Have I been sold a used Macbook??

[jonboy1987]

Hi there, I recently bought a MacBook pro 13" Model number A1278 (non retina). There are 3 things that make me thing it's not a new model. (I bought from a Willeys store).

1- There was no welcome/startup video when I first turned it on. I went through the language options and stuff but I was slightly disappointed about the video as I heard it's pretty cool the first time you turn a mac on.

2- It was on around 50% battery when I first turned it on.

3- On the 'about this mac' tab in system report information, the health status of the battery reads "normal". I've had a look online and others say "good". How can my supposed brand new laptop not be in the best possible condition on the very first day of opening it?

I've also noticed a small chip around the charging port, very tiny but it's there. I've taken it back to Willeys and they said they can't issue a refund because the box has been opened... I now need proof that this laptop isn't new for a refund to be given.

Does anyone have any input on this? Perhaps there are logical reasons for each of these points? Are there any ways to check if this laptop is new or not?

Many thanks

Jon

 

[maflynn]

Was the MB sealed in the box, and enclosed in plastic?

 

[chabig]

You bought a mid-2012 MacBook Pro? Of course it isn't new, unless you believe they had it sitting around on the shelf for two years. If they did it would explain the battery at 50%. How many cycles are on the battery?

 

[jonboy1987]

Yep. But all it was was a plain transparent sticker on the box and a plastic film over the MB itself. Not exactly hard to mimic

Perhaps my model doesn't have the startup/welcome video?

What about the battery condition though? Surely it should say better than "normal"

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You bought a mid-2012 MacBook Pro? Of course it isn't new, unless you believe they had it sitting around on the shelf for two years. If they did it would explain the battery at 50%. How many cycles are on the battery?

I didn't know it wasn't the latest model. Battery cycles says 1.

 

[maflynn]

Yep. But all it was was a plain transparent sticker on the box and a plastic film over the MB itself. Not exactly hard to mimic

Was it sold to you as new?

Perhaps my model doesn't have the startup/welcome video?

No, its not model specific, if you reinstalled OS X fresh, you'd see the welcome screen.

 

[=E=]

Yep. But all it was was a plain transparent sticker on the box and a plastic film over the MB itself. Not exactly hard to mimic

Perhaps my model doesn't have the startup/welcome video?

What about the battery condition though? Surely it should say better than "normal"

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I didn't know it wasn't the latest model. Battery cycles says 1.

What does it say if you do this http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1519 ?

 

[jonboy1987]

Was it sold to you as new?


No, its not model specific, if you reinstalled OS X fresh, you'd see the welcome screen.

Yeah it was sold as new. I paid $1400 for it!

Battery cycles says 1, and condition says "normal".

I 100% didn't see the video, I was thoroughly disappointed!

How can I prove to the store that it isn't new! They are refusing to give me a refund.....

 

[chabig]

I didn't know it wasn't the latest model. Battery cycles says 1.

That seems to show that perhaps it was two years old, but new. By the way, the welcome video hasn't been part of OS X for a while now. I think it went away with Lion in 2011.

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How can I prove to the store that it isn't new! They are refusing to give me a refund.....

It probably was "new" but not recent. At the very least I think they are acting fraudulently by selling you a two year old machine for a new price. Consider taking it up with your credit card company, and perhaps the state attorney general.

 

[Gav2k]

There is no welcome video what you saw was normal.

The battery out of the box is usually 40-70% charged so that's normal.

As for the chip manufacturing defects happen.

 

[yjchua95]

Hi there, I recently bought a MacBook pro 13" Model number A1278 (non retina). There are 3 things that make me thing it's not a new model. (I bought from a Willeys store).

1- There was no welcome/startup video when I first turned it on. I went through the language options and stuff but I was slightly disappointed about the video as I heard it's pretty cool the first time you turn a mac on.

2- It was on around 50% battery when I first turned it on.

3- On the 'about this mac' tab in system report information, the health status of the battery reads "normal". I've had a look online and others say "good". How can my supposed brand new laptop not be in the best possible condition on the very first day of opening it?

I've also noticed a small chip around the charging port, very tiny but it's there. I've taken it back to Willeys and they said they can't issue a refund because the box has been opened... I now need proof that this laptop isn't new for a refund to be given.

Does anyone have any input on this? Perhaps there are logical reasons for each of these points? Are there any ways to check if this laptop is new or not?

Many thanks

Jon

It's a 2-year old MacBook, so it isn't exactly new

There is no welcome video since the days of Lion (2011 onwards).

The battery condition is supposed to read normal, even when it's brand new.

 

[Chundles]

There hasn't been a welcome video since either 10.6 or 10.7.


Everything else you describe is normal.

 

[jonboy1987]

That seems to show that perhaps it was two years old, but new. By the way, the welcome video hasn't been part of OS X for a while now. I think it went away with Lion in 2011.

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Oh so it's normal not to see the welcome video?



It probably was "new" but not recent. At the very least I think they are acting fraudulently by selling you a two year old machine for a new price. Consider taking it up with your credit card company, and perhaps the state attorney general.

Yeah that's what I think, but what is the latest version of the Macbook pro 13" (non retina)? On the apple store it doesn't give me any indication of the model number.....

I bought it in Korea. All I want is a refund but they're refusing to give me one.

 

[Chundles]

Yeah it was sold as new. I paid $1400 for it!

Battery cycles says 1, and condition says "normal".

I 100% didn't see the video, I was thoroughly disappointed!

How can I prove to the store that it isn't new! They are refusing to give me a refund.....

It is new. Why are you trying to get a refund?

 

[jonboy1987]

It's a 2-year old MacBook, so it isn't exactly new

There is no welcome video since the days of Lion (2011 onwards).

The battery condition is supposed to read normal, even when it's brand new.

Ok, that rules out the video and chip on the charging port.

But I've checked online and found other battery conditions that read "good" instead of normal?

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It is new. Why are you trying to get a refund?

Well I didn't know until now that these problems are normal.

But as someone rightly put, I had no idea it was a 2 year old model. This isn't the latest version of the Macbook pro 13" right? (non retina)

 

[Chundles]

Ok, that rules out the video and chip on the charging port.

But I've checked online and found other battery conditions that read "good" instead of normal?

Battery Status hasn't read "Good" for a long time. It's either "Normal" or "Service."

My new battery has 17 cycles and reads "Normal."

Stop fretting and use your brand new computer.

 

[maflynn]

If you're not totally sure, and it being a 2012 model, I'd say return it, just for peace of mind.

 

[Chundles]

Ok, that rules out the video and chip on the charging port.

But I've checked online and found other battery conditions that read "good" instead of normal?

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Well I didn't know until now that these problems are normal.

But as someone rightly put, I had no idea it was a 2 year old model. This isn't the latest version of the Macbook pro 13" right? (non retina)

The MacBook Pro (non retina) hasn't been updated since 2012. It doesn't mean it's not new. The computer was probably built within the last few weeks. It's not like it's been sitting on the shelf since 2012.

What's the model number?

 

[2984839]

Yeah it was sold as new. I paid $1400 for it!

Battery cycles says 1, and condition says "normal".

I 100% didn't see the video, I was thoroughly disappointed!

How can I prove to the store that it isn't new! They are refusing to give me a refund.....

That sounds normal to me. Even with the machine powered off, the battery will still slowly deplete over time when not plugged in. 50% is about right for a computer that's been sitting in a box for a long period.

 

[Chundles]

If you're not totally sure, and it being a 2012 model, I'd say return it, just for peace of mind.

And replace it with what? The exact same machine? The guy doesn't have any issues, it's not faulty.

 

[jonboy1987]

The MacBook Pro (non retina) hasn't been updated since 2012. It doesn't mean it's not new. The computer was probably built within the last few weeks. It's not like it's been sitting on the shelf since 2012.

What's the model number?

Part number - MD10KH/A
Serial number - edited
Model number - A1278

Sorry I'm not very tech-savy. I just don't like the idea of having a machine that is already 2 years old. I can't afford to buy another one for at least 5 years. If possible, I'd like the newest safest most reliable option if possible. I kind of feel like they've just sold me the old model....

 

[Chundles]

Part number - MD10KH/A
Serial number - C1MN32FLDTY3
Model number - A1278

Sorry I'm not very tech-savy. I just don't like the idea of having a machine that is already 2 years old. I can't afford to buy another one for at least 5 years. If possible, I'd like the newest safest most reliable option if possible. I kind of feel like they've just sold me the old model....

Brand spanking new. By the way - probably take that serial number down.

The computer isn't two years old, that particular model is though. You would have seen that when you were researching your purchase beforehand.

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Part number - MD10KH/A
Serial number - C1MN32FLDTY3
Model number - A1278

Sorry I'm not very tech-savy. I just don't like the idea of having a machine that is already 2 years old. I can't afford to buy another one for at least 5 years. If possible, I'd like the newest safest most reliable option if possible. I kind of feel like they've just sold me the old model....

They didn't sell you the old model. They sold you the current non-retina MacBook Pro.

 

[jonboy1987]

Brand spanking new. By the way - probably take that serial number down.

The computer isn't two years old, that particular model is though. You would have seen that when you were researching your purchase beforehand.

I really appreciate your input, you've been really helpful. I don't have much time to research computers unfortunately. I just bought this because I heard they don't break and will get at least 5 years out of them... (I had previously bought 3 windows laptops within the last 6 years)

 

[lumencreative]

Part number - MD10KH/A
Serial number - edited
Model number - A1278

Sorry I'm not very tech-savy. I just don't like the idea of having a machine that is already 2 years old. I can't afford to buy another one for at least 5 years. If possible, I'd like the newest safest most reliable option if possible. I kind of feel like they've just sold me the old model....

As far as I know, the 2012 Macbook Pro (non retina) is still the current model. If you check at https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do you need to provide Apple with your proof of purchase and you will then have full warranty with them.

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I really appreciate your input, you've been really helpful. I don't have much time to research computers unfortunately. I just bought this because I heard they don't break and will get at least 5 years out of them... (I had previously bought 3 windows laptops within the last 6 years)

I would highly recommend getting AppleCare if you intend on the computer lasting you 'at least 5 years'...dunno who told you they don't break though.

 

[jonboy1987]

By the way, how did you know it was new? If it's not an old machine, but an old model, does that mean there are newer non retina models out there? If so, then surely my laptop should have been cheaper because it was the same price on the apple website

 

[lumencreative]

By the way, how did you know it was new? If it's not an old machine, but an old model, does that mean there are newer non retina models out there? If so, then surely my laptop should have been cheaper because it was the same price on the apple website

No, their are no newer non-retina models available. Your model is the current non-retina Macbook Pro.