UPDATE: Well... I give up on Apple, sort of.

[vemac575]

First off, I used to be the guy who reasonably stood up for Apple. I acknowledged their shortcomings but overall, I was a huge fan of the company and the merchandise. So this was not an easy realization to come to and I tend to hate these "I hate Apple threads".

HOWEVER...

Ever since the 2014 Macbook Pro, I've had nothing but issues. It got worse with the 2017 and now, the 2018. I will save you all the long, terrible stories of the crap I've been through with Apple's machines. They always made it right though. The reason I am writing this, is their decision to axe Applecare, and not grandfather those of us who bought them up to a year ago, and still had time to buy it.

I've had issues since day one with this Mac, but I have been unable to take it to the Apple store for repairs, because of lengthy hospital stays. No big deal though, I thought. I'll just buy Applecare like I always do. Come to find out, they got rid of it in September.

What a coincidence. WHAT A FKN COINCIDENCE that Apple got rid of it, right around the time millions of people would be purchasing it, to send in (over the next 2 years) all of the i9 2018 Macbooks that get too hot to do anything for long...

SO, I will send it in and get the repeating buttons, faulty USB ports and graphics glitching taken care of. BUT the buttons WILL start repeating again, the heat will always be an issue (which by the way freezes my touchbar when it gets too hot), and it will overall always be a hindrance to my work.

But I will either sell it after I get it back from repair, or give it to my wife and...

BUY THE NEW ONE. Yep, and that's where the "sort of" comes in. I have been using Logic Pro X for years and it is not on a PC. So I will just take it in the rear and buy another Mac WITH the Applecare +, and deal with whatever issues arise from these machines that are now supposed to be fancy, at all cost to quality.

Anyway... I just needed to rant. The day Jobs died, I knew this was coming. I hoped these days wouldn't, but they have and I think all of us knew that the honest and customer considerate soul of Apple was Steve, and now that he's gone, it's just another business that cares more about money than it does it's products or customers.

Damn shame...

UPDATE 1: So it was said the logic board was fried, along with the board that controls the touch bar. I will be getting it back with a 90 day warranty on the repair.

The rep said the keyboard wasn't replaced because it was "the logic board that was causing the repeating buttons". I don't believe that but I guess we will see.

I KNOW it will continue to throttle and not let me work on my music so I WILL send it in again. I am totally convinced that the overheating of the processor IS what damaged the logic board and touchpad board, so I am pissed off because I KNOW this will happen again, or something like it.

I asked about the possibility of an upgrade and he said that if it had another problem within 90 days, we can explore that option. Fingers crossed. So now I am trying to decide what to do...

A. Give it to my wife and save up to buy the new 16" with 64GB RAM, 2TB drive and 2.4ghz 8 CORE.

B. Sell it. Now I know I am selling a supposed good condition, "fixed", mac, but I am really afraid to pass this piece of **** on to someone else. I know my wife won't task this as much as I do with music, so she should have no issue with it degrading so fast.

C. Beat the **** out of it (natural result when doing anything "pro" on it) so it fails within 90 days, and send it back, hoping for the upgrade.

The rep was an absolute pleasure. I swear if it weren't for their customer service reps, I'd be on a warpath by now. BEFORE I sent the mac in, he gave me a 100 dollar mic, I think he said as a "token of kindness" or something like that. My wife wants to stream so it was perfect for her and she loves it already.

Today, before we hung up, I strait up said "hey I know you don't owe me this but I've been wanting a space gray magic trackpad for sometime now and I'm shamelessly begging you to send me one". He did, without hesitation. On one hand I almost feel like it's the least Apple can do considering the money and business I've lost owning this rectangular paper weight. On the other hand, the rep could of easily said "naaaaah... you got a mic already", but was kind enough to pacify me, hahahaha.

SO, I will update some more and you all can see where this goes, as it goes. To those of you who are facing the same issue, give Apple hell and don't give up. They really screwed us with the mac design, and THEN with saying "to hell with your warrantee", and they should not be allowed to get away with that.

Last, I've decided to take a stand. I WILL be buying the 16". If it fails me too, or I have any inherent issues with it, I am DONE. I will build a hackintosh and get rid of every last Apple device my family owns, and will only go back when they revive Steve and he gets things back on track. In other words, never again. Goooooooodness, I love the OS and I do enjoy Apple products so I'm hoping this 16" is something Jobs would have signed off on himself.

Good day to you all.

 

[NJRonbo]

I sympathize with you.

I buy a new MacBook Pro every year. They hold a nice value so I always sell and get the newest models. I also write them off for my business.

Have owned the 2017, 2018 models. Recently bought the 2019 13" MBP and awaiting the announcement of the 16" MBP.

I absolutely agree that Apple has gone through some bad times with these machines.

Either they were initially limited to 16GB of ram or the keyboards were bad for the 2017-18 models.

I can't quite remember if I owned a 2016 model or not.

Anyhow...

I had the keyboard issues on the 2017 and 2018 models.

I never bought Apple Care because I always sell my machines. To top that off, the keyboard issues are being taken care of by Apple.

With all the bad releases I still stick with Mac. Why? I hate Windows. I put Bootcamp on my latest MBP and I can't find enough comparable programs that match what OS X apps offer.

I think, slowly, Apple is getting their groove back. They improved their 2019 keyboard. They are looking to go back to scissor-keyboards for the upcoming models. They offered more RAM. They know customers were pissed off.

Will they ever go back to allow us to upgrade components ourselves in these machines? Probably not. That is where the money aspect comes in for them. However, I do feel as if they are listening to us and striving to make a better product.

 

[vemac575]

I sympathize with you.

I buy a new MacBook Pro every year. They hold a nice value so I always sell and get the newest models. I also write them off for my business.

Have owned the 2017, 2018 models. Recently bought the 2019 13" MBP and awaiting the announcement of the 16" MBP.

I absolutely agree that Apple has gone through some bad times with these machines.

Either they were initially limited to 16GB of ram or the keyboards were bad for the 2017-18 models.

I can't quite remember if I owned a 2016 model or not.

Anyhow...

I had the keyboard issues on the 2017 and 2018 models.

I never bought Apple Care because I always sell my machines. To top that off, the keyboard issues are being taken care of by Apple.

With all the bad releases I still stick with Mac. Why? I hate Windows. I put Bootcamp on my latest MBP and I can't find enough comparable programs that match what OS X apps offer.

I think, slowly, Apple is getting their groove back. They improved their 2019 keyboard. They are looking to go back to scissor-keyboards for the upcoming models. They offered more RAM. They know customers were pissed off.

Will they ever go back to allow us to upgrade components ourselves in these machines? Probably not. That is where the money aspect comes in for them. However, I do feel as if they are listening to us and striving to make a better product.

Yea, I think you have a very reasonable and balanced take and I agree, but this time around they really screwed me BIG. I am stuck with a machine that, because of it's issues, I have lost money for my music business. NOW, I can't afford another Mac and even after getting this "repaired", the inherent problems will persist and I will continue to lose clients because of it. So I am actually quite depressed because of this. On top of it all, my health issues are getting worse so with the medical bills, I am just stuck.

I believe in Apple enough to give em a chance to get it right and make an honest come back, but as it stands, I've fallen through the cracks and don't see a way out. I wish they would just upgrade me.

 

[Whackman]

And what makes you think you won't have any of these (or new) issues with the 2019 model?

 

[MrGunnyPT]

My big disappointment with Apple is regarding the GPUs and the Displays still having big bezels in 2019.. I mean selling a 15" with a Polaris based GPU is just.. making fun of the customer...

 

[vemac575]

And what makes you think you won't have any of these (or new) issues with the 2019 model?

I don’t think I won’t have issues, but I’ll buy applecare plus and the heating issues arent a problem like 2018. But I have to have Mac OS for Logic so I have to have a Mac. Hopefully they will make an honest comeback.

 

[Whackman]

I don’t think I won’t have issues, but I’ll buy applecare plus and the heating issues arent a problem like 2018. But I have to have Mac OS for Logic so I have to have a Mac. Hopefully they will make an honest comeback.

Yeah i'm hoping the same. Equally guilty of buying the products while being pissed off at a large number of ridiculous decisions. Apple seems to think we buy Macbook Pro-s to look at them. We actually need to work on those things Apple. 4 ports (well, actually JUST 3 since we also have a power cable) for everything. So we need to buy hundreds of dollars worth of dongles and extra cables.

Thinking of buying the new Macbook pro 15 inch as well. But what is the best option to make sure i don't get heat issues and blowing fans?

And Apple care?.. 450,-- is a ridiculous amount of money for **** that just needs to work. And then you even have an own risk of 259,-. I don't know. Some of this stuff is infuriating. But i also use Logic Pro X and so does the rest of my band.

 

[Mike Boreham]

The reason I am writing this, is their decision to axe Applecare, and not grandfather those of us who bought them up to a year ago, and still had time to buy it.

This is the first time I have heard that Applecare is being axed....I would have expected to pick up more wailing and railing. Googling "Applecare axed" does not come up with any hits.

The only thing I have heard recently is that Applecare can be optionally extended beyond the three years.

I must be misunderstanding something.

 

[vemac575]

This is the first time I have heard that Applecare is being axed....I would have expected to pick up more wailing and railing. Googling "Applecare axed" does not come up with any hits.

The only thing I have heard recently is that Applecare can be optionally extended beyond the three years.

I must be misunderstanding something.

Got it directly from the relationship specialist. Cant buy it after plus anymore. Sucks...

 

[TohMac]

I just purchased a new Air a few days ago. I haven't picked up a new mac since 2015 but was surprised to discover that you only have 60 days to purchase Apple Care now. It used to be a year.

 

[smbu2000]

You can still purchase Applecare for your Mac up to a year from your original purchase date. It is not Applecare plus (which has to be purchased within 60days and has accidental coverage), just the regular Applecare bringing your coverage to 3 years and it is slightly cheaper than AC+.

https://support.apple.com/en-ke/HT202702

• AppleCare Protection Plan can be purchased within 1 year of your Mac purchase where available.
• If you still need help buying an AppleCare plan, contact Apple Support.

I purchased regular Applecare for my 2018 15" MBP after the initial 60day window for AC+ had ended without any problems.

 

[Plutonius]

And Apple care?.. 450,-- is a ridiculous amount of money

AppleCare is just like any other insurance and it is priced such that Apple will not lose money.

The main thing that the high cost of AppleCare shows is that many people are using their AppleCare (i.e. the laptops are not reliable).

 

[TohMac]

Good to know smbu2000. I ran in and out to buy the Air but they tried to push me into buying it that day, of course. As of yet I haven't ever purchased AppleCare, nor needed it on any one of my many past computers but I wasnt aware that there were two levels of AC these days. I will go look them up and see what the differences are in specs and price.


I purchased the AIR which I love, so far but for the first time am considering the possibility of reselling it 1-2 years later and picking up a Pro instead. Apple care might be good for resale value?!

 

[Fishrrman]

Logic Pro?
Why aren't you using an iMac or Mac Mini for Logic?

 

[Whackman]

Logic Pro?
Why aren't you using an iMac or Mac Mini for Logic?

Portability. Making music at different locations.

 

[aakshey]

Got it directly from the relationship specialist. Cant buy it after plus anymore. Sucks...

I still don’t understand. Can you please elaborate? Did they allow you to buy AppleCare after AC+ expired? Never heard of that before.
[automerge]1573399751[/automerge]

I still don’t understand. Can you please elaborate? Did they allow you to buy AppleCare after AC+ expired? Never heard of that before.

If you want to buy Applecare (not AppleCare+) within 1 year of purchase, you can still do that. Just use India as your location in a VPN. You’ll be able to do that.
[automerge]1573399902[/automerge]

Good to know smbu2000. I ran in and out to buy the Air but they tried to push me into buying it that day, of course. As of yet I haven't ever purchased AppleCare, nor needed it on any one of my many past computers but I wasnt aware that there were two levels of AC these days. I will go look them up and see what the differences are in specs and price.


I purchased the AIR which I love, so far but for the first time am considering the possibility of reselling it 1-2 years later and picking up a Pro instead. Apple care might be good for resale value?!

AppleCare = 3 years warranty and phone support

Applecare+ = AppleCare + Accidental damage insurance

They more or less cost the same. But AC+ needs to be bought within 60 days of purchase.

 

[monokakata]

You can still purchase Applecare for your Mac up to a year from your original purchase date. It is not Applecare plus (which has to be purchased within 60days and has accidental coverage), just the regular Applecare bringing your coverage to 3 years and it is slightly cheaper than AC+.

https://support.apple.com/en-ke/HT202702

• AppleCare Protection Plan can be purchased within 1 year of your Mac purchase where available.
• If you still need help buying an AppleCare plan, contact Apple Support.

I purchased regular Applecare for my 2018 15" MBP after the initial 60day window for AC+ had ended without any problems.

I wondered about this until I saw the VPN/India thing. Our 2018 MBP 15" has the stagelight problem, and we (wrongly, according to every Apple person on the phone) thought we could get Applecare up to a year after the purchase. So we called with a few weeks to go. No amount of pleading got us Applecare, and now the MBP is pretty much a useless $3000 machine -- unless we spring for a $600 repair. We're still waiting for Apple to do something, but they probably won't.

 

[nrvna76]

I sympathize with you.

I buy a new MacBook Pro every year. They hold a nice value so I always sell and get the newest models. I also write them off for my business.

Have owned the 2017, 2018 models. Recently bought the 2019 13" MBP and awaiting the announcement of the 16" MBP.

I absolutely agree that Apple has gone through some bad times with these machines.

Either they were initially limited to 16GB of ram or the keyboards were bad for the 2017-18 models.

I can't quite remember if I owned a 2016 model or not.

Anyhow...

I had the keyboard issues on the 2017 and 2018 models.

I never bought Apple Care because I always sell my machines. To top that off, the keyboard issues are being taken care of by Apple.

With all the bad releases I still stick with Mac. Why? I hate Windows. I put Bootcamp on my latest MBP and I can't find enough comparable programs that match what OS X apps offer.

I think, slowly, Apple is getting their groove back. They improved their 2019 keyboard. They are looking to go back to scissor-keyboards for the upcoming models. They offered more RAM. They know customers were pissed off.

Will they ever go back to allow us to upgrade components ourselves in these machines? Probably not. That is where the money aspect comes in for them. However, I do feel as if they are listening to us and striving to make a better product.

What percentage of the original cost do you get selling every year? I’ve always wondered if this strategy would cost a lot more per year vs keeping for 4-5 years per machine.

 

[aakshey]

I wondered about this until I saw the VPN/India thing. Our 2018 MBP 15" has the stagelight problem, and we (wrongly, according to every Apple person on the phone) thought we could get Applecare up to a year after the purchase. So we called with a few weeks to go. No amount of pleading got us Applecare, and now the MBP is pretty much a useless $3000 machine -- unless we spring for a $600 repair. We're still waiting for Apple to do something, but they probably won't.

If you bought it less than a year ago just use India as your location with a VPN and buy AC.

 

[NJRonbo]

What percentage of the original cost do you get selling every year? I’ve always wondered if this strategy would cost a lot more per year vs keeping for 4-5 years per machine.

It's not the best way to do things.

A computer I paid about $3,600 for I will recoup $1,750.

I usually buy every year because one, it's a business write-off and two, I am single with very little hobbies outside of working on my computer.

 

[Expos of 1969]

I wondered about this until I saw the VPN/India thing. Our 2018 MBP 15" has the stagelight problem, and we (wrongly, according to every Apple person on the phone) thought we could get Applecare up to a year after the purchase. So we called with a few weeks to go. No amount of pleading got us Applecare, and now the MBP is pretty much a useless $3000 machine -- unless we spring for a $600 repair. We're still waiting for Apple to do something, but they probably won't.

If your MBP developed this problem less than one year after you purchased it, whether you had AppleCare or not, one would expect a big company to stand behind its products and replace or repair it. To have an expensive item exhibit a defect and to have the company basically say "well, that's the length of time our crappy machines stay defect-free, so tough luck" is a sad indication of how low Apple has fallen. Disgusting, immoral but will have little to no impact on the sheep who continue to worship at the Cupertino altar.

 

[Webster's Mac]

AppleCare is just like any other insurance and it is priced such that Apple will not lose money.

The main thing that the high cost of AppleCare shows is that many people are using their AppleCare (i.e. the laptops are not reliable).

Yea generally that is true but it's worth it on the newer ones. Everything is soldered/glued together. My friend's 2016 MBP has had the following issues:

Keyboard marks on the display
Failing keyboard
Intermittent drives disconnecting when connected to USB C ports (they had developed play)
orange spots on screen when the computer got hot

Which resulted in

2x display assembly replacements (I believe it is like an $800 part as it is one piece: wifi antennas, hinges, display, aluminum housing)
1x IO board replacement
1x logic board replacement (idk why they did that)
1x to-case replacement (keyboard and battery assembly)

I'd say his AppleCare paid for itself and then some...lol

I generally don't like extended warranties...and honestly I may not get AppleCare on the phone anymore as the newer iPhones seem to be built better than the ones from 2013-2017. But on a $3k-4k laptop, you can bet your *** I'll buy AppleCare. Especially considering how many issues the newer ones have. All you need is one component on the logic board or display assembly to fail (or accidental damage like a liquid spill or drop that damages the relatively fragile screen) and it will pay for itself and then some.

 

[KPOM]

Good to know smbu2000. I ran in and out to buy the Air but they tried to push me into buying it that day, of course. As of yet I haven't ever purchased AppleCare, nor needed it on any one of my many past computers but I wasnt aware that there were two levels of AC these days. I will go look them up and see what the differences are in specs and price.


I purchased the AIR which I love, so far but for the first time am considering the possibility of reselling it 1-2 years later and picking up a Pro instead. Apple care might be good for resale value?!

The base 13” Pro is a big step up from the Air. For $200 more I recommend it.

 

[NJRonbo]

The base 13” Pro is a big step up from the Air. For $200 more I recommend it.

The 2019 13" MBP is a remarkable laptop! I love it! Even the keyboard is greatly improved.

 

[Queen6]

After several decades I gave up on Apple both profehinally and privately, sick and tired of the mistakes, errors & excuses, mostly the lack of any serious delivery...

In my realm the customer "speaks volumes" something Apple has long since forgotten, as a paying client I don't expect such nonsense as keyboards failing due to poor design or excessive throttling again due to poor design and or populous usage....

Done & Dusted, revenue you wont be making, spin that how you will. We're now on W10 solely thx to Apple nobody else...

Q-6