My last couple of Macs have key marks on their screens, which of course is really irritating. My current is a late 18 i9, so I haven’t seen results in the current form factor. I’m getting a new 16 and wonder if I need to get something like this to avoid in the long run keyboard damage to the screen. Thanks!
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16 M2/M3 Still Mark Screen?
- Thread starter schalliol
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I know this thread is old but thought it deserved a reply since in my experience with a 14” M3 they do. So I can’t speak for the 16” directly but I’d imagine it’s a similar story.
Mine is only a month-old but is already getting keyboard marks on the screen when I close the lid. However they do wipe off easily with a cloth and so far there’s nothing permanent.
I haven’t tried one of those keyboard covers. For now I’m just keeping the screen tissue paper that was shipped with the packaging and if I close the lid for a while I’ll probably just pop that in there.
It seems like the screen keyboard marks have always been an intermittent problem—some screens get them and some don’t. Although I’m sure individuals’ care comes into play, I also think some units have tighter tolerances than others with the lid closed, and that fraction of a mm causes oils and dirt from your fingers to get transferred to the screen somehow.
Mine is only a month-old but is already getting keyboard marks on the screen when I close the lid. However they do wipe off easily with a cloth and so far there’s nothing permanent.
I haven’t tried one of those keyboard covers. For now I’m just keeping the screen tissue paper that was shipped with the packaging and if I close the lid for a while I’ll probably just pop that in there.
It seems like the screen keyboard marks have always been an intermittent problem—some screens get them and some don’t. Although I’m sure individuals’ care comes into play, I also think some units have tighter tolerances than others with the lid closed, and that fraction of a mm causes oils and dirt from your fingers to get transferred to the screen somehow.
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Yeah, they don’t seem to be leaving damage like they used to. I’ve had older MBs with pretty bad delaminating. But for us it may still be too early to tell as over time the finger oils could still possibly eat away the oleophobic coating.
Did you end up trying the micro fiber cloth protector? I’ve noticed in other threads people say they work well. I’m a little apprehensive because even though they are thin the tolerance between the screen and keyboard is already razor thin, which is unfortunately part of why this issue happens in the first place!
Yup, I have same issue with my work M2/Air and my M1/PRO/16", the keyboard imprint! You spend thousands on a laptop expecting quality, and yet apple lets a simple screen clearance flaw pass like this?!
I’ve heard the ones made by RadTech are recommended. I just ordered one myself for when the paper Apple provides eventually wears out. We’ll see how it goes.
It is pretty frustrating, especially for what we pay for the supposed Apple “premium.” Maybe even more so that not all units seem to be affected. I had an M1 Pro and an M2 Pro were both unaffected as far as I could tell. But I got unlucky with my M3 😕
I haven't seen any wear on it yet, and I know the tolerance is tight. I suspect this is mostly from some level of motion in my bag, and keys do travel.
It's disappointing but I can live with the small annoyance for this truly wonderful machine. the 14 inch MBP is where it's at 😍
They do. I already had my 16" M3 Max screen replaced due to pitting and... already see some minor damage on the 1 month old replacement. I am extremely gentle with these screens and wipe them and the keyboard down daily with a damp microfiber cloth.
They appear to be as fragile as the screens on my M1 Pros were. Never had issues like this with earlier screens on about a dozen other MBP/MBAs, aside from staingate on a 13" rMBP about a decade ago.
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It appears you’re right. Today I noticed the first pit on the right middle of my screen. It’s really hard to notice though; it can really only be seen under a flashlight or bright sunlight; in bright sun I noticed a few other even more subtle marks.
I have AC+ but I’m not going to bother worrying about replacing it too much until they become truly noticeable with the screen on or off in more normal lighting conditions.