UPDATED: Uni MBP dust under screen, battery life 3hrs, snow on external :(

[drewsof07]

MacBook and 24" Cinema Display?

The cinema display would hold its value very well, interesting thought
But we'll cross that bridge when/if I get there.
Just some thoughts that were going through my head.

 

[drewsof07]

Update!

Just a little update here, I sent the computer to Apple two weeks ago for repair, received it back 2 days later with a screen replacement and new battery. (Apparently they thought the internal screen was flickering? ) idk... but the only thing that was corrected was the dust (obviously) due to the new screen.
Needless to say, I have been thoroughly testing the computer since getting it back.
Tonight I was playing Age of Empires (9600GT) and all of the sudden my screen went black and flashed on and off... then it displayed some artifacts and eventually stayed dark... The entire computer froze and I was unable to do anything. I restarted and all seems in order for the time being but I've yet to do anything strenuous.
This definitely reeks of faulty GPU...
Also, my original problem of snow on my external display remains.

I'm really just tired of dealing with this. I have finals coming up and will be without a computer... for about the 8th time since September ugh

Any tips on what to say to Apple when I call tomorrow? This is definitely ridiculous. This is my THIRD MBP in which the GPU crapped out!

 

[drewsof07]

Anyone?

 

[AppleNewton]

i'd just recommend telling them what you posted.
detail the fact that it was service for the issues you brought to their attention and it wasnt fixed upto your standards and its clearly evident it shows problems out of the box and after repair.

see if they would be willing to swap the system so they can test it out and hopefully build a better QA/QC system, and get you a new working model.

 

[u49aa2]

my sympathy!!

I was just reading through your story...I just want to express my sympathy . Hope just replace it this time.

 

[Kardashian]

Unacceptable.

Whilst it is not the person on the phone who's fault it is for these problems - it is them who can get them rectified.

Tell them you don't want to deal with a routine of testing questions again - there is obviously a problem with this computer, somewhere, and you've been without this computer more than once.

You want it replaced, or your money refunded - and you're accepting nothing less.

Be specific, list every single problem - be clear and concise, and calm, and ask them 'Is this how you want a customer treated? The computer did not work, your repair process did not work. I was told I would receive a replacement, I have not. All your employee's are capable - there should be a note of that conversation linked to my account. If its not replaced, I'm contacting trading standards" (Thats a British body, I'm guessing you must have a US equiv).

 

[PeterQC]

Anyone?

Ask for them to send YOU a remplacement MBP with an eventual compensation, I would ask for nothing less IMO.

 

[drewsof07]

First off, thanks everyone for your support. Frankly this timing SUCKS as I'm starting finals next week and I have several projects due

I just got off the phone with Applecare. I was thoroughly pissed at the treatment I received. The first tier tech refused to transfer me to a specialist as I requested and would only document my issues and complaint about the repair.
After I told him I needed my computer repaired or replaced immediately due to my photo work and finals week, he was entirely unsympathetic and told me to just "call back in a couple of weeks" to schedule another repair...
One would assume they would want to rectify this situation immediately

I have handled this patiently and calmly to this point. But I believe a call to Customer Relations is in order on Monday. I dealt with them the first time I had a GPU problem with satisfying results. My current machine is a second replacement for failing GPU and poor QC at the repair depot...

At this point, I've had it up to here with the MBP line and I do most of my work at a desk anyway. I don't feel it would be inappropriate of me to request replacement with a Mac Pro (refurb or otherwise).

 

[Kardashian]

First off, thanks everyone for your support. Frankly this timing SUCKS as I'm starting finals next week and I have several projects due

I just got off the phone with Applecare. I was thoroughly pissed at the treatment I received. The first tier tech refused to transfer me to a specialist as I requested and would only document my issues and complaint about the repair.
After I told him I needed my computer repaired or replaced immediately due to my photo work and finals week, he was entirely unsympathetic and told me to just "call back in a couple of weeks" to schedule another repair...
One would assume they would want to rectify this situation immediately

I have handled this patiently and calmly to this point. But I believe a call to Customer Relations is in order on Monday. I dealt with them the first time I had a GPU problem with satisfying results. My current machine is a second replacement for failing GPU and poor QC at the repair depot...

At this point, I've had it up to here with the MBP line and I do most of my work at a desk anyway. I don't feel it would be inappropriate of me to request replacement with a Mac Pro (refurb or otherwise).

Call back straight away and begin the conversation with "I was just on the phone a second ago, had my requests ignored and was told to call back in a few weeks."

Call the sales staff and tell them being put through to support is useless, you need someone higher.

Also, e-mail sjobs@apple.com - I'm not even lying, I've done it once before, and had a brand new iPhone with accessories the next day.

Be very sympathetic, and play on the school thing being an issue and how the computers cost you, and that you've been patient up until now, but this is the second computer on its second repair. It should be third times a charm, equalling a replacement.

 

[brosmooth]

it seems like when you buy a mac its sort of a gamble, and i say that because it seems like a lot of people who have the tiny percentage of macs with an error, when they get it fixed or get a replacement, that one is faulty too. It seems like you get a perfect one or go though three or four... well i hope it goes smooth for me, im about to purchase a macbook pro myself, replacing my umb, which btw i had the screen replaced by apple care and couldnt of been happier, but i just hope its perfect.

 

[drewsof07]

it seems like when you buy a mac its sort of a gamble, and i say that because it seems like a lot of people who have the tiny percentage of macs with an error, when they get it fixed or get a replacement, that one is faulty too. It seems like you get a perfect one or go though three or four... well i hope it goes smooth for me, im about to purchase a macbook pro myself, replacing my umb, which btw i had the screen replaced by apple care and couldnt of been happier, but i just hope its perfect.

You're so right, I have several friends with first gen WhiteBooks and they've never had an issue outside of the battery problem.
This is my third MBP since Jan 2007... and my 2nd MBP in the past year
I definitely feel that quality control has taken a steep decline since the G4 days.

Does anyone think it would be greedy or inappropriate to request replacement with a Mac Pro? This is what I plan to do, just feeling to see what you all think.

 

[uiop.]

I really feel for you on this one. I've been lied to by AppleCare and have been treated like shiat. Looks like you already posted in my thread (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/689373/).

My $3000 MBP has had problems left and right, close to $2K in parts alone. I called AppleCare to tell them about all the problems and all they did was file a feedback form. Cute. I also sent an email to sjobs@apple.com last week but never got a response.

Does anyone think it would be greedy or inappropriate to request replacement with a Mac Pro? This is what I plan to do, just feeling to see what you all think.

I don't know. Don't expect much from them, I'd consider it to be fortunate if you get your MBP replaced. If you had a loaded 17" MBP that was similar to the cost of a Mac Pro, then maybe...

 

[Aaleck]

Good luck with your problem.

I have often thought about just buying a MacBook and a iMac for the same price, but I don't think the MacBook would cut it... in terms of screen size

 

[drewsof07]

I don't know. Don't expect much from them, I'd consider it to be fortunate if you get your MBP replaced.

Isn't it awful that we consider it "fortunate" for them to do something that should be expected? ha

 

[blackhand1001]

You may wanna find some owners of the HP infinity displays as they have dealt with these problems before the macbooks got the glass panels installed. I don;t know how they fixed them, but they may have some suggestions.

 

[PDE]

Isn't it awful that we consider it "fortunate" for them to do something that should be expected? ha

First, I'd keep a camera handy so you can document the issue if it pops up again. Second, I'd call again and hope for a more helpful rep. Third, once I've documented the problem with Apple again, I'd keep the MBP until your finals are over. It sounds like the problem isn't continuous, correct? Explain to Apple that you want to do the repair once it's convenient for you to be without the computer.

As for replacement -- I think you should ask for it. I take it you're not close to an Apple store? If you are, I would go talk to the manager and ask for help there.

Hope it works out!

 

[michael.lauden]

Good luck with your problem.

I have often thought about just buying a MacBook and a iMac for the same price, but I don't think the MacBook would cut it... in terms of screen size

that's the good thing about external monitors.

if you say you need more than 13.3 inches on the road something is wrong

 

[drewsof07]

First, I'd keep a camera handy so you can document the issue if it pops up again.

I have attached a pic of what my external display looks like when the "snow" occurs. I also have a video of this same thing in motion.

Second, I'd call again and hope for a more helpful rep.

I plan to do this on Monday and if I cannot be transferred to someone more knowledgeable, I will phone customer relations.

Third, once I've documented the problem with Apple again, I'd keep the MBP until your finals are over. It sounds like the problem isn't continuous, correct? Explain to Apple that you want to do the repair once it's convenient for you to be without the computer.

This seems like the only option at this point. I do have a powerbook I could use as a backup, but not for my photo work

As for replacement -- I think you should ask for it. I take it you're not close to an Apple store? If you are, I would go talk to the manager and ask for help there.
Hope it works out!

Nearest Apple store or other repair facility is 2hr away so that's not an option. Yes I'm going to ask for a replacement with an iMac or Mac Pro or simply my money back.

 

[uiop.]

I have attached a pic of what my external display looks like when the "snow" occurs. I also have a video of this same thing in motion.

I plan to do this on Monday and if I cannot be transferred to someone more knowledgeable, I will phone customer relations.

This seems like the only option at this point. I do have a powerbook I could use as a backup, but not for my photo work


Nearest Apple store or other repair facility is 2hr away so that's not an option. Yes I'm going to ask for a replacement with an iMac or Mac Pro or simply my money back.

Wow that looks awful.

Good luck with the situation. At the very least, you should get your money back.