iPad Screen Scratched.

Question

iPad Screen Scratched.

Last night I was wiping the screen of my iPad with the special cloth that came with my 24" Cinema display, and I noticed that there was a scratch on my iPad screen. Since I got the device I haven't taken a look at it super close because I've just been so excited to use it. If I've been looking at it it's been in on (which is extremely difficult to see the scratch).

I can't imagine in the few hours of use that I scratched the device. I mean the thing has been pampered and lightly touched. I have had an iPhone 3GS for 9 months that has the same glass and goes in and out of my pocket that is scratch free. How could I have scratched my iPad? I mean the glass is super durable and it looks like something sharp has dinged the screen (all of which I can a test to not happening). What should I do?

ipad, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Apr 5, 2010 4:52 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Echidnapi

Level 1

18 points

May 9, 2010 11:45 AM in response to dlg_az

I'm pretty sure mine arrived defective. I was out of town the weekend the 3g came out, but I had it shipped to me. I wasn't able to play with it much until the following sunday, when I noticed a scratch. When I got back home I took it to an apple store and the repair dude was super patronizing when insisting that I scratched it vs it arriving defective, "I wish I could go back in time with you..." He also claimed that anything can scratch the ipad, including keys, as it is "just glass".
When I got home, I took a flashlight to the screen when I noticed another scratch catch my eye, and noticed 10+ scratches.
Long story short, I live in NYC so I went to a different apple store (boo 5th ave!), was told that I should return it via the online store, and one should be shipped to me soon.

Lessons:
-Carefully inspect new iPads right away, check with flashlight. I would imagine those minor scratches could be like cavities waiting to grow.
-IF it truly did not arrive in poor condition and I was at fault, then at least some of these ipads are very sensitive. I had an apple case, don't wear a watch or jewelry, and only had the device for a day and half.

BTW, one of the first things I did with my ipad was activate a 250mb plan. It took a non-trivial amount of time to convince apple that Yes I should keep the sim card No I shouldn't cancel my existing AT&T plan Yes that would be easier for you but not for me.

Now I'm wondering if I need a screen protector or not, despite the fact that I most probably did not cause the damage.

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Answer 2

Apr 5, 2010 9:51 PM in response to Rex Ross

Rex Ross wrote:
Make sure this is not the meteor streak on the background image

That fooled me for a moment

Looks just like scratch

I thought I was the only one freaked out by that image–for a few seconds, I was ready to drive back to the Apple Store. By the way, those aren't meteors but a long exposure photograph of stars moving across the sky.

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Answer 3

smoot

Level 2

154 points

Apr 6, 2010 3:52 PM in response to JOHN-PATRICK DALY

I went to the apple store and they gave me a new ipad! The genius took a key across the screen of another one to show how tough they are, not a scratch. I think mine was defective.

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Answer 4

Rex Ross

Level 1

85 points

Apr 5, 2010 5:11 AM in response to marcscrookedfinger

Make sure this is not the meteor streak on the background image

That fooled me for a moment

Looks just like scratch

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Answer 5

Apr 5, 2010 3:12 PM in response to iBagwan

I did just that. Stopped by the genus bar and there were no questions asked. They sent me packing with a new replacement iPad. Thank you Apple!

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Answer 6

iBagwan

Level 2

361 points

Apr 5, 2010 3:07 PM in response to marcscrookedfinger

Hey Marc, I would definitely take it to an Apple store if you can. Make an appointment with a genius and really push it hard BUT POLITELY. So many people go in screaming and shouting and it only works against them. Be firm, this thing is brand new, don't take no for an answer, ask to speak to a manager if you have to and if that doesn't work ask about escalating it to corporate. The bottom line is Apple wants to keep the customer happy and you just spent a lot of money. If you are reasonable and insistent they usually will help you out. Being that the iPad is brand new and they don't want any negative hype they should help you out but the secret is persistence. Be the squeaky BUT NICE wheel and they should accommodate you.

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Answer 7

Jul 4, 2010 12:31 PM in response to smoot

I have the same problem with my 4 day old ipad. About 4 light scratches. My ipad is babied, always cased, always handled properly, microfiber cleaning cloths, but somehow........

I think that some of these iPads have defects in the screen coatings. Just my initial reaction. Over the next months you'll probably see more and more postings of defective screens....apple lovers will defend apple and say it's the user (like you see already in some threads)......then, finally there will probably be some quiet admission of a problem.

Lesson...if you have a new ipad, put a screen protector on regardless of what apple says. They scratch easily or can be defective.

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Answer 8

necronym

Level 4

1,434 points

Apr 5, 2010 5:07 AM in response to marcscrookedfinger

Two things you can do:

1: accept it as is and enjoy your iPad.

or:

2: make an appointment with an Apple Genius at your local store (or talk to Apple Support if you bought your iPad online from Apple) and see what they make of it.

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Answer 9

iBagwan

Level 2

361 points

Apr 5, 2010 4:18 PM in response to McCrazyforMACs

Yup! Apple really does care more than most. Did you get Apple Care? It's the best money you will spend. I've actually gotten 3 brand new Macbook Pros because of Apple care and they upgraded two of them. I use the MBP every day for work so they get a workout and anytime I have had an issue Apple has jumped to take care of it. Anything mobile gets a stress workout and getting Apple Care is just good sense!

Glad they took care of you!

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Answer 10

Apr 5, 2010 5:17 AM in response to marcscrookedfinger

I guess I'll be calling apple. I should have inspected the device better on receipt.

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Answer 11

Apr 6, 2010 10:39 AM in response to smoot

Fingernails won't scratch glass, however a piece of grit under the fingernail could do it.

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Answer 12

smoot

Level 2

154 points

Apr 6, 2010 10:41 AM in response to Graham Outterside

I think I am going to take it to a genius and see what they say.

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Answer 13

world14

Level 1

0 points

Apr 22, 2010 10:47 AM in response to marcscrookedfinger

Hey guys my Ipad's screen got scratch and i have been really careful. I guees i would recommend a screen protector.

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Answer 14

Apr 6, 2010 11:37 AM in response to smoot

Regarding my last post about the slight chance of scratching an iPad while wearing something hard on ones wrist (or a ring for that matter), think about just carrying the iPad like a book resting in your hand, under your arm to one side. I'm sure there's a chance of anything touching the screen whilst moving naturally in this way... well I'll leave it to the experts at Apple to find out if that can actually happen.

All the best

JP

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Answer 15

funone0

Level 1

0 points

Jun 12, 2010 4:18 PM in response to marcscrookedfinger

I had mine for two weeks and got it replaced because of a dead pixel. Then just got it replaced today because of a bunch of scratches which they don't cover accidental damage but they made an exception because they love happy customers. And that's why I love apple.

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