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rgwebb

macrumors 6502
Nov 27, 2005
483
1,270
Anyone else notice quality control is horrible for the 14” Pro since M1 days?

I bought and exchanged a few M2 Pros, and I’ve probably been through a dozen so far and never got one without issues.

Some creak loudly when handled, hinge makes loud clicking noises when moved, scratches on the screen fresh out of the box on several. Last one I exchanged what making a loud whirring/whistling noise from the right fan.

Last one I just opened has deep scratches on the screen. No other issues so will likely just live with it. Am I the only one noticing this?
A dozen? You've either got undiagnosed mental health issues causing this complusion or you're trolling. Either way, seek help.
 

Reggaenald

Suspended
Sep 26, 2021
864
798
Und
I've never had anything but a flawless computer from Apple (and Dell, for that matter). Of course I'm sure it happens from time to time, but 12 in a row?

Kind of reminds of my college roommate that constantly complained about his terrible luck with women - every single one he dated was absolutely nuts!
When the first SE was launched, I went through 7 because each either dust in the cameras, under the screen, or both.
I only stopped at 7 because all of a sudden sending in wasn’t possible in my region anymore..
 

Reggaenald

Suspended
Sep 26, 2021
864
798
12 returns? maybe try refurbished since they have higher quality control than new devices
In my opinion the opposite is the case. Although I’m in Germany. Yet, every product I had that was refurb was considerably lower quality then the same thing new
 

bheathain

macrumors regular
Oct 5, 2015
173
80
Many years ago, I went through something similar: I bought a PowerBook g4 and each one developed these annoying white spots on the display within a week of me receiving it. Back they went to the store, they gave me a new one, process started all over again. Eventually, apple admitted it was a bad batch, all of the G4s of that first run were affected. It was a total PITA until it was solved, though.

I had that fun as well. They replaced my screen/lid finally after the exchange program started. I also had a messed up lid closure mechanism out of the box on the same PowerBook (that funny little hook that popped down via magnet).

That said, I haven't had any issues to speak of since that PBG4 other than some white spots on the screen of my iPad Air that popped up after warranty (don't have AppleCare).
 
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Bananasaurus

Suspended
Aug 16, 2023
753
2,632
You've said this three different times. I want a 14" Pro - without defects or scratches out of the box.
I would try the Apple refurb store. I've purchased several laptops Apple this way and they look literally brand new in most cases and they've been checked for defects and include the original warranty.
 

jha

macrumors 6502
Original poster
May 4, 2021
271
191
I would try the Apple refurb store. I've purchased several laptops Apple this way and they look literally brand new in most cases and they've been checked for defects and include the original warranty.
I can live with the one I got that has a scratched up screen. Just hoping next iteration will have better QC. That was the whole point of the thread. Apple is taking good care of me with this current situation.
 

Bananasaurus

Suspended
Aug 16, 2023
753
2,632
I can live with the one I got that has a scratched up screen. Just hoping next iteration will have better QC. That was the whole point of the thread. Apple is taking good care of me with this current situation.
Their customer support has always been top notch for me, including free repairs on things that were out of warranty. If you really did return it 12 times, that is insane, but at the very least, it is superb of Apple to keep helping you.
 
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jha

macrumors 6502
Original poster
May 4, 2021
271
191
Their customer support has always been top notch for me, including free repairs on things that were out of warranty. If you really did return it 12 times, that is insane, but at the very least, it is superb of Apple to keep helping you.
They sold me a few defective devices - it is not like I chose to return them for no reason. That is the only part that is insane. People here talk like I am victimizing Apple for expecting a device without scratches or making loud noises out of the box. I gain nothing inconveniencing myself with the returns.
 
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sleeptodream

macrumors 6502
Aug 29, 2022
385
811
Do you have clinically diagnosed OCD? Because this sounds more like being particular, or a perfectionist.
Yes, it’s not fun. I know people say that a lot these days when they’re just particular. I used to wash my hands probably 100 times per day to the point they would bleed, among many other things. The stress it causes has gotten better since working from home where I can control my environment, but it’s still a struggle
 
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6749974

Cancelled
Mar 19, 2005
959
963
Reminds me of this legendary thread where a guy exchanged 16+ iPhone XS's.

OP, I think you may just be looking for a problem. The probability of getting 12 defective models like that is low.
The probability of getting 12 broken, non functional models is low.

The probability of getting 12 models with a minor defect like uneven keyboard light, scratch on display coating, misaligned hinge, a snag on where two pieces of metal casing meet, is all very probable. It’s likely that only 10% of models are laser perfect because these machines are overly complex and assembled by cheap labor for prices we wouldn’t get off the couch for.
 
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profcutter

macrumors 68000
Mar 28, 2019
1,550
1,296
I had that fun as well. They replaced my screen/lid finally after the exchange program started. I also had a messed up lid closure mechanism out of the box on the same PowerBook (that funny little hook that popped down via magnet).

That said, I haven't had any issues to speak of since that PBG4 other than some white spots on the screen of my iPad Air that popped up after warranty (don't have AppleCare).
Yeah, that was a pain for sure. I remember that stupid little hook! As for other recalls/defects, I think my first 2012 retina had some issues, they ended up replacing it with a 2013 model, but some of that was my fault (new baby brain, dropped the thing and killed the screen). And I missed the whole MBP line from 2016-2020. My wife had a 2016, and it was nothing but trouble. Refused to charge, no connection to thunderbolt/USB, broken keyboard(S), and the stupid stage lighting effect. UGH what a POS. My M1 Max has been flawless so far, aside from software. It copied like 20 percent of my files from my 2015 Retina, seemingly at random. Never gave me any indication the restore didn't work.
 

VertPin

macrumors 6502a
Nov 12, 2015
960
1,071
The probability of getting 12 broken, non functional models is low.

The probability of getting 12 models with a minor defect like uneven keyboard light, scratch on display coating, misaligned hinge, a snag on where two pieces of metal casing meet, is all very probable. It’s likely that only 10% of models are laser perfect because these machines are overly complex and assembled by cheap labor for prices we wouldn’t get off the couch for.
Getting 12 models back to back with even minor defects is not very probable.
 
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Flash1420

macrumors regular
Sep 17, 2022
180
378
Getting 12 models back to back with even minor defects is not very probable.
I would have agreed with your statements a few years ago, but apple quality has started going down in recent years. (iPad Pro loose buttons, iPad Air 5 creaking, iPad mini jelly scrolling, MacBook Air M2 uneven bottom plate and display issues, and so on)
 
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6749974

Cancelled
Mar 19, 2005
959
963
Getting 12 models back to back with even minor defects is not very probable.
If you know what to look for, you can find a minor defect. There's 8,000 things that can go imperfectly during assembly. Look close enough and you'll find a speaker hole that is misaligned or not fully cut out. Run your finger across your trackpad where it meets the chassis and you'll feel a snag because it's not aligned perfectly, somewhere. Look at your display at night and you'll see IPS bleed or uneven backlighting across the grid.

Getting a MacBook that is 100% perfectly assembled is not very probable.

Most people just have poor attention to detail. I just got done showing people their displays have blooming inside objects (eg. faces). Most people don't notice these things. The people that do, return them. Sometimes 12 times because they expect a $2,000+ product to be not 99% perfect, not 99.5% perfect, but be 100% perfect. Sometimes it takes that many returns to get one that is perfect. Maybe that makes them OCD or whatever term, thats your judgment, but they're not lying—they're imperfect. Perfection is very ****ing hard. Good luck buying a $70,000 Tesla that doesn't have cosmetic/panel/electronic/material issues if you look close enough. That annoys some people, most don't care.
 

JustAnExpat

macrumors 65816
Nov 27, 2019
1,009
1,012
If I'm buying a new computer at a shop, here's what I ALWAYS do after paying for it:

1. I open the box in front of a sales staff.
2. I do a review of the box content. Are the cables there, is everything that should be there... there? If yes then...
3. I have them plug in the computer, and we do a full check of the machine. Does the machine work? Are there any dead pixels? What does the system test say?
4. I then do a full physical inspection of the machine.

If there's any problems, the machine gets returned right in front of them. There'll be no dispute or question that the machine is not working correctly or why.
 
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T_Oscura

macrumors member
Feb 27, 2016
48
23
Based on my experience from the past 4-5 years, I believe this, sadly. I handled 5-6 Macbook Pros, a Studio Display and a Mac Studio and all of them had some sort of defect. Most of them were cosmetic and the M2 Studio had coil whine. As others have mentioned before me, nothing will be perfect and most people simply don't care about minor imperfections, especially not if they need the computer for work.

Also, this is not something Apple specific. I had to send back 3 leather coats from a luxury brand this year because all of them had holes along the seams. Each one costs around $4000. You would expect perfection in this price range, but the brand choose to use a thin and weak material in that season. The stores accepted my returns, put back the coats on sale and sold them in a short time. I assume someone else is happy with the items without looking for any imperfections.
 

okkibs

macrumors 65816
Sep 17, 2022
1,070
1,005
Makes sense that I have been through so many defective devices.
The hinge noise isn't actually a defect as it does not impair functionality in any way. It's a minor imperfection and of course you can expect devices of a premium brand to be flawless. But now you're arguing the hinge noise is a "loud noise" as you put it, and that just doesn't help to make this thread more credible.
 
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