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Have I been sold a used Macbook??

jonboy1987 said:
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
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1. My last MBP which I bought new straight from Apple online didn't have one either.

2. That's because Li-Ion batteries should never be stored for extended periods of time fully charged or discharged, they're best kept between 40-60% charge when not in use. Once Apple manufactures a laptop for a reseller, it has absolutely no way of knowing how long it'll stay on a shelf, could be a few hours or a few months, best keep the battery in good shape. All new Macs come with about 50% battery out of the box.

3. Cosmetic flaws happen during machining operations, same goes for finished. It could very easily be a blemish left during manufacture and doesn't prove much of anything.
 
jonboy1987 said:
Will do, thanks for the advice!

The thing that sparked my suspicion was the man in the store saying he would put in 2x8gig ram for me even though apple say the limit is only 8gb (2x4). Do you know the reason for this?
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That would be because when Apple originally built them, 8GB sticks weren't readily available or prohibitively expensive. The chipset can and will handle 16GB RAM just fine. I have as much in my 15" from the same model year.
 
I wonder why that model was $1499? Is because he bought it in korea? If so that sucks. I bought a 13" MBP with retina display 2 months ago for $1199.
 
snaky69 said:
2. That's because Li-Ion batteries should never be stored for extended periods of time fully charged or discharged, they're best kept between 40-60% charge when not in use. Once Apple manufactures a laptop for a reseller, it has absolutely no way of knowing how long it'll stay on a shelf, could be a few hours or a few months, best keep the battery in good shape. All new Macs come with about 50% battery out of the box.
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What you say about storing the battery is correct. New Macs with 50% batteries is not. My three new MacBooks over the years all came with batteries pre-charged to at least 80%. Two came out of store stock, the other was a BTO.
 
MagicBoy said:
What you say about storing the battery is correct. New Macs with 50% batteries is not. My three new MacBooks over the years all came with batteries pre-charged to at least 80%. Two came out of store stock, the other was a BTO.
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Your experience is anecdotal at best. My first MBP, 2008 arrived at about 70% charge, my 2012 arrived at 45%. Both were BTOs.
 
snaky69 said:
Your experience is anecdotal at best. My first MBP, 2008 arrived at about 70% charge, my 2012 arrived at 45%. Both were BTOs.
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Right so you've just disproved your own 50% stat then!

I wasn't including all the machines I buy for work, mainly because I don't know how long they were sat on the shelf.
 
MagicBoy said:
Right so you've just disproved your own 50% stat then!

I wasn't including all the machines I buy for work, mainly because I don't know how long they were sat on the shelf.
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I'm not quite sure how I've disproved anything. I said it should be kept between 40-60% for storage, AFAIK, 45% is between 40% and 60%. Sure, my 2008 came in at 70%, so what? Maybe checking charge status wasn't/isn't part of Apple's QC check?

40-60% is nothing but a guideline. Who's to say if Apple actually have a set parameter for a charge when they build them or if the batteries themselves aren't charged by the supplier before assembly into the computer. For example my 2008's battery was made by Sony. Did Sony ship them precharged to Apple or did Apple charge them at assembly? I sure as hell don't know, I don't work for them.
 
MagicBoy said:
About 50% ≠70%.
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You're quite right, if that makes you feel better. I simply stated your experience was anecdotal as I've seen Macs bought by myself and friends vary all the way between 40 to 80% battery on their first boot while your post seemed to imply they all came with at least an 80% charge, which is simply not true.

What I was trying to convey is that when you buy an Apple laptop, it's battery won't be full. I also explained why it should not be either. I think we both agree on that.
 
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