macbook pro retina creaking

I too have this terrible popping and cracking sound if I reposition the MacbookPro Retina just like I do on an ancient plastic ASUS laptop I keep in the car.

It also does it if I use it on my lap and rest my palms on the palmrest. It sounds really cheap and nasty compared to the old model. Also the magsafe design is useless for use on anything but a desk as it pops off every few seconds.

This attention to detail is like a VW Fox whereas it should be like Audi A8 at these prices prices.

Hi Mathias78-

Did this issue get relolved for you? I am still interested to hear of your experience.

Regards,

Harvey

Hi Harvey,

it took some time because I have had a lot of work the last weeks and Apple did not contact me to tell me that the replacement parts have arrived.

I called the Apple Store last Thursday and asked for a convenient solution. Although I asked to have just the screw replaced to see if the creaking stops when the screws are adjusted correctly they wanted to exchange the fan and therefore my MacBook should stay in the store for about 2 weeks (although the Genius some weeks ago told me that it is possible to wait for the repair).

It was necessary to speak a bit louder to get a manager on the phone. Finally (after 40 minutes on the phone) I was able to speak with the chief of the repair departement of the store. He offered me to come this monday to have the screw replaced and to see if the creaking can be "adjusted" away...

When I went to the store this monday there was already a note added to my calendar entry and the chief of repairs came directly to me. After waiting some time, he told me that they were not able to remove the screw and therefore they offered me a completely new replacedment MacBook with new warranty from the date of exchange. He also told me that this is quite not usual in this store but they want to offer a convenient soultion because this was already my fourth visit concerning this problem...

I received a new MacBook Pro Retina with warranty starting from monday. Unfortunately I needed to recover the data from my Time Capsule because they were not able to open the old MacBook. Furthermore I received a LG display now hoping that the ghosting does not appear in the new series...

The new device does not make any creaking noise and finally I am quite happy (although I will still have to test the ghosting issue).

HI

I have been suffering with this problem for 2 months and so purchased a screwdriver to tighten the screws. This worked, almost, and the creaking was reduced, but soon the screws loosened again (after about a day).

I then read somewhere else that the solution was to slightly loosen the screws, so I tried this and this works perfectly. I loosened each about haf a turn and the creaking disappeared completely and hasnt returned.

I now feel like I have a quality mac laptop again and don't feel like I have been conned with some cheap imitation.

I suggest anyone who has this problem tries loosening all the screws on the bottom. Only slightly. Half a turn each. You have nothing to lose, if it doesn't solve the problem, just tighten them again.

I had popping/creaking and I took my laptop back to the Apple Store. The short version is that it was the adhesive between the battery and the upper case. The tech removed the bottom case and even with it removed the laptop still made the noise, and upon further investigation it was the adhesive.

They replaced the laptop on the spot as it was less than a month old, rather than keeping me without the laptop for several days to conduct the repair.

Full details can be read in a post on my personal non-commercial site (not even any advertisements of any sort) at http://www.mikedvb.com/2012/10/23/apple-retina-macbook-pro-15-manufacturing-defe cts-popping-and-creaking/

I have a 15'' Macbook pro retina and when I lift it I have a pop or "click" sound from the right side of the screen.

The screen seems loose on the right side hinge, since I can jiggle it and it has play to it.

What's even worst is that when I took the laptop out of the box at home it had a small dent on the bottom of it, straight out of the box!

Who would believe me though if I go and say that... I learned my lesson to always open and check at the store.

Take it back immediately!!!, i am currently on my 4th replacement macbook pro retina display. I had the same issue with that you experienced. The creaking noises and the loose hinges.

I feel so ******. I've had a unibody mbp since 2009 which was rock solid, definitely compared to my 15 inch retina. This 15 inch is replacing a 13 inch retina that I had not so long ago and it was rock solid as well... Apple makes amazing product, but I personally have always recieved products with wuality control issues. Also has anyone exoerienced the fan on their retina macbook pro spinning really fast and loud, it was the loudest i've ever heard on any computer! This laptop just feels like a "can of worms" and its pretty sad.

ps: I have a 15 inch base model mbp

My Mac Book Pro Retina is driving me CRAZY!!!

Creaks like an old squeeky door.

I took it in and they tried to help but said "It is within specifications" which I find really dissapointing.

I want it replaced.

How did you get yours replaced??

I have spent nearly $30,000 with apple in the last year... I shouldn't have to deal with this.

I've had this problem ever since I received my 13" retina MBP in November.

I ordered a screwdriver kit off of amazon -- I can loosen the screws then tighten them and it fixes the problem for a few hours but it always comes back. I'm tired of this -- this is the last straw. -- I spent almost 2 grand on this laptop.

I made a genius bar appointment for tomorrow. I have a feeling I'm going to get the third degree because I'm just a dumb old end user looking for things to complain about -- but seriously, Apple products did NOT used to be like this. ****, even my 2011 MB Air never had any problems at all with build quality...But it seems the retinas are a diff story. Wish me luck on getting a replacement. I would hate to have to try to fix this myself with lock-tite....It just feels wrong that I would have to do such a thing with a $2000 laptop from one of the richest most successful tech companies in the world right now.

Good luck. My first rMBP 15 did not have creaking issues but the left speaker was broken. Got that replaced.. and this computer creaks like crazy! Made another genius appointment.. The guy said there is nothing wrong with my computer. So I asked the guy why this new one creaked but my first one did not. he said, "it's a hardware thing." um, okay.. then i showed him the forums of people getting theirs replaced. Asking, if other apple stores considered this a big enough issues to replace theirs, why can't i replace mine? He said, "there is a forum for everything" hmm... "well what if this issue gets worse in the future?" i asked. "Buy apple care protection" *walk out of store* worst apple experience i have ever had. he was very condescending. I would only expect it to creak this much if it were a cheap computer from wal-mart. What gets me is, my first one did NOT creak. This one does. SOMETHING is different... 😠

I also had this problem on my mid 2012 15" Retina MacBook Pro. I fixed it by loosening the pentalobe screws just a little bit. Tightening them fixed the problem only temporarily, and eventually made it even worse. I only loosened few screws where the sound was coming, others were already loose enough.

I believe the construction of this laptop is designed to be little flexible (maybe that's why there are those 'springs' inside?). The screws are probably supposed to be tightened only to a certain torque and maybe there are problems with controlling that on the assembly line. There's also risk that you break the screws or casing if you tighten them too much, but by loosening them a little, you won't risk anything. The problem could probably be fixed also by using some kind of rubber / paper sealing and washers on the assembly line, but like other manufacturers, Apple is also trying to cut costs everywhere they can, even though these are very expensive machines.

Otherwise i'm very pleased with this premium laptop, i'd say this is only a minor issue.

Does anyone still have the creaking problems?? if so , what did you do to get it resolved

I solved this by turning the Mac on its back, and by spraying a little silicone spray along the edge of the backplate where it meets the chassis. Creaking gone.

KB

I actually thought this was from using an InCase hard shell case, which kind of fit but really didn't, figured I loosened the hinge tearing off the shell, which was held on pretty well.

Turns out it was just the screws on the bottom cover of the Macbook Pro! I had recently taken the cover off to dust it out (no dust!), and kind of overtightened the screws, purposely because I wanted the screws flush with the shell, not sticking out in any way.

But again, they were in too tight, so as per CoolDuckie's post, I slightly loosened all the screws and violá! The creaking is gone! I'm not really 100% sure why that overtightening of the backplate caused creaking in the hinge, but hey, it's fixed and I'm happy! It's also noticably easier to open the Macbook Pro when it's closed.

It'd be cool to know exactly why this solves the problem, anyone know?