Am I at the replacement stage for my rMBP?

[2298754]

Hello everyone!

I've always been under the impression that Macbook are pretty much bulletproof, but I guess, even loyal Apple users, can get a lemon once in a while.

 

[shahin90]

Hello everyone!

I've always been under the impression that Macbook are pretty much bulletproof, but I guess, even loyal Apple users, can get a lemon once in a while.

I have an early (July 2012) build rMBP. It's the mid-tier model with the upgraded RAM and has the discrete graphics.

December 2012, I experienced a lot of graphics distortion and screen flickering issues. If I was using it on my lap and I hold it at a certain angle, the screen would flicker, so random. Anyways, Genius Bar sent it out and I got the logic board and screen replaced.

Fast forward to summer 2014. I was experiencing random static screens, especially coming from deep sleep. I kind of ignored it because it never happened when I wanted it to and never could get a picture/video of it.

Now 2nd week of January 2015, I noticed a row of dead pixels on my screen, so took it in. They replaced the screen and I got it back about 5 days later. Went home, within a few hours of getting it back, the screen flickering came back. I took it into the genius bar the next day and they sent it out to the repair depot.

I just got it back 2 days ago and they replaced the logic board again. And the screen flickering is STILL happening, plus other graphical glitches. I thought it might be a driver's issue so I reformatted. Still doing it.

Went into the Genius Bar and they want to keep it for another 5 or so days to run diagnostics and "in depth" hardware tests.

That is ridiculous. I haven't had a laptop for over 2 weeks now and they want to take it again. I need my laptop for work

Going by Apple's tally, my rMBP is on its 3rd logic board and 3rd screen. And the problems still are still happening.

What do I do? I've been in contact with AppleCare, but they have been of no help at all. How do I escalate this?

Sorry to hear about your trouble. I talked to an apple representative about a similar issue last month and he said the magic number to replace a unit completely is 4 given that the problem happens to the same component. Not sure if every Apple Stores follow this rule, but try their online chat support and they are more helpful I would say.

 

[iKnowMr.Jobs]

If you live semi-close to an Apple Store (I assume you do since you mentioned you brought it to the Genius Bar 2 years ago), is suggest taking back this time as opposed to calling an online store representative. I've heard many situations like yours where people have brought in their notebooks for the same issue 3 times and were just given an outward swap for their troubles. If the "magic number" is 4, I'm sure the Manager has the authority to override it.

Just be smart and nice about how you present your issue to the Genius. I wouldn't outright ask for a replacement, I'd Just tell them that you've experienced many issues with it (they'll be able to see all of the work done on your machine once they enter the serial number) and if your Genius is remotely competent, I'm sure they'll at least attempt to persuade the Manager to allowing them to give you a replacement. Ultimately, it's up to the Manager.

Good Luck! Hope all goes well

 

[Natzoo]

I think you just had bad luck, keep on taking it to apple until they get tired and get you a new mac. Some macs are built in a hurry in factories and problems can go wrong such as dead pixels, loose buttons. I my rMBP with no trouble, but now my "m" key gets stuck sometimes, but now it works just fine.

 

[2298754]

Just wanted to give you guys an update. Got the run-around from the Apple Stores for the last month. Same crap over and over again. They take it in for "testing," it comes back. Problem persists. Repeated like twice.

 

[matreya]

That's one of the best AppleCare stories I've read. Congrats.

 

[2298754]

That's one of the best AppleCare stories I've read. Congrats.

Most certainly! I've had MacBooks ever since the Intel ones came out. This was the first one that had constant issues. Also my first time calling into AppleCare was with this rMBP.

 

[Hieveryone]

It's a lemon for sure. What you need to do is hit up some people who can handle the case. If they ain't willing to work with you, I'd consider threatening a lawsuit or something.

You paid full money, and got a lemon laptop. They need to replace the whole thing, and they should compensate you for time lost.

 

[matreya]

It's a lemon for sure. What you need to do is hit up some people who can handle the case. If they ain't willing to work with you, I'd consider threatening a lawsuit or something.

You paid full money, and got a lemon laptop. They need to replace the whole thing, and they should compensate you for time lost.

You didn't read his update post.... Apple gave him a replacement...

 

[2298754]

It's a lemon for sure. What you need to do is hit up some people who can handle the case. If they ain't willing to work with you, I'd consider threatening a lawsuit or something.

You paid full money, and got a lemon laptop. They need to replace the whole thing, and they should compensate you for time lost.

Doesn't work like that. Any threats of a lawsuit when you're on an AppleCare phone call gets you transferred to their legal team almost immediately.