I noticed sometimes after I pick up the rMB by the the corner that the laptop is wobbly after I put it back down on a flat surface. I can then pick it back up from the opposite corner and just lift it a few times and then it back to normal - anyone else notice this? I'm not surprised because its so thin - but wanted to know if it was just me
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Macbook bending slightly? Wobbly on desk
- Thread starter trueno86
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My neighbors new MB was the same. Would not sit level on the table. Thought it was the table but we tried several surfaces and it still rocked back and forth when touching the lower left corner. It is driving him crazy while typing.
A certain number of Mac laptops do arrive slightly warped. The problem may be a little more likely with a lightweight laptop like the rMB (?). Do not try to bend it back (people suggest that in threads here), take it back and get it replaced 
I thought mine was warped because it was wobbling when sitting on top of the old MBP it's replacing. I moved it to the glass tabletop underneath and it was completely stable.
So, you might want to make sure you've checked it out on more than one "flat" surface.
So, you might want to make sure you've checked it out on more than one "flat" surface.
I've noticed this on my MacBook as well. Upon some inspection just now, the wobble only begins when the screen is opened to about 90 degrees or more; it seems that the weight of the screen begins to lift the computer off its feet, and for me, the front right foot is the first to lift off.
Perhaps later in the summer, ostensibly when Apple Stores have more of these in stock, I'll go in and see about a trade. It doesn't bug me too much for now though.
Perhaps later in the summer, ostensibly when Apple Stores have more of these in stock, I'll go in and see about a trade. It doesn't bug me too much for now though.
You know this is what is happening! When near 90 its fine, but when its any more its when it begins to wobble - I bet my lifting and putting it back just adjusted the angle so that I *thought* I was bending it back.
Thanks for the feedback, maybe I will wait just like you
definitely some flex to it when I bend it with 2 hands placed in opposite corner. I personally wish Apple has used a different material for this, because it's close to the level of iPhone 6+. I don't want to have to worry about my laptop bending.
but it feels sturdy, I would recommend not to bend it too much.
but it feels sturdy, I would recommend not to bend it too much.
I had the same problem with my 2011 macbook air, but it got better as some people told me here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1080044/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1080044/
I can corroborate that mine is wobbly at times as well. Base model space gray.
I noticed this when typing and resting my right hand on the space below the keyboard it would tap on the table as the foot went from being off the table to on the table. I tried moving it around to different surfaces to make sure it wasn't my table. So I flexed the base in the opposite direction of the wobble and sure enough the bottom right no longer lifts off the surface. I can apply pressure again to twist it so it lifts again and can twist it back easily as well. The whole thing doesn't take too much pressure to get it to be wobbly. I didn't apply too much pressure either as I didn't want to break the thing. Overall, with what I was willing to test, it lifts 1-2mm off the table on the bottom right corner when the rMB is open. I didn't want to try to left side.
I've purchased AppleCare so I can have some piece of mind. But I suspect that until this becomes more widely known, they will try to blame it on the user.
I noticed this when typing and resting my right hand on the space below the keyboard it would tap on the table as the foot went from being off the table to on the table. I tried moving it around to different surfaces to make sure it wasn't my table. So I flexed the base in the opposite direction of the wobble and sure enough the bottom right no longer lifts off the surface. I can apply pressure again to twist it so it lifts again and can twist it back easily as well. The whole thing doesn't take too much pressure to get it to be wobbly. I didn't apply too much pressure either as I didn't want to break the thing. Overall, with what I was willing to test, it lifts 1-2mm off the table on the bottom right corner when the rMB is open. I didn't want to try to left side.
I've purchased AppleCare so I can have some piece of mind. But I suspect that until this becomes more widely known, they will try to blame it on the user.
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I think that Apple would be justified in blaming the user when you admit to intentionally flexing the computer. I can only think that intentionally putting enough pressure on the computer to cause it to flex short of breaking is not covered under normal use. Would Apple still cover it, most likely.
Yes if one broke it trying to flex it or "fix it", they would be justified. However, if one left it be and brought it in, I still suspect they would lay blame on the user and suggest that there was mistreatment.
The more I inspect mine, I think it's that the hinges don't have the same friction and it leaves a bit of torque on the base when you open it. If I move the screen around while holding the lower right corner down to the table, I can get rid of the wobble when I notice it. If this is actually the case, I not really a big deal at all.
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How do open the computer lid? I realized as I was reading your post that I always open fron the center.
I believe the rMBP had, or has this issue as well. Its not bending in the sense of the iPhone 6, but the end result is the same, the laptop is not sitting flat on the table.
People also post about this in the MBA forum. Whether it's hinge tension as Blulegend posted or a warped chassis is hard to tell from most posts.
I also open from the center, at least initially. I will pay closer attention to see if I might move my hand to one of the corners as I open it.
Thank you SO MUCH! I just bought the rMB recently and I thought I'd already bent it in less than a week but this helped me!
I called Apple yesterday, cause my Macbook was wobbling, too. Now my new rMB is on its way to be delivered on monday.
I've had this on a few MacBooks - very slightly (it takes only one sheet of paper on the raised corner to balance it). I'll probably get abuse for suggesting it, but pressing down gently on all four corners simultaneously while the lid closed has fixed it every time.
I think one (of many) cause of this is using your MacBook on an uneven surface and resting your palm in the trackpad area, warping it ever so slightly.
I think one (of many) cause of this is using your MacBook on an uneven surface and resting your palm in the trackpad area, warping it ever so slightly.