Valid point. Then again, Apple's a company so whatever makes the highest margin of profit.
But, the whole idea of "premium" is completely BS imho. These prices, though I'd agree could be lower, are reinforced by a market that includes us.
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Warranty issue (Apple pisses me off): what can I do?
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Valid point. Then again, Apple's a company so whatever makes the highest margin of profit.
But, the whole idea of "premium" is completely BS imho. These prices, though I'd agree could be lower, are reinforced by a market that includes us.
How the heck is this the same thing?
YOU left the laptop sealed inside a car in Florida's blistering heat. Of course the LCD could be damaged by that.
It was totally your fault.
My 2 cents:
1. I think 500 euro parts and labour is excessive. 250-300 euro (inkl. tax) would be a fairer price for a 13 inch screen. Of course the fact that the make a laptop that is virtually unservicable should be their problem...
2. Apple is only obliged to honour warranty issues. It may be *very* hard to prove it's a manufacturing issue. But LCD substrates are glass (forget about the plastic surface) - and glass is a strange material. It's certainly not impossible that there was a latent defect in the LCD glass, which given time, temperature and normal use - opening and closing the lid - would lead to catastrophic failure.
Good luck.
1. I think 500 euro parts and labour is excessive. 250-300 euro (inkl. tax) would be a fairer price for a 13 inch screen. Of course the fact that the make a laptop that is virtually unservicable should be their problem...
2. Apple is only obliged to honour warranty issues. It may be *very* hard to prove it's a manufacturing issue. But LCD substrates are glass (forget about the plastic surface) - and glass is a strange material. It's certainly not impossible that there was a latent defect in the LCD glass, which given time, temperature and normal use - opening and closing the lid - would lead to catastrophic failure.
Good luck.
Today I called both the local Authorized Apple Service Provider and Apple Support. The technician from the service says that initially he asked for a replace of the LCD screen under warranty, but Apple denied it supposing it is an accidental damage so that I have to pay for repairing it. Apple Support says they will contact the Service Provider, however, I was told that in case the AASP decided it is a non-warranty issue than they are not able to do much in favor of my appeal.
Well, I don't see much chance and all this makes me quite obscure that who exactly has been in charge to decide over the question of warranty whether it is applicable. That's it, now I wait a little to see if something works out..
Yes, I also find it rather excessive. I supposed also that it would be around 300 EUR, but not much more. Granted, it is a WXGA+ (1440x900) screen, so one could expect that it is not really the cheapest among the 13 inch ones. But 500 EUR is freakin' high.
Yes, this is my big problem that of course it is nearly impossible to prove, 'cause it looks like very much as if it were hit by something. But I agree that if there is a manufacturing defect, just as tensions in a regular glass, even normal use can have a disastrous effect. I'm pretty sure that this is my case.
Well, I don't see much chance and all this makes me quite obscure that who exactly has been in charge to decide over the question of warranty whether it is applicable. That's it, now I wait a little to see if something works out..
Yes, I also find it rather excessive. I supposed also that it would be around 300 EUR, but not much more. Granted, it is a WXGA+ (1440x900) screen, so one could expect that it is not really the cheapest among the 13 inch ones. But 500 EUR is freakin' high.
Yes, this is my big problem that of course it is nearly impossible to prove, 'cause it looks like very much as if it were hit by something. But I agree that if there is a manufacturing defect, just as tensions in a regular glass, even normal use can have a disastrous effect. I'm pretty sure that this is my case.
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Price doesn't sound that out of line on the service provider's end. Apple charges $499 USD (stock pricing, which is the only option for damaged parts). I am not sure what they charge in euros, but $499 USD to euro is 356. Then add labor. I doubt the pricing matches exactly with the conversion rate, so I wouldn't be surprised if its more than 356 euros.
Apple only sells the part as the entire display module, part 661-5732.
Apple only sells the part as the entire display module, part 661-5732.
I hope everything works out for you in the end.
I also wanted to chime in, though I'm not taking anyone's side, to say that I'm sure warranty claims people have heard every excuse in the book when it comes to trying to get something repaired/replaced. Please know that I'm not calling you a liar.
Unfortunately, the technicians have to look at the condition of the equipment, whether it's a cracked display, glass or liquid indicator, and go by prior experience. In the case of a cracked LCD, 99.999% of the time, the issue is caused by some external force hitting and cracking the display. While many people would just admit to causing the damage, there are people are looking for free repairs due to their own negligence. They claim no knowledge of the event (again, I'm not saying that this is what you're doing).
It's the technicians job to look at the facts and likely causes when diagnosing a problem, and the issue you present says accidental damage more than it does manufacturing defect. Unfortunately, it makes it hard for people (like you) who have legitimate defects to prove it.
I also wanted to chime in, though I'm not taking anyone's side, to say that I'm sure warranty claims people have heard every excuse in the book when it comes to trying to get something repaired/replaced. Please know that I'm not calling you a liar.
Unfortunately, the technicians have to look at the condition of the equipment, whether it's a cracked display, glass or liquid indicator, and go by prior experience. In the case of a cracked LCD, 99.999% of the time, the issue is caused by some external force hitting and cracking the display. While many people would just admit to causing the damage, there are people are looking for free repairs due to their own negligence. They claim no knowledge of the event (again, I'm not saying that this is what you're doing).
It's the technicians job to look at the facts and likely causes when diagnosing a problem, and the issue you present says accidental damage more than it does manufacturing defect. Unfortunately, it makes it hard for people (like you) who have legitimate defects to prove it.
I don't know about HP but apple says their macbooks work up to 35celcius. I don't think florida is more than 35 so it should be covered. (assuming they have the same requirement in HP).
The interior of a closed vehicle in Florida or just about and state will get significantly above 35C during the summer. Probably closer to 60C
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I never said it was the blistering heat in mid-summer. I should have clarified knowing the way things get scrutinized around here. It was actually during the off season and the outside temperature never got above 75F (24C) and overcast. We'll use the MBA temps as that's the discussion here. I doubt it reached 95F (35C) in the car, but if they used that as the reason, I wouldn't have argued. I mentioned the laptop sitting in the car and none of them jumped on the "heat related issue" bandwagon. Every CSR said that I must have dropped it or something hit it. Also, I believe 35C is the operating temperature, not the storage temperature which is 113F or 45C.
On a side note, I have left my MBA in the blistering heat many times due to job related needs. Never all day, but for several hours. I've not had any issues so far, thank God. I would think the glue or something would melt before the internals shatter (causing the star affect), but I'm no expert.
My bottom line should still stand. If it has to do with the LCD, you are SOL. And to add to it, something other than blunt trauma can cause the star affect, whether it be heat or something else.
I didn't mean that I would not believe this price (and it is certainly in line with the US price you provided, taking into account the usual conversion rates imposed by Apple). It is simply that one would perceive it excessive, especially if it should be replaced because it is not his fault.
And add that for the previous versions of Macbook Air the LCD screen could be replaced without the exchange of the entire display module, and third-party services do it for slightly over 200 EUR here. (While they would replace the LCD screen of the 2010 MBA for even a higher price than what Apple offers, as I learned recently, because it is the entire module to be exchanged.)
Not without some irony, I could even imagine that with the upcoming MBA if there is a faulty LCD screen, Apple would even require replacing the entire computer, requiring you to pay its price the second time. Certainly this kind of their policy is what can be really questionable, much more than that regarding the issue of a faulty LCD screen considered as an accidental damage by default.
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Any luck with repairing the screen? My MBA 11" 2010 has a broken screen and the official Apple option seems to be to get a new screen casing, which is almost the cost of a new MBA. I can't find anyone selling replacement panels only or even if anyone had success swapping a broken panel for a new one.
This. I've had people at an Apple store deny me basic service on a faulty iPod (known problem that was mentioned everywhere) when I was still under warranty (1 year) and I had also gotten applecare already. Go in another day and there is no hesitation. Some service people assume you broke it and don't want to cover it.
Escalate it to a manager. If that doesn't work, ask for the manager's manager. Appeal all the way to Apple if you need to.
Well guess what. My wife's MBA screen just up and quit after she opened the case from sleep mode. It is an 11 inch version. There had been some pixilated screen flicker about a couple months ago. We noted it and reported it to the authorized repair place here. Of course it was intermittent and wasn't happening when we tried to show them. So it quit and into the repair place it went. I'll state now that there is NO physical damage to the screen. Regular wear and tear on outer case, but honestly it's a fricking laptop case scratches happen. The repair place submits to apple and they come back that the screen is not covered. they state that there might be internal damage caused by the owner. Seriously what a croc! Im a huge apple geek and have all the toys that us apple geek need to have and includes apple care on all the goodies. So I'm now dealing with Apple senior warranty admin.
To be continued...
To be continued...
This is interesting can you let me know which MBA it is? I also have an 11" and am curious if this is something I need to be aware of. Thanks in advance.
I have never had a problem with replacing parts for apple laptops at a Apple store, maybe its because of these authorized shops, maybe send the laptop into apple instead of taking it to the authorized shops.
Operating max ambient temp is usually 40C for an LCD. Storage max temp is not listed on any I've looked at but I imagine it's quite a bit higher than 40C.
A lot of laptops are left in cars during the summer without issue, I don't think that would cause the LCD problem - unless it was powered up while still hot.
Screen continued
okay so the response from the senior apple engineers is that the "damage" caused the screen to blank out and therefore no warranty!! This is a broad assumption on their part as the unit is still in the authorized repair shop and the photos don't actually show any damage at all. So based on an assumption I told them what I do for a living and asked them if it was okay that I assume things the next time they get on an aircraft and would they be "okay" with that. I got silence from them. I know we have all heard stories from friends or friends of friends that have dropped their iphones/ipads and other apple items and have taken them back to the store only to be given news ones as a replacement. I personally know 4 people that have done just that. Two of them actually ended up with an upgraded device!! 4 -> 4S and MBA -> MBA w/ thunderbolt. I just wanted warranty. The screen module with labour was going to be $800!! Well my wife sounded off on twitter and low and behold the SM guy for the Authorized repair place saw it and guess what?? It will be replaced under warranty.
Not sure what the morale is? Twitter to the rescue? Squeaky wheel? Glad it is resolved although the cold hearted response from Apple wasn't pleasant.
Cheers All
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Her MBA is exactly the same as yours 2011 11" 128SSD 1.6MGHz
okay so the response from the senior apple engineers is that the "damage" caused the screen to blank out and therefore no warranty!! This is a broad assumption on their part as the unit is still in the authorized repair shop and the photos don't actually show any damage at all. So based on an assumption I told them what I do for a living and asked them if it was okay that I assume things the next time they get on an aircraft and would they be "okay" with that. I got silence from them. I know we have all heard stories from friends or friends of friends that have dropped their iphones/ipads and other apple items and have taken them back to the store only to be given news ones as a replacement. I personally know 4 people that have done just that. Two of them actually ended up with an upgraded device!! 4 -> 4S and MBA -> MBA w/ thunderbolt. I just wanted warranty. The screen module with labour was going to be $800!! Well my wife sounded off on twitter and low and behold the SM guy for the Authorized repair place saw it and guess what?? It will be replaced under warranty.
Not sure what the morale is? Twitter to the rescue? Squeaky wheel? Glad it is resolved although the cold hearted response from Apple wasn't pleasant.
Cheers All
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Her MBA is exactly the same as yours 2011 11" 128SSD 1.6MGHz
I've seen similar happen with displays. especially when they're glass backed. (not sure the MBA's). I've seen it happen quite a few times with E-readers in particular.
They're so thin, and the glass is millimetres thick at best. What happens is somehow, at some point, a tiny crack gets formed in it. you may not see it for a while, or at all.
But then due to the constant warming, cooling cycle of using a screen, or ambien temperatures, Glass expands and contracts. Eventually this can lead to "shattering" of the Glass base, often in a sudden unexpected timing. Like sitting closed on the desk.
this is not considered a manufacturers defect when this happens, as according to the device makers, they often claim the only way it happened, is there had to have been some initials shock, even if it were years / months ahead of time that caused the initial crack in the glass.
The most frustrating thing about it, as you stated, the front and back of the device would look perfect and unbroken. the front of the screen perfectly smooth.
Attached is a photo of my Kobo, yes, E-ink, but uses as i described a thin glass as the bases of the screen which was subjected to the forces i stated
They're so thin, and the glass is millimetres thick at best. What happens is somehow, at some point, a tiny crack gets formed in it. you may not see it for a while, or at all.
But then due to the constant warming, cooling cycle of using a screen, or ambien temperatures, Glass expands and contracts. Eventually this can lead to "shattering" of the Glass base, often in a sudden unexpected timing. Like sitting closed on the desk.
this is not considered a manufacturers defect when this happens, as according to the device makers, they often claim the only way it happened, is there had to have been some initials shock, even if it were years / months ahead of time that caused the initial crack in the glass.
The most frustrating thing about it, as you stated, the front and back of the device would look perfect and unbroken. the front of the screen perfectly smooth.
Attached is a photo of my Kobo, yes, E-ink, but uses as i described a thin glass as the bases of the screen which was subjected to the forces i stated