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4 days left on AppleCare, got a free 2011 replacement

lord patton

lord patton

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 6, 2005
1,053
15
Chicago
Hi all. I'm posting this as reference for those looking to see Apple's policy for replacement computers. I got mine today! Here's my stats:

2007 SR MacBook Pro (purchased June 2008 on clearance through a hook-up at Guitar Center).

Over the past three years, my computer has received the following service at the Apple Store:

2 replacement batteries
1 top case replacement
1 logic board replacement (due to nVidia 8600 whatever)
1 power brick replacement
3 optical drive replacements

It was this last optical drive replacement I was going in for today. The genius was nice, I was carrying my cutest-in-the-world 15 month-old daughter, and he looked at my 'puter's history, and he just volunteered that he would see what he could do. Five minutes later he told me I seem like a nice guy and he'd like to give me a new computer. I got the baseline 2011 15-inch MBP.

I definitely think my 2007 MBP was a bit of a lemon, but I didn't think I had much shot at a free replacement. Not for an optical drive. From what I've read here and on the webs, you need three *major* components to fail. But here we are.

In my wildest dream I hoped for another GPU failure next year after the Ivy Bridge MBPs are out to get a replacement. But that was a long shot and I'm thrilled with what I got. Obviously, who wouldn't be.

So earn your karma, be nice to your genius and maybe you'll get the hook-up. If I thought I had any more luck in the tank I'd go buy a lottery ticket.
 
I hate a lot of tactics Apple uses, but I do love the awesomness of their in-store techs. They may not always be the smartest but they are the nicest.
 
damn congrats...i hope the same thing happens for me when my apple car is about to run out! ha
 
That's awesome. Very lucky!

My experience with Apple support has been overall "good". Much better than I would rate my support with other PC manufacturers though. :p
 
lord patton said:
Hi all. I'm posting this as reference for those looking to see Apple's policy for replacement computers. I got mine today! Here's my stats:

2007 SR MacBook Pro (purchased June 2008 on clearance through a hook-up at Guitar Center).

Over the past three years, my computer has received the following service at the Apple Store:

2 replacement batteries
1 top case replacement
1 logic board replacement (due to nVidia 8600 whatever)
1 power brick replacement
3 optical drive replacements

It was this last optical drive replacement I was going in for today. The genius was nice, I was carrying my cutest-in-the-world 15 month-old daughter, and he looked at my 'puter's history, and he just volunteered that he would see what he could do. Five minutes later he told me I seem like a nice guy and he'd like to give me a new computer. I got the baseline 2011 15-inch MBP.

I definitely think my 2007 MBP was a bit of a lemon, but I didn't think I had much shot at a free replacement. Not for an optical drive. From what I've read here and on the webs, you need three *major* components to fail. But here we are.

In my wildest dream I hoped for another GPU failure next year after the Ivy Bridge MBPs are out to get a replacement. But that was a long shot and I'm thrilled with what I got. Obviously, who wouldn't be.

So earn your karma, be nice to your genius and maybe you'll get the hook-up. If I thought I had any more luck in the tank I'd go buy a lottery ticket.
Click to expand...

Does the new MBP come with any warranty? I will be shocked if it comes with the standard 1 yr warranty.
 
innominato5090 said:
it has 4 days of applecare left (seriously are you asking that? it's in the topic subject)
Click to expand...

The laptop that was replaced had 4 days remaining on Applecare. I would be surprised if the brand new replacement does not have a full year's warranty and was only covered for the 4 days remaining on the old laptop's Applecare.
 
alphaod said:
A boxed replacement will always have a full one-year limited warranty.
Click to expand...

This. I have the one year warranty and can buy applecare anytime over the next year, just like normal.

Although I might wait on the AppleCare, because I could see myself selling this if the Ivy Bridge's come out next April/May. I just think those will be king (on-board SSD, no optical drive, thinner, lighter). But that decision is a long way off.
 
lord patton said:
This. I have the one year warranty and can buy applecare anytime over the next year, just like normal.

Although I might wait on the AppleCare, because I could see myself selling this if the Ivy Bridge's come out next April/May. I just think those will be king (on-board SSD, no optical drive, thinner, lighter). But that decision is a long way off.
Click to expand...

Wow. Just wow. They replaced your old MBP with a new MBP with 1 yr standard warranty. I can't see how they can do better on this.
 
very nice man that is a steal. i'm glad it worked out for you and i support your decision to hold off on applecare for the replacement as you already have the 1 year limited warranty like you said. this is a good thread to refer to for those wondering if applecare is really worth it, as this is the best case scenario i would say.

hope you enjoy your new mbp. :]
 
EEXOOO said:
Wow. Just wow. They replaced your old MBP with a new MBP with 1 yr standard warranty. I can't see how they can do better on this.
Click to expand...

They couldn't have been better. Some in my position have tried to push their luck. For example, they say that they *need* an ExpressCard slot, and try to get the 17", since that's the only one that has it now. Or they raise a stink about wanting the anti-glossy coating, and get a free upgrade to a hi-res screen in the process. I had no intention of doing either.

When I was picking it up and I told them I needed a couple accessories, such as a DVI-miniDisplayPort adapter and a FireWire 400-800 converter cable. I asked at a time during which they could have volunteered to comp them, but I didn't ask them too... and they didn't. Oh well, I paid $60 for $2000 worth of kit. Not too bad. :)

There's no question that Apple computers are expensive. They are, however, good values, when you consider the reliability, service, beauty, and functionality they have.
 
In my mindset Apple Care was a waste of money. After some recent bad experiences with Mac's quality and reading your post, it is worth it, unfortunately in the old days it wasn't needed. But now it seems to be part of the :apple: price. What about Best Buy programs ?
 
Macs are good computers, they take their time with updates and dont rush anything. failures occur but they take care of them. apple is the best computer company in the world in my opinion at this point in time. could they improve in areas? sure! but they are darn good i think. If I had to put my money down on a 2k laptop today, it would be with apple. that says somethijng,
 
Did you have to pay for the battery replacement? I always thought that battery service is not included in Apple Care or the normal guarantee.
 
Does anyone get the feeling Apple make bad quality products just so people buy Apple care? Does Steve jobs get Angry if 5% of hardware doesn't break :p?
 
AlexBooHu said:
Did you have to pay for the battery replacement? I always thought that battery service is not included in Apple Care or the normal guarantee.
Click to expand...

It is covered if it's an abnormal failure. If it fails with less than 300 cycles (for the older batteries) or 700-1000 I think for the newer ones, then it's usually covered, unless it's also been a long time. Chances are if it fails within the first 6 months it'll be covered, and within the first year if it's not over the number of cycles.

Of course, there's a lot of flex there, and it usually comes down to the individual judgement of the tech involved.

jW
 
Mal said:
It is covered if it's an abnormal failure. If it fails with less than 300 cycles (for the older batteries) or 700-1000 I think for the newer ones, then it's usually covered,
Click to expand...

Yeah, the old MBP had two batteries fail with less than 300 cycles, so they were replaced for free.
 
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