Palmrest Pitting On Retina Macbook Pro

[steiney]

Hello all,

I just received my new 15" rMBP and am trying to decide whether or not to buy a palmrest cover.

My previous computer is a 2006 MBP and the palmrest has become pitted from palm sweat over time.

Can anyone with a rMBP that has the palmrest uncovered tell me if they've experienced any pitting. It seems like the new rMBP models are made of a more substantial material that will not succumb to palmsweat like the old MBPs, but I really don't know specifically one way or the other.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

steiney

 

[emaja]

My mid-2013 MPB has pitting too.

I used a palm rest cover from Elago and while it covers the rest itself, my pitting is on the top edge as well. Bottom too since I often put my thumb underneath.

I am soliciting opinions on a wrap of some sort.

 

[steiney]

My mid-2013 MPB has pitting too.

I used a palm rest cover from Elago and while it covers the rest itself, my pitting is on the top edge as well. Bottom too since I often put my thumb underneath.

I am soliciting opinions on a wrap of some sort.

Well that sucks. Thanks for the input. I wish someone would make a skin that went over the entire top case.

I thought Zagg made InvisibleShields for the Mac laptops but it looks like they don't. I'll be damned if I'm going to let my brand new shiny computer get all pitted up, especially if I can't replace the top case.

 

[nathairtras]

I had forgotten about this issue... Both of my Powerbook G4s were quite pitted by the end of it. I might just wear some lightweight fingerless gloves, white gloves seem appropriate for using a Macbook.

 

[steiney]

I had forgotten about this issue... Both of my Powerbook G4s were quite pitted by the end of it. I might just wear some lightweight fingerless gloves, white gloves seem appropriate for using a Macbook.

Haha! I don't want to have to put on a pair of gloves every time I want to use my computer (which is all the time)!

 

[marc55]

Considering the price point of the MBPs, we shouldn't have to spend more on protective covers, etc., and I'm surprised that Apple hasn't put some type of a clear finish on the palm rest?

 

[emaja]

I found these 3M door edge guards that look like they will work to bend around the sharper leading edge of my MBA.

I've ordered them and will report back.

 

[steiney]

I found these 3M door edge guards that look like they will work to bend around the sharper leading edge of my MBA.

I've ordered them and will report back.

Very interesting idea. I found a palmrest on eBay that covers the entire top case. You can see it here. The only problem is that it says it's for the 15" model but the picture shows a 13" model.

I've sent an email to the seller asking if it is in fact for the 15" model, and if so, whether or not it has holes cut in the top for where the speakers are. The 13" model doesn't have speaker grilles at the top so it's not an issue, but I don't want to save my palmrest from pitting at the costs of a severe reduction in speaker volume.

I'll post back when I get a conclusive response from the seller.

 

[yossiri]

Read this,

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4384?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Do not use palm rest with MacBook Pro with Retina display

 

[sholzer]

Read this,

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4384?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Do not use palm rest with MacBook Pro with Retina display

Came here to say this. They cause more harm than good. It's just something that happens that I think we'll all have to deal with

 

[steiney]

Read this,

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4384?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Do not use palm rest with MacBook Pro with Retina display

Came here to say this. They cause more harm than good. It's just something that happens that I think we'll all have to deal with

Thanks to both of you. That sucks. The screen is slightly recessed on the brand new rMBPs at least, so I would have thought there would be enough room to safely put a thin sheet of plastic on there. Oh well. I already ordered the keyboard cover so I guess that's money wasted.

I got exterior cases for it so at least I'll be able to protect those parts.

 

[emaja]

It's just something that happens that I think we'll all have to deal with

...and it's completely unacceptable. I shouldn't have to worry about a computer THAT I HAVE TO USE MY HANDS ON pits just because Apple can't be bothered to protect the metal. The fact I have to buy something to guard against this is ridiculous.

I'm putting it on my MBA which probably has the same tight tolerances. It'll be fine.

 

[steiney]

...and it's completely unacceptable. I shouldn't have to worry about a computer THAT I HAVE TO USE MY HANDS ON pits just because Apple can't be bothered to protect the metal. The fact I have to buy something to guard against this is ridiculous.

I'm putting it on my MBA which probably has the same tight tolerances. It'll be fine.

I'm kind of in the middle on this one. If you think about it, all the other manufactures make theirs out of a metal like the rMBP or a plastic, both of which pit after a few years of use. So, it's not like it's just Apple computer having that problem.

And I've really been looking closely at the "tolerances" and it really looks like a thin sheet of plastic could fit between the screen and the palmrest. The actual glass of the screen is recessed a bit from the edge of the bezel.

 

[isealbz]

I think you guys all missed an important point. What if you're using something like the ShaggyMax Retina MacBook Pro rMBP Screen Protector in conjunction with a palm guard? In that case, there's a cloth protective layer between the screen and the keyboard when the laptop is closed. Would there still be a significant risk of damaging the screen?

 

[Queen6]

Look on the bright side, the top case is replaced with the battery, so I wouldn't worry about it overly. Just use and enjoy your MBP, everything suffers from wear & tear over time.

You can probably slow down the pitting by wiping down the computer after use with a screen cleaning solution or something else with a non destructive cleaning agent that removes the cause of the problem.

Q-6

 

[randy98mtu]

I'm putting an iCarbon skin on mine. They are pretty thin and I can't see it having much effect on the display.

 

[Archer1440]

Those of you who think you can get away with any adhesive backed sticker on the palm rest are likely to be complaining about damage to your anti reflection coating sooner or later. Ther isn't enough clearance on the retinal machines to guard against key contact with normal use as it is.

What you need is to simply buff some synthetic car wax into the surface, this will seal the pores in the clear anodize and prevent the caustic pitting problem.

As for the people advocating a cloth between keyboard and screen, only if its very thin, and towards the bottom 1/3rd of the top case, or you run a risk of over stressing the hinge.

 

[steiney]

Look on the bright side, the top case is replaced with the battery

Not to doubt you, but where did you get that info from? That would be great but I've never heard that before. I figured they just open the rMBP up, rip out the old battery, put a new one in and put it back together.

 

[Queen6]

Not to doubt you, but where did you get that info from? That would be great but I've never heard that before. I figured they just open the rMBP up, rip out the old battery, put a new one in and put it back together.

The battery in the Retina`s is glued to the top case, so they replace it as a unit that`s why it costs in the region of $200, equally I doubt if they will do it for any other reason than the battery needing replacing.

Q-6

 

[steiney]

The battery in the Retina`s is glued to the top case, so they replace it as a unit that`s why it costs in the region of $200, equally I doubt if they will do it for any other reason than the battery needing replacing.

Q-6

I see. Well thank you very much for the info. I have a one year old 15" rMBP currently and I'm planning to have it as my main computer for ~5 years, so I had been budgeting for a battery replacement. That's awesome to get to look forward to a new topcase as well! I have a BodyGuardz brand adhesive laminate on my palm rest now but I'm sure I'll manage to damage the topcase somehow between now and when I need a battery replacement.

 

[isealbz]

As for the people advocating a cloth between keyboard and screen, only if its very thin, and towards the bottom 1/3rd of the top case, or you run a risk of over stressing the hinge.

I've read reports about damage to the screens just from normal closing, so I was thinking a cloth would be a good idea in general. Do you think something like this would work? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009ET07M4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1HFNYG88FBQSJ