Macbook pro, casing finish (unibody aluminum "imperfections maybe")

[sehnsucht77]

you've got to be kidding me. seriously? i echo what another poster said: you should go see a doctor -either there is something up with your eyes or your head.

 

[vitzr]

Well as it appears I may not be the only one with a case of the apple "OCD", but I too have sent 5 macbook pros back (I have my 5th now), but first one didnt turn on. But the others had small "imperfections",

Seems like I have to look at it at the right angle to notice this or move it around, but was able to capture with right lighting.

So from what I'm understanding, and I'm hoping the picture below shows nothing out of the normal, but what the "milling" process is.

Im just nervous about it, its the little "deviation" as the other thread called it next to the tip of the apple logo.

For my OCD's sake, and coming from a large and supportive community of apple, should I worry about to me what seems to be a deviation in the metal?

Here's what my experience has taught me.

I've bought a new MBP every year at refresh time, since they were introduced. There is something about the process of finishing the aluminum that causes this. It's not in the metal itself which is the good news. There are no defects in the casing.

There are however, some cosmetic imperfections that vary from very small like yours, to some that look like long (2" to 6") scratches. When indeed it's in the finish. While I do not know what it is, nor has anyone been able to identify it, the flaws are there no doubt.

The large ones like I have in this new MBP are very noticeable, and people ask me if it's a cracked case. Others like yours are only seen when the light strikes at a certain angle.

Knowing they are nothing other than cosmetic flaws is not something that is fun to live with, since we have been led by Apple to believe they sell premium products and we have certainly paid a premium for our MacBook Pros.

I do think that if Apple practiced less hype it would not set elevated expectations and therefore the tendency for buyers to scrutinize their purchases so closely.

An example:

I am composing this post on my new quad core, i7, 8GB, 256GB SSD, 15" MBP. It cost $3299, as opposed to the $1988 I just paid for the identically configured new ThinkPad W520.

And the ThinkPad had _no_ cosmetic problems or flaws.

Working in a cross platform environment I've used these two models since they were released. Every new MBP I've purchased has had the flaws you have. It's just the nature of the way Apple has chosen to finish the computer.

It will not change, get worse, or become more noticeable. Therefore it's just a matter of accepting that Apples quality control is not up to the standard they portray.

 

[iphone1301]

Here's what my experience has taught me.

I've bought a new MBP every year at refresh time, since they were introduced. There is something about the process of finishing the aluminum that causes this. It's not in the metal itself which is the good news. There are no defects in the casing.

There are however, some cosmetic imperfections that vary from very small like yours, to some that look like long (2" to 6") scratches. When indeed it's in the finish. While I do not know what it is, nor has anyone been able to identify it, the flaws are there no doubt.

The large ones like I have in this new MBP are very noticeable, and people ask me if it's a cracked case. Others like yours are only seen when the light strikes at a certain angle.

Knowing they are nothing other than cosmetic flaws is not something that is fun to live with, since we have been led by Apple to believe they sell premium products and we have certainly paid a premium for our MacBook Pros.

I do think that if Apple practiced less hype it would not set elevated expectations and therefore the tendency for buyers to scrutinize their purchases so closely.

An example:

I am composing this post on my new quad core, i7, 8GB, 256GB SSD, 15" MBP. It cost $3299, as opposed to the $1988 I just paid for the identically configured new ThinkPad W520.

And the ThinkPad had _no_ cosmetic problems or flaws.

Working in a cross platform environment I've used these two models since they were released. Every new MBP I've purchased has had the flaws you have. It's just the nature of the way Apple has chosen to finish the computer.

It will not change, get worse, or become more noticeable. Therefore it's just a matter of accepting that Apples quality control is not up to the standard they portray.

I appreciate this, so with that being said, this is normal, in your refresh purchases....

Would you personally who has seen EVERY iteration since the first one, say that mine is "Okay" or normal/good whatever you said, for the amount that is on peoples? PLease let me know it sounds like I'm beating a dead horse but.

 

[vitzr]

I appreciate this, so with that being said, this is normal, in your refresh purchases....

Would you personally who has seen EVERY iteration since the first one, say that mine is "Okay" or normal/good whatever you said, for the amount that is on peoples? PLease let me know it sounds like I'm beating a dead horse but.

Personally I think you are being very reasonable and your expectations are not out of line at all. After all, Apple is the one that makes such outrageous marketing statements. For example, upon introducing the very first iPad they claimed it was "Magical & Revolutionary".... oh please It's just a tablet. I am not saying that it's not a good device. I bought one and it's very nice.

However the iPad does _not_ give you access to all internet content. That, in my opinion is unacceptable. When I go to a news site and want to see the video of the story (especially when there is no text version) and I click on it, only to have a black window appear with the message I need flash, that is very frustrating. So my point is if the iPad was so "magical and revolutionary" it wouldn't be as limited as it is.

My Android powered Galaxy Tab which is a very good tablet gives me 100% internet access, no excuses. It plays flash without overheating, or any other dire consequences. It's an excellent tablet. But I'm an Apple enthusiast, user, and loyalist of many years. I only get frustrated because I know Apple could do better it they really focused.

Flash? Apple blames Adobe. That's what Apple does it point the finger. Perhaps if they looked back to the very beginning of the MacIntosh they would remember just how Adobe helped put them on the map as a "design" and "graphic arts" computer. Apple surely didn't complain with all the help they got from Adobe in the beginning. Then the power, success and money went to Apple's head and they started declaring war. Stupid.

Anyway, the bottom line is to step back, look at the big picture, you have a very nice new Mac. Too bad it's not as flawless at they claim their designs and quality are, but it is what it is. A fact of life.

Just use it, enjoy it, and overlook the cosmetic blemishes that Apple ships them with. While I'm sure they are not all this way, it's very interesting that of all the new Apple MacBook Pros I buy (minimum of one per year), that each and every one of mine has had these flaws.

Last year I bought the (then) new model, (Mid 2010) I had to return it six times because of the same issue we are discussing and as luck would have it the first five I got were all really bad. Each one I received had marks that exceeded 3" in length, could be seen in any kind of light from any angle and looked just like the case was cracked.

The genius that I know well at my local store even admitted he had never seen that many in a row that had major flaws, not small ones like yours. Before I sent any of mine back I had them all checked by a genius so they could see what the factory in China was shipping. It was pretty revealing.

That consumed over three months time since the MBP I ordered had lots of options and had to be built for me. Over and over and over. Even the manager of my local store was taken aback at just how bad they were.

Finally the sixth one still had marks but at least they were an inch or smaller. That I can live with.

Cheers

 

[iphone1301]

Im just going to keep it, its a great looking one, and this seems to be normal also I spoke with my rep and he said they hand checked this laptop before they sent it