Macbook Pro M1 13 Inch Retina Scratches after 2 days

[samotivad]

I'm starting this thread hoping that this scratching issue isn't common with the new Macbook Pro 13 Inch M1 (I realise it has been with previous models). Apple support says it's not but lets see.

I received this Macbook Pro 13" M1 two days ago and noticed this morning that it has scratches to the thin anti-reflective coating. These aren't microscopic and don't need a torch to show up. The marks are large enough to notice when the computer's screen is on.

The computer hasn't left my home and there is zero reason for it to be scratched at this stage.
- No particularly abrasive particles in the air here.
- No hard edged objects have been near the screen.
- Nothing has touched the screen except the keyboard when it's closed.
- The keyboard surface is clean of debris so shouldn't have scratched anything.

Unfortunately I don't know if the computer came to me like this or whether it happened after I got it. Either way, Apple is replacing it which is great. I will post again if the same thing happens with my new one. If you don't see me reply below with more of the same, it means everything was fine.

If you have had the same issue with the Macbook Pro 13 Inch M1 retina screen, please note it below. There are plenty of posts about older macbooks with this issue. I'd like to keep this thread relevant to the new model.

 

[xraydoc]

Not suggesting you did, but don't spray the screen with anything. Use a very slightly damp (water only) microfiber cloth to clean. I know some people have never had issues with certain display-specific cleaners, but Apple's suggestion is water only, IIRC.

 

[Mc0]

I don't clean my screen very often. I only wipe it with a damp microfiber cloth like once every 3 or 4 weeks ?

 

[samotivad]

Not suggesting you did, but don't spray the screen with anything. Use a very slightly damp (water only) microfiber cloth to clean. I know some people have never had issues with certain display-specific cleaners, but Apple's suggestion is water only, IIRC.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind when I get the new one. This time I didn't clean it or touch the screen with anything before I noticed the marks (no need to after only 2 days owning it).

I've been closing the same laptop and using it since I posted (will be a week or so before I get the new one). I have also tried rubbing it lightly with my fingernail and a guitar pick to test if that kind of thing would mark it. So far, no more scratches have appeared. I also tried touching the screen with my fingertips to test how easy it is to clean the oil from my skin off. All marks from my minor tests rubbed off very easily.

The screen does seem delicate but not hyper delicate, so I suspect that the computer came to me like this (with the scratches). Nothing I did with it over the last few days could have caused those in my opinion.

I think if anything metal like coins, the clip of a pen or the end of a USB cable touched the screen, that kind of thing would probably leave permanent scratching. I guess if sand or very hard food crumbs got on the keyboard before someone closed it, they could potentially scratch the screen too. So this screen def still needs a lot of attention.

 

[MBAir2010]

that is a shame, i hope your next new M1 MacBook is perfect and that screen defect is just a weird happening.
some might suggest keeping that paper ontop of the keyboard while not in use to protect the screen more.

 

[theSeb]

Unfortunately I don't know if the computer came to me like this or whether it happened after I got it.

Well, either the scratches were there when you first took the computer out of the box, or they weren't?

 

[samotivad]

Well, either the scratches were there when you first took the computer out of the box, or they weren't?

I didn't check and this laptop turns on automatically when you open it. So by the time I had opened it and taken the paper protection off the screen, the laptop was already lit up. The scratches are harder to see when the screen is on.

 

[samotivad]

Apple would likely replace it if you have only had it for 2 days. I would take it in or call them up today!

Yeah they were very good about it over the phone actually. I can keep the scratched one until the replacement arrives.

 

[theSeb]

I didn't check and this laptop turns on automatically when you open it. So by the time I had opened it and taken the paper protection off the screen, the laptop was already lit up. The scratches are harder to see when the screen is on.

Ahh. I understand. The first scratch / ding is always the hardest, but you don't expect it on a brand new machine.

 

[samotivad]

Well, I've just noticed another very similar mark/scratch on the same Macbook 13" M1 2020. It has again appeared for no good reason because the laptop still hasn't left this apartment and hasn't had anything hit it etc. It appears that simply closing the laptop and carrying it from one side of a room to another is enough to cause significant damage to the screen.

Every time I close the laptop I give the keyboard a quick clean, so the laptop's screen really has only ever been closed on its own keyboard, with no significant debris. And to clarify, this new mark wasn't caused by any of my previous tests or by cleaning (I checked the screen thoroughly every time I touched it). This mark appeared after the laptop had been closed for a while.

It's a pity because in most other ways I really like this computer. I don't understand why any product designer would use anti-glare coatings if they damage so easily with light usage. My Macbook Pro 2007's screen looks almost as good as the day I bought it. I wouldn't be able to sell the Macbook 2020 as 'like new', even if I kept it in my apartment the whole time. I dread to think what the screen would look like if I travelled or commuted with it regularly.

In your opinions could the anti-glare coating on my unit be weaker or thinner than usual?

Edit: And just to clarify, this is the original laptop, the first one I received. I still haven't got the replacement Apple is sending. I might actually end up sending both back.

 

[xraydoc]

Well, I've just noticed another very similar mark/scratch on the same Macbook 13" M1 2020. It has again appeared for no good reason because the laptop still hasn't left this apartment and hasn't had anything hit it etc. It appears that simply closing the laptop and carrying it from one side of a room to another is enough to cause significant damage to the screen.

Every time I close the laptop I give the keyboard a quick clean, so the laptop's screen really has only ever been closed on its own keyboard, with no significant debris. And to clarify, this new mark wasn't caused by any of my previous tests or by cleaning (I checked the screen thoroughly every time I touched it). This mark appeared after the laptop had been closed for a while.

It's a pity because in most other ways I really like this computer. I don't understand why any product designer would use anti-glare coatings if they damage so easily with light usage. My Macbook Pro 2007's screen looks almost as good as the day I bought it. I wouldn't be able to sell the Macbook 2020 as 'like new', even if I kept it in my apartment the whole time. I dread to think what the screen would look like if I travelled or commuted with it regularly.

In your opinions could the anti-glare coating on my unit be weaker or thinner than usual?

Edit: And just to clarify, this is the original laptop, the first one I received. I still haven't got the replacement Apple is sending. I might actually end up sending both back.

View attachment 1749762

Not normal.
You sure that's not just grease?

 

[samotivad]

Not normal.
You sure that's not just grease?

Good to know it's not normal. Maybe this is just defective.

It doesn't seem like grease. After I noticed it, I tried rubbing with a microfibre cloth and it neither smudged or faded. Around the scratches I've described there have also been smaller, tiny scratches. They look like specks of dust when first observed but don't budge when they are rubbed with a cloth. The tiny spot-like scratches have appeared in both cases the same time as the others I described.

Tomorrow I will try damping the microfibre a little before rubbing it to see if that does anything. I can't rub any harder than I already am because I'm afraid of damaging the screen more. These scratches I've described are already significant enough to be visible when the display is on.

 

[geejay9876]

Staingate 2.0 ?

 

[samotivad]

Staingate 2.0 ?

Lets hope hope not. I would have thought more people than just me would be reporting this here if it was really common. At least that's what my optimistic side wants to believe.

 

[ArPe]

The variation and distribution in those scratches mean the problem is external. It’s coming from something in your room. A ghost is eating ghost cookies and leaving ghost crumbs on your keyboard that are scratching the display. Who you gonna call?

 

[samotivad]

The variation and distribution in those scratches mean the problem is external. It’s coming from something in your room. A ghost is eating ghost cookies and leaving ghost crumbs on your keyboard that are scratching the display. Who you gonna call?

I did joke about a graveyard near my house recently. Maybe this is a ghost from there taking its revenge.

 

[samotivad]

A little update. I've had the replacement M1 laptop for around three weeks now and so far the screen seems way better. I don't have any of the weird scratches like with the previous one. It seems that my last one was indeed defective. Hope nobody else has to deal with that with theirs.

 

[xraydoc]

A little update. I've had the replacement M1 laptop for around three weeks now and so far the screen seems way better. I don't have any of the weird scratches like with the previous one. It seems that my last one was indeed defective. Hope nobody else has to deal with that with theirs.

Glad you got it resolved.

 

[Morganja03]

I have a Genius Bar appointment next week for scratches. One of them is a more intense scratch than these here. Both occurred while the laptop was closed and in my bag, when the screen apparently is in direct contact with the keyboard? Or very nearly. I have to assume dust or something must have gotten in when it closed, but I’ve never had that happen on a laptop before. I have an HP for work that’s over two years old that is handled the same way and goes everywhere in the same bag. Screen looks like the day it came out of the box. This Mac is maybe 9 months old and looks like it belonged to a frat party dj for years.

Seems like an incredibly poor design choice.

 

[Dalousk]

Hi folks,
I have exactly the same problem as you describe.
Half the scratches you see on the picture were from week one.
Then I thought it was a shame the screen is so fragile and started taking even greater care of it. It had not left home, but I thought it was possible that I left some debris on the keyboard (at worst, some bread lol).
However even through a greater care the scratches kept increasing, especially since I started traveling this month and carrying the computer in my backpack. It is properly stored in a case, and in a location where the pressure on it is limited but obviously existant. Half the scratches you see have happened in the past 2 days only of carrying it around... but always mopping it before closing it so I made sure there was no debris or anything remaining.
To clean it, I always follow strictly apple's recommendations (i.e. soft cloth and water only).
It seems a real shame because this is supposed to be a portable computer, but at that pace (only 2 months into it now...) I am afraid of the screen durability overall ! I owned a MacBook Pro 2011 until now and never had this issue. Although I knew Retina displays could be more fragile, is this a known issue to be so badly affected by such scratches ?

I am only coming back from holiday at the end of the month. Meanwhile I have to use it (I do use it for photo editing, work from abroad, etc.) and I am scared that they wouldn't to anything about it upon my return to an apple store in Belgium.

Many thanks in advance for your advice and guidance.

 

[pshufd]

I have a 2014 MacBook Pro 15, a 2015 MacBook Pro 15 and I had a work-issue 2015 MacBook Pro 13. Son has 2014 and 2015 MacBook Pros. Daughter has a 2020 M1 MacBook Air that's six months old.

No coating problems on any of them.

I know that they do happen as there were recalls on the Retina models for this problem in the past.

I'm pretty surprised to see this on the M1 though.

Glad that Apple came through on this problem.

My usual cleaning involves just a Microfiber cloth to wipe off dust and oil. Or a bit of water if there's something more to clean off.

 

[mertcantor]

Same problem on my 5 month old macbook air m1. I will give it to service tomorrow. I only use it at home and at work.

 

[cryspello]

Same problem on my 5 month old macbook air m1. I will give it to service tomorrow. I only use it at home and at work.

I have the same problem. Did they end up replacing it or fixing it under warranty?

 

[dakota747]

A little update. I've had the replacement M1 laptop for around three weeks now and so far the screen seems way better. I don't have any of the weird scratches like with the previous one. It seems that my last one was indeed defective. Hope nobody else has to deal with that with theirs.

I also have this problem, with the new MacBook Pro M1 2021. How did you get it replaced? Bummer it seems to be a defect, however great news you got a new one without the issue.

 

[Pskordilis]

Same problem here with mbp m1 2020. Almost a month brand new. Work only from home, never outside. I can't understand wtf is going on. Probably some keyboards is more higher than normal ???