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I can see the silver frame of Apple's MBAs — even going back years — easily being a problem under office fluorescent lighting.

I'd contact the Apple Store directly and see what they say about returning the Mac. Don't resign yourself or put up with something you don't like or have regrets about!

Delta's probably right.

The "unsealed" usually only refers to software that you have purchased. Does not apply to a Mac, within that 14 days, which can be for any reason, or no reason at all.

Here's a translation of Sweden's Apple Store policies, if that's where you are. Looks like the same policy as at the U.S. store! (I'll wager Apple Norway and Apple Denmark have the same policies.)

“Apple Retail Sweden AB Purchase conditions for the Apple Store​


Right of return

If you are not satisfied with a purchase, you may return the product together with the original receipt and original packaging within fourteen (14) calendar days of the date of purchase.

Note the following:
  • If the product is returned in the original packaging, we will exchange it or issue a refund.
  • Opened software, memories and other media may be exchanged for a similar product, but cannot be returned in exchange for a refund.
  • Custom products, including personally engraved iPads, cannot be returned or exchanged.”

With hardware, they expect the customer to have unsealed the wrap, opened the box, and tried it!
 
I have two Mac Studio displays at work and I have built a black hood around them both. The silver foot for both monitors reflects so much light I had to print two black sheets of card to cover them up. So I know where you are coming from.

IMG_6933.jpeg
 
I have two Mac Studio displays at work and I have built a black hood around them both. The silver foot for both monitors reflects so much light I had to print two black sheets of card to cover them up. So I know where you are coming from.

View attachment 2234618
Your office has a lot of light. Ours looks like dragon lair in deep cave. No-one ever complained about silver macbook pros. But we do have external sun blinds, intentionally blocking most of the light.
btw. nice setup.
 
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I think you are mis-interpreting something. The "unsealed" usually only refers to software that you have purchased. Does not apply to a Mac, within that 14 days, which can be for any reason, or no reason at all.
You have 14 days to notify Apple that you intend to return, then another 14 days to either return, or arrange for pickup of your Apple hardware. Must be returned with all included items, in the original package, but certainly does not need to be the original un-sealed package
I checked at UK Apple site, and I expect that would be the same anywhere in EU.
Delta is correct. I returned a 14" M1 MBP Max. I bought something better, but they didn't know that. They asked me why I was returning it and I said "don't waste my time, send me my money". They did.

Less whining and assuming, more calling them to return it. Problem solved.
 
I can see the silver frame of Apple's MBAs — even going back years — easily being a problem under office fluorescent lighting.

I'd contact the Apple Store directly and see what they say about returning the Mac. Don't resign yourself or put up with something you don't like or have regrets about!

Delta's probably right.



Here's a translation of Sweden's Apple Store policies, if that's where you are. Looks like the same policy as at the U.S. store! (I'll wager Apple Norway and Apple Denmark have the same policies.)

“Apple Retail Sweden AB Purchase conditions for the Apple Store​


Right of return

If you are not satisfied with a purchase, you may return the product together with the original receipt and original packaging within fourteen (14) calendar days of the date of purchase.

Note the following:
  • If the product is returned in the original packaging, we will exchange it or issue a refund.
  • Opened software, memories and other media may be exchanged for a similar product, but cannot be returned in exchange for a refund.
  • Custom products, including personally engraved iPads, cannot be returned or exchanged.”

With hardware, they expect the customer to have unsealed the wrap, opened the box, and tried it!
Indeed, we are all telling @TinaBelcher that he/she can ask for a refund or exchange of the MacBook. I would return it and get a midnight or a space grey one before the return period expires.
Ok guys, I will try call the online Apple support tomorrow and try asking them, but as you can see in writing it says unsealed. Mine has been sealed, and used and I'm currently typing from it now, lol! If they say right away "no we don't accept used / unsealed hardware" what then? I just want to trade it with a Space Grey really badly. I'm so unhappy with how the raw silver aluminum looks like in use. Also in night time, the screen reflects on the aluminum. I've had the worst headache since I got it yesterday.
 
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I think you are mis-interpreting something. The "unsealed" usually only refers to software that you have purchased. Does not apply to a Mac, within that 14 days, which can be for any reason, or no reason at all.
You have 14 days to notify Apple that you intend to return, then another 14 days to either return, or arrange for pickup of your Apple hardware. Must be returned with all included items, in the original package, but certainly does not need to be the original un-sealed package
I checked at UK Apple site, and I expect that would be the same anywhere in EU.
omg I see that!!! There might be hope!! I just wanna trade it for a space grey :)
 
Delta is correct. I returned a 14" M1 MBP Max. I bought something better, but they didn't know that. They asked me why I was returning it and I said "don't waste my time, send me my money". They did.

Less whining and assuming, more calling them to return it. Problem solved.
I just re-read what Delta wrote, and I see that now. It's because it's all written in one paragraph and I couldn't tell the policies apart. I'm gonna call them tomorrow and ask if I can make a trade in for a space grey version
 
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Not criticizing, but doesn’t “unsealed” mean that the seal has been broken? If they want it to be unopened, the correct word should be “sealed”.

I hope you are able to exchange for a color more suitable to your situation. Hopefully, you won’t have any problems doing an exchange. Good luck!
 
@TS, as others have written: please contact the (Apple) store before assuming they won't take it back for a refund or exchange. If you're in EU (you wrote Scandinavia, but that's not quite specific enough to answer that), then the online purchasing rules will always apply even if the seller doesn't put it in their T&C.

"You have the right to cancel and return your order within 14 days, for any reason and without a justification. This "cooling off" period expires 14 days after the day you received your goods (or concluded a contract for services).

However, the 14-day cooling off period does not apply to all purchases."

For more details see:

I'm pretty sure the exemptions do not qualify for a MacBook :)
 
And not only the EU, I think it’s a core value at Apple, at least since the days of Steve Jobs. Steve used to say “our customers can use our products, and if they don’t like them, they can return it before 14 days, no questions asked”. And yes, I’ve listened that sentence from the mouth of Jobs itself.

I’ve never had any problem to exchange a product for a color reason. They warn you, however, that after a third exchange you can no longer purchase that product on the Apple Store, I guess to prevent abuse.
 
The bigger problem is how light reflects on the raw aluminum.. especially artificial lights such as ceiling lamps. It's really bad. I can only speak from my own experience, but I find it so bright that it actually blinds me and take away my focus of the screen. The screen is supposed to be the bright thing to focus on, but all my eyes can see is the bright aluminum down at the keyboard/trackpad. The screen becomes dull in contrast. It's really not a pleasant experience. I wanted to show you examples, but it's too difficult for me to photograph or film. It doesn't translate on to the camera as the camera "neutralize" the brightness.
Your situation is totally understandable.

My Intel 16" MacBook Pro was space gray following years of only silver. My experience with space gray sullied when parts of the finish faded around the trackpad. When the 16" MacBook Pro with Apple silicon came out in the fall of 2021 it was back to silver for me. I distinctly remember having mixed emotions initially on going back to silver. It was bright. I acclimated to it after a few days & came to appreciate the crispness of the silver.

I went to an Apple Store recently to check out the new 15" MacBook Air. I came away with a favorable view of the midnight finish despite all of the overblown B.S. about fingerprints. To this day though I go back & forth on space gray. I may go back to it for my next MacBook Pro. They all look good though: even starlight. I guess it's one of those situations where you love all of your children equally. 😆
 
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Doesn’t hurt to ask. If kept, I’d skin it, or wrap it or encase it. Best of luck, sorry to hear you have the issue on a new purchase though, should be a fun occasion. 🤞
 
Two things:

1) I usually get a Moshi keyboard cover to protect the keyboards, I use. That'll definitely keep the keys clean.

2) Space Gray, at least on 2016-2019 15/16 inch MacBook Pros, 12-inch MacBooks, 2018-2020 Intel and Apple Silicon MacBook Airs, and on 2016-Present 13-inch MacBook Pros, is basically silver aluminum with Space Gray painting/coating of some sort that, when chipped or worn, will reveal the silver color underneath. If given a choice, I'll get Space Gray for the machines I don't care much about and Silver for the machines I care about.
 
Update:

Thank you all for pushing me to contact Apple despite me being stubborn and not believing that I could return a used Air. I talked to a very sweet lady from Apple on the phone, and you guys were right. They don't do a trade-in, but I can return it and get my money refunded and then it's up to me to buy a new one once the money come in.

But let me tell you, I'm glad I didn't wipe my old MacBook Pro, cause we ended up wiping my Air through "Find" on the phone, so I lost everything on it, but thankfully it's all still stored on my Pro as well. So, now I'm just waiting for some emails with some forms I have to fill out and labels, so I can ship it back.It probably won't me today tho
 
Good choice. As others have said, you should be happy and satisfied with your purchase.
Once the refund is processed, do you already know what alternative you will buy? Is Space Gray the winner?
 
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Good choice. As others have said, you should be happy and satisfied with your purchase.
Once the refund is processed, do you already know what alternative you will buy? Is Space Gray the winner?
I think so. As long as it's the same kind of space grey as my MBP 2018 model. It's dark enough to make me focus on the screen and forget everything around it. I like the idea of midnight but the fingerprints are horrible.
 
Update:

Thank you all for pushing me to contact Apple despite me being stubborn and not believing that I could return a used Air. I talked to a very sweet lady from Apple on the phone, and you guys were right. They don't do a trade-in, but I can return it and get my money refunded and then it's up to me to buy a new one once the money come in.

But let me tell you, I'm glad I didn't wipe my old MacBook Pro, cause we ended up wiping my Air through "Find" on the phone, so I lost everything on it, but thankfully it's all still stored on my Pro as well. So, now I'm just waiting for some emails with some forms I have to fill out and labels, so I can ship it back.It probably won't me today tho
Time to get a backup solution once you have #1 priority color fixed
 
Delta is correct. I returned a 14" M1 MBP Max. I bought something better, but they didn't know that. They asked me why I was returning it and I said "don't waste my time, send me my money". They did.

Less whining and assuming, more calling them to return it. Problem solved.
Was it through the Apple online store? I could use some help how to properly return it. I got some links but I need some help :)
 
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