Im not exactly sure why I'm posting this, but some people might get a laugh out of it.
I bought the 17" MacBook Pro on Friday September 30th, 2011 and paid a total amount of $2,436.94 using the 200$ Educator Discount. Upon bringing the computer home, I notice that there was a hissing type noise whenever the audio circuitry was activated. The computer only made the hiss through the headphone jack. On Monday October 3rd, 2011 I brought the computer back to exchange for an identical model. I noticed while at the apple store that the display models also made the same hissing noise. The Genius that helped me at the Genius Bar basically shoo'ed me away and got a regular sales associate to assist me. The sales associate asked me if I would like a refund and I told him no I just need a replacement. He said he could either refund my money back to my credit card, mail me a check, or he could put the amount onto a Apple Gift card and I could repurchase a new computer. (I thought this was a very odd way of getting a replacement, but different stores have different policies.) I took the Gift Card option since It was the fastest. Upon opening the new replacement I first checked to see if I could hear the hissing noise through the headphone jack, and even on the brand new replacement, the hissing noise still exists. I told the associate that helped me getting my replacement that the brand new computer still had the hissing noise, and all he did was told me to make a new Genius Bar appointment (tech support). I had to wait an hour before I could be seen at the Genius Bar again. When my name was finally called to the genius bar, I explained the trouble that I had been through, and what the situation was and the problem I was having. Upon inspecting the computer, he determined that there was nothing that could be done and they were not going to replace the computer again due to it being brand new. He told me that I could check the computer into apple care and they can search ins tide to try to find what the problem is. (I in no way wanted them to do any type of sugary on my nre computer). He also said I should watch for firmware updates, learn to ignore the sound or buy an adapter that goes on my headphones to cancel the noise issue. I then left the Apple Store in Oxmore Mall Louisvile KY.
Upon arriving home with the new computer, I took it out of the box, and began to reinstall my software on it. As soon as I start to type in my Apple ID in the initial setup, I notice the upper keys (Q-P and the number keys) were grinding against the aluminum between the keys. At this point I become super pissed off because I was in the Apple Store for a total of 4 hours waiting to get a decent computer that didn't have any manufacturing defects and I receive a piece of junk that you can't use to type. I then scheduled another Genius Bar appointment for October 3rd, 2011 for 10:30am.
On Tuesday October 3, 2011, I arrived for my appointment and let the Genius check out the keyboard problem. He determined that there was a problem and I could receive a replacement since the computer was just bought 1 day ago. I asked the Genius if he needed my receipts and the gift card that was used for the last replacement. He said he didn't understand at all why they made me use a gift card instead of switching out the computers as a defect replacement and I didn't have to do anything. I received my 3rd MacBook Pro and immediately opened it in the store to make sure everything worked correctly. First thing I checked for was to see if the hiss was still audible and to my dismay, it was. The apple Genius and myself gave the computer a top-to-bottom inspection. I was satisfied and It seemed to be flawless, (except for the hiss) so I packed the computer back up and left the apple store.
I arrived home with the replacement number 3 and pulled it out of the box, Put my Speck hardshell case on it, and stared to reinstall my software and apps. After using the MacBook for about 10 minutes, I noticed that the number 5/% key was about twice as bright as all the others and was distracting we whenever I even looked anywhere near it. At this point I wanted to kill someone (figure of speech) and was extremely mad because I had just got home, and It is an hour drive to the apple store. I then thought maybe I could ignore it and maybe I won't notice it after awhile. That night at work, Every time I touched my MacBook Pro, I would stare straight at that brighter key. I then decided that if Im going to pay over $2400 for a single computer that it better be perfect and have no flaws out of the box. I then scheduled a Genius Bar appointment for October 4th, 2011 for 10:45am.
On Wednesday October 4th, 2011 I arrived at the apple store at 10am and got signed in about 10:05am. To my surprise, even though my appointment wasn't until 10:45am, I was called up at 10:15am. I told the genius that this was the 3rd replacement that I had due to various problems, and I explained to him that I was unhappy with this computer because the backlight on the keyboard was uneven and the 5/% key was twice as bright as all the others. He first looked at it and told me that It looks fine to him. I told him that It was impossible to tell me that he didn't see it when he was looking at the computer in pure light and you could barely even see the backlight at all. He acted disgusted that I told him that he was wrong. He asked If he could take my computer into the staff back room to he can look at it in the dark, so I agreed and off he went into the back with my $2400 computer. About 10 minutes later, he came back out and told me that the uneven backlight was completely normal and I didn't have anything to worry about. He told me that the "5" key was brighter because the backlight bulb is right below that key. I told him that this was not a normal issue and since this was my third MacBook Pro, I knew what the keyboard was supposed to look like, and there was not a key that was brighter or unevenness on all the other MacBooks I had and the display models the store had. He told me that this was normal and if It really bothered me I could check the computer into applecare and they will try to fix the problem but it will take 7-10 days. (he just admitted to a lie when he said check into apple care to fix the "problem." So there was a problem) I got super aggravated and told him that this computer was BRAND NEW and it shouldn't have anything wrong with it whether it be physical or appearance, and I demanded for a replacement. He told me to stay put while he went to talk to his manager. About 15 minutes of him and his manager staring at me and talking, he came back and said that they will replace the computer ONE more time and if the new replacement had the same uneven lighting problem, there was nothing they could do. As I see it, The Apple Genius just gave me a gamble shot Either I take the computer I had and deal with 1. The hiss, and 2. the uneven keyboard lighting. I didn't like this one bit because I didn't want the uneven lighting, but then again I didn't want to run into another problem with the new replacement and not be able to do anything about it. He asked me if I wanted to think about it and If I could do so somewhere to the side of the genius bar so he could get onto his next customer. (At that point I knew that he didn't care about my business and just wanted to get through his work day.) Before leaving the Genius Bar, I told him to just give me the replacement. He then printed out the Genius Bar replacement form and got me to sign it. (odd because the other 2 replacements I didn't have to sign anything.) He then turned me over to an "Apple Business" associate with a bad attitude that I didn't appreciate. She successfully exchanged the computers, and I was free to leave. I took the computer over to the Personal Setup counter and opened it up to make sure everything was working properly. I used the computer for about an hour and a half inside the apple store before I made my hour journey home to make sure I wasn't going to run into any problems. After completely and thoroughly checking the computer out, I determined that It didn't have any problems (except the same hissing noise when the headphone jack was used) so I packed up and left.
I am currently on my 4th 17" MacBook Pro, and It still has the hissing problem as all the others. I am tired of spending MY gas and MY time to keep exchanging these computers, so I will just learn to ignore the hissing which apparently dates back to the 2006 models. During my whole experience I learning two things; one being Apple does not inspect their computers when the leave the assembly line. (If they do, then someone was sleeping on the job). Also I learned that there are two types of people that work for apple. Those who want to truly help and do their job well, and those who have been there for 5+ years and really don't care anymore.
I was at the apple store 4 different days. One was to actually buy the Macbook Pro, and three to try to find one that was worth what I paid. I spent 6 hours driving for this whole situation and 7 hours total waiting time in the apple store. I had to waste 13 hours to try to solve problems that I shouldn't have had in the first place.
After the whole situation, I will now think twice before doing business with my local apple store. I truly believe that apple needs to reevaluate their Quality, and their employees. I always thought Apple meant quality, but after this whole deal, I do not see that at all anymore.
I ran into many problems over the past couple of days and most of them being totally different problems, except one which was the audio circuitry hissing noise that has been heard in all the 17" MacBook Pros I had over the past few days. (tested a total of 6 - 17" Macbook Pros and all of them had the hissing problem but the 15" models did not.)
I bought the 17" MacBook Pro on Friday September 30th, 2011 and paid a total amount of $2,436.94 using the 200$ Educator Discount. Upon bringing the computer home, I notice that there was a hissing type noise whenever the audio circuitry was activated. The computer only made the hiss through the headphone jack. On Monday October 3rd, 2011 I brought the computer back to exchange for an identical model. I noticed while at the apple store that the display models also made the same hissing noise. The Genius that helped me at the Genius Bar basically shoo'ed me away and got a regular sales associate to assist me. The sales associate asked me if I would like a refund and I told him no I just need a replacement. He said he could either refund my money back to my credit card, mail me a check, or he could put the amount onto a Apple Gift card and I could repurchase a new computer. (I thought this was a very odd way of getting a replacement, but different stores have different policies.) I took the Gift Card option since It was the fastest. Upon opening the new replacement I first checked to see if I could hear the hissing noise through the headphone jack, and even on the brand new replacement, the hissing noise still exists. I told the associate that helped me getting my replacement that the brand new computer still had the hissing noise, and all he did was told me to make a new Genius Bar appointment (tech support). I had to wait an hour before I could be seen at the Genius Bar again. When my name was finally called to the genius bar, I explained the trouble that I had been through, and what the situation was and the problem I was having. Upon inspecting the computer, he determined that there was nothing that could be done and they were not going to replace the computer again due to it being brand new. He told me that I could check the computer into apple care and they can search ins tide to try to find what the problem is. (I in no way wanted them to do any type of sugary on my nre computer). He also said I should watch for firmware updates, learn to ignore the sound or buy an adapter that goes on my headphones to cancel the noise issue. I then left the Apple Store in Oxmore Mall Louisvile KY.
Upon arriving home with the new computer, I took it out of the box, and began to reinstall my software on it. As soon as I start to type in my Apple ID in the initial setup, I notice the upper keys (Q-P and the number keys) were grinding against the aluminum between the keys. At this point I become super pissed off because I was in the Apple Store for a total of 4 hours waiting to get a decent computer that didn't have any manufacturing defects and I receive a piece of junk that you can't use to type. I then scheduled another Genius Bar appointment for October 3rd, 2011 for 10:30am.
On Tuesday October 3, 2011, I arrived for my appointment and let the Genius check out the keyboard problem. He determined that there was a problem and I could receive a replacement since the computer was just bought 1 day ago. I asked the Genius if he needed my receipts and the gift card that was used for the last replacement. He said he didn't understand at all why they made me use a gift card instead of switching out the computers as a defect replacement and I didn't have to do anything. I received my 3rd MacBook Pro and immediately opened it in the store to make sure everything worked correctly. First thing I checked for was to see if the hiss was still audible and to my dismay, it was. The apple Genius and myself gave the computer a top-to-bottom inspection. I was satisfied and It seemed to be flawless, (except for the hiss) so I packed the computer back up and left the apple store.
I arrived home with the replacement number 3 and pulled it out of the box, Put my Speck hardshell case on it, and stared to reinstall my software and apps. After using the MacBook for about 10 minutes, I noticed that the number 5/% key was about twice as bright as all the others and was distracting we whenever I even looked anywhere near it. At this point I wanted to kill someone (figure of speech) and was extremely mad because I had just got home, and It is an hour drive to the apple store. I then thought maybe I could ignore it and maybe I won't notice it after awhile. That night at work, Every time I touched my MacBook Pro, I would stare straight at that brighter key. I then decided that if Im going to pay over $2400 for a single computer that it better be perfect and have no flaws out of the box. I then scheduled a Genius Bar appointment for October 4th, 2011 for 10:45am.
On Wednesday October 4th, 2011 I arrived at the apple store at 10am and got signed in about 10:05am. To my surprise, even though my appointment wasn't until 10:45am, I was called up at 10:15am. I told the genius that this was the 3rd replacement that I had due to various problems, and I explained to him that I was unhappy with this computer because the backlight on the keyboard was uneven and the 5/% key was twice as bright as all the others. He first looked at it and told me that It looks fine to him. I told him that It was impossible to tell me that he didn't see it when he was looking at the computer in pure light and you could barely even see the backlight at all. He acted disgusted that I told him that he was wrong. He asked If he could take my computer into the staff back room to he can look at it in the dark, so I agreed and off he went into the back with my $2400 computer. About 10 minutes later, he came back out and told me that the uneven backlight was completely normal and I didn't have anything to worry about. He told me that the "5" key was brighter because the backlight bulb is right below that key. I told him that this was not a normal issue and since this was my third MacBook Pro, I knew what the keyboard was supposed to look like, and there was not a key that was brighter or unevenness on all the other MacBooks I had and the display models the store had. He told me that this was normal and if It really bothered me I could check the computer into applecare and they will try to fix the problem but it will take 7-10 days. (he just admitted to a lie when he said check into apple care to fix the "problem." So there was a problem) I got super aggravated and told him that this computer was BRAND NEW and it shouldn't have anything wrong with it whether it be physical or appearance, and I demanded for a replacement. He told me to stay put while he went to talk to his manager. About 15 minutes of him and his manager staring at me and talking, he came back and said that they will replace the computer ONE more time and if the new replacement had the same uneven lighting problem, there was nothing they could do. As I see it, The Apple Genius just gave me a gamble shot Either I take the computer I had and deal with 1. The hiss, and 2. the uneven keyboard lighting. I didn't like this one bit because I didn't want the uneven lighting, but then again I didn't want to run into another problem with the new replacement and not be able to do anything about it. He asked me if I wanted to think about it and If I could do so somewhere to the side of the genius bar so he could get onto his next customer. (At that point I knew that he didn't care about my business and just wanted to get through his work day.) Before leaving the Genius Bar, I told him to just give me the replacement. He then printed out the Genius Bar replacement form and got me to sign it. (odd because the other 2 replacements I didn't have to sign anything.) He then turned me over to an "Apple Business" associate with a bad attitude that I didn't appreciate. She successfully exchanged the computers, and I was free to leave. I took the computer over to the Personal Setup counter and opened it up to make sure everything was working properly. I used the computer for about an hour and a half inside the apple store before I made my hour journey home to make sure I wasn't going to run into any problems. After completely and thoroughly checking the computer out, I determined that It didn't have any problems (except the same hissing noise when the headphone jack was used) so I packed up and left.
I am currently on my 4th 17" MacBook Pro, and It still has the hissing problem as all the others. I am tired of spending MY gas and MY time to keep exchanging these computers, so I will just learn to ignore the hissing which apparently dates back to the 2006 models. During my whole experience I learning two things; one being Apple does not inspect their computers when the leave the assembly line. (If they do, then someone was sleeping on the job). Also I learned that there are two types of people that work for apple. Those who want to truly help and do their job well, and those who have been there for 5+ years and really don't care anymore.
I was at the apple store 4 different days. One was to actually buy the Macbook Pro, and three to try to find one that was worth what I paid. I spent 6 hours driving for this whole situation and 7 hours total waiting time in the apple store. I had to waste 13 hours to try to solve problems that I shouldn't have had in the first place.
After the whole situation, I will now think twice before doing business with my local apple store. I truly believe that apple needs to reevaluate their Quality, and their employees. I always thought Apple meant quality, but after this whole deal, I do not see that at all anymore.
I ran into many problems over the past couple of days and most of them being totally different problems, except one which was the audio circuitry hissing noise that has been heard in all the 17" MacBook Pros I had over the past few days. (tested a total of 6 - 17" Macbook Pros and all of them had the hissing problem but the 15" models did not.)
