Screen cracking on M1 MBA…what's the latest?

[Saturn007]

A recent post reminded me of the M1 MBA screen cracking problem! I had forgotten all about it…

See

M1 MacBook Screens Are Cracking: Here’s What You Should Know

Some owners of Apple’s M1 MacBook Air and Pro have reported sudden screen cracks. Here’s what we know and how to keep your own MacBook safe.

www.makeuseof.com

Are some M1 MacBook screens cracking themselves? Maybe!

A growing number of people are reporting that both the M1 MacBook Air and M1 MacBook Pro are suffering from mysterious screen cracks.

www.imore.com

MacBook M1 screens are reportedly cracking without warning

Various internet reports suggest M1 MacBook screens are developing cracks when left untouched.

www.tomsguide.com

M1 MacBook Users Report Their Screens Cracking and Nobody Knows Why

A growing number of M1 MacBook owners are reporting mysterious cracks appearing on their brand new Apple laptop screens.

www.technadu.com

That's distressing! As the articles note, some people had it happen to M1 MBPs, too. I realize that such problems have probably affected only a very small, even very tiny, percentage of MBAs, but my concern is Apple's inadequate response to it. Just imagine if you have spent $1,000 to $1,400 on a new laptop only to discover one day that its screen suddenly started showing cracks and Apple balked at covering the cost of fixing it.

1. Does anyone know if Apple has changed its approach on this? Will they now cover it free via Apple Care+?

2. Could this be a reason they changed the case design on the MBA for the M2?

3. Did similar problems occur with past MBAs, either the 2013-2017 series with regular keyboards or the 2018-2020 butterfly ones?

I vaguely recall issues with keyboard impressions left on the screen, but cracking?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

That design was used for years and all ranges of MB’s so while I remember there being some issues it pales in comparison to how many had zero issues. Yes laptop tolerances are very small so I wouldn’t be surprised if setting something on top like a book, etc would cause a crack. The price we pay for thinness.

 

[Apple_Robert]

There is no widespread defect with the M1 MBA screen.

 

[jdb8167]

There is no widespread defect with the M1 MBA screen.

Like most of the "defects" reported here, it seems more of a fad to report the issue rather than an actual common problem. Eventually the fad fades away and you don't hear anything more about it.

People have a hard time grasping large numbers. If Apple sells 20 million Macs, a defect rate of 0.01% is 2,000 problems. If one in 10 report on it here or on reddit, that's 200 posts. Now it looks like a big problem but it is actually a very small rate of defects. Then add in the inevitable shill/astrotuf posts and then the many repeats by the same people trying to get attention to their problem, you get a 1000 posts for a very small manufacturing issue.

 

[jav6454]

A recent post reminded me of the M1 MBA screen cracking problem! I had forgotten all about it…

See

M1 MacBook Screens Are Cracking: Here’s What You Should Know

Some owners of Apple’s M1 MacBook Air and Pro have reported sudden screen cracks. Here’s what we know and how to keep your own MacBook safe.

www.makeuseof.com

Are some M1 MacBook screens cracking themselves? Maybe!

A growing number of people are reporting that both the M1 MacBook Air and M1 MacBook Pro are suffering from mysterious screen cracks.

www.imore.com

MacBook M1 screens are reportedly cracking without warning

Various internet reports suggest M1 MacBook screens are developing cracks when left untouched.

www.tomsguide.com

M1 MacBook Users Report Their Screens Cracking and Nobody Knows Why

A growing number of M1 MacBook owners are reporting mysterious cracks appearing on their brand new Apple laptop screens.

www.technadu.com

That's distressing! As the articles note, some people had it happen to M1 MBPs, too. I realize that such problems have probably affected only a very small, even very tiny, percentage of MBAs, but my concern is Apple's inadequate response to it. Just imagine if you have spent $1,000 to $1,400 on a new laptop only to discover one day that its screen suddenly started showing cracks and Apple balked at covering the cost of fixing it.

1. Does anyone know if Apple has changed its approach on this? Will they now cover it free via Apple Care+?

2. Could this be a reason they changed the case design on the MBA for the M2?

3. Did similar problems occur with past MBAs, either the 2013-2017 series with regular keyboards or the 2018-2020 butterfly ones?

I vaguely recall issues with keyboard impressions left on the screen, but cracking?

I haven’t seen any screen cracking on any MBA aside from physical damage.

 

[SolarSailer120]

47 pages of stories from around the world (Japan, Greece, UK) of people’s M1 Air and even M1 Pro screens cracking spontaneously. Read those 47 pages and then let me know if this seems like a conspiracy. I was telling my dad about it and later that day my sister’s screen cracked. It’s widespread, for everyone you haven’t heard from, there are 47 PAGES of detailed stories and two thousand and sixteen people clicking “yes, me too”. I want a new Mac but it blows my mind they still carry that same Air M1 with 47 pages of people saying their screens cracked and many being charged

MacBook Air M1 screen crack for no appare… - Apple Community

origin-discussions2-us-dr-prz.apple.com

 

[jdb8167]

People have a hard time grasping large numbers. If Apple sells 20 million Macs, a defect rate of 0.01% is 2,000 problems. If one in 10 report on it here or on reddit, that's 200 posts.

47 pages of stories from around the world (Japan, Greece, UK) of people’s M1 Air and even M1 Pro screens cracking spontaneously. Read those 47 pages and then let me know if this seems like a conspiracy. I was telling my dad about it and later that day my sister’s screen cracked. It’s widespread, for everyone you haven’t heard from, there are 47 PAGES of detailed stories and two thousand and sixteen people clicking “yes, me too”. I want a new Mac but it blows my mind they still carry that same Air M1 with 47 pages of people saying their screens cracked and many being charged

MacBook Air M1 screen crack for no appare… - Apple Community

origin-discussions2-us-dr-prz.apple.com

47 pages with what looks like 15 posts per page with the thread going back over a year. So 700 posts or so. Many of the posts are not reports of problems but comments or reactions. That means that probably under 100 actual unique reports of screen cracking. I've read a few but some are obviously caused by user negligence. The M1 MacBook Air screen is obviously too fragile but it still doesn't look like the problem is massive given that Apple sells more than 22 million Macs a year. One person went to sleep with the MBA on their bed and woke to find it broken. Draw your own conclusions on that one.

To make it clear, I'm not saying that MBA screens breaking isn't a problem or defending Apple. Apple should change their policy except in the most obvious cases of user negligence because it seems pretty clear that the screen is fragile. But 47 pages on Apple's community forum doesn't show that the problem is widespread.

Edit: Looking at more posts, there are more per page than I originally thought but is still probably under 300-400 unique reports.

 

[Saturn007]

Appreciate the responses, especially the information about other reports of screen cracking (thanks Solar Sailer) and the caveats (thanks, jdb). Even if the issue is minor, I don't recall anything like this with prior MBAs, suggesting a manufacturing or design issue.

Reactions to other comments. Forgive the length of this post; I'm trying to cover a lot of ground!

As to my item #3.

That design was used for years and all ranges of MB’s so while I remember there being some issues it pales in comparison to how many had zero issues. Yes laptop tolerances are very small so I wouldn’t be surprised if setting something on top like a book, etc would cause a crack. The price we pay for thinness.

Helpful observation. Intriguingly, though, Apple tweaked the classic Air case design with the M1 MBA. For example, the dimensions changed, the front edge height grew from .11” to .16”, etc.

Wonder if, for some reason, that increased the odds of getting a cracked screen. Especially as it seems the 2013-2017 and 2018-2020, pre-M1 MBAs didn't have the problem.

Do others concur with our judgment that there were few reports of cracked screens with previous MBAs? Perhaps we need to do an Internet, MacRumors, and Reddit search to confirm that.

Causes of the Problem

At the same time, the articles and reports make quite clear that *most* of those whose screens cracked hadn't done anything untoward with their devices. Indeed, their screens were fine, with their laptops just sitting on their desks. They returned to them, opened the lid, and discovered the cracks!

Extent of the Problem

There is no widespread defect with the M1 MBA screen.

Who said there was?! 😎 I certainly didn't! I wrote:

I realize that such problems have probably affected only a very small, even very tiny, percentage of MBAs, but my concern is Apple's inadequate response to it.

Apple's Continuing Poor Response

My key concern (item #1) is how Apple is responding to the problem. In the past, I've found Apple to be incredibly responsive to defects in its devices, readily replacing them for free under Apple Care, but that’s not what most people are experiencing with this. Apple's apparently being dismissive, even taking a blaming-the-victim approach to it.

Given the latest reports on the Apple discussion board, it's clear that Apple is still in deflect mode and not responding well to user concerns.

A Failure of Mathematics?

​

People have a hard time grasping large numbers.

I agree that many people have trouble, especially with probabilities and improperly generalizing from a small number of cases.

I'm not one of them! I taught mathematics and have done applied statistics research and data analysis for many years. I'm well aware there are often selection effects in complaints and problems. That's why I prefaced my three items by noting the issue probably affects only a tiny percentage of MacBook Airs.

A “Fad? 😎

While I agree there can sometimes be “fads” (trends? no longer feeling alone? initial stories making people feel more comfortable about reporting similar concerns?), labeling it as a fad can be a disservice to those who have experienced it.

Plus, there are other reasons the “fads” fade away: posters get dissed (!) so others are reluctant to post — and the major tech sites move onto other news and other stories. Apple may also quietly fix issues, with slight tweaks, without admitting to any fault!

In fact, rather than being a fad, reports about cracked screens keep coming, with many posted in the last two months alone!

So, these are real events and a real issue — even a manufacturing defect, as you noted, but one that may be more serious than I originally thought or many MacRumors readers believe. It wouldn't surprise me to see a class action lawsuit in the near future and Apple eventually offering extended warranties to fix the cracked screens. After all, the butterfly keyboard issues were first considered scattered, and attributed to dust, food particles, and user error before the extent of the problem became obvious and Apple did the right thing! Both by providing an extended warranty and eventually redesigning the keyboard… (Going back farther in time, there's iPhone 4's infamous, “You're holding it wrong!” 😎)

Yet, my main concern was what Apple is currently doing about cracked screens under Apple Care, not how often it happens or how widespread it is. Alas, it seems they just don't care and still aren’t acknowledging their responsibility.

The Redesign of the M2 MBA

Finally, my item #2 was about whether Apple might have changed the case of the M2 MBAs, not just so it would mirror the MBP design language, but also to address the screen cracking problem.

Perhaps, an unexpected heat issue from the M1 affects the screen, especially when the lid is closed after a long session! The M2, being higher in the front, and without a tapered front edge, might have more breathing room and dissipate heat better!

Of course, smaller bezels could increase flexing, which would… well, that could work both ways…

Any thoughts on the M2 redesign relative to screen cracking?

P.S. Then, there's this…

Apple should change their policy except in the most obvious cases of user negligence because it seems pretty clear that the screen is fragile.

 

[Howard2k]

I read some of those posts and I'm not at all convinced that there's an issue. But all the same, when I went on vacation last week I did do some hard thinking about the laptop being in my backpack for 10 days. I decided to purchase AppleCare+ just in case. No issues of course.

 

[avalon68]

I think often people pop them in their backpack, carry them around all day and dont realise that they have placed the bag in a position where all the weight falls on the laptop - myself included. I had the older 13 inch pro model from 2015, and the days I did that I would notice the oil transfer from the keys on the screen. These laptops are even thinner and lighter, so its not going to take much pressure to flex the screen. One big text book could do it I would think. Or even just overpacking the bag. Or having insufficient padding/rigidity on backpack and riding a bike with it for example - Im also guilty of this one....broke a slim chromebook doing this. My point is they arent all that robust if you apple weight/pressure to them (Nor would I expect them to be).

 

[RRC]

If the problems were as widespread as OP reports, Apple will have changed the design or pulled the design by now. The fact they are still selling, and will do for years to come, the M1 MBA is testament to both the quality and the design.

 

[Cognizant.]

My screen is the same as the day I bought it. I feel like some of these people might have been munching on M&Ms and a stray M&M landed on the keyboard before they closed the lid.

 

[jdb8167]

My screen is the same as the day I bought it. I feel like some of these people might have been munching on M&Ms and a stray M&M landed on the keyboard before they closed the lid.

Most of the reports I read (about 20 pages worth starting with the first 10 pages and then the last 10 pages) most of the reports seem credible. Obviously some of the people posting aren't telling the truth but I see no reason to disbelieve the majority. One person said they closed the screen on a hoodie drawstring knot. Another said they slept with the MBA on the bed and it was broken when the woke up. But most were just opening or closing the screen—probably not being particularly careful but no one told them they had to be.

Some of the posts are sure to be astroturfing too from Apple competitors trying to tarnish the brand. But the majority seem legit. The 13" M1 MacBook Air and Pro screens might be too fragile or there may be a relatively high defect rate on the glass screen though I don't know what would be normal for that component. For most people though, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The number of reports don't seem to be significant and many of the reports were people saying that Apple did fix the screen under the AppleCare program. Treat the M1 MacBook Air and 13" MacBook Pro like it is fragile and you probably won't have any trouble and if you do, it is likely that Apple will fix it for free if you have AppleCare.

 

[SolarSailer120]

Most of the reports I read (about 20 pages worth starting with the first 10 pages and then the last 10 pages) most of the reports seem credible. Obviously some of the people posting aren't telling the truth but I see no reason to disbelieve the majority. One person said they closed the screen on a hoodie drawstring knot. Another said they slept with the MBA on the bed and it was broken when the woke up. But most were just opening or closing the screen—probably not being particularly careful but no one told them they had to be.

Some of the posts are sure to be astroturfing too from Apple competitors trying to tarnish the brand. But the majority seem legit. The 13" M1 MacBook Air and Pro screens might be too fragile or there may be a relatively high defect rate on the glass screen though I don't know what would be normal for that component. For most people though, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The number of reports don't seem to be significant and many of the reports were people saying that Apple did fix the screen under the AppleCare program. Treat the M1 MacBook Air and 13" MacBook Pro like it is fragile and you probably won't have any trouble and if you do, it is likely that Apple will fix it for free if you have AppleCare.

Thank you for your level headed post instead of just laughing. I am the biggest Apple fanboy, typing this from my iPad Mini 6 with iPadOS 16 beta, love it but ppl deny the very obvious jelly scroll there too. XS Max and Watch SE here too. I would have an M1 Air if it wasn’t for this issue. And for the other person, yes, some of those pages are just comments, but you have over two thousand and thirty people clicking “I have this question too”. Just today there are more stories of cracked Macs. It doesn’t make sense to me that around the world so many people are just randomly having this same experience unless it’s a design fault.

Here’s the most damning one to me. The tolerances seem too tight:

“I was told by the Apple Genius that I must have closed the screen on something and it's not warranted. ******, I took it home and scoured over the screen. There was a wear pattern on the glass coming from the chassis when closed. On mine, the screen hits the area just above the trackpad. This means that the tolerances are TOO TIGHT. This tight tolerance contributes to small debris causing cracks because there is no room for any debris. In my case, the screen is already hitting the chassis under normal use”

 

[Saturn007]

If the problems were as widespread as OP reports, Apple will have changed the design or pulled the design by now. The fact they are still selling, and will do for years to come, the M1 MBA is testament to both the quality and the design.

Didn't report that at all! Please re-read my original post.

I stated this:

“I realize that such problems have probably affected only a very small, even very tiny, percentage of MBAs, but my concern is Apple's inadequate response to it.”​

​

It seems that Apple is NOT repairing these for free under Apple Care+, but charging customers asserting it was accidental damage!

As far as I can tell, complaints of screens cracking did not happen with the earlier MBA designs, not even with the butterfly keyboard ones!

 

[Saturn007]

The saga continues.

Over on the Apple forums...

“The reports keep going up, day by day. All the same story, when it comes to the bottom line. I'm just one more of them.​

Has ANYONE on this thread had any luck getting this issue recognised ?”​

Jul 18, 2022 3:06 PM

——

“it also happened to my 2020 macbook air in 2 months.​

apple is so dishonest about this issue and i will never buy apple product again.”​

From Japanese user.

Jul 3, 2022 9:25 AM

——

“I also face the same issue on my macbook air m1 which I just bought 1 month ago. That's also my first macbook.​

Yesterday, after studying, I closed it. And today, when I open it, I see there are 2 vertical thick black lines on the right screen. I have no idea why they appears.​

I thought macbook products must be very high-quality, robust and reliable but no, they 're so fragile and weak. I won't buy any Apple product anymore and recommend others not to buy it unless they want spend more 500$ to fix the fragile screen”​

Jul 12, 2022 2:18 AM

——

“The same here. 6-month-old new mac book air 2021 M1 got crack for no reason, and when I went to the shop and they told me that it is physical damage and that I should close my MacBook more gentle because "a lot of people it's metal on the back but the retina is very fragile"​

Sorry, but this verse is such a lie. They know they mess up at the manufacturing reason and they don't wanna pay for it.”​

Jul 12, 2022 11:45 PM

——

“I have the same situation. It makes me so sad because I bought this laptop after few months of saving. I was so careful with using it. I closed laptop as always and opened it after 2 hours while it was on the desk. It was black i screen was crushed. I’m devastated and cried for 2 days. Does anyone have any solution? Or just pay half of the price of laptop to fix it even if it’s not my fault.”​

Jul 14, 2022 9:28 PM

——

“This is clearly a manufacturing / design issue, I have exactly the same issue. No Physical damage and the inside LCD screen cracked with no output. ​

Apple are refusing to do anything and claiming accidental damage. I expect better from Apple, we pay a premium to ensure we get a product that isnt defective and if it is for apple to rectify it. I will try pursue this under the UK consumer protection act, not sure how far I will get.”​

Jul 15, 2022 7:46 AM

——

“This literally just happened to me. I’m stunned that the screen is so sensitive/vulnerable”​

Jul 18, 2022 11:07 AM

——

“My MacBook Air M1 cracked the display two weeks ago, unfortunately the warranty finished two days before happened. Can’t believe Apple is not doing anything to repair this issue.”​

Jul 20, 2022 2:29 AM

——

“It happened twice in less than a year, first time i was watching a movie and a thin red light appeared out from nowhere i contacted apple support for replacement but unfortunately it was past the 14 days to replace it, second time couple of days ago i was watching The Bear Tv Show and went make a cup of tea and get back to a delta shaped crack and then the screen went off completely, i don't know why that keep happening to me, i contacted the support and they told it would cost around 750$!!​

I attached it to an external monitor and don't know what to do.​

I can't pay 750$, that's too much, it's completely unfair.”​

Jul 20, 2022 7:17 AM

——

Source of comments:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252794122?page=47 and https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252794122?page=48​

——

One person reported success getting Apple to repair it gratis. Most have been quoted huge fees.

 

[Saturn007]

Elsewhere, sracer has summarized well the typical pattern when such issues arise with an Apple product.

I agree. But this happens with every issue. I'm having a difficult time recalling a time when there was an issue reported by customers that turned out NOT to be a legitimate issue.


I'm officially declaring this GateCon... RESOLVED.

Here's the typical cycle for problems reported on Apple products:
1. A few members post reports of the problem, report it to Apple
2. No response from Apple
3. Increased number of people report the issue
4. No response from Apple
5. Apple apologists dismiss the reports as very rare, the result of trolling, or exaggeration by drama queens
6. Even more reports of the problem
7. No response from Apple
8. News of the problem hits blogs
9. Apple apologists dismiss the blogs as simply engaging in clickbait
10. No response from Apple
11. Those affected by the issue threaten a class-action lawsuit
12. Apple apologists decry the "sue happy" nature of American consumers
13. Apple acknowledges the legitimacy of the problem
14. Apple apologists are silent
15. Apple release an update to correct the problem
or
15. They set up a "program" to address the problem.
16. Apple gains some positive publicity
17. Apple apologists applaud Apple for doing the "right thing". (for an issue that they said from day-1 was not actually an issue)
18. First hand experience with the “program” reveals very strict guidelines and restrictions that greatly reduce the number of affected customers that can participate in the program.

See https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ow.2352265/page-2?post=31280006#post-31280006

 

[MilaM]

Oh boy. Just learned about this new XXXgate. Now I'm really afraid this might happen to my M1 MacBook Air. I waited so many years for an affordable MacBook with a decent keyboard and since the switch of course a future-proof Apple Silicon chip. If this turns out to be a real issue I will have to rethink my relationship with Apple.

 

[Saturn007]

Hope nothing happens to your M1 MBA! The odds are likely in your favor. So, while it's worth being careful, for example, in closing and opening the lid, not flexing it or pushing it back too far and straining it, and, especially, not eating around the MBA, you'll probably be fine.

By the way, do you have Apple Care+ on it? If so, you should be all set and have nothing to worry about. At worst, you'd have to pay $99 + tax.

”AppleCare+ for Mac extends your coverage from your AppleCare+ purchase date and adds up to two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months,​

​

each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, ​

​

or $299 for other accidental damage, plus applicable tax.1”​

​

AppleCare Products - Mac

Learn how to set up and use your Mac computer. Get direct access to Apple experts for questions on using MacOS and iCloud, and connecting to printers.

www.apple.com

Depending on your credit card, if you used one to buy it, you may also have an extended warranty.

If the M1's tapered, wedge shape isn't a key feature to you, you could always sell it and buy an M2 MBA in its place. Although you'd want to alert any prospective buyer about the possible issue. If you have AC+ on it, that'd be a selling point — and point of reassurance. You can transfer AC to a new owner.

I'm still wondering if part of the reason for the MBA's redesign, that is, losing the taper and going retro with the old boxy, dated, MacBook Pro look, was somehow related to this screen issue.

 

[MilaM]

Thanks for your help. I purchased mine used from a friend at a decent discount. Still with warranty, but no Apple Care. The M2 is currently too expensive for my needs. I'll therefore need to keep the M1 and just be careful to not bend the screen too much while opening and closing the lid. I never had problems with previous MacBooks, actually. But a family member has a 2017 MacBook Pro with a broken flex cable. It's funny, because he got a keyboard replacement for free. But shortly after that the screen problems started. Apple would only repair the screen for an extremely high price. It's totally stupid, because it's only a short cable that needs to be replaced. But they can't replace the cable without the screen. Great engineering. Yes, there was an official repair program, but only for the 2016 model.

After the butterfly key problems, flexgate, and now possibly a cracking screen problem, I'm wondering if Apple should focus more on function and less on form.

 

[walterjaap]

I just wanted to chime in to say that there definitely is a design flaw issue involved here and I am really dismayed to see people here posting denying this. I bought a M1 Macbook Pro in June - my third MBP. Never had an issue with previous MBPs, despite lugging them around the world for years. Two weeks after getting this M1 machine, having only used it at home and once or twice brought to work in a laptop case, the screen randomly cracks. Never seen this happen to any Macbook before, so I googled it and saw the floods of other posts about the issue. This didn't happen with previous generations of Macbooks.

 

[David2022]

I've just experienced this too, its going to cost me personally around £800 to repair. I keep the laptop on my desk and opened the lid one morning to initially find the stripes/distortion on the screen, Went through rebooting various things with Apple Support and finally realised it was actualy a tiny internal crack which subsequently grew to fill the whole screen which eventually went black.

Whether its a design flaw or not, The issue is that it is obviously happening to more than a few people here, and the response is so far disappointingly poor by Apple, with the blame being put on us the customers.

I have had mac laptops for the last 15 years and have opened and shut them thousands of times without an issue. This machine cost me nearly £5000.00 already! I am obviously going to treat it with care.

 

[VaruLV]

What kind of M1 MBA config costs 5k UK pounds?!

 

[Caloway]

Like most of the "defects" reported here, it seems more of a fad to report the issue rather than an actual common problem. Eventually the fad fades away and you don't hear anything more about it.

People have a hard time grasping large numbers. If Apple sells 20 million Macs, a defect rate of 0.01% is 2,000 problems. If one in 10 report on it here or on reddit, that's 200 posts. Now it looks like a big problem but it is actually a very small rate of defects. Then add in the inevitable shill/astrotuf posts and then the many repeats by the same people trying to get attention to their problem, you get a 1000 posts for a very small manufacturing issue.

That’s flawed reasoning. The size of the number is irrelevant as to whether or not it’s a statistical outlier. We are getting far more reports of problems with this model than any other model. Apple absolutely knows this already and is just minimizing cost to them. They will lose the class action suit.

 

[dumastudetto]

Apple doesn't make defective products. That's the latest.