Old (2016/2017) macbooks with space gray - has the coating/color held up?

[nquinn]

Does anyone have a space gray colored macbook from 2016 or so? I read that the silver color may last longer because it is the base metal, while the space gray is a coating on top of the bare aluminum. Curious how the coating has held up for 5 years.

I keep my macbooks for a LONG time so wanted something durable and ordered silver for this reason. With the ugly black keyboard though I think I would have preferred space gray.

 

[japanime]

My 2016 MacBook in space gray looks as good as the day I bought it.

 

[smirking]

This was an early concern and there were scattered, but noticeable reports of the finish flaking off of space grey MBPs, but I didn't experience it on my 2016 that I had for almost 3 years of not very careful handling. I also haven't seen any signs of wearing in the finish of my 2018 space grey MBP.

The people who were complaining about the finish rubbing off started getting that within the first couple of years.

 

[nquinn]

This was an early concern and there were scattered, but noticeable reports of the finish flaking off of space grey MBPs, but I didn't experience it on my 2016 that I had for almost 3 years of not very careful handling. I also haven't seen any signs of wearing in the finish of my 2018 space grey MBP.

The people who were complaining about the finish rubbing off started getting that within the first couple of years.

Hmm, sounds like it's probably resolved, but maybe i'll just play it safe and stick with silver then. Not really a huge
deal.

I have a work 2019 machine that is still in good shape but it's only ~ 1.5 years old from when I got it right now.

I do wear down the area by my right palm on all my macbooks though (the sharp edge wears away over time). Guessing it's just from constant use.

 

[Lucas Curious]

I put that strong clear double sided squishy tape on the palm rests to cushion my palms and when I pulled it off, it pulled the space gray off too somehow. now part of the Mac is lighter aluminum. maybe the chemistry on the tape did it. the tape im talking about is the one you can put water on and the stickiness comes back. there goes my resale value.

 

[Christopher Kim]

I was a Day 1 purchaser of the 2016 13” MBP in space gray - no flecks / tics at all. The space gray coating looks exactly like it did when I bought it. I got a 14” M1 Pro today also in space gray. I would say you can get either with confidence.