Apple Genius Bar Didn't Recognize MacBook Pro 3G Prototype, Apple Now Wants it Back

[MacRumors]

CNet reports that Apple has finally contacted Carl Frega about a prototype laptop that he had put on sale earlier this month. The laptop appeared for sale on eBay where it received bids upwards of $70,000 before it was pulled at the request of Apple.

The 2007-era MacBook Pro featured a Magsafe Antenna and SIM slot that suggested it was an early prototype of a 3G-capable Apple laptop. CNet reports that Frega was contacted by Apple this afternoon to have someone pick it up.




It seems the laptop had a strange journey before ending up in Frega's hands. He originally picked up the machine off someone on Craigslist. He repaired the machine and tried selling it again on Craigslist. The new owner brought the machine to an Apple Store Genius Bar, where the machine was opened and determined to have non-standard parts. The repair invoice describes the reason they refused repair.

Opened machine to observe that nearly every internal part was 3rd party; main logic board, optical drive, display, hard drive, top case, and others. Machine number (W8707003Y53) is also not recognized as a valid number.
Proposed Resolution: Denied services; machine has been modified by unauthorized providers beyond repair."

As a result of these "3rd party" parts, Apple's store refused service. That second buyer took Frega to small claims court thinking the machine was a fake, after which Frega had to accept the machine back and refund the money. It was only after that that Frega tried to sell the laptop on eBay.

Due to the publicity surrounding the eBay sale, Apple has contacted Frega and asked to set up a time to pick up the machine. No word on when it is expected to be returned to Apple.

Article Link: Apple Genius Bar Didn't Recognize MacBook Pro 3G Prototype, Apple Now Wants it Back

 

[Eduardo1971]

Wow. I wonder how this left the Cupertino campus in the first place!

 

[Bonfire]

This is way too confusing. So it is real then?

 

[MarkCooz]

Dude Frega should be getting good money to give it back to apple then.
if he isn't man i would so just keep that. to be a collectors item!

 

[TheReadyPrompt]

You don't immediately sell a prototype that falls into your hands. Wait a good decade or longer before attempting to auction or pawn it. I paid off a few credit cards selling (non-Apple) prototypes in this stealthy, calculated manner.

Patience.

 

[andrewlgm]

How much is apple paying him for it?

 

[ECUpirate44]

I don't think I would be interested in a 3G MacBook anyway. Who wants/ needs another monthly billed data plan? We get ripped off for our smartphones as is.

 

[xpdx]

Finders Fee

I hope he remembers that possession is 9/10th of the law and asks for a finders fee just under what the legal fees would be for Apple to sue him for it. I'm thinking $10K would be a good price to end it quickly.

 

[alphaod]

I hope he remembers that possession is 9/10th of the law and asks for a finders fee just under what the legal fees would be for Apple to sue him for it. I'm thinking $10K would be a good price to end it quickly.

Not everyone cares only about money

 

[Theclamshell]

Will apple even pay him or just bully him and take it. if I had it and they were just going to take it I would disassemble it and photograph every piece to put on the internet.

 

[KOZOK]

Not everyone cares only about money

Yeah, some people care about caving to corporate will under threat of massive litigation.

 

[MacsAre1]

money?

This guy clearly cares about money. He had it on Craigslist and then eBay, after all! If he didn't, he would definitely be better off keeping it as a piece of little known Apple history.

 

[AIP5]

Definitely the funniest part about this is that the Apple Store thought it was modified by a third party... haha, how did they not see that antenna.. or did they write it off as a 3rd party modification too?

Man, I wanna land my hands on an Apple prototype... that'd just be cool.

 

[reden]

This guy clearly cares about money. He had it on Craigslist and then eBay, after all! If he didn't, he would definitely be better off keeping it as a piece of little known Apple history.

Like you wouldn't do the same. I worked for sony. A PS3 Test unit ended up in my hands without any liability, it just kept getting passed on until one day I asked a coworker what was wrong with that PS3 unit. He pretty much said, someone gave it to him but it didn't work, and asked me if I wanted it. I took it. What am I gonna do with it? Sell it for more than regular PS3 units sell for! The unit worked just fine, just served different purposes. This stuff happens all the time, units fall through the cracks regularly. I had nothing to do with that department, and it ended up in my hands.

 

[junker]

Someone previously mentioned Apple should pay $10,000 for the unit... how about paying him $70,000 for the unit??? Seeing as how Apple demanded Ebay pull/end his legitimate auction.

They can certainly afford this and he has established it's value on the open market.

This would also make for a nice first public relations move for the new CEO.

 

[Gamoe]

Definitely the funniest part about this is that the Apple Store thought it was modified by a third party... haha, how did they not see that antenna.. or did they write it off as a 3rd party modification too?

I'm pretty sure most employees at the Apple Stores aren't in the know about Apple's behind-the-scenes prototype work.

 

[filthandfury]

Anyone else think: "Apple has contacted Frega and asked to set up a time to pick up the machine. " is pretty wierd?!

Famous apple ad spoofing "1984" oh how the tables have turned...

 

[Spencie]

Someone previously mentioned Apple should pay $10,000 for the unit... how about paying him $70,000 for the unit??? Seeing as how Apple demanded Ebay pull/end his legitimate auction.

They can certainly afford this and he has established it's value on the open market.

This would also make for a nice first public relations move for the new CEO.

Agreed.

 

[al256]

Clearly more Apple retail employees should read MacRumors. I know I'd spot Apple's prototype-red logic board.

 

[Peace]

"Proposed Resolution: Denied services; machine has been modified by unauthorized providers beyond repair."

That parts funny.

 

[kalsta]

This article raises more questions than it answers, the obvious one being if Apple intend to buy it from him, or whether they have some legal claim to it, and expect him to just hand it over.

 

[lunarworks]

Will apple even pay him or just bully him and take it. if I had it and they were just going to take it I would disassemble it and photograph every piece to put on the internet.

I doubt Apple would pay him for it, but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if they kindly provided him with a replacement MacBook Pro.

 

[*LTD*]

It isn't really worth a whole lot of analysis.

They probably some sort of arrangement in place and life will continue.

 

[briansolomon]

For the people that don't care about this story:

I do. It's been neat to follow this one. I thought this machine was old enough to not warrant apple taking it back. It's not everyday a prototype 3G MacBook Pro appears. It's not like WWDC is this week. What else are we going to read about?

 

[Peace]

Regardless of how it got where it is it is still a prototype and is covered by intellectual property laws. Apple has a right to it.