DENTED: Brand New 17" MacBook Pro

[adamjackson]

I bought a 3.06Ghz MacBook Pro 2 weeks ago. I was so stoked and moved from a 15 to 17 and couldn't be happier.

I didn't really "inspect" it looking for problems when I first got it but last night I noticed that it's bent on the lid.

Close the lid and look near the back and you see a curve that causes the monitor to not sit flush with the body on both sides! The monitor display works fine but the rubber seal isn't doing it's job. I noticed it when there was construction at my place and dust got all over the keyboard with the lid closed.

My 15" didn't have this problem but is this common on the 17 or should I talk to apple?

FLICKR SET

 

[Buskape]

You should definately take it back to Apple or call them, this is not acceptable and i am sure they will fix this issue, unless they find an excuse to blame you, but it is not likely to happen if you call them.

 

[iLog.Genius]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. There are a few people that have that "problem" including myself. By the looks of it, it isn't too bad - some have worse. If it bugs you that much, go back to Apple and see what they say, if you're within the 14 days, they should swap it out if not don't expect anything to happen.

 

[DAMNiatx]

call apple .

 

[adamjackson]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. There are a few people that have that "problem" including myself. By the looks of it, it isn't too bad - some have worse. If it bugs you that much, go back to Apple and see what they say, if you're within the 14 days, they should swap it out if not don't expect anything to happen.

Yeah. It's not really an issue with use at this time. everything works fine. I guess it's worth a stop at the store.

I already have an appt tomorrow for them to replace my R2D2 Click-Clack hard drive with one that doesn't beep so I'll just have them look at it then.

Was hoping the MR community had some pointers for convincing them to replace it.

 

[Tornitron]

I don't see any dents.

 

[vanc]

My MBP 15 has the same bend as you. I am not worrying about that.

 

[rgarjr]

it looks like the center is bowed or arched a bit. Definitely not something one would want on a 2k+ machine.

 

[Smoothie]

It's a feature that prevents the keyboard from contacting the screen during transport.

 

[adamjackson]

It's a feature that prevents the keyboard from contacting the screen during transport.

Oh okay. Sweet

I'd believe it and probably brag about it if Steve Jobs had presented it that way, "if your MBP has a bend it's because we've found a genius way to keep fingerprints from transmitting to your display. we call it 'bendy boom"

 

[adamjackson]

It's a feature that prevents the keyboard from contacting the screen during transport.

w/ Tax it was $3300 (applecare, faster proc, faster HDD, mobileMe)

 

[GoCubsGo]

Plus whatever you'll have to pay in chiropractor visits when you pull something carrying it.

I see what you're saying (kind of) but I cannot really agree that it is a dent.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

I have had two MBP 17s sent to me and they both have the bowing problem.

 

[rgarjr]

I have had two MBP 17s sent to me and they both have the bowing problem.

did you end up keeping one?

 

[aprofetto]

Well, on first thought, I would say the bend really doesn't look that severe. BUT, I think its always easier to say that when its not actually your machine, and truthfully I can't blame you for feeling a bit bummed out about it.

If it was me, I would really try to live with it. Obviously alot easier to say than it is to do, but if everything else is working for you, maybe its not worth trying to get it fixed or replaced by Apple? I mean replacing it maybe isn't bad, but I definitely wouldn't get it fixed, I'd hate the idea of my baby getting split open.

I wish you luck, and I definitely feel for you!

 

[iLog.Genius]

Well, on first thought, I would say the bend really doesn't look that severe. BUT, I think its always easier to say that when its not actually your machine, and truthfully I can't blame you for feeling a bit bummed out about it.

If it was me, I would really try to live with it. Obviously alot easier to say than it is to do, but if everything else is working for you, maybe its not worth trying to get it fixed or replaced by Apple? I mean replacing it maybe isn't bad, but I definitely wouldn't get it fixed, I'd hate the idea of my baby getting split open.

I wish you luck, and I definitely feel for you!

That's what I've done - just live with it. If it was my first one, I probably would be paranoid and annoyed but already going through 3 of them, the 4th one had the bowing problem and I decided to just keep it because - much tolerable than the other 3 problems.

 

[J&JPolangin]

...alum unibody construction, a great way to make a stronger laptop...bends being acceptable on several thousand dollar machine...
needs to use carbon fiber and paint it with that Ti finish if they want that look still...

 

[shambo]

Nothing wrong with that Pro.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

did you end up keeping one?

I am returning the second one, but not because of the bowing. The second one came with a real dent in the bottom panel--thus the return.

I think the bowing is just a poor design element of the uMBPs. Having received two with a nearly identical bowing, I think they all have some degree of the problem.

I can live with it as it doesn't really affect anything but aesthetics too much. But yeah, it is pretty worthless to put a rubber seal all around the screen if the screen is going to bow in the middle.

What I am really concerned about is the creaking hinge that developed on the first MBP they sent me. And also, the fact that the screen falls down when you hold the laptop at certain angles (i.e. the hinge cannot support the weight of the screen).

Apple really needs to get on top of that.

 

[MacAndy74]

I probably wouldn't be happy if my MBP had a bow in it like that. Call and see what the story is. Seems to be a manufacturing defect to me.

 

[ButtUglyJeff]

If it was a dent, you'd be screwed. But, I can't see how a customer could damage a laptop that way, which means Apple would have to take the blame and repair and/or replace it.......

 

[rgarjr]

I'm wondering if they will replace the whole machine or try and fix it (new parts).

 

[midgetsanchez]

My second 17" MBP (replacement unit) has a small dent on the bottom panel. I've decided that I'm just going to suck it up and live with it, since I'd rather have a small cosmetic dent rather than risk another laptop with more problems. Apple quality control blows.

 

[Ride9650]

I have the same thing on mine, but I'm chalking it up to a design element allowing any extra heat to escape should I ever want to use it in clamshell mode. I could be wrong, but seeing as how I've seen the same thing on a few of them, I think they might mostly all be like that.

 

[adamjackson]

Thanks everyone. It looks like I'm not alone and this is just a common issue.

Honestly, Apple touts the solid construction of the UMBP and having used a 13 & 15" MBP I know that this rubber seal is exactly that, "a rubber seal"

Given that there is a noticeable (5-8 mm gap) on the left side (3-5mm gap) on the right side that bothers me.

I'm going to the store on my way home and bringing it up. I live half a block from the apple store in downtown SF. I'll just swing by, show them and see what they say.

Thanks everyone!