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Niy

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 14, 2020
3
1
Hi, used to be a member and haven't been on for ages so old account is lost... probably my fault... anyway, I have a 2016 MBP and I was just cleaning the screen now and realized it finally has some keyboard imprint on the screen. It's probably been there for a long time but I never noticed it until now.

Is Apple still fixing this for free?

I sent off my work 2017 MBP in Nov 2019 with the same issue and XMA fixed it for free.

The condition of this laptop baring the imprint is mint because it's practically a desktop and I have only taken it out a handful of times since I bought it.

Cheers
 

chscag

macrumors 601
Feb 17, 2008
4,622
1,946
Fort Worth, Texas
You'll probably need to contact Apple customer service and ask. Since all retail stores are closed until the 27th of March you won't be able to take it in and have it looked at. I used my MacBook for years in clamshell mode but always kept a cloth between the keyboard and display to avoid screen imprint. Screen imprint from the keyboard is one of the hazards when using your MacBook portable in clamshell mode.
 

Niy

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 14, 2020
3
1
I’ll try and call them again tomorrow / Monday, but their customer service on the phone is pretty rubbish from my experience. Last time they point blank refuse to speak to me because my machine was out of warranty.

As I have said, I very rarely take the laptop out so I don’t understand why this has happened... when it’s at home, it just sits on the desk with nothing every placed on top, sometimes I don’t even close it and let it stay open if I am working on a project day and night...

I shall report back...
 
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CRoebuck

macrumors member
May 16, 2014
83
55
I've had 3 replacement screens on my 2017 MBPr 13" which is well out of warranty, each time without question. Each time they've noticed that some keys sit proud of the keyboard deck more than others but refuse to change the keyboard because that wasn't failing. Last week they finally replaced the keyboard (due to stuck key) so now I have a new outer case, battery, keyboard and screen. Sure, these things shouldn't happen but I can't fault the service.
 

smbu2000

macrumors 6502
Oct 19, 2014
467
218
They should cover screen coating issues on you MBP for 4 years from your original date of purchse. The late 2016 MBPs were originally release in October of 2016 so all of them should still be covered until October 2020.

When the limit is for your machine will depend on when you purchased it.
For example, my 2017 15” MBP was purchased 10/2017, so I will be covered for any screen coating issues until 10/2021.
 

Niy

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 14, 2020
3
1
Cheers guys, I bought mine in Feb 2017, so just over 3 years. Probably gonna wait a bit until the coronavirus situation dies down a bit then. Can’t do anything for at least 2 weeks now anyway...

I also noticed a key was a bit stuck a while back but it hasn’t happened since, what’s the time frame on replacing the keyboard? Because I don’t think they will do anything unless I can show them a particular key doesn’t work anymore, which we are not there yet... but if I am sending the machine, I want both fixed... hummm...

This thing happens so quickly though, the screen on my work laptop (2017) was replaced end of Nov 2019 and I just checked, it’s started happening again. Note: when I got it, it wasn’t brand new and so the coating was peeling off and the keyboard was failing, so had both of them fixed with a great deal of mental pain from our IT guys.

Anyway, I have always since had a thin cloth between the screen and keyboard except when walking up and down the building to go to meetings... this thing goes home with me once a week every 2-3 weeks and the amount of time I forgot to put the cloth on I can count with 1 hand! Not happy!!!

Do I really need to place a cloth on it even when I am just carrying it in my hands and walk dozens of steps to a different room?

Also, I have 2 monitors at my desk, so the laptop is mostly close when I am there, would the heat be a contributing factor to the coating starting to come off again so quickly?

Can’t get this replaced again now because I had to kick up a big, I mean. really fuss to get it replaced last time even though the coating was peeling off and the replacement was free.

Why? The excuse was it doesn’t bother you does it? You can’t ‘really’ see when the screen is on... and they couldn’t be bothered to log a job and pack it. Can you imagine going through that pain again?

Maybe I’ll just chance it with the Apple store? Do they check receipt? It is a 2017 model so 2017 + 4 = 2021.
 

smbu2000

macrumors 6502
Oct 19, 2014
467
218
The keyboard replacement program is also for 4 years from your original date of purchase.

I'd think that they wouldn't give you any troubles regarding a replacement for screen coating issues considering they've been replacing screens for years now.

The last time I took a MBP in for a screen issue, they replaced it after taking a quick look at it.
 

x-evil-x

macrumors 603
Jul 13, 2008
5,597
3,281
You'll probably need to contact Apple customer service and ask. Since all retail stores are closed until the 27th of March you won't be able to take it in and have it looked at. I used my MacBook for years in clamshell mode but always kept a cloth between the keyboard and display to avoid screen imprint. Screen imprint from the keyboard is one of the hazards when using your MacBook portable in clamshell mode.
id be more worried about having a cloth in Between the screen and the keyboard as it could be pressing on the keys constantly.
The screen shouldn't be touching the keys at all that's how these are designed. There is no need for a cloth in better the two when you shut it. If the keys are leaving imprints then you need to have apple fix it.
 

chscag

macrumors 601
Feb 17, 2008
4,622
1,946
Fort Worth, Texas
The screen shouldn't be touching the keys at all that's how these are designed. There is no need for a cloth in better the two when you shut it. If the keys are leaving imprints then you need to have apple fix it.

It's true that the design is supposed to protect the screen from getting marked up from the keys pressing up against it. Unfortunately, folks carry their Mac portables in back packs, book bags, etc. Any pressure on the top lid is going to cause the screen to make contact with the keys. In many cases Apple has refused to replace the screen stating that it's accidental damage which is not covered. I suppose if you have Apple Care Plus they will replace the screen less the deductible.
 

Glockworkorange

Suspended
Feb 10, 2015
2,511
4,184
Chicago, Illinois
I had the key imprints on 2016 era MacBook Pro's--none were permanent and came off with a vigorous cleaning.
2019 i6 inch doesn't seem to have the key imprint issue. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
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