Apple Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over 'Flexgate' Issue With MacBook Pro Displays

[Christian 5G]

Had my 2016 last year experience the same issue right before finals, it truly sucked. Apple wanted $600 for repair.

Luckily I purchased ‘19 MBPro and about a month later the program launched with the repair for my ‘16 that I almost started to part out.

Got the display fixed for free and on top of that they replaced battery and keyboard. Sold it basically like new.

 

[icanhazmac]

Do we really need to say what’s going to happen?

Yup, Apple will probably extend the current repair program to include the rest of the affected models (rightfully so) and you will continue to post apologist comments that do not contribute at all to the conversation but attempt to discredit those affected by the problem. SMH.

 

[Sodium Chloride]

How about the 16” MacBook? Does it have this problem?

 

[JPack]

Why is Apple the only computer manufacturer expected to repair out of warranty?

Other manufacturers don't design a keyboard that breaks so easily or use display flex cables. They use scissor designs and beefier wire cables.

 

[bluespark]

No, but let's say it anyway. Apple gets away with no penalty or a tiny slap on the wrist for yet again shafting its customers, conducting business in a shameful way and adding more embarrassment to what used to be a reputable company. You won't agree, but continue salivating over your Apple shares and smile.

But what about Apple's conduct is shameful here? Per the article, they address any such repairs within the warranty period, they have established a program to address this issue free of charge outside of the warranty period, and they have made a design change to the cable at issue to address the issue. There of course could be arguments that these measures didn't help everyone affected, that the repair program needs to extend to other models, etc., but Apple seems to have been taking concrete steps to remedy this situation, and it seems to have done so quickly after it would have been evident that the issue (apparently) arose from the short cable. Aren't they doing about what we would want them to do, at least in broad strokes?

 

[tuzzanti]

Apple is going to have another class action law suit on their hands if they don't figure out what is causing all the fan noise, heat issues, screen artifacts and difficulty booting and requiring SMC resets with the 16inch MBP's. We have been working with Apple for 5 months and finally gave up. Fortunately, we got extended return periods because we were buying many units for our company but most consumers aren't that lucky.

When you have an entirely closed ecosystem and force people into your hardware to run your OS's, you can't afford to have these issues. If I don't like a Microsoft Surface product, I can at least go to HP, Dell etc.

 

[NickName99]

How about the 16” MacBook? Does it have this problem?

There have not been reports of this problem in 2019 models. Apple seems to have fixed it in the 2018 MacBook Pro, so it’s mostly just an issue with 2016-2017 models.

 

[Chompineer]

How about the 16” MacBook? Does it have this problem?

As of yet no. Curiously, a lid angle sensor was added to the 16”, likely in relation to this.

 

[MarkB786]

I don't hear about so many problems about the likes of Levono, Microsoft, and Dell regarding their hardware. Crackling speakers, peeling screens, flexgate, bent iPads, etc. etc.

 

[briko]

Microsoft recalled them before it became lawsuit worthy, no?

Microsoft acknowledged the issues and took appropriate action. It was one of the largest consumer electronics recalls in history and cost over $1 billion, but it ultimately saved the XBox. It’s a good example of a company doing the right thing.

Here’s a nice article that talks about this case. The original project lead even admits the defects were due to “putting design over engineering.”

edit: looks like they were facing a lawsuit at the time as well.

 

[Bustycat]

It's sad that I used to recommend Macs to everyone but most people want laptops and I would never feel comfortable telling them to get a MacBook. the last 5 years have been straight trash.

At least the last 15 years have been trash. The entire plastic MacBook line is a disaster and Steve Jobs was still the CEO during the period.

 

[Tozovac]

Do we really need to say what’s going to happen?

Still feeling in support of your sig file?
[automerge]1588958315[/automerge]

No, but let's say it anyway. Apple gets away with no penalty or a tiny slap on the wrist for yet again shafting its customers, conducting business in a shameful way and adding more embarrassment to what used to be a reputable company. You won't agree, but continue salivating over your Apple shares and smile.

It's funny that we here can't walk away from Apple. Their pros (a much better experience than Windows or Android, to many of us) outweigh their cons (grossly overpriced from their being shackled to showing sustained annual growth, too much prioritization on fashion/form over function). Kind of like the 2016 election, many of us are forced to decide on the lesser evil instead of the obvious, deserved option.

 

[citysnaps]

But what about Apple's conduct is shameful here? Per the article, they address any such repairs within the warranty period, they have established a program to address this issue free of charge outside of the warranty period, and they have made a design change to the cable at issue to address the issue. There of course could be arguments that these measures didn't help everyone affected, that the repair program needs to extend to other models, etc., but Apple seems to have been taking concrete steps to remedy this situation, and it seems to have done so quickly after it would have been evident that the issue (apparently) arose from the short cable. Aren't they doing about what we would want them to do, at least in broad strokes?

Spot on analysis and most correct. But without a whiney over the top hyperventilated Apple bash, you'll forego the opportunity to earn forum cred and will instead be labeled an apologist.

 

[MarkB786]

These are the reasons why I have not purchased a new MacBook. Last thing I want is to spend 3 grand and end up with a lemon.
My 2007 also had an issue with the display ribbon cable. After 2 - 3 months, it started shorting out when moving the display and causing the Mac to turn off. I took it to an Apple Authorized Repair Center, they replaced the display. Problem continued. Brought it back, same thing. After the third time failing, I repaired it myself and lasted me a good 8 years. And all I had to do is put a small piece of electrical tape. Insane!

EVERY Mac I have bought over the years (iMac, Mac Mini,, MBPs, MBs, MBAs) have had serious longevity issues. I have a 5-year old Dell that is still cranking, but my Macs have 3 good years max. Bad keyboards, bad logic board, peeling screens, super slow boot up and responsiveness. overheating / CPU leashes. I run my computers hard, but at the premium price I should be able to expect a lot more.

 

[Expos of 1969]

But what about Apple's conduct is shameful here? Per the article, they address any such repairs within the warranty period, they have established a program to address this issue free of charge outside of the warranty period, and they have made a design change to the cable at issue to address the issue. There of course could be arguments that these measures didn't help everyone affected, that the repair program needs to extend to other models, etc., but Apple seems to have been taking concrete steps to remedy this situation, and it seems to have done so quickly after it would have been evident that the issue (apparently) arose from the short cable. Aren't they doing about what we would want them to do, at least in broad strokes?

You and others just don't get it or don't want to get it. All these issues which require repairs/replacements don't come out of nowhere and surprise Apple. They know that they are going the cheap route when choosing the items they put in the machines and just hope that not too many problems surface (no pun intended) or they know they have not tested things rigourosly enough and again hope that things don't go pear shaped. But they have been getting called out quite a bit lately and it is not a good look. Feel free to support and defend Apple to the wall but that only reflects badly upon you.

 

[technorganic]

It's funny that we here can't walk away from Apple. Their pros (a much better experience than Windows or Android, to many of us) outweigh their cons (grossly overpriced from their being shackled to showing sustained annual growth, too much prioritization on fashion/form over function). Kind of like the 2016 election, many of us are forced to decide on the lesser evil instead of the obvious, deserved option.

When's the last time you used Windows? It's gotten a lot better while macOS seems to have degraded. I'm still using a 2012 MBP with Catalina at home but at work I have a Dell XPS 13 and it's pretty damn nice. My next personal machine won't be another MacBook.

 

[Madhatter32]

Why does it take class action lawsuits to get Apple to do the right thing? If they spent the money on product development, quality and testing prior to release, they would be far better off reputationally, if not financially.

 

[Tozovac]

EVERY Mac I have bought over the years (iMac, Mac Minia, MBPs, MBs, MBAs) have had serious longetivty issues. I have a 5-year old Dell that is still cranking, but my Macs have 3 good years max. Bad keyboards, bad logic board, peeling screens, super slow boot up and responsiveness. overheating / CPU leashes. I run my computers hard, but at the premium price I should be able to expect a lot more.

I'm sorry to hear that. I agree with your last statement. I've had numerous Apple computers and iPhones, and the main longevity issue i've had is Apple turning their back on an otherwise still very useful device that could stand many more years of useful service, whether it's bricking my 3-year old iPhone 4 with iOS7 instead of permitting reverting back to iOS6, requiring a $1000 shopping trip to replace 32-bit software with 64-bit (is the 32/64-bit issue an unavoidable physical roadblock?), or no longer supporting certain OSX's after a certain date while the computer is limited to a certain OSX.

 

[Madhatter32]

When's the last time you used Windows? It's gotten a lot better while macOS seems to have degraded. I'm still using a 2012 MBP with Catalina at home but at work I have a Dell XPS 13 and it's pretty damn nice. My next personal machine won't be another MacBook.

I use both but still prefer MacOS over Win10 everyday of the week.

 

[sw1tcher]

No, we typically see Apple finally respond to a lawsuit with a service program.

For example, it took class action for bendgate on iPhone 6 and the butterfly keyboard service programs to be launched.

Same with defective GPU's on MacBook Pros

Apple Says 2011 MacBook Pro No Longer Eligible For 'Video Issues' Repair Program

Apple says the following models are no longer eligible for its MacBook Pro Repair Extension Program for Video Issues: o 15-inch, Early 2011 o 15-inch, Late 2011 o 17-inch, Early 2011 o 17-inch, Late 2011The following MacBook Pro models remain eligible, so long as they were purchased less than...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Tozovac]

When's the last time you used Windows? It's gotten a lot better while macOS seems to have degraded. I'm still using a 2012 MBP with Catalina at home but at work I have a Dell XPS 13 and it's pretty damn nice. My next personal machine won't be another MacBook.

I unfortunately use Windows 10 more than OSX, as we're stuck with that at work. I find the interface to be too clumsily dumbified with the flat design cues that's wiped away dozens of features that helped with productivity. All programs/windows look too alike at first glance to where it takes more work to differentiate certain open windows. All the all-white icons and prompts within menus look too alike at first glance to where it similarly takes more work to get things done than before. At one time Outlook's icons and window headers were gold, which permitted quick differentiation from MSWord. Now both are blue and it's taxing to work to differentiate them constantly throughout the day. I use Outlook folders constantly and there's just something about its flatter simplified arrangement that's just harder to use than before. It takes more work to locate the folder of interest and to verify that a folder is "opened" to expose sub-folders. It's just not as easy/intuitive as before and just requires more work, which starts to really add up after a hard day. At one time Adobe Acrobat's icons/cues were red but now they're a flattened light blue-white design; their icon at the bottom Windows task bar (white/blue with a mountain) look too strikingly similar to other Windows app icons (like photos) to where, once again, it takes more work to do what used to be quicker/easier. Office 365's Backstage "improvement" is hardly an improvement but instead takes more work to do what used to be quicker. Adobe Acrobat Pro 17's unnecessary reworking for Windows 10 (flat design, a very clumsy implementation re-working of their PDF tools with unnecessarily over-size large icons spread out over wasted white space that takes more scrolling to access vs. before where the tools were presented all in front of you when called), a completely re-worked menu system that looks more mobile-based than desktop-efficiency-based) is many steps backwards from the version used during Windows 7, which my workplace "upgraded" from to Windows 10. Despite my dislike for OSX's "Fisher Price My First OSX" look after Mavericks, it's still a better experience than Windows 10 by far.

 

[technorganic]

I use both but still prefer MacOS over Win10 everyday of the week.

I still prefer macOS but the cost doesn't justify the poor hardware quality. Dropping 32-bit support and the potential issues of switching to ARM also make me want to avoid newer Macs. We could see a lot of third party support leave if Apple screws up going to ARM. It's also really easy now to run macOS in a virtual machine so why even bother buying the hardware? I've got a macOS VM with GPU passthrough running in Proxmox that can outperform a 2013 Mac Pro running on 2009/2010 hardware.

 

[farewelwilliams]

another overblown issue.

 

[tuzzanti]

And according to the paid moderators in the Apple Community, Apple will not acknowledge problems before they have a solution. So customers operate in the dark with problems and Apple can choose to acknowledge or not. A very disappointing approach for a company that is supposedly customer oriented.

Good.


They're not. The expectation is that a computer is sold without any defects.

 

[Tozovac]

But what about Apple's conduct is shameful here? Per the article, they address any such repairs within the warranty period, they have established a program to address this issue free of charge outside of the warranty period, and they have made a design change to the cable at issue to address the issue. There of course could be arguments that these measures didn't help everyone affected, that the repair program needs to extend to other models, etc., but Apple seems to have been taking concrete steps to remedy this situation, and it seems to have done so quickly after it would have been evident that the issue (apparently) arose from the short cable. Aren't they doing about what we would want them to do, at least in broad strokes?

Real question: Remedy for future products, or remedy for those out-of-warranty owners seeking value for their $1500+ laptop after just a few years of use?

Considering Apple Care+ is sneakily getting more and more expensive ($350 for a 16" is nearly 1/6 the cost itself!), these type of issues should be extended to all affected, if they are not.