Brand New MBA 15" - Weird Marks On Top Case

[ascender]

Just received my BTO MacBook Air, unpacked it and have noticed a few strange marks on the top case.

I've tried taking pictures of them but Midnight is a difficult colour to photograph and get detail like this.

Any idea what they could be?

I've tried using the Apple polishing cloth on them but no joy. I tried a screen wipe - nothing.

Even though I was planning on putting a DBrand skin on, I'm tempted to return it - has anyone seem similar or have any opinions? Other than about Apple's QC process!?

 

[JustAnExpat]

I'm not seeing the problem myself (bad picture??). But, you are entitled to a machine that's almost perfect, and if you're within the return policy, return it.

 

[ascender]

I'm not seeing the problem myself (bad picture??). But, you are entitled to a machine that's almost perfect, and if you're within the return policy, return it.

Yeah, no matter how I adjust the camera when taking or the levels in Photos they're not coming out. They're like a slightly darker imprint - the rectangular ones are perfectly symmetrical so looks like something maybe lifts that part of the case during assembly and the pressure was off?

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

I can't be sure if I actually see it or if your highlights make me believe I see it.
But if your highlights are an indication of the shape and size of the marks then it looks like maybe it was some kind of tape.

Have you tried some isopropyl alcohol to clean the lid?

 

[ascender]

I can't be sure if I actually see it or if your highlights make me believe I see it.
But if your highlights are an indication of the shape and size of the marks then it looks like maybe it was some kind of tape.

Have you tried some isopropyl alcohol to clean the lid?

Yes, maybe looks like some thin tape now you mention it.

I take it there's no harm to be done with alcohol on these finishes?

From the horse's mouth so to speak:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172

 

[iMacDragon]

I can see them pretty clearly on the second photo, definitely odd, and indeed must be some kind of handling mark.

I'd be surprised if they're not in the anodising itself and will come out with any kind of cleaning, and I'd certainly hope it's just bad QC and not a normal mark.. or they need to revise processes some more.

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

Yes, maybe looks like some thin tape now you mention it.

I take it there's no harm to be done with alcohol on these finishes?

From the horse's mouth so to speak:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172

I clean my laptops (the outside, mind you, not the screens) with isopropyl alcohol regularly. Doesn’t seem to cause any issues, but gets rid of stains quite well.

Now I see they even say it’s fine to clean screens with 70% isopropyl alcohol on that page. I’m too chicken for that xD

 

[ascender]

I clean my laptops (the outside, mind you, not the screens) with isopropyl alcohol regularly. Doesn’t seem to cause any issues, but gets rid of stains quite well.

Now I see they even say it’s fine to clean screens with 70% isopropyl alcohol on that page. I’m too chicken for that xD

🤣

Yeah, would be a brave person to do that!

I'm off to find some of those wipes, I know I have a packet somewhere...

 

[iMacDragon]

Yeah, not going to hurt to try a good thorough ispropyl wipe.

 

[Bananasaurus]

I clean my case (and screen and keyboard) with an eyeglass cleaner bottle filled with distilled water and a microfiber cloth designed for getting the smudges off of expensive wine glasses because I'm OCD.

 

[Chancha]

🤣

Yeah, would be a brave person to do that!

I'm off to find some of those wipes, I know I have a packet somewhere...

70% or less does nothing to these screens, unless your coating was already spotty like the staingate era MBPs. I regularly clean the MacBooks in my Studio with that, and we use a fleet of assorted MBA/MBP from 2011 to current gen.

 

[ascender]

Sorted. With the only wipes I could find which are 99.9%...

Panic over, laptop is great.

The end.

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

I’m glad to ”hear” that
Enjoy the laptop!