MacBook Pro laptops are popular high-end laptops made by Apple. With their sleek aluminum design and powerful performance, MacBook Pros are the choice of many professionals and creative users. However, one question that often comes up is whether the MacBook Pro screen is water resistant.
The Short Answer
No, the MacBook Pro screen is not water resistant. The screen is made of glass that can be damaged by water. Contact with liquids should be avoided to prevent permanent damage to the display.
MacBook Pro Screen Construction
The MacBook Pro retina display is made of a thin sheet of glass fused to an LCD panel underneath. The glass used is not specially treated to resist water or other liquids. Underneath the glass is the LCD layer, which contains the liquid crystals that form the pixels. The LCD panel has electronic components to control the pixels and an LED backlight layer to provide illumination.
This type of screen construction has high resolution and color accuracy. However, the glass is fragile and not waterproof. Liquid getting between the glass and LCD can permanently stain or damage the display by short circuiting electronic parts. The metal and plastic casing around the screen provides basic protection but there are gaps required for the hinge and bezel that allow water ingress.
Apple’s Water Resistance Claims
Apple does not claim any kind of water resistance for the MacBook Pro line. Here is an excerpt from Apple’s official MacBook Pro specs:
MacBook Pro is not resistant to liquids. To avoid damage, keep liquids away from MacBook Pro. For best results when cleaning the screen, use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the screen. Don’t get moisture in any openings.
So Apple explicitly states that the MacBook Pro should be kept away from liquids. They recommend using a damp cloth for cleaning but warn against allowing moisture into any openings.
Liquid Contact Indicators
Inside the MacBook Pro are liquid contact indicators that can be triggered if significant liquid exposure occurs. These are designed to change color if enough water or other liquid reaches the internal components. A tripped liquid contact indicator will void the laptop’s warranty and require full device replacement instead of repair.
The location of the liquid contact indicators in a MacBook Pro are:
- Base of the screen hinge
- Beneath the keyboard membrane
- Bottom casing
If liquid reaches any of these spots in sufficient quantity, the indicator dot turns from white to red. This signals that liquid damaged has occurred.
Keyboard Protection
One of the most vulnerable components of a MacBook Pro is the keyboard. Apple has added membrane barriers under the keyboard keys in newer models to try to protect the electronics from minor spills. However, the protection offered is limited.
Apple’s service guidelines state the keyboard membrane helps “prevent damage caused by spills by channeling any liquid away from the electronics.” But they warn it does not make the laptop impervious to liquid damage.
Case Studies of Water Damage
There are many stories online of water damaging MacBook Pro screens and internals. Here are a few examples:
- A 2020 MacBook Pro stopped working immediately after a few drops of water splashed onto the screen and keyboard from a water bottle.
- A user spilled a glass of water that soaked through their 2018 MacBook Pro keyboard into the lower housing, causing RAM and logic board failure shortly after.
- An early 2015 Retina MacBook Pro display showed water stains underneath the screen after the owner used wet wipes to clean around the edges.
These real-world incidents back up Apple’s guidance to keep the MacBook Pro away from liquids. Even small amounts of water can find their way inside and cause corrosion or electrical shorts. The glass display lacks any sort of waterproofing and water can permanently stain the panel if it seeps between the glass and LCD.
Is the MacBook Pro More Vulnerable to Liquids Than Other Laptops?
The MacBook Pro doesn’t have any specific vulnerabilities that make it more prone to water damage than other laptops. For example, comparably priced high-end Windows laptops like the Dell XPS, HP Spectre, and Microsoft Surface Book also lack water resistance and suffer similar water damage.
Cheaper plastic-bodied laptops can sometimes survive small spills better if the water doesn’t soak through the casing to internal components. But no mainstream consumer laptop is designed to be waterproof.
Like any electronic device with exposed ports and vents, the MacBook Pro can be damaged by liquid. The metal chassis can be reasonably robust against minor splashing but offers no guarantee of protection from water damage.
Is the MacBook Pro Screen Coating Water Resistant?
The glass display in a MacBook Pro has an oleophobic (oil resistant) coating to reduce smudging from fingerprints. But this coating does not confer any water resistance.
Apple uses a hydrophobic nanocoating on the glass, which means water beads up and wicks away rather than spreading out. This makes the display easier to keep clean. However, it does not mean the screen is waterproof. Prolonged water exposure can still permeate the display, especially if pressure is applied.
A YouTube video shows a MacBook Pro screen succumbing to water damage even with the oleophobic coating working as intended. The water beads up initially but pressing a wet cloth against the screen causes the water to soak through and leave stains under the glass.
Will Apple Care Cover Liquid Damage?
AppleCare+ for MacBook Pro can help cover the cost of damage from accidental liquid spills. However, there are costs and limitations to this coverage.
If water or spill damage occurs, you’ll have to pay a service fee before Apple will repair the laptop. The service fees are $299 for screen damage or $299 for external enclosure damage.
Also, any liquid contact indicators inside the laptop must not be tripped. If moisture sensors in the MacBook Pro are triggered, Apple will not cover any water damage under the AppleCare+ plan.
So AppleCare+ provides some protection against water damage costs but has limitations. Avoiding liquid exposure in the first place is still the best way to prevent issues.
Can You Waterproof a MacBook Pro Screen?
There aren’t any good options to add waterproofing to a MacBook Pro screen after purchase. Some suggestions that get offered include:
- Spray-on waterproofing treatments
- Attachable waterproof screens protectors
- Using petroleum jelly around the edges
However, none of these provide reliable waterproofing and some like petroleum jelly can cause damage. The screen glass cannot be treated to resist water after manufacturing.
For anyone needing an electronic device that is waterproof, a ruggedized laptop designed for outdoor use would be a better choice than trying to modify a MacBook Pro. Some laptop brands like Panasonic make computers with water and dust resistance for challenging environments.
Should You Use a MacBook Pro in the Rain?
Exposing a MacBook Pro to rain or other wet environments is not recommended. Using a laptop in the rain increases the likelihood of water exposure that can damage the device.
If you need to work outdoors, take precautions like:
- Use a waterproof case or cover
- Keep the MacBook Pro closed when not in use
- Use a water-resistant backpack or bag
- Avoid putting down the laptop in wet areas
- Wipe dry any rain that gets on the exterior
- Stop using if any rain gets on the ports or openings
Ideally, it’s safest to avoid using a MacBook Pro in rain. But with sufficient precautions, occasional brief outdoor use may be okay. Just be vigilant about preventing water from getting on or in the laptop.
Can You Replace a Water Damaged MacBook Pro Screen?
It is possible to replace a MacBook Pro screen that has been damaged by water. However, there are a few caveats:
- Water stains may persist after screen replacement if moisture infiltrated between the glass and LCD.
- Liquid damage elsewhere in the laptop could still cause problems even after a new display.
- Screen replacement without Apple certification can void your warranty.
Replacing a water damaged screen through Apple is the safest option, even if stains remain visible. Apple charges $475 and up for MacBook Pro display replacement without AppleCare+ coverage.
Many third party repair shops also offer screen replacement services. However, low quality parts or improper installation could lead to other issues down the line.
Drying Out a Wet MacBook Pro
If your MacBook Pro gets wet, quick action can sometimes save it from permanent damage:
- Immediately power off the laptop if it is still on
- Disconnect the power adapter and all cables
- Dry the exterior of the laptop with a towel
- Place the device upside down on a dry towel
- Allow to thoroughly air dry for at least 24-48 hours
- Check for liquid indicator trips before turning back on
This process can allow moisture on the aluminum surfaces to evaporate before causing internal electrical issues. However, if liquid seeped inside already, damage may have already occurred.
Best Practices to Keep a MacBook Pro Dry
Here are some best practices to avoid exposing your MacBook Pro to liquids:
- Keep drinks away from laptop
- Don’t use near sinks, bathtubs, pools etc
- Shut lid when transporting with bottles
- Don’t bring into steamy environments like showers
- Use outside barriers like bags or cases in rain
- Wipe up spills immediately with dry cloth
- Install water reminder apps to take breaks
- Use sleeve when drinking near laptop
- Leave ample buffer space around drinks
- Keep small kids and pets away from laptops
Making water avoidance part of your regular laptop use habits goes a long way. Be especially careful when tired or distracted to maintain vigilance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the MacBook Pro screen and other components are not designed to be water resistant. The glass display can readily be damaged by water exposure. Small amounts of liquids can still reach internal parts through the keyboard, ports, vents and other openings.
Apple does not claim any kind of meaningful water protection in its MacBook Pro laptops. Quickly drying out a wet device and repairing any damage are the only ways to recover from accidental water incidents.
Care should be taken to keep MacBook Pros away from potential water hazards. Additional shells and bags can help protect the laptop when use in wet environments is unavoidable. But ultimately the MacBook Pro is an electronic device that requires caution around liquids to prevent problems.