Touchbar 'contacts' visible

[T-Bob]

Had 13" TB 2016 all year and wanted to check if this is normal or new, don't remember seeing it before.

On default touchbar layout slightly to the left of the mute button on the bottom you can see a 1mm strip that looks like a contact or anchor, slightly to right on mute on top there is a smaller strip that can be seen.

It's quite subtle but looks unusual, not sure if this section has somehow popped out as there might be a very slight rise there.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Really hard to work out from that description. Take a photo or take it to Apple if it concerns you.

Had a look on mine and can't see anything, but could be depending on light conditions and stuff.

 

[T-Bob]

Yes a picture would help, here we go:

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Hmm that just looks like dirt, the bevel above it is filthy too!

Get a can of compressed air and give it a good clean. For note, the contacts are on the left hand side, there are no electrical contacts where you're highlighting.

 

[T-Bob]

It isn't dirt, too uniform for that. Looks like metal.

 

[Rkuda]

It isn't dirt, too uniform for that. Looks like metal.

Nothing like that on my 2016 15" tMBP, just empty gaps on the top and bottom.

 

[T-Bob]

Yeah going to bring it in to be looked at, almost sure it’s an issue.

 

[chabig]

Yeah going to bring it in to be looked at, almost sure it’s an issue.

I doubt it. The touchbar is a component that has to be mounted somehow. I think you might be seeing just a piece of the hardware that holds it in place. It would only be an "issue" if the touchbar doesn't work, which you didn't claim so I assume it's working just fine. But let Apple check it out, and tell us what they say. I can't see anything like that on mine, though you've zoomed in way beyond what I would see with my old eyes anyway.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

It isn't dirt, too uniform for that. Looks like metal.

What's all the rust looking dust above it in the bevel? I would honestly just give it a blast with some compressed air, and if it's still there then go investigate further with Apple. But chances are all they'll do is blast it with compressed air then hand it back...

Hopefully that's all it is anyway, if it is the OLED strip somehow showing then you'll need a pretty lengthly repair as they need to replace the entire top case and logic board I believe (For security enclave).

 

[T-Bob]

What's all the rust looking dust above it in the bevel? I would honestly just give it a blast with some compressed air, and if it's still there then go investigate further with Apple. But chances are all they'll do is blast it with compressed air then hand it back...

Hopefully that's all it is anyway, if it is the OLED strip somehow showing then you'll need a pretty lengthly repair as they need to replace the entire top case and logic board I believe (For security enclave).

Not sure what you mean. It's a close up picture so any small amount of dust is going to look more exaggerated than it does at normal viewing distance. It's definitely not dust though, if the picture gives that impression it's because of the lighting.

 

[vjobs]

What's all the rust looking dust above it in the bevel? I would honestly just give it a blast with some compressed air, and if it's still there then go investigate further with Apple. But chances are all they'll do is blast it with compressed air then hand it back...

Hopefully that's all it is anyway, if it is the OLED strip somehow showing then you'll need a pretty lengthly repair as they need to replace the entire top case and logic board I believe (For security enclave).

The bezel looks brown because of the light exposure I believe.

In my opinion, there should be 'contacts like this to physically support the touchbar, so that it doesn't bend. However, it's strange that you have those contacts and most others don't.

Anyway, on my 15" 2017 I don't see those 'contacts', but I wouldn't be worried with it as long as it works well and doesn't bend.