MacBook Pro 2021 lid scrapes against bottom when opening/closing

[afm829]

I bought the new MacBook Pro 14 inch a couple months ago (October 2021) but have since noticed that the bottom left corner of the screen/lid scrapes against the main body of the laptop whenever I open and close it - so much so that the rubber lining on the bottom of the screen has rubbed off. I didn't notice the issue until it caused visible damage over time. I also noticed that that corner of the screen is ever so slightly bent in, which is why it gets scraped. I've never dropped the MacBook or knocked it against anything. I've never even put it in my backpack. It has basically sat on my desk for its whole 2-month life, so there's no reason for it to be bent.

First, I wanted to see if anyone else was experiencing this - maybe it could be a production issue (like the bending iPhone 8), but most likely I just got unlucky.

Second, does anyone know what the Apple Store can do if I were to take it in? While fixing the hinge/bent screen will prevent it from doing further damage, will they do anything for the existing damage? Sadly, I'm outside of the return/exchange window for new products, so I doubt they will replace it. I've tried to talk to a couple Apple Support people via chat and phone, but no one can give me a straight answer until I bring it in physically, so I just wanted to see if anyone has had experience in-store with a similar issue.

I know it's just a cosmetic issue, but it's a brand new laptop that I paid a lot of money for so I just want it to work and look the way a brand new laptop is supposed to.

Thanks for your help!

 

[wilberforce]

I don't have it rubbing, but when the lid is half closed it is very very close - I can just slip a single sheet of plain paper into the gap.

 

[ptfuzi]

They can unscrew the bolts of the display hinge and align

 

[chscag]

Second, does anyone know what the Apple Store can do if I were to take it in? While fixing the hinge/bent screen will prevent it from doing further damage, will they do anything for the existing damage?

A lot depends on the genius at the Apple Store you take it to. It's obviously a defect and should be corrected. However, they may not want to replace the display and top case which have been cosmetically damaged.

Apple can be real finicky about cosmetic damage and sometimes they will refuse to do the repair under the warranty. Did you purchase AppleCare Plus?

 

[afm829]

A lot depends on the genius at the Apple Store you take it to. It's obviously a defect and should be corrected. However, they may not want to replace the display and top case which have been cosmetically damaged.

Apple can be real finicky about cosmetic damage and sometimes they will refuse to do the repair under the warranty. Did you purchase AppleCare Plus?

Thanks for your response! I did purchase AppleCare Plus.

 

[chscag]

Thanks for your response! I did purchase AppleCare Plus.

Then you should be okay. They might want you to pay a deductible and if they do, ask to speak to the store manager and politely explain the situation. Hopefully they will do the repairs, replacement for free.

 

[afm829]

Then you should be okay. They might want you to pay a deductible and if they do, ask to speak to the store manager and politely explain the situation. Hopefully they will do the repairs, replacement for free.

Okay, thank you! That makes me feel a lot better

 

[ptfuzi]

Then you should be okay. They might want you to pay a deductible and if they do, ask to speak to the store manager and politely explain the situation. Hopefully they will do the repairs, replacement for free.

I hate it when a company does that, they say "not possible to cover since it's cosmetic damage" and then you talk with the manager and exception can be made.

 

[afm829]

Then you should be okay. They might want you to pay a deductible and if they do, ask to speak to the store manager and politely explain the situation. Hopefully they will do the repairs, replacement for free.

I hate it when a company does that, they say "not possible to cover since it's cosmetic damage" and then you talk with the manager and exception can be made.

It actually ended up going very smoothly! Went in to the store on Monday, made a Genius appointment for an hour later (it's all only walk-ins right now btw), came back and explained the issue. The tech said they would replace the screen but said there isn't much they can do for the damage on the main body. She said it would be free with AppleCare+, so I was happy with just the screen being replaced. Didn't have to negotiate about cost or anything! I was in and out of there in under 10 minutes. They sent the laptop to a repair center, it was delivered back to me by Wednesday morning. To my surprise, they replaced the screen AND the main body (with a new battery too!). It's basically a brand new laptop!

Honestly very happy that I decided to go in - I was hesitant because I've never had to use the Genius Bar and I didn't think they would actually do much and still charge me. Thank you for the input, definitely convinced me to at least give it a go.

 

[Christopher Kim]

Happy to hear things worked out great for you and Apple did the right thing. With a few recent threads on the cost-benefit-value of AppleCare+ on different devices, inc. Macs, always nice to hear another good story of Apple treating their AppleCare+ customers well.

 

[kentzh]

I received my computer on January 1st, today is the last day for returns and exchanges, and I stumbled across your article. I look at my computer. It is also worn on the left side. I test and compare repeatedly. The left and right gaps are inconsistent, which is a quality problem. , so I quickly applied for a replacement.

 

[afm829]

I received my computer on January 1st, today is the last day for returns and exchanges, and I stumbled across your article. I look at my computer. It is also worn on the left side. I test and compare repeatedly. The left and right gaps are inconsistent, which is a quality problem. , so I quickly applied for a replacement.

Wow I'm glad you were able to get a replacement on the last day!!

 

[Chevysales]

And this thread is a perfect example of two things… always get Apple Care+ on a computer upwards of $4,000 plus AND reading issues here may just save you the problem of not catching issues in the 14 day window.???
I know I’ll be looking for left side scraping on my 16” Max when it arrives Feb 8-20th along with the normal stuff.

 

[kentzh]

And this thread is a perfect example of two things… always get Apple Care+ on a computer upwards of $4,000 plus AND reading issues here may just save you the problem of not catching issues in the 14 day window.???
I know I’ll be looking for left side scraping on my 16” Max when it arrives Feb 8-20th along with the normal stuff.

Due to the shortage of chips and the high demand, I feel that Apple has compromised the strictness of the manufacturing process, which is bad news for users. I have also seen a lot of various problems on the Internet, including bumps and missing buttons when opening the box. Wait, this is something I don't usually pay attention to, but it's a big quality issue, and I'm very disappointed about it.

 

[kentzh]

Wow I'm glad you were able to get a replacement on the last day!!

Similarly, I saw other people's threads and found this problem. I feel lucky. If I wait for half a year to get worse and worse, I have to ask Apple to repair this computer. Although there is no charge, the experience is not good.

 

[Chevysales]

Due to the shortage of chips and the high demand, I feel that Apple has compromised the strictness of the manufacturing process, which is bad news for users. I have also seen a lot of various problems on the Internet, including bumps and missing buttons when opening the box. Wait, this is something I don't usually pay attention to, but it's a big quality issue, and I'm very disappointed about it.

Missing buttons? Yikes.

I got a 16” space grey 64gb/2tb Max coming and sold my 2019 16” 2.4/32gb/2tb that is flawless. I just wanted a new lappy I didn’t really need it. So I got to go over it with a fine tooth comb.

I had to return 2 of 2019’s. First had a crooked touchpad that would have driven me crazy one side flush other side down 1/8” never should have shipped like that. Second had a bad screen.

But 3rd was a charm. Luckily Jan 2020 my Apple store stocked that model.

But now it’s like 2 months for a BTO model since they aren’t stocking much but base units.