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The Mac mini problem saga is never ending… new mini has a mini scratch on it right out the box.

S

Sarah Hamilton

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 19, 2021
109
24
Right.

As you all may have seen my previous monitor threads, I’ve settled with a 1080p monitor from 2013! It works flawlessly, no Flickr at all!

But when I unboxed the mini, I noticed a tiny scratch on it. It’s more of a raised edge but it glistens in the light, and with this Mac going to sit in front of me I’ll be able to see it all the time.

Would you guys get it replaced or live with it? It’s a refurbished model, but I’ve read online that the outer shells are new right?

Here’s a picture. Second one circled shows the exact point incase anybody can’t figure it
8A589AB1-EB1B-48CB-8CFE-EFBCFDC4D533.jpeg
 

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Sarah Hamilton said:
Would you guys get it replaced or live with it? It’s a refurbished model, but I’ve read online that the outer shells are new right?
Click to expand...

Re-read it. It says that refurbished iOS devices will come with a new shell and battery.

There are some seriously obsessive people who've returned the same Apple device over a dozen times (and are probably banned by now). So long as that's not you, I don't think there's a right answer here.

A small ding like that wouldn't bother me. I'll stop seeing it after a couple of weeks, but if it'll annoy you to no end, return it.

Every refurbished Mac I've purchased was indistinguishable from a new one, but I know that sometimes there are some tiny signs that there was a previous owner.
 
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This may be of interest to you. My mini is as of yet scratch-free (despite living with three cats), so I kick this idea around now and again.

www.slickwraps.com

Laptop Skins, Wraps & Covers

Slickwraps offers premium-quality skins for MacBook Pro, MacBook Air & iMac. Enjoy precision cutouts, simple bubble-free installation, and a wide range of colors, patterns, and materials. Plus, explore our customizable options to add your own logo and brand name to your device.
www.slickwraps.com www.slickwraps.com
 
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arms10 said:
This may be of interest to you. My mini is as of yet scratch-free (despite living with three cats), so I kick this idea around now and again.

www.slickwraps.com

Laptop Skins, Wraps & Covers

Slickwraps offers premium-quality skins for MacBook Pro, MacBook Air & iMac. Enjoy precision cutouts, simple bubble-free installation, and a wide range of colors, patterns, and materials. Plus, explore our customizable options to add your own logo and brand name to your device.
www.slickwraps.com www.slickwraps.com
Click to expand...
I ordered some wraps from Slickwraps back at the end of August when they had a sale. Still haven't seen them. Took a week for them to reply to my email asking what's up. They seem to have had a high volume of orders for the black wraps.
 
Sarah Hamilton said:
Right.

As you all may have seen my previous monitor threads, I’ve settled with a 1080p monitor from 2013! It works flawlessly, no Flickr at all!

But when I unboxed the mini, I noticed a tiny scratch on it. It’s more of a raised edge but it glistens in the light, and with this Mac going to sit in front of me I’ll be able to see it all the time.

Would you guys get it replaced or live with it? It’s a refurbished model, but I’ve read online that the outer shells are new right?

Here’s a picture. Second one circled shows the exact point incase anybody can’t figure it View attachment 1905418
Click to expand...
What's that scratch on the top case that looks like a hair?
 
Take a metal nail file, and you should be able to roll the edge a little to make it less obvious. Also, possibly some darker tint nail polish could dull it out a little. I've had many refurb units, and even a couple of refurb Mac Minis, and they have all arrived virtually spotless, never had a concern over appearance. Odd that yours has a flaw. Apple might refuse since it's a cosmetic flaw, but contacting then, the worse they could say is 'No'.

You have options. If you try to fix it yourself, and make it worse, I suppose you can't necessarily blame it on Apple, but not telling them you tried to fix it would be wise. *shrug* Good luck...

(I totally get that it's annoying. It's bright, and I'm sure will be shinning at you for the duration. Just because we buy refurb shouldn't mean that we accept flaws like that (although it could be worse). If it were on the back, or any other side, I could see just living with it. Bummer. Good luck, whichever way you choose to deal with it)
 
My m1 mini was refurbished and cosmetically perfect. I think Apple would want you to be happy with your purchase and have a good experience every time you use it. IMHO the minor inconvenience of having it replaced would likely be forgotten in the long term.
 
ChairSpud said:
My m1 mini was refurbished and cosmetically perfect. I think Apple would want you to be happy with your purchase and have a good experience every time you use it. IMHO the minor inconvenience of having it replaced would likely be forgotten in the long term.
Click to expand...
Yeah I take great care of everything I own, I have a 2016 MBP and its perfect, i've used a cover on the keyboard since day and it's not got a single shine to it
 
if the Mac works nicely, then I really don't care about that little tiny oddness.

I assume a refurb will not be brand new and that the "first scratch" is part of the reason I get that item on a discount.
 
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