Our unheard voices as consumers. - Updated 10/30/09

[J&JPolangin]

well for me it was the end of september and october. One logic board died, one screen died. Next ram died.Then another screen died. Then another logic board died. Finally the battery died. Its been the month of repairs for me.

I'm surprised that with all those repairs they haven't given you a new laptop yet...

 

[Rampant.A.I.]

there's defective and then there's defective. it's not like you're getting a brick out of the box. the laptop is functional, what is in question is the "life of the machine". do you expect the auto industry to give you a new car every time your brakes wear down?

Actually, it's more like having your transmission blow up after 30,000 miles.

As someone whose last laptop went through a logic board, a display, display backlight, a HD failure and a replacement HD that looked like it was on it's way out before the graphics card and/or logic board apparently failed again, and having heard similar stories from other consumers, I would call that defective.

And yes, you're right--people should be worried about the potential life of their machines. If a significant number of consumers are getting a string of failures that Apple repairs one by one until the laptop runs out of warranty and just shrugs at you, something is very wrong.

I love this company as much as anyone, and I don't want to see them take the same route American auto makers did, but that is where they're headed if they continue to treat longtime consumers like this.

 

[panzer06]

Actually, if they're supplying a known defective product, then they should be either giving you a new, non-defective laptop, or repairing the laptop not for 10 years, but for the life of the machine. I think the issue is that this graphics chip was in 2 generations of MBP's, so it would be too many to do a mass recall like they should...

It's worse than that. This problem affects HP, Dell, Sony, etc... and up until this summer Sony didn't even acknowledge the problem and forced many customers to pay $500+ to have their laptops repaired with the same defective 8x00 GPUs.

Two generations of Macs is nothing compared to the sheer size of the problem. Nvidia has now taken charges twice because of the problem. All the PC OEMs just hope the regular PC upgrade cycle will clear many of these out. Mac users tend to pay more and therefore keep their systems longer. I sold mine after one repair and the guy I sold it to sold it 2 months later to a PC user for a fraction of it's value (he disclosed the known issue).

While there are literally millions of Nvidia 8x00 based laptops out there that have not experienced any problems, the sheer size of the install base means hundreds of thousands will likely fail prior to their expected lifespan.

If you can't live with the possibility, sell it. These systems are still selling on ebay and refurb uMBPs are a very good deal. So far, no issues with the 9x00 series GPUs.

Cheers,

 

[Technologist]

I had a two year old out of warranty 15" Macbook Pro. The GPU failed so I brought it to the Apple store knowing they extended the warranty on the Logic board.

I get it back with the new CPU/GPU logic Board and Optical Drive for no cost. I boot it up and get endless Kernel Panic Attacks. After hours with Apple Care and several fresh installs I bought my two year old out of warranty Mac back.

I brought in 30 pages of documents on the Failing 8600 GPU. I hammered them in front of 50 customers until they caved in and offered me a 100% credit on a new Macbook Pro. Total Cost to me Zero! for a $3166 17" 2009 5.2 2.8Ghz upgrade. All I paid was Tax and for the 3 year Apple Care.

One more time. $2549 + $349 Apple Care + $268 CA Tax = $3166 Total.

My Cost $617. Out the Door with the 3 year Apple Care warranty for a Factory Sealed brand new 17" 2009 Macbook Pro 5.2 2.8Ghz


My Point. Build a good case. Don't walk out with anything but a new machine. If one rep says they can't do it then get the supervisor. If that doesn't work try another store. You might end up with a free upgraded computer even if your old one has an expired warranty.

I'm pretty sure apple is worried about a Class action lawsuit for the 6800 GPU/Logic board problems and will cave in if you push them on it.

 

[InsightsIE]

Add mine https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/808913/


Phoning them tomorrowing. Going to see if I can get a new 17" MacBook Pro and move the apple care to it wish me luck. And this thread will so be helpful to me.

Woops. Already added but is there any tips. Should I be agressive. Should I ask to speak to the superviser etc.

 

[voyagerd]

I have an MBP with the 8600M GT and I've never had any problems. I've overclocked my GPU a lot in Windows and it usually runs at or above 93°C.

 

[Technologist]

Add mine https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/808913/


Phoning them tomorrowing. Going to see if I can get a new 17" MacBook Pro and move the apple care to it wish me luck. And this thread will so be helpful to me.

Woops. Already added but is there any tips. Should I be agressive. Should I ask to speak to the superviser etc.

Be very polite but very firm that you know this is a major recall issue. Try to get them on your side of all the lost hours, money and time you have already lost. Print out a stack of paper to overwhelm them and let them know this is costing you many thousands of dollars in lost work so waiting on a repair of an item that should be recalled is not an option. If the first guy says no don't agree and walk to another salesman and ask for a supervisor. Separate yourself from the first salesman as he already made up his mind and will only try to talk the supervisor into denying your exchange. Also explain that they will loose a customer and $1300 in time and parts just replacing the CPU/GPU and logic board and it would pay more to keep a loyal customer. Once they agree to credit you then you can upgrade you higher end models if you want. Being aggressive is your last resort if all else fails.

First Call Apple Care on the phone and get a case number. Get the tech to put notes in the system about you wanting to replace not repair the item as over $1300 in parts need to be changed. Bring everything back, Box power supply, cords and manuals. Pack it nice and clean so they can take it back without complaining that you're missing parts.

It worked for me.

 

[InsightsIE]

Be very polite but very firm that you know this is a major recall issue. Try to get them on your side of all the lost hours, money and time you have already lost. Print out a stack of paper to overwhelm them and let them know this is costing you many thousands of dollars in lost work so waiting on a repair of an item that should be recalled is not an option. If the first guy says no don't agree and walk to another salesman and ask for a supervisor. Separate yourself from the first salesman as he already made up his mind and will only try to talk the supervisor into denying your exchange. Also explain that they will loose a customer and $1300 in time and parts just replacing the CPU/GPU and logic board and it would pay more to keep a loyal customer. Once they agree to credit you then you can upgrade you higher end models if you want. Being aggressive is your last resort if all else fails.

First Call Apple Care on the phone and get a case number. Get the tech to put notes in the system about you wanting to replace not repair the item as over $1300 in parts need to be changed. Bring everything back, Box power supply, cords and manuals. Pack it nice and clean so they can take it back without complaining that you're missing parts.

It worked for me.

Cool however I'm in ireland so theres no apple store near me. I need phone magic.

 

[fleshman03]

Mine died on Thursday. It was repaired and is being sent back tomorrow morning. A project that I am employed to complete was caught on the Hard Drive of my non-booting $2600 computer. WTF?

I nearly got my a** handed to me because of this. If it needs one more repair, I'm going to have them supply me with a new computer. I can't just throw 5 days worth of work out the window.

the bottom line is, what do you expect them to do?

1. give you a whole new laptop as a replacement?

2. continue replacing the video card and doing free repairs for 10 years?

these really aren't financially feasible solutions. like.. a 3 year warranty is a 3 year warranty, not a 10-year warranty and not a lifetime warranty. yes, it's horrible that the 8600's are defective, but there's always a risk of purchasing a shoddy product.

are dell/hp/acer/apple etc. all going to give you a free new laptop? while it would be nice, the answer is no. they've already fulfilled their obligation by supporting the warranty. they really don't owe you anything

Dell/HP/Acer do not charge $2600 for a computer. With what they charge, you could buy a very nice new computer for what this repair usually costs.

They really do owe me a lot. I've missed five days worth of work because of THEIR mistake. By fixing an issue THEY knew about and taking 5 days do it, I've missed out on work.

Also you said, "there's always a risk of purchasing a shoddy product..." Yes, that is true. But there is a legal and ethical question involved when you are selling products that you know are shoddy.

I personally would be all about a class action. Nvidia/Apple should flip the bill for a new computer. I paid $2600 for a computer to last me 5-7 years. I didn't pay $2600 to have it be in the shop for 1 week a year.

 

[monoxera]

Mine died on Thursday. It was repaired and is being sent back tomorrow morning. A project that I am employed to complete was cought on the Hard Drive of my non-booting $2600 computer. WTF?

I nearly got my a** handed to me because of this. If it needs one more repair, I'm going to have them supply me with a new computer. I can't just throw 5 days worth of work out the window.



Dell/HP/Acer do not charge $2600 for a computer. With what they charge, you could buy a very nice new computer for what this repair usually costs.

They really do owe me a lot. I've missed five days worth of work because of THEIR mistake. By fixing an issue THEY knew about and taking 5 days do it, I've missed out on work.

Also you said, "there's always a risk of purchasing a shoddy product..." Yes, that is true. But there is a legal and ethical question involved when you are selling products that you know are shoddy.

I personally would be all about a class action. Nvidia/Apple should flip the bill for a new computer. I paid $2600 for a computer to last me 5-7 years. I didn't pay $2600 to have it be in the shop for 1 week a year.

Sir, I couldn't agree more. I got my laptop back after 1 week of being in the shop.
Lost 7 days worth of work on my computer.

But I didn't get a new computer.

About the $2,600 issue. Again, it may sound cliche, but I could not agree more. When I bought my $2700 (with remote and tax in CA), I bought it to last me college (4 years) and some years if I didn't get another laptop. I barely lasted 1 year with mine and it needed a GPU replacement that was Apple/Nvidia's fault. Clearly, someone should be responsible for a whole system replacement.

To all other readers out there, please do not look at us with "God, shut up early 08 mbp users. I don't want you spamming MBP forum with non unibody mbp". I mean, we paid a lot for our laptops too and we want to have someone to listen to us.

GeekOfComedy, added you

 

[InsightsIE]

Bad news. They only would let me repair as there was a dint on it.

 

[ziggyonice]

I have also found that, this month especially, there have been a high number of GPUs that have gone out due to the nVidia MacBook Pro issue. Unfortunately, some of the people I work with are idiots and began CHARGING customers for these repairs! We’re talking $1200! I had to put them in their place… working with PC people (sigh).

 

[fleshman03]

To all other readers out there, please do not look at us with "God, shut up early 08 mbp users. I don't want you spamming MBP forum with non unibody mbp". I mean, we paid a lot for our laptops too and we want to have someone to listen to us.

Well I got mine back today. The GPU has not yet hit 80c..... yet. Even after running EyeTV, Flash and encoding that now late project at the same time.

Before, it was common to run at 90c+. I'm sure that's due to having a new board and new Thermal paste. The question is how long will that thermal paste last...


I don't think anyone should complain. We're Mac users just like everyone else here. We are just a bunch that happened to get defective computers. That doesn't mean we should be any less welcome to post here than anyone else.

 

[donga]

Well I got mine back today. The GPU has not yet hit 80c..... yet. Even after running EyeTV, Flash and encoding that now late project at the same time.

Before, it was common to run at 90c+.

80 C? don't you mean 80 F?

 

[fleshman03]

80 C? don't you mean 80 F?

No, I mean 80C. This is just with iTunes open and this webpage. (Well within norm for my laptop.)

 

[monoxera]

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/8715593/
Guys, apple is charging users now because of the faulty 8600m GT GPUs.

 

[comptr]

I'm surprised that with all those repairs they haven't given you a new laptop yet...

well I did not know what to do so kept taking it in and still its on and off again were the video gets messed up. I have no clue on what to do? I feel like they need to give me a new computer. In fact they damaged my 3rd party ram also.

 

[macjunk(ie)]

well..this thread has been quite for long...I guess this means good news for 8600 owners like me...

 

[noodle654]

well..this thread has been quite for long...I guess this means good news for 8600 owners like me...

Wrong...the problem is still here. In fact, Apple just increased the warranty for this problem from 3 years to 4. Check out the "Are all MBP owners with 8600GT screwed?" Thread...that thing is loaded.