Tired of replacing displays - what I'm doing wrong?

[Moshe1010]

Hello all,

I have 2012 rMBP. Today I've noticed a another pressure mark on my display. It's annoying since it's on the left-mid part of the display. I already replaced my display 4(!) times:
1st = LG ghosting
2nd = Samsung display burned pixels
3rd = Samsung pressure mark
4th = LG burned pixels

And now it would be the 5th time, again pressure mark.

I use a case, and most of the time I use my laptop as a desktop machine. I only use a backpack that is protected to hold 15" laptops, with very good padding. I use a case from PowerSupport which are known to be one of the most durable cases in the market ($80 case!). I used different cases before - all gave me the same outcome. No scratches on the laptop, no damage - looks like new.

What am I doing wrong? Why these crappy retina displays are so sensitive for pressure marks? I had many Apple laptops before and never had these kind of problems. I haven't changed my routine since then, so it's not like I'm taking my laptop hiking or something like that.

Except for that, I replaced already most of the laptop, which was a lemon since day one. Everything except for the SSD and the battery was replaced. The laptop was overheating (fan problems due to crappy ventilation/thermal paste, which was a known issue when 2012 rMBP came out). My fans are still going crazy at some times, and finder likes to be non-responsive here and there (for example when I want to rename a file, it doesn't respond and after few seconds it does all the clicks I tried to do before at one time - which is super annoying). Yes, I tried to format my drive and put a new OS.

TL;DR:
I received a lemon and live with it for the past 2 years. Replaced display 4 times and internal hardware as well. Currently have pressure point.



The question is: Is there any chance on earth that Apple would give me a new laptop? I do have AppleCare. I know to do good puppy eyes, but I'm not sure how much that would help to replace an entire machine (2 year old machine may I say). Is there anybody here who did that in the past and was successful? I'm ready to purchase a new laptop just because of this (and I don't need one. my 2012 rMBP is perfect for my needs in terms of hardware/performance).

 

[Samuelsan2001]

4 times same issue

Well go and ask for a replacement if you have had an issue with the screen 4 times that should give you some leverage but if I rember the correctly then they can insist on fixing it as the issue was different each time. Have you checked to make sure your trackpad is not skicking up slightly it does happen...

 

[Moshe1010]

K, here is an update:

They replaced the logic board (again), the battery, the megasafe port (I guess it comes with the battery?), and for some reason the audio port (isn't it part of the logic board?).
Anyway, it's funny that they replaced the entire laptop - again.

The tech in the store told me they could replace it to a new machine, but because it was bought through a 3rd part (Best Buy), it should go through AppleCare, and they have higher standards when it comes to a replacement.
I told him that it doesn't make sense to replace 4 displays and 2 logic boards, a battery and who knows what else - combine the repair cost and it would be way over a new machine. He laughed and said that it doesn't make sense indeed but these are the policies and he has to follow them. He said that if something would go wrong again, then he would file a case to AppleCare to replace the entire machine.

What to take from this case:
1. Purchase only at AppleStore (Unless there is a huge discount somewhere else. $100-200 isn't a huge discount).
2. Purchase AppleCare - it would save your ass in the long run (repair costs on my machine exceeded $2000 - but I'm a very special case, so...).
3. Purchasing a completely new product from Apple proved again to be a failure, at least in my case with iPhones and Macbooks. Bad luck or crappy hardware, I don't know.

We shall see if the repair helped or the machine is still crap.

 

[MacInTO]

Wow, you have been unlucky. I've owned Mac laptops for about 10 years now and I've never had a problem with a screen until this year. I have a 2012 15" rMBP and it had image retention issues. It was LG and got replaced with LG. I've not had problems since.

I usually only buy from Apple unless I find a fantastic deal on eBay or Craigslist. Which I did for my current machine. It had Applecare and ghosting, but after I bought it, I took it in to get fixed and it's all good now!

Applecare is almost a necessity on these machines now because they are so unfixable if they malfunction.

Purchasing new from Apple is expensive. I find the refurbished store is more reasonably priced. It still has the 14 day return policy, one year warranty and are able to purchase applecare.

ps. If it happens again, you can always ask to speak to the manager as you've spent a lot of time returning the machine and have lost use of it each time you've needed to leave it. You could also possibly ask for an extension on your applecare.

 

[Moshe1010]

Wow, you have been unlucky. I've owned Mac laptops for about 10 years now and I've never had a problem with a screen until this year. I have a 2012 15" rMBP and it had image retention issues. It was LG and got replaced with LG. I've not had problems since.

I usually only buy from Apple unless I find a fantastic deal on eBay or Craigslist. Which I did for my current machine. It had Applecare and ghosting, but after I bought it, I took it in to get fixed and it's all good now!

Applecare is almost a necessity on these machines now because they are so unfixable if they malfunction.

Purchasing new from Apple is expensive. I find the refurbished store is more reasonably priced. It still has the 14 day return policy, one year warranty and are able to purchase applecare.

ps. If it happens again, you can always ask to speak to the manager as you've spent a lot of time returning the machine and have lost use of it each time you've needed to leave it. You could also possibly ask for an extension on your applecare.

The problem is that a manager in-store can't help. When the machine is purchased through 3rd party, the store is not responsible for it and they send it to AppleCare to deal with it. The store genius dude was happy to give me a new machine - if it was purchased at Apple store, but it wasn't so he couldn't do much about it. If the problem would continue, I would try to speak with AppleCare manager, but over the phone is not the same as in person, this is why it sucks.

 

[MacInTO]

The problem is that a manager in-store can't help. When the machine is purchased through 3rd party, the store is not responsible for it and they send it to AppleCare to deal with it. The store genius dude was happy to give me a new machine - if it was purchased at Apple store, but it wasn't so he couldn't do much about it. If the problem would continue, I would try to speak with AppleCare manager, but over the phone is not the same as in person, this is why it sucks.

Hmm, I see both reasons of both sides and they both make sense.

I'd be willing to bet the store manager has the authority to do it. You should keep talking to the manager and ask him/her to escalate the situation. They have the power. If they don't escalate it and you do, then they will look bad.

It shouldn't have to go past one discussion. If they say no, call or write a letter to Apple corporate with an explain your situation, include documentation of all the incidents and the time without your computer. Also let them know how much time you've spent doing this and wasted time of Apple employees. Let them know about your poor experience with this product and the overall image of their brand in your experience.

There's nothing worse than when you have a defective product. If they don't make it right, you might stop using Apple products altogether.

 

[johnnnw]

Apple being high quality is a total myth. They use the same parts.

My Macbook has had a ton of problems, just as many as my Windows laptops.

The only difference is how quickly and easily you can get them fixed, but there's a difference between that and high quality.

 

[MacInTO]

Apple being high quality is a total myth. They use the same parts.

My Macbook has had a ton of problems, just as many as my Windows laptops.

The only difference is how quickly and easily you can get them fixed, but there's a difference between that and high quality.

Before the last few year, an apple computer could easily last more than five years without malfunctioning - maybe a hard drive replacement - but that's normal.

I've been using Mac(intosh) for over 25 years now and before last year, I considered Applecare a waste of money. With the 2011 model, I got hit with Radeongate and now I had a 2012 rMBP and it had image retention issues. I learned my lesson and got Applecare. The new machines are not as reliable and if something goes, it's going to cost a lot because of how it's constructed.

Because of the quantity that are manufactured now compared with when they weren't as popular, the incidents of failure are increasing. Macs are just regular quality consumer devices now.

 

[cjmillsnun]

Before the last few year, an apple computer could easily last more than five years without malfunctioning - maybe a hard drive replacement - but that's normal.

I've been using Mac(intosh) for over 25 years now and before last year, I considered Applecare a waste of money. With the 2011 model, I got hit with Radeongate and now I had a 2012 rMBP and it had image retention issues. I learned my lesson and got Applecare. The new machines are not as reliable and if something goes, it's going to cost a lot because of how it's constructed.

Because of the quantity that are manufactured now compared with when they weren't as popular, the incidents of failure are increasing. Macs are just regular quality consumer devices now.

That's not true though.

Macs have had problems going years back.

The iBook G3 and G4 had GPU issues, The iMac G5 had issues. The '06/'07/'08 MBPs had GPU issues, as did iMacs. Then we move onto Radeongate.

 

[chabig]

Wow. I don't even know what a pressure mark is.

 

[MacInTO]

That's not true though.

Macs have had problems going years back.

The iBook G3 and G4 had GPU issues, The iMac G5 had issues. The '06/'07/'08 MBPs had GPU issues, as did iMacs. Then we move onto Radeongate.

Wow, I must have gotten lucky. Me nor none of anyone I knew had any problems with Apple products. Before the 2011 MBP (Radeongate), I had a 2008 MBP, two PBs, (12" & 15"), an iMac, several desktops in the 1990s and 1980s. None of them ended badly. I'm so nostalgic about these machines!

My collection of boxes,

 

[Quu]

Yeah there have been lots of problems with Macs going back years.

The TiBooks were notorious for broken hinges. The iBooks had GPU failures. My own iBook G4 needed 3 repairs over its life span and I treated it like a new born baby.

And don't forget the latches on the iBooks and PowerBooks they would eventually weaken and stop holding the laptop closed. Happened to my iBook G4, PowerBook G4 and MacBook Pro 17" (2006 model).

They even did logic board recalls on some of the iBooks in the past. The quality isn't going up or down in my opinion it has always had the same amount of issues.

 

[Moshe1010]

Wow. I don't even know what a pressure mark is.

It's called "Mura". If you google "Mura pressure mark" you'll see many picture. It's just a white spot (usually) on your Retina display (but it can happen on any LCD basically, I guess Retina is more sensitive).