Will the rattling light diffuser in the display be fixed in the 2018 models?

[kingneptune117]

I had a 2017 MacBook Pro for about a week and I noticed that there is a rattling noise when moving/tilting the laptop side to side. I didn’t even have to shake it, simply tiliting it would be enough to make this noise. I just returned it for a full refund today because of this.

I did some research and it turns out the issue is the light diffuser panel in the display. Apparently there is some small amount of adhesive holding it in place which is not strong enough so eventually it comes loose and allows the light diffuser to rattle around.

Apparently this is extremely common in recent MacBook Pros. My girlfriends 2017 model also does it. Many others are reporting the same thing.

Why is this issue not talked about more? Why are we ok with paying thousands of dollars for a laptop that makes rattling noises?

Is Apple aware of this issue? Will they fix it in the 2018 MacBook Pro models? I love MacBook Pros but this is too hard to look past.

 

[jerryk]

I had a 2017 MacBook Pro for about a week and I noticed that there is a rattling noise when moving/tilting the laptop side to side. I didn’t even have to shake it, simply tiliting it would be enough to make this noise. I just returned it for a full refund today because of this.

I did some research and it turns out the issue is the light diffuser panel in the display. Apparently there is some small amount of adhesive holding it in place which is not strong enough so eventually it comes loose and allows the light diffuser to rattle around.

Apparently this is extremely common in recent MacBook Pros. My girlfriends 2017 model also does it. Many others are reporting the same thing.

Why is this issue not talked about more? Why are we ok with paying thousands of dollars for a laptop that makes rattling noises?

Is Apple aware of this issue? Will they fix it in the 2018 MacBook Pro models? I love MacBook Pros but this is too hard to look past.

It has been happening since the first retina MBP is 2012. Apple says some movement of the panel and slight rattle/clunk sounds is normal.

If you search there are numerous threads on this.

 

[kingneptune117]

It has been happening since the first retina MBP is 2012. Apple says some movement of the panel and slight rattle/clunk sounds is normal.

If you search there are numerous threads on this.

That is so strange. Why can’t they fix this? I know that the reason behind the rattle is a failing adhesive - it isn’t designed to rattle like that.

 

[TH3D4RKKN1GH7]

The issue isn't talked about more because people don't give a damn. This isn't rocket science, lol.

I'm agree with your deeper sentiment though--they should definitely fix it.

 

[Sterkenburg]

It's a design flaw which affects every recent MBP with retina screen. A specific unit might or might not exhibit it right away, but will still be prone to doing it eventually, therefore returning the laptop because of it is fairly pointless.

Honestly, it's funny that after so many years they still haven't fixed it. It does not cause any practical problem and most people don't even know about it, so most likely Apple doesn't give a damn. Wouldn't bet on it getting fixed before the next screen redesign.

 

[kingneptune117]

It's a design flaw which affects every recent MBP with retina screen. A specific unit might or might not exhibit it right away, but will still be prone to doing it eventually, therefore returning the laptop because of it is fairly pointless.

Honestly, it's funny that after so many years they still haven't fixed it. It does not cause any practical problem and most people don't even know about it, so most likely Apple doesn't give a damn. Wouldn't bet on it getting fixed before the next screen redesign.

It certainly wasn’t pointless. I wanted my money back.

 

[jerryk]

That is so strange. Why can’t they fix this? I know that the reason behind the rattle is a failing adhesive - it isn’t designed to rattle like that.

The way the display is designed, a layer, I believe it is the diffuser layer needs space to expand as temps change so it is a little loosely fit. I had the same issue with a Nexus tablet.

 

[TH3D4RKKN1GH7]

I've had two retina enabled MacBooks and have never heard the noise. How long does it usually take to present itself?

 

[jerryk]

I've had two retina enabled MacBooks and have never heard the noise. How long does it usually take to present itself?

I have never had the issue in any of my rMBPs. But I don't tilt my units back and forth a lot, or shake the while using them. And don't care about noise when transporting the device.

No idea on when the problem starts. But, there are a number of YouTube videos on this, so it does occur. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=macbook+pro+rattle

 

[Sterkenburg]

It certainly wasn’t pointless. I wanted my money back.

Ah, for some reason I thought you asked for a replacement, but you're right, you wrote that you returned it.

I personally think it's a bit excessive to give up on the MBP experience just because of this issue. But I can understand the feeling of buying an expensive machine and finding out right off the bat that it has a design flaw. I noticed it on mine after a few months, but it would certainly bug me if I found out while still in the return window.

 

[kingneptune117]

Ah, for some reason I thought you asked for a replacement, but you're right, you wrote that you returned it.

I personally think it's a bit excessive to give up on the MBP experience just because of this issue. But I can understand the feeling of buying an expensive machine and finding out right off the bat that it has a design flaw. I noticed it on mine after a few months, but it would certainly bug me if I found out while still in the return window.

Yeah, I knew I could return it no problem so I did. I figured I might as well just wait until the 2018 models come out. If they still have this issue than I will deal with it, but this way I’ll have the latest and greatest and the issue may be fixed.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

When is the release date of the 2018 MBP's?

 

[leman]

As I wrote in reply to your other post, this is not a "design flaw" but a side-effect of manufacturing since at least 2012. Which has no effect on the functionality of the laptop whatsoever, unless your primary use of it involves shaking it around in front of your ear. One we get a laptop design, this noise might be gone depending on whether or not they change the manufacturing process. But they are certainly not going to "fix" it since nothing is broken and nobody really cares auto ti anyway.

 

[jerryk]

When is the release date of the 2018 MBP's?

Sometime in the future is all anyone knows. My GUESS is around WWDC, June.