That's it, I'm done with Apple

[groove-agent]

You are completely missing the point I've been trying to make. Yes I realize it's not normal... but...

If my battery goes funky like that I'll take a run at getting Apple to take care of it. But if I'm not successful, I need a working laptop, and I am not going to invest hours and hours over $100. That's all I'm saying.

What if the battery exploded and hurt someone, or caused a fire? The potential of this happening is the problem. I have a feeling the original serial number range did not cover all of the laptops with the problem but apple, in their stubborness, will not budge. Does it take an injury to one's property or person to change their mind? It shouldn't.

Someone from this forum originally suggested to me: "take your laptop to an apple store, plug the swollen battery in, run handbrake, and watch the staff flee". I think they might reconsider when it's *their* health and safety is on the line.

 

[edblor]

Why in the H$(( do you all think Apple is under some kind of obligation to replace it? What part of a "warranty period" do you not understand? It doesn't matter if you're 1 week or 10 years after warranty has expired, it's EXPIRED.

the entire purpose of a warranty period is for a company to be able to know what level of support costs they have and then factor that into the price of the product. Sure all you EU weenies can demand 2 or 3 years, but you know what, that will just drive prices up on everyone who doesn't have a problem. Do you think such support comes free just because socialist governments want it to? If that's the law over there, then you should easily be able to walk into any apple store and get it fixed and quit the griping here.

Personally I would love to nominate you for a Darwin award if you are injured after you keep using a battery you know to be faulty after the warranty period has expired. Let it blow up, we will all sneer at your stupidty for refusing to fix a problem you knew existed.

It's quite simple: after warranty period you are responsible for fixing any problems that occur. If you don't like that then buy an extended warranty, but don't expect the rest of the world to subsidize you. I buy applecare because it's worth the piece of mind, especially with laptops.

Now personally I think apple would benefit from a PR standpoint swooping in and replacing the battery gratis as a gesture of support, but if they don't just buy a new one and move on or sell it, buy a lenovo or HP laptop and hope that nothing bad happens with it.

I know this is a bit gruff, but man I'm getting tired of the "government will protect me" nonsense that is filling our world today.

This is a joke right?

So Apple makes this laptop, and warrants it for one year (standard warranty). Are you telling me that if in 1 year and 1 day from the date of purchase the battery swells and explodes, Apple is liability-free?

Wow...Just wow!

Edit: Even if this was a car, if the manufacturer is found to have used faulty parts, that CAN at any time in the future cause personal injury, it's recalled. It SHOULD be no diff for a consumer electronic company, hence the battery recall fiasco previously cited.

 

[aaronearles]

Can someone show me a video of these pipe bomb batteries going off and killing people? I don't see how apple is liable for faulty hardware outside of the warranty term. And guess what, Apple didn't make the battery.

 

[edblor]

Can someone show me a video of these pipe bomb batteries going off and killing people? I don't see how apple is liable for faulty hardware outside of the warranty term. And guess what, Apple didn't make the battery.

Did Apple participate in the massive battery recall? YES! heck, so did Dell. Neither of them MAKE the battery, they just sell em is all!

 

[aaronearles]

Yeah, but Sony replaced them...

 

[edblor]

Yeah, but Sony replaced them...

Technically, Apple replaced them on behalf of Sony, just like Dell did, and Toshiba.....

Point is, you go back to the laptop manufacturer for battery-related issues, not the battery-cell maker.

 

[brentsg]

This is a joke right?
Edit: Even if this was a car, if the manufacturer is found to have used faulty parts, that CAN at any time in the future cause personal injury, it's recalled. It SHOULD be no diff for a consumer electronic company, hence the battery recall fiasco previously cited.

We get it, you are an idealist.

The truth is that the car manufacturer attempts to weigh the potential scope of the liability against the cost to enact the recall. Unless there is outside pressure on the issue it's just a game of $$.

Do you think that every single defective auto part that might cause injury gets recalled?

 

[edblor]

We get it, you are an idealist.

The truth is that the car manufacturer attempts to weigh the potential scope of the liability against the cost to enact the recall. Unless there is outside pressure on the issue it's just a game of $$.

Do you think that every single defective auto part that might cause injury gets recalled?

Of course not, but precedent for THIS VERY issue has been made. This issue of swelling batteries is fresh in everyones' mind.

Going further, there really are not that many parts in a laptop that, when defective, can cause physical harm. Searching the intertubes shows lots of myths of batteries causing death, but in truth, probably in single digits world-wide.

BTW, I'm not an idealist, I'm a rationalist

 

[JForestZ34]

I don't know why it's so hard for everyone to understand... I said earlier BATTERIES ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT.. There is something wrong with the battery if it does that.. Someone could get really hurt if they get battery acid in there eye or on them...

Ok I know this guy is frying out the batteries but they still explode... All you need is a short in your battery pack and it will do the same thing..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWpwSJLpMww

one more

I know this guy is doing this on purpose but it could still happen under normal conditions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-v-Eqh9DPU&feature=related



final one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmPm-YV9vdA&feature=related

Check this one out.. It's interesting around 1:55

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvTRKKS0wpo&feature=related


Now on this last one are you telling me apple would not replace your Mac if this happened to any customer.. A faulty battery did this the kind that swell.... When they swell they are ready to blow...


James

 

[pprior]

This is a joke right?

So Apple makes this laptop, and warrants it for one year (standard warranty). Are you telling me that if in 1 year and 1 day from the date of purchase the battery swells and explodes, Apple is liability-free?

Wow...Just wow!

Edit: Even if this was a car, if the manufacturer is found to have used faulty parts, that CAN at any time in the future cause personal injury, it's recalled. It SHOULD be no diff for a consumer electronic company, hence the battery recall fiasco previously cited.

No it's not a joke.

Did your battery explode? If not, quit being dramatic and a crybaby and go buy a new one. Quit expecting the nanny state to protect your every need and problem.

The amount of time spent crying over this could have earned the money for a new one.

 

[pprior]

I don't know why it's so hard for everyone to understand... I said earlier BATTERIES ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT.. There is something wrong with the battery if it does that.. Someone could get really hurt if they get battery acid in there eye or on them...

Ok I know this guy is frying out the batteries but they still explode... All you need is a short in your battery pack and it will do the same thing..
...
James

Yah, and all I need to do is drop a metal bar between the neutral and hot on my 220V bandsaw and I'll be spending a few months in the burn unit..... LOL.

This is like when CBS rigged the SUV fires on camera, it's meaningless.

Again, you have a part that has failed. Unfortunately it's failed after the warranty has expired. No harm has been done, and you need to buy a new part. It's so simple.

 

[brentsg]

I just see a lot of "what if" scenarios here.

What if it was a car battery? It's not.

What if it exploded? It didn't.

What if someone were injured? They weren't.

etc...

 

[iLog.Genius]

This could've gone either way, unfortunately Apple went against the customer. Like the poster said above, a lot of what ifs. Those who say the battery is not suppose to do that, you're absolutely right but you have to consider that Apple nor the manufacturer of the battery can tell if it will explode or bulge after a certain time unless they find something in the manufacturing process (ex. Apple's battery exchange program awhile back). It's not as serious but logic boards, video cards, HDD's aren't suppose to fail after a year but they do happen and it really is unfortunate. The bottom line is, a battery is a part just like a HDD, video card, logic board, if it fails it fails. Is it suppose to? No but will happen which is why AppleCare is there.

Again, it's not exactly the same but it's funny how people will fight tooth and nail for a $129 battery but not when a logic board fails.

(Don't be mistaken. If I had the power to, I would've gave the OP a new battery because it falls within customer safety.)

 

[JForestZ34]

I just see a lot of "what if" scenarios here.

What if it was a car battery? It's not.

What if it exploded? It didn't.

What if someone were injured? They weren't.

etc...

So let me think about your comment's.. I read it as this, nobody was hurt.. That is correct.. So I guess that means we can drive drunk and if we don't hurt anybody it's ok...

There are a lot of what if's, but those what if's can make or break a company with lawsuits....


James

 

[Scottsdale]

I think you need to rethink your argument on being done with Apple.

First, why not show your battery to Apple before going off the deep end? A phone call, a discount, and you're done with Apple?

I have read stories of people sending back eight MBPs before getting a perfect one, and I think they're a little anal at a minimum. At the same time, I think people should get what they pay for, and at these outrageous prices, we all deserve a perfect Mac.

You spent thousands of dollars on your MBP and you're mad you have to buy a $100 battery after NOT a year-and-a-half, but 22+ months.

This is why people should buy AppleCare, and it really costs very little compared to the overall value, especially if you buy it on eBay.

I just cannot believe you would really be done with Apple over a $100 part which is designed to need replacing anyways. It seems like a terrible argument to me. You are going to give up OS X on principle over a battery that is 22+ months old? I think after you switch to a PC, you will shortly be right back on a Mac. Probably spending thousands to replace the Mac you hastily sold.

Sure, send some photos to Apple. Or go to an Apple store with your battery and show them, but they are a company in business to make money. And this is a 22+ month old battery in the first place. I think you have a right to complain, and you even have a right to dump Apple. But do you really want to give up all of the great things about Apple and the Mac over a $100 battery? It just doesn't make sense to me over such a small issue.

 

[iLog.Genius]

I think you need to rethink your argument on being done with Apple.

First, why not show your battery to Apple before going off the deep end? A phone call, a discount, and you're done with Apple?

I have read stories of people sending back eight MBPs before getting a perfect one, and I think they're a little anal at a minimum. At the same time, I think people should get what they pay for, and at these outrageous prices, we all deserve a perfect Mac.

You spent thousands of dollars on your MBP and you're mad you have to buy a $100 battery after NOT a year-and-a-half, but 22+ months.

This is why people should buy AppleCare, and it really costs very little compared to the overall value, especially if you buy it on eBay.

I just cannot believe you would really be done with Apple over a $100 part which is designed to need replacing anyways. It seems like a terrible argument to me. You are going to give up OS X on principle over a battery that is 22+ months old? I think after you switch to a PC, you will shortly be right back on a Mac. Probably spending thousands to replace the Mac you hastily sold.

Sure, send some photos to Apple. Or go to an Apple store with your battery and show them, but they are a company in business to make money. And this is a 22+ month old battery in the first place. I think you have a right to complain, and you even have a right to dump Apple. But do you really want to give up all of the great things about Apple and the Mac over a $100 battery? It just doesn't make sense to me over such a small issue.

Couldn't agree more. Like I said in an earlier post, I cannot justify going through all the trouble for a $100 part which is a very small price towards the system. If it was the screen/logic board I could understand, that's the whole computer right there but something that will always be replaced for the whole life of the laptop? Makes no sense. All the time spent going back and forth to the Apple Store, calling up AppleCare, contacting a "higher up", I'm pretty sure you could've purchased a couple of batteries. But you seem like a guy with principles, so you do have that right to file a complaint.

 

[brentsg]

So let me think about your comment's.. I read it as this, nobody was hurt.. That is correct.. So I guess that means we can drive drunk and if we don't hurt anybody it's ok...

There are a lot of what if's, but those what if's can make or break a company with lawsuits....

You read it wrong.

The point is I'm dealing with facts and you are dealing with worst case hypothetical scenarios.

Essentially you are pitching the "what if McDonalds serves me scalding hot coffee and I am dumb enough to spill it on my baby" spin on a 17" MBP battery.

 

[DoNoHarm]

Why in the H$(( do you all think Apple is under some kind of obligation to replace it? What part of a "warranty period" do you not understand? It doesn't matter if you're 1 week or 10 years after warranty has expired, it's EXPIRED.

the entire purpose of a warranty period is for a company to be able to know what level of support costs they have and then factor that into the price of the product. Sure all you EU weenies can demand 2 or 3 years, but you know what, that will just drive prices up on everyone who doesn't have a problem. Do you think such support comes free just because socialist governments want it to? If that's the law over there, then you should easily be able to walk into any apple store and get it fixed and quit the griping here.

Personally I would love to nominate you for a Darwin award if you are injured after you keep using a battery you know to be faulty after the warranty period has expired. Let it blow up, we will all sneer at your stupidty for refusing to fix a problem you knew existed.

It's quite simple: after warranty period you are responsible for fixing any problems that occur. If you don't like that then buy an extended warranty, but don't expect the rest of the world to subsidize you. I buy applecare because it's worth the piece of mind, especially with laptops.

Now personally I think apple would benefit from a PR standpoint swooping in and replacing the battery gratis as a gesture of support, but if they don't just buy a new one and move on or sell it, buy a lenovo or HP laptop and hope that nothing bad happens with it.

I know this is a bit gruff, but man I'm getting tired of the "government will protect me" nonsense that is filling our world today.

Surely you appreciate government protecting your food supply from overseas manufacturers that would use poor quality ingredients that cause toxic chemical levels that can kill people - there is no difference here with exploding computers!!!

Also, I don't appreciate your tone in your earlier message - replacing the word HELL with H$(( doesen't make your language acceptable.

Finally, if there is an EU law that says that all electronic devices have to have a 2 year warranty I would suggest to the OP that you're in the clear - and lucky to live in the EU!

 

[JimmyDreams]

A failed battery is one thing. A failed battery that damaged the surrounding computer is another thing entirely.

 

[brentsg]

Surely you appreciate government protecting your food supply from overseas manufacturers that would use poor quality ingredients that cause toxic chemical levels that can kill people - there is no difference here with exploding computers!!!

Now that is priceless.

There is no difference between the government protecting people from chemically toxic foods that kill people and MacBook Pro batters that swell up. Awesome...

 

[TurboFan]

becuase my serial number isn't listed in the affected batches? Bull. Talking of which tech support basically said that the battery is at the end of its service life which is why it's swollen up!


Fact is, I just can't justify spending any more money on hardware that's this flakey, espeically considering the vast sums involved. [/QUOTE]

Ok, heres where your logic is flawed.
If a computer doesn't have a serial number on a part, there is no way to verify that the part is legitimate. Its like if someone got mad at you for trying to cash a check "from" you that has an illegible or missing signature.
If a car doesn't have a VIN and you go into the dealership saying, ZOMG this thing is sooo messed up! Fix it now, oh btw its outside of warranty! they are just going to tell you to get the eff out.

If the battery is at the end of its service life, why would you expect to get another one? Isn't 1 service life what you payed for? You got what you payed for. One battery isn't THAT bad, LOL maybe the MBA screen is something to get POed about but a battery that has seen its FULL use? What do you want? A free MBP every time a new one comes out, a massage, and $2000 cash for the "inconvenience"?
Does anyone else think this guy is spoiled and over reacting?
/end rant/

 

[Runt888]

Does anyone else think this guy is spoiled and over reacting?

I think he has every right to expect the battery to stay in safe working condition for as long as he has the laptop. He might have to keep it plugged in at all times as the battery won't hold a charge after a while, but it should never swell up. That's the sign of a manufacturer defect. And as a manufacturer defect and a safety liability, the manufacturer should replace it at no charge.

Essentially you are pitching the "what if McDonalds serves me scalding hot coffee and I am dumb enough to spill it on my baby" spin on a 17" MBP battery.

Not the best comparison, seeing as how McDonalds was found liable for burns caused by serving their coffee too hot, after hundreds of reports of serious burns. Kind of like the hundreds of reports of swelling/exploding batteries that eventually forced the battery recalls.

 

[brentsg]

Not the best comparison, seeing as how McDonalds was found liable for burns caused by serving their coffee too hot, after hundreds of reports of serious burns. Kind of like the hundreds of reports of swelling/exploding batteries that eventually forced the battery recalls.

Actually that's exactly why I made the comparison.

I think he has every right to expect the battery to stay in safe working condition for as long as he has the laptop. He might have to keep it plugged in at all times as the battery won't hold a charge after a while, but it should never swell up. That's the sign of a manufacturer defect. And as a manufacturer defect and a safety liability, the manufacturer should replace it at no charge.

I'm not arguing that Apple shouldn't replace... just that if they don't... how much time is it really worth to fight?

 

[edblor]

I think he has every right to expect the battery to stay in safe working condition for as long as he has the laptop. He might have to keep it plugged in at all times as the battery won't hold a charge after a while, but it should never swell up. That's the sign of a manufacturer defect. And as a manufacturer defect and a safety liability, the manufacturer should replace it at no charge.



Not the best comparison, seeing as how McDonalds was found liable for burns caused by serving their coffee too hot, after hundreds of reports of serious burns. Kind of like the hundreds of reports of swelling/exploding batteries that eventually forced the battery recalls.

What's this battery recall you speak of

I bet it is TOTALLY unrelated!

/sarcasm

 

[Runt888]

The point is I'm dealing with facts and you are dealing with worst case hypothetical scenarios.

Essentially you are pitching the "what if McDonalds serves me scalding hot coffee and I am dumb enough to spill it on my baby" spin on a 17" MBP battery.

Actually that's exactly why I made the comparison.

Looks to me like you are calling it a "worst case hypothetical scenario" as opposed to a very valid comparison.

I'm not arguing that Apple shouldn't replace... just that if they don't... how much time is it really worth to fight?

That's up to the op to decide. You obviously find it to be worth your time to write 10 posts in this thread, so if the op wants to spend his time fighting for what he thinks is right, and potentially save himself $100, then I don't see how anyone here has the right to criticize him for it.