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MBP 2018 15" - Permanent keyboard marks on display?

advantechnica

advantechnica

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 13, 2019
11
3
Denver, CO
So I just noticed today while cleaning my MBP 2018 15" that my "G" and "H" keys have left what seems to be a permanent marks etched into the middle of my display. Do I just live with this or should I take it into Apple?

I apologize for the quality of the picture, but it's pretty hard to get these to show up in normal lighting. You can clearly see that the marks resemble the keycaps.
 

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Every single of my MacBooks after a few year have shown this issue, and I've argued every single time with the Genius Bar to get the display replaced.
It's a design flaw and they know.
 
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On my 2016 I started putting a standard A4 sheet of copier paper on the keyboard before closing the lid. Seem to protect the screen from key marks.
 
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This and the reports of cracked screens is why I now make sure there's zero pressure on the top of my Macbook if its in a bag. I've even started making sure I prop/lay my rucksack with all the weight away from the laptop.
 
Yup, it's an issue with all of the newer MacBooks. I've found that they've become increasingly worse though, starting with the 2012 Retinas and then moreso with the 2016 onwards where the display and coating is even thinner. They're just unbelievably delicate machines.
 
DeanLubaki said:
Every single of my MacBooks after a few year have shown this issue, and I've argued every single time with the Genius Bar to get the display replaced.
It's a design flaw and they know.
Click to expand...
I'm not defending them, but a new screen will get those same marks wouldn't it?
 
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Just another compromise we have to endure due to Apple's insane obsession with thin!!!

Marks like this, bad keyboards and over heating all due to the device being so thin!
 
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maflynn said:
I'm not defending them, but a new screen will get those same marks wouldn't it?
Click to expand...
Probably.
I get a new laptop every two years and sell my old one. I generally get it replaced before I sell it so I haven't been able to know if it starts happening again
 
DeanLubaki said:
Every single of my MacBooks after a few year have shown this issue, and I've argued every single time with the Genius Bar to get the display replaced.
It's a design flaw and they know.
Click to expand...

As a counterpoint, I've had an Apple laptop of some kind since the PowerBook G4, every generation of MBP, and a MBA, and I've never had key marks left on any of my screens...

The MBA is from 2012 or 2013 and is still alive and kicking as my wife's laptop with no marks.
 
OP --

Just wondering, do you ever put the MBP into a backpack?
If you do, is there much pressure on the case, from other stuff IN the backpack?
 
Nothing new. My 2013 MBP and 2015 MBP did the same thing. So far the 2018 has not, but it is only 8 months old. I suspect some marks will show up over time.
 
Fishrrman said:
OP --

Just wondering, do you ever put the MBP into a backpack?
If you do, is there much pressure on the case, from other stuff IN the backpack?
Click to expand...

That is exactly the theory of the Genius at Apple... I don't buy it. Apple sells computers to students that can't survive in a backpack with student books?
 
My new-to-me 2015 15" MBP is the first MBP that I've gotten with a pristine screen (was just replaced by apple due to stagnate by previous seller) so idk if my usage habits ever cause wear. All of my previous MacBooks had wear and tear because that's all I could afford. I've considered putting a microfiber cloth in between the keyboard and screen to keep the keys from rubbing but that just seems like a hassle and I'll look weird in public doing that haha.

I keep my screen and keyboard relatively clean and only have a small novel and an iPad mini in the same part of my backpack as my MacBook so I doubt there is any pressure being put on it. I check the screen periodically and the only marks are smudges from dirt/other grime. No keyboard marks that I can see.

Owning a MBP is like owning a German car. Would you take a Porsche through the parts of town with pothole-filled roads and take it through crappy carwashes, or would you keep it on nicer roads and hand wash? MacBook Pros have been fragile for years...it's not a new thing. A little bit of extra care and they should last a long time.

I think Apple should make the coating thicker and strengthen the lid to reduce flex, but it is what it is until they redesign. Don't put it in your backpack with tons of heavy books, periodically clean the screen and keyboard with a partially damp microfiber cloth, and then just use it and enjoy it. If it's still under warranty, make them replace the screen. Otherwise, I'd just live with it.

Other ultra-thin notebooks are not immune from keyboard wear as well. Apple, Lenovo, etc cannot escape physics. I've seen Thinkpad T460s thin notebooks with keyboard wear on the screen as well. If you want a sturdier notebook, I'd get one of those extra thick business class mobile workstations. Thinkpad P-series, etc.
 
Yeah, I had a 12" MacBook that basically had the entire keyboard + trackpad imprinted on the screen.

Genius Bar had the display replaced, no further question asked. So just bring it in.
 
jbachandouris said:
I keep the paper sheet that it came with on my keyboard when I close it. I haven't noticed any marks and mine is about 3 years old.
Click to expand...
Yea if you don't mind the hassle of doing that every time, that or a microfiber cloth in between the keyboard and screen is the way to go.
 
this happens to every macbook I've owned.

I think there used to be some kind of warranty program? I'm not sure. You can take it to an Apple Store to see if they are willing to replace the screen for you.

I guess the only way to prevent it is having to place the microfiber cloth on your keyboard every time you close the lid. I'm too lazy to do that.
 
pallymore said:
this happens to every macbook I've owned.

I think there used to be some kind of warranty program? I'm not sure. You can take it to an Apple Store to see if they are willing to replace the screen for you.

I guess the only way to prevent it is having to place the microfiber cloth on your keyboard every time you close the lid. I'm too lazy to do that.
Click to expand...
The only warranty program is for StainGate, which the 2018 model is not covered under. But if your machine is under warranty, they will most likely swap the display. Be sure to wipe down your MacBook before bringing it in, just so it doesn't look like you let it get really dirty or anything.

Wipe it down with a damp and/or dry microfiber cloth. Wipe down the keyboard, trackpad, and palmrest as well.

When you go in for the appointment, kindly tell them that while you've enjoyed your MacBook Pro, you don't think it is acceptable for it to develop this kind of wear on the screen.
 
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Webster's Mac said:
My new-to-me 2015 15" MBP is the first MBP that I've gotten with a pristine screen (was just replaced by apple due to stagnate by previous seller) so idk if my usage habits ever cause wear. All of my previous MacBooks had wear and tear because that's all I could afford. I've considered putting a microfiber cloth in between the keyboard and screen to keep the keys from rubbing but that just seems like a hassle and I'll look weird in public doing that haha.

I keep my screen and keyboard relatively clean and only have a small novel and an iPad mini in the same part of my backpack as my MacBook so I doubt there is any pressure being put on it. I check the screen periodically and the only marks are smudges from dirt/other grime. No keyboard marks that I can see.

Owning a MBP is like owning a German car. Would you take a Porsche through the parts of town with pothole-filled roads and take it through crappy carwashes, or would you keep it on nicer roads and hand wash? MacBook Pros have been fragile for years...it's not a new thing. A little bit of extra care and they should last a long time.

I think Apple should make the coating thicker and strengthen the lid to reduce flex, but it is what it is until they redesign. Don't put it in your backpack with tons of heavy books, periodically clean the screen and keyboard with a partially damp microfiber cloth, and then just use it and enjoy it. If it's still under warranty, make them replace the screen. Otherwise, I'd just live with it.

Other ultra-thin notebooks are not immune from keyboard wear as well. Apple, Lenovo, etc cannot escape physics. I've seen Thinkpad T460s thin notebooks with keyboard wear on the screen as well. If you want a sturdier notebook, I'd get one of those extra thick business class mobile workstations. Thinkpad P-series, etc.
Click to expand...

I have owned many Lenovo Thinkpads and have NEVER had the keyboard mark up the screen.
 
Newtons Apple said:
I have owned many Lenovo Thinkpads and have NEVER had the keyboard mark up the screen.
Click to expand...
I was talking about the T460s-T470s series...the ultra-thin ones. I think the X1 Carbon can also be affected. I don't think the thicker Thinkpads are affected. Again, not saying it happens to all of them, just saying that any thin laptop can be susceptible to it depending on how they are hauled around.
 
Webster's Mac said:
The only warranty program is for StainGate, which the 2018 model is not covered under. But if your machine is under warranty, they will most likely swap the display. Be sure to wipe down your MacBook before bringing it in, just so it doesn't look like you let it get really dirty or anything.

Wipe it down with a damp and/or dry microfiber cloth. Wipe down the keyboard, trackpad, and palmrest as well.

When you go in for the appointment, kindly tell them that while you've enjoyed your MacBook Pro, you don't think it is acceptable for it to develop this kind of wear on the screen.
Click to expand...

That's not necessary.

As mentioned above, I brought my 12" in recently. Keyboard and trackpad indented on the screen.

The Genius took the thing and wiped it clean (took like 20 mins for him), then inspected the computer again in front of me and admitted that the indentation was obvious.

He marked the computer as needing repair for me. Took about 3 days in total (3 days counting from the time I visited to when I got the computer back). Replaced both the keyboard and the screen.

The quote was something like $700 for both screen and keyboard replacement, but of course, I'm under warranty so they didn't take anything but my time.

I think Apple is aware that this is a real issue and is willing to repair your computer provided you bring the issue up to them.
 
I've had a 2012 MBP, a 2014 MBP and currently have a 2015 MBP and a 2017 MBP and I've never had this problem. I wonder if it is a case of pressure on the top lid? I pack my laptops back and forth to work each day, but I carry them in a separate case.
 
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