iPad Pro iPad Pro's bending issue (merged)

[derbaron]

The bends that have been show here are in line with the antenna bands...so no those are not the “weak points”

A point where the device breaks is a weak point, irrespective of the technical explanation. Can you imagine a car company building a car whose suspension cracks when driving too fast into corners and then saying yeah, but we needed that for more comfort? No, there are engineers at Apple who have to solve that problem, creating a sturdy product with good reception at the same time.

And where does it show that it cant withstand "mild abuse"? All I see is some lunatics on YouTube folding iPads like magazines, scratching it with extreme sharp objects and torching them with lighters.

I agree with you that this videos are childish nonsense and a device certainly doesn't have to withstand every kind of abuse, however they are done with other products as well for fun. And it didn't really seem they put a lot of force on it, it basically cracked like an old branch.

 

[nikusak]

I think that is the question. Does the new iPad bend more easily than previous versions and at what point do we conclude it is too fragile for its intended use.

The new iPad is just fine for its intended use i.e. use as a tablet by adults who don’t slam it into a wall or sit on it.

I use my iPad at home. It’s either in my hands or on a table somewhere.

Sometimes it’s with me in a backpack when I travel, in a case, and I’m extra careful that nobody puts a 15 kg trolley on it. Because I don’t expect it to survive that and it doesn’t need to. Because that’s not “intended use”.

Please stop this insane “gee it bends if sit on it” nonsense already.

 

[fm_carv]

A point where the device breaks is a weak point, irrespective of the technical explanation..

The point where the device breaks is dependable of where the forces are applied and what value those forces are.

It’s basic physics

That dude on YouTube applied a bending moment force of equal value at both ends of the iPad making the iPad bend at midspan

 

[Alicia1]

My Pencil is not bent, it is a dead straight cylindrical shape with a single flat surface on the side. The Pencil attaches flush to the magnetic side of my iPad. It does not sit flush on the front or back though.

I have attached a picture of the iPad laying flat on a table surface with a ruler along the top of it. Notice how the bend starts at the antenna band!

What next? First you accuse people in other threads of lying for not posting pictures. When pictures are posted, you are accusing people that their pictures are wrong and you are right. Then you demand more of the same pictures...

Should I photograph it alongside the Leaning Tower of Pisa? I hope you realize that the Leaning Tower of Pisa isn't straight and that it is actually leaning... I might need a ruler that is longer than 8 stories...

Bottom and top of iPad.

iPad is bent on bottom right.
View attachment 804520

iPad is bent on top left.
View attachment 804524

Mine is bowed exactly the same as yours Finfin

 

[seadragon]

Please stop this insane “gee it bends if sit on it” nonsense already.

Not sure why that last sentence is directed at me via quoting my post. I said no such thing.

 

[DNichter]

I thought I was crazy, so I went home and checked my 11 inch. Perfectly straight. I laid it on a flat surface, used a ruler, my Apple TV remote, all good. I tried to bend slightly (more than cofmortable), but nothing. I can’t see why anyone otherwise would be in a situation where the iPad would be bent harder, unless obviously in some sort of accident or putting the iPad in a compromising position without a case. We are blaming Apple for a thin computer? Bend back any laptop screen, it’s easy. What’s the difference? I can dent the hell out of my car pretty easily, is it Ford’s fault? Get real.
[doublepost=1542406488][/doublepost]

I expect to hold up to the same use as the previous one and not crumble like a cookie because I didn’t wear gloves in a sealed clean room.

This is a joke, right?

 

[Khedron]

It’s not an issue unless you place your two hands at both ends of the iPad and proceed to apply enough force so to bend the thing.

My guess is you won’t ever do that...so you’ll be fine

Why does anyone ever buy insurance/AppleCare when you can simply choose to not have any accidents?

 

[fm_carv]

Why does anyone ever buy insurance/AppleCare when you can simply choose to not have any accidents?

In what world is putting your hands at both ends of an iPad and intentionally bending it with force considered an accident?

 

[Azathoth123]

Just a note of caution, many steel ‘rulers’ aren’t actually straight - that’s because they aren’t intended to be straight edges. If you’re really going to use a ruler-like thingy, you need a machinist’s straight edge, like a Starrett.

 

[Khedron]

In what world is putting your hands at both ends of an iPad and intentionally bending it with force considered an accident?

I guess you don't believe in car crash tests either because they deliberately hit obstacles?

Just drive carefully and it's not a problem!

 

[oliversl]

Definitely bended, sorry about that. Looks like a 1st gen hardware failure, as always.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Holy crap, I came back from dinner and this thread is still going? Lol. Man. I’m just gonna shut up & be all zen like Pooh.


“While Eeyore frets about bending the iPad Pro
... and Piglet hesitates about buying the iPad Pro
... and Rabbit calculates the force needed to bend the iPad Pro
... and Owl pontificates about why Apple sucks
...Pooh just is.”

Pooh isn’t worried about bendgate. Pooh is happy with his new iPad Pro. Pooh just is mutha f*@ka!

 

[derbaron]

The point where the device breaks is dependable of where the forces are applied and what value those forces are.

It’s basic physics

That dude on YouTube applied a bending moment force of equal value at both ends of the iPad making the iPad bend at midspan

We do agree that every device can be broken by applying an extent amount of pressure to the ends, especially with the size of the iPad. However, I don't see a lot of pressure in the videos and there sure is at least a "good amount" of pressure that the iPad Pro should withstand at all points in the frame - and it could, when engineered carefully or, for example, by the structure being reinforced. We saw that with the iPhones and MacBooks, which do not bend at everyday use, even if you accidentally sit on it in most cases (not all of them). Seeing this new iPads bend, I'm not so sure. But there are surely more tests to come and I'm happy for everyone who is happy with their iPad (!). But for me, it is a concern and it would stop me from buying, because I want the peace of mind to have a device where I can actually make a mistake without immidiately paying big time for it.

 

[6749974]

The Apple Pencil is not completely straight and more if you know anything about geometry you can’t measure the level of a surface with an item smaller than the one you’re trying to get that measure for.

So your method is FLAWED!

If you put the Apple Pencil flush on a table-edge, and can get eye-level with the table, you can confirm both the table and pencil are both in fact straight (to the naked eye). If the pencil is not straight, it would be apparent in that moment. If the pencil is straight, then you now have a "control" in which to test the straightness or bend of the iPad Pro.*

But I also agree, a ruler could suffice.

* Tip: if there is a light source coming at you, from behind the table, and there is a bend in the pencil, there should be light-leakage indicating the pencil bend. If the pencil is straight, then no light leakage. Sun from a window, or room lamp will do. From that you'll know with more certainty if it's the pencil that is bent, or the iPad Pro's frame.

EDIT: I have an iPhone 6 that is bent in the middle. I don't care because it's an older phone, and it's not apparent in a case, but obviously bent when I take it out. Point is Apple has precedent shipping devices that bend with normal use. So much so, that they reinforced the frame the very next year, with the iPhone 6S. This new iPad Pro (2018) may be following the same pattern.

 

[donster28]

We do agree that every device can be broken by applying an extent amount of pressure to the ends, especially with the size of the iPad. However, I don't see a lot of pressure in the videos and there sure is at least a "good amount" of pressure that the iPad Pro should withstand at all points in the frame - and it could, when engineered carefully or, for example, by the structure being reinforced. We saw that with the iPhones and MacBooks, which do not bend at everyday use, even if you accidentally sit on it in most cases (not all of them). Seeing this new iPads bend, I'm not so sure. But there are surely more tests to come and I'm happy for everyone who is happy with their iPad (!). But for me, it is a concern and it would stop me from buying, because I want the peace of mind to have a device where I can actually make a mistake without immidiately paying big time for it.

AppleCare+

 

[Ghost31]

I honestly can’t believe we’re at the point where fanboys are digging in their heels SO hard to defend apple that we are now debating whether a ruler is straight. What the hell has the world come to?

The structural integrity is a real issue that should be discussed and addressed and not be simply dismissed as “well. Things bend if you bend them”. If the newer iPad can’t survive NORMAL everyday use without taking damage the appropriate response isn’t to not talk about it.

I’m as big a apple fanboy as anyone, but I also have eyes and am able to see objective reality. If there’s a problem I don’t go out of my way to justify it and defend a trillion dollar company

 

[Mechinyun]

I have an 12.9 3rd gen, its not bent, yet. But its very easy to see how any relatively minor pressure can bend it.

I baby my new ipad, but I also have kids, and "life" happens in general.. its worrying.

The ipad is MADE to be portal, to be put in backpacks, briefcases, used by a family, moved, and used in a capacity that lends itself to having forces applied to it that should NOT bend it, but have been proven to do just that.

This is an unacceptable design flaw, most likely due to cost cutting design policy.

Anyone who is defending apple over this issue needs their head checked, you are wrong.

 

[Ryan P]

I believe those who have bent iPads, but just tested my 12.9 3rd gen 256gb WiFi model and it is not bent after continuous usage since launch day. I did go for AppleCare, as I am clumsy and will break it soon.

 

[Ghost31]

Predictable comment: uhhh yeah. But is the table even straight? This isn’t science! Derp

There’s another thread on here where people were calling bs on someone saying their iPad was bent and to take a picture using a ruler. He did and then the debate went to whether rulers were straight or not. Face....palm

 

[haruhiko]

I want to add that as awesome as this new iPad Pro is, it has a really freaking soft body! I accidentally dropped it at about 2.5ft height to the wooden floor with the Smart Keyboard Folio on it and it dented quite seriously.

This thing is the first Apple device in a long time that I recommend to buy the AppleCare+, because accidental damage is very likely. Dang.

 

[1144557]

Predictable comment: uhhh yeah. But is the table even straight? This isn’t science! Derp

There’s another thread on here where people were calling bs on someone saying their iPad was bent and to take a picture using a ruler. He did and then the debate went to whether rulers were straight or not. Face....palm

Or using the Apple Pencil. But bruh is your pencil straight?

It's the same tired argument as suggesting a case is the answer. Case are (optional, up to the user to use) protection for your investment from drop/bump damage, from user error, not to solve design/structural flaws.

It would be like suggesting someone with a car with a poor flimsy front bumper design to say should just slap a car bra on it to support it and it's all good; but you have no right to be annoyed at the manufacturer, otherwise you're just a "hater." Im sure some would think a car bra is ugly and not a solution.

Again, a case is protection from user error not to correct a manufacturing or design flaw.

That is the sheeple antennagate you're holding it wrong just slap a case on it to bandaid the problem and stop whining rebuttal. As much as I didnt have an iPhone 4 issue considering I always use cases, I don't discount other people's experiences and defend Apple unless the person is unreasonable or flat out incorrect.

If people didnt voice their concerns we wouldnt have had the corrective 4S and 6S models.

 

[Ryan P]

I want to add that as awesome as this new iPad Pro is, it has a really freaking soft body! I accidentally dropped it at about 2.5ft height to the wooden floor with the Smart Keyboard Folio on it and it dented quite seriously.

This thing is the first Apple device in a long time that I recommend to buy the AppleCare+, because accidental damage is very likely. Dang.

Don’t forget you can still add it. You have 60 days. I added after watching the first drop test video.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Watch the following video.

The aluminium (yes, I’m from the UK ) literally rippled (!) when dropped from waist high.

These new Pros are extremely fragile.

 

[Ghost31]

Watch the following video.

The aluminium (yes, I’m from the UK ) literally rippled (!) when dropped from waist high.

These new Pros are extremely fragile.

Starts off video “the new iPad Pro is a marvel of engineering” then proceeds to show how breakable it is. Awesome

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Starts off video “the new iPad Pro is a marvel of engineering” then proceeds to show how breakable it is. Awesome

I’m done with giving Apple a constant pass, just because it’s Apple.

I’ve been burnt by them far too many times recently.

I will be getting a new iPad Pro, now that I’ve got my money back under Consumer Law for my 10.5”.

The new iPad Pro is patently fragile.

Simple as.