macbook pro retina creaking

This all sounds like a bit of a worry. I am still waiting for the new MBP retina to arrive in Bali, but I think I might go for a cheaper option having read all these complaints. A laptop is supposed to be robust and withstand a lot of handling. My black Macbook has never been a problem!

Having put up with the creaking since I purchased my MBP Retina, yesterday, I finally went to the Genius Bar at the Park City Mall in Lancaster Pennsylvania to have them look at it. After reading all of the posts in this discussion thread, I figured they would either try to tighten the screws, or replace the unit. I was assigned an arrogant 'genius' named David. I explained the condition, and he said he'd never heard of it. I asked him to consult his database of support issues, and he told me he didn't need to because he knows all the issues, and this would not be considered a problem. He would not acknowledge this thread as relevant, and indicated that all cases creak. I had to push to get him to tighten the screws, which unfortunately did not help. Bottom line, I was shocked at how poorly I was treated in an Apple store. As others have pointed out, we pay extra for quality, and to be treated as though I was being petty, really didn't sit well.

Are there any other Apple Stores in your area? I would encourage you to try another one, or go back and try again. My experience has been extremely good with Apple Store customer service.

As for the general issue, I had the exact same problem, and am now on my third rMBP. The first had severe creaking and cracking sounds, and the second had similar "popping" noises. I ordered a pentalobe screwdriver and removed the bottom cover of my second computer, and found that the springs were indeed the cause of the noise. I could press gently on them and exactly replicate the sound. It was a grinding/popping/squeaking sound - it seemed as if they were not well lubricated. At any rate, I also had the issue of the bottom plate not being flush (it bulged out near the air gills on the side) and a squeaky right arrow key. Once again, the computer was returned. I am now on #3 and everythign seems fine so far. No squeaks, rattles, creaks or pops. I'm a happy customer.

For those of you experiencing this problem, I think it is a manufacturing defect with the early models, or a random hardware issue. For 99% of the population, these subtle noises would go unnoticed. And even those who did notice problably wouldn't care. But we are not the 99%. We pay premium prices for premium products, and anything that doesn't make you extremely satisfied is unsatisfactory. I encourage anyone who is not absolutely content with their computer to take it to an Apple Store. They work hard for their reputation and to make their customers happy.

I also had the creaking. Upon inspection, I noticed a loose screw (center, sdxc side). I ordered the pentalobe screwdriver from iFixit and reseated all the screws. The creak is completely gone now.

Message was edited by: hol3

Same here for my rMBP, I can hear the "creaking / sqeaking" sound near the right speaker when it is lifted (with the lid open) by holding the MacBook on the right edge with one hand. I have also recorded the sound and sent it to Apple support.

I have had a loud creaking sound on the right hand side when moving the MBPr around.

I went to the Apple Store to get the screws fixed. The sound was gone but I am noticing a new, lighter creaking sound on the left hand side now and I have recorded it.

What do you think about the sound in the following video file?

http://www.vidup.de/v/INREk/

When visiting the Apple Store a second time they told me that this is a quite normal sound. The company who sold the MBPr to me was of another opinion and wanted to open the back cover but unfortunately one of the screws was damaged (probably in the Apple Store). I will have to wait know until Apple Store gets a new screw to have it replaced. But what about the sound? The secong guy at the Apple Store thought it could be the fan (but I cannot really believe in this...) and ordered a fan replacement in addition to the replacement screw.

Fyi, my rMBP right fan was replaced by a authorized service provider but still the same problem after that. It was light creaking sound for me from start.

I would like to see a good video demonstrating this 'creaking', I've never heard of this issue, and my rMBP does not seem to have this issue after holding it with the screen open and with one hand from the bottom, sides, or front on either side of the track pad.. I do occasionally hold it while it's closed with one hand from the side and it makes a little click so I try to avoid that.. I think the build quality is great, not incredible, and not 'just good'.. It's a powerhouse of a computer packed into a slim aluminum shell.. I'd expect some amount of creeks occasionally.. definitely not what Mathias78's video had in it but if i rested too much weight on the palms of my hands next to the track pad while typing and it made a few pops or something (which it actually did while I typed that), then i'm ok with that.. I think this is a delicate machine to some extent, I don't handle it like my last computer which was a 2006 MB white, which I would toss in my backpack for school etc, I'd be too nervous to take this computer to school, and I don't really move it often aside from at night to put it away. Also my feelings on it may be in rMBP's favor due to the massive jump I took from 2006 MB to the rMBP.

I can't say that this is representative of everyone's problem, but here is a link to a video showing the problem on an Air. This is exactly the issue I had in the same location on my rMBP.

http://youtu.be/Nq6jEONFZKY

I also have this issue with my MacBook Air Mid 2012 Model. I fixed it a little by reseating the backplate. It didnt fix it completely but I think it may work. This problem will always be there as the plate makes contact with the inside. Take a look at ifixits teardowns and youll see. 🙂

I just got my new rMBP - upgrading from 2007 MBP. The trackpad click is REALLY LOUD. Is that a normal thing that has been a 'feature' for a while, or is this something I could get fixed?

Thanks

Mine is similar to the external Magic Trackpad. Maybe it depends a bit of where you place the MBPr. I don't think that there is somethin to fix by yourself because the batteries of the MBPr are glued to the case and they are beetwen the trackpad and the backplate.

Thanks to kenesu.rai, Matthew O., hol3 and isancho2308 for the information.

I will wait until Apple received the replacement screw and I will try to have them just fixed the backplate correctly instead of changing the fan.

Actually the sound in the video has just appeared after they have fixe another louder sound on the right hand side and destroyed the screw. I hope that it is only the screw that was destroyed and not the case and/or the backplate too by screwing it so tight...

Hi,

My trackpad on my MacBook Air is really loud also. I think it is normal as the Apple Store ones are loud but they seem quieter because of the background noise