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M1 MacBook Air Wobble

developeralioz

developeralioz

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 16, 2020
66
3
Hello, I bought M1 Macbook Air. But the right feet of the device is in the air. All other feet touch the table. When you lean your wrist to use the device, the device hits the table and makes a sound. I returned the device and they gave me a new one. This new device has the same issue. There are hundreds of threads on the internet about this problem. I've tried it on dozens of different surfaces and tables. But I faced the same problem in all of them. My previous Macbook Pro 2015 did not wobble on any of these desks. But on the two M1 Airs I've had, it wobbles on any surface I'm sure is flat.

In the images, you can see the right foot standing in the air.

B3E3D2A9-783F-4202-9CF4-DAA354FEAA0A.jpeg


Left foot

3CA90F26-C950-4AE7-A938-50E1389B69FD.jpeg


Why isn't Apple acknowledging this issue?

My device will change once again. But I'm afraid it will be the same problem again.

Do you have any advice for me?
 
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You know what is hilarious - I also have returned previous M1 MBA with the exact same issue! Mine was the closest right edge (the edge towards your torso) the entire chassis has some flex (perhaps due to the tapered design). It can flex with that cheap 6000 series aluminum. So what I did was press hard on the edge to flex it back and it helped significantly but it wasn't 100% back to normal. I was within my return window so I returned it for the next poor sap who will buy refurbished.

These sorts of issues is what makes me not want to buy refurb apple products. You can simply slip a piece of paper between the "round bumper legs" and the table surface for me 3 of them the paper wouldn't slide thru but the torso edge right corner "round bumper leg" would allow the paper to slide through.

Good luck, I'd return it. That is why the redesign is coming and it's going to be even thinner!
 
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??? i was about to get one, Well,,, i do have some of these:

www.amazon.com

Plastic Glass Table Stoppers,Rubber Feet for Hard Drive,Rubber Feet for Laptop,Rubber Feet for Ornaments Like Glass Or Metal Material,Self Adhesive Backing,Black and Clear Color,48PCS.

Plastic Glass Table Stoppers,Rubber Feet for Hard Drive,Rubber Feet for Laptop,Rubber Feet for Ornaments Like Glass Or Metal Material,Self Adhesive Backing,Black and Clear Color,48PCS.
www.amazon.com

I had to buy them as the same happens to my hard drives... (Western Digital skimp on the feet still)

They would work on MBA, just it would never be the same again... At least you have a Mac. Better than puting the blame to Apple always...

I guess it is kinda silly people would return over rubber feet, but...oh well....
 
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Tech198 said:
??? i was about to get one, Well,,, i do have some of these:

www.amazon.com

Plastic Glass Table Stoppers,Rubber Feet for Hard Drive,Rubber Feet for Laptop,Rubber Feet for Ornaments Like Glass Or Metal Material,Self Adhesive Backing,Black and Clear Color,48PCS.

Plastic Glass Table Stoppers,Rubber Feet for Hard Drive,Rubber Feet for Laptop,Rubber Feet for Ornaments Like Glass Or Metal Material,Self Adhesive Backing,Black and Clear Color,48PCS.
www.amazon.com

I had to buy them as the same happens to my hard drives... (Western Digital skimp on the feet still)

They would work on MBA, just it would never be the same again... At least you have a Mac. Better than puting the blame to Apple always...

I guess it is kinda silly people would return over rubber feet, but...oh well....
Click to expand...

Right, paying $1500+ for a laptop and expecting plastic stoppers to fix a problem that shouldn't be in the first place. There is a return policy so use it!
 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
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Marshall73 said:
So is the MacBook Air chassis twisted? Have you laid a metal rule across it to see how twisted it is?
Click to expand...
This is a known problem judging from the many, many complaints. The MBA uses recycled 6000 series aluminum junk. It's bendable but if it's like this out of the box it's a return. Otherwise I wouldn't fret about it it's made of metal and will bend eventually when you stress it. I hope one of you bought my re-bent MBA in the refurb store!
 
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Marshall73 said:
So is the MacBook Air chassis twisted? Have you laid a metal rule across it to see how twisted it is?
Click to expand...
No, the safe wasn't bent. I don't think it's possible that the case of the 2 laptops that came out of the box is bent.
 
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A just got my second Air and it wobbles to, but this time on the bottom right corner. I ordered P5 screwdriver and I will try to unscrew all the screws on the back, then screw in again. I heard this might solve the problem. If it's not I will return, and probably wait for new release. I don't have that much patience to buy and send back again.
 
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I have a 1mm wobble on the bottom right, I use some tape to compensate, I’m still thinking if I should take it down to Apple..
 

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JamieLannister said:
You know what is hilarious - I also have returned previous M1 MBA with the exact same issue! Mine was the closest right edge (the edge towards your torso) the entire chassis has some flex (perhaps due to the tapered design). It can flex with that cheap 6000 series aluminum. So what I did was press hard on the edge to flex it back and it helped significantly but it wasn't 100% back to normal. I was within my return window so I returned it for the next poor sap who will buy refurbished.

These sorts of issues is what makes me not want to buy refurb apple products. You can simply slip a piece of paper between the "round bumper legs" and the table surface for me 3 of them the paper wouldn't slide thru but the torso edge right corner "round bumper leg" would allow the paper to slide through.

Good luck, I'd return it. That is why the redesign is coming and it's going to be even thinner!
Click to expand...
Do you think the price of the new model will be higher than this model?
 
Pethy said:
A just got my second Air and it wobbles to, but this time on the bottom right corner. I ordered P5 screwdriver and I will try to unscrew all the screws on the back, then screw in again. I heard this might solve the problem. If it's not I will return, and probably wait for new release. I don't have that much patience to buy and send back again.
Click to expand...
Can you share the results with us?
 
Ev0d3vil said:
I have a 1mm wobble on the bottom right, I use some tape to compensate, I’m still thinking if I should take it down to Apple..
Click to expand...
I returned it because it didn't make sense to me to put tape under a thousand dollar computer. They will send another one. This will be the 3rd device. I hope I never encounter this problem again.
 
developeralioz said:
I returned it because it didn't make sense to me to put tape under a thousand dollar computer. They will send another one. This will be the 3rd device. I hope I never encounter this problem again.
Click to expand...
I’m outside my return window now as I got it second hand , what does Apple usually do to fix it? Unscrew the bottom and try to adjust it?
 
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developeralioz said:
I returned it because it didn't make sense to me to put tape under a thousand dollar computer. They will send another one. This will be the 3rd device. I hope I never encounter this problem again.
Click to expand...

I decided to go down to Apple and see if they can offer a 1-1 exchange, its frustrating to use without the tape..
 
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developeralioz said:
Can you share the results with us?
Click to expand...
I heard that if I unscrew the bottom I might lose the warranty. I don't know if it's true, but to be safe I returned my 2nd device. Now I'm thinking to give one last chance. But if the 3rd is wobble too I skip till the new releases.
 
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Unscrew the bottom and screw them back in in a zick-zack/shoelace pattern, eg:
Top right screw-bottom left screw
Middle left screw-Middle right screw
etc.

Hope that explains it (and works)
 
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Sent my unit back to apple, they said they need to replace the top case, so see how it goes .
 
Ev0d3vil said:
Well, they said they saw the top case being slightly bent. If I have to replace the bottom cop, it would be under "cosmetic" damage and not covered under their limited warranty policy.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Please share the result with us.
 
I just picked up an M1 MBA today from my local store. Because I am aware of the issue, I tested for it as soon as I got home without even removing the wrapper from the unit. Unfortunately, I found it wobbles and now have to take it back. I think there's either a quality control issue (i.e. they are not checking for this) or Apple has just decided to ignore this problem even though they are aware of it with the hope that most won't notice it.

I am planning to return/exchange the unit.

Edit: Went to the store. Sales associate verified the problem and exchanged the unit. This new one appears to be OK.
 
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i have the same issue but here in india there isnt any return or replacement policy here. also the store clearly saw the issue and they still refused to do something about it saying its just fine keeo using it. I couldnt do anything so i put an hard shell case. that piece of plastic casing does the job perfectly.
 
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