MacBook Pro 2017 13" Hinge Loose?

[TheCrankyHermit]

Hey all - I just got my 13" 2017 MBP and am loving it --- flawless keyboard, screen, snappy performance, etc... One item, however, is getting me a bit nervous - the hinge!

I can open my MacBook with one hand and I feel tension until the screen is upright. Once the screen is at a 90-degree angle or above, it feels very rigid and doesn't wiggle. In fact, if I lift the laptop vertically with the screen directed to the floor, it also stays put. This all points to a solid hinge..... My concern happens, however, when I close the screen. Once I start pulling the screen down past 60 degrees, there is much less tension and the screen closes with minimal effort (tapping on the lid past 45 degrees keeps it moving down until it's closed). Is this normal behavior? Do the newer Macs just require less force to close? I'm so used to my older Macs with rigid hinges.

Appreciate any inputs!

 

[wiffle]

Well my 2016 is pretty consistent in terms of hinge rigidity regardless of angle... so I think you have a valid concern there! Would bring it back to Genius or just swap it out for a new one if you can wait / have the credit capital.

 

[Merkava_4]

See if you can stand your MBP up like a tent; that's what the eBay sellers do to show a tight hinge.

 

[Saturn007]

In fact, if I lift the laptop vertically with the screen directed to the floor, it also stays put."

Hope you're not lifting it by the screen! Or, the top half! Always close first, then pick it up with the lid CLOSED!

There doesn't sound like anything particularly wrong with that behavior! You're never going to use it with the screen at a 45 degree angle, sos smooth shutting is a good thing!

OTOH, just tested this with an old MacBook Air. The lid stays in place no matter where one positions it, even with pretty solid taps!

Can you go back to an Apple Store or Best Buy and test other display laptops and see how they behave?! Also, from experience, we'd recommend buying a second one and THEN returning the first. You never know what *other* "defects" may appear! You may wish to keep your first one, even if the closing seems looser! You could always get it fixed under Apple Care later, if need be.

 

[duffyanneal]

Past about 60 degrees I can feel the amount of force needed to close the screen decrease. So that seems normal. If I tap on the screen past 45 degrees it moves slightly, but does not continue to move. I have a 15" MBP so it may behave differently than the 13". I would go to the Apple Store or nearest Apple reseller and take a look.

 

[TheCrankyHermit]

Thanks all for the inputs! Wound up taking the machine to my Apple Store. 2 geniuses looked at it and didn't find any issues. Comparing it to floor models, it might be like 5% looser but not a deal breaker. Keeping it.