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rajat.stat

macrumors newbie
Jul 4, 2017
1
0
Same thing happened with my brand new laptop while cleaning and the apple store wants me to pay for the repair. I think Apple quality as well as the service are both going down :(
 

johnr2

macrumors newbie
Jul 6, 2017
14
6
Same thing happened with my brand new laptop while cleaning and the apple store wants me to pay for the repair. I think Apple quality as well as the service are both going down :(

There is now an accepted fault on MBPs with touchbars. I've had it confirmed this week and I'm waiting for a screen replacement.

I've had problems with both my recent late 2016 touchbar macbooks (both 15"). The first one made terrible noises, random creaking sounds and a strange hollow metallic noise when you lightly tapped the right hand side of the trackpad. Then one day I opened it to find the screen black and a small mark under the webcam. I thought it was dirt so I tired to light brush it off and as I did, the mark suddenly became a crack that went from top horizontal centre to right vertical centre of the screen. Once the screen broke, the creaking noises stopped... co-incidence?

Apple claimed it HAD to be something I did. The told me screens never break after they leave the factory unless the user is to blame. Even though I had reported the noises and creaking before this happened (and they were dismissed because the guy in the store couldn't hear a random creak in a noisy store in a few minutes...). They discounted the possibility the screen may be misaligned or some manufacturing defect - God forbid that is possible, this is Apple... That reminds me, I was actually told by one staff member 'There is the law, and there is Apple policy" ! And he didn't mean they did more than the law...

Long LONG story short, after a lot of 'discussion' they eventually refunded me for the macbook and I bought another one (upgraded to the top possible spec too). To say the experience further dented my faith in Apple is an understatement. Things have been going bad for a few years.

BUT ... This macbook has the same problem. The metallic noise is now on both sides of the trackbar. The creaking noises are a bit different (the last one was random and could happen at any time, this one is more when you open and close and mainly in the morning), and the keyboard is playing up a bit.

Anyway, I managed to get this escalated to a senior adviser (who was superb, thank you A) and he passed on my report and video to engineering in the US and after a few weeks he chased it and there is a fault on some late 2016 MBPs (not sure about 2017 MBPs) with touchbar. The fix is to replace the screen.

Not sure that will fix all my problems but I'll get them to look at the keyboard while they have it open etc.

I don't know much more - ie, whether or not this proves 100% that I was right about the screen breaking on the first one because of the creaking (I *know* I didn't break it). But obviously if the screen needs replacing because of sounds coming from the machine, something is up.

It's a new issue and I've not seen it mentioned anywhere else yet (although I don't follow mac news like some here might) so you may need to 'discuss' it a bit with Apple but the repair code I was given was EM992.

Hope it helps some of you who have gone through the same problems I have with this machine. And if you've paid for a repair for an issue like this, I'd have a word with them too.

IMO, Apple are now failing at good design - which is form and function - and are now focussed too much on form. These machines are simply too thin. At one point during all this, they even attempted to make me feel bad for daring to take the machine out of the house, even though I don't actually do that much at all.

It's a laptop (sorry, notebook...) ffs - design them to be movable!

And I make the point about laptop/notebook because this model sometimes gets so hot it burns my legs if I'm wearing shorts. When I mentioned it to Apple as a potential cause of the problems (heat expansion etc possibly causing the case noises) - they told me they are designed to be used on a flat surface and not on your lap...
 

johnr2

macrumors newbie
Jul 6, 2017
14
6
I still have trouble understanding the actual cause...

Sorry, is that in reply to my post?

if so, me too. But I don't think Apple have decided to pre-emptively replace my screen (this one isn't cracked) for fun. they've been looking in to it or a long time and there are many reports of problems. I don't know the exact details but I'm guessing there is something wrong with the way the screens have been fitted that is causing pressure to be placed on the case. It doesn't explain all the symptoms (to me) but some of them.
 

708692

Cancelled
Jun 18, 2012
696
850
I've seen a few pictures now of these cracks and they always seem to be in the lower half of the screen.

I'm wondering if closing and opening the lid is stressing / bending the lower part of the screen near the hinge. It possibly doesn't have as much support in the frame to prevent bending as it should.
 

johnr2

macrumors newbie
Jul 6, 2017
14
6
I've seen a few pictures now of these cracks and they always seem to be in the lower half of the screen.

I'm wondering if closing and opening the lid is stressing / bending the lower part of the screen near the hinge. It possibly doesn't have as much support in the frame to prevent bending as it should.

Not sure. Mine was a 'hairline' crack top centre to right centre. But as I said, I believe the cases are just not built well enough. For the money - the most I've ever spent on a 'laptop' - it's pretty damn poor.
 

MIDStudioMusicProductions

macrumors newbie
Aug 5, 2017
1
1
Victoria, British Columbia
image.jpg
image.jpg
Not sure. Mine was a 'hairline' crack top centre to right centre. But as I said, I believe the cases are just not built well enough. For the money - the most I've ever spent on a 'laptop' - it's pretty damn poor.

Opened my late 2016 13" MBP with touchbar to find that same crack, top centre to right centre, it has now continued to spread through EVEN MORE careful use, I'm basically afraid to touch the stupid thing now...

I had the thing under STRICT protection...I'm talking serious presidential, pope, celebrity, whatever, top of the line cushioning. A fitted sleeve in a neoprene-like sleeve buffered by the two pieces of an older 13" mbp hard shell, loose so there was room for a little movement but it fit nicely around the two soft shells. This was suspended in a padded and secured laptop compartment in my laptop bag which was buffered again.

Never dropped it, went with me to and from work every day, out of the case onto the desk. Off the desk, into the case. The crack didn't even show up after pulling it from the case it was closed on my desk after I was using it. I don't shut it with any force, i let it close itself while i gently make sure it doesn't make a sound to buffer the impact.

THE ONLY FACTOR that i can think would have caused this if the "all so-mighty *cough* apple" didn't poorly design this would be the use of this so-called "approved" or "Certifiewd" touch bar version keyboard slip i paid too much money for) causing extra pressure..but seriously?! Had i know that i would have happily NOT spent the 50 bucks on the stupid piece of rubber that practically ripped already, so it cant even be that thick..it wasn't even from some cheap amazon off sale it was the real deal and cost WAY too much..anyways...

...So after my late 2013 mbp 15" screen going blotchy because of apples "suck-ness" and now this... of which i was sure I wouldn't have any problems with my flawless Route of care the best I could keeping in mind I have to use the machine for what they claim it to be: A tool.

fail. Apple, Macintosh. --thus without Steve Jobs who actually cared about his customer base rather than spitting them into an even more stupid niche of hipster niche where THE NEW:

2021 APPLEBOOKPRO16.8246986"RETINAWITHRETINASCANSECURITYTOUCHBAR3/4NEARFULLTOUCHSCREEN THATISTHINNERTHANPAPER,MOREPOWERFULLTHANANYTHINGCOMBINEDBUTYOUCANTUSEITORITSHATTERS DESK ORNAMENT.

Get it first starting at only $2,8k!!! -typo oops sorry28K!! our bad! that does include the macclecare that costs the same as the device but covers nothing!!! What a Deal!

You've let me down ONCE again, and this was your second chance. You blew it. Back to PC and Linux again, where a dropped Lenovo welcomes me with better resolution than before and a dent that says, f*** ya lets do that again!!!

p.s.
This rant was only a fraction of what i have to say to apple and the terrible experiences I've subdued while trying to be a reasonable loyal customer giving them the initial benefit of the doubt even though i am well aware the issue is "redundant "and a waste of time to them.

If I didn't have thousands of dollars invested into iOS music pro toon tools and broken MacBook pros, 9 to be exact, i would have left long ago.

Headphone jack removed-lets screw our mobile musicians with 3rd party adapters.
Headphone jack removed-lets further screw mobile musicians by adding a whole bunch of latency to their recordings by forcing Bluetooth and wasteful $10 addons that rarely work..

There's lot of built up frustration here as I don't like to complain, and like to make things work and be happy with what I have, but if what I have is a $1000 bill to add on to the broken $3000 p.o.s. I've owned for two weeks, then please forgive me for unleashing some built up rage. You would not be happy either if in my shoes.

Picture of the mac to follow.

Thanks for a life
 
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Queen6

macrumors G4
A lot of factors can result in the display panel glass to fracture, worse for the consumer it's near impossible to prove it being a QC or design issue as the vendor will always assume carelessness on the users part, which to some extents is understandable. Time will tell if it's a design issue as the number of failures will climb over time, if QC related failures will dissipate in time.

I see that some brands are now utilising Gorilla Glass in their ultraportable notebook, even those without touchscreen's to increase durability, Apple I have no idea as they rarely release such details. In reality Applecare Plus has never been more a mandatory requirement given the design and pricing of the new MBP...

Q-6
 

johnr2

macrumors newbie
Jul 6, 2017
14
6
A lot of factors can result in the display panel glass to fracture, worse for the consumer it's near impossible to prove it being a QC or design issue as the vendor will always assume carelessness on the users part, which to some extents is understandable. Time will tell if it's a design issue as the number of failures will climb over time, if QC related failures will dissipate in time.

I see that some brands are now utilising Gorilla Glass in their ultraportable notebook, even those without touchscreen's to increase durability, Apple I have no idea as they rarely release such details. In reality Applecare Plus has never been more a mandatory requirement given the design and pricing of the new MBP...

Q-6

Time has already told - see my post above. it's an accepted fault in the late 2016 touchbar models. Finally taking mine in today and if there's any row, I have a senior advisor on hand who has authorised it.
 

Queen6

macrumors G4
Time has already told - see my post above. it's an accepted fault in the late 2016 touchbar models. Finally taking mine in today and if there's any row, I have a senior advisor on hand who has authorised it.

I honestly don't know with this one. We can say with some certainty that QC/design issue exits with the MBP's keyboards given the volume of posts alone on MR. If you have a senior advisor backing you up, then your in a good position. The bigger question is Apple accepting this a global issue or your case as a one off, dealt with in isolation, and my understanding is Apple is replacing the display on your MBP due to issue with the Touch Bar.

Read of similar instance of displays fracturing on Surface Book's equally not in vast numbers, my own has no such issue. I do sympathise with those this happens to as if through no external fault, your on an uphill battle by default with the vendor.

As you shrink everything down, all becomes far more complex with more points of criticality, as I've stated previously thin for the sake of thinner only becomes an exercise in diminishing returns after a certain point, MBP has already passed that mark...

Q-6
 

johnr2

macrumors newbie
Jul 6, 2017
14
6
I honestly don't know with this one. We can say with some certainty that QC/design issue exits with the MBP's keyboards given the volume of posts alone on MR. If you have a senior advisor backing you up, then your in a good position. The bigger question is Apple accepting this a global issue or your case as a one off, dealt with in isolation, and my understanding is Apple is replacing the display on your MBP due to issue with the Touch Bar.

Read of similar instance of displays fracturing on Surface Book's equally not in vast numbers, my own has no such issue. I do sympathise with those this happens to as if through no external fault, your on an uphill battle by default with the vendor.

As you shrink everything down, all becomes far more complex with more points of criticality, as I've stated previously thin for the sake of thinner only becomes an exercise in diminishing returns after a certain point, MBP has already passed that mark...

Q-6

No, mine has nothing to do with the touch bar, sorry if I explained it badly.

Mine is a long story but the upshot is after the successful 'fight' for the first replacement, the new one makes the same noises. I spoke to CS again and ended up with a senior advisor who took it on personally. He contacted California with details and my video.

He accepted he'd heard of it before (not that it happens to everyone, but it's not unheard of which is what I'd previously been told).

Some weeks later he came back to me saying they accept there is a fault with some models and the fix is to replace the screen (remember, this screen isn't damaged - so it's a pre-emptive 'repair').

MBP has absolutely gone past the point of diminishing returns. Give me a useable, reliable laptop (sorry, notebook) over an ultra thin one any day.
 
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Queen6

macrumors G4
IMHO thin & light ultraportables work best in the 12" - 13" class (owning two myself). Stepping up to the 15" class it's clearly much harder to maintain structural rigidity etc. Personally i've moved away from Apple professionally due to such design decisions, which don't make sense for my needs. Too much removed, too little added.

Apple's focus is clearly on wowing the consumer, which adds up to nothing for the likes of myself, whose systems are a function of revenue. For the price I expect more features, usability most of all reliability, not the opposite. In many respects Apple's loss as they now loose that "Halo" effect from yet another professional user. Nor will it be easy for Apple to recapture my business, as has been so well illustrated Apple can turn off it's interest in the Mac in a heartbeat.

To me the customer always comes first the rest then follows very naturally, unfortunately these days Apple solely put's itself first above all else...

Q-6

No, mine has nothing to do with the touch bar, sorry if I explained it badly.

Mine is a long story but the upshot is after the successful 'fight' for the first replacement, the new one makes the same noises. I spoke to CS again and ended up with a senior advisor who took it on personally. He contacted California with details and my video.

He accepted he'd heard of it before (not that it happens to everyone, but it's not unheard of which is what I'd previously been told).

Some weeks later he came back to me saying they accept there is a fault with some models and the fix is to replace the screen (remember, this screen isn't damaged - so it's a pre-emptive 'repair').

MBP has absolutely gone past the point of diminishing returns. Give me a useable, reliable laptop (sorry, notebook) over an ultra thin one any day.
 

johnr2

macrumors newbie
Jul 6, 2017
14
6
Well, this is an interesting development.

I finally found time to take my macbook in for the (pre-emptive) screen replacement as I was told to by the senior advisor in Ireland handling my case.

Straight away he knew the issue I meant. He told me Apple had been getting reports in from all over the world about the problem with the odd noises. They'd tried replacing the keyboard, the case etc but no fix...

Then they realised it was the screen that needed replacing.

Which is exactly what I told them months ago, as my case stopped making noises once the screen cracked.

So far, so good...

But then he told me they discovered this in January. I'm in Spain, he was Spanish and he was speaking in English (very well) but I asked him to clarify when they discovered the problem was the screen - and he repeated again January.

I expressed disappointment that in March I was still having to argue about it, I was still being blamed for the screen breaking, I was being told no one else had reported the issue, and it took until the end of March before they gave in and let me return it for refund and buy another one.

He understood my frustration and said it's a numbers game. Apple will wait until they get enough complaints and then decide they have to do something. I guess a bit like how car companies will allow cars to continue blowing up and killing families as long as it's cheaper to pay them off than recall millions of cars... (I appreciate that is more serious of course).

He suggested the store in the UK, where I bought it, could - at their discretion - replace it again rather than repair it but as this is Spain all they can do is repair it. They've ordered a screen for it, but tomorrow, when he is in, I am going to speak to the guy who handled the case in Ireland and try to get this replaced completely.

There are other issues such as the keyboard not working properly, and if they knew these faults in January, I'm furious they put me through so much blame and stress for the first replacement. I don't see why I should have to go without my macbook for up to 2 weeks whilst they repair this one. Especially as it may still suffer the keyboard faults.

This guy was great, but I'm really not impressed with Apple over this whole incident.
 

Queen6

macrumors G4
Well, this is an interesting development.

I finally found time to take my macbook in for the (pre-emptive) screen replacement as I was told to by the senior advisor in Ireland handling my case.

Straight away he knew the issue I meant. He told me Apple had been getting reports in from all over the world about the problem with the odd noises. They'd tried replacing the keyboard, the case etc but no fix...

Then they realised it was the screen that needed replacing.

Which is exactly what I told them months ago, as my case stopped making noises once the screen cracked.

So far, so good...

But then he told me they discovered this in January. I'm in Spain, he was Spanish and he was speaking in English (very well) but I asked him to clarify when they discovered the problem was the screen - and he repeated again January.

I expressed disappointment that in March I was still having to argue about it, I was still being blamed for the screen breaking, I was being told no one else had reported the issue, and it took until the end of March before they gave in and let me return it for refund and buy another one.

He understood my frustration and said it's a numbers game. Apple will wait until they get enough complaints and then decide they have to do something. I guess a bit like how car companies will allow cars to continue blowing up and killing families as long as it's cheaper to pay them off than recall millions of cars... (I appreciate that is more serious of course).

He suggested the store in the UK, where I bought it, could - at their discretion - replace it again rather than repair it but as this is Spain all they can do is repair it. They've ordered a screen for it, but tomorrow, when he is in, I am going to speak to the guy who handled the case in Ireland and try to get this replaced completely.

There are other issues such as the keyboard not working properly, and if they knew these faults in January, I'm furious they put me through so much blame and stress for the first replacement. I don't see why I should have to go without my macbook for up to 2 weeks whilst they repair this one. Especially as it may still suffer the keyboard faults.

This guy was great, but I'm really not impressed with Apple over this whole incident.

Good to see your making headway - All I can say is 2011 15" MBP dGPU and the predecessors. Most businesses operate in this manner, equally Apple publicly presents a very different face...

Q-6
 

TofSanity

Cancelled
Oct 29, 2010
1,498
2,935
I too have been having the popping noise on my MacBook Pro. I have had the popping noise pretty much from day one, back in February. It hasn't gotten any worse, just becoming more annoying. Today I finally took it in to have Apple check the MacBook Pro. Of course they couldn't hear the noise within the ten minutes they looked at the MacBook. He did give me three choices:

1: send it out to have the repair shop look more into the sound
2: keep at the local shop to see if they could hear the sound and then send on to the repair shop
3: take home to video the noise and then bring the video and MacBook Pro back to them

I explained my concern about the screen possibly cracking in the meantime, since it appears some may have this trouble. He then told me not to be concern, due to Apple changing their policy about cracked screens: if there is no impact damage they will replace. so a crack, not a shatter, will be replaced. I will post my ticket later, since he said that information would be in the notes. I haven't received the email from Apple. My impression was that the issue is known and that possibly the popping will eventually crack the screen. He did say that they knew of the issue and wasn't at least surprised about why I brought it in today. I think they are replacing after now instead of before. It kind of makes sense in a way to do it that way. So, I kept the MacBook Pro with me and will continue using and will record the noise when it happens again. Other than the popping noise, this MacBook Pro is great with everything else. BTW I went through five before this one for various issues.
 
Last edited:

PBz

macrumors 68030
Nov 3, 2005
2,616
1,577
SoCal
This is all crazy. Not the customers.. Good Apple folks working overtime.. many doing all they can to help. Not sure I've seen it be this bad.
 

Lars Stenfeldt Hansen

macrumors newbie
Aug 15, 2017
5
1
I recently purchased a brand new 15in Macbook Pro with touchbar for a king's ransom and it turned out to be one of my favorite pieces of hardware I've ever owned. I've been a loyal Apple customer since college, but at this point I have to question the quality of their hardware after my latest experience with their newest product.



I usually carry my laptop in a backpack when traveling to and from work. The sleeve has significant padding and has been very protective of my previous macbook (late 2012 13in MBP). I carry with me some disposable tupperware, and a sweatshirt/gym clothes as well. A few days ago I arrived at work and opened my laptop, but the screen didn't immediately come to life. I must have turned the laptop off prior to leaving home, so I pressed the touch ID button, but couldn't wake it. Suddenly I noticed some light emitting from the corner of the screen and my heart sank. The screen was completely cracked and remained blank.



I've never had an issue with Apple's quality quite like this, but I find it completely outrageous that this product could be so fragile as to be rendered completely useless after being packed snuggly into my backpack. There was never a point where any heavy blunt object crashed into the lid, so I'm completely at a loss as to how Apple could sell this product where slight pressure on the lid could cause the entire screen to break.



Has anyone experienced this yet?



I've tried bringing this to my local Apple store, however the "Geniuses" deemed this accidental damage and refuse the cover the repair. This whole experience has made me question continuing to support their product line because honestly, how could I ever feel comfortable replacing the screen (for an exorbitant sum) with no guarantee that this won't happen again. The product is so fragile that a little bit of pressure from a tightly packed bag of soft clothes would render the product completely useless.



Apple used to stand by their products and this was a major factor in my continued support, but now I'm honestly afraid to ever purchase their products again for fear of ever leaving the house with a device unless it's wrapped in a kevlar vest.



SAD!

I just had the same crack on my display, very cautious and apple user since 1984. I opened the MacBook Pro and the screeen was damaged. Service say I must have closed it with a small stone inside? They also said the new screen is much more fragile than the old MacBook Pro
 

johnr2

macrumors newbie
Jul 6, 2017
14
6
I just had the same crack on my display, very cautious and apple user since 1984. I opened the MacBook Pro and the screeen was damaged. Service say I must have closed it with a small stone inside? They also said the new screen is much more fragile than the old MacBook Pro

Do not accept this. Please read my posts. Stand your ground and get it repaired free of charge (or replaced if it is new enough).
 
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Queen6

macrumors G4
I just had the same crack on my display, very cautious and apple user since 1984. I opened the MacBook Pro and the screeen was damaged. Service say I must have closed it with a small stone inside? They also said the new screen is much more fragile than the old MacBook Pro

Well that makes everything OK then :rolleyes: I really want a new 15" MBP, equally with the issues racking up i'll keep looking elsewhere...

Q-6
 

johnr2

macrumors newbie
Jul 6, 2017
14
6
Well that makes everything OK then :rolleyes: I really want a new 15" MBP, equally with the issues racking up i'll keep looking elsewhere...

Q-6

I could not recommend it to you. In fact, I feel I can no longer recommend Apple at all. And I hate that, believe me.
 

Lars Stenfeldt Hansen

macrumors newbie
Aug 15, 2017
5
1
The worst part of the new MacBook PRO 15" cracked fragile screen , we have no alternative, other than pay whatever they charge us and I will not recommend anyone the new MBP. it is simply too costly and too fragile compared to the expected quality expectations. I sincerely hope that potential MBP buyers who are considering to buy the new MacBook Pro, PLEASE READ OUR POSTINGS , it's a lottery ticket. DO NOT BUY THE PRODUCT ... waste of time, aggregation and money...BUY 2 x cheaper MacBooks instead...
 
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johnr2

macrumors newbie
Jul 6, 2017
14
6
Believe me, I am of the same mind, nor does it bring any joy, being a long user of the Mac. Latest MBP is basically garbage, as for the rest of Apple's lineup equally no interest...

Q-6

It's not just that the hardware is garbage, it's the absolute lack of 'care' Apple show towards customers spending thousands on a laptop that is worth (by cpu/memory standards) about 1/3rd or less of the price they charge.

I don't mind paying more for a better o/s than Windows and a better selection of apps - for my needs - than linux, but I also expect that price to cover superb customer service, and it no longer does.
 
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Lars Stenfeldt Hansen

macrumors newbie
Aug 15, 2017
5
1
It's not just that the hardware is garbage, it's the absolute lack of 'care' Apple show towards customers spending thousands on a laptop that is worth (by cpu/memory standards) about 1/3rd or less of the price they charge.

I don't mind paying more for a better o/s than Windows and a better selection of apps - for my needs - than linux, but I also expect that price to cover superb customer service, and it no longer does.

---

I have probably have a bought every MAC products since day one since 1982 or 1983, left the sinking ship when Steve Jobs left, came back when he came back and continued to purchase every new release of iPad, iPhone, iMac, MacBook Pro, Apple TV whatever NEWTON... I use windows PC's, LINUX MINT upgrading old PC and MAC computers, but never felt so disappointed about the quality of hardware since Jobs left. It gets cheaper, lighter, cost squeezing and poor arguments. Apple do not care anylonger and their distributors just have to to accept the terms and conditions...the freedom to express keeps us alive, Fxxx APPLE, they do not deserve anylonger and I am so disappointed
 
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