2016-18 MacBook Pros are suffering from "Flexgate"

[DrMacintosh]

The Problem:

Quote

An increasing number of users have experienced backlight issues on 2016 and newer MacBook Pro models, particularly those with the Touch Bar, often resulting in a so-called "stage light effect" along the bottom of the display. 

 

The Cause:

Back in 2016 Apple released a new design of the MacBook Pro featuring an extremely thin design, a new low profile keyboard, and as a result of that, a new method of attaching the display to the logic board. 

 

On all Macs made since 2016, the display assembly has looked a little something like this:

 

After hundreds of actuations, these cables eventually wear-out on the connector end and cannot be replaced individually. Oh, and these cables are routed in such a way that the cable actually lays on top of the hinge. So these cables literally run outside of the housing of the computer. Freaking genius. 

Quote

iFixit's Taylor Dixon explains:

When it first debuted, the design seemed fine. But as always, the devil is in the details. Apple opted for thin, fragile flex cables as opposed to the beefier wire cables used in previous designs that could be routed through the hinge instead of wrapped around it, helping mitigate the stress of repeated openings and closings.

When these cables wear-out the backlight on the display is the first to go, giving the display a sort of "stage-light" effect

Video demonstration:

 

This is inevitably followed up with complete display failure. Aka a black screen. If you were to hook up your Mac to an external display it would still function. 

 

These cables are built into the display of all 2016 and later Macs. It is not possible to repair just the damaged cable, you must replace the entire display, costing you $600. 

 

The Solution: 

Apple needs to start a repair program for every 2016 and newer Mac and refund those who have already paid out of pocket for a repair. Apple also needs to ditch the current design for one that can allow a more reliable and robust consumer product. 

 

These MacBook Pros have been the most troublesome Macs ever released if I'm not mistaken. Keyboard issues, battery expansion issues, SSD issues, and now failing displays. I wonder if engineering for function over form would have prevented all of this? TBH I would be ok with Apple issuing a full recall of the 2016-present line of Mac notebooks. 

 

Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2019/01/22/macbook-pro-flexgate/

 

iFixit Documentation of the issue:

 

 

 

[Fasauceome]

"You're opening it wrong"

[Silentprototipe]

The 2016 Macbook atm 

[Ashley MLP Fangirl]

rip. i suppose gone are the days of Apple making MacBooks that can still work fine after 8+ years. 

[suicidalfranco]

if you are still using a 2 year old macbook, going for 3, you need to reconsider your priorities.

 

Actual real solution:

 

get a new, 2018 macbook temporarily while you wait for the 2019 one

 

It's not Apple's fault if you open and close it more than the necessary.

 

/s

[bcredeur97]

Keyboards, and now this.

wow. last few years has been a terrible time to buy a MacBook

 

I have a 2015 I got as a gift. literally the last "good" year. suprised they aren't going for a premium yet. If they ever do, I'll gladly give someone mine for like $3k XD

[Spotty]

7 minutes ago, DrMacintosh said:

It is not possible to repair just the damaged cable, you must replace the entire display, costing you $600. 

 

The Solution: 

Apple needs to stop designing their products in a way that prevents the device from being easily repaired

Fixed that for you.

[DrMacintosh]

Just now, suicidalfranco said:

if you are still using a 2 year old macbook, going for 3, you need to reconsider your priorities.

 

Actual real solution:

 

get a new, 2018 macbook temporarily while you wait for the 2019 one

 

It's not Apple's fault if you open and close it more than the necessary.

 

/s

The Strat is to buy, resell, buy. 

 

Once my financial aid kicks in I plan on selling the MBP and buying a 2018 and then selling that once the display issue has been ironed out. 

[TheGlenlivet]

Just wait till DrMacintosh sees this post!!!1!!  He's gonna be sooo...

Oh wait....

[DrMacintosh]

1 minute ago, Spotty said:

Fixed that for you.

Different words to say the same thing

[Bouzoo]

Can't wait for someone on this forum to, again, tell me how Apple uses higher quality material when building their products. 

 

And how does this not fall under warranty?

[DrMacintosh]

Just now, TheGlenlivet said:

Just wait till DrMacintosh sees this post!!!1!!  He's gonna be sooo...

Oh wait....

I'm a shill tho right? 

[Princess Luna]

Oh well... when you try to innovate too much before solidifying the base...

[Blademaster91]

1 minute ago, bcredeur97 said:

Keyboards, and now this.

wow. last few years has been a terrible time to buy a MacBook

It's been terrible to buy a macbook since Apple decided to remove useful ports and solder in the RAM/SSD.

[TheGlenlivet]

Just now, DrMacintosh said:

I'm a shill tho right? 

Totally.  Anime Babes and Macs, that's all you care about. hehe

[suicidalfranco]

1 minute ago, DrMacintosh said:

The Strat is to buy, resell, buy. 

 

Once my financial aid kicks in I plan on selling the MBP and buying a 2018 and then selling that once the display issue has been ironed out. 

that's a loophole Apple should close

Non authorised people shouldn't be allowed to resell Macbooks without Apple's explicit consent 

[Drak3]

1 minute ago, TheGlenlivet said:

Just wait till DrMacintosh sees this post!!!1!!  He's gonna be sooo...

Oh wait....

He's learning.

 

1 minute ago, DrMacintosh said:

I'm a shill tho right? 

Your words, not ours.

[Ashley MLP Fangirl]

Just now, Bouzoo said:

Can't wait for someone on this forum to, again, tell me how Apple uses higher quality material when building their products. 

they did at one point... 

[Bouzoo]

Just now, firelighter487 said:

they did at one point... 

We are obviously talking about the present. It's been years now.

[Spotty]

1 minute ago, TheGlenlivet said:

Just wait till DrMacintosh sees this post!!!1!!  He's gonna be sooo...

Oh wait....

@DrMacintosh has been posting most of the negative Apple news recently... 

 

1 minute ago, DrMacintosh said:

I'm a shill tho right? 

<Agreed>

Couldn't resist

 

4 minutes ago, DrMacintosh said:

The Strat is to buy, resell, buy. 

 

Once my financial aid kicks in I plan on selling the MBP and buying a 2018 and then selling that once the display issue has been ironed out. 

Or, idk... Maybe... Don't buy it if you know it has faults? Vote with your wallet. If people keep buying them even though there's a known hardware fault, Apple isn't going to care about fixing it.

[MoonSpot]

Ever get the feeling that you're the only person in the whole world that fines 'built like a brick shit-house' tech pretty damned smexy?

Some times you just want to go all out and pound those keystrokes at 90wpm on a tough thicc keyboard.  Other times you want to firmly press and navigate your fingers across the touch screen without it wobbling or outright collapsing under the lightest caress. 

Sometimes its deeply appreciated when your tech can take a bit of rough-play and still come out on top; though now we seem to be merely appreciative if things manage to work long enough to get through their own warranty period.

[DrMacintosh]

1 minute ago, Spotty said:

Or, idk... Maybe... Don't buy it if you know it has faults? Vote with your wallet.

I am voting with my Wallet. I don't want a Windows laptop.

[Ashley MLP Fangirl]

Just now, Spotty said:

Or, idk... Maybe... Don't buy it if you know it has faults? Vote with your wallet. If people keep buying them even though there's a known hardware fault, Apple isn't going to care about fixing it.

what's the other option though? Mac's that don't have this problem are 4 years old.

[Blademaster91]

Just now, Spotty said:

@DrMacintosh has been posting most of the negative Apple news recently...

Or, idk... Maybe... Don't buy it if you know it has faults? Vote with your wallet. If people keep buying them even though there's a known hardware fault, Apple isn't going to care about fixing it.

Posting most of the Apple news, although still agreeing with Apple on quite a bit of it.

But maybe get something actually well made for the money, like a Thinkpad and hackintosh it. I can't blame people though for buying a mac and selling it after a year or so, the resale values are stupidly high even on the models that have known hardware faults.

[Spotty]

Just now, DrMacintosh said:

I am voting with my Wallet. I don't want a Windows laptop.

 

Spoiler

Understandable