What imperfections does your new 14 or 16 inch have, that you are willing to live with?

[The Cockney Rebel]

I’ve now returned two 16” M1 Pro laptops.

The first one had a click in the hinge, when closing. Other than that, everything was perfect: No display issues, solid keyboard etc.

The second one had the issue with gaps between the bottom of the display, and the bezel (there’s at least one thread on the issue here on MR, as well as threads on Reddit.) Also, some of the keys felt “tappy” and not as solid as the first unit.

Both were returned.

I’d love one of these laptops, but at the price they are, I expect them to be defect free.

Am I expecting too much?

Would you have returned the units I returned, given the defects? Or would you have kept them?

I don’t like the “return game” so I’ve decided to refrain from ordering again.

I’d like to know if your machine has any defects/imperfections, and if you kept it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

Glad I got a '20 M1 MBP instead.

Doesn't pay to be an early adopter, especially if there are significant design or technology changes.

 

[Odessa]

I have a mbp pro from end of november, early december batch. Seems fine without any issue, i havent seen any weird gap in the bezel nor anything else that is off or strange. To me imperfection are mostly on the software side. No free drivers for xbox controller nor ntfs drives. The annoying quarantine system with applications outside of the apple store. Outdated OpenGL renderer... etc..

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Glad I got a '20 M1 MBP instead.

Doesn't pay to be an early adopter, especially if there are significant design or technology changes.

Do you think my reasons for returning the computers were valid?

Would you have accepted the defects, and kept either of the laptops?

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Do you think my reasons for returning the computers were valid?

That's not a question for others to answer - the choice is entirely yours.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

Do you think my reasons for returning the computers were valid?

Would you have accepted the defects, and kept either of the laptops?

I wouldn't have kept them.

I didn't need to additional performance ($$$) of the M1 Pro/Max so I bought a '20 MBP during Amazon Prime day discounts last year and traded in my '14 MBP for $850 US net out the door.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I wouldn't have kept them.

I didn't need to additional performance ($$$) of the M1 Pro/Max so I bought a '20 MBP during Amazon Prime day discounts last year and traded in my '14 MBP for $850 US net out the door.

I don’t have a “computer” at the moment, just my iPad Pro with MKB.

I’m pleased I’m not the only one who wouldn’t have kept them. Thought my expectations were too high. Alas, a product at that value really should be defect free.

I wouldn’t buy an older generation model, so that’s not an option for me. Also, I want/wanted a bigger display, so 16” is right for me.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I don’t have a “computer” at the moment, just my iPad Pro with MKB.

"What's a computer?" ?

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

One inconsistency I've noticed is with the keyboard and backlighting. Having setup a few MBP 14 and 16 units for a client, I notice very random keyboard backlight "bleed" from the gap between the keycap and the base. In other words, to enough extent to see the key lighting from an angle leak from around the keycap, it is very random and while one MBP may have 4 or 5 keys with light leak, another may have 12.

In a darkened room, it's very obvious when the keyboard backlighting is on.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

One inconsistency I've noticed is with the keyboard and backlighting. Having setup a few MBP 14 and 16 units for a client, I notice very random keyboard backlight "bleed" from the gap between the keycap and the base. In other words, to enough extent to see the key lighting from an angle leak from around the keycap, it is very random and while one MBP may have 4 or 5 keys with light leak, another may have 12.

In a darkened room, it's very obvious when the keyboard backlighting is on.

Was that enough to return the MBPs, or did the clients keep them?

Would *you* have kept them?

 

[bobcomer]

Would *you* have kept them?

I don't have a 14" or 16" because I cancelled it before it shipped. (14" M1 Max, 32G) The cost vs benefit didn't end up fitting for me.

For the click, yes, I'd have definitely kept it. For the bezel, don't know, I'd have to see it, but most likely, yes. Function is the most important thing for me, not cosmetics.

But that's just me -- you're right that these things are *expensive* and it's okay to have high expectations and given apple's policy regarding returns, go for it!

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I don't have a 14" or 16" because I cancelled it before it shipped. (14" M1 Max, 32G) The cost vs benefit didn't end up fitting for me.

For the click, yes, I'd have definitely kept it. For the bezel, don't know, I'd have to see it, but most likely, yes. Function is the most important thing for me, not cosmetics.

But that's just me -- you're right that these things are *expensive* and it's okay to have high expectations and given apple's policy regarding returns, go for it!

Thanks for your response.

I did really, really question my decision regarding returning both units, but I just couldn’t accept the imperfections.

I guess I’m caught up on Apple’s claim to producing impeccable products?

But I’ve returned them now, so I guess this is just me trying to gage other peoples aspect and whether or not they would have been prepared to accept the imperfections.

 

[Buck987]

You know you can live with a iPad Pro and MKB at this moment. So why keep something you were not 100% happy with. Why do you care what others would do. There are many buyers that want perfection at these prices. You are not alone.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I guess I’m caught up on Apple’s claim to producing impeccable products?

Which claim is that?

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

You know you can live with a iPad Pro and MKB at this moment. So why keep something you were not 100% happy with. Why do you care what others would do. There are many buyers that want perfection at these prices. You are not alone.

I guess I just wanted the perspective of others.

Believe me, I don’t enjoy having to return stuff. Especially MBPs, where you have to remove your account, wipe, then reinstall a fresh OS.

Maybe I’m posing the question for if/when I buy another MBP.

 

[kupkakez]

I've had my 16" since November and I haven't noticed any issues. To be fair I don't really inspect them that closely I just use it.

 

[exterminator]

My keyboard also has backlight leaking. At first I found it annoying but then I just ignored it.

 

[Sunshower]

Backlight leaking and a W key which doesn't work correctly. I'm booking in for a top case replacement. My screen gets really bad finger prints too which are nearly impossible to get rid of. Otherwise the computer is objectively great, but when you pay so much it needs to at least be pretty close to perfect.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Backlight leaking and a W key which doesn't work correctly. I'm booking in for a top case replacement. My screen gets really bad finger prints too which are nearly impossible to get rid of. Otherwise the computer is objectively great, but when you pay so much it needs to at least be pretty close to perfect.

You have just confirmed that my decisions to return both units were correct.

I don’t want to buy something new, only to have to have it taken apart a repaired, just a couple of months after I have bought it.

I like to start with a clean slate.

 

[Sunshower]

You have just confirmed that my decisions to return both units were correct.

I don’t want to buy something new, only to have to have it taken apart a repaired, just a couple of months after I have bought it.

I like to start with a clean slate.

Agreed - it’s a real hassle. I would just exchange for a new one but I didn’t buy it through Apple so they can only do free fixes through warranty. I’m disappointed, hopefully they sharpen up production after rushing these out.

 

[aevan]

1. My speakers sometime have this feint crackling sound (like a HDD working) at very low levels. It's barely audible, many people have this issue and I decided I don't really care as you have to put an effort to hear it. I hope Apple will fix it with some fw update, but even if they don't, it's fine.

2. After keeping the lid closed for a while, there is a slight (like really slight, barely noticeable) sticking sensation, but nothing like I had on previous MacBooks. It's really feint and if it doesn't get worse, I totally won't mind.

3. Finally, the keyboard leaves dust marks on the screen. They are not large, but in time they will become permanent (based on experience). I had this (and worse) on all of my MacBook Pros and they are never visible when the screen is turned on, so they don't bother me much.

I assume that I also have "backlight leaking" from some of the keys (some of them have thin lines of light when looked at an angle) but I had this on literally any keyboard with backlight that I ever used.... caring about this is beyond my understanding. If this bothers you, I don't know what to tell you. So I'm only mentioning this because I've seen people mention this. I don't even consider it an imperfection.

So, these things. I wouldn't bother replacing my Mac because of them even if it was hassle-free (if I lived in US, here it is more of a hassle) and I sometimes find it strange how people return several units because not everything is "perfect". The stress and waiting is not worth it. It doesn't have to be perfect, it needs to be reliable and work well. Nothing is perfect. If you think the cost entitles you to some unrealistic perfection, perhaps you're not actually comfortable with the price.

 

[aevan]

My keyboard also has backlight leaking. At first I found it annoying but then I just ignored it.

Yeah. This is one of the strangest things I've seen people complain about here.

 

[sb in ak]

Had my 16" for a few weeks now. Haven't noticed any big issues, and the ones that I have are probably more software related. My speakers started doing the popping thing today while playing music in Spotify. I assume it's because I was putting the machine under load and it had something to do with limited memory. It largely happened after accidently opening Photoshop when working in Lightroom. Maybe the computer just doesn't like Yves Tumor.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the purchase. I would have preferred to wait longer as first-gen products are kind of crapshoot defect-wise, but my 2013 MBP was experiencing some big issues. If I did it again, I'd probably spend the money on a 14" with 32GB Ram instead of a 16" and 16GB. Adobe products are pretty memory intensive. I'll live with it though; not worth the irritation and wait of replacement. Still a massive upgrade from working on photos with my 2013.

 

[Sunshower]

My speakers sometime have this feint crackling sound (like a HDD working) at very low levels. It's barely audible, many people have this issue and I decided I don't really care as you have to put an effort to hear it. I hope Apple will fix it with some fw update, but even if they don't, it's fine.

Also, after keeping the lid closed for a while, there is a slight (like really slight, barely noticeable) sticking sensation, but nothing like I had on previous MacBooks. It's really feint and if it doesn't get worse, I totally won't mind.

Finally, the keyboard leaves dust marks on the screen. They are not large, but in time they will become permanent (based on experience). I had this (and worse) on all of my MacBook Pros and they are never visible when the screen is turned on, so they don't bother me much.

I assume that I also have "backlight leaking" from some of the keys (some of them have thin lines of light when looked at an angle) but I had this on literally any keyboard with backlight that I ever used.... caring about this is beyond my understanding. If this bothers you, I don't know what to tell you. So I'm only mentioning this because I've seen people bothered by this. I don't even consider it an imperfection.

So, these things. I would replace my Mac because of them (even if I lived in US, here it is more of a hassle) and I sometimes find it strange how people return several units because not everything is "perfect". The stress and waiting is not worth it. It doesn't have to be perfect, it needs to be reliable and work well. Nothing is perfect. If you think the cost entitles you to some unrealistic perfection, perhaps you're not actually comfortable with the price.

Your finally point here is a bit dismissive about cost - it might not be a lot of money to some, but to me it took nearly 2 years of saving.

A broken W key is unreliable.

 

[ThisIs🐵]

I’d like to know if your machine has any defects/imperfections, and if you kept it?

It seems to me like some people are more worried about their possesions than their own body and health.

Are you equally critical of for example your dental fillings quality and imperfections?

Do you even know what are the ingredients of your composite filling?