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UltimateSyn

macrumors 601
Mar 3, 2008
4,970
9,207
Massachusetts
I agree, these products are way too expensive to have to deal with these kind of problems out of the box. I’d suggest you unbox your exchanged model so that if there is any damage, you’ll be able to exchange it easier, rather than waiting a few days.
Yeah, good call. I may unbox it in the car before I go home from work so that I can just swing over to the Apple Store if this one is bad too. I always feel like an ass exchanging products for what many would consider insignificant reasons, but oh well.
 
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ASX

macrumors 6502
Oct 30, 2021
407
146
The problem with exchanging it is, there is a high risk for getting one with bad homogenity screen or/and pixel failures.
Had already one MBP 2021 14" with a pink sub pixel failure on white.
 
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Vazor

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 7, 2020
151
340
Yeah, good call. I may unbox it in the car before I go home from work so that I can just swing over to the Apple Store if this one is bad too. I always feel like an ass exchanging products for what many would consider insignificant reasons, but oh well.
I know how you feel. I had the same feeling when I exchanged my MacBook but I just ignored it because honestly, you’re paying a lot of money and the least they can do is give you a product that is not damaged. No matter how small the dent is, it’s ridiculous that we have to go through this process multiple times just to get an undamaged MacBook.
 

ASX

macrumors 6502
Oct 30, 2021
407
146
I would keep it if this MBP would have a reasonable price. Macbook Pro 2021 16" M1 Max, 2 tb ssd, 32 gb ram for 2000 Euros. 16 gb ram in 2021. It's not enough. I send all my 16 gb ram models back. The ram is running full and the system slows significantly down even with browser tabs open. Wtf?

Also the started system without any apps open had around 5 gb ram use. And this ram is shared with the gpu. If cpu and gpu are more used how should it work well with only 16 gb ram? My 2200 Euro Aorus laptop has 32 gb ram and 8 gb vram. In total 40 gb. That is a reasonable amount of ram.

This MBP are maxed overpriced, so they have to deliver a perfect one. Without any scratch or mark. Even Apple is offering only one year warranty is a joke. Other companys would offer at this high price tag a 3 year warranty.
 
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titans1127

macrumors 65816
Mar 10, 2009
1,179
414
I’ve had my 14 inch base model for a week and finally bothered to inspect the outside and only found this one small chip in the aluminum along the seam of the bottom cover. Normally this would bother me but it’s been a week and I have no idea if I caused it in some way, the rest of the body is perfect and the machine itself functions 100% fine. Just can’t be bothered to return and exchange and gamble what the next one will be like.

648DD366-1854-4236-896A-3075C63705C2.jpeg
 

mechazawa42

macrumors newbie
Oct 7, 2012
23
6
I also got two new MBP 14 silver which came with cosmetic damage right out of the box. I wonder if there's even the chance of receiving a unit in flawless condition. Perhaps it's just 'normal' for a mass production product and the majority of users don't notice. I just know that I'm highly annoyed by these imperfections given the price.

AF9CC4EF-834A-4845-B59A-D5DC3474E2C8_1_201_a.jpeg

79F2E279-6194-4E2A-BB1B-25573B73585E_1_201_a.jpeg
 
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Vazor

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 7, 2020
151
340
I also got two new MBP 14 silver which came with cosmetic damage right out of the box. I wonder if there's even the chance of receiving a unit in flawless condition. Perhaps it's just 'normal' for a mass production product and the majority of users don't notice. I just know that I'm highly annoyed by these imperfections given the price.

View attachment 1903923
View attachment 1903924
I’d exchange the one on the second picture for sure.
 

ASX

macrumors 6502
Oct 30, 2021
407
146
Lol.


Your photo is showing the keyboard is cheaply painted again. Laser etched keys have very sharp, perfect edges for the lettering. My mechanical keyboards have this. There is 0 wear out over years.

In case of cheap painting like apple does, it will peel off fastly. I haven't looked after the keyboard so closely. Wtf. I really hoped it's only the matter for the cheaper m1 pro 2020 and m1 air 2020. For 2200 - 6000 Euros, it's unacceptable. Also because Apple warranty is not covering "cosmetic failures".

Mine 4th macbook pro m1 max has no damaging, i have seen so far. Before i had M1 Pros 16 gb versions, maybe they know m1 max users will not keep it for such a high price if damaged out of the factory.
 
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trusso

macrumors 6502a
Oct 4, 2003
856
2,570
I'm not letting Apple QC off the hook, but you guys are really reaching here with some of these.

If you don't like spending three grand on a laptop, then don't. But your brand new laptop is going to get more scuffs and scratches in its first month than any of these miniscule dots you're highlighting.

Relax. I'd be more worried about Apple's software QC and management's love affair with shareholders than I'd be about a spec on the edge of my laptop.

Sheesh. :rolleyes:
 

randomgeeza

macrumors 6502a
Aug 12, 2014
624
460
United Kingdom
Wow, I thought it was just me... I've had several MBPs arrive scratched out of the box. And every single one has gone back for an exchange or refund. For the price, the units have to be perfect. They get the price they ask, in full and I expect a pristine machine in return.
 

Vazor

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 7, 2020
151
340
I'm not letting Apple QC off the hook, but you guys are really reaching here with some of these.

If you don't like spending three grand on a laptop, then don't. But your brand new laptop is going to get more scuffs and scratches in its first month than any of these miniscule dots you're highlighting.

Relax. I'd be more worried about Apple's software QC and management's love affair with shareholders than I'd be about a spec on the edge of my laptop.

Sheesh. :rolleyes:
Not sure how you treat your MacBooks, but mine are kept in a sleeve and for sure don't have marks like that.
 

trusso

macrumors 6502a
Oct 4, 2003
856
2,570
Not sure how you treat your MacBooks, but mine are kept in a sleeve and for sure don't have marks like that.
Just remember, this is a computer - a functional tool - not an object to be locked behind a glass case.

And I've had the same MacBook Pro for 11 years, and it's still in like-new condition - but that's beside the point.
 

Beau10

macrumors 65816
Apr 6, 2008
1,406
732
US based digital nomad
I've had 4 Space Gray MBPs (5 if you count a return), not a single blemish on any of them. And I'm super picky, would find even the tiniest imperfection.

I imagine the chance of getting two in a row with an issue is super slim. Notwithstanding things like the panel lottery or whatnot, just physical damage.
 
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ASX

macrumors 6502
Oct 30, 2021
407
146
I found on my m1 max 2 little (a few square mm) imperfections (looks like a little bit of the paint is missing) at the hinge (backside). But it is nothing compared with the sratches and marks i had on other macbook pros 2021.
 

WilliamG

macrumors G4
Mar 29, 2008
10,008
3,894
Seattle
I'm not letting Apple QC off the hook, but you guys are really reaching here with some of these.

If you don't like spending three grand on a laptop, then don't. But your brand new laptop is going to get more scuffs and scratches in its first month than any of these miniscule dots you're highlighting.

Relax. I'd be more worried about Apple's software QC and management's love affair with shareholders than I'd be about a spec on the edge of my laptop.

Sheesh. :rolleyes:
There can be a debate about reaching… but I’ve never scratched or dented a MacBook Pro. Ever.
 

cpnotebook80

macrumors 65816
Feb 4, 2007
1,228
550
Toronto
can't wait for the refurbs to come out ? of these 14 and 16" .. I remember few years ago I got a 16" refurb intel and yep...there were some know issues on the surface etc but returned it due to heating issues etc.
 

akashsuresh

macrumors newbie
Nov 11, 2021
2
1
Chennai
3D14A43F-76B2-4D45-939C-DD6ABE1DC4E7.jpeg
I received my MacBook Pro on Nov 3 and there was a small scratch below the track pad . Even though I had not noticed it then , I had taken a photo of the MacBook right out of the box and it shows clearly on the same .

Called up apple yesterday and they have ordered a replacement and pickup of my MacBook today . However the estimated date of delivery is January 6 now .
 

TinyMito

macrumors 6502a
Nov 1, 2021
863
1,226
Mine looks flawless but personally that tiny imperfection, it's not worth going for the return. As long the computer works flawlessly. Sooner or later you will have wear and tear a month or so later. Same with the iPhone screen - you think you can avoid micro-scratches... after 4-5 months; you will spot micro scratches.

As long those are no big scratches or dents, don't be picky on tiny dust marks. Consider lucky you get your hands on the new 2021 MacBook Pro while others are waiting till 2022. I'm sure they would be so happy to have your little flawed version one.
 
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akashsuresh

macrumors newbie
Nov 11, 2021
2
1
Chennai
Mine looks flawless but personally that tiny imperfection, it's not worth going for the return. As long the computer works flawlessly. Sooner or later you will have wear and tear a month or so later. Same with the iPhone screen - you think you can avoid micro-scratches... after 4-5 months; you will spot micro scratches.

As long those are no big scratches or dents, don't be picky on tiny dust marks. Consider lucky you get your hands on the new 2021 MacBook Pro while others are waiting till 2022. I'm sure they would be so happy to have your little flawed version one.
I agree. But considering the price that I paid for it , I personally feel I should have got it perfect out of the box. Also I am from India so a sum of INR 359,000 is huge to not get everything in order right out of the box
 
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DynamicNotch

macrumors member
Oct 22, 2013
99
24
65FCD91D-19CA-4051-8CF1-8A38CA46A6F3.jpeg

My New MacBook 16” arrived today I and noticed it had a notch out of the display as if some pixels were missing. Took it back to the Apple store for an exchange, opened the new box right at the store, and wouldn’t you know, that one had a notch of pixels out on it too. I handed it back and said forget about it, I’ll just wait until next year and see if the QC is any better .😜
 
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Kinotto

macrumors regular
May 7, 2018
125
266
The first 14” I picked up the other day had two scuffs around the bottom plate, near the screws. It also had a loose component inside the display which slammed left and right when I moved the laptop: that was an instant replacement for me. The second one is perfect but for a scratch above the function key row, where you can see the silver metal under the black keyboard’s coating: it is bugging me a bit but I don’t feel like risking my luck and loosing time to get a replacement that likely will have some minor imperfection too. At the end of the day, and I am not justifying Apple, I am looking at it this way: those are machines made to accomplish tasks, not designer clothes or precious paintings ( and those have imperfections too, nothing is 100% perfect in this world), so I’ll just enjoy it and get things done with it.
If some cannot live with any imperfection on their new MacBook and have the time to spend to get multiple replacements I don’t blame them, and yes one rightfully expects a new premium laptop to be just perfect, but is it worth all the stress and time?
 

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ASX

macrumors 6502
Oct 30, 2021
407
146
There will be inperfections. I have seen 4 mbp 2021. They are obviously in production in a hurry. I have seen a lot dirt on screens, which had gladly no scratches. But i have already heared from mbp 2021 with display scratches.

I give you an advice. Don't mess around with imperfections. Test the macbook intensively before you replace the damaged mbp 2021.

I did the opposite and noticed yesterday, after using the screen for a while, this macbook screen is ununseable. The flickering (pulsing) of the screen and the glare image is so annoying. You get headache, you cant focus text over a longer time. Your eyes will appriciate a dc dimmed display with matte coating and fast response times without massive ghosting. I still dont understand who is using an oled (with is much less reflective than this mbp) as a monitor?
 
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