Macbook Air M1 Light Leak

[felipefgoncalves]

I finally bought my brand new Macbook Air M1, with 16gb, 512 SSD and 8-core GPU. It was a dream for me buying that laptop. Specially living in Brazil where our taxes makes this product costs much more. I've ordered this at B&H for $1,449 in april and my aunt brought to me sealed at the beginning of july.

One week later, I noticed that I was seeing like a reflection on the screen. Before that, I didn't realize if there is anything. Tried to set the brightness at full and checked again. It wasn't a reflection. It was the light of the panel "escaping" arount the rubber bezel edges. Please see the attached file.

My point is, should I return to the support for replacing the entire screen?
Everything is working properly, but we expect more quality for a "premium" laptop like that on this price range. I know that is an electronic device and is subject to problems as any other.

Thank you!

 

[spiderman0616]

I would absolutely get this exchanged or repaired. A little backlight leak from the actual screen is common, but what you're seeing on your Mac would worry me. It seems like the lid isn't perfectly straight or something so things aren't lining up and are letting light out where it shouldn't be coming out.

EDIT: I just wanted to quickly add that I have NEVER seen this kind of light leak on a MacBook or iPad that I've owned. I've had my share of other issues, but not this.

 

[felipefgoncalves]

I would absolutely get this exchanged or repaired. A little backlight leak from the actual screen is common, but what you're seeing on your Mac would worry me. It seems like the lid isn't perfectly straight or something so things aren't lining up and are letting light out where it shouldn't be coming out.

EDIT: I just wanted to quickly add that I have NEVER seen this kind of light leak on a MacBook or iPad that I've owned. I've had my share of other issues, but not this.

I also never had this kind of issue before. I had an used MacBook Pro Early 2011 and a MBP Retina Late 2013. It's under the warranty. For my experience with Apple support, I guess they will replace the entire top of the mac instead of giving me a brand new one. Only if they don't have this part specifically.

 

[spiderman0616]

I also never had this kind of issue before. I had an used MacBook Pro Early 2011 and a MBP Retina Late 2013. It's under the warranty. For my experience with Apple support, I guess they will replace the entire top of the mac instead of giving me a brand new one. Only if they don't have this part specifically.

If you're still in your 1-year warranty, I'd be willing to bet they'll just swap it out for a new one.

 

[felipefgoncalves]

If you're still in your 1-year warranty, I'd be willing to bet they'll just swap it out for a new one.

I hope they swap it out entirely for a new one, not just the top part of the laptop (what they usually do). Next week, on july 28th, I will be going to the Apple support.

 

[Maconplasma]

I hope they swap it out entirely for a new one, not just the top part of the laptop (what they usually do). Next week, on july 28th, I will be going to the Apple support.

One thing to keep in mind. You mentioned everything else was in working order. It's possible the replacement may either have the same issue or something else that nags you more. I do recommend exchanging it if you're not happy (as long as you're within the return period) but exchanging it doesn't guarantee the replacement will be perfect.

 

[VaruLV]

Cant you gently work the gap to close it? Perhaps its just some minor misalignment or not properly seated part that needs to be slightly worked in?

 

[dahlblom]

Just return if possible, you probably won´t regret it in the long run (and never seen this type of leak before).

 

[felipefgoncalves]

I will return it tomorrow, as I am under the 1 year warranty from Apple. Fingers crossed for they replace it entirely for a new one, not just the top part. I will keep you updated here!

 

[felipefgoncalves]

Cant you gently work the gap to close it? Perhaps its just some minor misalignment or not properly seated part that needs to be slightly worked in?

Probably I can do it, but this is not supposed to be happening on a "healthy" device.

 

[felipefgoncalves]

Yesterday I went to the Apple Support and left my Macbook with them for repairing.
They told me that probably will replace only the entire top part with a new one. Not the entire machine.

Need to wait 7-15 days for getting back.

 

[spiderman0616]

Yesterday I went to the Apple Support and left my Macbook with them for repairing.
They told me that probably will replace only the entire top part with a new one. Not the entire machine.

Need to wait 7-15 days for getting back.

The bright side of that is that you won't have to reformat or restore anything.

 

[Spacegray]

Yesterday I went to the Apple Support and left my Macbook with them for repairing.
They told me that probably will replace only the entire top part with a new one. Not the entire machine.

Need to wait 7-15 days for getting back.

7 - 15 days??
I had a display change on my MBP 2015 done within one day. It seems that they do not have spare parts available.
They should have offered you a new device IMO.

 

[mi7chy]

Hope you took pictures in case they scratch it up.

 

[Maconplasma]

Hope you took pictures in case they scratch it up.

You don't look on the bright side of things do you? Right in front of the customer they type in notes the exact external condition the Mac is in and the customer signs for it and gets a copy of the paperwork.

 

[felipefgoncalves]

Yes...I'm still waiting. Perhaps this week I will go to get it back replaced.

That's correct. We signed a paper with all the specs and condition of the mac.
And because it's a new model, i guess they needed to request internally.

I will keep you updated!

 

[felipefgoncalves]

Hi!

Sorry for the delay, but they replaced the entire top part of the Mac with a brand new unit.
Now everything is working as it should with no light leak!

I got back the machine in August 10th.

Don't hesitate and get your replacement if you are under the warranty period. We pay so much for those devices and we must get a laptop in perfect conditions. This is absolutely nothing for Apple.

I put a case on him.

 

[LeeW]

Glad you got it sorted, many happy years with it ahead

 

[Shazhank3385]

Hi!

Sorry for the delay, but they replaced the entire top part of the Mac with a brand new unit.
Now everything is working as it should with no light leak!

I got back the machine in August 10th.

Don't hesitate and get your replacement if you are under the warranty period. We pay so much for those devices and we must get a laptop in perfect conditions. This is absolutely nothing for Apple.

View attachment 1821508

I put a case on him.

View attachment 1821509

Glad you had it sorted.Unfortunately I had the same issue with my M1 MBP and even after 2 screen replacements the issue persists.