Issues with otherwise great computer (swap or not)

alphaod · Dec 3, 2008

So I'm very happy with this machine. However I do have few issues with it overall.

The battery cover is very loose and I'm afraid it will get worse as time progresses since I change batteries at least twice a day. I also noticed that the glass trackpad is slightly chipped on one edgevery small, but visually noticeable. Also the thin aluminium over the ethernet, mine is actually dipped down a bit; it doesn't obstruct anything, but I can see the dipping if I inspect it.

None of these really affect performance or usability. Mainly the reason I'm so hesitant is:
1) Good 9C84 panel with no bleed and stuff
2) Good keyboard without any crooked keys
3) Quiet and isn't overheating.
4) Battery is good so far; 20 cycles and still 100%. That sounds like nothing but with my luck I usually get like 90% with 5 cycles.

Should I go swap it? I have til Monday to do it.

Regards.

(I'm not putting up a poll because I'd rather get responses).

LemmycautioN · Dec 3, 2008

Well I have had 3 or 4 MBP's all with the defects you were mentioning (bleed, crooked keys, and more). The loose battery panel could possible be fixed easily, if it's the panel and not the unibody piece, but the dipping down near the ethernet, is that on the unibody part or the bottom panel? If it's the bottom panel then that could be replaced easily - or even bent physically. The chip could be annoying but if you use one of those trackpad covers that you've used on your other laptops it might cover up the chip a little. (I would trade any of my MBP's for one with only a tiny chip; assuming that the other defects could be fixed easily)

hitman45400 · Dec 3, 2008

well, if you ever want to sell it, you would have to sell less for the imperfections.
if i were you i would trade it, you shouldn't pay for something from apple less then perfect, especially with the battery cover. If the next one has more problems, i would change it out until it was perfect.
hope this helps.

alphaod · Dec 3, 2008

Well the Ethernet port deformation is on the unibody top case.

I'm just afraid if I do swap I will get a lesser unit which would mean I would have to keep swapping and I just don't like doing that.

To be honest, I want to do a swap, but I'm on the fence and not sure how to jump.

Ampidire · Dec 3, 2008

Just keep swapping until you're satisfied, do it in the store even, inspect the one they give you, keep asking until you get a good one.

You won't be able to check the panel, but a side by side should reveal the differences if you've already got a 9C84 to compare with

MowingDevil · Dec 3, 2008

Keep it but go in and see if you can swap the battery cover for one that fits better. At that point you'll be good to go, the other 2 pts you mentioned don't affect anything so it isn't worth giving up a solid machine.

cg165 · Dec 3, 2008

alphaod said:
So I'm very happy with this machine. However I do have few issues with it overall.

The battery cover is very loose and I'm afraid it will get worse as time progresses since I change batteries at least twice a day. I also noticed that the glass trackpad is slightly chipped on one edgevery small, but visually noticeable. Also the thin aluminium over the ethernet, mine is actually dipped down a bit; it doesn't obstruct anything, but I can see the dipping if I inspect it.

None of these really affect performance or usability. Mainly the reason I'm so hesitant is:
1) Good 9C84 panel with no bleed and stuff
2) Good keyboard without any crooked keys
3) Quiet and isn't overheating.
4) Battery is good so far; 20 cycles and still 100%. That sounds like nothing but with my luck I usually get like 90% with 5 cycles.

Should I go swap it? I have til Monday to do it.

Regards.

(I'm not putting up a poll because I'd rather get responses).

Get to a store if you can and trade it until they give you one you're happy with. I would tell them you want to keep the same batteries and ask them to swap the hard drive so you basically have the same machine (fixed at least). Good luck.

alphaod · Dec 3, 2008

MowingDevil said:
Keep it but go in and see if you can swap the battery cover for one that fits better. At that point you'll be good to go, the other 2 pts you mentioned don't affect anything so it isn't worth giving up a solid machine.

I tried that already; they told it was factory spec.

MowingDevil · Dec 3, 2008

alphaod said:
I tried that already; they told it was factory spec.

I was told the new ones have a new rubber inlay to prevent the movement, perhaps they'd send you the rubber inserts or AppleCare would order you the updated cover.

LemmycautioN · Dec 4, 2008

alphaod said:
Well the Ethernet port deformation is on the unibody top case.

I'm just afraid if I do swap I will get a lesser unit which would mean I would have to keep swapping and I just don't like doing that.

To be honest, I want to do a swap, but I'm on the fence and not sure how to jump.

You should set your desktop background to solid black, crank up the brightness, minimize the dock, and sit in a pitch black room. If you don't have any backlight bleed I would keep it, I haven't seen 1 unibody MBP without significant backlight bleed

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Issues with otherwise great computer (swap or not)

alphaod

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LemmycautioN

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hitman45400

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alphaod

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Ampidire

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MowingDevil

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cg165

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alphaod

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MowingDevil

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LemmycautioN

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