Apple's Dan Riccio responds to bent iPad Pro reports, says device 'meets or exceeds' produ...
The 2018 iPad Pro is constructed to Apple's high manufacturing standards, an executive has claimed, in response to a customer query asking about the recent reports some iPad Pro models are shipping with a slightly bent chassis.
An 11-inch iPad Pro exhibits a bend out of the box. | Source: The Verge
Recent reports about the bends have circulated since the launch of the new iPad Pro range, with a slight curve in the chassis visible in some units supplied to customers. On Wednesday, Apple confirmed the bend is a byproduct of the manufacturing process, specifically from the cooling process affecting the tablet's metal and plastic materials.
Apple's statement also indicated that it was not considered a defect in production, and that it was seeing a normal return rate, suggesting users are either not bothered or have not noticed the issue.
One customer identified as Craig attempted to contact Apple CEO Tim Cook about the matter, but instead received a response from Apple VP of hardware engineering Dan Riccio. According to the email, provided to Macrumors, Riccio claims the iPad Pro's "unibody design meets or exceeds all of Apple's high quality standards of design and precision manufacturing."
"We've carefully engineered it and every part of the manufacturing process is precisely measured and controlled," Riccio asserts.
"Our current specification for iPad Pro flatness is up to 400 microns which is even tighter than previous generations," wrote Riccio. "This 400 micron variance is less than half a millimeter (or the width of fewer than four sheets of paper at most) and this level of flatness won't change during normal use over the lifetime of the product."
Riccio goes on to note the "slight variations" in question do not "affect the function of the device in any way."
The email goes on to advise a company statement was not provided in the original reporting on the matter, and that an official comment would be provided to media outlets. At the time of publication, no comment has been supplied.
Photos from an afflicted unit appear that the bending is appearing nearest to the plastic antenna "lines" for the cellular-capable version of the device. While Apple hasn't confirmed if the effect is limited to just LTE models, some Wi-Fi only versions have apparently suffered a similar issue according to social media posts.
The affected units arrive already bent from the factory, Apple advised. It is unclear if the bend manifests itself or becomes worse while under typical daily use. AppleInsider has confirmed that there does not appear to be a higher than normal return rate, but recommends inspecting iPad Pro units already in use or waiting to be gifted, and documenting the issue with Apple support if it appears to be bent.
An 11-inch iPad Pro exhibits a bend out of the box. | Source: The Verge
Recent reports about the bends have circulated since the launch of the new iPad Pro range, with a slight curve in the chassis visible in some units supplied to customers. On Wednesday, Apple confirmed the bend is a byproduct of the manufacturing process, specifically from the cooling process affecting the tablet's metal and plastic materials.
Apple's statement also indicated that it was not considered a defect in production, and that it was seeing a normal return rate, suggesting users are either not bothered or have not noticed the issue.
One customer identified as Craig attempted to contact Apple CEO Tim Cook about the matter, but instead received a response from Apple VP of hardware engineering Dan Riccio. According to the email, provided to Macrumors, Riccio claims the iPad Pro's "unibody design meets or exceeds all of Apple's high quality standards of design and precision manufacturing."
"We've carefully engineered it and every part of the manufacturing process is precisely measured and controlled," Riccio asserts.
"Our current specification for iPad Pro flatness is up to 400 microns which is even tighter than previous generations," wrote Riccio. "This 400 micron variance is less than half a millimeter (or the width of fewer than four sheets of paper at most) and this level of flatness won't change during normal use over the lifetime of the product."
Riccio goes on to note the "slight variations" in question do not "affect the function of the device in any way."
The email goes on to advise a company statement was not provided in the original reporting on the matter, and that an official comment would be provided to media outlets. At the time of publication, no comment has been supplied.
Photos from an afflicted unit appear that the bending is appearing nearest to the plastic antenna "lines" for the cellular-capable version of the device. While Apple hasn't confirmed if the effect is limited to just LTE models, some Wi-Fi only versions have apparently suffered a similar issue according to social media posts.
The affected units arrive already bent from the factory, Apple advised. It is unclear if the bend manifests itself or becomes worse while under typical daily use. AppleInsider has confirmed that there does not appear to be a higher than normal return rate, but recommends inspecting iPad Pro units already in use or waiting to be gifted, and documenting the issue with Apple support if it appears to be bent.
Comments
And,
Dear Apple and Mr. Cook, standards dropping much? Becoming less committed?
There is a picture over at macrumours that shows an iPad Pro sitting on a table with a visible curvature to it (same story as here). I would be gutted if that was mine and Apple declined to change it since they seem to think its not a defect.
The big question is whether they can get worse over time (ie after your free 14 day return period etc so they can literally turn around and say YOU bent it , or just NOT a defect.)
Their stock dropped to $152 today. Down 33% now. Not because of this apparently but still , this is just fuel for the fire.
It's pretty obvious some of the bending is beyond 400 microns. That's not explained by "tolerances". The issue should be addressed properly so that people have confidence in the products they're buying. "Return 'til you get a good one" isn't the solution.
The statement says that the tolerances are 400 microns. That's an interesting fact. If you get one that is off by more than 400 microns then Apple considers it defective, just like they would if you get one that has a screen that doesn't work. They ship millions of devices; some will be defective. Now we know where that line is. We have no data about what percentage of new iPod pros are > 400 microns versus 100-399 microns versus <99 microns (none are 0 microns). Without data, we have no idea if this is a problem or the typical internet mountain out of a molehill.
”change the standards”
”Ok - it meets the standards now. Problem solved!”
Cynism aside, my rule of thumb would be that it shouldn’t rock or swivel if you lay it on a flat surface. It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but the ones I’ve seen appear to be bent more than 400 microns/0.4 mm and enough to cause rocking when laid down. We don’t know what the standards are for previous ipad generations, but I’d be curious to know how much of a bend there was in a sampling of past generation devices. My first gen 12” iPad Pro has no detectable bend, for whatever that’s worth.
"We don't ship junk"
Steve Jobs
And if they have more of a bend then that, then Apple considers that defective. There is no story here.
Something is likely occurring down the line, and my guess would be this is limited to a small batch of units.
If affected return to Apple, let them trace it back through the fabrication process to the source, if it hasn’t already been corrected.