MBP retina 15" 2012 model Thunderbolt connector loose

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gnbg23s1Oc

Thank you for sharing this.

I see your frustration. Understandable.

Although an idea that works, one must be careful with possible damage to the receptacle caused by glue or debris buildup. The connector's temperature can be high enough to melt the tape.

I have preferred the external solution using masking tape, elastic bands or velcro.

I have preferred the external solution using masking tape, elastic bands or velcro.

How does this work?

I just glued a piece of velcro (soft half) at the bottom of the MacBookPro - near the edge - and attached a velcro strip to the cable, close to the connector. When I plug the Thunderbolt cable, I attach the two pieces of velco, giving some tension to the strip coming from the cable. This gives ridgidity to the connection. It is cumbersome and inconvenient but it works.

I ended up gluing another piece of velcro at the other end of the computer to keep it leveled.

The two solutions appear effective. Both are equally embarrassing, especially given the price of these units.

Based on this and other homebrew solutions, sounds like the problem's solved!

Silly us for expecting to not have to resort to velcro, electrical tape, and two-part epoxy to use our $3000 computers... Pretty sure I saw vecro holding everything together in that new Mac Pro production video Apple released anyways...

"The lightest and most desireable computer in the world... for the next three weeks: The Mapple Void" – The Simpsons

I have that computer, but I bought it well over 3 weeks ago...

I'm experiencing the same problem. Seems like a loose Thunderbolt connector. Both my external monitor and my retina laptop screen flicker black for a second, then they come back. I can reproduce it (albeit not very consistently) by moving the laptop or cable slightly.

My recommendation is to take your MacBookPro to the nearest Apple Store and open a case. Make sure you show the technician a copy of this thread and that she or he reports the issue in detail. They will not be able to fix your computer but at least you will have a record of the failure.

Hi, I had the same problem. Soo loose that I was incapable of using an external monitor or disk.

So I designed a gadget to secure both the Thunderbolt and MagSafe 2 connectors together, effectively providing the strength of the MagSafe magnet to the Thunderbolt connector

If you have a 3D printer you can download the CAD file here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:221478

If you want to purchase it directly, you can do it here: http://tinyurl.com/o57jrke

You are a god. Would be nice if there were a version to accommodate the magsafe 2 adapter, since that is what I use with my Thunderbolt Display. but I could make this work, I guess…

Hi,

Not a god, just an engineer 🙂

Yes, this is for the MagSafe 2, I should have specified.

I've updated my first post accordingly.

Thanks.

Hi

just a update on my side. I finally got my machine inot Apple to get my screen fixed and the changed the top case as well (was wondering why) until I got home and connected my Thunderbold cables and guess what they fit so snug and solid now no wiggling arround I even had hard time inserting them so I guess they were ware of it and fixed so guys not to sure if it is worth it to bring your computer in and ask them to look into it

I have the same issue with a new 2013 rMBP 15 inch.

The thundernolt connector (with a dvi adpter) seems very loose, but i have no issues loosing the connection, unless i move the MBP.

This is so apple unlike, feels kind of cheap!

On the other hand, the USB connector is rock solid, like a connector should be.

my workaround: Put some scotch tape around the connector at the backside. 2 layers on each short side, and 2 layers all around. width only about 3-4 mm, just to thicken the part where the connector touches the aluminium part of the MBP. IMO this way there should be also no complications.

It feels much more solid this way.

Can anyone else verify this? If this is the case, I am going to go have this done, as I am still within warranty.

Oh sorry, I meant to quote racb. He said:

racb wrote:

just a update on my side. I finally got my machine inot Apple to get my screen fixed and the changed the top case as well (was wondering why) until I got home and connected my Thunderbold cables and guess what they fit so snug and solid now no wiggling arround I even had hard time inserting them so I guess they were ware of it and fixed so guys not to sure if it is worth it to bring your computer in and ask them to look into it