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I've since sold my businesses off.

Shoot... too bad you sold your business... I wanted to buy one of your perfect machines and take back this piece of crap MBP that Apple sold me :rolleyes:

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
 
Shoot... too bad you sold your business... I wanted to buy one of your perfect machines and take back this piece of crap MBP that Apple sold me :rolleyes:

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif

Well, we all have to retire sometime (and, I got to do it young). These days I don't have work anymore. I just take it easy and enjoy the kids. I don't worry about money. But, I do expect quality when I buy something.
 
So, after comparing to the pictures here and elsewhere it seems what I have is normal, however I'm going to send it in for a replacement anyway as now I'm having random kernel panics-- I had 7 yesterday (my first day with it!) all occurred while doing nothing more than browsing and chatting.

I'm also reading that the kernel panics may be a regular error as well... if this is true, then how is this better than the vista machine I just switched from (which, by the way almost never crashed on me)?
 
So, after comparing to the pictures here and elsewhere it seems what I have is normal, however I'm going to send it in for a replacement anyway as now I'm having random kernel panics-- I had 7 yesterday (my first day with it!) all occurred while doing nothing more than browsing and chatting.

I'm also reading that the kernel panics may be a regular error as well... if this is true, then how is this better than the vista machine I just switched from (which, by the way almost never crashed on me)?

I've had 2 kernel panics in about a year, but never anything right out of the box. Sounds like a hardware/software conflict.
 
So, after comparing to the pictures here and elsewhere it seems what I have is normal, however I'm going to send it in for a replacement anyway as now I'm having random kernel panics-- I had 7 yesterday (my first day with it!) all occurred while doing nothing more than browsing and chatting.

I'm also reading that the kernel panics may be a regular error as well... if this is true, then how is this better than the vista machine I just switched from (which, by the way almost never crashed on me)?

Kernel Panics are usually the effect of a hardware problem. When OS X crashes, it usually just hangs / locks-up. Fortunately, since every program runs in it's own protected space, I can usually just force-quit the failed app.

I have an App or two hang-up probably every few days.

Personally, I would tell you that neither Windows or OS X are better. They are just different and get things done in slightly different ways.

Whichever machine does what you want it to do is the better machine for you. That's what it comes down to. Neither Windows or OS X is actually "Better". They each have differences, they each have similarities. The both provide you with a means to run programs on your computer. And, some like the way one works, while others like the way the other one works.

I get along perfectly fine with both. I've used both Windows and Macs for years (more than I care to count).

There are a lot of things I like about Windows. There are some things I don't.

There are a lot of things I like about OS X, and sadly a lot I don't.

Honestly, Windows will do just about everything. And, it would be perfectly fine for me, except for one issue.

The design of Windows has so many applications running in the background (like your word processor, music player, and other such things) whether you are actively using them or not. Everything you install gets hooked in, and launches a portion of it at startup.

For me, that became an issue when I was importing video over firewire. It because of everything running, the computer would drop frames as it imported. I could manually close out all the stuff, shut down processes, and so on, but it was tedious and if I missed one, I'd still have dropped frames.

I could start Windows in reduced modes, but then certain vital drivers wouldn't be loaded.

So, it was just not suited to that one task for me. For everything else, I would be hard pressed to find a complaint. Sure, the easy target is viruses. But, realistically, that wasn't as big of an issue as it gets played up to be. Throw an anti-virus program on there (even a free one) and keep it updated.

Unless the task you are performing requires a program that's only available in one Operating System or the other, then it all comes down to choice and personal preference.

I personally prefer whichever one works and doesn't fail :D

But, I do use many Macs here. One is by need (video work that I couldn't get done real well in Windows), the other is an education center for my kid and just happens that the type of environment I wanted to set up was only available in a Mac version (her programs are all in boxes with both Mac and Windows versions - so it was just the particular type of shell / KIOSK environment I was after).

And, the other one is just because I got it in a trade (traded one Mac I didn't like for one that was better for us - My wife wanted something she could take with her so we traded a desktop we didn't want anymore for a laptop).

And, then there's the other one that will be set up fairly soon just for my youngest daughter to beat on (an old iMac). She's getting it a bit late. By the time my other daughter was her age (6 months) she already had a computer to play with (she's a genius now with them). So, I'm a bit behind. It will start out just as a thing to beat on that throws stuff on the screen with sound effects and words in response to any key hit.

Other programs will follow just like they did for my other daughter.

But, while we have 4 Macs in the house, we also have 2 PC's, and one of the Macs also has Windows on it.

So, I say use whatever works for you. Use whichever one meets with your quality approval. And, use whichever one you like.

I like OS X. But, I do not like the Mac hardware. I know I can install OS X on a PC. But, I'm also a legal nut. If I use something, I'll abide by it's terms. If I don't agree with it's terms, I won't use it.

So, until Apple changes their license (or it's proven in court to be illegal), then I'll use Macs to run OS X. The second I have another alternative that is proven in court to be legal, then I'll run OS X on something else that is made better (even if that means building it myself).

Windows or OS X. Pick the one you like. I'm not going to tell you that you should use one or the other. Just go with what works for you.
 
I'm also reading that the kernel panics may be a regular error as well... if this is true, then how is this better than the vista machine I just switched from (which, by the way almost never crashed on me)?

Nope not normal. Not had one on a very very long time.
 
Warped

I have a MBP and my screen looks like that too. I'm just to lazy to bring it in to the store to have them tell me they won't fix it.. But I might just change my mind when I keep looking at my credit card bill and seeing how much I paid for this.. For the price of these laptop I EXPECT it to be perfect or I would have bought another PC.. With that said.. You are paying for something that you want to be perfect, just like your paying for your mechanic to fix your car, should he do a half ass job just because he always does and that should be accepted.. I don't think so.. Apple makes more than enough money to put some quality checks in place so that these machines do not come out of the factory like this.. My friend bought a brand new macbook and his screen sits as flat as can be.. My other friend has 2 MBP's, one for work and the other for play.. Both of his screens sit flat, LIKE THEY SHOULD for a $3000 laptop.. I'm not saying that I don't love my MBP I wouldn't trade it for anything but when I grap it to pick it up and I can feel the screen moving, I don't think that it good..

James
 
Mine is what they're supposed to be like I think

It is level with the other side and doesn't have a big gap between.
 

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Ive been through 7-8 15" mbp just last month due to some left speaker making the static/hiss/electric/sizzling noise issue and I can say 3 of them had the right side of the lid warped when closed but the rest 4 was perfectly even.

This didnt bother me at all but it was nice to have the perfect mbp. My first 17" hi RES mbp didnt close evenly and was warped too but my current mbp is evenly closed with no warping.

I don't think its a defect as it doesn't affect the function of the mbp but people can be bothered by it especially it being a new laptop. Im just glad that my current 17" mbp doesnt have any warping but especially the left speaker sizzling and headphone jack hissing noise is not there.

If your happy with your mbp with everything else dont let the slight warped lid bring you down, honestly when I had it on my other mbp I never really cared about it.
 
Sun Jun 22 17:36:26 2008
Machine-check capabilities (cpu 0) 0x0000000000000806:
family: 6 model: 23 stepping: 6 microcode revision 1548
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T9300 @ 2.50GHz
6 error-reporting banks
threshold-based error status present
Machine-check status 0x0000000000000004
machine-check in progress
MCA error-reporting registers:
IA32_MC0_STATUS(0x401): 0x1000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC1_STATUS(0x405): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC2_STATUS(0x409): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC3_STATUS(0x40d): 0xf620000f0002010a valid
MCA error code : 0x010a
Model specific error code: 0x0002
Other information : 0x0000000f
Threshold-based status : Undefined
Status bits:
Processor context corrupt
ADDR register valid
Error enabled
Uncorrected error
Error overflow
IA32_MC3_ADDR(0x40e): 0x000000004ce00380
IA32_MC4_STATUS(0x411): 0x0000000000000011 invalid
IA32_MC5_STATUS(0x415): 0xf20000300c000e0f valid
MCA error code : 0x0e0f
Model specific error code: 0x0c00
Other information : 0x00000030
Threshold-based status : Undefined
Status bits:
Processor context corrupt
Error enabled
Uncorrected error
Error overflow
panic(cpu 0 caller 0x001A8656): Machine Check at 0x9525f8e7, thread:0x51bb790, trapno:0x12, err:0x0, registers:
CR0: 0x80010033, CR2: 0x359ba554, CR3: 0x01454000, CR4: 0x00000660
EAX: 0x00000003, EBX: 0x9525f535, ECX: 0x00000008, EDX: 0x00000008
ESP: 0xbfffd1e0, EBP: 0xbfffd258, ESI: 0x1defc36b, EDI: 0x00020000
EFL: 0x00210202, EIP: 0x9525f8e7

Backtrace, Format - Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x4ece28 : 0x12b0fa (0x459294 0x4ece5c 0x133243 0x0)
0x4ece78 : 0x1a8656 (0x4624f4 0x9525f8e7 0x51bb790 0x12)
0x4ecf58 : 0x19fd93 (0x4ecf70 0x0 0x0 0x0)
No mapping exists for frame pointer
Backtrace terminated-invalid frame pointer 0xbfffd258

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: firefox-bin

Mac OS version:
9D34

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 9.3.0: Fri May 23 00:49:16 PDT 2008; root:xnu-1228.5.18~1/RELEASE_I386
System model name: MacBookPro4,1 (Mac-F42C89C8)
----
EDIT: Died again --

Sun Jun 22 19:32:20 2008
panic(cpu 0 caller 0x001A8CD4): Kernel trap at 0x001403b0, type 14=page fault, registers:
CR0: 0x8001003b, CR2: 0x74dfb41d, CR3: 0x0146d000, CR4: 0x00000660
EAX: 0x0053d7d1, EBX: 0x00009001, ECX: 0x00531f48, EDX: 0x04e7604b
CR2: 0x74dfb41d, EBP: 0x00108e19, ESI: 0x0053d741, EDI: 0x0053d740
EFL: 0x00010002, EIP: 0x001403b0, CS: 0x00000008, DS: 0x046c0010
Error code: 0x00000002

Backtrace, Format - Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x108c38 : 0x12b0fa (0x459294 0x108c6c 0x133243 0x0)
0x108c88 : 0x1a8cd4 (0x4627fc 0x1403b0 0xe 0x461fac)
0x108d68 : 0x19ede5 (0x108d80 0x1 0x108e19 0x1403b0)
0x108d78 : 0x1403b0 (0xe 0x530048 0x100010 0xb0010)
Unaligned frame
Backtrace terminated-invalid frame pointer 0x108e19

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task

Mac OS version:
9D34

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 9.3.0: Fri May 23 00:49:16 PDT 2008; root:xnu-1228.5.18~1/RELEASE_I386
System model name: MacBookPro4,1 (Mac-F42C89C8)

----
This is the error I keep getting when everything crashes. It ran almost all day today and then crashed after about 7 hours.
 
Ok, I've had 6 kernel panics today, all while running only:

-Safari
-Adium

And nothing else. This is my second day with this laptop, and I'm pretty sure I'm calling apple tomorrow and getting a refund. Honestly, I'm thinking as much as I enjoy OSX, it's time to go back to a nice Dell. I've never felt so disappointed in my life... I've never been so excited to get a new computer, and this has totally ruined the experience for me.
 
Ok, I've had 6 kernel panics today, all while running only:

-Safari
-Adium

And nothing else. This is my second day with this laptop, and I'm pretty sure I'm calling apple tomorrow and getting a refund. Honestly, I'm thinking as much as I enjoy OSX, it's time to go back to a nice Dell. I've never felt so disappointed in my life... I've never been so excited to get a new computer, and this has totally ruined the experience for me.

Can't blame you there...

I've been there myself. Wondering why I was fighting so hard to make my Mac "work".

In the end, I keep using it for the video stuff I work on (just because the Windows solutions I tried for my video editing just were not as good). But, honestly, for every other task I have, Windows would be equally suited.

But, I like to do a lot of video editing and DVD production on my systems. Most of the Windows solutions I tried just dropped frames or produced a bit of "noise" in the picture quality. The few that didn't, also didn't have the features I wanted.

But, if it wasn't for that little bit of video editing that I do, I would be Windows all the way.

Not because Windows is better. But, because it would do all I'd need (besides video production), and would cost me less and fight me less.

Macs are great when they work. But, I still find myself constantly wishing that OS X had this feature or that feature. So many things I can do in Windows (or even DOS) that I have to find a software solution from a 3rd Party to pull off in OS X. Often, I'll just take what I'm working on to a Windows machine to perform the task, and then bring it back to the Mac when it's done.

For daily use stuff, OS X is fine. I'm mostly satisfied with it. I don't like it enough that I would use it or pay the premium for it if it wasn't for the video stuff I do.

Yes, the video stuff is just a hobby for me. But, remember, I am particular about the finished product. And, I'm no less demanding of my own work.
 
How big of a gap are we talking here?

I recently took my MBP in to get fixed up (issue with the screen; nothing major, and quickly replaced).

When I got it home, I noticed that there was a good-sized gap (about 5mm or so?) on the right side compared to the left. I was unimpressed.

However, I looked a bit closer at it, and realized that the locking mechanism for the lid to stay closed was only engaging on the left side. I got out a precision screwdriver and discovered that the right-side hook moved freely enough; it just wasn't engaging for some reason.

Did a bit of fiddling around, and managed to use the precision tool while closing the lid and engaged the hook. It looked perfect at this point.

Now, I thought to myself, that's all well and good, but once I open it it and that hook retracts, it'll get stuck up there again. Nope; I was wrong. I've been using it for well over a month now, and it hasn't been stuck since.

I'm willing to bet that's what the issue is here; but that's just a guess. Take a look and let us know.
 
If they wouldn't guarantee you that they'd fix it, I would just outright return it. And, if they don't refund the entire amount of your purchase (as in if they charge a restocking fee), then I'd challenge it with your credit card company to recover the full amount.

Do not accept defects, and don't let them push you past the return period by killing time with shipping. They can get you past that 14 day return period with you not having a computer in your hands.

I say return and demand a full refund.

Agreed. If they can't build a proper product, take your money elsewhere. There's no reason to settle when spending two grand.
 
Incredible how much a few words can say...

Lol, 8 in one month and took 2 different apple stores 4 and 4 for each.. with no restocking fee.. 8th exchange I exchanged to the 17" hi res mbp and now has ended my search for the perfect or ultimate mbp! =D

anyways before that last year.. with the 2.4Ghz mbp or the 2.2Ghz mbp I must have been through 10-12 lol because of the yellow tint issue back then.. with only 1 restock fee.. man so pretty much since last year and this year I've been through literally around 20 exchanges...

I've actually owned it all.. and I'm very tired of exchanging.. glad I went for the 17" hi res mbp as it is perfect, no warping (close perfectly the lid), no left speaker sizzling/electric/hissing noise, no hissing noise via headphone jack and no yellow tint.. 17" hi res mbp is perfect.. finally!!:cool::D
 
Lol, 8 in one month and took 2 different apple stores 4 and 4 for each.. with no restocking fee.. 8th exchange I exchanged to the 17" hi res mbp and now has ended my search for the perfect or ultimate mbp! =D

anyways before that last year.. with the 2.4Ghz mbp or the 2.2Ghz mbp I must have been through 10-12 lol because of the yellow tint issue back then.. with only 1 restock fee.. man so pretty much since last year and this year I've been through literally around 20 exchanges...

I've actually owned it all.. and I'm very tired of exchanging.. glad I went for the 17" hi res mbp as it is perfect, no warping (close perfectly the lid), no left speaker sizzling/electric/hissing noise, no hissing noise via headphone jack and no yellow tint.. 17" hi res mbp is perfect.. finally!!:cool::D

Yes, that is just crazy. Whenever I've purchased a PC, it's always been perfect right out of the box. Never had to exchange or request a repair for any PC. Just the Apples.
 
I've actually owned it all.. and I'm very tired of exchanging.. glad I went for the 17" hi res mbp as it is perfect, no warping (close perfectly the lid), no left speaker sizzling/electric/hissing noise, no hissing noise via headphone jack and no yellow tint.. 17" hi res mbp is perfect.. finally!!:cool::D

I got embarrassed doing an a 3rd exchange, so I can imagine how bad it be to do an 8th... And yes the 17" does not really have this issue.
 
I got embarrassed doing an a 3rd exchange, so I can imagine how bad it be to do an 8th... And yes the 17" does not really have this issue.

Yeah, I know what you mean. There's been a few items I've returned 3 or 4 times to get a good one (not talking Apple or PC here). And, eventually got a good one.

The thing is, that all people (who are normal) know that when you spend money, you wish to get something that is like new and works as it should. They know that if you spend money on something with issues or poor quality, that you are going to be dissatisfied with it.

So, I've always found people at the various stores quite helpful and understanding when I've taken something back.

I don't take a lot of stuff back. But, I will when needed. I've returned things that I've purchased for the kids because it turned out to be to cheaply built to survive the age group of kids it was supposedly designed for. I've taken stuff back because it just didn't work as easily as the package made it look.

I've taken some stuff back just because it felt cheap in construction.

And, I've taken anything back that failed.

Doesn't matter what it is. Appliance, kids toy, computer, whatever... It will go back if I have the slightest dissatisfaction with it.

That is how quality is restored. Manufacturers get tired of getting everything back. And, they'll start fixing the issues that cause items to be returned. It costs more money to deal with returns than it does to build it right to start with.

I purchased a bunch of stuff for my daughter at one of the last holidays. Imagine my embarrassment when every item failed to work. They were all technology items. And, they all went back to the store. I returned them, and purchased replacement items at different stores from different manufacturers. The replacements are all still working fine.

If I had just thrown them away, that would have only encouraged the company to keep producing the garbage.

When a local store receives enough of an item back, they quit stocking that product or brand. When they quit ordering it, the manufacturer starts feeling the pinch (especially when that store is part of a national chain). When the manufacturer starts losing orders, they know they have to do something to obtain new sales. It's either go out of business or build a better product.

There's no reason to be embarrassed about returning something. Just be polite and explain your dissatisfaction. And, politely ask for a return or exchange.

There's a store in my town that offers 30-days to return any purchase (even computer and electronics stuff) for any reason you choose. Even if you just don't like the color. And, we do most of our household purchases and grocery shopping there. Almost all of our clothes, food, furniture, electronics, and whatever else come from there. And, due to quality drops at other stores, we've shifted even more of our business to them.

They make thousands of dollars a month on us (yes we buy a bit). And, every few months, we'll take something back. Basically, they've got a loyal customer who will spend a lot there, and we buy because we know that if something is not right, that they'll exchange it or refund it without any question.

I even buy the iPods there. That's because I've gotten dud iPods from Apple. And, Apple won't take them back if they have an issue that they can blame on the user (I know, I've dealt with it). But, the local store's 30-day policy allows me to buy it, take it home, and see if it has anything wrong with it. If so, I can take it back. And, no restocking fee. They give 100% refunds on everything.

If I buy something and see that it just doesn't meet my needs, it goes back. But, then I will buy the better model there as well. So, they don't lose. Plus, they get all my other business. So, it works out. If they get a few thousand dollars every month, but every 2 or 3 months they get a return, that's still working pretty good for them.

I'll usually pay $5 to $20 more for some of the technology items there just because I know I can return it if I don't like it.

In the end, it's your money. And, when you spend your money, you should be pleased with what you purchased. If you are not, there is no reason to be embarrassed when you ask for them to either give you your money back or to give you an item you will be pleased with.

Doing anything less, is just plain wasteful. Didn't you work hard for that money? Why throw it away?
 
The issue, though, is whether you're just being too picky or not. On that, I agree with MacDawg--initially it sounded like you'd return the MBP just because the lid wasn't 100% perfectly latched. (I base that on the fact that we still have no idea how big of a gap the thread starter is experiencing, yet you recommended that s/he return it.)

My 2-week old MBP doesn't latch 100%. If you look at it from front (i.e. where the latch release is), you can see that at the outside corners there is a millimeter or two gap and there isn't one at the center where the latch is.

Yes, that's short of perfect engineering. And I could easily return it on those grounds.

But the perfect is the enemy of the good.

In every other respect, this computer is the best, most reliable, easiest to use that I've ever experienced--and I've used a lot of computers over the years.

And every PC you've ever had has worked perfectly out of the box? How many have you had? Anecdotal evidence proves nothing, as I'm sure you know.

Talk to someone who does PC support at any university on the planet or in any major corporation--they'll tell you horror stories involving out-of-the-box experiences. It all comes down to the odds. You've gotten lucky with PCs and are apparently dissatisfied with macs. That hardly proves that mac is engineering an inferior product.
 
I think it is a bit unfair to tell people that they need to learn to live with defects. But Apple is in the business to make money. If lowering their quality control to it's current level saves them more money than they lose to customers who are not happy with the level of quality, they will maintain it. The lid warping issue is one of the more trivial that I've seen. The LED backlight issue, the yellowing displays, audio components that crackle and hiss...those are unacceptable issues.

With that said, the warped LCD is pretty easy to fix. I came across one in the store and decided to see how much bending force was required to set it straight. It was surprisingly easy. You just have to make sure you don't focus all of the pressure in the middle of the screen. The aluminum is thin and compliant, so it bends easily and should hold its shape.

And if it still bothers you...stop looking at it closed so much. It's more fun when it's open! :)
 
And every PC you've ever had has worked perfectly out of the box? How many have you had? Anecdotal evidence proves nothing, as I'm sure you know.

Ah, you forget that I've had several businesses. And, likewise, I've always been a bit of a technology nut.

I've been using computers since before IBM introduced the first PC. And, yes, even before anyone knew who Apple was (there were computers before Apple, and yes they were slightly different than what we envision a computer to be).

But, that said, I can quite honestly say that I have literally owned and had my hands on thousands of computers from other manufacturers. Up until I decided to simplify my life a few years ago, I usually had about 50 to 100 in the house at any given time.

When I sold off the businesses, and decided to focus on family, I got rid of almost all the technology and computer stuff in the house. Now we just have one Mac for me to use (video stuff), a PC for some studio recording projects (music), a Mac for my wife to use for little things like balancing the checkbook, a Mac for my daughter's KIOSK environment, a Mac for my youngest daughter to kick around and beat on (an older iMac) just to get her acquainted with computers, and a PC that my wife uses for any serious work that she might have.

I got rid of the computers that literally filled the entire basement and made it look like mission control at NASA.

And, then you're also forgetting the ones that my companies produced and sold which I also have experience with.

Don't try and tell me that I haven't owned and used enough computers to provide a decent sample base.

And, out of every computer I have owned and used (including those that predate PC's as we know them), the absolute only computers I have ever had to send in for repair have been Apples.
 
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