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How easily does the macbook pro get scratched?

R

respectabilia

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 24, 2010
236
5
I've just ordered a mac for the first time and I've heard that the macbook pro can get some unpleasant scratches on it. Just wanted to know whether or not the scratch threat is more than the average plastic notebook out there.

I'm planning on sticking it in my bag a lot (which has a padded laptop comapratment). Is the htreat big enough for me to have to invest in a hardsheel cover/skin or sleeve? Or will just sticking it into the bag laptop compartment be sufficient?

Is there anyone who's managed to avoid any scratches over a prolonged period of time or is it something inevitable?
 
I have had my MacBook Pro for well over a year now and never had an issues with scratches. I even have a 3 year old and use it when I travel as a work computer. Unless you open with a screwdriver I don't really see how scratches can appear.
 
Aluminum is harder than plastic....if you want to protect the finish than get a case but it isnt any more prone to a scratch than a plastic laptop.
 
Well they are certainly harder to scratch than the MacBook. I've had my 13" MacBook Pro for almost a year now and there are no scratches on it :D As long as your reasonably careful with your MBP you'll be fine

•Mind you, I use mine mainly at home, rarely taking it out of the house. If you are going to take it to school or work everyday it might pay to get a padded sleeve for it or a skin ;)
 
2 years scratch free

Just over 2 years on my Aluminum MacBook and no scratches. My favorite accessory for it is a soft neoprene sleeve by Incase that I use to carry it in. It doesn't leave the house much anymore, but back when i got it it went on campus every day.
 
respectabilia said:
I've just ordered a mac for the first time and I've heard that the macbook pro can get some unpleasant scratches on it.
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Compared to what? Everything scratches, but a metal laptop is more solid than a plastic one. While it's true a plastic laptop gives a little with impact, metal on the other hand would dent. But after having a plastic laptop and the metal unibody Macbook Pro, I prefer the Macbook Pro. It feels so much more solid, doesn't heat up as much and the glass trackpad is so much easier to use.
 
Resist said:
Compared to what? Everything scratches, but a metal laptop is more solid than a plastic one. While it's true a plastic laptop gives a little with impact, metal on the other hand would dent. But after having a plastic laptop and the metal unibody Macbook Pro, I prefer the Macbook Pro. It feels so much more solid, doesn't heat up as much and the glass trackpad is so much easier to use.
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+1 for not as hot. Before my 13" late 2009 MBP I had a 2008 non-unibody MacBook and it got SO hot all the time :eek:
 
Ive had my mbp for 2 years and not one scratch but of course i take care of it. i also put it in the incase after using it
 
I've had my macbook pro for over 6 months now and only have one scratch on the underside. I placed it on a wooden table and slid it back to get a better position to type. Heard a scratching sound and immediately turned it over and saw a one inch gash! There was a small rock barely bigger than a grain of sand. :( Needless to say, I have since purchased a invisible shield and now I don't worry where I place my computer. :D
 
A bigger problem on aluminum is denting, where plastic will "bounce back" to its original shape if you drop something on it, alu will leave a dent which is usually damn-near impossible to remove.
I always found I got quite a bit of fine scratching on my plastic laptops regardless of how careful I was.
I will admit to being more cautious with my MBP than I ever was with any of my plastic bodied laptops but that could just be because I love this thing!
And no, so far I have NO scratches or dents...:)
 
Just wanted to know whether or not the scratch threat is more than the average plastic notebook out there.
Click to expand...

Congrats on your new MBP ... I am sure you will love it

answer to your question is No ... the MBP does not scratch easily

Plastic Laptops no matter what brand will scratch much easier than your MBP.
 
It does scratch and you have to be especially careful with the MBP coming into contact with metal. I scratched mine in the corner when the belt buckle of my airline seat brushed up against it. Very frustrating! That's the only scratch on my 4 and half year old MBP though. I started using a protective sleave after that.
 
If they are not covered or protected they do scratch pretty easily unless it is just sitting at home or in an office and is never moved around.
 
Unless your like me....
They Dont get scratched easily.
BTW: Ive got Phantom dust, i think chippings of steal on my desk :(
 
Scratching on plastic laptops wouldn't be as much of an issue if the industry would stop using shiny plastic and use flat (matte) colors instead. Scratches are much less noticeable on them.
 
Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I am totally loving the macbook pro; the best laptop purchase and I've ever encountered. Exactly what I wanted, a smootha nd responsive hassle-free experience.

I've invested in a sleeve and case to make sure scratches don't get on too easily. I am happy about the fact that the MBP doesn't look dirty so easily. I've had plastic laptops before and they'd get fingerprints and smudges all over them after a day's use.
 
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