Silver MacBook Air M2 owners

[Technerd108]

Especially a downer as this is my first ever Mac! The picture definitely makes it looks worse then it is but as you said, it’s there but everything else about this thing is great.

The screen is much better then the last one, I didn’t realize how much better until they were side by side with the same dark wallpaper and it was much more washed out on the midnight.

It’s a tough one.. but i set the bar pretty high for how much they charge for these lol

Since it is your first Mac you should return it and if it were me I would tell Apple customer support over the phone exactly that. This is your first Mac and this wasn’t the experience you expected and that it wasn’t cheap for you. You could also say what you like about it. It might help motivate them to take care of you a little better. A new customer is what every business wants and they also want a repeat customer so they have an opportunity to make things right and possibly get just that.

You deserve to be completely satisfied. Period. Then you will enjoy it as long as you own it. If you settle my feeling is you will always have it in the back of your mind and be bothered by it.

Ultimately Apple should want you to be happy too. It will lead to more profit for them in the end.

 

[1BadManVan]

Since it is your first Mac you should return it and if it were me I would tell Apple customer support over the phone exactly that. This is your first Mac and this wasn’t the experience you expected and that it wasn’t cheap for you. You could also say what you like about it. It might help motivate them to take care of you a little better. A new customer is what every business wants and they also want a repeat customer so they have an opportunity to make things right and possibly get just that.

You deserve to be completely satisfied. Period. Then you will enjoy it as long as you own it. If you settle my feeling is you will always have it in the back of your mind and be bothered by it.

Ultimately Apple should want you to be happy too. It will lead to more profit for them in the end.

Thank you, I appreciate the advice on it. I’ll definitely give them a call to talk about it. I did the first time around with the midnight one and they were sympathetic about it but ultimately the customer service agents don’t control the quality control aspect of it.

 

[Technerd108]

Thank you, I appreciate the advice on it. I’ll definitely give them a call to talk about it. I did the first time around with the midnight one and they were sympathetic about it but ultimately the customer service agents don’t control the quality control aspect of it.

No and unfortunately with build to order it can be a lottery. Since prefab units hit store shelves and get reviewed a billion times over I have found the quality control can be better with those devices but don't worry.

I have also had pretty much perfect BTO devices as well. The thing is to just inspect carefully as you have done and then return right away if there is an issue. The quicker you notify them the better.

Good luck and hoping you get a good one next!

 

[Misheemee]

Especially a downer as this is my first ever Mac! The picture definitely makes it looks worse then it is but as you said, it’s there but everything else about this thing is great.

The screen is much better then the last one, I didn’t realize how much better until they were side by side with the same dark wallpaper and it was much more washed out on the midnight.

It’s a tough one.. but i set the bar pretty high for how much they charge for these lol

Understandable, it would bug me too. I’d swap it out

 

[1BadManVan]

Understandable, it would bug me too. I’d swap it out

Dang it, you’re all supposed to tell me I’m being crazy! Lol

 

[maka344]

Dang it, you’re all supposed to tell me I’m being crazy! Lol

Apple will allow order your replacement and allow you to keep this until your BTO arrives - what spec is it?

 

[erasr]

I would stop testing these displays for backlight bleed. Used to do that myself and constantly sent them back.

I'm pretty sure my Air will have some sort of bleed but I'm not looking for it, so I love it.

The midnight paint chipping is exactly why I didn't get that one.

But, you're being crazy! Like I say, stop checking everything, just enjoy it. It's a laptop...........

 

[Technerd108]

I would stop testing these displays for backlight bleed. Used to do that myself and constantly sent them back.

I'm pretty sure my Air will have some sort of bleed but I'm not looking for it, so I love it.

The midnight paint chipping is exactly why I didn't get that one.

But, you're being crazy! Like I say, stop checking everything, just enjoy it. It's a laptop...........

I always test every IPS panel for light bleed. I never expect zero light bleed with IPS as that is an unrealistic expectation but you need to check for excessive light bleed just to be sure you got a decent panel.

Like you said all of them will have some light bleed but as long as it is not crazy then it is good.

I think the wear on Midnight is a little overblown. Obviously no one wants any wear but all anodized finishes will chip or wear out over time. As long as it is not super delicate then it is okay. It seems some models are defective or are prone to more wear than others. Maybe they are all delicate but Midnight looks so good.

I want purple like the iPad Air. Lol

 

[1BadManVan]

I would stop testing these displays for backlight bleed. Used to do that myself and constantly sent them back.

I'm pretty sure my Air will have some sort of bleed but I'm not looking for it, so I love it.

The midnight paint chipping is exactly why I didn't get that one.

But, you're being crazy! Like I say, stop checking everything, just enjoy it. It's a laptop...........

I haven't owned a laptop in 10 years, so im being super picky as I want to keep it long term. But I am definitely enjoying it more then the midnight so far just from not having to worry about any chipping. That alone has made this a much more pleasant experience for me.

Only other issue for me now is the bottom plate isn't perfectly flush, you feel the sharp edge on the bottom where it goes into the chassis, I definitely did not have this on the last one

 

[tharper]

My previous Macbook was space gray. I wanted silver because a) it's the classic macbook color and b) because it shows dirt and scratches less.

-Tristan

 

[Technerd108]

My previous Macbook was space gray. I wanted silver because a) it's the classic macbook color and b) because it shows dirt and scratches less.

-Tristan

What specs did you get if I may ask and what do you like about it?

 

[tharper]

I went for the 16/512, 8 core GPU. Most expensive laptop to date but absolutely worth it!

Edit: Forgot to answer what I like...
Battery life, lack of heat and noise, small size, screen, performance. It's an exceptional machine.

-Tristan

 

[Technerd108]

I went for the 16/512, 8 core GPU. Most expensive laptop to date but absolutely worth it!

Edit: Forgot to answer what I like...
Battery life, lack of heat and noise, small size, screen, performance. It's an exceptional machine.

-Tristan

I got the same config in Midnight. I completely agree on your likes! Me too!

Hopefully mine will last a while before the Midnight gets marks........Hopefully!!Lol

 

[Haribokart]

My previous Macbook was space gray. I wanted silver because a) it's the classic macbook color and b) because it shows dirt and scratches less.

-Tristan

I do find my 13" M1 MBP Space Grey really draws attention to dust/hair/dirt/marks (none of which I've noticed on any of my older laptops) although never got any scratches or paint chipping; did you find going to Silver was noticeably better in this aspect?

 

[tharper]

I do find my 13" M1 MBP Space Grey really draws attention to dust/hair/dirt/marks (none of which I've noticed on any of my older laptops) although never got any scratches or paint chipping; did you find going to Silver was noticeably better in this aspect?

Noticeably better, yes. Haven't had my silver Air for long enough to get dents, but I'd image they would show less than space gray.

 

[1BadManVan]

Silver is definitely miles better when it comes to showing any dust on it, the midnight definitely did nothing to hide it. Only thing the silver seems to show more of is my bright ginger beard hairs lol

 

[1BadManVan]

Alright... I have 2 days left to make up my mind if I want to risk exhanging this Mac for another one... Everything about this one is nearly perfect except for the bottom panel. It doest sit in perfectly flush with the body of the Mac. You can feel the lip of the panel when you run your fingers along it. Does it affect usability? not at all, but it is there.

Backlight is nearly perfect, everything else seems good, do I risk sending this back for another one? I checked out a bunch of floor models and apple and Best Buy and they all seem to fit flush and smooth.

 

[1BadManVan]

obviously its hard to photograph as you feel it more then see it but you can see the line where the bottom plate meets the chassis

 

[guiguigui]

Alright... I have 2 days left to make up my mind if I want to risk exhanging this Mac for another one... Everything about this one is nearly perfect except for the bottom panel. It doest sit in perfectly flush with the body of the Mac. You can feel the lip of the panel when you run your fingers along it. Does it affect usability? not at all, but it is there.

Backlight is nearly perfect, everything else seems good, do I risk sending this back for another one? I checked out a bunch of floor models and apple and Best Buy and they all seem to fit flush and smooth.

I'd ask for a replacement. You 'sacrifice' some days waiting for the new unit, but will avoid that every next day you get your hands on the MBA, noticing the plate and thinking 'what if...?'

New unit might have new flaws? sure. In that case just replace it until you have one that you can live with without bothering to write a post in a nerds forum 😜

My mantara in life: avoid "what ifs". So far has served me well hahah

PS: Writing from a 2020 intel MBA, which I replaced because the fan made a weird buzz noise. When the replacement arrived I realized that sound was normal. Every time I hear the fan (like, always lol) I now know it's ok and I'm not wondering "what if... my unit is just defective?"
PPS: In 2 days my new silver M2 will arrive! Woohooo

 

[Technerd108]

obviously its hard to photograph as you feel it more then see it but you can see the line where the bottom plate meets the chassisView attachment 2073564

Personally I would exchange it.

It should be perfectly flush.

It could cause more wear because if you rub anything against the bottom of the case that part is sticking out.

The main thing is this. Everyone is going to give you an opinion. But you have the right to return it and if you have a problem with the next one you still have the same option.

I would keep returning it until they get it right. It is in Apples best interest to get it right and satisfy because it cost them money the more times they have to exchange a product so I would assume they would contact the manufacturer and ask them to double check the unit they send you.

All I can say is I would want mine to be free from all and any defects. Period. If you can take a picture and see it then it is a defect. What other people can live with is irrelevant because you have to live with the device and every time you reach for it, it will be the first thing you see and bother you.

If it bothers you return it. Plain and simple.

 

[Technerd108]

I'd ask for a replacement. You 'sacrifice' some days waiting for the new unit, but will avoid that every next day you get your hands on the MBA, noticing the plate and thinking 'what if...?'

New unit might have new flaws? sure. In that case just replace it until you have one that you can live with without bothering to write a post in a nerds forum 😜

My mantara in life: avoid "what ifs". So far has served me well hahah

PS: Writing from a 2020 intel MBA, which I replaced because the fan made a weird buzz noise. When the replacement arrived I realized that sound was normal. Every time I hear the fan (like, always lol) I now know it's ok and I'm not wondering "what if... my unit is just defective?"
PPS: In 2 days my new silver M2 will arrive! Woohooo

I think you are going to be very happy with your new Mac!!

Almost there!

Hope you enjoy it when you get it!!

To the OP

So that’s two of us saying replace it. You aren’t crazy to do so- well unless we are crazy and my sanity is probably a little in question. Lol

 

[1BadManVan]

yup... you guys are right... oie. This isn't my usual experience with apple stuff, finding flaws like this

 

[Technerd108]

yup... you guys are right... oie. This isn't my usual experience with apple stuff, finding flaws like this

It happens. Don’t get discouraged. The next one might be the “one”.

I have noticed flaws throughout the years of getting BTO Macs. I generally don’t see them as much on the ones you can just pick up at the Apple Store or Best Buy.

I ordered a MBP BTO when they were using InTel and had weird keyboard backlight being uneven. Some other issues. Bought a MBP on discount from B&H and it was perfect??

I just hope if you decide to exchange that the next one is free of any defects and you can enjoy the device fully.

 

[1BadManVan]

Yea im working on convincing them to just send me a replacement first while I keep this one to ship back so im not down for weeks waiting on another custom order lol. Last time I had to go to the apple store for like an hour and wait to speak to a manager about extending my return window until the replacement arrived and have both on my credit card. Rather not have to go through that all again

 

[1BadManVan]

Well they extended my return window and will ship me a new one to my house and handle my return whenever it arrives and are giving me a black Magic Mouse 2 for the inconvenience