Got my NEW 2016 15" MacBook Pro...SCRATCH right out of the box?

[duervo]

Maybe they're all being intercepted during shipment and having snooping bits installed in them, and then repackaged and put back into shipping. ie: Scuff and blemishes happening during the implants.

A few years ago, this would be me completely joking, but these days I'm only half joking.

Seriously though, it just looks like a decrease in quality control at the assembly plant. This speaks to possible unqualified or poorly trained workers, all the way to a widespread shift in priorities at Apple. Personally, I'm more inclined to believe it's closer to the former ... at least for now.

 

[rchendesign]

Picked up mine yesterday (2.9GHz, 1T, 460), and I can confirm it is still happening. And actually, it is more annoying than I thought - if you have a lighting source (like a table lamp) coming from the left side, it is quite obvious whenever you look down.

 

[Brookzy]

Picked up mine yesterday (2.9GHz, 1T, 460), and I can confirm it is still happening. And actually, it is more annoying than I thought - if you have a lighting source (like a table lamp) coming from the left side, it is quite obvious whenever you look down.

View attachment 697551

What's the build date? Could be old stock.

(If you don't know, you can just post the forth and fifth digits of your serial.)

 

[rchendesign]

What's the build date? Could be old stock.

(If you don't know, you can just post the forth and fifth digits of your serial.)

I am not sure how to check the build date - the forth and fifth digits are TJ. Could you please let me know how to check the build date, thanks a lot!

 

[Brookzy]

I am not sure how to check the build date - the forth and fifth digits are TJ. Could you please let me know how to check the build date, thanks a lot!

Week 15 2017 (so approximately April 10 to April 16 - 'approximately' because the week numbers can overlap if production of a single unit occurs over more than one day).

So it is still happening! I thought you might have picked it up in store from stock (some stores stock the model you have).

[T means the first half of 2017, and J means the 15th week of that half of the year. It can get a little complicated to figure out so a while ago I made a little spreadsheet to do it for me, haha!]

 

[Ma2k5]

Maybe they're all being intercepted during shipment and having snooping bits installed in them, and then repackaged and put back into shipping. ie: Scuff and blemishes happening during the implants.

A few years ago, this would be me completely joking, but these days I'm only half joking.

Seriously though, it just looks like a decrease in quality control at the assembly plant. This speaks to possible unqualified or poorly trained workers, all the way to a widespread shift in priorities at Apple. Personally, I'm more inclined to believe it's closer to the former ... at least for now.

I think it could just be that (for better prices with manufacturers), Apple allows them to ship them for sale with these minor defects - previously the QA control might have been far more stricter. Why would Apple do that? Other than the cost savings, they are banking on most people not caring about these small defects. Even if people end up returning it, it will overall probably be cheaper than having to set such strict QA controls (which would be potentially pricey).

Of course I would much prefer stricter QA control, I am just putting their thinking caps on.

 

[rchendesign]

Week 15 2017 (so approximately April 10 to April 16 - 'approximately' because the week numbers can overlap if production of a single unit occurs over more than one day).

So it is still happening! I thought you might have picked it up in store from stock (some stores stock the model you have).

[T means the first half of 2017, and J means the 15th week of that half of the year. It can get a little complicated to figure out so a while ago I made a little spreadsheet to do it for me, haha!]

View attachment 697556

Got it. Thanks!

Yea I made an order, waited for about 2 weeks, and picked it up in the store. It's kind of disappointed to see this right out of the box... I couldn't get over it and made another order last night, will return this one next week...

 

[Brookzy]

Got it. Thanks!

Yea I made an order, waited for about 2 weeks, and picked it up in the store. It's kind of disappointed to see this right out of the box... I couldn't get over it and made another order last night, will return this one next week...

Nice to have the working capital to do that! I had issues with my own TJ-serialed 15" Pro that arrived earlier this week; Apple are sending me a new one without charging my card before I return this one - I didn't have a spare £3,000 lying around!

 

[rchendesign]

Nice to have the working capital to do that! I had issues with my own TJ-serialed 15" Pro that arrived earlier this week; Apple are sending me a new one without charging my card before I return this one - I didn't have a spare £3,000 lying around!

It's great that you didn't have to re-order one like me... I did a re-order because I wasn't sure Apple would admit that the scratch was a defect and let me do a replacement because of it. I thought ordering and returning using the 14 days policy might be a little bit simpler lol.

 

[Porkchop Sandwich]

I am not defending Apple nor am I discounting the complaints that have been voiced over “scratches, bare spots, or finish blemishes” that have been raised in this thread. Rather, I am going to point out a manufacturing fact of life, albeit there are ways and techniques to eliminate or minimize the issue..

All Apple aluminum is anodized. Yes, this is inclusive of all that is silver throughout the entire catalog of Apple products (not just space gray, et al).

The anodize process requires an electrical current and anodize is a dipping process through a progressive battery of tanks required to produce the finish. It is common to use a steel or copper hanger which also acts as an electrical conductor in order to dip the item (in this case, the case..lol) through the regimen of tanks, followed by hanging to air dry. The point in which the conductor (steel or copper wire) makes contact with the item being anodized will often leave a spot void of coloration, yet technically anodized. Of course, this will be more noticeable on a darker colored workpiece.

Carry on..

 

[ozmeister]

I am so happy to find this thread as this was bugging me since last December. Basically ordered a customised Pro 2016. 15" Space Gray 1TB, 2.9GHZ and 460. Received it after a 5 week waiting period.

When I received it - I immediatly noticed the scratches under both speakers. Long story short - returned it and received a replacement. The reason I'm happy to see this thread - everyone I showed the two scratched thought I was being anal, and trying to convince me it was not a defect. This thread proves it's a viable problem. No matter how small..this isn't what you should receive from a company like Apple..no matter if it's an ipod nano..or high-end, top of the line customised Macbook Pro. Period.

Anyways here is my current problem. I received my replacement back in early February - and I was away from home for the last 2 months for work. So my laptop is still in original factory box, shrink wrapped.

My current return period is over - but I don't want to take my chances. Especially after seeing this thread - as I initially thought I was the only one with a defected unit - looks like it's a global problem. What would you guys recommend? Should I give them a call in the morning and drive to nearest Apple store and open the package near a genious so I have a witness..if my second Macbook has the exact same problem?

 

[ozmeister]

As suspected my new replacement has the exact same problem! Thankfully this time I had a Genius unbox it at the local Apple Store for me, and they immediatly took note. This is getting ridiculous. It's more visible/disturbing when light hits from a certain angle / dark.

[doublepost=1493298779][/doublepost]

 

[Bootleg Gucci]

It is possible to get a perfect finish unit. Totally justifiable to keep demanding %100 satisfaction since Apple is overcharging for this hardware by a mile. Sheesh, my custom build 2016 15" MBP Space Gray retails for $3198 or so.

 

[rchendesign]

I am not defending Apple nor am I discounting the complaints that have been voiced over “scratches, bare spots, or finish blemishes” that have been raised in this thread. Rather, I am going to point out a manufacturing fact of life, albeit there are ways and techniques to eliminate or minimize the issue..

All Apple aluminum is anodized. Yes, this is inclusive of all that is silver throughout the entire catalog of Apple products (not just space gray, et al).

The anodize process requires an electrical current and anodize is a dipping process through a progressive battery of tanks required to produce the finish. It is common to use a steel or copper hanger which also acts as an electrical conductor in order to dip the item (in this case, the case..lol) through the regimen of tanks, followed by hanging to air dry. The point in which the conductor (steel or copper wire) makes contact with the item being anodized will often leave a spot void of coloration, yet technically anodized. Of course, this will be more noticeable on a darker colored workpiece.

Carry on..

Thanks for explaining the anodize process. And I think it is possible to have the contact point at the back of C panel, so it won't be seen from front - as a product designer, I believe the designers and engineers at Apple must have thought about the contact point issue for sure. There also might be some other finishing process after the part being anodized as well. So my opinion is the scratch might be from something else...

It would be great if Apple would release some kind of video showing their manufacturing process (like the factory video from BMW), so we might be able to figure out where is the scratch from...
[doublepost=1493306804][/doublepost]

As suspected my new replacement has the exact same problem! Thankfully this time I had a Genius unbox it at the local Apple Store for me, and they immediatly took note. This is getting ridiculous. It's more visible/disturbing when light hits from a certain angle / dark.

[doublepost=1493298779][/doublepost]View attachment 697652

Is that space grey? Thanks.

 

[ozmeister]

Is that space grey? Thanks.

It is.

 

[rchendesign]

It is.

Thanks

 

[Porkchop Sandwich]

Thanks for explaining the anodize process. And I think it is possible to have the contact point at the back of C panel, so it won't be seen from front - as a product designer, I believe the designers and engineers at Apple must have thought about the contact point issue for sure. There also might be some other finishing process after the part being anodized as well. So my opinion is the scratch might be from something else...

It would be great if Apple would release some kind of video showing their manufacturing process (like the factory video from BMW), so we might be able to figure out where is the scratch from...
[doublepost=1493306804][/doublepost]

Is that space grey? Thanks.

It’s likely that there is only one final step following anodize with respect to finish. That would be nothing more than a buffing or tumbling process to remove any residual water streaks or physical tackiness left upon the surface, following anodize. This would also provide for a minor wax coating that is inherently incorporated into that final buff/tumble process. At this scale of manufacturing, a final buff is somewhat likely but any additional finishing process--nope. All parts would then go straight to assembly.

It would be easy to incorporate into the manufacturing process controls, specificity of how the items would be hung/dipped in order to assure any color variations would be in inconspicuous areas.

I do not have the advantage of having a "scratched" MBP to inspect. If the scratch does not shine silver, as in bare metal, the scratch occurred prior to anodize. I suspect it is a handling issue.

 

[serkan]

I am curious that these returned machines are sold as refurbished or sent back to manufacturer for investigation ?

I know you agree to buy a cosmetic defect machine when receiving a refurbished but this also means Apple is losing loads of cash by this because they are selling the refurbished machines much cheaper than the brand new ones.

It feels like the they are paying for the extra price bump when people return their machines and those have to be sold as refurbished.

 

[rchendesign]

It’s likely that there is only one final step following anodize with respect to finish. That would be nothing more than a buffing or tumbling process to remove any residual water streaks or physical tackiness left upon the surface, following anodize. This would also provide for a minor wax coating that is inherently incorporated into that final buff/tumble process. At this scale of manufacturing, a final buff is somewhat likely but any additional finishing process--nope. All parts would then go straight to assembly.

It would be easy to incorporate into the manufacturing process controls, specificity of how the items would be hung/dipped in order to assure any color variations would be in inconspicuous areas.

I do not have the advantage of having a "scratched" MBP to inspect. If the scratch does not shine silver, as in bare metal, the scratch occurred prior to anodize. I suspect it is a handling issue.

Thanks for the analysis. I am not even sure if it is a "scratch", because if you touch it, you can barely feel it. And it's only visible from some angle. Maybe that's how scratch on anodized Aluminum looks... I am extremely curious where is it from...

 

[ozmeister]

My second machine is going back tommorow.
Regarding the "feel" as mentioned above, in my case; when I run my finger over the left scratch - I don't feel anything, but it's there and you can see it. The scratch on the right feels more like a surface bump when you touch. Hard to explain. It's especially disturbing under daylight.

 

[rchendesign]

Update - A replacement came last Friday, and had a scratch at exactly the same spot (under right speaker). Will return it again...

 

[ozmeister]

Just got contacted by Apple, they offered to replace my metal casing instead of going through the whole return process for the third time. To be honest, I would prefer this, instead of going through this process again, only to find out that my third unit will have the exact same scratch on the exact same spot.

My only worry is, if this (getting the casing replaced by Apple) would cause any issues with buyers and effect the value when I sell the machine in future.

 

[vjobs]

My only worry is, if this (getting the casing replaced by Apple) would cause any issues with buyers and effect the value when I sell the machine in future.

No. No one knows that it had been serviced, except you and Apple. You will get it back in a better condition and all replacement parts are original. I suspect resale value could even increase a little bit, because it will be 100% scratch/blemish free.

 

[basti4n]

My 13" MBP (Touch Bar-version) came scratched from factory too...
But you can only see the tooling marks from a certain angle..

Anyone else seeing this on their 13"-Model?

 

[fokmik]

My 13" MBP (Touch Bar-version) came scratched from factory too...
But you can only see the tooling marks from a certain angle..

Anyone else seeing this on their 13"-Model?

that is silver MBP? i thought only space grey had problems until now