Is This Normal? Coil Whine, Creaking Chassis, and Defective Speakers on a New MacBook Pro M4 Pro

maxim5676 wrote:

Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out to get some opinions on my experience with the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro). I’ve been dealing with the following issues:

1. Creaking Build Quality:

• The laptop creaks when I hold it even with two hands or move the display.

• The hinge also makes creaking noises during normal use.

2. Coil Whine:

• There’s a loud coil whine under even minimal load, including when using Apple’s own apps like iMovie.

3. Defective Speakers:

• The speakers rattle across most frequencies, which I confirmed using sound tests.

Apple Support told me that everything is "normal” Here are videos demonstrating the issues:

• Coil Whine Video

• Build Quality Creaking

https://youtu.be/ouWLHJiwuJI

Can anyone confirm if this is actually considered normal for a brand-new MacBook Pro? I’ve always trusted Apple’s quality, but this experience has left me frustrated and unsure of what to do next.

[Edited by Moderator]

If you have multiple issues I would return it or exchange it for one that works as expected out of the box.

you have a limited 14 days for an exchange or refund for any reason—see Returns & Refunds Order status

Only items that have been purchased directly from Apple, either online or at an Apple Retail Store

Returns & Refunds - Shopping Help - Apple

Call Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)

maxim5676 wrote:

I would gladly do that if I could. The problem is that, first of all, this is a CTO (Custom to Order) configuration simply because it has a US layout. I was told from the beginning that returning it is not possible. Moreover, the 14-day period has already passed. Nobody is willing to replace the device; they only offer to replace the motherboard, which would take a month, and I have no idea what condition the device will be in after that. The technician also said that he cant promise me anything.

Since the third day of owning this device, I have been visiting service centers and staying in constant contact with customer support. However, with each passing day, more and more defects are appearing, making the situation even worse.

You can submit your Apple Feedback here:  Product Feedback - Apple

Contact the corporate office   Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple

Apple to my knowledge does not provide a phone number for their European headquarters. All I have ever found is their mailing address:

Apple Distribution International Ltd.

Hollyhill Industrial Estate

Hollyhill, Cork

Republic of Ireland

Sorry, but I don't know of any sure way to get any additional assistance from Apple beyond the normal Apple Support channels. Whether sending a letter to them will do any good I doubt, but it's all I can suggest at this point other than to just let your Apple service center attempt to repair your system.

Readers here are NOT Apple employees, and most of the time we try to help users get relief, accommodate or work-around issues they face.

Your assertion that this device suffers from coil whine can not be correct.

The battery or the power adapter provides DC power at or below below 20 Volts levels, and there ARE no large wire-wound open coils (the kind whose open windings can produce coil whine) inside your MacBook Pro. Power regulation from 20 volts to operating levels at these modest power draws use far smaller devices that do not whine, typically because they are completely potted.

There are other things inside your Mac that could be making noises, but you did not ASK about those.

I am sorry you are not happy with the built-in speakers. Most users who need more or better sound than these TINY speakers just connect the sound system of their choice, and do not let the included speakers continue to annoy them.

MacBook Pro computers are optimized for light weight and portable operation. They do not have the bulk required to damp out body creaking. if the hinges and body creak too much when you move it around, consider leaving it mostly in one place. Then the creaking will happen less frequently.