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Horizontal Lines in New Powerbooks
- Thread starter VisualForces
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So I spoke to the Apple rep today, three of them, only one of which claimed to know about the defect. He said "it's not as widespread as people may make it seem." And basically claimed I'll be fine, what does everyone here think regarding that? I just don't know who to believe anymore...
drj434343 said:
thanks for posting those mate
just spoke to the guy i've been chatting to at my local apple store, and apparently, those BAD and GOOD part numbers dont exist on Apple's parts database. i'm getting mine replaced for another version of the original to see what happens. wish me luck
Sic said:just spoke to the guy i've been chatting to at my local apple store, and apparently, those BAD and GOOD part numbers dont exist on Apple's parts database. i'm getting mine replaced for another version of the original to see what happens. wish me luck
Sic - I haven't gotten my Powerbook back yet, but somewhere at Apple those display part numbers do exist. They have to.
My Apple repair order specifically calls out part number 646-0324, as described in my blog here. The Apple Store Genius Bar/Tech employee assured me that they had gotten the correct part number from someone at Apple, where they are "aware of the issue".
I don't want to dash your hopes, but unless you have an Apple employee telling you that they have been told or they themselves are aware of the horizontal display issue, and know what to put down in a Repair Order to make sure your Powerbook is fixed properly - then you're taking a gamble by sending it in. I would continue trying to find someone with Apple who will tell you confidently that they can fix the issue.
Culling from all of the descriptions of 15" Powerbook HR users' experiences, I would have to say that the "working" display part number is almost definitely a different one than the ones which have the issue. Which is to say if you're display exhibits the horizontal line issue now, having Apple replace it with the exact same part number will result in another bad display.
But hey - I could be wrong. I just don't like gambling.
When I get my Powerbook back, and if the display is truly working, I will try to get as much information as I can to help others.
Keith
i wont be sending mine in. i got a bit arsey with them because they were passing me from pillar to post so they told me that they'd send the parts to my local apple dealer. the last time i took it in, it was there for an hour. i might ring apple tomorrow and request one of those parts to be sent to my local dealer, as that's more likely to fix it.
oooh, it's exciting...my powerbook might actually be fixed one day!!
oooh, it's exciting...my powerbook might actually be fixed one day!!
been told the same thing
I was given the same line by a second tier tech. He claimed he knew about the problem (I sent him to this forum with the pictures), but also said that there were hardly any with that issue. He also said he knew exactly how to get the problem fixed, and so I sent mine in with his instructions attached to the repair order. What I got back was the bad P/N Samsung replacement, still showing the lines. So I'm not sure how you know what to believe and what not to, but at the very least, most of their techs seem VERY confused (or VERY consistently dishonest).
Jonathan360 said:
I was given the same line by a second tier tech. He claimed he knew about the problem (I sent him to this forum with the pictures), but also said that there were hardly any with that issue. He also said he knew exactly how to get the problem fixed, and so I sent mine in with his instructions attached to the repair order. What I got back was the bad P/N Samsung replacement, still showing the lines. So I'm not sure how you know what to believe and what not to, but at the very least, most of their techs seem VERY confused (or VERY consistently dishonest).
Screen P/N's?
If you've gotten your screen successfully replaced, please post the part number of the new screen on this forum. We want to try and keep a record of which ones work and which don't, so when others call in, they'll know what to ask for. Thanks guys!
If you've gotten your screen successfully replaced, please post the part number of the new screen on this forum. We want to try and keep a record of which ones work and which don't, so when others call in, they'll know what to ask for. Thanks guys!
I'm planning on buying one and hoping it doesn't need to replaced, it's dumb to have to get it replaced at all.
Problem Sorted?
For the first time (ever!), I have the opportunity to buy a classy new laptop. My decision is between a PowerBook 15" and a Sony Vaio of the same spec (but cheaper). I am willing to buy the PowerBook but I am seriously worried about this lines issue.
Is it sorted on new models now? If it isn't, I will stay away. I'm not spending £1400 on a laptop that will have to go into service!
Thanks
Seb
For the first time (ever!), I have the opportunity to buy a classy new laptop. My decision is between a PowerBook 15" and a Sony Vaio of the same spec (but cheaper). I am willing to buy the PowerBook but I am seriously worried about this lines issue.
Is it sorted on new models now? If it isn't, I will stay away
. I'm not spending £1400 on a laptop that will have to go into service!Thanks
Seb
sebpayne said:For the first time (ever!), I have the opportunity to buy a classy new laptop. My decision is between a PowerBook 15" and a Sony Vaio of the same spec (but cheaper). I am willing to buy the PowerBook but I am seriously worried about this lines issue.
Is it sorted on new models now? If it isn't, I will stay away
Thanks
Seb
It depends on how long the PB has been sitting on a store. Chances are it is not fixed at all, since it was only a 3 month manufacturing run, and we see dud units come off the assembly line even in December.
Why buy a 15" PB now? If this is your first Mac just get the new MacBook Pro for the same price.
The MacBook Pros are not the same price. The PowerBook G4 15" is £1,399 whereas the MacBook Pro 1.67GHz is £1,429. However, with an educational discount, I can get one for £1,314. If I an persuade my mother to it,I'll order one!
My concern is about Rosetta but if I can use Office and Lightroom at a good-ish speed, I'll be fine. Can anyone confirm that the MacBook Pro doesn't have the screen issue?
Seb
My concern is about Rosetta but if I can use Office and Lightroom at a good-ish speed, I'll be fine. Can anyone confirm that the MacBook Pro doesn't have the screen issue?
Seb
generik said:
They aren't the same price for me as a college student either. I can get the Powerbook $300 less. Thus why I am getting the PB and not the MBP
sebpayne said:
It's pretty much a 100% guarantee that they don't have the screen issue. It's a different LCD, different SIZED LCD, different RESOLUTION LCD, not to mention a different video card.
I love my current rev. 15" PB G4, but I think I would honestly recommend seeing how the MBPs are before you make your final decision at this point. If you DO feel you need a faster, dual-layer SuperDrive, a higher resolution screen, a modem, and a FW800 jack (and a non-retarded name), even then, I would seriously consider waiting a couple more months as more current PBs will come up refurbished, or even perhaps discounted further by Apple.
From what I have heard, there may not be many further discounts only because not many PB are remaining.
Are you saying that the MacBook Pro does not qualify for Educational discount? If so, ring Apple and see if it will be updated on their site soon to be included.sebpayne said:
Trust me, the £30, (pre any discount), difference will be more than worth it. The G4 is really lagging and even under Rosetta, you'll notice that LightRoom and Office will feel a little zippier. I am only going by the speed of the iMac Core Duo compared to the G4 PowerBook, but since they are close in terms of specs to the MacBook Pro Core Duo, I would say that it is a fair enough substitute until we get to play around with the real thing.
Just checked anyway and the price you quoted above was for the MacBook Pro anyway, so yes it is available through educational discount. I would have thought it strange if it wasn't to be honest.
Doesn't the introduction of the 12" and 17" always follow the 15" when they do a major update to the line like this?
aristobrat said:
the 12" and 17" were initially introduced while the 15" remained Ti for a long time. That would be the only time they have not been updated together... so no, the 12" and 17" do not follow the 15"; the last major update had the 15" updated much later.
it is great to see that apple is actually fixing this problem, at least for some people now. The last rev of the powerbook G4 should be pristine!