Horizontal Lines in New Powerbooks

[Soccertess]

So, what's the final consensus, does the latest 17" PB have a screen issue too?
Thanks

Just the 15 inch HR (high resolution) rev E. Personally, i think the HR stands for Horizontally Ruined Powerbook!

At first i didn't notice them. BUt now, i think i'm seeing horizontal lines everywhere! Well.. maybe i'm just crazy but they bug me!

 

[MacTruck]

I know this isn't marketplace but I have a mint condition 1.67ghz 15" powerbook for sale. Its a rev D with no screen problems and no dead pixels. Computer is scratch and dent free and purrs like a kitten. If interested let me know.


1.67ghz G4 15" Powerbook
1gb ram
128mb Vram R9700
100gb HD 5400
Superdrive
Bluetooth, Wifi
$2200 with 3yr applecare

 

[luke23]

Hi everybody,

after thinking I plan what I will do and I want to share with you: I will call Apple support and explain the problem I have. I will make sure them that if I will send my PB is to have it repaired. In case they are not sure they will repair it I will say to them I am gonna wait for two week. If they don't get any solution to the problem I will ask for a refund and wait some months to the new MacBook. If they refuse I will post a complain in the consumer office. I will do anything for a fair resolution even it takes me more headache.

The worst thing of this is that I a love the laptop apart of the screen of course and I am dissapointed because it has been my first apple buy.

Let's keep fighting for a laptop we deserve.

 

[MRU]

Ok so my new replacement powerbook just arrived. I rang apple and RMA'd it. TNT should collect tommorow.

Customer support didn't ask if I had opened the package, so I opened the package and checked the screen and guess what guys













Still had lines Sorry guy's n gal's; looks like they are here to stay....

 

[LucT]

"A word of warning to you bait nibblers of the Mac... Book... Pro, what makes you believe the same production/quality clowns that has given the World the "China Lines" will not produce a sequel?"

Dixie :

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1496407#1496407

On this thread and others from apple forum, you will find posts from folks having seen MacBook pro screens at MWSF : Those are line free..

Whether you will find or not any software working smoothly with it is another story.

 

[marmot25]

Sending it off...

I've packaged up my powerbook and will be sending it off this afternoon. I included a nice and concise note regarding the problem (along with a couple test images) and specific instructions to verify that any replacement screen be free of this line problem. If not, I have more or less said that some other form of replacement is necessary. We'll see where that gets me. I'd rather have this powerbook back with a fixed screen than a new macbook, I think. I'll let you know what comes of this.

 

[luke23]

Hi! I have called to Apple Support and they have redirect me to some technich centers here in my city. So I will have to take my laptop and explain my problem. I have my concerns about it but at least I have the oportunity to speak face to face about this. Anyone has done something similiar?

 

[maverick808]

Hi! I have called to Apple Support and they have redirect me to some technich centers here in my city. So I will have to take my laptop and explain my problem. I have my concerns about it but at least I have the oportunity to speak face to face about this. Anyone has done something similiar?

Unfortunately, I've found Apple redirect you when they don't think you have a serious problem. The chances of you getting it repaired at a third party center are nil. When this happens to me I just call back and insist that it is a serious problem and that it is their legal obligation to pick it up and repair it. You should not have to go out of your way taking it to a center when the problem is not your fault. When I've done this they've then changed their minds and agreed to pick it up and take it in.

 

[luke23]

Unfortunately, I've found Apple redirect you when they don't think you have a serious problem. The chances of you getting it repaired at a third party center are nil. When this happens to me I just call back and insist that it is a serious problem and that it is their legal obligation to pick it up and repair it. You should not have to go out of your way taking it to a center when the problem is not your fault. When I've done this they've then changed their minds and agreed to pick it up and take it in.

Buff. I have some headache now with this issue. I don't know what to do... If I call back to Apple now i really don't know what to say because they will say me to go to the technicall support before... Maybe I should speak with the technicall guy to discover if he knows something about it...

 

[MRU]

Buff. I have some headache now with this issue. I don't know what to do... If I call back to Apple now i really don't know what to say because they will say me to go to the technicall support before... Maybe I should speak with the technicall guy to discover if he knows something about it...

I really feel sorry for you guys. When I called apple about the Display they just refered me to an Apple Repair Center and even when I demanded a replacement they just said 'No' that it had to be repaired...

I struck lucky though when a few days later (8th Jan) I rang and complained that my battery wasn't taking full charge. In this instance they decided to replace the entire laptop? Battery - new laptop; Fecked Screen - Repair?? Strange...

A lucky break because when on the 10th Steve anounced the new hardware I gave them a ring and asked them to cancel my replacement and I'd like a refund. They agreed - unfortunetly my new PB had gone to the step before shippng and couldnt be canceled. So now I have to send back the new replacement for a refund (all the RMA's are getting Apple ) and it means my refund will take a few day's extra.....

I'm glad though because it means I can at least get to go for the newer machine....

 

[maverick808]

I really feel sorry for you guys. When I called apple about the Display they just refered me to an Apple Repair Center and even when I demanded a replacement they just said 'No' that it had to be repaired...

If you live in the UK then for the first 6 months if you claim to have any problems it is the seller's responsibility to fix the machine or prove that the problem doesn't exist. That means by law Apple must arrange to have the machine collected and investigated and, if they don't think there is a problem, prove that the machine is fine. Therefore, for the first 6 months they can't legally make you go to a third-party center for repair.

After 6 months it's still their responsibility to repair it but only if you can prove it's faulty. This means that after 6 months I guess they can request you take it to a center to get a pro to look at it in order to "prove" it's broken. So first 6 months burden is on them to prove it's fine and second 6 months burden is on you to prove it's faulty.

Not sure about the USA or where you are but it's worth checking the laws to see if it's the same. If it is then they legally have to pick up the machine and prove that it's fine.

 

[MRU]

Not sure about the USA or where you are but it's worth checking the laws to see if it's the same. If it is then they legally have to pick up the machine and prove that it's fine.

Ireland, where Apple EU HQ is based

 

[luke23]

Hi guys,

this what I am gonna ask for a refund for my laptop. If they deny to it I will send to the repair shop. If they can fix it, this nightmare will be over otherwise I will demand a refund (or a new laptop with no horizontal problem).

I bought my PB in middle november so maybe they reject my first request but I won't admit something similiar in the second.

Do you honestly think that Apple will solve this problem?

Note: I live in Spain

 

[drj434343]

Screen not repaired!

I sent my notebook in last week, and it came back today with a note saying the screen was within spec. Despite having a rather encouraging discussion with a tech when I sent it in, it appears those on the floor working on these machines don't see a problem. So my guess is that even now, they aren't going to come back to anyone fixed. Crap.

 

[drj434343]

I sent my notebook in last week, and it came back today with a note saying the screen was within spec. Despite having a rather encouraging discussion with a tech when I sent it in, it appears those on the floor working on these machines don't see a problem. So my guess is that even now, they aren't going to come back to anyone fixed. Crap.

OK, so I just got off the phone with Apple tech support, and talked to a second tier tech guy. I gave him all the typical concerns and problems expressed by everyone on this forum (which I have become very familiar with as of late). I even asked him to go view one of the photos online with a magnified pic of the screen issue:

http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/28/new-higher-res-powerbook-displays-having-problems/

He immediately said that the picture displayed was from Apple and that he had seen it before regarding this issue. I also mentioned how it appeared to be a screen defect, and that it didn't affect 12 or 17 in models. I also told him about how people were getting screen replacements done, only to get back a bad PB with the same LCD part number. He proceeded to tell me that they actually have a new LCD with a different part number to fix this problem. I was less than convinced, obviously, it sounded too good to be true. However, I reluctantly agreeded to a "looper" repair to give the replacement another shot. I got his extension number and he said to call if it came back the same.

The only thing that encouraged me (unless he was flat out lying), was that he immediately recognized the pic online and told me it was, in fact, a defect, albiet only in a "small percentage of Powerbooks". I didn't know how to take it, because after reading this forum, one might believe it affected every new PB.

Nevertheless, it is getting sent back in, so I'll keep everyone posted. At the very least, I've gotten myself one step closer to a refund, or 17 inch replacement...

 

[VisualForces]

drj, sounds like you and I talked to the exact same tech. I got my laptop back today...nothing changed and says "Within Spec".

That was my pic posted over at Engadget (and the first post of this thread) and it STILL looks the same now two months, two repairs, and two OS upgrades later. Lame.

I called the tech back and left a message. I want a refund now...

 

[drj434343]

drj, sounds like you and I talked to the exact same tech. I got my laptop back today...nothing changed and says "Within Spec".

That was my pic posted over at Engadget (and the first post of this thread) and it STILL looks the same now two months, two repairs, and two OS upgrades later. Lame.

I called the tech back and left a message. I want a refund now...

I'm already operating under the assumption that I'll get it back again with no changes. The question I've been pondering is where I'll go from there. I agree to demand a refund might be in order, however, with the money in my pocket, I have nowhere to go. I don't want an Intel mac, and I'm not going to switch to Windows because of this. The only option would be to upgrade to a 17", which doesn't seem to suffer from these screen issue. Am I in my rights to demand they send me a new 17"? Does Apple Care swing deals like that? My PB had a dead battery out of the box, so this latest episode means it's been in 3 times now. Can I invoke a lemon law and will they do an upgrade? Any experiences out there?

 

[BENJMNS]

I'm already operating under the assumption that I'll get it back again with no changes. The question I've been pondering is where I'll go from there. I agree to demand a refund might be in order, however, with the money in my pocket, I have nowhere to go. I don't want an Intel mac, and I'm not going to switch to Windows because of this. The only option would be to upgrade to a 17", which doesn't seem to suffer from these screen issue. Am I in my rights to demand they send me a new 17"? Does Apple Care swing deals like that? My PB had a dead battery out of the box, so this latest episode means it's been in 3 times now. Can I invoke a lemon law and will they do an upgrade? Any experiences out there?

i HIGHLY recommend the 17" over the 15". it's not any more tougher to carry around than the 15. it's awesome

 

[maverick808]

i HIGHLY recommend the 17" over the 15". it's not any more tougher to carry around than the 15. it's awesome

Hmmm, afraid I have to disagree. I have a 15" PowerBook but when it was out of action for a while I had a loan of a 17". I found the 17" far too bulky if you are travelling a lot. I can just shove my 15" in my backpack and off I go. The 17" is just not that practical for carrying around a lot. If you are frequently getting on trains or planes then you should try to avoid it even more.

It is a great machine with a fantastic screen but it really is a desktop replacement rather than a mobile machine.

 

[Spectrum]

drj, and VF, I also had basically the same conversation with a guy at tier2. I also have an extension and email. They sent me a box, because he said they definitely wanted to replace the LCD with a new part number LCD. I've not sent it in yet, because I have a lot of work on for the next 10days or so (i have 30days to send it in with this case number). Basically, I'm VERY interested to see what happens to you this time around.

OK, so I just got off the phone with Apple tech support...He immediately said that the picture displayed was from Apple and that he had seen it before regarding this issue. I also mentioned how it appeared to be a screen defect, and that it didn't affect 12 or 17 in models. I also told him about how people were getting screen replacements done, only to get back a bad PB with the same LCD part number. He proceeded to tell me that they actually have a new LCD with a different part number to fix this problem. I was less than convinced, obviously, it sounded too good to be true. However, I reluctantly agreeded to a "looper" repair to give the replacement another shot. I got his extension number and he said to call if it came back the same.

The only thing that encouraged me (unless he was flat out lying), was that he immediately recognized the pic online and told me it was, in fact, a defect, albiet only in a "small percentage of Powerbooks". I didn't know how to take it, because after reading this forum, one might believe it affected every new PB.

Nevertheless, it is getting sent back in, so I'll keep everyone posted. At the very least, I've gotten myself one step closer to a refund, or 17 inch replacement...

drj, sounds like you and I talked to the exact same tech. I got my laptop back today...nothing changed and says "Within Spec".
...

 

[generik]

/me stops by to rub a few sore noses

What did I say?

Keep believing guys, keep believing! After all having faith is good! (Provided you believe in the right thing, that is.)

 

[VisualForces]

Talked to the Tier 2 guy again tonight and he was a bit *surprised* that the repair center didn't follow his written instructions to replace my screen. So after going back and forth with him about the various options, I'm sending it back to the repair center, but he is calling them this time to insist on replacing the screen. I asked how I would know if they will be replacing it with one of these supposedly "good" screens and he assured me it would. I said, "Just like you assured me that my screen would actually be replaced last week?"

I had some parts of the conversation bounce in my favor as they know I have been upset with this laptop since the day I bought it. I'll hopefully have the laptop back early next week, so we'll go from there.

 

[VisualForces]

I've attached a png file to set as a desktop background that clearly shows the effect of the lines. The ONLY difference between both sides of the image is that one side is 1 pixel higher than the other. This results in one side looking a shade darker than the other.

Not. Pro.

 

[luke23]

What is the lemon law?

 

[ybakos]

Just got mine back (again) -- "within spec" but escalated

I just got mine back AGAIN and at least they turned on the Powerbook this time. But it was returned to me "in spec." The AppleCare product specialist I spoke with was ignorant of the issue and just gave me the normal script, but he's sending me a box for a "repeat repair." He said this means my PB will go to a higher-level tech for repair.

I'm going to enclose a letter, as I recommend all of you do when returning, detailing the problem and for them to VERIFY that the lines are gone with the replaced LCD.

Hey, thanks for that black-line desktop image, I'll be using that too.

All this talk of the new LCD part # and what some of the techs have been saying is encouraging...