Will Apple improve the Macbook Air screens on the M2?

[A18S37]

Hello everyone.

I'm a long time Windows user, in my mid-50's.

I've wanted to use a Mac for a long time and the M1 Macbook Air is something I've wanted for a while now.

I'm always hesitant to buy something when it's new, a new change, model etc. so I waited before buying the M1 Macbook Air.

Like with any and all tech, Apple has their problems too.

I've read a lot about the screens cracking on the M1 Macbook Air and it's put me off of purchasing one.

Like most everyone else on here, I've read about the new M2 Macbook Air coming out, hopefully, later this year in 2022.

Nothing I've read about the possible changes in the M2 Macbook Air have talked about improving the design and build of the screens.

Has anyone heard anything about this?

Has Apple or are they going to work on, improve or change the screen in the new M2's? Or will they be the same screens, same design and same build as they currently are in the M1's?

I'd really like to buy a Macbook Air, but not until the screen issue has been resolved/improved.

If anyone knows or has heard about this, please let me know.

Thank you.

 

[Technerd108]

There are no solid answers yet but there is a March event on the 8th which should have details on upcoming releases from Apple. The new air is rumored to have a complete redesign with a look more like the 14" and 16" MBP models and with a variety of new colors. There should possibly be more ports and M2 and the new design. As for the screen it should probably have a notch and have slimmer bezels. It will use the same retina lcd tech. It will not be mini led or pro motion. That being said it may be 14" rather than 13" but this is all just a guess at this point.

If screen is the biggest factor for you then I will have to recommend the base model 14" MBP for $1999. You probably don't need the power but the 14.2" screen is considerably bigger than the current air, has XDR 120hz pro motion and mini led in UHD which is probably one of the best laptop screens available right now period. You don't need the power but the base model 14" MBP should have enough specs to keep you going for several years. If you were to spec a new air with 16gb ram and 512gb ssd I imagine the cost will not be that big a difference from the 14" MBP.

I would wait to see the new air and configs and cost. The screen in the new air will most likely be better than the current air and I am sure will be very good.

Good Luck!

 

[A18S37]

There are no solid answers yet but there is a March event on the 8th which should have details on upcoming releases from Apple. The new air is rumored to have a complete redesign with a look more like the 14" and 16" MBP models and with a variety of new colors. There should possibly be more ports and M2 and the new design. As for the screen it should probably have a notch and have slimmer bezels. It will use the same retina lcd tech. It will not be mini led or pro motion. That being said it may be 14" rather than 13" but this is all just a guess at this point.

If screen is the biggest factor for you then I will have to recommend the base model 14" MBP for $1999. You probably don't need the power but the 14.2" screen is considerably bigger than the current air, has XDR 120hz pro motion and mini led in UHD which is probably one of the best laptop screens available right now period. You don't need the power but the base model 14" MBP should have enough specs to keep you going for several years. If you were to spec a new air with 16gb ram and 512gb ssd I imagine the cost will not be that big a difference from the 14" MBP.

I would wait to see the new air and configs and cost. The screen in the new air will most likely be better than the current air and I am sure will be very good.

Good Luck!

Thank you for your reply.

I'm not worried about costs or specs, just whether Apple has or will address the screen design and build to prevent cracking.

There are so many articles and complaints online about the screens cracking. There's even a class action lawsuit about this against Apple.

I wonder if this, the screens cracking, will turn into another "displaygate" or "flexgate" issue for Apple from a few years ago.

I like the specs, on the current M1 and I'll like them on the upcoming new M2 as well, but I won't purchase one unless the design and build of the screen has been improved.

I've not been able to find anything online regarding this so that's why I turned to this forum as I don't pretend to be in the know regarding Apple.

I really want to buy a Macbook Air with M chip. I will if they improve the screen.

I'm sick of Microsoft. My ex-wife and 2 of my 3 children used Macs and I played around with them years ago and now with the M chips, I want one for myself.

I always look online for the cons, the known issues about products I'm considering, not just laptops and Apple of course.

Googling known issues and pros and cons of the M1 Macbook Air leads to a lot of articles about their screens cracking, way too many for my comfort.

I love the specs, the power, the display, how quickly it wakes from sleep, that it has no fan and on and on.

I will purchase a new M2 Macbook Air, if the screens have been improved.

I hope they will be as I'd really like to buy and use a Macbook Air with the new M chip.

 

[Technerd108]

All I can say what you read online is from people who have had problems. People who are happy don’t go online and complain so some of what you read I would take with a grain of salt. I am not trying to downplay peoples legitimate issues just saying that when you read reports online it may seem like the problem is more widespread than it is.

I would also recommend for any of the M1 Macs that Applecare + is even more important to have than previous Macs. So if you get Applecare then at least if you have a screen failure you would be covered.

At least with the Pros the screen seems stronger than previous generations. That being said any glass screen that is as big as the MacBook screens are is going to be more prone to cracking than plastic screens no matter what.

I would highly recommend the 14” MBP and try out the base model for under 14 days and torture test it. If it doesn’t live up to your standards then you can return at no cost to you and at least you will know.

All operating systems have their respective strength and weaknesses but I certainly prefer using MacOS for most tasks I do most of the time.

 

[Tagbert]

Thank you for your reply.

I'm not worried about costs or specs, just whether Apple has or will address the screen design and build to prevent cracking.

There are so many articles and complaints online about the screens cracking. There's even a class action lawsuit about this against Apple.

I wonder if this, the screens cracking, will turn into another "displaygate" or "flexgate" issue for Apple from a few years ago.

I like the specs, on the current M1 and I'll like them on the upcoming new M2 as well, but I won't purchase one unless the design and build of the screen has been improved.

I've not been able to find anything online regarding this so that's why I turned to this forum as I don't pretend to be in the know regarding Apple.

I really want to buy a Macbook Air with M chip. I will if they improve the screen.

I'm sick of Microsoft. My ex-wife and 2 of my 3 children used Macs and I played around with them years ago and now with the M chips, I want one for myself.

I always look online for the cons, the known issues about products I'm considering, not just laptops and Apple of course.

Googling known issues and pros and cons of the M1 Macbook Air leads to a lot of articles about their screens cracking, way too many for my comfort.

I love the specs, the power, the display, how quickly it wakes from sleep, that it has no fan and on and on.

I will purchase a new M2 Macbook Air, if the screens have been improved.

I hope they will be as I'd really like to buy and use a Macbook Air with the new M chip.

I have had an M1 MBA for a year now and no problems whatsoever, nor have I heard of any of my friends with MBAs having this problem. Remember that forums like this tend to attract the people who are having trouble so it over represents those problems.

The next Air is supposed to be a complete redesign, so at the least, the screen housing will be different. If Apple is seeing a higher percentage of warranty issues with screens on Airs, you can be sure that they will make sure that kind of problem does not happen on the new design screens.

 

[leman]

Apples current goal is extended dynamic range (HDR) for all their displays, so I would expect the new Air (if any) to move towards that direction as well.

Regarding your comment of screen issues on M1 Air, I am not aware of any widespread systematic problems on the current-gen Air laptops. M1 Air uses the same chassis/display as the previous Intel model and there were no known issues with those either. Where exactly do you have this information from?

 

[Aggedor]

My M1 MBA has been fine for more than a year now, and has the best laptop screen I've ever used - of course the MBP screens are better, but... I'm quite happy with this machine for now!

 

[mr_roboto]

Apples current goal is extended dynamic range (HDR) for all their displays, so I would expect the new Air (if any) to move towards that direction as well.

Regarding your comment of screen issues on M1 Air, I am not aware of any widespread systematic problems on the current-gen Air laptops. M1 Air uses the same chassis/display as the previous Intel model and there were no known issues with those either. Where exactly do you have this information from?

There's one known (but minor, IMO) cracking problem with many Apple notebook displays from roughly 2016 onwards. The display glass is quite thin. Not so thin that it has problems under ordinary circumstances, but it can crack easily if closed on a hard enough / pointy enough object thicker than the gap between palmrest and display. Compounding that, the gap got narrower than previous generation machines. I remember forum threads several years ago with people who installed third party camera blocker slider gizmos designed for previous gen MBPs. They were too thick for the new machines; if you put one on and then applied too much pressure to the lid while it was closed, boom, crack.

The solution is pretty simple, of course - don't install third party junk which sits between the palmrest/keyboard and screen. If you want to cover your camera, just get a pad of dark colored post-it notes and cut a little piece out of one to stick on there.

I suspect the new 14" and 16" M1 Pro models returned to thicker glass. It'd help explain why weight went up from 16" Intel to 16" M1.

 

[A18S37]

Apples current goal is extended dynamic range (HDR) for all their displays, so I would expect the new Air (if any) to move towards that direction as well.

Regarding your comment of screen issues on M1 Air, I am not aware of any widespread systematic problems on the current-gen Air laptops. M1 Air uses the same chassis/display as the previous Intel model and there were no known issues with those either. Where exactly do you have this information from?

Where have I gotten this info from you ask?

And this isn't all the links I could attach, there are more.

Apple Faces Class-Action Suit Over Cracks in M1 MacBook Screens

Do the M1 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro have a design fault?

www.pcmag.com

M1 MacBook screen cracks occurring during normal usage - 9to5Mac

There have been multiple reports of M1 MacBook screen cracks occurring during normal usage of the machines, with both the M1 MacBook Air ...

9to5mac.com

Apple tells users how to avoid cracked screens

Following reports of M1 MacBook screen problems Apple publishes support document detailing how to avoid screen cracks.

www.macworld.co.uk

M1 MacBook Screens Are Cracking: Here’s What You Should Know

Some owners of Apple’s M1 MacBook Air and Pro have reported sudden screen cracks. Here’s what we know and how to keep your own MacBook safe.

www.makeuseof.com

Apple Now Facing Class Action Suit for Cracked M1 MacBook Screens

MacBook Air and Pro screen cracks lead to legal action.

www.tomshardware.com

Are M1 MacBook Screens Randomly Cracking? - Created Tech

Is your precious investment in an M1 MacBook safe from the recent reports of the display cracking or shattering? Read on for solutions.

createdtech.com

Apple hit with lawsuit claiming M1 MacBook screens are 'defective' | AppleInsider

Apple has been hit with a class action lawsuit claiming that M1 MacBook models ship with a concealed defect causing their screens to become easily cracked.

appleinsider.com

Apple is facing two class-action suits over cracking M1 MacBook screens

Of course, some Apple representatives are blaming the users.

knowtechie.com

M1 MacBook owners are suing Apple for cracked screens

Users have reported multiple cases of the M1 MacBook displays cracking with normal usage and have taken matters to court.

www.digitaltrends.com

Apple facing class action lawsuits over MacBook M1 screen cracks

Two lawsuits filed over M1 MacBook design

www.tomsguide.com

 

[A18S37]

Folks, I do appreciate your time and responses.

I just wanted to know if anyone had heard whether Apple was going to change the design and build of their screens and apparently no one has heard that.

I get many of you, most of you, the overwhelming majority of you have not had this issue and that's great. I don't wish this on anyone.

With how many Macbook Air's are out there, even a small percentage of cracked screens is still a large number, hence why I made this post, to see if anyone had heard whether Apple was working on changing the design and build of their screens or not.

I haven't been able to find anything online regarding this, but I don't pretend to be in the know regarding Apple so I thought I'd give a mac forum a shot.

Again, thanks and take care.

 

[bobcomer]

Apples current goal is extended dynamic range (HDR) for all their displays, so I would expect the new Air (if any) to move towards that direction as well.

Regarding your comment of screen issues on M1 Air, I am not aware of any widespread systematic problems on the current-gen Air laptops. M1 Air uses the same chassis/display as the previous Intel model and there were no known issues with those either. Where exactly do you have this information from?

I haven't had any problems with my M1 MBA's internal screen either...

 

[Tagbert]

I just wanted to know if anyone had heard whether Apple was going to change the design and build of their screens and apparently no one has heard that.

We do have strong indications that Apple is doing a complete redesign of the next Air. That is going to mean that the mechanics of that screen will be entirely different.

 

[leman]

Where have I gotten this info from you ask?

And this isn't all the links I could attach, there are more.

Thanks! Wasn’t aware of it. I agree, user testimonies appear convergent that there is indeed a problem. To be honest, it wouldn’t deter me from a purchase - the issue seems to be extremely rare, and if your screen does crack you have all these sources to put pressure on Apple for repairing it free of charge.

Then again, something new will be announced tomorrow, so let’s just wait and see

 

[Gregintosh]

Every rumor so far of the new MacBook Air M2 thats supposed to come out eventually includes a different physical screen. Primarily, smaller bezels and a notch. It is unknown if those changes will impact durability in a good or bad way but the one thing you can count on is that since it won't be the same physical design it will be different than the current edition.

 

[Technerd108]

You will have your answer tomorrow at 10am PST!

 

[darngooddesign]

Nothing I've read about the possible changes in the M2 Macbook Air have talked about improving the design and build of the screens.

Really? Every Air article posted to MacRumors says it will get a redesign, possibly less wedge-shaped. And any redesign means there will be a new display-assembly, which makes any previous screen issues irrelevant.

 

[A18S37]

Really? Every Air article posted to MacRumors says it will get a redesign, possibly less wedge-shaped. And any redesign means there will be a new display-assembly, which makes any previous screen issues irrelevant.

Will the glass become thicker?

Will the glass become tempered?

Will the smaller/thinner bezels give the glass screen MORE support or less support than the current structure and bezels give on the M1?

Info says the M2 will be thinner and lighter, though a box shape and not wedge shaped so will the change to being thinner and lighter give more strength and support to the glass cover?

Will Apple strengthen any of the materials or change any design to strengthen the glass cover/screen?

Yes, it's getting a redesign, they talk of new colors, a new shape, changes to the M2 chip etc. None of those articles talk anything about ensuring the screens crack less than they do now.

People talk of picking up the closed laptop from the sides and having the screen break. Is any of the redesign going to address this?

People talk of closing the lid from the side and not the middle and having the screen crack. Will any of the redesign info you've read address this? Change this? Improve this?

I didn't ask about changes in color, in the M2 chip, in cores, in speed etc.

All I've simply inquired about it whether anyone had heard if Apple was going to change the design of the screen to limit the number of screens that crack.

My post wasn't about any other changes to the upcoming M2 MBA.

Do you have any info pertaining to Apple changing the design so the screens won't crack as easily as they currently do in the M1 MBA?

 

[darngooddesign]

Will the glass become thicker?

Will the glass become tempered?

Will the smaller/thinner bezels give the glass screen MORE support or less support than the current structure and bezels give on the M1?

Info says the M2 will be thinner and lighter, though a box shape and not wedge shaped so will the change to being thinner and lighter give more strength and support to the glass cover?

Will Apple strengthen any of the materials or change any design to strengthen the glass cover/screen?

Yes, it's getting a redesign, they talk of new colors, a new shape, changes to the M2 chip etc. None of those articles talk anything about ensuring the screens crack less than they do now.

People talk of picking up the closed laptop from the sides and having the screen break. Is any of the redesign going to address this?

People talk of closing the lid from the side and not the middle and having the screen crack. Will any of the redesign info you've read address this? Change this? Improve this?

I didn't ask about changes in color, in the M2 chip, in cores, in speed etc.

All I've simply inquired about it whether anyone had heard if Apple was going to change the design of the screen to limit the number of screens that crack.

My post wasn't about any other changes to the upcoming M2 MBA.

Do you have any info pertaining to Apple changing the design so the screens won't crack as easily as they currently do in the M1 MBA?

No one here can answer any of your questions about a brand new design we have not seen.

However, the design of the display assembly will change therefore any existing screen issues are no longer relevant.

 

[Tagbert]

Will the glass become thicker?

Will the glass become tempered?

Will the smaller/thinner bezels give the glass screen MORE support or less support than the current structure and bezels give on the M1?

Info says the M2 will be thinner and lighter, though a box shape and not wedge shaped so will the change to being thinner and lighter give more strength and support to the glass cover?

Will Apple strengthen any of the materials or change any design to strengthen the glass cover/screen?

Yes, it's getting a redesign, they talk of new colors, a new shape, changes to the M2 chip etc. None of those articles talk anything about ensuring the screens crack less than they do now.

People talk of picking up the closed laptop from the sides and having the screen break. Is any of the redesign going to address this?

People talk of closing the lid from the side and not the middle and having the screen crack. Will any of the redesign info you've read address this? Change this? Improve this?

I didn't ask about changes in color, in the M2 chip, in cores, in speed etc.

All I've simply inquired about it whether anyone had heard if Apple was going to change the design of the screen to limit the number of screens that crack.

My post wasn't about any other changes to the upcoming M2 MBA.

Do you have any info pertaining to Apple changing the design so the screens won't crack as easily as they currently do in the M1 MBA?

If Apple is getting a lot of warranty claims due to screen cracking you can be sure that they will consider that when redesigning. I would not expect them to announce any details about that though. Apple does not generally acknowledge problems though they do usually address them.

 

[jasoncarle]

Yes

 

[jasoncarle]

No

 

[UBS28]

I hope they do. But realistically, they won’t. The MBA is Apple their entry model and they want to keep it “cheap”.

So it will still be regular LCD.

 

[Sarco2020]

Those who doubt a problem exists with the screens on the MacBook Air M1s simply because you don't know anyone who's experienced it is quite a statement, considering the sheer number of people that own a MacBook Air M1. I have an M1. I got it about two months ago, and within the first 2 weeks, the screen had a micro-crack. I had yet to take it from my bedroom. I took it to an authorized repair shop, and they told me it cracked from a design flaw. They could tell this because the crack was tiny and linear. They said if it was from closing it with something between the screen and keyboard, it would be a star-shaped crack, not linear. The crack was also located at the very bottom left corner. The screen was replaced at no cost to me. Well, 6 weeks later, I have yet another micro-crack on the bottom right corner. I have the tell-tell sign of the colored vertical lines on the right side of the display. Since the first crack, I baby this computer. I close and open it VERY slowly and keep it in a hard shell computer case, even though I never take it anywhere. So, yes, this is a problem. I'm sure the repair shop will repair it at no cost to me again, but the hassle of being without my computer is enormous. I really wish I got the M2. This problem is so unlike Apple.

 

[Misheemee]

Those who doubt a problem exists with the screens on the MacBook Air M1s simply because you don't know anyone who's experienced it is quite a statement, considering the sheer number of people that own a MacBook Air M1. I have an M1. I got it about two months ago, and within the first 2 weeks, the screen had a micro-crack. I had yet to take it from my bedroom. I took it to an authorized repair shop, and they told me it cracked from a design flaw. They could tell this because the crack was tiny and linear. They said if it was from closing it with something between the screen and keyboard, it would be a star-shaped crack, not linear. The crack was also located at the very bottom left corner. The screen was replaced at no cost to me. Well, 6 weeks later, I have yet another micro-crack on the bottom right corner. I have the tell-tell sign of the colored vertical lines on the right side of the display. Since the first crack, I baby this computer. I close and open it VERY slowly and keep it in a hard shell computer case, even though I never take it anywhere. So, yes, this is a problem. I'm sure the repair shop will repair it at no cost to me again, but the hassle of being without my computer is enormous. I really wish I got the M2. This problem is so unlike Apple.

I'm sorry that you're going through this, that's terrible. question for you - is it possible that the hard case you're using is the issue - ie causing unnecessary force on the lid which is causing the screen to crack? I've read this can be an issue

 

[KART100]

Those who doubt a problem exists with the screens on the MacBook Air M1s simply because you don't know anyone who's experienced it is quite a statement, considering the sheer number of people that own a MacBook Air M1. I have an M1. I got it about two months ago, and within the first 2 weeks, the screen had a micro-crack. I had yet to take it from my bedroom. I took it to an authorized repair shop, and they told me it cracked from a design flaw. They could tell this because the crack was tiny and linear. They said if it was from closing it with something between the screen and keyboard, it would be a star-shaped crack, not linear. The crack was also located at the very bottom left corner. The screen was replaced at no cost to me. Well, 6 weeks later, I have yet another micro-crack on the bottom right corner. I have the tell-tell sign of the colored vertical lines on the right side of the display. Since the first crack, I baby this computer. I close and open it VERY slowly and keep it in a hard shell computer case, even though I never take it anywhere. So, yes, this is a problem. I'm sure the repair shop will repair it at no cost to me again, but the hassle of being without my computer is enormous. I really wish I got the M2. This problem is so unlike Apple.

I'm sorry to tell you man that the exact same problem exists in M2 MBA as well - I got mine end of Nov'22, hardly any usage and on 1st Jan I had closed it and opened it a few hours later and there it was - color lines on the left side of the screen and the bottom of the screen with a small diagonal line at the bottom left corner.
I don't use any case, no camera bump and there was no dirt/rice etc. etc. in between the screen and keyboard.

To me it is clear Apple know there is a manufacturing issue and simply fobbing of the customers as they have done the math and seen the profits flowing in from additional repair services and increased take up on Apple Care+

A really great laptop let down by this issue - I got off lightly due to the retailer taking it back as it was within 90 days of purchase but I'm left wondering what it would have been if they have refused to take it back without charging me - easily 400-500 quid out of my pocket.............with that fear in my mind now I would not dare touch another macbook anytime soon !!!

Gone are the days of reliable, well built Macbooks my friends.