Creaking on 15" Haswell MacBook Pro Retina

[JPizzzle]

Hi all,

So, I picked up my retina macbook pro fully loaded recently, and have noticed some very slight creaking. Now this seems localized to an inch to the left or right of the trackpad and you have to push down more than you would if your normally resting yours palms. Also, I would have to lift the computer and put it back down to replicate it after doing it once. It's more noticeable when the computer is not on an even surface-such as a lap. Now, this is not at all like the examples shown on the creaking vids from the previous generation model, but it is there. I will try to post a video of the sound, but in the mean time has anyone else experienced any creaking.

Also, I ordered a pentalobe screwdriver to try adjusting the bottom cover-maybe that will help.

 

[aiyaaabatt]

Hi all,

So, I picked up my retina macbook pro fully loaded recently, and have noticed some very slight creaking. Now this seems localized to an inch to the left or right of the trackpad and you have to push down more than you would if your normally resting yours palms. Also, I would have to lift the computer and put it back down to replicate it after doing it once. It's more noticeable when the computer is not on an even surface-such as a lap. Now, this is not at all like the examples shown on the creaking vids from the previous generation model, but it is there. I will try to post a video of the sound, but in the mean time has anyone else experienced any creaking.

Also, I ordered a pentalobe screwdriver to try adjusting the bottom cover-maybe that will help.

Yes, probably greater than 50% show some sign of creaking (most extremely minor, like it sounds yours is). If yours is minor and only replicable if you intentionally apply more pressure than you would normally, consider yourself fortunate. I've gone through 5 haswell 15'' (not exchanges, just purchased them for my company). Out of the 5, only 2 had no creaking anywhere. I've also gone through about 10 2012/2013 15'' models, and many of them had minor creaking issues.

 

[JPizzzle]

Yes, probably greater than 50% show some sign of creaking (most extremely minor, like it sounds yours is). If yours is minor and only replicable if you intentionally apply more pressure than you would normally, consider yourself fortunate. I've gone through 5 haswell 15'' (not exchanges, just purchased them for my company). Out of the 5, only 2 had no creaking anywhere. I've also gone through about 10 2012/2013 15'' models, and many of them had minor creaking issues.

Thanks for the quick reply. Well, it does make some sound if you pick it up with the lid open, and again like I said if it's on the lap. Sometimes, i'll hear a creak using the palm rest, but that's not often-strange. However, it seems that once it made the sound, it is not replicable unless the computer is shifted. For example if I pick it up, with the lid open, I'll hear a creak, but only once. Not sure how much is to be expected, and how much is obsessiveness.

 

[myc5038]

Thanks for the quick reply. Well, it does make some sound if you pick it up with the lid open, and again like I said if it's on the lap. Sometimes, i'll hear a creak using the palm rest, but that's not often-strange. However, it seems that once it made the sound, it is not replicable unless the computer is shifted. For example if I pick it up, with the lid open, I'll hear a creak, but only once. Not sure how much is to be expected, and how much is obsessiveness.

i get the same thing, more specifically the bottom left side (bottom plate). thinking of going to the store for an exchange, as its within 14 days. has anyone done this?

 

[aiyaaabatt]

i get the same thing, more specifically the bottom left side (bottom plate). thinking of going to the store for an exchange, as its within 14 days. has anyone done this?

Apple takes any machine back no questions asked within the 14-day purchase date.

 

[Baadshah]

I hav the same problem, i ordered last week and checked before opening the seal. Today I received my 2nd one, and even this one has the creaking thing. Tomorrow I will ask for another replacement, hate apple for this! I want a perfectly fine laptop when I pay 3k.

 

[Shmanky]

Bought a mid-2012 15" Retina MacBook Pro. Noticed creaking soon but not within 14 days. Took it in to Genius Bar and the creaking was reduced about 50%. Bought a pentalobe screwdriver so I can go in there myself. That further reduced the creaking but in the process I stripped some of the screws so the lower cover couldn't come off. Took it in to the Genius Bar and they removed the stripped screws for me and further reduced the creaking. But it's still there. Creaks every day at least a few times as I use it. If you buy a pentalobe screwdriver I recommend being very careful not to strip the screws by not tightening too much. And note that the screws are of different lengths so put them back in the holes they came out of. But if you have creaking it may never go away; mine hasn't after 2 Genius Bar visit.

 

[Baadshah]

Bought a mid-2012 15" Retina MacBook Pro. Noticed creaking soon but not within 14 days. Took it in to Genius Bar and the creaking was reduced about 50%. Bought a pentalobe screwdriver so I can go in there myself. That further reduced the creaking but in the process I stripped some of the screws so the lower cover couldn't come off. Took it in to the Genius Bar and they removed the stripped screws for me and further reduced the creaking. But it's still there. Creaks every day at least a few times as I use it. If you buy a pentalobe screwdriver I recommend being very careful not to strip the screws by not tightening too much. And note that the screws are of different lengths so put them back in the holes they came out of. But if you have creaking it may never go away; mine hasn't after 2 Genius Bar visit.

I dont understand why they le this problem be and not doing anything to prevent this? MacBook Air is even tHinner but doesn't creak, then why retina macbook?

 

[myc5038]

Thanks for the quick reply. Well, it does make some sound if you pick it up with the lid open, and again like I said if it's on the lap. Sometimes, i'll hear a creak using the palm rest, but that's not often-strange. However, it seems that once it made the sound, it is not replicable unless the computer is shifted. For example if I pick it up, with the lid open, I'll hear a creak, but only once. Not sure how much is to be expected, and how much is obsessiveness.

Maybe this is just something with the first batch of laptops?

 

[Windows&Apple]

Maybe this is just something with the first batch of laptops?

Hopefully, eitherway, I'm holding out until November. That way I can see the benchmarks on the 2.6 and compare it to the 2.3 on the 15 inch.

 

[JPizzzle]

I'm going to try the unscrew and rescrew bottom panel approach. The issue is not present during use only maybe after moving the laptop. My theory is that it's the bottom panel settling after being moved. I had to drive 40 miles each way to pick up my laptop from the delaware store (i'm in pa) in order to avoid 7-8% sales tax. I returned the first one due to yellow tint and a mark on the computer. This is my second 15" and don't think it's worth driving for a third time for this, especially if I can adjust it myself. I prob wouldn't have even noticed or cared if it wasn't for some of these forums-hah the irony. I'll let you all know how it goes-the pentalobe screwdriver should arrive tomorrow....

 

[yangchewren]

I dont understand why they le this problem be and not doing anything to prevent this? MacBook Air is even tHinner but doesn't creak, then why retina macbook?

Macbook air creaks. I had this problem on my 2011 MBA.

I'm going to try the unscrew and rescrew bottom panel approach. The issue is not present during use only maybe after moving the laptop. My theory is that it's the bottom panel settling after being moved. I had to drive 40 miles each way to pick up my laptop from the delaware store (i'm in pa) in order to avoid 7-8% sales tax. I returned the first one due to yellow tint and a mark on the computer. This is my second 15" and don't think it's worth driving for a third time for this, especially if I can adjust it myself. I prob wouldn't have even noticed or cared if it wasn't for some of these forums-hah the irony. I'll let you all know how it goes-the pentalobe screwdriver should arrive tomorrow....

Please, to everyone on this thread who keeps reseating the bottom plate, apply some blue loctite on the threads to prevent the screws from loosening themselves. A very inexpensive fix that should cost you $5 or less if you can get a small vial of the amazing stuff.

I did this 6 months into owning my macbook air and it has stopped creaking since (1 application is enough). A tighter base plate also means much less flex.

 

[pat.micunnis]

I just got my 15" 2.3/16/1 TB/750 M today. I was picking it up and heard a "strange" noise from the bottom to the left of the trackpad. I recalled seeing threads about a creaking noise.

Add me to the other owners that are facing the same issue. I will definitely return this one!

I received a 2.6/16/1 TB/750 M the other day - yes I have "2" laptops for now (after placing this order, I thought the 2.6 might be overkill - but it was too late to change the order).

The 2.6 is VERY solid compared to the 2.3

 

[Starfyre]

You paid over 2000........ machine should be flawless.

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I just got my 15" 2.3/16/1 TB/750 M today. I was picking it up and heard a "strange" noise from the bottom to the left of the trackpad. I recalled seeing threads about a creaking noise.

Add me to the other owners that are facing the same issue. I will definitely return this one!

I received a 2.6/16/1 TB/750 M the other day - yes I have "2" laptops for now (after placing this order, I thought the 2.6 might be overkill - but it was too late to change the order).

The 2.6 is VERY solid compared to the 2.3

Could you please please please do some comparisons of battery life on the two machines while you have it to see how big of a difference there is before you do any returning? Im sure Anandtech would be much slower than you if you could possibly help people like me struggling between the 2.3 and 2.6.

 

[pat.micunnis]

Could you please please please do some comparisons of battery life on the two machines while you have it to see how big of a difference there is before you do any returning? Im sure Anandtech would be much slower than you if you could possibly help people like me struggling between the 2.3 and 2.6.

Absolutely! (though I'm a noob and my "tests" will be less than scientific)

FYI - I'm still torn between the 2.3 and 2.6. Battery life isn't a decision splitter for me. Heat is however!

On the 2.6: After a few battery cycles, I've been able to get ~7 hours of battery with Chrome (4 tabs open), Itunes with bluetooth streaming to my Big Jambox, MS Word, Outlook and Photoshop and Evernote open! And 75% brightness.

 

[Starfyre]

I like real people tests, scientific ones are too artificial ^^

I heard rumors that the machines with higher clock speeds have quieter fans (I assume this is because they give off less heat during normal load?)

Look forward to your observations. I am torn between getting a 2.3 and 2.6 myself, and that decision splitter is part of what I am worried about too!

 

[unimac]

I just got my 15" 2.3/16/1 TB/750 M today. I was picking it up and heard a "strange" noise from the bottom to the left of the trackpad. I recalled seeing threads about a creaking noise.

Add me to the other owners that are facing the same issue. I will definitely return this one!

I received a 2.6/16/1 TB/750 M the other day - yes I have "2" laptops for now (after placing this order, I thought the 2.6 might be overkill - but it was too late to change the order).

The 2.6 is VERY solid compared to the 2.3

This has to be a joke. There is no notable difference you are going to see between a 2.3Ghz (QUAD CORE) and a 2.6Ghz (QUAD CORE) in regular or even medium-high usage. What you are failing to note is that you got a 2.6 configured with 16GB or RAM (does the 2.3GHZ have 16GB of ram) ... a 1TB SSD (faster than a 256GB HD) and you have a 750M Nvidia video card instead of intel iris pro on your 2.6GHz compute. These are the things that, Under very high load, will show a difference. Seriously gtfo w/ that stupid statement that the 2.6Ghz feels solid compared to the 2.3Ghz.. Thats the most random and unscientific statement i have ever heard that makes 0 sense.

 

[myc5038]

I'm going to try the unscrew and rescrew bottom panel approach. The issue is not present during use only maybe after moving the laptop. My theory is that it's the bottom panel settling after being moved. I had to drive 40 miles each way to pick up my laptop from the delaware store (i'm in pa) in order to avoid 7-8% sales tax. I returned the first one due to yellow tint and a mark on the computer. This is my second 15" and don't think it's worth driving for a third time for this, especially if I can adjust it myself. I prob wouldn't have even noticed or cared if it wasn't for some of these forums-hah the irony. I'll let you all know how it goes-the pentalobe screwdriver should arrive tomorrow....

Any luck fixing the issue?

 

[unimac]

I like real people tests, scientific ones are too artificial ^^

I heard rumors that the machines with higher clock speeds have quieter fans (I assume this is because they give off less heat during normal load?)

Look forward to your observations. I am torn between getting a 2.3 and 2.6 myself, and that decision splitter is part of what I am worried about too!

Yes, a machine that runs at a higher clock speed gives off less heat under normal load than one w/ a lower clock speed... Wait wtf kind of sense does that make?

These are the kinds of people buying these high-end pro machines.. Not a clue of what they are buying. smh

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Absolutely! (though I'm a noob and my "tests" will be less than scientific)

FYI - I'm still torn between the 2.3 and 2.6. Battery life isn't a decision splitter for me. Heat is however!

On the 2.6: After a few battery cycles, I've been able to get ~7 hours of battery with Chrome (4 tabs open), Itunes with bluetooth streaming to my Big Jambox, MS Word, Outlook and Photoshop and Evernote open! And 75% brightness.

Basically, you have no clue what you are talking about...

 

[InfinitiG]

This has to be a joke. There is no notable difference you are going to see between a 2.3Ghz (QUAD CORE) and a 2.6Ghz (QUAD CORE) in regular or even medium-high usage. What you are failing to note is that you got a 2.6 configured with 16GB or RAM (does the 2.3GHZ have 16GB of ram) ... a 1TB SSD (faster than a 256GB HD) and you have a 750M Nvidia video card instead of intel iris pro on your 2.6GHz compute. These are the things that, Under very high load, will show a difference. Seriously gtfo w/ that stupid statement that the 2.6Ghz feels solid compared to the 2.3Ghz.. Thats the most random and unscientific statement i have ever heard that makes 0 sense.

he's just talking about the build quality between the 2 models

apple isn't known for the greatest quality control

 

[Starfyre]

Yes, a machine that runs at a higher clock speed gives off less heat under normal load than one w/ a lower clock speed... Wait wtf kind of sense does that make?

I don't know why a higher clocked model would be quieter in acoustics (the point I was trying to make). If you look at the 2011 macbook pro, the 2.4 GHz model was quieter than the 2.2Ghz. Make some sense out of it for me.

 

[Danlevm]

I have the same problem, I think I will bring it in I paid 3000+ for my laptop I have had it for 5 days and it bothers me.. I have a case for it that reduces the noise ..... my battery doesnt seem to last that long. is there a way to test the battery? like a test?

 

[pat.micunnis]

he's just talking about the build quality between the 2 models

apple isn't known for the greatest quality control

YES , thank you!

These are the kinds of people buying these high-end pro machines.. Not a clue of what they are buying.
Basically, you have no clue what you are talking about...

I already prefaced my statements that I'm not technical. I was referring to the exterior of this doo-hickie machine thingy.

 

[Baadshah]

he's just talking about the build quality between the 2 models

apple isn't known for the greatest quality control

You are right. Quality wise I feel other companies are better, but apple customer service is not that good either.

I got 2 replacements. But both of them had flexible bottomcase.
Now I am waiting for a 3rd replacement, but have been told it will be shipped today, tonight etc, and nothing as been done so far. Really pathetic! I really miss Steve Jobs

 

[Ifti]

Must be a batch - no creaking issues with mine [spec in sig]