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Macbook Pro lid - Is this normal?

aimfire

aimfire

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 30, 2007
166
0
Sunnyvale, CA
Ok, so I just got a 17" Macbook Pro last week and have a question about the lid...

When the lid (screen) is closed, I've noticed that in the front, it dosn't seem to sit flush - there is about a 2mm gap of space inbetween. This is in the front only where it closes - the rest of the lid sits flush.

Is this normal?
thanks!
 
yes, it's normal. further, i don't know if it's normal, but it's common for the left side of the lid to be slightly more open than the right. i think it's time for the macbook pro to get a magnetic latch like the macbook.
 
Wow, ok thanks for the speedy reply! :)

Yeah, exactly - I also have the black Macbook (w/ magnetic latch) and was comparing the MBP to that. I agree, would be nice to have the magnet on the MBP's as well.
 
I was just going to post about this.
Mine isn't flush either and judging by all the others with the same story, it's "normal'.


Thanks for clearing this up for me too.
 
Mine is not "flush" and has a gap, however, it seems the gap is equal all the way around the screen. It seems pretty uniform to me.
 
siurpeeman said:
yes, it's normal. further, i don't know if it's normal, but it's common for the left side of the lid to be slightly more open than the right. i think it's time for the macbook pro to get a magnetic latch like the macbook.
Click to expand...

Mine must by abnormal because it seems like the right is just SLIGHTLY more open than the left. It's DEFECTIVE! :p

It could actually be my imagination, it's VERY subtle.
 
aimfire said:
Ok, so I just got a 17" Macbook Pro last week and have a question about the lid...

When the lid (screen) is closed, I've noticed that in the front, it dosn't seem to sit flush - there is about a 2mm gap of space inbetween. This is in the front only where it closes - the rest of the lid sits flush.

Is this normal?
thanks!
Click to expand...

DUDE.

A DAY AFTER i got my mac two months ago, i went to the apple store to ask that very question and the emo kid pointed at the mbp's on display and all of them have the same issue. Mine does it. Yours does it. All MBP's do it.

Its weird isn't it?

o-0.
 
All MBPs I have ever seen/worked on (quite a few), have this "issue". Now, after careful observation, i think this was designed intentionally so the track-pad button (which is a bit elevated) does not scratch the screen. This is not so on the MBs because the lid is a bit thicker, which enabled Apple to rest the screen a bit deeper into the lid.

Of course, Correlation does not imply causation, and my hypothesis could be complete BS.
 
callidus said:
DUDE.

A DAY AFTER i got my mac two months ago, i went to the apple store to ask that very question and the emo kid pointed at the mbp's on display and all of them have the same issue. Mine does it. Yours does it. All MBP's do it.

Its weird isn't it?

o-0.
Click to expand...

It's not weird it's bad design. There is no reason it shouldn't sit flush. My right side is like 2mm off while the left is flush. It's bad manufacturing.
 
triddent222 said:
All MBPs I have ever seen/worked on (quite a few), have this "issue". Now, after careful observation, i think this was designed intentionally so the track-pad button (which is a bit elevated) does not scratch the screen. This is not so on the MBs because the lid is a bit thicker, which enabled Apple to rest the screen a bit deeper into the lid.

Of course, Correlation does not imply causation, and my hypothesis could be complete BS.
Click to expand...
That would mean that putting any pressure on the lid while it is closed (like it you put it in a backpack or other bag) would scratch the screen, so I doubt it.
 
russell.h said:
That would mean that putting any pressure on the lid while it is closed (like it you put it in a backpack or other bag) would scratch the screen, so I doubt it.
Click to expand...
Actually that happens. Have a Powerbook or MBP long enough and you will see the shape of the keys slightly imprinted on the screen (looks like a bunch of connected boxes).
 
It's been a problem since they first introduced the Aluminium case and it's undoubtedly due to flawed design and manufacturing processes.

Check Apple's site for pics of the MacBook Pro closed - none of the ones there have warped lids.

Been discussed before, but a magnetic system all the way round the screen bezel, similar to the MacBook, would likely solve the problem
 
AlBDamned said:
Been discussed before, but a magnetic system all the way round the screen bezel, similar to the MacBook, would likely solve the problem
Click to expand...

Magnets would work as would a latch that latched at both corners instead of the middle.
 
No, it's not normal.

It's just seen as normal because it is so widespread.

My 17" PowerBook is perfectly flush all around.

Apple ain't what they used to be.
 
AlBDamned said:
Agreed but not sure how practical that is with the optical drive where it is currently.
Click to expand...

One latch button, two latch "prongs" ;)

My hp has it.

They could figure it out, magnets would be easier.

Or, as a novel idea, quality manufacturing!
 
lamina said:
No, it's not normal.

It's just seen as normal because it is so widespread.

My 17" PowerBook is perfectly flush all around.

Apple ain't what they used to be.
Click to expand...

Ditto. I have a 15" PowerBook that was perfect before I dropped it!
 
I retract my statement, the lid is definitely defective on mine. I compared it to a friends (same model) which isn't flush either, but not so bad that you're able to rock the lid side by side.

Here are some pictures of the gap;

mbpll.jpg

mbplc.jpg

mbplr.jpg


What do you guys think? It's only 2 days old, should it be sent back?
 
Yeah, I'm the OP... that looks exactly like mine... I guess it's "normal".

Thanks for posting the pics, made for great reference.
 
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