16" M1 - what issues should I watch for while under apple care?

[nquinn]

Now that these units have been out for around 6 months, I want to a compile a list of hardware issues that I should double check for. At nearly $3000 I want to make sure I can return as needed by end of year.

Things I've found so far:

1. Audio is flakey, but it seems this has been a problem on macOS/hardware for a few years now. Occasionally during playback there will be audio popping on any tap/click (fast forwarding on youtube for example). Usually killing coreaudio D or rebooting will fix it for a week or so but it often re-appears. I think it may also be related to other audio playback software or device pairing. If you search threads this is a real thing and pretty annoying. It seems this doesn't happen to everyone, and people suspect it is some issue with cpu load + audio playback.

2. I noticed that keyboard assembly quality can vary. When on my lap in bed and angled a lot, I can see the backlight bleeding below some keys a LOT more than others (esp caps lock). I stopped by the apple store and found that all had a little bit of bleed under keys to some extent, and maybe 1/5 like mine had a very bright glow under caps lock or under keys. No issues with functionality and not a big deal, but it does visually make the machine look not very well machined/assembled to me. (maybe can add a picture later).

I still need to test the other ports to make sure they function (HDMI, SD, headphone).

Any other hardware stuff to watch for? hinges? touchpad? other?

 

[TSE]

You should enjoy your computer and if you notice anything, go to an Apple Store. If you don't, then that's one less thing to not stress out about.

 

[nquinn]

You should enjoy your computer and if you notice anything, go to an Apple Store. If you don't, then that's one less thing to not stress out about.

Right, but also would want to watch for early signs of failure I might not know about before too late.

 

[TSE]

Right, but also would want to watch for early signs of failure I might not know about before too late.

I know it sounds like I'm being a smartass, but as someone who has made the same mistake you are asking to make, I am telling you that the odds of failure is so slim that you really shouldn't worry about this. If you really do worry this way, just get Applecare+ and pay for that peace of mind.

But to answer your question, the current 16" MacBook Pros don't have any outlier common issues so far.

 

[nquinn]

I know it sounds like I'm being a smartass, but as someone who has made the same mistake you are asking to make, I am telling you that the odds of failure is so slim that you really shouldn't worry about this. If you really do worry this way, just get Applecare+ and pay for that peace of mind.

But to answer your question, the current 16" MacBook Pros don't have any outlier common issues so far.

Generally agree. But no harm in doing a 5min check if it might save hundreds later.

 

[ericwn]

I haven’t heard of or experienced any issues with the current MBPs myself. I’d test the ports and general functionality and would stop overthinking any potential issues that may never show up later.

 

[spiderman0616]

I've had the 16" model since March 2022 and the 14" model since April 2022 and have had absolutely zero issues with either machine. The 14" is even restored from a Time Machine backup of an M1 MacBook Air and is still running like a top.

As others have said--don't go looking for stuff to fret about, especially with these specific machines. They're built like tanks and can probably survive whatever you throw at them (within reason for a notebook computer).

 

[TSE]

Generally agree. But no harm in doing a 5min check if it might save hundreds later.

That's understandable!

 

[Dealmans]

I've had the 16" model since March 2022 and the 14" model since April 2022 and have had absolutely zero issues with either machine. The 14" is even restored from a Time Machine backup of an M1 MacBook Air and is still running like a top.

As others have said--don't go looking for stuff to fret about, especially with these specific machines. They're built like tanks and can probably survive whatever you throw at them (within reason for a notebook computer).

Which one do you like better?

 

[BeatCrazy]

Which one do you like better?

I realize you didn't ask me specifically, but I also have M1 Pro 14" (work) and 16" (couch!), both 10/16 with 512GB SSD.

I like the 16" a lot more, and it's my first >13" MacBook that I have ever used regularly. I do have a 2010 17" that I recently got, but that was a freebie/curio that I never daily drive.

The bigger screen and longer battery life of the 16" is substantial. The extra weight doesn't bother me, as even the 14" feels rather "dense" at 3.5lbs. It's not just the 'bigger' screen, it's more space to put two web pages side-by-side and have them render in full desktop mode, or sometimes I stream a video in one-third and have a full browsing experience in the other two-thirds. It's just not nearly as comfortable if you try to do that with a 13" or 14".

 

[spiderman0616]

Which one do you like better?

I have to say the 14" just due to the slightly better portability. However, the 16" has pleasantly surprised me in that area as well. I honestly did not mind taking it on a work trip a few weeks ago--I've lugged MUCH heavier laptops than the 16" MacBook Pro through airports in my lifetime.