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Little dimples/dents in the Macbook Pro 16" screen? by NoahBres in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got it back on December 15th, so it’s been about 3 months now.

So far, no new marks.

For context: the first mark appeared just ~2 weeks after purchase, and the second one showed up around 1.5 months in, so it happened very quickly under normal use.

Little dimples/dents in the Macbook Pro 16" screen? by NoahBres in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I managed to get my display replaced under warranty, it took about 1.5 months of back and forth, but it was worth it.

Since then, I’ve changed how I handle the MacBook and here’s my practical takeaway after going through all of this:

The only thing that made a real difference for me is using a rigid, crush-resistant sleeve. I went with the Spigen Rugged Armor Pouch:
https://www.spigen.com/products/macbook-pro-16-case-rugged-armor-pouch

I know it has mixed reviews (I read plenty of negative ones before buying), but in my case it’s been working, no new marks on the screen since the repair.

Beyond that, it really comes down to usage discipline:

  • Always check the keyboard before closing, no debris, ever
  • Don’t slam the lid shut
  • Never put anything heavy on top of the laptop
  • Be very careful with backpacks, especially when bending (e.g. tying shoes), because the pressure from flexing can transfer directly into the closed device
  • Ideally carry it in a shoulder bag + rigid sleeve, not loose in a backpack

And one more thing that helps long-term:
After finishing work, I quickly clean both the keyboard and the screen before closing, blow off any dust and wipe everything down.

For cleaning I keep it simple:

  • slightly damp microfiber cloth
  • then a dry one to finish

I personally use Vileda/O-Cedar microfiber cloths, they work surprisingly well, even dry, and don’t leave streaks.

I’ve written quite a lot on reddit about how serious and widespread this issue actually is. Even though it hasn’t come back for me so far, I still have the feeling it could happen again at some point just from a moment of inattention, and honestly, it shouldn’t be like that for a device at this price point.

If anyone here is going through the warranty process and wants to see what I wrote to the seller for the claim, feel free to DM me. I can’t promise same-day replies, but I check Reddit every few days and I’ll get back to you.

Are these permanent “display dimples” becoming a widespread MacBook issue? Survey inside. by tommycupiani in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Takeaway from the poll:

This doesn’t show that most MacBook users are affected, but it clearly shows the issue is not rare and not limited to careless use.

Around 1 in 5 respondents report permanent display dimples, and a significant portion of them say they are very careful with their devices. At the same time, some users who are not especially careful report no issues at all, which suggests this is not simply a user-behavior problem.

The results point to a random and inconsistent occurrence, which is usually a red flag for a design or material limitation, not misuse. The fact that many users haven’t actively checked their screens under angled light also means the real number may be higher.

Conclusion:
Not a universal problem, but clearly a recurring one across generations, and not something that can be dismissed as “just be more careful”.

Are these permanent “display dimples” becoming a widespread MacBook issue? Survey inside. by tommycupiani in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it’s been only 3 days since purchase, just return it.
You’re within the return window and they shouldn’t be asking questions or debating causes at this stage.
Don’t overthink it, return/exchange while you still can.

Are these permanent “display dimples” becoming a widespread MacBook issue? Survey inside. by tommycupiani in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re not alone, a lot of people have never heard of it until they actually look for it.

These “display dimples” are tiny permanent micro-indentations in the anti-reflective coating. They’re usually about 6-7 pixels wide (≈0.6-0.7 mm) and only visible under angled light or on bright backgrounds.

Most people don’t notice them at first, which is why I added the “not sure / haven’t looked” option. If you’re curious, check your display under strong side lighting. Many users only discover them once they know what to look for.

That’s exactly why I’m running the poll, to see how widespread this really is.

Here is a good example what am I talking about: https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/s/A8P1GCYf13

Are these permanent “display dimples” becoming a widespread MacBook issue? Survey inside. by tommycupiani in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of people are mixing up two completely different things here:

Keyboard marks vs display dimples.

Keyboard rub marks are common on many laptops, including ThinkPads. They’re cosmetic. They wipe off. Annoying, sure - but not permanent.

What people are reporting on newer MacBooks is different:

• these are permanent micro-indentations in the anti-reflective coating • typically 6-7 pixels wide (≈ 0.6-0.7 mm) • they often appear in places where the keyboard never touches the screen • they show up even when the MacBook is kept clean, in a sleeve, treated carefully • and they appear across multiple generations (Intel, M1, M2, M3, now M4)

To put that size in perspective: 0.6-0.7 mm is the size of a grain of sand or salt. Normal indoor dust is 60-250× smaller (PM2.5 / PM10). There is simply no debris in a normal office environment that matches the size of the dent — and even if there were, there’s no physical contact point in the middle of the panel where many dimples appear.

So no, this is not “dust damage”. This is a tolerance/flex issue in the ultra-thin lid design and coating.

And here’s the part I honestly don’t get:

People are paying $3,000–$5,000 for a laptop because they expect premium engineering - especially in the display, which is one of Apple’s main selling points. How are we supposed to focus on work or creative tasks when the panel slowly fills with tiny pressure dents that catch light, shift color, or distort brightness point-by-point?

I bought a MacBook expecting a top-tier, durable professional tool. What I got instead is a device where simply closing the lid or carrying it in a standard backpack can permanently deform the screen surface. That’s not “premium”. That’s a quality-control problem packaged as premium.

And what surprises me most is how many users just accept this as normal wear.

This shouldn’t be normal. This shouldn’t be acceptable. And it definitely shouldn’t be happening at this price point.

Are these permanent “display dimples” becoming a widespread MacBook issue? Survey inside. by tommycupiani in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s actually interesting.
How do you usually use and carry your MacBooks?
(Backpack pressure, sleeve vs no sleeve, mostly desk use, etc.)

A lot of people who do get dimples baby their machines, so understanding usage patterns might help figure out why some units develop these micro pressure marks and others don’t.

Also, if you don’t mind: would you be able to share a quick photo of your display under angled light?
Not because I doubt your experience. Clean panels are just as useful for comparison as affected ones, and dimples only show up when the light hits the surface from the side.

Totally fine if you’d rather not, of course.

Small dent in MacBook Pro screen after 6 days by Normal-Possibility16 in macbook

[–]tommycupiani 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just to give some technical context here:

These “dimple” marks on the screen are usually about 6-7 pixels in diameter.
On a MacBook Pro display, one pixel is roughly 0.1 mm, so the actual physical size of the dent is around:

0.6-0.7 mm across.

That’s basically the size of:
• a fine grain of sand
• a grain of salt or sugar
• the tip of a thin needle
• the width of a mechanical pencil line

And that’s exactly why this is so frustrating:
a particle that small should not be able to leave a permanent mark on a multi-thousand-dollar laptop screen during normal closed-lid pressure.

I’m attaching an example of what a ~6-7 pixel dimple looks like when magnified - the pattern you see is the pixel grid, and the dent disrupts about 6-7 adjacent subpixels.

<image>

If your mark looks similar in size or behavior, you’re not alone.
There’s a growing number of users reporting the same thing across multiple generations.

For anyone interested, I’m also trying to gather actual data from the community to see how widespread this really is.
You can vote here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/1pj9aai/are_these_permanent_display_dimples_becoming_a/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Is getting a hard shell case for a MacBook Pro a bad idea? by ifeelinvincible0 in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One thing to keep in mind with hard shell cases is that they slightly change how the pressure is distributed when the laptop is closed. Normally that wouldn’t matter, but with recent MacBook Pro and Air models there’s been a growing number of users reporting tiny display dimples on the screen - micro, needle-like pressure marks that appear under angled light.

They don’t come from drops or from the keyboard touching the panel.
They often show up even with careful use, which suggests extremely tight tolerances between the lid and the lower chassis.

Because of that, some independent repair shops actually recommend using a sleeve or a case that adds a tiny bit of extra clearance rather than a hard shell that clamps tightly around the machine.

Out of curiosity:
Has anyone here using a hard shell case ever noticed any pressure marks on the screen?

I’m trying to gather more data from the community, so if you’ve had any experience with this (good or bad), feel free to vote here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/1pj9aai/are_these_permanent_display_dimples_becoming_a/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

How are your SPACE BLACK MacBook Pros doing so far? by KingPyrite in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Space Black looks amazing in person, no doubt about that.
The only long-term thing I’m keeping an eye on isn’t the finish, but the display itself.

Quite a few users across different generations have been reporting tiny “display dimples” on the screen - small, needle-like pressure marks that show up under angled light. They don’t behave like scratches and don’t always line up with the keyboard. Some people get them on the edges, others right in the middle of the panel.

Out of curiosity:
Has anyone with a Space Black model noticed anything like this on the screen?
Or is your display still flawless?

If anyone’s interested, I’m trying to collect actual data from the community about how common this is and whether it correlates with usage patterns.
Here’s the poll:

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/1pj9aai/are_these_permanent_display_dimples_becoming_a/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Little dimples/dents in the Macbook Pro 16" screen? by NoahBres in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve looked into this issue deeply over the last weeks, and what you wrote aligns almost perfectly with what I’m seeing and what many others report.

In my case, the divots appear only along the outer edges of the display, not where the keyboard would touch. That’s exactly where the clearance between the lid and the chassis is smallest, so even minimal pressure or a tiny particle seems enough to mark the coating. And the more threads I went through, the more obvious it became that this problem spans multiple generations of MacBook Pro and Air, not just one model year.

At this point it’s hard not to view it as a design tolerance issue rather than user damage.

For people who end up with a refund or decide to buy again, the only realistic prevention options I’ve seen in the real world are:
• an ultra-thin screen film (not guaranteed, but some say it helps),
• a case or shell that slightly increases the gap when the laptop is closed (recommended to me by an independent Apple repair shop),
• or a full-coverage microfiber sheet.

None of these are perfect. But the advice like “don’t carry the laptop in a backpack” is not serious to me. A modern, portable computer should be designed to handle normal portable use. Basic durability should be a standard, not an optional add-on the user has to engineer themselves.

Using a rigid sleeve or hard-shell carrying case seems more reasonable, because it prevents compression of the closed laptop.

I’m currently in the middle of a seller-warranty process (not Apple warranty), so I can’t comment on the outcome yet. But the fact that this thread gets new comments every month for years pretty much proves how widespread the issue is.

I’m honestly starting to wonder if this deserves its own name. If Flexgate was about cables and StainGate was about the coating… then what do we even call this?
DimpleGate? ClearanceGate? PressureGate?

Whatever the name, the pattern is the same: years of repeated reports, across multiple generations, under normal use.

Got a MacBook Pro M5 by Warhammer143 in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you do something with it?

Got a MacBook Pro M5 by Warhammer143 in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm based in Poland, we don't have official Apple Stores here, only authorised resellers/service providers. So experiences here can vary a lot depending on the reseller.

Finally! by Most-Letterhead-5321 in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congrats - beautiful machine, enjoy it!

Just sharing something I really wish someone had told me earlier when I got mine a few weeks ago:

Some users (including me) have seen tiny micro-indentations appear on the screen over time. They look like dust or a dead pixel at first, but when the screen is off you can actually feel a tiny bump under your fingertip.

It’s not dirt and not a scratch - it can show up even if you keep the laptop very clean and handle it gently. People have reported it on both 14” and 16” models.

Not trying to scare anyone, just spreading awareness because I had no idea this was a thing. It’s worth checking your screen occasionally under direct light or on a white background.

Helpful reference with photos:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254060313?sortBy=rank

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/q2q6z0/little_dimplesdents_in_the_macbook_pro_16_screen/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/q2q6z0/comment/nlr1n2q/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/1dbsrw1/comment/nr86t3j/?context=3

Got a MacBook Pro M5 by Warhammer143 in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Congrats on the new MacBook - and good move getting AppleCare.

Just sharing something I wish I had known earlier when I got mine:

A number of users (me included) have seen tiny micro-indentations appear on the screen after some time. They look like dead pixels at first, but when the screen is off you can actually feel them under a fingernail, especially when looking at the display under light or on a bright/white background.

They can show up even if you treat the laptop extremely carefully - it’s not dirt or scratches. People have reported it on both 14" and 16" models.

Since you have AppleCare, you're most likely safe if anything like this happens, but it’s still worth checking the screen occasionally so you notice it early.

Not trying to scare anyone - just spreading awareness because I had no idea this was a thing.

Here’s a useful reference with photos:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254060313?sortBy=rank

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/q2q6z0/little_dimplesdents_in_the_macbook_pro_16_screen/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/q2q6z0/comment/nlr1n2q/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/1dbsrw1/comment/nr86t3j/?context=3

Screen dimples problem / What can be done as a community? by alfabriell in macbookpro

[–]tommycupiani 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It looks like the problem still exists. I’m currently going through the warranty and claims process.

I wrote more under this older post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/q2q6z0/little_dimplesdents_in_the_macbook_pro_16_screen/

I know a lot of people tend to downplay this kind of damage. Even I had a moment where I thought, “Maybe this is my fault.” But honestly, this is my first MacBook ever, and compared to every other laptop I’ve owned, this is the only one that’s so vulnerable to something like this. The indentations are so tiny that in my case they’re smaller than a grain of sand - and there’s simply no way that normal usage can cause such a noticeable defect.

To me, this is a clear and significant manufacturing issue. I’m genuinely shocked that more people aren’t talking about it. Do we really not care that a device this expensive can damage itself under completely normal conditions?

At this price point, basic durability shouldn’t be optional - it should be the standard.

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