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'Flexgate': 2016 and Newer MacBook Pro Users Report Display Issues Due to Fragile Flex Cables
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The problem is that these cables will probably fail after AppleCare has expired.
Most people spend extra for an Apple laptop since they expect to get at least 6 years out of it.
Okay. This really sucks. I think I might have first-hand experience on this.
I had my 2016 Touch Bar MacBook Pro's screen replaced in August 2018 because the backlight just stopped working suddenly. There's no "stage light effect"; the backlight simply went out when I tried to turn my Mac on.
The Apple store employee said a damaged flex cable could have been the problem, but I was never told the real cause of the malfunction. As per the article, I had to pay a hefty repair fee for the replacement of the whole display unit because warranty had expired.
This 'Flexgate' issue could be it huh... Damn. This really sucks. I hope it never happens to me again.
I had my 2016 Touch Bar MacBook Pro's screen replaced in August 2018 because the backlight just stopped working suddenly. There's no "stage light effect"; the backlight simply went out when I tried to turn my Mac on.
The Apple store employee said a damaged flex cable could have been the problem, but I was never told the real cause of the malfunction. As per the article, I had to pay a hefty repair fee for the replacement of the whole display unit because warranty had expired.
This 'Flexgate' issue could be it huh... Damn. This really sucks. I hope it never happens to me again.
It has nothing to do with catching breaks.
Apple designed and had it built to their specifications so they own the problems.
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Same cable so I'm sure it will.
This is getting pathetic. The touchbar macbook pro just needs pulling at this point, it's been fraught with problems. The 2015 unibody was a fantastic workhorse but this 2016 pile of crap just causes me so many damn problems.
Make everything thin enough in the name of "progress" and planned obsolescence takes care of itself.
It doesn't help if you plan on owning it for more then 3 years.
I can see these issues really killing the resale value.
Completely agree. AC+ shouldn't be required to ensure a product is repaired for a known issue. Too much penny pinching going on in Apple nowadays.
Unapologetically functionally deficient.
Great job, Apple.
Great job, Apple.
and what happens when the cable fails after 2 years ?
Coverage is not the solution to a poor design on Apple's part.
Yup, this generation of Macbook Pro really is quite awful. You can already get the whole body replaced (keyboard + antiglare peel issues) with the programs out there. Now this. I bet Apple is super pissed as this costs them thousands of dollars. But that's what happens when you don't test well and just hope people will swallow anything.
I use mine a majority of the time in clamshell mode (closed) with an Apple external keyboard and a monitor.
So they're not supposed to open and close the lid too often? In other words, this laptop is unsuitable for regular/heavy use?
And using too much force? No .... not unless you mean people who carelessly try to shove the lid open past the furthest position the hinges allow it to open? It makes no difference otherwise how quickly or slowly you open or shut the lid. The problem is that the thin ribbon connector Apple used fatigues too easily from repeatedly bending as the lid is opened or shut.
There's no doubt in mind mind this needs to be fixed as a free repair, regardless of warranty status.
And using too much force? No .... not unless you mean people who carelessly try to shove the lid open past the furthest position the hinges allow it to open? It makes no difference otherwise how quickly or slowly you open or shut the lid. The problem is that the thin ribbon connector Apple used fatigues too easily from repeatedly bending as the lid is opened or shut.
There's no doubt in mind mind this needs to be fixed as a free repair, regardless of warranty status.
"You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means"
There was nothing "bulky" about the 2012 MBP non-retina case, never mind the 2015.
FFS.
The 2012 non-retina MBP may be the most reliable Mac I've ever owned. I'm typing on it, comfortably, right now.
The keyboard actually has a comfortable amount of key travel, as opposed to what's found in more recent models that are well, not. And, the keyboard has never needed to be replaced because of, what was it again.. oh yes, "dust".
When I travel, besides it's and other devices power adaptors, the MBP is the already lightest thing in my gear bag.
The design compromises Apple has made in the endless pursuit of *OMG PONIES IT'S SO THIN! O-FACE!* that have affected not only comfort, but what should be considered a basic level of reliably in primary components like the keyboard and monitor, in a laptop that can cost upwards of $5000 are fraking ridiculous.
Apple has two other laptops that can be the compromised versions. The Pro never should be.
Sadly.
apple.com/feedback
Huh? How do you use a laptop lid improperly? That's like saying the door wore out because you opened and closed it too many times. No, the builder used cheap hinges.
Come on, don't make it easy for this forum to call you an Apple apologist.
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I would not expect to have this problem for a laptop that is less than 3 yrs old and considering how much it cost to buy MBPs. If I was told I needed to buy AC+, then that means MBPs are not well-built. I have owned a few laptops in the past and never had any hardware issue.
My 2017 MBP suddenly developed a display glitch (scrambled image with flashing static everywhere). Thankfully it was still just within warranty and Apple replaced the display assembly without charge.
I wonder now if it was due to this same issue...
I wonder now if it was due to this same issue...
Yeah, they really do need to redesign it. It's a bad design like the 2013 Mac Pro. I was reading this morning that the i9 in these machines bench slightly slower than the i7 in most tests because the MacBook pro chassis can't handle the thermals for turbo boost in the i9 for as long as the i7. And Apple would have known this before shipping.
I gave my 2012 MBP to my grandpa and I'm moving to a desktop Mac this year after they upgrade everything and I figure out what will work best for me. A big reason I'm going desktop is because of the shoddy design of their MacBooks, from issues with T2 chips, useless expensive touch bars, keyboards that break from a spec of dust, overheating issues, display backlight issues and more. I have a 2015 MBP at work and it has been great. The other reason is how expensive they are becoming. I'd rather buy an expensive high end desktop where I can get more performance per dollar spent that could possibly be upgraded in small ways over time and will last longer. I think moving forward my 12.9" 3rd gen iPad Pro + Mac desktop will be a good combo and I'll have my work MBP if I really need it.
The 2018 Air uses the same design.
IBM is already comercializing quantum computers, the Chinese landed a rover on the dark side of the moon, the scienties at CERN found the higgs boson, NASA landed a space craft on a moving comet BUT Apple, with 200+ bilion $ in cash is not capable designing and engineering a long lasting, durable and high performace laptop in 2019 after being doing this for the last 3 decades or more and having ton of experience in the field (probably more than any other else). An then they tell you that the planned obsolence is not true, that these machines are designed to age well. BS
