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Is this possible? [can paper scratch screen?]

Macdude2010

Macdude2010

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 17, 2010
1,274
434
The Apple Store
Hello all,
I am curious about something. My question is, could the corner of a piece of paper scratch the display of a retina MacBook Pro in any way. I'm talking about the edge of the paper in the corner where two sides meet. Even if it's a micro scratch I would still like to know if it is possible.
 
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utcoug

macrumors member
Mar 31, 2010
53
0
I find it funny how things I wouldn't expect to scratch screens do; it's frustrating really. As soon as it happens though, I can just enjoy my hardware and not worry so much about the little things. It's kind of like that first scuff on a new pair of shoes. :D
 
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leman

macrumors P6
Oct 14, 2008
18,422
16,995
I know first-hand that paper edges can be rather sharp - but will it be enough to scratch glass? No idea. Do an experiment ;)
 
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Dovahkiing

macrumors 6502
Nov 1, 2013
439
413
If I remember my Mohs Hardness Scale from middle school science, it shouldn't be possible for a softer material to scratch a harder one. My bet would be on no. This scratch must have come from somewhere else. The retina screens are glass, right?
 
Macdude2010

Macdude2010

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 17, 2010
1,274
434
The Apple Store
niteflyr said:
I wouldn't think paper could actually scratch glass, but perhaps any coatings that are on the screen.
Click to expand...

utcoug said:
I find it funny how things I wouldn't expect to scratch screens do; it's frustrating really. As soon as it happens though, I can just enjoy my hardware and not worry so much about the little things. It's kind of like that first scuff on a new pair of shoes. :D
Click to expand...

leman said:
I know first-hand that paper edges can be rather sharp - but will it be enough to scratch glass? No idea. Do an experiment ;)
Click to expand...

Can anyone test this for me with a piece of paper, I need the iPhone flashlight to see it, could someone try it, I'm extremely OCD and scared to.
 
maflynn

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,112
42,824
Macdude2010 said:
Can anyone test this for me with a piece of paper, I need the iPhone flashlight to see it, could someone try it, I'm extremely OCD and scared to.
Click to expand...

Perhaps you should try yourself, instead of asking someone to scratch their laptop.

Edit:
I thought the rMBP display was plastic as they removed the glass for space,
 
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snaky69

macrumors 603
Mar 14, 2008
5,908
488
Macdude2010 said:
No, it already happened, and I found a small scratch under direct light, but I was wondering if this could have caused this, or it was something else.
Click to expand...

No.

To actually scratch something, anything, the material scratching the other must have a higher hardness. Paper is not harder than glass.
 
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utcoug

macrumors member
Mar 31, 2010
53
0
maflynn said:
Perhaps you should try yourself, instead of asking someone to scratch their laptop.

Edit:
I thought the rMBP display was plastic as they removed the glass for space,
Click to expand...

I agree. I was like, "what@!". Scratch your own device. Geez.:mad:
 
Macdude2010

Macdude2010

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 17, 2010
1,274
434
The Apple Store
maflynn said:
Perhaps you should try yourself, instead of asking someone to scratch their laptop.

Edit:
I thought the rMBP display was plastic as they removed the glass for space,
Click to expand...

utcoug said:
I agree. I was like, "what@!". Scratch your own device. Geez.:mad:
Click to expand...

I would if I wasn't so OCD, I'm on 20mg of lexapro and I still can't test it myself, someone used a pin once to test something, someone might do it, I'm not forcing anyone.
 
sammich

sammich

macrumors 601
Sep 26, 2006
4,301
266
Sarcasmville.
I'm fairly certain that the screen cover on Macbooks is glass. (You need to keep in mind that thin glass tends to have a similar 'tapped' sound to plastic as opposed to thicker glass. A good example of this is high quality wine glasses. Tapping them produces a duller feel because it's less rigid and therefore a lower frequency sound)

With that said, it shouldn't be possible to mark glass with paper. Assuming that the paper in question is the usual cellulose/plant based stuff. Paper simply doesn't have the hardness to achieve it. In fact, you could probably take something a bit harder like a plastic pen cap and it still wouldn't leave a scratch.

I can't confirm if there is a coating on the glossy MacBook screen. A casual search says no'. So however your mark came to be or if it's even a permanent mark, I'm fairly confident it wasn't paper.
 
Macdude2010

Macdude2010

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 17, 2010
1,274
434
The Apple Store
simonsi said:
Definitely it was something else. Please list all the materials in your house of whatever hardness so that we can test them 1-by-1 :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I've only had this computer for 2 days, and that's all it's really come in contact with, I assume it came from the factory that way?
 
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Lucille Carter

Suspended
Jul 3, 2013
1,266
4
Macdude2010 said:
Tell me about it, 2012 was bad because of the forums, but now I'm just asking a question to help me get back to doing other more important things. :)
Click to expand...

I understand and I know you are trying to make sure everything is perfect. But try taking a deep breath and relaxing. If you had to use a flashlight to see this small scratch you might just be able to live with it. If all else is working perfectly, why take a chance the replacement is bad.

I got a new MBPro retina to be delivered on Monday and a MB Air coming a few days after and have found Apple hardware to be well above the other junk on the market. I special ordered a new W540 from the factory and it would not even boot up!

Compared to this you are doing good! Enjoy!
 
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