Uneven trackpad on new 16" MBP

[mikethebigo]

So just wondering if this is something I should fuss about or just normal variation that all models have. On the corners of my trackpad, the left upper corner is basically flush with the rest of the case, while the right upper corner is slightly recessed (like probably less than a mm but a noticeable difference). Are you guys seeing any similar variation or are your trackpads perfectly symmetric on all corners in relation to the case?

Thanks for helping to alleviate some anxiety

 

[Sanpete]

Should be level. Is it harder to click on one side than the other?

 

[iMi]

Mine is perfectly level. I would suggest you exchange it. It may not be a noticeable thing but could be a precursor to problems down the road.

 

[mikethebigo]

Should be level. Is it harder to click on one side than the other?

It really doesn't seem any easier or harder to click on any of the sections. It's such a large trackpad it's hard to say if there are really any big differences. Maybe one side sounds a little different with the click than the other?

 

[seangrimes590]

That's not normal. Usually when people start to see this it's because the battery is expanding. The machine is so new that seems unlikely but I suppose there could be a manufacturing defect. I would definitely have it checked out.

 

[0906742]

There was talk about the same issue few months ago and back then the general "consensus" in this forum seemed to be that these machines are not assembled by artisans and this is just normal variations/tolerances between the units. See this thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macbook-pro-2019-trackpad-gap-asymmetry.2189776/

After begin of that thread, I got my 2019 MBP 13 (2TB) model (I had MBA 2018 that had even trackpad so I thought they were supposed to be like that all but obviously not) and it seemed to have the problems with the trackpad but I was happy with the display that had no BLB or other usual IPS problems, so I did not want to take a part in the display lottery again due to that, as it was considered just normal.

I guess it is party due to battery shape that defines the trackpad orientation. I noticed especially on the flush corner that the trackpad actually rises and lower based on the battery temperature. I'm not talking about battery abnormal swelling but microscopic small variations like 0.05mm or so. I would not even notice that unless that higher corner was not so that it is nearly flush with the rest of the case when cold but gets just a tiny bit over when warm. Other corners are recessed so much below the rest of the body that it is impossible to detect such a small difference.

 

[ascender]

So just wondering if this is something I should fuss about or just normal variation that all models have. On the corners of my trackpad, the left upper corner is basically flush with the rest of the case, while the right upper corner is slightly recessed (like probably less than a mm but a noticeable difference). Are you guys seeing any similar variation or are your trackpads perfectly symmetric on all corners in relation to the case?

Thanks for helping to alleviate some anxiety

Just checked mine an its the same, but with the sides reversed - so my top right corner looks like its ever-so-slightly-higher and almost flush.

I've not noticed any difference in any area of the trackpad over the last week or so - so I'm not going to bother taking it back, it works just fine. And if it wasn't for your topic I'd never have noticed it 😃

 

[0906742]

Yeah, it is probably normal. In my unit it is the lower right corner almost flush with the case, lower left is just a little more recessed but both upper corners are more recessed.

I actually tried to measure how much the trackpad it recessed and while it feels with fingertip like it is much lower than the rest of the case in recessed corners, it is only within one or couple tenth of mm. It is actually almost impossible to even measure. The best way to measure it I found was to cut the pieces of copying paper and layering them in the corners on the trackpad. Try it and you'll see that it is not nearly that much recessed as it feels. By the way, thickness of the normal copying paper is around 0.1-0.08mm or so. In my unit even the most recessed corners are so that two layers of copying paper are about or even higher than the rest of the body, so it is recessed only under 0.2 mm in the deepest corners but it feels much with finger.

I also see no issues with the trackpad, it clicks the same in all corners and works fine. It is just that I can feel it when I happen to move much fingers to the corners that they are not even. Due to trackpad being glass, it is actually very hard to notice visually. You have to inspect it under bright light looking on the sides. You cannot really notice it otherwise...

 

[mikethebigo]

Huh, so this really kind of does sound like normal variance. I wonder what components cause the unevenness? Also it is a little concerning that one person mentioned it changes based on how warm the battery is... I'll definitely be looking for that today, that's one thing that would make me want to exchange.

 

[0906742]

Huh, so this really kind of does sound like normal variance.

I guess based on the comments it is rather common thing. Also these new machines are (should be) quality controlled at the factory, so if they there think it is ok, then why not.

I wonder what components cause the unevenness?

I also thought the parts would be precision machined (the aluminum case and the trackpad itself) so they should fit together 100% when just tightening the screws. But from the comments on the other thread I linked, the consensus seemed to be that it is not that simple and it is up to the way they are put together and since the workers are not artisans there is variation. Just repeating what I was told.

Also it is a little concerning that one person mentioned it changes based on how warm the battery is... I'll definitely be looking for that today, that's one thing that would make me want to exchange.

If you was referring to my comment, I mean by that it is in my understanding normal that li-po batteries change very slightly their size based on the temp and charge levels etc. factors. I was not talking about abnormal swelling. Since the trackpad is placed right above the battery and since the placement of my trackpad this minimal change is possible to notice. If it was more recessed on that corner, I could not notice the difference. Anyway, I was annoyed by this at first but then I weighted my options that since the display was very good, I decided it wasn't worth the risk go hunt for perfect trackpad placement and end up with inferior display after that...

If you are not happy with the display or something else with the machine, then maybe a good idea to go ahead and try another since you don't have much to lose in that case and probably the placement of the trackpad is different, so you might like it.

 

[Parisi]

Yup, had this on my second 16" basemodel unit, top right corner was flat with palm rest. That same unit also had the worst screen of all 3 units I opened. I ended up settled with my third and final one which is OK all around, OK panel and no other cosmetic defects.

Opening a new Macbook these days is like a box of surprises, and not in a good way.
Return till you find one that looks exactly or close enough to a display model.

Took me 3 returns on my 15", and 2 returns on my 16".

 

[Velin]

No issues with my trackpad. If it's off by just a little bit, I'd keep the computer and not worry about it.

 

[mikethebigo]

So tonight I noticed that with the computer under load, the trackpad on the left side rose even more when the computer heated up, to the point that the glass is noticeably above the case. Makes me nervous about the battery expanding and contracting. I spoke with support and they suggested to exchange it, think I'm just gonna do that.

 

[RichiMac]

Great. Now I will notice if my trackpad isn't perfect. thanks a lot...not.

 

[MacBookGamer]

Every MacBook I get seems to be uneven in the bottom left.

 

[0906742]

So tonight I noticed that with the computer under load, the trackpad on the left side rose even more when the computer heated up, to the point that the glass is noticeably above the case. Makes me nervous about the battery expanding and contracting.

How much did it rose? I mean it is probably noticeable due to level where it has been installed. Mine has been moving up 0.05 mm all the time when it is getting warm (I've had it like 4.5 months and it has not gotten worse. It has been doing this always). I'm pretty sure that it normal but it is not noticeable when trackpad is more recessed as it still stays under the main body. I have actually measured other corners too in my unit and it does the same in every corner, it just cannot be noticed unless measuring it purposely.

As far as I know li-po batteries do expand very little when they get warm, or based on the charge level etc. but it should not be confused with abnormal swelling with failing battery, hard to believe they would install faulty batteries in new units, I'm sure they would discard ones they see are faulty.

It would be interesting if those with perfect trackpad placement would do measurements with theirs how much it goes up when battery is warm. You need some measuring tool with 0.01-0.05 mm precision to do that. Or you can try evaluate it with piece of copying paper but it is difficult to measure if the trackpad is still recessed even when the battery is warm.

I spoke with support and they suggested to exchange it, think I'm just gonna do that.

Sure they will offer that for anyone within first 2 weeks what ever you complain about as that is their no questions asked policy. Anyway, I kept mine because I had good display and I did not believe I would get lucky in the display lottery another time.

 

[mikethebigo]

How much did it rose? I mean it is probably noticeable due to level where it has been installed. Mine has been moving up 0.05 mm all the time when it is getting warm (I've had it like 4.5 months and it has not gotten worse. It has been doing this always). I'm pretty sure that it normal but it is not noticeable when trackpad is more recessed as it still stays under the main body. I have actually measured other corners too in my unit and it does the same in every corner, it just cannot be noticed unless measuring it purposely.

As far as I know li-po batteries do expand very little when they get warm, or based on the charge level etc. but it should not be confused with abnormal swelling with failing battery, hard to believe they would install faulty batteries in new units, I'm sure they would discard ones they see are faulty.

It would be interesting if those with perfect trackpad placement would do measurements with theirs how much it goes up when battery is warm. You need some measuring tool with 0.01-0.05 mm precision to do that. Or you can try evaluate it with piece of copying paper but it is difficult to measure if the trackpad is still recessed even when the battery is warm.

Sure they will offer that for anyone within first 2 weeks what ever you complain about as that is their no questions asked policy. Anyway, I kept mine because I had good display and I did not believe I would get lucky in the display lottery another time.

In the bottom left, it goes from noticeably recessed from the level of the case, to elevated above the case. I can't speak in terms of hundredths of a mm, I don't have anything that measures that closely. If there is a battery so squeezed in there that just heating up makes the glass of the trackpad bulge up, and that's at brand new/100% health, then I definitely want to try for another unit that is better than that.
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Every MacBook I get seems to be uneven in the bottom left.

When you say uneven, do you mean at the level/above the case on that corner, or just a little higher compared to the others but still recessed?

 

[0906742]

In the bottom left, it goes from noticeably recessed from the level of the case, to elevated above the case. I can't speak in terms of hundredths of a mm, I don't have anything that measures that closely. If there is a battery so squeezed in there that just heating up makes the glass of the trackpad bulge up, and that's at brand new/100% health, then I definitely want to try for another unit that is better than that.

As I said, it feels much more with finger than what it actually is. Just like I said, in my unit the movement is about 0.05 mm but as it is just fraction of that lower when cold and then fraction higher when warm, it makes it noticeable and it really feels much worse by just evaluating with finger than it really is.

You can try with piece of copying paper evaluate how much it is. Just place the piece on the high corner when it is cold and feel the height against the main body. Then do the same again when it is hot, but place the paper on the chassis palm rest this time and feel the height against trackpad, I bet the trackpad is still lower then. If not, then it is going much higher than in mine and might be abnormal. You can try the same method on the other corners too, I bet you notice the same thing in every corner, as very likely with the another machine too but it is only noticeable in real life in the case where trackpad height in one corner is like in our machines.

I have also tested tapping the bottom cover with my fingers when battery is hot and it still sounds hollow, so definitely battery is not swelling so much it is pressing the bottom cover. Try that if you suspect your battery is swelling too much. Anyways hard to believe they would install faulty swollen batteries at the factory. It is just that because battery is glued solidly on the top part, I think even the slight size difference causes that you can feel it.

 

[mikethebigo]

As I said, it feels much more with finger than what it actually is. Just like I said, in my unit the movement is about 0.05 mm but as it is just fraction of that lower when cold and then fraction higher when warm, it makes it noticeable and it really feels much worse by just evaluating with finger than it really is.

You can try with piece of copying paper evaluate how much it is. Just place the piece on the high corner when it is cold and feel the height against the main body. Then do the same again when it is hot, but place the paper on the chassis palm rest this time and feel the height against trackpad, I bet the trackpad is still lower then. If not, then it is going much higher than in mine and might be abnormal. You can try the same method on the other corners too, I bet you notice the same thing in every corner, as very likely with the another machine too but it is only noticeable in real life in the case where trackpad height in one corner is like in our machines.

I have also tested tapping the bottom cover with my fingers when battery is hot and it still sounds hollow, so definitely battery is not swelling so much it is pressing the bottom cover. Try that if you suspect your battery is swelling too much. Anyways hard to believe they would install faulty swollen batteries at the factory. It is just that because battery is glued solidly on the top part, I think even the slight size difference causes that you can feel it.

Just did what you asked, computer is currently warm because I was in Boot Camp, and when I place the paper on the main case and push it towards the trackpad on that corner, it does hit. The glass is actually above the main case.

 

[0906742]

Yes, it is in mine too but how much? Is the paper now still higher or lower than the trackpad when you feel it with finger (do it carefully)? I mean copying paper thickness is about 0.08 - 0.1 mm only, so that gives you some idea how much it is moving up in reality.

Or try this! When battery is hot and your trackpad is higher than the main body, try pressing the trackpad with other hand finger on that corner and then feel the height against the main body with other hand finger. It is now just a bit lower than the main body when you hold it down, isn't it? If not, then it is getting higher than in mine. The trackpad does not move much when clicking, I guess 0.1mm or less.

 

[RichiMac]

My 2018 looks and feels perfect. I cannot detect any noticeable difference...at least not while it is still cold. I wonder if the new 16 is more affected due to the larger battery??

 

[0906742]

No, because mine is 13" 2019. Maybe related to Simplo battery (just a wild guess) but mine has this battery and based on the iFixit teardown review 16" they took apart had one too.

Anyway, it is just that you cannot really notice it unless the trackpad is placed like in OP's or my machine. I honestly would not noticed that on three "healthy" corners unless I noticed it with higher corner and started to inspect is microscopically detailed way.

Ps. It is nearly impossible to tell by the look (unless you look at it from many different angles under specific lightning). Mine looks like it is recessed in all corners even it is not. The glass surface is deceiving.

 

[mikethebigo]

No, because mine is 13" 2019. Maybe related to Simplo battery (just a wild guess) but mine has this battery and based on the iFixit teardown review 16" they took apart had one too.

Anyway, it is just that you cannot really notice it unless the trackpad is placed like in OP's or my machine. I honestly would not noticed that on three "healthy" corners unless I noticed it with higher corner and started to inspect is microscopically detailed way.

Ps. It is nearly impossible to tell by the look (unless you look at it from many different angles under specific lightning). Mine looks like it is recessed in all corners even it is not. The glass surface is deceiving.

Well, it's nice to know that someone else on here is as OCD about this thing as I was! Ultimately like I said, since it was swelling above the level of the case, I brought it in for an exchange. I think I got lucky. Replacement seems essentially even in all corners, and though I see the same swelling up behavior under load, it still stays below case level, which is exactly what I wanted. The clicking mechanism seems slightly firmer, which reinforces my belief that my trackpad was a little loose on the left side. Otherwise screen and everything else seem go so this one might be a keeper. Fingers crossed!

 

[0906742]

Replacement seems essentially even in all corners, and though I see the same swelling up behavior under load, it still stays below case level, which is exactly what I wanted.

Thanks for confirming that even the new unit has the same swelling. I was pretty sure it is normal but due trackpad placement it is only noticeable in certain cases, like the machine you had and I have.
I’m sure most peoples never even notice that.

The clicking mechanism seems slightly firmer, which reinforces my belief that my trackpad was a little loose on the left side. Otherwise screen and everything else seem go so this one might be a keeper. Fingers crossed!

Good to hear you were lucky in the display lottery. Ones without BLB or uneven colour temp are sometimes hard to find, I’m almost never lucky in that, so I didn’t dare to push my luck as my first one was so good.

I have compared my trackpad feel to several demo units and I feel no difference other than the trackpads are even in those, but that is of course expected that they are perfect ones they put on display.

 

[waquzy]

Took me 3 returns on my 15", and 2 returns on my 16".

Really? That's beyond a joke. Everyone in your local Apple Store must know you by your first name by now!!