Apple Neo. Only had for 15 days. Why are the borders so weak?

OMGitsSpidey wrote:

... Did the quality of Apple products go down on purpose?

The quality was not designed out of your new Mac. One could argue that the device is better built than your old Mac.

I’m so disappointed that this happened and I have a MacBook Pro from 2011 that till this day has no such damage. When looking at the Pro from 15 years ago you can feel the difference in strength. Why make a product that could be damaged so easily?

Macs built fifteen years ago (2011) were built with different materials. The edge gasket that you are referring to was a harder plastic component, where the gasket in the newer MacBooks seems to me to be made of a softer, more pliable material.

Perhaps it can be damaged more easily, but perhaps it also has some other, more protective or less toxic properties?

To me, this almost imperceptible dent is a purely cosmetic issue that is unlikely to affect the performance of your Mac, and so is unlikely to be addressed by Apple by repair or replacement, imho. Now that you have become aware of the "issue" you can adapt your handling of the laptop to prevent any further damage.

On that topic, you might rethink the use of what appears to be a plastic shell-type casing on your Neo.

Yes, Apple does sell cases like this on its website and in its stores, but nowhere have I ever seen an Apple document that 'recommends' using these. Ask the question here in the Community and many veteran MacBook users will suggest they not be used.

The Neo, like the MacBook Air, relies on its aluminum skin to shed the heat it generates when being used. Shell cases can reduce the efficiency of that cooling, as well as trap dust and debris that may mar the outer surfaces of the computer over time if not cleaned regularly. Apple does not recommend the use of laptop cases like this. If you wish to protect your MBNeo, do use a fully enclosing laptop sleeve with a soft interior and zipper closure when transporting it.

From the pictures you posted there does appear to be a hard plastic case attached to that Mac, and if that is correct I agree with HWTech: they are known to damage Macs.

Apple does not build Macs in need of such things, and they do not evaluate them for their effects. Remove it. The longer it remains attached, the more damage will result.

OMGitsSpidey wrote:

That’s great however I asked why the rubber black border was so weak and cheap compared to my MacBook Pro from 2011. Not about the case on the laptop. The case did nothing to the laptop. I’m referring to the black rubber border

Did you use a plastic hard cover case snapped onto the Display Assembly and/or around the Bottom Case? Some of those plastic cases do extend beyond the edge so they can hold themselves in place. I can certainly see this possibly causing an indentation in the rubber gasket.

If you did use a plastic snap on case, then why fret over a small indentation in the rubber gasket? The plastic case will likely ruin the aluminum finish on your laptop by grinding dirt & moisture into the finish. I've even seem these plastic cases cause discolorations in the finish even with the silver models.

If I'm reading this wrong and no plastic case is involved, then just ignore this post.

Hi, support has already said no, and their ability to bend rules is severely limited. My suggestion is to take it to an Apple Store and speak to a member of the management team. If it’s something more than cosmetic, they should be able to extend the return period a day or two and swap it out. If you can get it to a store today at least call the store and explain the issue to a manager. Good luck.

you may have received a defective Neo. the one I bought a couple months ago does not have that issue. and since you are past the return window, you might need to use your apple care, and pay a little out of pocket to get it fixed. there is no-one here that can do anything about that. sorry.

As your fellow end users, we do not know "why" Apple does or does not do something. If you need a "why: answer you'll have to talk to Apple and they do not respond here. We cannot speculate on Apple policies.

actually, since today is the 15th day, I would recommend you Contact Apple for support and service. I make no guarantee or promises, but they possibly could help you in returning it in exchange for a new one.