Slight bulge on 16" Macbook Pro 2019

[macbookfan21]

I notice a very subtle bulge on my 16" macbook pro where the heat from the fan leaves, this is only seen when the lid is closed. I have attached a photo below where I tried to point out the area in red. It is almost difficult to see in the photo, but I am worried if this is an early sign of something swelling in that top area initially or if this is normal on the middle part of that area. It's easier to see when compared to the ends of that area where the fan vents are. Only had it for 4 days now.

Is this normal?

 

[DeltaMac]

Looks like the bottom cover is not fully seated. There's latching clips near the middle where matching tabs on the inside of the lid will fit. Try removing the bottom cover, check the location of the tabs, and try to seat that in place.
Or, just flip your MBPro top-down, and apply a bit of pressure to the center of the bottom panel. I bet you will feel it gently "pop" into place.
If you are not comfortable with pressing firmly on the bottom panel, take to somewhere that services Macs. Ask if they can try to reseat the bottom cover correctly.

Or, you are within the return period - send it back. (You might always wonder about that slight bulge - might be hard to un-see

 

[macbookfan21]

Looks like the bottom cover is not fully seated. There's latching clips near the middle where matching tabs on the inside of the lid will fit. Try removing the bottom cover, check the location of the tabs, and try to seat that in place.
Or, just flip your MBPro top-down, and apply a bit of pressure to the center of the bottom panel. I bet you will feel it gently "pop" into place.
If you are not comfortable with pressing firmly on the bottom panel, take to somewhere that services Macs. Ask if they can try to reseat the bottom cover correctly.

Or, you are within the return period - send it back. (You might always wonder about that slight bulge - might be hard to un-see

I tried pressing down on it firmly in that area and on the bottom area in general but it doesn't seem to click or change anything. As long as its not a sign of something swelling up in that area, I'm fine with it, would rather not go through hassle of returning/reordering since it was custom and it would take a while for a replacement to come back. But if this is an early sign of something enlarging inside then I would definitely return.

 

[DeltaMac]

If there is something (like the battery) that much "off", it should be easily visible.

I would suggest taking a look inside.
Do you have the pentalobe tool to remove the screws on the bottom?

 

[hallux]

As long as its not a sign of something swelling up in that area

The battery is at the front of the system. There's nothing there to really "bulge" out. Take a look at the iFixit teardown and you'll see this...

 

[macbookfan21]

If there is something (like the battery) that much "off", it should be easily visible.

I would suggest taking a look inside.
Do you have the pentalobe tool to remove the screws on the bottom?

I don't unfortunately

 

[DeltaMac]

Those tools are not too hard to find.

 

[Fishrrman]

Do you have a brick-n-mortar Apple Store nearby?
You could make an appt at the genius bar, and let them examine it.

It seems 'way too new for a "swollen battery" problem.
My advice is to NOT try to open it yourself.
At this point, if you're not satisfied, you have the option of returning it.

 

[macbookfan21]

Do you have a brick-n-mortar Apple Store nearby?
You could make an appt at the genius bar, and let them examine it.

It seems 'way too new for a "swollen battery" problem.
My advice is to NOT try to open it yourself.
At this point, if you're not satisfied, you have the option of returning it.

I have a store nearby. I can get it exchanged, only thing is I would lose my custom configuration of having 1TB on this laptop and would have to get a 512gb which the store has available in stock.

I tried pushing firmly on backplate and its still there so idk if its just a natural bend in the aluminum or if its popping out like that bc of the hinge being in that area.

I really don't want to open it myself and don't think I should even be doing that on a brand new few days old laptop. Do you think I should just opt for exchange and settle for the 512gb? Memory is not super important but does help. I can't wait a few weeks again for a custom ordered one.

 

[Fishrrman]

Take it to the Apple Store, and let them take the back off and look inside.

You don't want to "trade" it for a 512gb version.
You want to:
1. RETURN the 1tb unit for refund
and then
2. BUY an off-the-shelf 512gb unit.

 

[macbookfan21]

Take it to the Apple Store, and let them take the back off and look inside.

You don't want to "trade" it for a 512gb version.
You want to:
1. RETURN the 1tb unit for refund
and then
2. BUY an off-the-shelf 512gb unit.

What’s the difference between exchanging it for a 512gb or returning and repurchasing? Wouldn’t it be a brand new 512gb model either way?

 

[hallux]

What’s the difference between exchanging it for a 512gb or returning and repurchasing? Wouldn’t it be a brand new 512gb model either way?

Except you'd have a 512GB model for the price of a 1TB. If you return it and re-purchase what the store has in stock you've now paid the proper price for the lower capacity.

 

[Kountry]

Anything cosmetic isn't covered