After $1500 repairs, my MacBook Pro is broken again!

[Traverse]

I have once again come here to vent my frustration and ask for advice!

Some of you may have read my post here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1727196/

I have a 2011 MacBook Pro who's graphics card went bad. Apple fixed it while messing up several complements. After my second trip they replaced the logic board, screen, and unibody. Yay!

Yesterday, my computer froze and forced me to force shut it down. I can no longer boot from my account, recovery partition, mavericks USB, or the SL disk that came with it! I get a dark blue screen with black lines.

I have an appointment with the Genius Bar and one more month of AppleCare but I'm so upset. This will be the third repair and I asked the man last time "since you are replacing a faulty part with an identical part how do I know it won't happen again?" He just shrugged.

Part of me wants to demand a new MacBook Pro, but I know that will be pointless. I put $2500 into this machine when I bought it and I have no trust in their repairs. Should I talk to a manager? I'm just so upset and was wondering what any of you thought.

I'm a student who NEEDS a computer.

 

[Weaselboy]

I don't believe it is an "official policy" or anything, but from anecdotal reports here users have had some success getting a replacement device after the third repair for the same thing. I would speak to a manager and ask nicely if they could do something like this for you.

 

[Traverse]

I don't believe it is an "official policy" or anything, but from anecdotal reports here users have had some success getting a replacement device after the third repair for the same thing. I would speak to a manager and ask nicely if they could do something like this for you.

You mean a refurbished one? I honestly am not trying to get a rmbp, but I have no faith in the 2011 models.

 

[T5BRICK]

From what I recall, the replacement threshold is 4 repairs for the same issue.

You'd probably have better luck calling Applecare instead of going into a store.

In my case, my 2006 model MacBook Pro that needed repeated service for display issues was replaced with a new 2007 model with some slight upgrades.

 

[Weaselboy]

You mean a refurbished one? I honestly am not trying to get a rmbp, but I have no faith in the 2011 models.

No I mean new. I have seen users on here report after multiple repairs Apple just handed them a new equivalent machine. I suppose it is up for debate what "equivalent" would be for you.

 

[Traverse]

No I mean new. I have seen users on here report after multiple repairs Apple just handed them a new equivalent machine. I suppose it is up for debate what "equivalent" would be for you.

Thanks. All I want is equal to what I have now (15", 8gb ram, 500fb HD/SSD)

I don't want them to think I'm aiming for a new machine I feel guilty to ask, but I use my system. If they will only repair it then I will insist on an extended AppleCare..

 

[Mr Rabbit]

I don't want them to think I'm aiming for a new machine I feel guilty to ask, but I use my system. If they will only repair it then I will insist on an extended AppleCare..

There's no way for them to extend the AppleCare (past the original three years) but this repair would carry it's own 90 day warranty, which would basically add two months of warranty to your Mac.

If you're that displeased then contact AppleCare and voice that. Explain that this has smudged the trust you have for Apple and your particular Mac and that you feel another repair will simply lead to more time without your Mac and likely still not fix the problem.

Personally I'd be totally up for them giving them another chance or two but if it's a critical Mac then they may side with you.

 

[Traverse]

There's no way for them to extend the AppleCare (past the original three years) but this repair would carry it's own 90 day warranty, which would basically add two months of warranty to your Mac.

If you're that displeased then contact AppleCare and voice that. Explain that this has smudged the trust you have for Apple and your particular Mac and that you feel another repair will simply lead to more time without your Mac and likely still not fix the problem.

Personally I'd be totally up for them giving them another chance or two but if it's a critical Mac then they may side with you.

I wouldn't mind giving them chances if my warranty wasn't almost out. What happens when it breaks in 100 days an I have no computer?

 

[mjfutures]

Same Situation

I went through a similar experience. After my logic board was replaced it worked for 6 months and then started crashing whenever the GPU was pushed. It all goes back to the faulty video card in this model. Crazy! I have since upgraded and plan to sell mine on eBay "As Is", sometime soon.

----------

I wouldn't mind giving them chances if my warranty wasn't almost out. What happens when it breaks in 100 days an I have no computer?

Demand a replacement! Worse case fix it and then sell while its still working and has a few weeks of warranty left. If you take a chance and keep it and it crashes again in 6 months and is out of warranty you will have nothing.

 

[2984839]

Demand a replacement! Worse case fix it and then sell while its still working and has a few weeks of warranty left. If you take a chance and keep it and it crashes again in 6 months and is out of warranty you will have nothing.

That's what I would do.

 

[Traverse]

I went through a similar experience. After my logic board was replaced it worked for 6 months and then started crashing whenever the GPU was pushed. It all goes back to the faulty video card in this model. Crazy! I have since upgraded and plan to sell mine on eBay "As Is", sometime soon.

----------



Demand a replacement! Worse case fix it and then sell while its still working and has a few weeks of warranty left. If you take a chance and keep it and it crashes again in 6 months and is out of warranty you will have nothing.

That's what I would do.

I've never sold something before. Where/how would I sell it?

 

[Weaselboy]

I've never sold something before. Where/how would I sell it?

You can just sell it on eBay and make sure you give full disclosure in the ad exactly what has happened here and there are no guarantees. If you search eBay for "broken macbook" you will find tons of items like this for sale. I suspect people buy them for parts.

 

[Barney63]

You can just sell it on eBay and make sure you give full disclosure in the ad exactly what has happened here and there are no guarantees. If you search eBay for "broken macbook" you will find tons of items like this for sale. I suspect people buy them for parts.

If he gets the logic board replaced, he doesn't need to sell it as faulty because it isn't.
Explain that it has just had the logic board replaced by Apple.


Barney

 

[justinc899]

Sounds identical to my problem. I also have a 2011 macbook pro. I can't boot because it reaches a blank white screen and recovery boot reaches a blue screen. It sounds like an enormous amount of 2011 mpb owners are dealing with this. Apple should issue a recall.

 

[Weaselboy]

If he gets the logic board replaced, he doesn't need to sell it as faulty because it isn't.
Explain that it has just had the logic board replaced by Apple.


Barney

It is pretty obvious from my post what I was talking about.

 

[alphaod]

As for a replacement computer. This is unacceptable.

Four repairs the unofficial number, but it's not set in stone. I've been able to get replacements on the third repair for even minor issues.

 

[Traverse]

As for a replacement computer. This is unacceptable.

Four repairs the unofficial number, but it's not set in stone. I've been able to get replacements on the third repair for even minor issues.

I hope you're right. This is my only system. I already wasn't able to access my online work to study for a corporate taxation exam I have today.

 

[maflynn]

I would definitely push for a replacement, clearly you have a lemon. I guess applecare has paid for itself given your problems.

Good luck

 

[Fishrrman]

This advice is my opinion only, and will be different from most others.

The OP wrote above:
[[ I hope you're right. This is my only system. I already wasn't able to access my online work to study for a corporate taxation exam I have today. ]]

Frankly, if I were you, I'd start looking around for another Mac.

The 2011 MacBooks are noted for their high incidence of failures. Even if the logic board is replaced with a "currently working" one, chances are that it may fail again in time.

Whatever you get next time, I also suggest that you DO NOT buy a "high-buck" model. Buy a "base version". If RAM is expandable, add it yourself. Same for the drive.

Or, consider an Apple-refurbished. But DON'T buy another 2011 production model!

 

[GhettoMrBob]

I'd absolutely push for a replacement. If you explain that you're a student and can't afford to have your computer be unreliable, I'd be surprised if they wouldn't offer to replace it given the amount of repairs. Just be sure to stress that you're disappointed, considering the amount you spent on it as new and that your machine is mission critical in your case, meaning you can't wait around for repairs and failure downtime.

 

[Traverse]

I'd absolutely push for a replacement. If you explain that you're a student and can't afford to have your computer be unreliable, I'd be surprised if they wouldn't offer to replace it given the amount of repairs. Just be sure to stress that you're disappointed, considering the amount you spent on it as new and that your machine is mission critical in your case, meaning you can't wait around for repairs and failure downtime.

Yeah, I'm going to. The more I think about the more angry I get. I bought this computer for its reliability. It's my only system and like I said in a previous post, I had a graduate exam today that I couldn't access material for.

 

[zorinlynx]

I'm surprised, if the 2011 models did have such a high failure rate, that Apple just didn't make this right by replacing the affected machines with a newer model after the second failure.

It doesn't cost Apple a lot to do this (they have really high margins on their laptops) and it breeds immense goodwill for the company.

You may not be swinging for a new machine, but after all this pain, I say you deserve one for your troubles. Make your case and you may be pleasantly surprised. Don't feel bad or like you're being "greedy"; it's Apple's fault the machines are unreliable and it's Apple's responsibility to make it right.

 

[Traverse]

I don't believe it is an "official policy" or anything, but from anecdotal reports here users have had some success getting a replacement device after the third repair for the same thing. I would speak to a manager and ask nicely if they could do something like this for you.

I went through a similar experience. After my logic board was replaced it worked for 6 months and then started crashing whenever the GPU was pushed. It all goes back to the faulty video card in this model. Crazy! I have since upgraded and plan to sell mine on eBay "As Is", sometime soon.

----------



Demand a replacement! Worse case fix it and then sell while its still working and has a few weeks of warranty left. If you take a chance and keep it and it crashes again in 6 months and is out of warranty you will have nothing.

You can just sell it on eBay and make sure you give full disclosure in the ad exactly what has happened here and there are no guarantees. If you search eBay for "broken macbook" you will find tons of items like this for sale. I suspect people buy them for parts.

Sounds identical to my problem. I also have a 2011 macbook pro. I can't boot because it reaches a blank white screen and recovery boot reaches a blue screen. It sounds like an enormous amount of 2011 mpb owners are dealing with this. Apple should issue a recall.

As for a replacement computer. This is unacceptable.

Four repairs the unofficial number, but it's not set in stone. I've been able to get replacements on the third repair for even minor issues.

I would definitely push for a replacement, clearly you have a lemon. I guess applecare has paid for itself given your problems.

Good luck

I'd absolutely push for a replacement. If you explain that you're a student and can't afford to have your computer be unreliable, I'd be surprised if they wouldn't offer to replace it given the amount of repairs. Just be sure to stress that you're disappointed, considering the amount you spent on it as new and that your machine is mission critical in your case, meaning you can't wait around for repairs and failure downtime.

I'm surprised, if the 2011 models did have such a high failure rate, that Apple just didn't make this right by replacing the affected machines with a newer model after the second failure.

It doesn't cost Apple a lot to do this (they have really high margins on their laptops) and it breeds immense goodwill for the company.

You may not be swinging for a new machine, but after all this pain, I say you deserve one for your troubles. Make your case and you may be pleasantly surprised. Don't feel bad or like you're being "greedy"; it's Apple's fault the machines are unreliable and it's Apple's responsibility to make it right.

I know that it may not matter to you, but I am so excited!

Without even testing it (I showed them the blue screen) they instantly said that they were just going to replace it with a retina model!

I told them that the baseline Mac only had 256 GB of storage (I'm not being greedy, but I use 300+ GBs) and they hesitated and then gave me the upgrade for free!!!!!

I have the $2,599 MacBook Pro with Nvidia Graphics and 16GB of RAM for FREE!!!!

This support is why I still love Apple! I still can't get used to this screen!

-------

Where do you sell an SSD? I just bought a 500GB Samsung SSD two weeks ago for my old system and only used it a week. Should I sell it on amazon?

 

[Traverse]

I just went on the MacBook Pro section of this forum and can't believe how many threads there are about 2011 MacBook Pro failures. Apple really should issue a recall for their name's sake regardless of the cost.

I just hope this issue doesn't follow later models...but I bought Apple Care for this model too.

 

[yjchua95]

I just went on the MacBook Pro section of this forum and can't believe how many threads there are about 2011 MacBook Pro failures. Apple really should issue a recall for their name's sake regardless of the cost.

I just hope this issue doesn't follow later models...but I bought Apple Care for this model too.

My 2011 15" also succumbed to Radeongate. 3 bloody days after AppleCare expired *screams*

I opted not to go for a LB replacement because every single Sandy Bridge LB has the same manufacturing flaw in the Radeon card.

Last time, I used to do every damn thing on the 2011 15". Now I split my work between 2 rMBPs: a 13" rMBP (2.8 i7/16/512) and a 15" rMBP (2.6/16/1TB/750M). Both are Haswells.