MacBook Pro 2016 Display scratches easily

[WhiteWhaleHolyGrail]

The keyboard should not be coming in contact with the screen. It should be expected that oil (not going to cause a scratch) and sediment will find it's way on to the keys in a mobile device. It should be anticipated. This is bad design.

All laptops suffer from this issue in some form or another. The problem is that even thicker screen cases are 'thin' relative to their surface area and so when pressure is applied near the centre of the casing, contact is easily made even if sufficient space was manufactured in. I even experienced this with my old IBM T42 and that thing was practically indestructible.

So far, nothing suggests that the new MBP screens are more prone to keyboard pressure than preceding models.

 

[bent christian]

The screen on my T61 recedes a bit from the bezel, preventing something like this from happening. Almost ten years of continual use, and not a scratch on it's *plastic* screen. Not the best screen, but overall, good design.

 

[Trixs]

Hope you guys are happy with your super-thin devices!

That is terrible design.

I think all macbooks have this

 

[mullet]

Option A - take to Apple. Complain. Hope that I get a Genius (non-Genius depending on who you get) that will exchange computer. Wait a week without computer - I have a BTO model. Get new computer and use a different bag to carry laptop.

Option B - Previously mentioned Genius rejects replacement. Then I try to use tooth paste and buff out the scratches. Also use different bag to carry laptop.

I'm hoping that Option A comes to fruition.

 

[guy_mac]

WTF? Apple waited a year and a half to get this rev. right and all we get is an endless list of problems.

Lemming fiasco.

 

[RPhoto]

This is nothing new and not exclusive to the 2016 Pro, or even just the Pro.

My wife's early 2015 11" MacBook Air has these keyboard marks on the screen. She regularly puts the Air in a rucksack full of other stuff.

By contrast, my mid 2012 11" Air is never put in a full bag, has travelled all over the world with me and has no keyboard imprint on the screen.

I suspect all of Apples laptops will suffer from this if pressure is applied to the back of the screen when objects are pressed against it over a prolonged period of time. My old MacBook Pro screen (forget the year, first unibody) looked shocking when I eventually got rid of it as I had kept a rubber cover over the keyboard the entire time I owned it.

 

[Reflexiste]

Does this allow the screen to close fully without obstruction?

Any difference, with or without it's the same.

 

[andreyush]

I can't believe that this problem is still present in late 2016 macbooks. Even with the new keyboard, your display is full of marks. Apple ....You gotta' love it.

 

[el.jeffe58]

I got one too. What the hell; it's reasonable enough to test it out.

I bought this

https://www.radtech.com/products/screensavrz-macbook-pro-keyboard-cover

 

[jk73]

The multiple mentions of cleaning cloths on the first page reminded me that I didn't get a black cleaning cloth with my new 2016 MBP with Touch Bar. Are those no longer included like they used to be? Thanks.

 

[andreyush]

The multiple mentions of cleaning cloths on the first page reminded me that I didn't get a black cleaning cloth with my new 2016 MBP with Touch Bar. Are those no longer included like they used to be? Thanks.

They will not give you a AC Wall Plug but you want a micro fiber cloth? You're funny!
From Apple perspective you are too pretentious .

 

[thadoggfather]

$10, tempting...

just for peace of mind, my screen is great and I dont want to deal with this at all

 

[jk73]

They will not give you a AC Wall Plug but you want a micro fiber cloth? You're funny!
From Apple perspective you are too pretentious .

I'll take that as an "Apple doesn't include a cleaning cloth anymore." Haha.

 

[thadoggfather]

I'll take that as an "Apple doesn't include a cleaning cloth anymore." Haha.

of course they dont

next step, apple will not even package the laptops in retail packaging anymore, someone out of the backroom will just handle you a raw laptop and you'll have to scram,

 

[aquaGC]

I read in another thread that the company switched the design because the full coverage ones prevented the lid from closing all the way. Apparently people who preordered received an email updating them about the situation.

Email if anyone is curious:

"I wanted to let everyone know that I’ve been working diligently on ScreenSavrz for the late 2016 MacBook Pros since release. As ScreenSavrz represent one of RadTech's oldest and most important products, it's vitally important to me that they fit and function perfectly, without compromising any of the functionality of these new machines.

In Apple's quest to create ever thinner notebooks, the gap between the closed display and the keyboard / palm-rest is much shallower than any previous notebook computer (released by any manufacturer). This has created a myriad of challenges to get it right. This has proven to be quite a challenge on these models, coupled with the reality that these machines posses a much greater propensity for the screen to make contact with the keyboard and palm-rest during transport.

To the point: the extremely narrow display to top-case gap on the new MBP’s required that ScreenSavrz for these models to be substantially smaller and thinner than all previous models (see attached images). In fact, the equipment and technology used to manufacture the Optex fabric is now at the absolute lower limit in terms of the material's thickness (which was a monumental challenge all its own). That said, the final product will absolutely provide the same protective and cleaning properties that ScreenSavrz have been providing for the past 15 years.

So, I will be updating all of the pre-orders placed with revised part numbers, and reducing the price on all pre-orders to $10.95 per unit.
I expect to begin shipping the 1st week of December - if you prefer to cancel your order, change color, etc, please reply to this message with your Order ID number by 12-5 informing me of any changes. If no changes are required, you do not need to respond.

Thank you again for entrusting the health and longevity of your computer display to RadTech, and best regards."

I ended up cancelling my preorder because, as someone else pointed out, the raised aluminum around the trackpad is just as likely to make imprints on the display. If the ScreenSavrz doesn't protect the entire display then I don't really see the point. That said, I was very appreciative of RadTech's transparency and I love a lot of their other products.

Thin design or not, every MacBook is susceptible to imprints on the display. My 2010 polycarbonate MacBook has it pretty badly. I'm a college student and I constantly see Macs (and PCs, too) with these imprints - I'd bet most of their owners never even notice the damage.

The only option I see other than being super careful is using the thin sheet of paper that ships with the MBP, but that isn't the most elegant solution. I'm just going to avoid carrying my MBP in a stuffed backpack to the best of my ability. I'm also going to keep an eye out for a nice, rigid sleeve that will protect the MBP from pressure.

 

[swamyg1]

I'm also noticing some marks on the screen with my new 2016 MBP. Luckily they wipe off pretty easily.

I imagine a silicone keyboard cover would be a good solution for this issue? I'll probably get one!

 

[Kjung7]

I'm also noticing some marks on the screen with my new 2016 MBP. Luckily they wipe off pretty easily.

I imagine a silicone keyboard cover would be a good solution for this issue? I'll probably get one!

It probably won't fit due to thickness

 

[npreq]

Which is why I'm getting a screen protector, and had one on my 2011

 

[Spoony Bard]

Chiming in to say that my 2012 rMBP developed permanent keyboard marks on the display at some point during the 4 years I owned it. It's not a new issue, and my 2016 tbMBP is susceptible as well. I too picked up one of those RadTech protectors and am waiting for it to arrive.

 

[maflynn]

Which is why I'm getting a screen protector, and had one on my 2011

Not for nothing, but my 2012 rMBP looks as good today as the day I got it and I don't use a screen protector. I'm quite paranoid in how I work the laptop, and try to install to my kids who now use the laptop, don't touch the display with your fingers

 

[Fzang]

I've carried my 2013 15" rMBP in a backpack most of the time, always with the bottom towards my back. No keyboard marks ever.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Option A - take to Apple. Complain. Hope that I get a Genius (non-Genius depending on who you get) that will exchange computer. Wait a week without computer - I have a BTO model. Get new computer and use a different bag to carry laptop.

Option B - Previously mentioned Genius rejects replacement. Then I try to use tooth paste and buff out the scratches. Also use different bag to carry laptop.

I'm hoping that Option A comes to fruition.

Using toothpaste on your screen will only make it worst.

 

[thesimplelogic]

I can't believe that this problem is still present in late 2016 macbooks. Even with the new keyboard, your display is full of marks. Apple ....You gotta' love it.

As other posters have stated, nearly all laptops have this issue to an extent (although probably more prominent on glossy displays in my experience, i.e. most Apple laptops). A friend's new HP Elitebook is less than 6 months old and also has similar issues with the keyboard except hers is more extreme.

Always carried my rMBP in a very full backpack (albeit with a protective hard case on, not a sleeve) and I have never had issues with keyboard marks.

 

[Kjung7]

As long as you are cleaning the screen frequently along with your keyboard you don't have to worry about this issue too much. It's when people let oil/dust build up on the keyboard that this becomes a problem.

 

[swamyg1]

Which is why I'm getting a screen protector, and had one on my 2011

Any suggestions? I looked on Amazon but can't seem to find too many with decent reviews.