The ultimate new MacBook checklist - what to test when you get a freshie

[WristyManchego]

Dudes, scrolling through the MacBook Pro forum I’ve noticed there is post after post of things people have found wrong with their spanking new machine...

My screen is dim, my USB 3 isn’t working, my speakers cracke, my Bluetooth headphones sound funny, my cpu is throttling.

It’s got me thinking, what should one check after purchasing a new MacBook to ensure that in the 13 days before the return day you can be as sure as possible you don’t have a lemon.

To get it started:

Screen
- dead pixels (what’s the best method?)
- light leak (in a dark room)

Ports
- test thunderbolt, USB & power

Speakers
- they got that crackle?

Keyboard
- all keys work

Trackpad
- fingers like a dream
- no flex when clicking or force touching

DOA
- check your Mac isn’t dead on arrival (thanks to @Phil A. for this one)

What else you pros got?

P.s. Let’s exclude throttlegate for this one.

 

[ascender]

I'll be honest, I just start using the machine as I normally would and see what happens. I know its an expensive item, but you have a 12 month warranty and I suspect if you start making lists about this stuff its the first step on the road to madness!

Just enjoy the laptop and if you spot something not right, take it in to Apple.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Dudes, scrolling through the MacBook Pro forum I’ve noticed there is post after post of things people have found wrong with their spanking new machine...

My screen is dim, my USB 3 isn’t working, my speakers cracke, my Bluetooth headphones sound funny, my cpu is throttling.

It’s got me thinking, what should one check after purchasing a new MacBook to ensure that in the 13 days before the return day you can be as sure as possible you don’t have a lemon.

To get it started:

Screen - dead pixels (what’s the best method?)
- light leak (in a dark room)
Ports - test thunderbolt, USB & power
Speakers - they got that crackle?
Keyboard - all keys work
Trackpad - fingers like a dream
- no flex when clicking or force touching

What else you pros got?

P.s. Let’s exclude throttlegate for this one.

I am not sure if it would be good to make a thread that sets off more OCD! This place is flooded with it now!

I am with the “ascender” and just start using my laptop and enjoying it.

 

[arkitect]

I am not sure if it would be good to make a thread that sets off more OCD! This place is flooded with it now!

I am with the “ascender” and just start using my laptop and enjoying it.

Definitely agree.

I have had to exchange exactly one (1) Apple product in all my time as a Mac user (and that's going back to the late '80s).

A Mac Pro 2006 with a faulty sound jack. Not a single laptop, phone, iPod, mouse, trackpad… But then again I am one of those increasingly rare people it seems who am quite happy to accept the really tiny and minor "imperfections" in life.

Come on, @WristyManchego Open the box, breathe in, enjoy the newness and just start using the damn thing. They are lovely machines made to be used.

Starting from the position that "something is bound to be wrong with it" is just not healthy.

*shrug*

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Check dead pixels by putting a flat color and looking at it. If you don't see any, assume there isn't any (If they are there but you can't observe it, not much point worrying).

Check the light leak by using it in an environment you normally would use it, if you visually can't see anything, then same as above.

Test the power cable in each port, if it works, assume they're fine. Check a memory stick in them too, assume it works just fine.

The speakers would be pretty obvious if they have a defect, watch a video, if nothing happens, assume it's great.

Keyboard is an easy one, press each one, assume it's fine.

Trackpad, try moving your finger to each edge, if this happens without problem, assume it's fine. Remember it is made of glass and will flex a little if forcefully pushing against it. If it feels like cooked spaghetti, send it back.

That should be it! Honestly don't go looking for problems as others have stated, any inherent defect will be very obvious on first use - or will be present within the first few months. You can 'find problems' if you look hard enough, and convince yourself that stuff is a problem when in normal use it really isn't. Things like the trackpad flexing, screen rattling, light leaking, are often only present though forceful means or when using the device in a way to try to showcase a defect.

 

[maflynn]

I'm just the type of person that I just use the machine. I'm not sure a checklist all that is needed, tbh, I forgot all about dead pixels. The less I obsess about the small things, the more content I'll be ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Nozuka]

Things i checked yesterday:

- Do all USB-C Ports work
- is there any visible dent
- Dead pixels? Lightbleed? Yellow tint?

That's about it. Luckily i have none of these problems.

Probably wouldn't have checked if i was not a member of this forum

 

[Phil A.]

To my mind, any issues that require the return of a machine will be blatantly obvious from the start (and if they're not, then are they really issues?)

I've been using Apple gear (and lots of it) for many years and in all that time, I've had precisely 2 issues: 1 was a cracked back on an iPhone 3G (which developed after about 5 months and was fixed with a swapout) and one was a DOA iPhone 4 (which was swapped).

Beyond that, I've had no issues at all with numerous iPhones, iMacs, Mac Pros, MacBooks, MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros, etc, etc

 

[fokmik]

The only think i look for, is dents or something cosmetics right out of the box..after that i use the machine hard in every way so in 1 week i will see if anything is wrong with it

 

[WristyManchego]

Come on, @WristyManchego Open the box, breathe in, enjoy the newness and just start using the damn thing. They are lovely machines made to be used.

Starting from the position that "something is bound to be wrong with it" is just not healthy.

*shrug*

Just enjoy the laptop and if you spot something not right, take it in to Apple.

I think you’ve misread this post as some kind of ‘self help’ for a phobia of receiving a bad Mac. I’ve no qualms, it’s just valuable content for those that fear.
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and one was a DOA iPhone 4 (which was swapped).

Good call, I’d better add checking for DOA to the list.