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For those who got Space Black
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Last week when I went into the Apple store for my now infamous fingerprint test, I walked in 90% sure I would go silver - I thought the photos of space black were unimpressive and lacking style. I was completely turned around looking at the space black in person, and I really didn't find it will be a fingerprint challenge for me being slightly OCD as well. I came home and ordered a space black 16".
Just placed my order for the base model 14" M3 Pro in Space Black.
I went to the Apple Store on the day they released the devices (Tuesday) and ordered an MBP M3 Max in Space Black.
This morning I looked at the same device in the same Apple Store - so only four days later - and there's no way I'm going for Space Black anymore.
Fingerprints all over the device, especially around the trackpad and keyboard, not so much on the outside. And the device looks kind of plastic-like at second glance. Just canceled it and ordered one in silver.
This morning I looked at the same device in the same Apple Store - so only four days later - and there's no way I'm going for Space Black anymore.
Fingerprints all over the device, especially around the trackpad and keyboard, not so much on the outside. And the device looks kind of plastic-like at second glance. Just canceled it and ordered one in silver.
Yeah saw the same yesterday even the employees were commenting on how bad it gets. Just owning one two dags I felt I was polishing constantly - lol. Too much for my OCD
I realize it would not help with the keyboard side of the MacBook Pro but does anyone use a shell? It would not only prevent fingerprints but also scratches, preserving the resale value. A clear shell would still show the space black or silver. I’m surprised they rarely get mentioned in this forum.
I'm waiting for the "How much more black could this be?" MacBook Pro.
I've had my 16 in M3 Pro in Space Black since launch day and I love it! I've had very minimal fingerprints next to the touchpad which were easily removed with the Apple polishing cloth. I think the color is beautiful and very professional looking. I'm very happy with my choice. I have chosen Space Gray for my last couple of computers which now looks boring to me and silver, while pretty and classic, is too hard on my old eyes and I also find it distracting from the screen. I hope everyone is happy with their choice.
It didn't make sense to wrap my metal laptop in plastic and it just looked tacky to me.
It did suck to get my first scratch on my M1 Air but it took two years for that to happen. My 2015 MBP 13, one scratch in 8 years.
I was extremely hyped for the color and a bit disappointed during my initial unboxing but as I’ve used it I’ve fallen back in love with the color as when you’re actually using it, it really is a dark matte black most of the time.
It’s SO dark compared Space Gray and at it’s lightest it’s basically “what you think Space Gray looks like in your head” as someone on Reddit so succinctly posted.
It’s SO dark compared Space Gray and at it’s lightest it’s basically “what you think Space Gray looks like in your head” as someone on Reddit so succinctly posted.
Silver is iconic and Space Black is cool. Just a matter of what you care about more.
Not gonna lie, I was expecting it to be actually black. It's more dark gray. I had to quadruple check I got the right color. But then I started watching some initial reviews comparing the color to space gray and yeah it's much darker, but it's not black. That being said I much prefer this color. And so far the fingerprint resistance is pretty good. But I don't touch it much since it's being used as my primary desktop and i have the magic peripherals and a Razer gaming mouse.
I'm surprised to hear this from people - this laptop is dramatically darker than Space Gray and is a very deep shade. It does reflect light in an interesting way and can appear brighter in the presence of lots of soft diffused light but when I opened my 16" this morning it's shockingly dark. I wouldn't want it any darker - I think it's the perfect tradeoff between a dark shade and looking like a museum showcase for finger oils like the Razor Blade does.
I've always wanted a silver MBP but my last three (2016 15", 2019 16", 2021 M1 Max 14") had long CTO ship times for silver so I always went Space Gray. I couldn't resist the space black this time.
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How does the metal look like plastic? Are you wanting a Mac to actually use or something that sits on the desk as some kind of showpiece?
Likely thousands of people touched that laptop - a personal machine doesn't see even a fraction of the different dirty hands in its lifetime. Kids that just picked their nose, someone fresh out of the food court who had French fries, etc.
Space Black looks and feels elegant and so far I can barely tell a difference with my Space Gray in terms of how quickly it's picking up fingerprints.
Me too especially since we had the space black iPhone 14 Pro last year. It was obvious to me looking at my iPhone 14 in space black that wasn't black black, darker than space gray. So we knew in advance what space black was going to be like. Apple had seemingly had a falling out with space gray, like it was demoted. Since the release of the new design Mac Pro in 2019 with its accompanying 6k display & $1,000 stand Apple has heavily biased silver in its products.
Space black looks cool & I'm tempted to get it. But my bias is silver. I'd even go as far to say that I almost prefer the midnight of the MacBook Air minus the finger prints (which will hopefully get that special anodized seal as space black in the M3 versions of the Air).
I've wrapped all of the MacBooks I've owned in a clear matte skin. However, as my go-to skin vendor (Bestskinsever) went out of business, I'm trying a different vendor but it's a two week wait. So, meanwhile, I'm using a clear shell just so my new MBP has protection. It's actually not bad as it does not impede opening and closing the machine. It also comes with a keyboard skin. I've used this brand keyboard skin on my MBA and have liked it. Both are thin enough that they don't add significant weight.
Adding a protective skin (or clear shell) has also paid off as I've been always getting full price on my trade-ins. In fact, last week when I traded my MBA after removing the skin, the guy inspecting it was amazed at how the body was flawless. Considering that I've taken the MBA on trips (both domestic and international) and used it outdoors, it does look like new.
I'll see how this clear case holds up and decide whether to keep it on the MBP or install the clear matte skin when it comes in.
BTW, the skins do come with protection for the palm rests, trackpad and sides so it covers almost all of the surfaces except of course the ports and speakers.
I do like the Space Black, but I went with Silver. I love the silver contrasting with the black keyboard!
How do you draw that conclusion from what I wrote? Why so aggressive?
The second time I went to look at it four days later I didn't perceive the surface as a piece of metal anymore, but as plastic-like. That is just an impression I had the second time. The reason I cancelled the Space Black and ordered a silver one is based on the fingerprint smudge I saw on the second time.
Asking questions is not being aggressive. You still didn't answer me about how known metal looks plastic.
Using the store model as a fingerprint guide wasn't wise as thousands of people touch them every day and would show more excessively than a single person.
"... or something that sits on the desk as some kind of showpiece?"
Sorry, but this is aggressive. It is insinuating something negative. Why you did that, I do not know.
"You still didn't answer me about how known metal looks plastic."
Again: The second time I went to look at it four days later I didn't perceive the surface as a piece of metal anymore, but as plastic-like. That is just an impression I had the second time.
"Using the store model as a fingerprint guide wasn't wise ..."
You could have thrown in a "maybe wasn't wise"? The absoluteness of your statements in your posts is irritating. Different people, different opinions.
I will not respond to further posts. Life is too short...
Love the colour, but Apple’s QC is lacking in the space black.
I’ve exchanged my M3 Max twice for scuffs straight out of the box.
First one had a inch long scratch on the lid.
Second one had the following blemishes:
Most recent one is the best out of the 3. Perfect minus one small blemish:
Plan on keeping this one since it’s minimal, and I do not want to go through the hassle a third time.. but this is definitely not a ideal experience.
Anyone else had to deal with Space Black QC issues?
I’ve exchanged my M3 Max twice for scuffs straight out of the box.
First one had a inch long scratch on the lid.
Second one had the following blemishes:
Most recent one is the best out of the 3. Perfect minus one small blemish:
Plan on keeping this one since it’s minimal, and I do not want to go through the hassle a third time.. but this is definitely not a ideal experience.
Anyone else had to deal with Space Black QC issues?
