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Al Rukh

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 15, 2017
1,148
1,283
Went to the local Apple Store to check the new M3s out. I was surprised not to see any obvious fingerprints on the space black display sets.

c4311ebfd8d2388256c061917a2d1671.jpg
 

donawalt

Contributor
Sep 10, 2015
1,284
630
I just got back from an Apple store myself! I spent a solid 10 minutes trying to make fingerprints, with no luck. It had one fingerprint on it when I arrived - and to me and from my own tests, it was similar to if I wet my finger and slid it across the computer - or someone with a sweaty finger. Now my fingers were pretty clean and dry, I had washed them about 30 minutes before. But I sure had no trouble easily making fingerprints on the MBA Midnight model (which looks blue to me, first time I saw it). The MBA was so easy to get fingerprints all over it!

I worked on the outside case, above the keyboard, around and including the touch pad and to me the results were identical to the Silver model right next to it - tried that one too, to make sure I was not being misled by light or anything. I also looked at it from all different angles, again to make sure I wasn't missing anything. For me, it passed with flying colors! I really like the color too - darker than older space gray, a rich color but not so jet black it looks devoid of detail or style. It's beautiful.

Public Service announcement - I took one "for the team" here to do these tests - I thought it was a little gross and un-hygienic but it had to be done for the knowledge of the greater audience here! I washed my hands well as soon as I was done with this testing lol! 😆💦🧼🧽🛀😝
 

bevsb2

Contributor
Nov 23, 2012
4,968
15,054
I noticed some fingerprints beside the touchpad this morning (day 3 of use). No big deal and easily removed with Apple polishing cloth. Only seen in daylight. Top of computer completely free of fingerprints.
 

ghanwani

macrumors 601
Dec 8, 2008
4,826
6,154
I couldn't tell much difference between space gray and space black in terms of fingerprint resistance when I looked at them in the store. Silver is still the best choice.
 
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cpnotebook80

macrumors 65816
Feb 4, 2007
1,228
550
Toronto
The palm rest near trackpad will see smudges as i have seen them already. I think its funny how we do not notice all this finger prints or smudging on the silver for so long till it turns yellow!
 
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mecloud

macrumors regular
Aug 15, 2019
148
252
I’ll be most interesting to see if the Space Black coating wears/scrapes off over time, leaving brighter aluminum visible. I remember how nice the black polycarbonate MacBooks looked around 2007, then as they aged you started seeing white plastic at the wear points…😟 Hopefully this Space Black finish is much more durable than that.
 

Fuzzball84

macrumors 68030
Apr 19, 2015
2,612
6,122
Certainly an improvement… i wish they had it for midnight macbook air M2… the fingerprints put me off and i got space grey… :/

But still an amazing laptop 😀
 

Al Rukh

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 15, 2017
1,148
1,283
Sorry, missed out on the exterior shot. I didn’t know the coating is only on the exterior, which makes sense now for me as the exterior has almost zero prints on it.

2dc42ba2837bfa9a280194b3707c5f03.jpg
 

h.gilbert

macrumors 6502a
Nov 17, 2022
721
1,265
Bordeaux
I just got back from an Apple store myself! I spent a solid 10 minutes trying to make fingerprints, with no luck. It had one fingerprint on it when I arrived - and to me and from my own tests, it was similar to if I wet my finger and slid it across the computer - or someone with a sweaty finger. Now my fingers were pretty clean and dry, I had washed them about 30 minutes before. But I sure had no trouble easily making fingerprints on the MBA Midnight model (which looks blue to me, first time I saw it). The MBA was so easy to get fingerprints all over it!

I worked on the outside case, above the keyboard, around and including the touch pad and to me the results were identical to the Silver model right next to it - tried that one too, to make sure I was not being misled by light or anything. I also looked at it from all different angles, again to make sure I wasn't missing anything. For me, it passed with flying colors! I really like the color too - darker than older space gray, a rich color but not so jet black it looks devoid of detail or style. It's beautiful.

Public Service announcement - I took one "for the team" here to do these tests - I thought it was a little gross and un-hygienic but it had to be done for the knowledge of the greater audience here! I washed my hands well as soon as I was done with this testing lol! 😆💦🧼🧽🛀😝

Go in there with a packet of crisps next time for a real test
 

NEPOBABY

Suspended
Jan 10, 2023
697
1,688
I don't hate the SB but from a little distance away it looks like a PC laptop and doesn't scream Apple luxury.

We've been conditioned by Batman movies etc to believe black metal looks snazzy but it doesn't. It needs high maintenance even with the new coating.

I'll go for silver as it matches the Studio Display.
 
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Aggedor

macrumors 6502a
Dec 10, 2020
799
939
The coating is only on the outside according to several youtubers.
That makes no sense. The palm rest area is going to get REAL gross, real fast - surely the inside is just as important as the outside?
 

donawalt

Contributor
Sep 10, 2015
1,284
630
I saw no difference in affinity for fingerprints whether I pressed on the outside of the case or side/near and on the trackpad. I was trying to duplicate how I normally work - I don't soak my fingers in olive oil, or pick my nose, or spit on my fingers, or eat spaghetti with my hands before/while using my MacBook Pro - I DO try to keep it nice while I use the laptop. 😝😝😝😝😝
 

kp98077

macrumors 601
Oct 26, 2010
4,312
2,764
Whistler, BC
Yeah I agree no real difference on outside vs. inside. Then some bright dude on her said to put forehead oil on the laptop, boy that really did it! lol
SB looks great but will have to be silver for me!
 

bevsb2

Contributor
Nov 23, 2012
4,968
15,054
I saw no difference in affinity for fingerprints whether I pressed on the outside of the case or side/near and on the trackpad. I was trying to duplicate how I normally work - I don't soak my fingers in olive oil, or pick my nose, or spit on my fingers, or eat spaghetti with my hands before/while using my MacBook Pro - I DO try to keep it nice while I use the laptop. 😝😝😝😝😝
You forgot to do the litmus test - forehead oil. 😀
 
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