What's your worst technical problem with your MBP?

[jhamerphoto]

Not to discourage others from purchasing a MBP or any mac, I was wondering (for novelty purposes) what the worst problem(s) you have encountered with your MBP is/are?

Myself, I was just told at the Apple store yesterday that my Logic board needs to be replaced on my 14 month-old MBP. Running at least $1600, I decided to just wait it out for the update, and buy new.

How about you!

[RainForRent]

I bought my MBP first generation, and I have fixed:
Superdrive replaced 2x, new logic board, new fans, new bottom case, and new CPU. Thank god I just paid for a depot repair and all of that (minus one superdrive fix) cost me $300.

[johnsy]

Hmmm , when you have to buy a new one AGAIN?

[jhamerphoto]

Hmmm , when you have to buy a new one AGAIN?

:\ clarify? Who are you speaking to, and what exactly are you asking?

[whooleytoo]

Worst - probably the sudden shutdowns without warning at around 30% when running on battery. Mostly when running Windows, but also occurs in OSX. Calibrating the battery doesn't help. It just means I never use it on battery, for any length of time.

Dishonorable mentions: Bulging battery. Random shutdowns (both fixed by battery replacement). Power adaptor melting through cable. Replacement adaptor cable coming loose. Crash and corrupting of PRAM when I try and adjust the brightness in Boot Camp.

[MattZani]

left side of the lid doesnt close completely

Uhhh, its too fast? I dont get 10 hours battery life? Max brightness is a little too bright.

[lordthistle]

I made quite a long listing here:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=474594

But the two that I love the most are:

1. Dark stripes on screen. They are kind enough to appear only occasionally.

2. Very low quality of the displays.
I have had an AUO one: yellowish. Hard to use in photography, especially for b/w. The second one was likely a Samsung. Less yellowish, but weird lighting in the bottom part. Now I am waiting for the third one. The two displays were a shame, especially because they are considered one of the key features.

thistle

[GGJstudios]

When I first got my :apple:BP, the Bluetooth functionality died in the first 24 hours. They replaced it and I've not had a single problem of any kind since then (not counting user errors/mistakes/ignorance/brain cramps!)

[gr8bob]

Had a graphic glitch with my SR MBP purchased in Feb 2008.

So...

.. checked it in with a 'big name' Apple certified service centre/retailer. One week passed and nothing had been done other than being left sitting on shelf. 11 days after I checked it in then it's finally ready for pick up. Upon receiving it, a list of faults are discovered:

1. Sticky latch (gone after several retries)
2. Left a gap between the lower and top case (the part just above the SuperDrive slot)
3. Damaged one of the screws, so it doesn't fit in properly. Screw hole seems to be worn out too.
4. Right fan stopped working

Brought it back for them to rectify it.. then..

5. (They) claimed the fan was working when they opened it (both iStat and Apple hardware test reported right fan had zero rpm before I bought it in).
6. Left a 2 inch scratch on my LCD lid. :mad:
7. Graphics glitch came back

... <insert various words when you're frustrated>... <pulls hair out>.. <bleep>..

[Incident 1-7 all happened within 24 hours upon receiving the machine!]

Gave Apple customer relations a call, brought it in an alternative Apple service centre to let them verify my claim. Took them less than 3 days to get it verified.. now waiting for a new MBP from Apple..

Will surely not be going back to that specific service centre ever again for ********* my machine up..:mad:

[miniConvert]

Well, the most annoying problem with mine is the keyboard. I don't care what anyone says - the MBP keyboard is not good, the MBA keyboard is much better. What really bothers me is my space bar. It used to squeak, so I had the keyboard replaced. The new one squeaked as well, so it had to be taken off and put back on again. Now it isn't level and has poor travel. Plus the left side of the machine creaks when I put my wrist on it from the first keyboard replacement :rolleyes:

[TheCookie]

I have some problems when coming back from sleep. Occasionally it just won't come back. More often it seems to run slow after, and my internet connection becomes very spotty even if I haven't moved the computer.

Also the standard problem of weird striping in Safari after coming back from sleep.

And on occasion, when I clamshell it doesn't sleep. Pulled it out of my neoprene sleeve once recently and it almost burned my hand because it hadn't gone to sleep and had just been baking.

Otherwise? No complaints.

[PLin]

I have a MBP 2.4 SR. My keyboard and trackpad would occasionally stop working but come back after a few minutes. One day, they stopped working completely. I had the logic board and top case replaced, which fixed the problem, but then the keyboard backlight didn't work, which is weird since the backlight was working before even with a non-functional keyboard. They replaced the keyboard, which fixed the backlighting.

Then, a few months later, I couldn't successfully burn a DVD even with Verbatim media, so I had the optical drive replaced. I also got the battery replaced, since the MBP was shutting down with no warning.

My 1 year warranty is up at the end of the month, so I decided it was a good idea to order AppleCare, which should be here next week.

I'm almost tempted to call Apple to see if I qualify for a replacement. I've known people to get replacements after at least 3 repairs.

[paola105]

My superdrive stopped burning DVDs, but still burns CD's. I don't know whether it's toast or I need to try different brand discs. I had screen replacement twice and both had stuck pixels. I miss my original screen, it was almost perfect.
I had some bad repair experiences w/ Apple, so I wont be going to them unless something really bad happens.

[paola105]

Had a graphic glitch with my SR MBP purchased in Feb 2008.

6. Left a 2 inch scratch on my LCD lid. :mad:
:

I also was left with a huge scratch on my lid after I had my MBP repaired. :eek:
I didn't bother on going back, because I live 30 minutes away and it's not worth my gas.

[gr8bob]

I also was left with a huge scratch on my lid after I had my MBP repaired. :eek:
I didn't bother on going back, because I live 30 minutes way and it's not worth my gas.
Well, if you can live with it, might as well get on with it then. Who knows they might end up messing up other parts of the system in the process of replacing the lid since it takes quite some steps to reach to that part.. :rolleyes:

I was just about to apply my BSE skin after the repair.. lo and behold.. the scratch (or should I say the Apple techs) beat me to it..

But I'm happy.. Apple's sending me a new MBP after all those fiasco that I went through..;)

[huck500]

Because you said you didn't want to discourage anyone, I'll step in and say that I've had not a single hardware problem on my MPB.

I do hate that WoW runs so much better in XP than in OS X, but that's another issue...;)

[ryanrul]

The worst problem is that i'm on my 3rd replacement MBP and I'm still having to live with a crappy screen with yellow tint at the bottom and hiss, static and noises on the audio out

I finally just gave up and kept this last unit (even though we shouldn't have to settle for poor hardware on a computer this price) because:

- i think it's difficult to find a problem-free MBP right now suitable for doing pro work.

- i have a life, work, and family that are all infinitely more important than any computer. i don't have the time to sort through any more bad hardware issues with apple. I realized i could eat up my summer swapping and testing shoddy MBPs and it's simply not worth it. Peace and joy come first.

[obeygiant]

Hmmm , when you have to buy a new one AGAIN?



This post wins. lol. I was imagining yoda's voice *cracking up*.

[soundsleeper]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums and I'm not sure about where to post a question like this, But hopefully some of you could help.
I recently purchased a MBP from another student at my University. About a month later there was a posting in the school newspaper about some MBPs that came up missing from their editing offices and if anyone had any information to please come forth with it. Im almost positive that i bought stolen property considering I paid half of the retail price on a practically new computer. He also seemed to have a couple of these on hand at the time. I'm starting school again in the fall and I'm anxious about putting my Mac to good use but I'm afraid of getting caught with stolen property while connecting to the schools wireless network. Would changing my MAC address be a way around this? If not does anyone have any suggestions? Appreciate the help.
SS

[TwinCities Dan]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums and I'm not sure about where to post a question like this, But hopefully some of you could help.
I recently purchased a MBP from another student at my University. About a month later there was a posting in the school newspaper about some MBPs that came up missing from their editing offices and if anyone had any information to please come forth with it. Im almost positive that i bought stolen property considering I paid half of the retail price on a practically new computer. He also seemed to have a couple of these on hand at the time. I'm starting school again in the fall and I'm anxious about putting my Mac to good use but I'm afraid of getting caught with stolen property while connecting to the schools wireless network. Would changing my MAC address be a way around this? If not does anyone have any suggestions? Appreciate the help.
SS

You know what to do, do the right thing...

[dvpetrenko]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums and I'm not sure about where to post a question like this, But hopefully some of you could help.
I recently purchased a MBP from another student at my University. About a month later there was a posting in the school newspaper about some MBPs that came up missing from their editing offices and if anyone had any information to please come forth with it. Im almost positive that i bought stolen property considering I paid half of the retail price on a practically new computer. He also seemed to have a couple of these on hand at the time. I'm starting school again in the fall and I'm anxious about putting my Mac to good use but I'm afraid of getting caught with stolen property while connecting to the schools wireless network. Would changing my MAC address be a way around this? If not does anyone have any suggestions? Appreciate the help.
SS


That's a problem alright!

u confess, and the owner gets it, u get a year long lawsuit with the seller, over 'does he owe u the money or not'

u don't, u get caught, and they think u just stole it (i imagine the seller gave no receipt)

or u don't do anything, and eventually the contiousness eats u alive:apple:

i'm sorry

[e12a]

With my old 2.33 which I sold:
1. Screen had to be replaced: backlight brusing.
2. Buyer called me back about the superdrive not burning...probably got that replaced too (in warranty).

The 2.4 SR I bought from the funds:
1. uneven backlight- bright hotspot in the lower center of the screen, deemed to distracting. exchanged it for a near perfect one. No problems to report.

[SVT Amateur]

The only serious problem I had was with Spaces which occurred last night. I had assigned System Preferences to Space 15 (I maxed the Spaces to 16) and then decided to reduce the spaces which OS X should have reassigned the spaces automatically. Well, it didn't for System Preferences so every time I opened System Preferences I couldn't see the window and make adjustments. After working on the issue for an hour or so I finally found a roundabout way to turn off Spaces but if I ever turned it back on I would have had the same issue again. I therefore had to do a System Restore (thank goodness for my Time Machine and Time Capsule) and now everything is back to running smoothly.

[dissdnt]

Above the button to open the lid the metal is popping out. It's so lame. Everytime i try and fix it with a quick knock it pops back out a day later. Of course dropping 300 bucks on applecare didn't help. They don't cover cosmetic issues even tho this is an obvious defect.

[TwinCities Dan]

Above the button to open the lid the metal is popping out. It's so lame. Everytime i try and fix it with a quick knock it pops back out a day later. Of course dropping 300 bucks on applecare didn't help. They don't cover cosmetic issues even tho this is an obvious defect.

I have that also! :(

Have you ever had yours opened (I have)? Or did it just develop over time? :confused:

[ndwgolf]

Battery did this;
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd132/ndwgolf/DSC_0044.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd132/ndwgolf/DSC_0047.jpg

[TwinCities Dan]

OMG ! :eek:

Is that photoshoped?

That is bad, very very bad, remove that battery and call :apple: ASAP!

(also try timg tags... ;) :p)

[ndwgolf]

OMG ! :eek:

Is that photoshoped?

That is bad, very very bad, remove that battery and call :apple: ASAP!

(also try timg tags... ;) :p)
Apple are sending me a new battery as we speak, I just woke up the other morning and thought I must have the power cable under the computer, when i picked it up I went WTF is that.
Anyway like I said those friendly folks at Apple are sending me a new battery

[TwinCities Dan]

Apple are sending me a new battery as we speak, I just woke up the other morning and thought I must have the power cable under the computer, when i picked it up I went WTF is that.
Anyway like I said those friendly folks at Apple are sending me a new battery

Even though I might have nightmares tonight, at least :apple: is taking care of you! ;)

[lyptt]

I've got a few issues since receiving my MBP:

The LCD layer creaks in the top right corner if any pressure is applied, which I noticed during my recent clean of the display
The fan makes clicking noises near the right speaker, which die down a little if I hold down on the right side of the casing
The case doesn't fit flush when shut - it seems a lot of people suffer from this
The lower right nib underneath the laptop is raised - most likely case warping

Definitely taking this to Apple, as each day goes past I'm finding more issues with this thing.

[OllyW]

I've got the first generation MBP.

The first battery was changed on a product recall by Apple. The replacement battery was dodgy from the word go, so I got that replaced on AppleCare earlier this year.

Also, one of the fans died, so they replaced both fans to be safe. This was also replaced on AppleCare, which I would always get with an Apple laptop.

[DoFoT9]

my only complaints are::::


1. heat (CD are that hot its not funny).
2. battery life
3. USB's lack the power i require.

[SolRayz]

Screen replaced under warranty with a count of 24 dead pixels
Replacement screen has backlight horizontal band leakage across middle of screen only noticeable in the dark and on black. :mad: Out of warranty now so not sure if it is worth replacing at this point.

I am coming to the conclusion that Apple has some serious QC issues when it comes to its MBP monitors.

[SolRayz]

Above the button to open the lid the metal is popping out. It's so lame. Everytime i try and fix it with a quick knock it pops back out a day later. Of course dropping 300 bucks on applecare didn't help. They don't cover cosmetic issues even tho this is an obvious defect.

This can happen to every MBP and is an obvious weakness in the design. This will also happen above the DVI port.

[RITZFit]

The original battery started dying around 60 cycles (was replaced under warranty) and the freaking power button keeps sinking into the case at an angle (even after I've pushed it back up...don't really want to re-glue it tho...)
Other than that this thing has been solid!

[dissdnt]

I have that also! :(

Have you ever had yours opened (I have)? Or did it just develop over time? :confused:

Nah i never cracked mine open, Just happened over time. :(

[dissdnt]

This can happen to every MBP and is an obvious weakness in the design. This will also happen above the DVI port.

Yah thats why it's so lame when the guys at the Apple store play all dumb. I mean if this is an obvious issue they should have a way to address it for there customers. Some epoxy and a hammer i dont know hehe

[lordthistle]

This is not a technical issue, but still...

These days in Italy we have very high temps, much over 30C (86F), and we do not have AC everywhere as in the States. I cannot type on the MBP keyboard... too hot. Till 5 minutes ago I was working on it, but I had to plug the external keyboard.

I know it's normal, in winter it is ok. But these days I wish I had a plastic macbook.

thistle

[kabunaru]

I know it's normal, in winter it is ok. But these days I wish I had a plastic macbook.


What do you use your MacBook Pro for? If you are not using the MacBook Pro"
s GPU that much or don't use it at all, might as well sell it and buy a MacBook.

[aerove]

I think my mbp's superdrive is history... :(:( its rejecting most of the dvds (though accepts only cds ) gotta take it to a apple service center.. there are no apple stores in the place i will be living ( clemson,sc )

[9secondadidas]

when I see threads like this. I mean I've got a 2.33 Ghz mbp that's had it's fair share of issue, but I still wouldn't trade it for anything else. Even after multiple services it's still my favorite computer.

But we I see a thread like this and it makes these computers seem like the biggest pieces of **** ever lol.

[kashik]

Having a MBP, when I read this thread it just makes me think - Apple must love what they get away with.

They make a great laptop on paper, then let it materialize out of low quality methods. What you get are people that love their laptop during certain periods, and hate their laptop during certain periods. We accept the problems because the laptop is so good, but that isn't right. I really hope Apple turns things around. I want to keep on using their products, but not if they keep building them out of ***** and charging us like they made it out of gold.

As for the problems I've encountered:

4 months in, a circuit board died, making the laptop unusable
My first screen had the yellowing issue
My current screen also has yellowing (although better than the first)
The laptop tends to creak (but that's not too bad, just nit picking)
The rubber cord liner on the AC adapter is coming apart at the brick


I'm just over 4 months deep now, so I'm thinking this is just the beginning.

[alphaod]

Worse problem was my computer warped, the case got messed up, and I started to worry about motherboard flex and everything; computer was replaced last month.

[kabunaru]

I want to keep on using their products, but not if they keep building them out of ***** and charging us like they made it out of gold.

As for the problems I've encountered:

4 months in, a circuit board died, making the laptop unusable
My first screen had the yellowing issue
My current screen also has yellowing (although better than the first)
The laptop tends to creak (but that's not too bad, just nit picking)
The rubber cord liner on the AC adapter is coming apart at the brick



Blame it on Intel. With PowerPC Macs, we wouldn't have these problems. Apple should've stayed with PowerPC. :rolleyes:

[steve jr.]

My tiny wire that runs out of the power brick to the magsafe connector was kinked really close to the brick. One day, I smell something funny, look down and see the plastic starting to melt and expose the wiring. So I take it to the Apple Store at Legacy Village (45 minutes away from where I live), and the guy tells me it's my fault it got kinked! I tell the guy this is why I bought Apple Care because this is an issue that has happened with other people and wasn't going to take my chances. He said it was still part my fault for not taking care of it. So I said, you're telling me you won't replace it, I go home and use it, it burns my house down, then we have a bigger problem. He checked with the manager and walked out with a new one. Side note - I've been to this store 3 times with technical issues and each time they refuse to cooperate. Was on vacation in Boston a couple years ago. My in warranty iPod died. Took it in, and replaced it, no questions asked, just verified it was in warranty.

Now for my technical problem...
When my display has been off for a long period of time (especially in cool weather) and I move the mouse, the display makes this strange sound. After a few minutes it goes away. The sound changes if I change the intensity of the backlight.

[Mechcozmo]

I ordered a refurb MacBook Pro.

It came with 3GB of RAM.

I'd only ordered it with two...:rolleyes:

[aiterum]

I ordered a refurb MacBook Pro.

It came with 3GB of RAM.

I'd only ordered it with two...:rolleyes:

you poor poor man

[alphaod]

I want to keep on using their products, but not if they keep building them out of ***** and charging us like they made it out of gold.

Really? Man I wish I shat out shinny silvery stuff! And if this was it made of gold it'd cost over $6800US.

Blame it on Intel. With PowerPC Macs, we wouldn't have these problems. Apple should've stayed with PowerPC. :rolleyes:

How are these issues related to Intel at all?

I ordered a refurb MacBook Pro.

It came with 3GB of RAM.

I'd only ordered it with two...:rolleyes:

Shucks you got cheated out of dual channel!

[lordthistle]

I really hope Apple turns things around. I want to keep on using their products, but not if they keep building them out of ***** and charging us like they made it out of gold.


You are right. Quality's going down, even on products close to the end of their production cycle.

thistle.

[aerove]

I WISH the hardware is as good as the software!:cool:

[glassmen07]

Battery would only last 20 minutes after about 6 months of use. Took it to a genius and he said I was running too many applications at once. I said I never thought Safari, Mail, iTunes, and Adium at one time would really hurt my battery life lol. 10 minutes after looking at it they gave me a replacement one.

[netdog]

The operator is its most limiting feature.

[Mechcozmo]

you poor poor man

Shucks you got cheated out of dual channel!

Precisely!

More demonstrating that plenty of good comes off of the assembly line. Computers are very complicated pieces of equipment, and some don't work. I've been lucky and have had no issues whatsoever with mine, nor my PowerBook 12" before this. A friend of mine has a first-gen MacBook Pro-- he also has no trouble with it.

So... the question was asked, and I answered. I'm holding off until 4GB SO-DIMMs are common to upgrade to a 2x4GB configuration. Maybe I'll see trouble then. Doubt it, though.

[UltraNEO*]

The operator is its most limiting feature.

Totally agree!! :rolleyes:

[kashik]

Really? Man I wish I shat out shinny silvery stuff! And if this was it made of gold it'd cost over $6800US.

I don't know about other people, but shi**ing out aluminum has never been a wish of mine.

But you know what the funny thing is, people would still buy these at $6800!

[fwhh]

1. Keyboard/Trackpad ribbon broken. Wear due to a design flaw. Shop wanted to replace Topcase, costing around 150€ or so, because it was just out of warranty. (I fixed it with some stickytape, works like new.)
2. Battery bulged/popped. Being out of warranty, I have to buy a new one.
3. Display has dark spots/clouds. Out of warranty. Before I pay those 1000€ I will get a new one. This time with Apple Care. Or not an Apple.
This device is surely an orange.

[whooleytoo]

3rd power adaptor is now failing. The cable cover is coming loose at the Magsafe end, but still working. However even though the cable going into the adaptor block looks ok, it's coming loose internally - you have to wiggle and bend the cable a little to get it to charge.

Onto adaptor# 4 I guess! :mad: