Is Apple hardware still trustful?

[SarcasticJoe]

One thing you should remember when you read up on problems relating to different models of machines is that sporadic accounts are never going to give you a good picture simply. The reason for this is that the vast majority of people who talk about if their machine works or doesn't work are the ones who talk about it not working. People are simply a lot more sensitive to things not working than they are to things working and according to research I've read are on average going to tell 10 times more people about a negative experience than a positive.

Now before some dimwhit is going to come at me with a "So you're saying that all complaints about Apple products breaking down", I'm going to clarify that I'm not saying these people are lying. I'm just saying they're 10 times louder than people who haven't had any problems. When you produce millions of a certain product, that's inevitably going to lead to some faulty products, even when there aren't any problems with the design and the ones who work at least initially are going to go trough quality control.

As for the Apple products I've had:

2006 iPod Video - Worked without a hitch until the battery died in 2012, replaced it myself and it again works without a hitch

2007 15" Macbook Pro - Fell victim to the Nvidia problem, fixed under the extended warranty and works just fine now

2010 15" Macbook Pro - Despite falling off a table and taking some cosmetic damage, has never suffered from any serious issues and still works without a hitch

2011 15" Macbook Pro - Same thing as the 2010 machine, only problems I've had with it have been due to faulty third party adapters

 

[rp2014]

My experiences have been mixed. I had a 2010 MPB and it was fantastic, worked like clockwork for the first 3 years. In the 4th year it started overheating and had trackpad problems. Apple store attempted to repair it and failed miserably. Some don't live up to the "genius" tag.

So I now have a 2014 rMBP, which within the first 12 days of use is overheating. Apple has agreed to replace it. It overheated whilst tech support had remoted into my machine. Screen share, whatever it's called!

This had lowered my appreciation and faith in Apple. Although its great that they are replacing the machine, I have not been impressed with their staff/customer service. I used to staunchly defend apple's products/customer service. I do believe they are slipping -- both with manufacturing and customer service.

I am now wondering whether I should look to other brands.

 

[Yotsuba]

You are lucky but be aware that the 3 years mark seems to be the problem.

I think my luck also comes from the fact that the most graphically intense thing I do on my MacBook Pro is play World of Warcraft. However, should the system fail, I'm prepared to either get it fixed or buy a new computer.

 

[simonsi]

From my experience, NO. My 2011 MBP's screen got damaged recently and it has a vertical green line running from top to bottom.

How do you hold "damage" to be the hardware and/or Apple's fault?

 

[2IS]

I know a lot of people don't want to hear this, but they've been pretty damn solid since dropping the dGPUs

 

[apolloa]

My 2010 MacBook Pro is the best computer I've had. I did suffer from the faulty 330m GPU fault and Apple replaced my motherboard for free because of it beginning of this year or last year.
Anyway she's still going strong, I've put in an SSD and maxed the RAM out, and even though the GPU was faulty, I would gladly buy another Mac computer. iPhone not so sure, iPad no because I don't like iOS on a tablet. But give me a Mac computer every single day of the week. In fact I will replace it next year or the one after, I really love the new Mac Pro but can't justify the cost, so may get the next MacBook Pro.

Sorry but I luurrvvveee my Mac computers. They are very solid machines too. I should also add I've dropped it off the bed onto the carpet, no damage at all and no problems, and OSX feels absolutely rock solid...

As for iPhones, well the 3GS had plastic cracking around the volume key's, my iPhone 4 home button started playing up after about 18 months, my iPhone 5 power button started playing up after about 13 months, all of these were know issues with the devices. And then we have iOS.

I was thinking of an iPhone 6, but to be honest I would rather get a much cheaper Android phone and then change my current Mac setup to a desktop MB Pro setup with an Apple or other monitor etc. No iOS hassles then, but I also still think my Mums iPad 3 is the best one, but that's too big for me.

 

[MacMan988]

How do you hold "damage" to be the hardware and/or Apple's fault?

Because I didn't buy it from Samsung or Toshiba?

 

[kage207]

Hi,

No trolling here but I need an opinion from others users.

During the lasts years I brought an iPhone 4 which was a wonder.

But when I brought the iPhone 5 the problems begins: First a problem with front camera->repaired. Then a problem with the power button-> iPhone changed. Then a problem with the battery life -> iPhone changed again. Then another problem with the battery life -> iPhone changed for the third time.

Now the late 2011 MBP I brought new in february 2012 is showing the GPU problem after only 2 years and half!

As it is the computer I use at work, I need to change it quickly.
But after all this issues I am now wondering if I can still trust apple and buy another MBP that will last for several years, as it is expected for a 2000$ laptop, or if a new MPB will need to be change again in 2 years due to poor engineering and hardware failure.

What are the experiences of others members of the forum? how long can I normally expect a MBP to last?

Thanks.

Did you or work buy AppleCare?

 

[RayIshido]

Did you or work buy AppleCare?

When I brought the computer In February 2012 I contacted apple to contract apple care but was informed that it wasn't available in Brazil (in 2012 there wasn't any apple store in Brazil and contacted directly apple US)

Just for the information here the price a basic MBP 15" is 12200R$ = 4900$ = 20x minimum salary.

 

[simonsi]

Because I didn't buy it from Samsung or Toshiba?

Damage implies an external cause so normally isnt a failure of the hardware.

 

[kage207]

When I brought the computer In February 2012 I contacted apple to contract apple care but was informed that it wasn't available in Brazil (in 2012 there wasn't any apple store in Brazil and contacted directly apple US)

Just for the information here the price a basic MBP 15" is 12200R$ = 4900$ = 20x minimum salary.

That's also because there's a huge tariff on Apple products in Brazil (Brasil). There is also some serious shipping issues inside the country to move around the products.

Also, AppleCare was available in Brazil in 2012. - https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1718454/

Lastly, try looking at this to see if you can get your problem resolved.
http://www.zdnet.com/little-utility-rescues-a-macbook-pro-with-failing-video-7000024626/

 

[cjmillsnun]

Thank you for yours answers.

Of course I am totally aware that all electronics will eventually have a failure but having to change a 500$ computer every 2 years is quite not the same as changing a 2000$. At some point I don't expect them to have the same built quality and the fact that after almost one year and thousands of customer having the same problem, apple still ask to pay for the repair is quite disappointing. Does it mark a change in customer care policy from apple or has it always been like this?

But actually, what worried me is that it seems that the problem in the 2011 models seems to be related to lead free solder. As this type of solder is still in use, I am wondering if buying a new MBP, I will not have the same problem in 2 years.

Also, I am not sure if only the discrete GPU is affected or if the intel also have the problem at some point. Do you know if there is any record of such failure with the intel cards?

Thanks again.

All computers nowadays, in fact all modern electronics, use lead free solder. This isn't a problem unique to Apple.

 

[apolloa]

All computers nowadays, in fact all modern electronics, use lead free solder. This isn't a problem unique to Apple.

As Microsoft found out with the Xbox 360, it had huge failure rates mostly due to the solder used. I believe it was an EU ruling? Maybe a ruling across the world, either way as you said the problem was most certainly NOT exclusive to Apple.

 

[grahamperrin]

… What are the experiences of others members of the forum? how long can I normally expect a MBP to last? …

2009 MacBookPro,2 with 17" glossy display

2012-02: replacement of logic board.

2012-05: replacement of swollen battery.

2012-06: sudden failure of hard disk drive HTS541616J9SA00 (HTS541 models supplied by Apple "typically fail with severe media damage, rendering data recovery impossible. If you have one of these in your Macbook, … recommend immediate, proactive replacement …").

2013-11: fans cleaned in response to sensor-related error.

If I recall correctly: there was an earlier incident involving cleaning, and replacement of a heat exchanger, but I don't have records handy.

2014-07: symptoms of possible failure of the Seagate Momentus solid state hybrid drive (SSHD) that I chose to install in June 2012. Difficult to properly diagnose; there's Core Storage.

The optical drive has failed, but I should not treat that as typical; this notebook has fallen more than once (the corner opposite the drive is noticeably damaged). I have learnt to avoid placing the protective rucksack on a chair whilst packing – the rucksack topples and falls.

 

[someoneoutthere]

I lost my trust in rMBP screens and I expect a "recall" sooner or later. It is certainly possible that due to mishandling you can cause damage to the coating. The interesting thing is that there are many posts on this forum where people have tried abusing the screen with various methods and did not see any visible damage. My screen coating started to come off after two months. I have been following Apple's instructions word by word.
Just like the iPhone 5 power button, there might be a recall soon to specific rMBPs. It is not widespread, and it still happens despite perfect handle & care.