Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Bad luck with Apple refurbs 3rd exchange

K

KevinMHC

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 5, 2012
66
65
so this is my 3rd Macbook pro retina refurb and I keep finding things wrong

the first one had a bent rubber around the monitor frame
second had heat problems
now this 3rd one have a loud R key and backlight bleeding.

Now I don't know if i should return this 3rd one because Apple is refusing to exchange anymore because they are out of refurb models to exchange with me
and if i were to purchase a brand new model it will be about $250 more.

Iuelmtbl.jpg

om2aYdvl.jpg


Do you think it is worth saving the $200+ ?
 
Last edited:
KevinMHC said:
so this is my 3rd Macbook pro retina refurb and I keep finding things wrong

the first one had a bent rubber around the monitor frame
second had heat problems
now this 3rd one have a loud R key and backlight bleeding.

Now I don't know if i should return this 3rd one because Apple is refusing to exchange anymore because they are out of refurb models to exchange with me
and if i were to purchase a brand new model it will be about $250 more.

Image
Image

Do you think it is worth saving the $200+ ?
Click to expand...


what about warranty work? Wouldnt these issues be covered?

Personally I would spend more.. and get a new one BUT it took apple 4 tries to provide me with a problem free MBPr
 
I did thought about getting warranty done... but since I am still within my refund period, I rather rid myself of a problem laptop. In the end, no matter how much work is done, it is still a problem laptop and who knows if they'll fix it properly or cause even more problems.
 
KevinMHC said:
I did thought about getting warranty done... but since I am still within my refund period, I rather rid myself of a problem laptop. In the end, no matter how much work is done, it is still a problem laptop and who knows if they'll fix it properly or cause even more problems.
Click to expand...

then it sounds like you need to purchase a new one if they dont have anymore refurbs on hand.


off topic question, the screen is samsung correct? I am JW
 
I am not sure. I have a 13" model and the terminal codes do not seem to work
 
Are you sure you aren't looking for problems? Regarding light bleed or IR, my test is whether I notice anything. I don't run all kinds of tests to try to find something I wouldn't otherwise notice.

That said, since Apple won't exchange it, at this point it's best to take advantage of the warranty. Refurbs are usually less likely to have defects since they are individually inspected before being resold. So with a new unit, you'll be just as likely to find an issue, if not more so.
 
I think that you must ask for an exchange or atleast a repair as you pay for the perfect experience! You must get what you pay for! :apple:

----------

If you want to compromise you might very well have gotten a windows laptop! Macs are meant to be perfect, no matter what. :apple:
 
KPOM said:
Are you sure you aren't looking for problems? Regarding light bleed or IR, my test is whether I notice anything. I don't run all kinds of tests to try to find something I wouldn't otherwise notice.

That said, since Apple won't exchange it, at this point it's best to take advantage of the warranty. Refurbs are usually less likely to have defects since they are individually inspected before being resold. So with a new unit, you'll be just as likely to find an issue, if not more so.
Click to expand...

I do admit I do have a little OCD when it comes to expensive purchases. It's one of those things where once I notice it, I can't stop not looking at. Knowing I bought a inferior product does bother me a little.

Having said that, I am willing to live with it because honestly i don't really notice it under normal use. The question is whether the savings from the refurb model is worth these little knicks and knacks.

----------
Applefanboy8153 said:
I think that you must ask for an exchange or atleast a repair as you pay for the perfect experience! You must get what you pay for! :apple:

----------

If you want to compromise you might very well have gotten a windows laptop! Macs are meant to be perfect, no matter what. :apple:
Click to expand...

Do you think the Geniuses will even entertain my requests? about a slightly louder R key and slight blacklight bleeding ? (i'm not sure what i have is considered acceptable or not)
 
If you are within the refund period, I would return it and start over. I'm not one to go looking for problems unless they are a blatantly obvious issue. That light bleed is really noticeable and I would return it because they refuse anymore exchanges.

If your rMBP were budget priced then i'm with everyone else and say you might want to accept the problems but an rMBP is not budget priced. ;)
 
KevinMHC said:
I do admit I do have a little OCD when it comes to expensive purchases. It's one of those things where once I notice it, I can't stop not looking at. Knowing I bought a inferior product does bother me a little.

Having said that, I am willing to live with it because honestly i don't really notice it under normal use. The question is whether the savings from the refurb model is worth these little knicks and knacks.

----------



Do you think the Geniuses will even entertain my requests? about a slightly louder R key and slight blacklight bleeding ? (i'm not sure what i have is considered acceptable or not)
Click to expand...
I think you must get the rmbp repaired or just ask for a refund as the bleed is. really noticeable.
 
are the retina screens suppose to be pitch black?

is there an acceptable level of bleeding that is tolerable?
 
There were some secret HW revisions in the 2013 version, I would skip the 2012 refurb models for that reason alone.
 
calvol said:
There were some secret HW revisions in the 2013 version, I would skip the 2012 refurb models for that reason alone.
Click to expand...

I would generally agree with you, but it seems the 2013 revision actually brought an issue of its own (Sandisk SSDs causing random fan issues from what I've read). I'm actually pretty happy I have both Samsung panel and SSD, they both have been rock solid so far *knock on wood*.


KevinMHC said:
are the retina screens suppose to be pitch black?

is there an acceptable level of bleeding that is tolerable?
Click to expand...

This is not a helpful answer but I think the only way you can answer this is by asking yourself that very question (is it tolerable), and bringing it in to the Apple Store if you think it isn't.

My 15" has edge bleeding, but it is very thin and consistent on all sides. It's definitely not perfect pitch black. Good luck in any event.
 
swerve147 said:
I would generally agree with you, but it seems the 2013 revision actually brought an issue of its own (Sandisk SSDs causing random fan issues from what I've read). I'm actually pretty happy I have both Samsung panel and SSD, they both have been rock solid so far *knock on wood*.




This is not a helpful answer but I think the only way you can answer this is by asking yourself that very question (is it tolerable), and bringing it in to the Apple Store if you think it isn't.

My 15" has edge bleeding, but it is very thin and consistent on all sides. It's definitely not perfect pitch black. Good luck in any event.
Click to expand...
The 2012 version is actually better in many respects:
1. Bleed is more on 2013, though not as noticeable after screen replacement (Mine is 2013 and my sister's is 2012)
2. The Fan is going crazy sometimes even when I do something like just watching movies
3. Bootup is .8 secs faster on 2012.

----------
KevinMHC said:
so this is my 3rd Macbook pro retina refurb and I keep finding things wrong

the first one had a bent rubber around the monitor frame
second had heat problems
now this 3rd one have a loud R key and backlight bleeding.

Now I don't know if i should return this 3rd one because Apple is refusing to exchange anymore because they are out of refurb models to exchange with me
and if i were to purchase a brand new model it will be about $250 more.

Image
Image

Do you think it is worth saving the $200+ ?
Click to expand...

I cant even read what is written on the screen, the bleed is too much, get a replacement panel. BTW with that you get new back cover, so double advantage! Also I see something like a scratch in the 1st image.

----------
swerve147 said:
I would generally agree with you, but it seems the 2013 revision actually brought an issue of its own (Sandisk SSDs causing random fan issues from what I've read). I'm actually pretty happy I have both Samsung panel and SSD, they both have been rock solid so far *knock on wood*.




This is not a helpful answer but I think the only way you can answer this is by asking yourself that very question (is it tolerable), and bringing it in to the Apple Store if you think it isn't.

My 15" has edge bleeding, but it is very thin and consistent on all sides. It's definitely not perfect pitch black. Good luck in any event.
Click to expand...

Agreed with your answer!
 
KevinMHC said:
so this is my 3rd Macbook pro retina refurb and I keep finding things wrong

the first one had a bent rubber around the monitor frame
second had heat problems
now this 3rd one have a loud R key and backlight bleeding.

Now I don't know if i should return this 3rd one because Apple is refusing to exchange anymore because they are out of refurb models to exchange with me
and if i were to purchase a brand new model it will be about $250 more.

Image
Image

Do you think it is worth saving the $200+ ?
Click to expand...

Seriously…

That's considered bad backlight bleed?

And loud R key is well… silly. All my keys are loud if I smash them hard enough.
 
Tbh, the fact that you've listed "Heat issues" as a problem, looks like you're looking for problems.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back