Midnight MBA problems greatly overblown online

[The Clark]

Whenever you watch a review for the Midnight MBA there is always a mention of how it’s a fingerprint magnet, and how scratches and chips will show more with this color than the rest. I’m here to say that I believe these issues are massively overblown online.

I’ve had an M2 MBA for over a year, not a single noticeable scratch or ding, even around the ports. Yes, it’s covered in finger prints but a thorough wipe with the Apple Polish cloth eliminates 99% of them restoring it to like new quality. I now have an M3 and with the new anodization process, fingerprints are even less noticeable. Yes, you WILL have to wipe this one down more, and that’s about it. It’s not going to look like crap over time unless you treat it that way. Be careful plugging it in via MagSafe and USBC and you will be fine!

Its a lovely color, and all of the hype surrounding its “problems” is completely unnecessary - though I get it drives clicks.

 

[Surfsalot]

Love my 13" M3 midnight, only had it a week, wouldn't of bought any other colour.

 

[Slartibart]

Same here. Aaaand: microfaser cloth is available from other sellers too. 🤪

 

[Macbookey]

Midnight Macs or similar for life now. Immersive and even better in darker lit rooms. Mine is nearly 2 years old and as good as new. I just wipe down every few days with a good quality microfibre cloth and it is not something I worry about at all.  Store display models are always going to look terrible, and are never a good representation of what ownership will be like. YouTube is not even something worth getting buying advice from, as those rubber sex doll expressions on the thumbnails are enough to want to steer clear of for me.

 

[Zest28]

It is not overblown online. I have seen it myself in the Apple Store. The Starlight unit is the best model.

 

[The Clark]

I have seen it myself in the Apple Store.

The store where doeznes of people interact with it daily and it regularly doesnt get wiped down? Shocking.

 

[Zest28]

The store where doeznes of people interact with it daily and it regularly doesnt get wiped down? Shocking.

The Starlight version is literally on the same table in the Apple Store next to the Midnight version under 100% the exact same conditions.

The Starlight version is simply better.

 

[Mainsail]

This is all subjective. Get what you want and don't worry about it. If you have to wipe your computer down a couple of times per week, so what.

I bought the silver M2 MBA a couple of years ago because I was feeling nostalgic about my first silver MBA, which was purchased in 2014 when that was the only color available. I have been very happy with my silver M2, and if I picked a different color, it would have been just fine.

 

[Zest28]

This is all subjective. Get what you want and don't worry about it. If you have to wipe your computer down a couple of times per week, so what.

I bought the silver M2 MBA a couple of years ago because I was feeling nostalgic about my first silver MBA, which was purchased in 2014 when that was the only color available. I have been very happy with my silver M2, and if I picked a different color, it would have been just fine.

Wipe down scratches? It needs new painting from what I have seen in the Apple Store.

 

[Mainsail]

Wipe down scratches? It needs new painting from what I have seen in the Apple Store.

If getting a few scratches freaks you out, get a different color....but, you may still get scratches.

Otherwise, just put it in a neoprene case when in transit, which I do with my silver MBA. Or, put stickers on it like most college kids do. Or, touch up with paint a few times per year. Whatever.....I just don't see why this is a big deal. If you want the midnight color, get it.

 

[bellflyer14]

I'm very happy with my starlight. Very nice color and looks very sharp under the lighting. Does very good at not showing finger prints. My choices would have been either starlight or silver, and I bought it at Best Buy which does not stock Silver for some reason.

 

[joeblow7777]

Whenever you watch a review for the Midnight MBA there is always a mention of how it’s a fingerprint magnet, and how scratches and chips will show more with this color than the rest. I’m here to say that I believe these issues are massively overblown online.

I’ve had an M2 MBA for over a year, not a single noticeable scratch or ding, even around the ports. Yes, it’s covered in finger prints but a thorough wipe with the Apple Polish cloth eliminates 99% of them restoring it to like new quality. I now have an M3 and with the new anodization process, fingerprints are even less noticeable. Yes, you WILL have to wipe this one down more, and that’s about it. It’s not going to look like crap over time unless you treat it that way. Be careful plugging it in via MagSafe and USBC and you will be fine!

Its a lovely color, and all of the hype surrounding its “problems” is completely unnecessary - though I get it drives clicks.

Most tech "problems" are overblown online. And most premium products do indeed hold up very well for a very long time as long as you don't abuse them. It's never even occurred to me to be particularly careful when using the ports. Granted, it's only about 5 months old, but my Midnight M3 MBA still looks like new.

 

[Surfsalot]

Men buy midnight

 

[roadkill401]

It is not overblown online. I have seen it myself in the Apple Store. The Starlight unit is the best model.

Likely the starlight model looks the best from an Apple Store perspective as it’s the most ugly colour that nobody would want to use. Less use equates to less damage

 

[helloapple1]

The midnight looks cool and I owned one before, but tbh I switched to silver because I realized it's just a color and silver will make it so I barely ever have to wipe it down and scratches won't be a concern like the darker version. Again, it's all subjective and if you love the midnight color then all the power to you. I just know personally if I'm in a meeting and my MacBook looks all grimy with fingerprints it's not a good look so why I went with Silver. All depends on your personal preference.

 

[bellflyer14]

The midnight looks cool and I owned one before, but tbh I switched to silver because I realized it's just a color and silver will make it so I barely ever have to wipe it down and scratches won't be a concern like the darker version. Again, it's all subjective and if you love the midnight color then all the power to you. I just know personally if I'm in a meeting and my MacBook looks all grimy with fingerprints it's not a good look so why I went with Silver. All depends on your personal preference.

Agreed, I just couldn't deal with the midnight. The smudges bugged me and frankly it just did scream apple luxury to me when using it. Just looked like a dark colored windows machine that blends in with everything else. Love the silver and starlight

 

[DCIFRTHS]

The midnight looks cool and I owned one before, but tbh I switched to silver because I realized it's just a color and silver will make it so I barely ever have to wipe it down and scratches won't be a concern like the darker version. Again, it's all subjective and if you love the midnight color then all the power to you. I just know personally if I'm in a meeting and my MacBook looks all grimy with fingerprints it's not a good look so why I went with Silver. All depends on your personal preference.

I have Space Grey, and i don’t feel that it shows too many fingerprints. close to the silver in that respect.

 

[TSE]

Welcome to the internet, where outrage and drama is addicting.

Deleting all my social media and just focusing on my financial success, hobbies, and relationships has done me wonders.

 

[Chuckeee]

Interesting result in shopping for new 15” M3 MBA on sale, the Midnight color was cheaper than other colors [at B&H]. Since it is for my daughter (and she will cover it with stickers anyways), It made the decision to get the Midnight color much easier.

 

[chrono1081]

I think it depends on the person honestly. I had no issues, very minimal finger prints, but my buddies is greasy as hell.

 

[bellflyer14]

I think it depends on the person honestly. I had no issues, very minimal finger prints, but my buddies is greasy as hell.

Do you still have your midnight version? Like it still? Im thinking of getting one but not sure about how it holds up over time

 

[chrono1081]

Do you still have your midnight version? Like it still? Im thinking of getting one but not sure about how it holds up over time

I recently switched back to MacBook Pro (in March) for the simple fact I was doing a lot more texture painting which is a pretty resource heavy process so I really needed a better graphics card, other than that I would have still had my Air in a heartbeat, it was such a fantastic machine and did far more than people thought capable.

My buddy still has his and uses it every day and it's just as fast as on day one (and he has the baseline model, he edits 4k surgery videos on it regularly).

 

[bellflyer14]

I recently switched back to MacBook Pro (in March) for the simple fact I was doing a lot more texture painting which is a pretty resource heavy process so I really needed a better graphics card, other than that I would have still had my Air in a heartbeat, it was such a fantastic machine and did far more than people thought capable.

My buddy still has his and uses it every day and it's just as fast as on day one (and he has the baseline model, he edits 4k surgery videos on it regularly).

I’m honestly debating going to the pro. Do I need it now? No. But with Best Buy having a sale for $400 off making it $1599. ROI is going to be more than speccing up an air to $1449 on sale. AI is going to be forced on us very soon I feel. I also want this to be a long haul purchase.

 

[thadoggfather]

It is not overblown online. I have seen it myself in the Apple Store. The Starlight unit is the best model.

close and it is very nice but, Silver Surfer is the go to.

 

[Saturn007]

Welcome to the internet, where outrage and drama is addicting.

Deleting all my social media and just focusing on my financial success, hobbies, and relationships has done me wonders.

Isn't MacRumors a form of social media?! 😁

Just funning. Your advice is solid. I need to follow it — especially as I spend far too much time writing comments on news sites and reading MacRumors!