened the screen. The more I think about it, it really doesn't make sense to me.

I looked closely at my space gray iPad, iPhone, and MacBook and while all of them have no protection, they all have some minor blemish for normal use over the years. However, on my MacBook which is 1 year now, the space gray finish is a little effected in the exact same spot as my MacBook Pro but not as bad and that MacBook travels all over with me..and so does my iPad, which I just toss in my bag.

I do think that the back cover that faces the desk is prone to taking a little rubbing from time to time...but question how much my keyboard at my notebook