Space Grey Durability (discoloration, scratches, etc) - What’s been your experience?

[BlackMamba14]

I’m excited to finally upgrade to a M series MBP, but unsure about going with space grey after seeing a variety of posts on Reddit and Macrumors. For those with space grey, what’s been your experience when it comes to scratches, discoloration, etc?

I’m particularly concerned about the more commonly used areas like where your palms rest and scratches on the ports.

Thanks!

 

[rm5]

I've had my M1 MacBook Air since it was announced in 2020, and I haven't noticed any discoloration, etc. in the space gray finish!

 

[cthompson94]

The only thing I noticed on my M1 MBP (traded in) was 1 very small scratch around the thunderbolt port (the one I used for charging) from constantly not paying attention, but anywhere else fine

 

[Al Rukh]

Palm areas, no scratches at all on my 6-month old MBP. But it does attract smudges from my palms but there’s nothing a simple wipe down cannot do. As for the rims of the ports, I need to have a look at it. I’ve not plugged in the Thunderbolt ports often and I used MagSafe to charge my MBP.

I can show you some photos later if you want to have a look at them for yourself.

 

[pshufd]

I bought my MacBook Pro November 2021 and it's pristine. I charge via MagSafe and don't normally plug anything into it (I have a Mac Studio with 4 monitors and 3 external drives for connecting storage). I've never had a problem with the palmrests on MacBooks going back to my 2008 MacBook Pro 17, and 2014 and 2015 MacBook Pro 15s.

The one potential area for scratching for me is my watch as it has a metal band. I wear long-sleeve shirts a lot of the time when I'm using it but I am careful to keep my left wrist elevated with a short-sleeve shirt.

 

[Reggiebaldwin]

This seems to be a made up post. There are no problems with Space Grey durability and if you found a problem that was a made up post also. Still the most professional color available with the least problems.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Palm areas, mine has definite slight lightening of those areas. One side is slightly lighter than the other. The thing that bugs me is the keys have gotten shinier.

But it's wear. Almost everything wears. Regarding dents, as long as no material is removed/displaced, the color should still be there. I have small areas on the AWS7 where the color appears to have flaked off. Just small little spots. So far, nothing at all on a MBP. I mean, if you are good with your toys, no worries... The color of the MBP has been one of the most solid and consistent of the colored aluminum objects I've owned. Don't worry, be happy...

EDIT: 'Palm marks'. So slight, but unavoidable unless you either type 'weird', or cover the areas somehow.



EDIT: You can *almost* see it. In certain light, it's far more noticeable, but it doesn't bother me. It's like leather, it 'ages', it reacts to the environment, it gets a 'patina'?

 

[pshufd]

Palm areas, mine has definite slight lightening of those areas. One side is slightly lighter than the other. The thing that bugs me is the keys have gotten shinier.

But it's wear. Almost everything wears. Regarding dents, as long as no material is removed/displaced, the color should still be there. I have small areas on the AWS7 where the color appears to have flaked off. Just small little spots. So far, nothing at all on a MBP. I mean, if you are good with your toys, no worries... The color of the MBP has been one of the most solid and consistent of the colored aluminum objects I've owned. Don't worry, be happy...

EDIT: 'Palm marks'. So slight, but unavoidable unless you either type 'weird', or cover the areas somehow.

View attachment 2169696

Is it possible that there's an accumulation of skin oils? I wipe mine down with a microfiber cloth at least once a week. I find that skin oils can reduce the sensitivity of the trackpad and cleaning with a microfiber cloth restores it. The other thing which I could see having a chemical effect is sweat and maybe there's a hydration issue on that.

 

[Fishrrman]

My 2021 MBP 14" (purchased in Feb 2022) still looks great.
But I take care in handling it, and it seldom leaves the house.

 

[pshufd]

My 2021 MBP 14" (purchased in Feb 2022) still looks great.
But I take care in handling it, and it seldom leaves the house.

Care is a big factor. I have never purchased Apple Care but have been using Apple Computers since the early 1980s. I do take my MacBook Pro out of the house once a week for a weekly trip. But I have a great backpack for it. I will sometimes use it at the gym too.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Is it possible that there's an accumulation of skin oils? I wipe mine down with a microfiber cloth at least once a week. I find that skin oils can reduce the sensitivity of the trackpad and cleaning with a microfiber cloth restores it. The other thing which I could see having a chemical effect is sweat and maybe there's a hydration issue on that.

It's either side of the trackpad, and I'm not concerned about it.

 

[xraydoc]

My wife's Space Gray 2016 15" MacBook Pro still looks great.

I have a 14" MBP (less than 1 year old) and also still looks pristine, but I've only had it since July.

 

[TinyMito]

Discolour not really but scratches, of course. Normal wear and tear.

 

[maflynn]

My space gray M1 Mbp looks as if it was just unboxed yesterday - pristine, I've always been impressed with the fit and finish of Apple's laptop - one exception of course the Ti PowerBook

 

[Spcmac]

Last gen Space Gray... minor discolouration on the wrist rest area. I am very careful with these things and I clean my devices often, but it still happened. While no one really noticed it, it was enough that I did. Switched to silver this gen so I don't have to worry about it. Now if there was just a way to avoid the keyboard shine over time....

 

[pshufd]

Last gen Space Gray... minor discolouration on the wrist rest area. I am very careful with these things and I clean my devices often, but it still happened. While no one really noticed it, it was enough that I did. Switched to silver this gen so I don't have to worry about it. Now if there was just a way to avoid the keyboard shine over time....

I think that you can clean with a microfiber cloth but you'd have to turn the laptop off or get a bunch of keypresses.

At some point, you may have to replace the battery and you get a new keyboard with the replacement if done by The Apple Store.

 

[richard13]

My 2016 MBP is Space Gray and it has held up pretty well over the years. Aside from the typical usage (minor scratches, bumps, palm rest/touchpad/keyboard wear, it's not that bad. That said, I'm sick of this color and probably won't get another device with it.

 

[Fishrrman]

One thing about the space grey color...
With older eyes, I find it can be difficult to plug in USBc devices in dim light.
I literally "can't see the port" unless I "tilt the Mac" up towards any available light...

 

[pshufd]

One thing about the space grey color...
With older eyes, I find it can be difficult to plug in USBc devices in dim light.
I literally "can't see the port" unless I "tilt the Mac" up towards any available light...

One reason why I have a Studio and a MacBook Pro. So I don't have to plug in and unplug on the laptop.

I often carry a small flashlight with me when I am away from home and that helps.

I'd love to get the Garmin Fenix 7X as it has a flashlight on top of the watch.

 

[richard13]

One thing about the space grey color...
With older eyes, I find it can be difficult to plug in USBc devices in dim light.
I literally "can't see the port" unless I "tilt the Mac" up towards any available light...

Yea, in the dark, I usually "feel around" for the port. 😆

 

[antonrg]

Palm areas, mine has definite slight lightening of those areas. One side is slightly lighter than the other. The thing that bugs me is the keys have gotten shinier.

But it's wear. Almost everything wears. Regarding dents, as long as no material is removed/displaced, the color should still be there. I have small areas on the AWS7 where the color appears to have flaked off. Just small little spots. So far, nothing at all on a MBP. I mean, if you are good with your toys, no worries... The color of the MBP has been one of the most solid and consistent of the colored aluminum objects I've owned. Don't worry, be happy...

EDIT: 'Palm marks'. So slight, but unavoidable unless you either type 'weird', or cover the areas somehow.

View attachment 2169696

EDIT: You can *almost* see it. In certain light, it's far more noticeable, but it doesn't bother me. It's like leather, it 'ages', it reacts to the environment, it gets a 'patina'?

I've got the same issue, but much more pronounced on a rose gold MacBook from 2016. Proper lighting of the colour in those areas.