Keyboard backlight issue 14" Macbook Pro

[Macintosh101]

Anyone else have any issues with their keyboard backlight on the new M1 MacBook Pros? Picked mine up today and I have a distinct bright spot under the bottom left hand side of the '4' key that isn't present anywhere else. Its hard to capture properly in photos but its pretty distracting.

 

[chabig]

By asking whether anyone else has the same thing, can I assume you have a plan based on the answers you receive? What will you do differently if more people say yes than say no, and vice versa? In other words, how does someone else's backlight influence your decision making?

 

[Macintosh101]

By asking whether anyone else has the same thing, can I assume you have a plan based on the answers you receive? What will you do differently if more people say yes than say no, and vice versa? In other words, how does someone else's backlight influence your decision making?

Good question, basically if its a common issue on these new models then I won't seek a replacement ?

 

[chabig]

Good question, basically if its a common issue on these new models then I won't seek a replacement ?

That's a good answer! I'm typing this on a 2020 M1 MacBook Pro and none of my keys let the light escape like we see in your photo. I suspect yours isn't "normal" and it would not be out of line to ask Apple to replace it.

 

[Jamierb]

Anyone else have any issues with their keyboard backlight on the new M1 MacBook Pros? Picked mine up today and I have a distinct bright spot under the bottom left hand side of the '4' key that isn't present anywhere else. Its hard to capture properly in photos but its pretty distracting.

View attachment 1879769 View attachment 1879774

I picked my MBP 14" today and I also have the exact same bright spot underneath the number 4 key too. But I'm not sure if I can be bothered to exchange when the rets of the machine seems perfect. Weird though!

 

[Jamierb]

I've also noticed it on other unboxing videos too, same key as well. Maybe something that is common across a lot of these laptops. Hope this helps?!

 

[CheesePuff]

I don't seem the have the same issue on my 14", at least no where near as much as OP's photo

 

[Macintosh101]

interesting, thanks for the responses. I'll check them out again in store and see if its a common issue.

 

[AGreatJorb]

I am having the exact same situation on the same key on the 16" model!

lower-left corner of the 4 key at my normal angle and the whole bottom edge of the D key from a flat sightline.

I do wonder if this is an issue with every 2021 Macbook Pro - or just some of us.

 

[kmingis]

I'm not really seeing it on my 16/32GB/1TB.

 

[Macintosh101]

I am having the exact same situation on the same key on the 16" model!

lower-left corner of the 4 key at my normal angle and the whole bottom edge of the D key from a flat sightline.

I do wonder if this is an issue with every 2021 Macbook Pro - or just some of us.

I ended up getting replacement and my new 14" has the issue again, but it is much less prominent than the one I returned (where the bright spot was extremely bright and very distracting).

Interestingly at my local Apple store I looked at all the demo units they had out - all of new MBPs had the bright spot under the lower left corner of the '4' key to varying degrees. It is curious.

 

[Macintosh101]

I'm not really seeing it on my 16/32GB/1TB. View attachment 1883834

You can't see it when looking directly down on the keyboard as per this pic, it's only visible from a certain angle.

 

[WilliamG]

Same on my 16' under the '4' key. Not a big deal.

 

[macintoshmac]

Keyboard backlight peeking out at certain angles becomes a cause for replacing the whole laptop. Amazing. Simply amazing.

Wonder what we’d do with those new backlit mechanical keyboards we get now.

 

[garlar]

I'm having the same issue. I just called support and submitted these photos "for the record." It hard to tell right now if this is the norm or if it's a defect. We probably won't know until some more article photos and YouTube video with glamour shots of the new macs come out to compare it to. But I agree with "if it's a common issue on these new models then I won't seek a replacement". But I am being a little picky about this $4k computer and kind of expect perfection.

 

[WilliamG]

I'm having the same issue. I just called support and submitted these photos "for the record." It hard to tell right now if this is the norm or if it's a defect. We probably won't know until some more article photos and YouTube video with glamour shots of the new macs come out to compare it to. But I agree with "if it's a common issue on these new models then I won't seek a replacement". But I am being a little picky about this $4k computer and kind of expect perfection.

That looks 100% normal.

 

[macintoshmac]

That looks 100% normal.

Apple could avoid nearly 100% of these “issues” just by dropping the retail price by USD 500-700.

 

[Spidder]

Those issues are the result of manufacturing tolerances. I highly doubt that Apple will do anything about it. The only thing you can do is send it back and order a new one.

Or see it this way: Your keyboards will collect dirt anyway, making it gradually less visible over time.

 

[apnumen]

Yo guys! Just received my new 14' laptop. I have just the same issue, but worse. Several keys stay in such a degree where the backlight goes right into my eyes, while others are ok. I would really prefer it if all keys would be the same with 3k laptop. It just really annoys me.
I'll follow this topic. I'm curious if it's a "guarantee" thing, cause I bought my laptop in the US and I live in another country – not so easy to give it back.

 

[bluegt]

You guys use your MacBook at that angle on a regular basis?

 

[pst23]

These look okay to me. I just want apple to fix the YouTube HDR video crashing.

 

[macintoshmac]

You guys use your MacBook at that angle on a regular basis?

People tend to 'pixel-peep' during the honeymoon period or when they are not working on the computer.

 

[WilliamG]

Yo guys! Just received my new 14' laptop. I have just the same issue, but worse. Several keys stay in such a degree where the backlight goes right into my eyes, while others are ok. I would really prefer it if all keys would be the same with 3k laptop. It just really annoys me.
I'll follow this topic. I'm curious if it's a "guarantee" thing, cause I bought my laptop in the US and I live in another country – not so easy to give it back. View attachment 1908062

I’d just let it go. They all have it to varying degrees.

 

[apnumen]

You guys use your MacBook at that angle on a regular basis?

Sir, I do. I'm often using it while laying on my bed.
And still: is it an excuse for build quality when some keys look absolutely perfect, and others wobble and shine in my eyes? U can't see this on the photo but IRL it's WAY brighter in comparison to letters on keys themselves.

 

[T3h Pwn3r]

Hi!
I bought a Macbook pro 14 and it had the same problem with the annoying bright spot under key 4 with a normal viewing angle, and uneven backlight with a more inclined viewing angle.

I replaced it and the new one has the same problem.

I decided to return it hoping it will be a defect from the "first models" produced. I will wait a few days before buying it again.