Late-2013 15-inch Retina Macbook Pro Maximum Fold Angle/Hinge Durability?

[crellion]

First MB user here!!!

I just got a new rMBP 15-inch and I tend to use my laptop on my lap a lot hunched over sitting in the hallway of my classrooms (before class starts), and I'm wondering what is the maximum fold angle I can use my new rMBP on?

I know it probably can't fold flat (180-degrees) - but how far back can I do it - so I get a decent viewing angle while hunched over? Also - how durable are they hinges - I heard some nightmare stories about how early MacBook Air hinges just destroyed themselves from normal wear-and-tear, but I wonder if these MBP hinges are more sturdier for the various portability carrying I will be using it for? I typically take my laptop in my bookbag everywhere I go in my college - and so I expect it to be very durable in its portability and handling - as long as I don't accidentally drop on the floor of course...

 

[tinmeigut]

I haven't measured the hinge angle with an instrument before but I assume it to be around 130 degrees max (can anyone verify?).

As to durability, I'd say the MacBook Pros nowadays are quite good. My first MBP was a 2010 model. It's now dead due to hardware problem but the hinge is still stiff and strong like I just got it. My second one is a 2012 model with a matte screen, that one's hinge was a little looser than my 2010 MBP when I got it but after a year of use it's still holding up well. Not loose or flimsy at all.

I've read that the older MBPs (Core 2 Duo times) had loose hinges but I guess with the new aluminium design, things have changed. So no worries!

 

[akramer]

The Titanium Powerbook hinges were a disaster. They'd be the first thing to break.
Aluminum MBP hinges did wear out, they'd lose the ability to stay a tiny bit open and just flap closed. Often by this time the entire computer would look like it had been through a war, though. I call these things tin can MBPs based on their durability.
I've not seen a unibody MBP with worn out hinges yet. I think Apple finally figured it out.

 

[crellion]

Great - thanks for vote of confidence guys!

Basically - the "nightmare" scenario of the early MacBook Airs hinge durability looked like this:

I think this was before the MacBook Air got redesigned with the newer unibody design that we see today (can someone verify this?)

So from what you guys said so far - I guess Apple has sorted this durability issue out with the today's unibody MBPs...