MacBook Pro 2021 bottom case too flexible

[con500]

Which is what people have been told repeatedly never to do. With any notebook at that. Aluminium is a soft metal and if you are going to have the bulk of the weight of the laptop hanging off the corner you are holding, of course it is going to flex and it is not going to do your notebook any good.

Fair point. its not something I do with my 16" but tend to throw caution to the wind when handling the 13"

 

[pendragon1984]

From checking the models at the Apple store their bottom cases felt very different. My case around the bottom palm rests under the notebook easily pushes in I guess until it bumps into the batteries. The ones at the apple store were solid and didn't push in at all. I couldn't hear a thing or feel a thing--no flex at all. The bottom case felt as solid as the top case.

So, there is definitely something off about my model. I can't understand what it is. I am guessing there is some structural piece that the overworked Chinese guy forgot to put in when he was falling asleep.

 

[pshufd]

From checking the models at the Apple store their bottom cases felt very different. My case around the bottom palm rests under the notebook easily pushes in I guess until it bumps into the batteries. The ones at the apple store were solid and didn't push in at all. I couldn't hear a thing or feel a thing--no flex at all. The bottom case felt as solid as the top case.

So, there is definitely something off about my model. I can't understand what it is. I am guessing there is some structural piece that the overworked Chinese guy forgot to put in when he was falling asleep.

Could just be the screws. Why didn't you ask the Genius Bar to look at it?

One of the best points of these models is the build quality. We have two of them (one 16, one 14), and they are both rock solid.

 

[Fred Zed]

From checking the models at the Apple store their bottom cases felt very different. My case around the bottom palm rests under the notebook easily pushes in I guess until it bumps into the batteries. The ones at the apple store were solid and didn't push in at all. I couldn't hear a thing or feel a thing--no flex at all. The bottom case felt as solid as the top case.

So, there is definitely something off about my model. I can't understand what it is. I am guessing there is some structural piece that the overworked Chinese guy forgot to put in when he was falling asleep from being over worked

 

[pendragon1984]

Hey I had overworked in there already!

 

[ToasterZapper]

@pendragon1984 did you get a replacement?

After coming across this thread I’ve now noticed that my 14” creaks, I think from the rear right hand side. A bit annoying given my 2020 13” is silent.

 

[pendragon1984]

Update on my situation. Apple agreed to send me a replacement but I am still waiting on it to arrive. The arrival dates have been pushed to the beginning of June now. I guess this is due to China's zero covid policy and lockdowns. Unfortunately I am moving in early June. So, I am going to have to call up and see what can be done.

 

[Diablo360]

Weird issue. Mine seems super solid. I wonder if you got a bottom cover from a defective batch, or perhaps it wasn’t seated properly

 

[pendragon1984]

Update 2. Apple cannot get my replacement to me any faster nor can they adjust the model to find a model that would arrive sooner. So, I just bought what the local Apple store had on hand (had to upgrade to the mid range 14" and get a silver one). But the new computer does not creak and the problem is solved. I will cancel my replacement and send the original back. So, it worked out in the end. I think I like the silver more than space gray anyway!

 

[pendragon1984]

I note that the non-binned MacBook does get warmer than the binned base model. But I feel like it's just a tad bit faster.

 

[con_mon2]

Update 2. Apple cannot get my replacement to me any faster nor can they adjust the model to find a model that would arrive sooner. So, I just bought what the local Apple store had on hand (had to upgrade to the mid range 14" and get a silver one). But the new computer does not creak and the problem is solved. I will cancel my replacement and send the original back. So, it worked out in the end. I think I like the silver more than space gray anyway!

Happy to hear they agreed to replace yours! I'm considering going in to try to get a replacement for mine, but I've had it for almost two months now. Were you past the 14 day return window (I think it's 14 days, maybe 30?) when you took yours in?

 

[pendragon1984]

Happy to hear they agreed to replace yours! I'm considering going in to try to get a replacement for mine, but I've had it for almost two months now. Were you past the 14 day return window (I think it's 14 days, maybe 30?) when you took yours in?

I was within the 14 days. I feel like this issue may be just some clips missing from the case. It may be an easy repair.

 

[con_mon2]

An update for anyone interested:
I took mine in for this issue about two months after purchasing. The Genius Bar guy took it in the back and said he replicated the problem. He said something’s not right with the computer.

So I leave it for repair only to hear a few days later that they “couldn’t replicate the problem.” Apparently they did a stress test by running a bunch of processor intensive programs. They also said they would wipe the hard drive if I wanted. That made me pretty angry because obviously they didn’t pay attention to what the original problem was. I told them that it’s a physical issue with the case or hinge or something and they need to test it accordingly. They promised they would but I’m not hopeful. I’m supposed to hear back by tomorrow.

I’m considering trying a different Apple store. Has that worked for anyone with issues in the past? I was pretty blown away by how bad these technicians were.

 

[rdubmu]

I know there are other posts on this subject but I wanted to do a poll. I got my MacBook Pro 14" last week. I have really been enjoying the computer. It's so fast and the screen is amazing. However, I have begun to notice that the bottom case is more flexible than my old model. When I pick it up I can feel the bottom case metal flex slightly, and I can hear a slight popping or clicking sound. I end up returning everything I buy from Apple a few times due to issues, so I may be forced down that same path yet again. However, before I do a return I wanted to know whether this is normal or not. It may just be how these computers are designed. So, if you would please take my poll below honestly. Please test your computer before responding, because not everyone notices these things.

This actually happens on my 2018 Macbook pro 15"

 

[jav6454]

Not flexible on mine.

 

[siradaninsan]

An update for anyone interested:
I took mine in for this issue about two months after purchasing. The Genius Bar guy took it in the back and said he replicated the problem. He said something’s not right with the computer.

So I leave it for repair only to hear a few days later that they “couldn’t replicate the problem.” Apparently they did a stress test by running a bunch of processor intensive programs. They also said they would wipe the hard drive if I wanted. That made me pretty angry because obviously they didn’t pay attention to what the original problem was. I told them that it’s a physical issue with the case or hinge or something and they need to test it accordingly. They promised they would but I’m not hopeful. I’m supposed to hear back by tomorrow.

I’m considering trying a different Apple store. Has that worked for anyone with issues in the past? I was pretty blown away by how bad these technicians were.

I have the same problem on my device, what was the result?

 

[siradaninsan]

Yup, I hear that clicking noise on the bottom sometimes. I wonder what's shifting to make that noise. The bottom case metal sheet is extremely thin and flexible, I remember seeing it demonstrated in one of the early teardowns.

I think you have the same problem, I took it to the apple store and it was said that there is no problem, but there is no such thing in different macs. I will take it to another apple store.

 

[Technerd108]

Unfortunately I think there is a lot of variation in build quality of almost every Apple product these days and within the same lines. It doesn't seem to matter if it is a MacBook or an iPad or an iPhone.

I have had a few of the M1 MBP and I never felt any flex on the case. I am sure if I tried I could have but they felt very solid in day to day use.

I think you have to really inspect whatever you buy closely and test all aspects of the device within the 14 day return window. If you find anything off replace it immediately until you get one that seems right.

Seems like the only way to ensure that you get a good device. Seems like the customers are quality control now.