Concerns about MacBook Air M2 build quality

[midnightrain]

Concerns about MacBook Air M2 build quality.
Hi. I’ve purchased MBA M2 four months ago. I’ve had two LCD replacements at the AASP and they also reassembled my MacBook’s LCD last time because of the rubbing noise from hinges after my last repair. MacBook has become even worse after these repairs.


Firstly, the bottom plate seems wavy on the right side. (Photos #1-2)

Hinges are uneven and have different gap. (Photos #3-4)

Display cable is also uneven. The first is higher then other two, and it also has a tiny scratch. (Photo #5)


Lid makes clicking, but sometimes sticky noise when I try to close it after being open for about 5-10 minutes. This noise sometimes appears every time I adjust the lid, but then it goes away. (Video #1)

Lid also makes clicking noise while I open it. Especially the left hinge. It’s more noticeable when you open it while MacBook is on a bed. (Videos #2-3)

When I pick up my MacBook it makes a noise from the left side of the lid. Lid does not fit tightly to the top case from this side. (Video #4)

Is there any MBA M2 owners or Apple engineers? Maybe you have the same issues? AASP said that my MacBook is fine, but I don’t think so. The scratch on the display cable makes me feel like it’s rubbing and LCD will break. Although these noises are so annoying. Guess I’m crazy, but… I’ve contacted Apple Customer Support via Tim Cook mail, but they couldn’t help.

 

[CTHarrryH]

Ive had no problems - picked up on day 1 available

 

[Honza1]

Too high expectations, especially for Air? I would not bother to even look for most of these "flaws". It is machine, a tool... It is expected to be carried in backpack, taped with stickers all over, carried in one hand opened and running, and basically abused. I have seen all of it, just visit any university. It is more important for it to survive than to be symbol.

 

[midnightrain]

Too high expectations, especially for Air? I would not bother to even look for most of these "flaws". It is machine, a tool... It is expected to be carried in backpack, taped with stickers all over, carried in one hand opened and running, and basically abused. I have seen all of it, just visit any university. It is more important for it to survive than to be symbol.

I mean Apple is a billionaire company. MacBook Air M2 is still a premium laptop. It’s only 100$ cheaper then MacBook Pro M2 and components are better in MacBook Air M2. Why should I have such a poor quality for this price? I’ve had my MacBook repaired 3 times and it’s even looks worse now. My LCD was without any backlight bleeding before the first repair. The new LCD came with backlight bleeding in the bottom left corner and I’ve been waiting another 2 months. The last LCD came with even bigger backlight bleeding, but Apple says that it’s normal. So they have wasted 4 months of my time and now I have backlight bleeding, poor build quality, noise from the hinges and scratch on LCD cable. Awesome!

 

[JustAnExpat]

There's always going to be imperfections that is within tolerance. It appears these imperfections are not causing any fitness of use problems with the MacBook Air.

> The scratch on the display cable makes me feel like it’s rubbing and LCD will break

What's the display cable you're referring to. The display cable isn't exposed.

 

[midnightrain]

There's always going to be imperfections that is within tolerance. It appears these imperfections are not causing any fitness of use problems with the MacBook Air.

> The scratch on the display cable makes me feel like it’s rubbing and LCD will break

What's the display cable you're referring to. The display cable isn't exposed.

 

[Honza1]

While the cost may be high for you personally to think about this as premium device, Air is NOT Apple premium laptop. Air is their basic consumer item, similar to Mini. Even though the cost of loaded version on is quite high, same box, same display, same assembly line. It is sold in large quantities to students and general consumers. Their premium laptop is Max 16 inch Macbook Pro. But even there, these things are tools, not status symbols.
On a side note, none of the computers I had (Macs or PCs) looked better or was more perfect after repairs. If you want perfect Air, you need to get it from factory - which means exchange within exchange period if you are not satisfied. Most repairs involve work which will likely cause additional scratches and misfits. If you are trying to improve cosmetic issues via repairs, it is unlikely to work.

 

[midnightrain]

While the cost may be high for you personally to think about this as premium device, Air is NOT Apple premium laptop. Air is their basic consumer item, similar to Mini. Even though the cost of loaded version on is quite high, same box, same display, same assembly line. It is sold in large quantities to students and general consumers. Their premium laptop is Max 16 inch Macbook Pro. But even there, these things are tools, not status symbols.
On a side note, none of the computers I had (Macs or PCs) looked better or was more perfect after repairs. If you want perfect Air, you need to get it from factory - which means exchange within exchange period if you are not satisfied. Most repairs involve work which will likely cause additional scratches and misfits. If you are trying to improve cosmetic issues via repairs, it is unlikely to work.

But hinges noise can exist even from factory. All MacBooks assembled by the workers at the factory, am I wrong? MacBooks can also come with scratches right from the box.

 

[Technerd108]

But hinges noise can exist even from factory. All MacBooks assembled by the workers at the factory, am I wrong? MacBooks can also come with scratches right from the box.

What the poster was trying to say that responded to you is that it is best to exchange than repair.

The reason is generally if you have a defective device repair is not going to solve cosmetic issues and will likely only add to them because repair involves disassembly and reassembly. This process can add cosmetic defects. Also during repair they may replace parts with refurbished parts. Repair only guarantee fit for use not cosmetic perfection.

If you inspect all items you buy carefully as soon as you get them and notice any issues like you have mentioned then it would have been better to simply exchange it. You may have to exchange a few times until you get the "one" that is good enough for you.

Unfortunately it seems that Apple manufacturing is not doing a good job at quality control and the consumer is left to be the final quality control check. For the factory to produce as many devices as possible as cheaply as possible it seems it is better to ship out poorly made units and just have the consumer replace it or live with it rather than slowing down the production line and doing a proper quality control check.

Retail units sold at stores in preconfigured specs seem to be better in this regard than BTO units.

In your situation you are either going to have to live with what you have as long as it works despite any cosmetic imperfections or sell it resale and buy something else.

Since Apple has probably spent up any profit on your machine by repairing it more than once they are likely not going to do much more than what they have done. If after the first repair it was unsatisfactory to you and you escalated to a customer service supervisor you might have been able to get a replacement.

I don't think that is possible now because repairing the device a few times is almost as costly as a new unit.

It is unfortunate and I am sorry for all you have gone through. We do except a certain level of perfection from Apple regardless of the tier we buy into.

For those saying that the air is an entry level device so you should just expect imperfections or pay more is ridiculous. All Apple devices are premium except for maybe the older base iPad and the iPhone SE but everything else is a premium product and people expect an experience commensurate with the cost.

 

[midnightrain]

What the poster was trying to say that responded to you is that it is best to exchange than repair.

The reason is generally if you have a defective device repair is not going to solve cosmetic issues and will likely only add to them because repair involves disassembly and reassembly. This process can add cosmetic defects. Also during repair they may replace parts with refurbished parts. Repair only guarantee fit for use not cosmetic perfection.

If you inspect all items you buy carefully as soon as you get them and notice any issues like you have mentioned then it would have been better to simply exchange it. You may have to exchange a few times until you get the "one" that is good enough for you.

Unfortunately it seems that Apple manufacturing is not doing a good job at quality control and the consumer is left to be the final quality control check. For the factory to produce as many devices as possible as cheaply as possible it seems it is better to ship out poorly made units and just have the consumer replace it or live with it rather than slowing down the production line and doing a proper quality control check.

Retail units sold at stores in preconfigured specs seem to be better in this regard than BTO units.

In your situation you are either going to have to live with what you have as long as it works despite any cosmetic imperfections or sell it resale and buy something else.

Since Apple has probably spent up any profit on your machine by repairing it more than once they are likely not going to do much more than what they have done. If after the first repair it was unsatisfactory to you and you escalated to a customer service supervisor you might have been able to get a replacement.

I don't think that is possible now because repairing the device a few times is almost as costly as a new unit.

It is unfortunate and I am sorry for all you have gone through. We do except a certain level of perfection from Apple regardless of the tier we buy into.

For those saying that the air is an entry level device so you should just expect imperfections or pay more is ridiculous. All Apple devices are premium except for maybe the older base iPad and the iPhone SE but everything else is a premium product and people expect an experience commensurate with the cost.

Got it, thanks. Unfortunately we do not have 14 days return policy in my country. Every Apple reseller will probably send defective devices to AASP for diagnostic and repair. It always takes nearly 2 months . I’ve contacted Apple Support Agent after first repair, but he was literally useless. He also told me that the AASP engineers make a decisions about repairing my device, but it’s not true. The AASP engineer was friendly and professional, but Apple rejected the third LCD replacement. They said that it’s fine. I really don’t understand why they replaced entire LCD at the first time if the hinges noise is a cosmetic issue.

 

[Technerd108]

Got it, thanks. Unfortunately we do not have 14 days return policy in my country. Every Apple reseller will probably send defective devices to AASP for diagnostic and repair. It always takes nearly 2 months . I’ve contacted Apple Support Agent after first repair, but he was literally useless. He also told me that the AASP engineers make a decisions about repairing my device, but it’s not true. The AASP engineer was friendly and professional, but Apple rejected the third LCD replacement. They said that it’s fine. I really don’t understand why they replaced entire LCD at the first time if the hinges noise is a cosmetic issue.

Not that I agree with Apple in your case but from their perspective a noise made by the case that doesn't affect the actual use of the device is not an issue.

If the noise caused an actual problem like the screen flashed or went blank every time you opened the hinge and it made a noise then it would warrant a repair but if it just makes a noise but doesn't affect anything else then they consider that cosmetic and within tolerance.

So you don't have any return policy in your country? After you purchase a device your only remedy is repair? I am really sorry to hear that.

If you bought a windows laptop would you be able to return it within a certain time period if it was defective or didn't like it?

 

[midnightrain]

Not that I agree with Apple in your case but from their perspective a noise made by the case that doesn't affect the actual use of the device is not an issue.

If the noise caused an actual problem like the screen flashed or went blank every time you opened the hinge and it made a noise then it would warrant a repair but if it just makes a noise but doesn't affect anything else then they consider that cosmetic and within tolerance.

So you don't have any return policy in your country? After you purchase a device your only remedy is repair? I am really sorry to hear that.

If you bought a windows laptop would you be able to return it within a certain time period if it was defective or didn't like it?

The expensive device must have a hardware defect if you want to return it within 14 days. Apple diagnostic usually takes more than 2 weeks, so the only solution is a repair. I’ve read that in the USA you can return your Apple product even if it’s not defective within 14 days.

 

[Technerd108]

The expensive device must have a hardware defect if you want to return it within 14 days. Apple diagnostic usually takes more than 2 weeks, so the only solution is a repair. I’ve read that in the USA you can return your Apple product even if it’s not defective within 14 days.

Yeah that seems like unfair business practices to me.

In US you have two weeks to return for any reason.

In Europe you get a two year warranty and return period.

 

[whizkid11]

I feel for you, man. I just had my top case replaced due to an issue with the keyboard. I am OCD with my M2 and brought it to Apple all cleaned with the screen in perfect condition. The Genius guy even said “boy this is flawless.”

Long story short, the M2 comes back. I go to inspect is and sure enough there are two fine scratches on the top of the screen and two small blemishes. You can see them in a certain light.

When I went back to the store, the genius guy said he couldn’t see anything. He didn’t even try. Then he said if it’s sent out there’s a good chance the service dept would send it back as is. I said that I was willing to take that chance. He said OK. He comes back five minutes later and says that he can’t send it out because he doesn’t see anything.

So while it is a minor thing, it’s one of those things that when you see it you can’t unsee. And the fact that you know it wasn’t there before is more upsetting. I don’t know why he said he would send it and then reneged.

But on a bigger scale, these machines are simply to delicate for every day mobile use. They are dust magnets. The keyboard keys turns shiny within a few months of minimal use, the coating on the screen is so delicate that micro scratches wind up appearing if you’re not super super careful and use the right materials. The shiny Apple logo on the top is silly too. Added to that is the keyboard imprint issue on the screen that happens even with a cloth due to common carry. If it weren’t for the battery and OS, I’d go with another brand as a result. If I didn’t need to take it with me daily, it would be a different story perhaps. I keep it in the Van Holzhausen folio case and have another MB pro at home that I use, so this one only gets used during the day.

No one wants to be “that guy.” On the same token, no one wants to have their MB serviced and worry about their machine getting other flaws while
fixing something.

Good luck.

 

[fisherking]

the keycaps/trackpad wear is no better or worse than it was on my previous macbook... and i take my M2 air everywhere, and would hardly call it 'delicate'. then again, i have mine in a soft sleeve, in a backpack, because, you know... i take care of my stuff...

 

[whizkid11]

the keycaps/trackpad wear is no better or worse than it was on my previous macbook... and i take my M2 air everywhere, and would hardly call it 'delicate'. then again, i have mine in a soft sleeve, in a backpack, because, you know... i take care of my stuff...

Cool story bruh

 

[fisherking]

Cool story bruh

am trying to be cool like you 👍

 

[trevpimp]

I will say take it to the nearest Apple Store and see if they mention or can take further action on this

Wish you the best

 

[TechnoMonk]

I use a sleeve if the MBA goes in to a backpack, when traveling. I don’t usually have OCD with normal wear and tear. My M1 Max 64 Gb MBP 16 goes every with out babying it. MBA is lot more delicate than MBP. It sucks that you don’t have return policy.

 

[ilikewhey]

While the cost may be high for you personally to think about this as premium device, Air is NOT Apple premium laptop. Air is their basic consumer item, similar to Mini. Even though the cost of loaded version on is quite high, same box, same display, same assembly line. It is sold in large quantities to students and general consumers. Their premium laptop is Max 16 inch Macbook Pro. But even there, these things are tools, not status symbols.
On a side note, none of the computers I had (Macs or PCs) looked better or was more perfect after repairs. If you want perfect Air, you need to get it from factory - which means exchange within exchange period if you are not satisfied. Most repairs involve work which will likely cause additional scratches and misfits. If you are trying to improve cosmetic issues via repairs, it is unlikely to work.

lol what? a laptop that starts at 1200usd and can go all the way up to 2k is not a premium device? do you use money for toilet paper?

if you want to be technical about lineup, the m1 mba would be apple's basic consumer item.

OP has every right to share his grievances, and given the evidence he presented, he is being quite reasonable. frankly i have never heard of repaired items coming back worse than before, that alone warrants a exchange. when apple swapped my iphone's battery and they chipped some paint near the lightening port, i notified them and they exchanged the phone on the spot. but that was one outlier. normally apple repair is pretty good and that sort of issue rarely happens.

 

[ilikewhey]

I mean Apple is a billionaire company. MacBook Air M2 is still a premium laptop. It’s only 100$ cheaper then MacBook Pro M2 and components are better in MacBook Air M2. Why should I have such a poor quality for this price? I’ve had my MacBook repaired 3 times and it’s even looks worse now. My LCD was without any backlight bleeding before the first repair. The new LCD came with backlight bleeding in the bottom left corner and I’ve been waiting another 2 months. The last LCD came with even bigger backlight bleeding, but Apple says that it’s normal. So they have wasted 4 months of my time and now I have backlight bleeding, poor build quality, noise from the hinges and scratch on LCD cable. Awesome!

i would escalate this to apple senior management or something, i forgot what the proper department is called, but this situation happened to my mbp awhile back, and after the 3rd repair being unsatisifactory, apple replaced my mbp with a new one.

 

[CloudsNeverDie]

I've been through one Pro and two Airs in the last month and share your concerns here. The Pro had stiff and inconsistent keys to the point of missing keystrokes regularly during typing. One Air had a stiff space bar, backlight uniformity issues and a sticky trackpad. The second Air has stiff and inconsistent keys, good backlight uniformity but bad bleed, and ridges where the cover meets the case. The quality control seems to be lacking.

Meanwhile my late-2013 Retina MBP is damn near perfect and still going strong after 10 years, just too slow and hot for today's apps. Except when I had the battery replaced in 2017, Apple replaced the entire top cover including the trackpad, and the new trackpad didn't work as well as the original one.

I worry if I ever need a MacBook repaired under AC+, I'll end up with some other component being replaced and being shoddy, or some other damage being done by the repair team. This makes Framework laptops all the more appealing.

 

[kp98077]

I've been through one Pro and two Airs in the last month and share your concerns here. The Pro had stiff and inconsistent keys to the point of missing keystrokes regularly during typing. One Air had a stiff space bar, backlight uniformity issues and a sticky trackpad. The second Air has stiff and inconsistent keys, good backlight uniformity but bad bleed, and ridges where the cover meets the case. The quality control seems to be lacking.

Meanwhile my late-2013 Retina MBP is damn near perfect and still going strong after 10 years, just too slow and hot for today's apps. Except when I had the battery replaced in 2017, Apple replaced the entire top cover including the trackpad, and the new trackpad didn't work as well as the original one.

I worry if I ever need a MacBook repaired under AC+, I'll end up with some other component being replaced and being shoddy, or some other damage being done by the repair team. This makes Framework laptops all the more appealing.

Honestly also, as a fellow medical/science person the pro will be better for days long term. I am afraid the air will become sluggish and devalued over time.