You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

macbook pro retina creaking

Hi, anyone experiencing this? my macbook pro retina makes little creaking when you hold it with one hand (screen opened). does any other macbook unibody do that? thanks for your opinions

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jun 23, 2012 1:12 AM

Reply
113 replies

Apr 6, 2014 1:25 AM in response to luca218k

The creaking of the buttom and topcase is definitely gone but now I have cracking hinges. The hinges are cracking horribly when I'm moving the screen. I will apple let fix the issue and then I will sell the notebook. It's definitely one of the worst experiences I've gone through so far. Apple really has some quality issues they need to fix in their supply chain and production lines. The MacBook was 4 times in repair at the genius bar so far. They even exchanged the whole topcase, what's comparable to a heart transplant, because battery, trackpad and keyboard are glued in this topcase and you need to remove the whole motherboard and screen just to exchange this topcase.

Apr 7, 2014 8:07 AM in response to luca218k

Now there's an interesting update for my case. Today I was visiting an apple store because of the cracking hinges. The genius ordered an new display assembly, because the hinges are deeply integrated and some how welded onto the assembly. The genius was friendly but told me a bit dry and arrogant, that he doesn't need to care about this issue, because it's just "cosmetic" and all the other issues apple took care about in the past (creaking and deformed buttom case) were cosmetic as well. I should be thankfull that they are so generous and willing to exchange the whole display. I think that's arrogance enough. I'm done with apple. The customer service is great, but the product is definitely not. It's not the premium quality I was expecting a year ago when I ordered the MacBook Pro 13" with Retina Display. Now it's practically a completely "new" computer, because every part was exchanged, exept the logicboard, speakers and ssd. But yes, the new retinas have just a few parts: topcase, buttom case, display assembly and logic board. That are the 3 main assemblies they are able to replace.


One last remark: I think the display assembly is reasonably priced here in Switzerland. It's "just" CHF 378.- for the whole assembly. That's about 420.- $. Comparable assemblies from other manufacturers like HP or Lenovo are more expensive. But I don't need to pay. It's all on apple's bill, because I've apple care.

Apr 26, 2014 5:21 PM in response to luca218k

I had this same problem, mine was creaking when I rested my palms by the trackpad, mostly on the left side. Or if I lifted the macbook, or opened or shut it, I have the late 2013 rMBP. I brought it in to the Genius Bar and they said they had heard this problem before and about 1 in 70 that he checked had the problem. I got a brand new one that day and it hasn't had any creaking problems or any problems at all luckily. After closely exaiming my old one compared to my new one, it seemed my bottom plate was not tightened all the way or aligned correctly, I would not accept it just being tightened though, I expect perfection when I pay this much and I demanded a new one. Worked out great for me!

Jun 9, 2014 1:14 PM in response to luca218k

Yep, I have this issue on my late 2013 15" MacBook Pro Retina.


Apples customer support has been absolutely horrible. There are no Apple Stores in Denmark, so repairs go through certified thirdparties. I bought it in to a certified service center (called Eplehuset) for the first time in January 2014.


Here is a video of the problem before handing it in for 1st service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB5m9wqQpgk

(only light pressure is applied, the sound comes when you rest your wrists so it's pretty annoying to listen to everytime you use the machine)


Eplehuset claimed that the problem was caused by the top case, and they replaced it. Actually, the service report reads "the topcase now obeys to Apple's specifications". Hold it there one second: the certified service center claims that my original brand new unit came with a top case that did not obey to Apple's own specifications - hmm, that's strange.


I hoped the problem had been solved, but it didn't take long to realize that it hadn't.

I took these two videos after the top case had been replaced:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPzW4KqAZSA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZMhOak4d0s


Oh well, called Apple again, and they said I would have to turn it in for service once more. This time I chose a different certified service partner (PC Service Center) as they had less estimated repair time. The technichian identified the bottom case to be the cause of the issue. In his report, he writes that the bottom case is bumpy/uneven. This must be on the inside as it seems plain on the outside, and hence it must have been there from when I got the computer. Anyway, in order to be able to replace it, the technichian must first call Apple to get authorization. Apple declined claiming it was "not a hardware issue" - well if the case is not part of the hardware, then what is the case then? Morever, the computer got a tiny scratch on the alu-back of the screen from this visit to the service center. I chose not to do anything about it at this point as this service center had been really nice to me (e.g. not charging comission for looking at the computer), especially compared to the treatment I've gotten directly from Apple up to this point.


Called Apple again informing them I could not understand how a defect that the computer had shipped with was not covered by the warranty. They claimed they couldn't do anything but send me back to Eplehuset. I revisited Eplehuset, and the technichian simply took the laptop appart and cleaned the inside - claiming that this solved the issue. Didn't take me more than 5-10 minutes of use to see that it didn't solve it.


Called Apple again informing them that now I've had it and wanted a replacement machine (after all, I've had it in for service 3 times now). They refuse to replace it claiming that they can only see the first service (the top case replacement) in their systems. Emailed Apple service documents from the two other "repairs". Tomorrow they are going to call me to inform if they'll replace it as it have been in for service three times. The AppleCare employee informed me today that is unlikely as it have not been "repaired" three times - it's only been looked at two of the three service visits.

Jun 10, 2014 12:07 AM in response to gj835

Not on the hinge. I had a "creaking" sound whenever I rested my hands on my MacBook Pro retina 15 inch, first gen. Really annoying. I suspected the problem was that there was a tiny bit of movement between the back-plate and the case. Silicone spray is often very effective for removing such friction-noises between metals or plastics. I sprayed along the line where the casing meets the back-plate, without loosening the screws. (the stuff has a very high penetrative ability)


Voila, problem solved and have not returned so far.


CD

Jun 10, 2014 1:31 AM in response to CoolDuckie

Thanks man. Shame I have to go through such a struggle to convince Apple that they delivered a computer that was damaged during production. I think it's outrageous that Apple claims that this is not a production fault - especially when the thirdparty tech guy has found that the bottom plate is bumpy/uneven. But this is apparently the sort of build quality you can expect from Apple (given the fact that they do not acknowledge this as a fault.)

Aug 4, 2014 6:40 PM in response to luca218k

So has anyone managed to find a fix to this. Mine is consistent when applying pressure to the centre of the bottom cover. Its like a metallic clink or creek sound. Only annoying late at night when I am working away. I called Apple and they claim the issue is not reported din their database. Other than that the laptop is working well with the exception of this annoying creek sound.


My model is the Late 2013 2.3Ghz 15" Retina

macbook pro retina creaking

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.