Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

k2743

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 28, 2016
47
4
Hi, please could everyone with a space grey model share their experiences? Does it really show scratches badly (any photos appreciated). I was going to go for the space grey, I'm now trying to convince myself that I prefer the silver model after hearing bad things about the former.
 
Hi, please could everyone with a space grey model share their experiences? Does it really show scratches badly (any photos appreciated). I was going to go for the space grey, I'm now trying to convince myself that I prefer the silver model after hearing bad things about the former.

Had absolutely no problems with scratches - it's just a fingerprint magnet and they show badly! I'm going to fit a skin for extra protection anyway!
 
Hi, please could everyone with a space grey model share their experiences? Does it really show scratches badly (any photos appreciated). I was going to go for the space grey, I'm now trying to convince myself that I prefer the silver model after hearing bad things about the former.

had my space grey ntb mbp since launch. no scratches.

but nobody here will have long term feedback for you. check macbook forums since the 12" macbook got the space grey 1st.
 
Hi, please could everyone with a space grey model share their experiences? Does it really show scratches badly (any photos appreciated). I was going to go for the space grey, I'm now trying to convince myself that I prefer the silver model after hearing bad things about the former.

I don't really see scratches being a big problem with this color. I have no other evidence to base this on, but the color is light enough, and based on other space grey products I have owned; I don't see it being an issue.

That being said, it does show fingerprints, but it doesn't look as "dirty" as my past MBPs would look. Kind of like a white vs black care; tar and dirt will show on the white, but dust and paints swirls will show on the black.

I really like the space grey color, as a side note.
 
Had absolutely no problems with scratches - it's just a fingerprint magnet and they show badly! I'm going to fit a skin for extra protection anyway!

Is the fingerprint issue so and to the point you need a skin to cover it? Do the prints wipe off pretty easily?
 
Is the fingerprint issue so and to the point you need a skin to cover it? Do the prints wipe off pretty easily?
I don't find the fingerprints to be a big enough issue to cover up the laptop. I prefer the feel of the metal to the cheaper feeling plastic/fake leather, etc of the skins.

The finger prints wipe of easily enough. A little 70% alcohol (or diluted rubbing alcohol) solution and a soft napkin does the trick. The fingerprint issue is WAY less noticeable than it was my recent Dell XPS laptops (that carbon fiber really loved finger prints).

You will clean the laptop either way. With the space grey you will be trying to wipe off prints, and with the silver you will be wiping off said prints that appear as dirt (since the oil will attract the dirt). Just wipe off the outside when you wipe off the screen, however often that is. It all depends on how OCD you will be with it, I guess.

I would rather see prints than dirt. Every electronic out in public has finger prints, as do door knobs, car, etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kp98077
Space gray on a 15" looked tacky and incomplete to me. On a 13" or 12" it looks ok.

Have not seen a fingerprint problem on either one (though note I returned the space gray).
 
Not sure about space gray fingerprints, but you also get them on the Silver version if that is what you are worried about (when you touch it the color becomes lighter).
In the end, this is not only a power machine but also an "eye candy" product => just pick whatever color you fancy and be happy/enjoy it. What's the point of having scratchless silver if you hate the color ??

I love my silver one and some other person will love his space gray one. Cannot discuss colors and tastes like you do for specs IMHO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rina11 and Naimfan
Absolutely loving my space grey would choose it again if I could. It looks stunning compared to the bland+common silver colour. For some reason the new design looks much better on the space grey. But as everyone else has pointed out here it is a fingerprint magnet but more-so if you have sweaty palms. No scratch issues as some might make it seem. I think its absolutely gorgeous. Just go for it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kjung7
Space Grey is a fingerprint magnet...But haven't noticed any scratches.

I love the color of it.
 
I was one of the unlucky few to receive my new MBP with a scratch right out of the box. I am so relieved I chose silver because you really can barely notice the scratch. (have to really look for it in the right light at the right angle). The photos of the SG MBP's with similar scratches from the factory look much more pronounced and noticeable. With that said though, Space grey looks great but Silver makes me happy:)

I have a phobia of scratches on this thing so I bought the I-Blason hard case to protect the exterior. Great case. Thin, soft matte feel and fits perfectly.
 
Haven't used my space gray ntb with oily hands so I can't comment on fingerprints and the like, but its true that dust specks stand out quite a bit. Love the color though. Note that the color does appear different under different lighting conditions.. sometimes it looks a bit odd when the color of the trackpad seems quite different to that of the body due to lighting. I don't regret the choice though
 
I was one of the unlucky few to receive my new MBP with a scratch right out of the box. I am so relieved I chose silver because you really can barely notice the scratch. (have to really look for it in the right light at the right angle). The photos of the SG MBP's with similar scratches from the factory look much more pronounced and noticeable. With that said though, Space grey looks great but Silver makes me happy:)

I have a phobia of scratches on this thing so I bought the I-Blason hard case to protect the exterior. Great case. Thin, soft matte feel and fits perfectly.

Well return it LOL! I would NEVER accept a machine of this caliber with a scratch they are actually hard to scratch!
[doublepost=1483029559][/doublepost]I can tell you space gray is the way to go, looks so much more elegant. My partner has the silver one and yes it shows SLIGHTLY less finger prints, definitely NOT something to even worry about, I clean mine about every two days and I am OCD plus!. He also has the SB 12 macbook space gray for a year maybe, and no scratches at all and we are not that gentle on equipment. Really do not think you have to worry :) go and enjoy the beauty...
 
Well return it LOL! I would NEVER accept a machine of this caliber with a scratch they are actually hard to scratch!


Not going to return it. I thought long and hard about doing so though. I actually had another sitting unopened at my house (it was a 455 graphics card model) and could have just kept that one instead but this one has been flawless besides the tiny cosmetic mark and I wasn't willing to wait for another BTO that may possibly have bigger (Graphics) issues. The flaw is only noticed by me and since all else is perfect I am ok with it. Ive returned the unopened MBP and Ive been happy with my BTO everyday since.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kp98077
Haven't used my space gray ntb with oily hands so I can't comment on fingerprints and the like, but its true that dust specks stand out quite a bit. Love the color though. Note that the color does appear different under different lighting conditions.. sometimes it looks a bit odd when the color of the trackpad seems quite different to that of the body due to lighting. I don't regret the choice though
Yeah I too loved the fact that it looked different under different lighting conditions. Its so nice to have that variety.
 
No scratches or fingerprints on my 15" Space Gray. It's treated gently and my hands are always clean when using it. It is also stationary at my dining room table so I'm not picking it up much or traveling with it in a case.
I wasn't sure I would like the Space Gray, but once it arrived I loved it and if it had to be exchanged I would only get Space Gray even if it meant a wait.
 
I don't really see scratches being a big problem with this color. I have no other evidence to base this on, but the color is light enough, and based on other space grey products I have owned; I don't see it being an issue.

That being said, it does show fingerprints, but it doesn't look as "dirty" as my past MBPs would look. Kind of like a white vs black care; tar and dirt will show on the white, but dust and paints swirls will show on the black.

I really like the space grey color, as a side note.
I have the silver and a girl at a table near me the other day in the coffee shop had the space gray version. IMHO you can't go wrong with either one. I prefer the Silver as it feels more classic Mac to me, but people's tastes are unique and some like it "think different" on purpose. For example, some people would like a flat, non-gloss paint on their Ferrari; for me I would personally take the classic Italian gloss red.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WhiteWhaleHolyGrail
i love the way it looks scratched. i have a space grey iphone for a couple years and the wear makes it look so badass

as for the laptop, i'm a very clumsy guy and i've been on this thing all day every day for a month ( busy time at work) and it doesn't even have a tiny ding on it yet. i'm surprised – maybe they've improved their anodizing technique

obviously aesthetics are personal, but i far prefer the grey over the silver, because it gets out of the way. it kinda 'disappears' when you're looking at the screen
 
I have a space gray and will be putting a Best Skins on it. That costs down on fingerprints and of course protects it from scratches as well. Have used them for years.
 
No issues with scratches
i love the way it looks scratched. i have a space grey iphone for a couple years and the wear makes it look so badass

as for the laptop, i'm a very clumsy guy and i've been on this thing all day every day for a month ( busy time at work) and it doesn't even have a tiny ding on it yet. i'm surprised – maybe they've improved their anodizing technique

obviously aesthetics are personal, but i far prefer the grey over the silver, because it gets out of the way. it kinda 'disappears' when you're looking at the screen

See now I agree with this! I love the SG as it looks more like a 'tech tool' in my opinion and the addition of a few scratches through natural use will just make it look like the workhorse that it was built to be.
 
i don't put skins but i have used keyboard covers to avoidy "shiney-keys" syndrome. nice to hand them off or sell them looking brand new
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.