Only the forth MBA was acceptable

[FilipH]

The following MBA buying experience might be useful to you,

A few weeks ago I got an MBA at an authorized reseller. Because there seem to be many problems about the air after reading this site, I thought it would be better to see the thing before buying it. I wanted the SSD version and for this money it better be a good one.

The first one they showed me had the screen attached in an odd way so the whole MBA looked asymmetrical. Like leaning a bit to the left. Of course i refused it. I think the shop owner knew it and hoped i wouldn't see it.

The second one they showed me had a bad connection of the frame to the screen ( not sure how to explain it). There was like a small gap between the silver frame and the actual screen. It also had some very very minor scratches on the back. It seemed to work quite well, but I thought it was better to open a third one.

The third one had a dead pixel (this was after i payed and just after the shop reinstalled the OS for me to save space. )!

Anyway, finally we had to open a forth one out of the box and that is the one i have today. Working - knock on wood - flawlessly (3.5 hours battery life, great screen, no overheating, etc. just takes a bit long to charge the battery but that seems to be normal and sometimes the wireless connection seems to fall out.).

The reason i write this is that after this experience, I was quite happy i bought one at a store and not online. Maybe this was a unlucky event, but it does give me the impression that quite a few have problems in manufacturing. So be careful and have a good look before you buy it ...

[glitch44]

congrats on the successful purchase! i hope it serves you well.

[wordy]

Why do people insist on making generalizations based on their individual experiences?

One shady reseller's stock cannot be extrapolated to mean there are numerous manufacturing defects across the whole line of MBAs. Here's a tip, don't buy from *****ty retailers.

[poisonapple]

Originally Posted by wordy

Why do people insist on making generalizations based on their individual experiences?

One shady reseller's stock cannot be extrapolated to mean there are numerous manufacturing defects across the whole line of MBAs. Here's a tip, don't buy from *****ty retailers.

Yeah, that's an interesting point. I've never had a bad piece of hardware that I've purchased directly from Apple. That list includes:
- 800 Mhz iBook G4
- 1 Ghz PB
-1.5 Ghz PB
-2.0 Ghz MB
-1.6 Ghz MBA

a couple of ipods and an iphone.

...and countless peripherals.

[FilipH]

Originally Posted by wordy

Why do people insist on making generalizations based on their individual experiences?

One shady reseller's stock cannot be extrapolated to mean there are numerous manufacturing defects across the whole line of MBAs. Here's a tip, don't buy from *****ty retailers.

As i mentioned above, it might have been bad luck but after such an experience I think it might be useful to mention it on the forum.

I'm not generalizing at all, but the MBA's - especially the SSD versions - are not a cheap purchase and it might be worth it to see it before you buy it. That is not a generalization, but common sense.

That being said, I have a wonderful Imac, Ipod and Iphone that have zero problems or issues.

[HotAir]

I appreciate this information. There are some variables, such as were these 4 units each from sealed boxes? Also, in Hong Kong this could've been a reseller of *seconds*--- being part of China, where the Air is manufactured---could be a connection with that, although no reseller will ever admit to that one.

[HotAir]

PS: When you state the shop owner "knew and hoped you would not see"---anything can be possible with this scenario. And why purchase from a guy like that, anyway?

[FilipH]

Originally Posted by HotAir

I appreciate this information. There are some variables, such as were these 4 units each from sealed boxes? Also, in Hong Kong this could've been a reseller of *seconds*--- being part of China, where the Air is manufactured---could be a connection with that, although no reseller will ever admit to that one.

The boss I don't like to much, he's not that reliable i think. First one came from an opened box, and that's why I have my doubts about it.

But the other 3 had been opened by his employee from which I have bought items off in the past with no problems. And these 3 came from sealed boxes.

Hong Kong is in theory a part of China, but people who know it will agree with me when i say it is a very reliable country on it's own (i'm European by the way) when it comes to electronics. Hong Kong people love all things that consume electricity.

Also, please don't get me wrong. I don't want to bash Apple. I love their products and am an extremely satisfied user. If my Imac was a woman, i'd marry her. I just thought i should share this experience

Originally Posted by HotAir

PS: When you state the shop owner "knew and hoped you would not see"---anything can be possible with this scenario. And why purchase from a guy like that, anyway?

I'm European living in Shenzhen, China and traveled 2 hours to HK just to buy the MBA. It is the best shop i know and didn't want to return empty handed. So i stayed and tried until i got a good one.