14” MBP makes clunking sound when shaken gently

[SBruv]

Hey all,

Got the new 14" MBP last week and have just discovered that when I shake it gently from left to right, I can hear and feel something sliding around and clunking against each side, as shown in this video (yes, I know he's using an old Mac, but it's the exact same thing happening):

[

This is a long-standing issue with MacBook Pros, as demonstrated by a number of Reddit and forum posts. I’ve even posted about it on here before, many years ago, as I had it with a previous MBP myself.

[ https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/qiw2k8
[ https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/ql6myv
[ https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/rjhl22

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/rattling-rmb-loose-battery.1903560/

…but the difference with my 14” is that whatever's moving around is definitely in the base (putting pressure on the screen makes no difference, and I can feel the 'clunk' on the bottom of the Mac, not the screen). The 'clunk' sound is exactly the same as in the videos, but absolutely not coming from the screen, which has me slightly concerned. It also happens if I hold the MacBook perpendicular to the floor and shake it from side to side, as well as parallel to the floor.

Can anyone else with an M2 Pro/Max MBP (14" or 16", I guess) confirm or deny a similar phenomenon with theirs? It’s a very faint sound, so you need to check for it in a quiet room. And if yours does have it, does it feel like it's in the screen or the base?

Thanks!

 

[Apple_Robert]

You should visit your local Apple Store and let them advise you about the issue.

 

[SBruv]

You should visit your local Apple Store and let them advise you about the issue.

Already booked in, but before they perhaps needlessly take my brand-new MacBook apart, I thought I’d just see if it’s normal, so as to potentially avoid the hassle.

 

[ihakim]

They all do this (mine and my wife's 14" MBPs included) as they have for many years. It is the light diffuser needed for the LCD which Apple doesn't care to secure.

 

[SBruv]

They all do this (mine and my wife's 14" MBPs included) as they have for many years. It is the light diffuser needed for the LCD which Apple doesn't care to secure.

Definitely not in my case – the noise is 100% coming from the bottom case, not the screen. That’s why I’m concerned about it. Thanks for your input, though.

 

[ihakim]

Definitely not in my case – the noise is 100% coming from the bottom case, not the screen. That’s why I’m concerned about it. Thanks for your input, though.

Well either remove the back plate and see if you can identify the cause and if it is truly coming from the bottom or take it to Apple for evaluation.

 

[SBruv]

Well either remove the back plate and see if you can identify the cause and if it is truly coming from the bottom or take it to Apple for evaluation.

It’s truly coming from the bottom – don’t need to take anything off to establish that. Took it to the Apple Store this morning and they checked for it on another one, which did the same thing. The guy said it also came from the bottom with that one (he had to take it backstage, as the shop floor was too loud to hear it, so I didn’t actually hear/feel it for myself), so I guess it’s normal.

 

[ihakim]

Interesting. Just wait until the chassis starts creaking and clicking eventually on the bottom and the palm rests. Build quality is very poor on these.

 

[Fishrrman]

Don't "shake it", and it won't "clunk"...

 

[SBruv]

Don't "shake it", and it won't "clunk"...

Thanks. Very helpful.