Not worth feeding the troll. Apple should be keeping a small supply back for replacements if needed. Have you tried a physical store? I had to get my 2016 MacBook replaced a week after launch as the screen cable failed (bad luck I guess) and the manager at the store said they keep a small amount of replacement stock on hand, though not typically for BTO models. In my case back then they just took a brand new retail one out of the box and swapped it over for me. It does feel dependent on the store itself though, not all of them are good experiences.
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M1 MacBook Pro 16” scratched out of box
- Thread starter Hoyboy
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No I haven’t tried a local store here, because the lady on the phone when I explained the problem said that the stores wouldn’t have my model. It is not the base model but one with 64 gigs of ram and a bigger ssd. However I can try and call the stores tomorrow (I have two stores here that are easily reachable for me).
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Ah right yeah with it being a BTO model it might be a long shot. It’s worth asking though. When I later had to get mine replaced due to the failed keyboard issue (stuck keys due to the butterfly mech) they just replaced it with a top end 2018 (maybe 2019, can’t remember) model. Again that was because they didn’t stock a matching model to mine, so offered it as a free upgrade.
Good luck!
Depending on which country you are in. With my situation and the Executive Liaison mediating at Apple. From the start of the situation to the day it ended, was almost 6 months.
Fortunately I was able to remove most of the scratches (two on the lid, two on two corners) using toothpaste.
Now there's only this left:
This macbook pros have awful quality control in terms of optical or cosmetic defects.
I unboxed yesterday a mbp 2021 16.2" m1 max. It had a mark on the bottom, like you used a nail and hammered it one time, a scratch on the display housing, some black points and sratches beside the mac book pro logo on the bottom. There were also minor abrasions on the side.
Todays macbook pro 16.2 inch m1 pro has marks at the bottom at the border of the unibody and bottom leaf, also this black tiny points beside the macbook pro logo on the bottom. In addition damaged paint at the top of the black blende below the display. It looks like a white line at the edge, directly below the display. You can't clean it, it's definetly damaged color. In addtion some minor abrasions and a greyer long line on the space key. Looks like abrasion. It has also a bad alligned black strip at the hinge which is looking like a wave. Very common for this mbp pros 2021. Mostly not avoidable.
Example:
I have not seen one mbp 2021 without any cosmetic defect. The minimum were some vertical scratches and some minor abrasions on the sides.
I advice you to push every key for multiple times. I have seen mbp 2021 14" with around 8 chattering keys with very low resistance. For 16.2" it was mostly the enter key which had pretty bad resistance.
I unboxed yesterday a mbp 2021 16.2" m1 max. It had a mark on the bottom, like you used a nail and hammered it one time, a scratch on the display housing, some black points and sratches beside the mac book pro logo on the bottom. There were also minor abrasions on the side.
Todays macbook pro 16.2 inch m1 pro has marks at the bottom at the border of the unibody and bottom leaf, also this black tiny points beside the macbook pro logo on the bottom. In addition damaged paint at the top of the black blende below the display. It looks like a white line at the edge, directly below the display. You can't clean it, it's definetly damaged color. In addtion some minor abrasions and a greyer long line on the space key. Looks like abrasion. It has also a bad alligned black strip at the hinge which is looking like a wave. Very common for this mbp pros 2021. Mostly not avoidable.
Example:
I have not seen one mbp 2021 without any cosmetic defect. The minimum were some vertical scratches and some minor abrasions on the sides.
I advice you to push every key for multiple times. I have seen mbp 2021 14" with around 8 chattering keys with very low resistance. For 16.2" it was mostly the enter key which had pretty bad resistance.
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It’s invisible in almost all lighting but when the light catches it right it’s very visible.
I won’t be returning though. It’s going to travel with me so it seems a huge waste to send it back, only to get another one that I’ll end up marking myself over time. I do understand the principle of it though.
I didn’t notice any such damage on mine when I unboxed it. I’ve just been using it. I guess I better go inspect it.
Attempting this on anodized aluminum would result in looking far worse than the original scratch and would just end up in regret. This isn't just a thin candy shell of cheap paint on top of bare metal like a Tesla or brushed metal--it's actually part of the metal.
Tried but no luck
Nor me until I went to pick it up off the table, with a lamp shining on it at the perfect angle to make it visible.
Can you liver with it? I wouldn't mind seeing as it's in a spot you'll hardly be looking at anyways.
Yep absolutely. As per original post I’m not sending it back. Seems a waste of energy time and a machine, as it’ll get knocked about a bit during its life with me anyway (travel a fair bit).
Ahhh, missed that part. Agreed, such a "scratch" will undoubtedly happen in day to day use.