New MacBook Pro, 16", M3 Max, Space Black - Case scratches and marks out of the box

I have the same problem. I picked mine up in the store and opened in the store. I noticed what looked like smudge marks on the top of the MacBook Pro 16" and then a mark to the left of the track pad. Because mine was around the holidays and me traveling I opted to take with a credit from apple. The more I look at, I see the same edge marks as you and I have two pin hole dots in the finish on top of it.

Poor quality control for a $4599 laptop

Just an update.

After exchanging another Space Black. I decided to go with the Silver. As much as the Space Black is a beautiful color, I just can't deal with the small defects/potential for more noticeable wear.

I will say that Apple Customer Service has been excellent. They understood the issue and allowed me to exchange multiple times. They even offered me an Apple Watch band for the inconvenience.

If you have OCD like me, Silver is your color. If you don't mind minor defects then you'll be okay with Space Black.

Make sure to check over your device within the 14 day return period, Apple will be happy to help.

It’s not just you. I have returned a few models because of this exact reason but really don’t want silver. Exchanging again tomorrow fingers crossed

Went in the Apple store today to exchange, they actually had an option in their system to return because of a known issue regarding the space black color. Apple is now aware of the issue and logging returns with this issue under a specific code. The new unit I was given, I opened in store and the it had the issue with the silver showing on the edges of the bottom plate near the MagSafe port and on the rear hinges, as well as a small mark on the front left side near were the lid comes down.

The Apple Store employee didn’t really notice what I was pointing at but offered to return the unit and recommended I get the silver model.

I ended up leaving the Apple Store with nothing because I wasn’t sure at the time what I wanted to do.

I think I will try one more time to purchase a Space Black unit in a day or two and if those units have these issues I will just go for silver.

Frustrating because Space Black is a great looking color.

LukeD wrote:

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I have just received the new MacBook Pro in Space Black.

Here are my observations:

1) Space Black is a dust magnet. Who cares about finger prints, just wash your hands. This new anodized finish attracts dust big time.

2) Glue marks all over the case when coming from the box.

3) Small scratch marks where the anodized finish has been scratched where the bottom panel meets the body.

If you take a slightly damp Microfibre cloth and gently clean the surface. You will see all the case imperfections. It is a joke. You would never find these problems on a MacBook Pro from 2019 or earlier. There is clearly a difference between recycled aluminum and new aluminum too.

What happened to Apple? So disappointed. For the price and the wait, the product should have been flawless. (Pictures do not do the marks justice, but anyway)

You have a limited 14 days for an exchange or refund for any reason—see Returns & Refunds Order status

Only items that have been purchased directly from Apple, either online or at an Apple Retail Store

Returns & Refunds - Shopping Help - Apple

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