New Macbook Pro 15" 2018 finishing flaws

[OSX15]

Hello everyone,

So I've received my MacBook Pro 2018 15" recently. It has one of the best CPU scores for the 2.2 GHz that I've seen so far on the internet, the screen is also top-notch. So far so good!

BUT, there are three very visible (quite significant) imperfections on the body of the MacBook Pro. Both on the outside of the screen as on the bottom plate.

It seems almost like the space grey color has not blended correctly. I've also had some audio problems like most of us on the 2018 but fortunately no bridge (T2) issues.


I had chosen to keep this one if they gave me a little discount or kind gesture for the imperfections on the MacBook pro. However, the only choices I got from Apple was a replacement or refund. So I choose the replacement.

Right now I'm kinda scared of receiving a new replacement in two weeks. As I've read here.. it's almost like a lottery every time someone gets a replacement. I'm very concerned about the issues others are facing with the 2018.. I know I shouldn't worry so much.. but it's my workhorse I depend on every single day

Are there more 2018 15" owners who had imperfections like this or other issues? Where they resolved with your replacement??

 

[jerryk]

I noticed no issues with mine, but I do not inspect devices in varying light conditions, etc. that might show flaws better.

 

[Brookzy]

Fit and finish of the new era of MacBook Pros has been an issue since the very first ones in 2016. You will find loads of threads on here. Scratches, inconsistent space grey colour between panels (which is why I get silver).

I believe even to this day the majority of 15" models have a particular scuff under the left speaker grille from machining. At least now you can't normally see it in day-to-day use, but shine a light on it and it's there.

Interestingly, I did read a couple of years ago that Apple had lowered QC standards with its suppliers in order to boost margins, but perhaps that's just a coincidence, because other products like iPhones, iPads, and the 12" MacBook haven't had anything like as many fit and finish issues as the new MacBook Pros.

 

[ashcairo]

Ah mate, I have the same dilemma as you. Do you have to return your current one first before getting a replacement, or is the idea to order the new one, then get a refund when you return your current one?

It's a shame they didn't offer you a voucher, I would totally take a gesture of good will over having to return/replace.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Interestingly, I did read a couple of years ago that Apple had lowered QC standards with its suppliers...

The plus side of that though is that Apple has continually lowered the product prices for the consumer over time to provide more value per dollar for its customer base.

 

[OSX15]

I noticed no issues with mine, but I do not inspect devices in varying light conditions, etc. that might show flaws better.

The flaws I'm referencing to are visible regardless of lighting or angle. I'm glad you have no issues.

Fit and finish of the new era of MacBook Pros have been an issue since the very first ones in 2016. You will find loads of threads on here. Scratches, inconsistent space grey colour between panels (which is why I get silver).

I believe even to this day the majority of 15" models have a particular scuff under the left speaker grille from machining. At least now you can't normally see it in day-to-day use, but shine a light on it and it's there.

Interestingly, I did read a couple of years ago that Apple had lowered QC standards with its suppliers in order to boost margins, but perhaps that's just a coincidence, because other products like iPhones, iPads, and the 12" MacBook haven't had anything like as many fit and finish issues as the

It makes sense what you're saying. QC seems to be going downhill from the 2016 model. But this is just my own experience. I have no data to back that claim. Thanks for the links!

Ah mate, I have the same dilemma as you. Do you have to return your current one first before getting a replacement, or is the idea to order the new one, then get a refund when you return your current one?

It's a shame they didn't offer you a voucher, I would totally take a gesture of good will over having to return/replace.

I've asked for a swap (being able to use this one for now until the replacement arrives) That was possible. So I have to swap it as soon as UPS is on my doorstep to deliver the replacement. Yeah I had also taken any voucher or something..

The plus side of that though is that Apple has continually lowered the product prices for the consumer over time to provide more value per dollar for its customer base.

I would personally always take better QC over a slightly lowered price.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I would personally always take better QC over a slightly lowered price.

Me too - It was a joke..
Apple has done the complete opposite of lower prices and provide more value.

The whole company is now geared around squeezing the lemon to boost margins and raising prices to get the ASP's up.

 

[Brookzy]

The plus side of that though is that Apple has continually lowered the product prices for the consumer over time to provide more value per dollar for its customer base.

Err...

 

[Adeel_]

How is the cpu temps and battery life on your model ? (2.2 i7)

 

[turbineseaplane]

Saw a great tweet about this the other day actually..

 

[jerryk]

Saw a great tweet about this the other day actually..

That would make sense if people bought Apple adapters. But I can't think of a single Apple accessory I have bought in the last decade. Amazon makes it too easy to select from 10 other options, usually at lower price.

 

[OSX15]

How is the cpu temps and battery life on your model ? (2.2 i7)

It's actually really good. Idle temps are around 45/46 degrees Celsius. Battery life is also great. Around 7/8 hours depending on my usage. Probably even more if I'm not doing much. For that very reason I was scared about a replacement The battery, screen, CPU performance are great on this one. I just couldn't justify so many imperfections on a new € 4000,- MacBook Pro (including the AppleCare).

Saw a great tweet about this the other day actually..

Haha, good one. It's their product and software ecosystem together with their perceived image what drives Apple forward. I sometimes miss the Steve Jobs era. I know Steve wasn't a god or something, and they make so much more profit under Tim Cook now, but to me the true magic is lost. There is still small innovation but nothing groundbreaking. It's the vision from a person that cannot be replaced. It's also a fact Steve didn't only care about profit (management hated him for that).

 

[Newtons Apple]

Be nice to see some images . . . .

 

[turbineseaplane]

That would make sense if people bought Apple adapters. But I can't think of a single Apple accessory I have bought in the last decade. Amazon makes it too easy to select from 10 other options, usually at lower price.

That’s a tough one to figure out…
Just about everybody I know with a USB-C mac bought a whole bunch of Apple adapters

 

[OSX15]

It's pretty hard to capture with my crappy cam.. but zoomed in a bit you can clearly see the spots.

 

[Painter2002]

Interestingly I have noticed some ever so slight uneven tones on parts of my space grey 2017 MBP. I thought I was just being OCD, but apparently it isn't that uncommon. That being said, it really isn't that bad to where it bugs me.

On your picture though, it almost more looks like a scratch. Hard to imagine that would actually get out of QC like that on the factory lines.

 

[jerryk]

That’s a tough one to figure out…
Just about everybody I know with a USB-C mac bought a whole bunch of Apple adapters

Maybe early adopters in the 2016 time frame when the options were limited?

Now the flood gates have opened and there are a lot of USB-C adapters and cables our there from dozens of suppliers. I guess its one good thing about waiting until now to go USB-C.

I am partial to devices like the power delivery units from Anker (powers macbook and 3 USB A devices in size of the Apple MBP charger block). Also have USBC -> USB/A, SD, uSD, HDMI adapter from Mokin. It is the size of a fat USB stick.

 

[kingtj]

Not saying Apple shouldn't strive to to better in this area .... but, you DO know that these types of complaints are basically unheard of with any other computer purchases from the competition, right?

I've NEVER heard a discussion going on about people noticing a "small scuff under a speaker grille" on a Lenovo, HP, Acer, Dell, etc. Something tells me that's NOT just because their QC is so good, it never happens on them.

Fit and finish of the new era of MacBook Pros has been an issue since the very first ones in 2016. You will find loads of threads on here. Scratches, inconsistent space grey colour between panels (which is why I get silver).

I believe even to this day the majority of 15" models have a particular scuff under the left speaker grille from machining. At least now you can't normally see it in day-to-day use, but shine a light on it and it's there.

Interestingly, I did read a couple of years ago that Apple had lowered QC standards with its suppliers in order to boost margins, but perhaps that's just a coincidence, because other products like iPhones, iPads, and the 12" MacBook haven't had anything like as many fit and finish issues as the new MacBook Pros.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Maybe early adopters in the 2016 time frame when the options were limited?

Not at all - Just normal business people that like to pop in and buy first party accessories.
Convenient. They know they'll work. Great fit and finish, etc.

I honestly wish Apple would make way more options than they currently do.

 

[Brookzy]

Not saying Apple shouldn't strive to to better in this area .... but, you DO know that these types of complaints are basically unheard of with any other computer purchases from the competition, right?

I've NEVER heard a discussion going on about people noticing a "small scuff under a speaker grille" on a Lenovo, HP, Acer, Dell, etc. Something tells me that's NOT just because their QC is so good, it never happens on them.

To be fair it is only the new MacBook Pros that had this issue and most of them, especially the 13", are fine. And the materials, designs, and manufacturing techniques used by the other brands don't really compare to the complexity or scale of what Apple is putting out.

Not at all - Just normal business people that like to pop in and buy first party accessories.
Convenient. They know they'll work. Great fit and finish, etc.

I honestly wish Apple would make way more options than they currently do.

I think Apple definitely expected the USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ecosystem to be far more advanced and mature by now than it actually is. (And, to be honest, this difference between aspiration/expectation and reality really underpins the struggles Apple has been having with the Mac platform lately, as it would appear that their roadmap from 2013-present was based on a few very incorrect assumptions: that GPUs weren't improving with much pace, that AMD would keep up with Nvidia, that Intel would be at 10nm by now, and that USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 would be everywhere by now. All this have proven wrong.)

As great as USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 are when they work, they are simply less reliable and less useable than their predecessors. We still don't have a proper USB-C hub on the market, though I hear Intel are finally planning a chip to allow this. The protocol is way too complicated for the average consumer. And the lack of more traditional ports has been a genuine problem for the core 'pro' user base.

 

[PeterKG]

It's pretty hard to capture with my crappy cam.. but zoomed in a bit you can clearly see the spots.

I had similar that turned out to be some kind of substance like glue or grease. I used lense cleaner and a little care to clean it of and it did come off.

 

[T_Oscura]

Sad to hear that this is still an issue. The first MBP I received last year had uneven color and several silver marks on the finish. The next one had a big scratch on the top of device. Not to mention light leakage around the screen, uneven keyboard backlight and clicky keys.

Oh and my 2011 iMac came with some dirt under the screen.