The saga of the bent iPad Pros continues today, as Apple has put up a support document on its site to address the situation.
In the support document, Apple goes into detail on the process it uses to make the cellular iPad Pro models, using small vertical bands or "splits" in the dies to allow parts of the case to function as cellular antennas. These splits are made using a process called co-molding that injects plastic into milled channels in the aluminum chassis of the iPad where it bonds to micropores in the aluminum. Once the plastic cools, the body is finished with a CNC machining operation.
Apple explains that its manufacturing techniques and inspection process help the new iPad Pros to meet a tighter specification for flatness than previous models. "This flatness specification allows for no more than 400 microns of deviation across the length of any side — less than the thickness of four sheets of paper," the Cupertino company says. "The new straight edges and the presence of the antenna splits may make subtle deviations in flatness more visible only from certain viewing angles that are imperceptible during normal use. These small variances do not affect the strength of the enclosure or the function of the product and will not change over time through normal use."
Customers who believe that their iPad Pro does not meet the specifications outlined by Apple can contact the company's support for help. Apple also points out that it offers a 14-day return window and a one-year warranty on products that covers damage that occurs due to a defect in materials or workmanship.
News of bent iPad Pro tablets began circulating last month. Apple confirmed that some units do ship with a slight bend as a result of the cooling process that involves the iPad Pro's metal and plastic parts during its construction. Apple says that this bend shouldn't get worse over time or affect the iPad Pro's performance.
It's good that Apple has put up this official support document to talk more about the controversy surrounding bent iPad Pros, but some folks will likely still be frustrated about the whole thing. And that's understandable, because the iPad Pro is an expensive tablet that starts at $799, and when you're buying a device that costs that much, you want it to be perfect. The good news is that if you do get a bent iPad Pro, you can return it and get another.
