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ChrisWB

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 28, 2004
254
1,358
Chicago
I just received my second MacBook. The first MacBook had a warped case, the moos, a bent screen, and heat varying from the high 60's to the high 70's (over 165 degrees Fahrenheit). More can be read in this thread. I returned it and got a replacement in the mail today, ten days after the return.

My new MacBook had none of the case problems. It seemed visually perfect. Everything was going great for the four minutes it was working. Then, suddenly (insert a pause for dramatic effect) the screen shut off and a whirr-Click! whirr-Click! whirr-Click! came from the upper right corner by the screen. The computer will no longer power on.

I have given the MacBook two tries. I really wanted a laptop because I have a trip coming up where I will need a computer to compose on. I've already been without a computer for over ten days. I compose music on my computer and program javascript as my job. This delay has meant that I will probably loose my latest client and I won't be able to get any work done for another few days at the least.

I am extremely disappointed with Apple's build quality. I can't believe that they'd manage to make computers that have so many problems.

By the way, I'm a bit peeved at having lost a client and ten days of work, so please don't bother responding with:
w_parietti22 said:
Send it in for a replacement if you dont think its normal. :rolleyes:
If that's all you have to say. I'm honestly just looking for sympathy at the moment.
 

clayj

macrumors 604
Jan 14, 2005
7,648
1,384
visiting from downstream
Sorry this happened to you...

Since you're in Chicago, why not go to an Apple Store, explain the situation, and see if they can swap your defective unit out for a new, good one? Seems to me that they'd want to keep you happy, rather than having you return your laptop for a full refund (which should be your right).
 

ChrisWB

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 28, 2004
254
1,358
Chicago
Clayj,

That is a great idea, but I purchased the unit through Amazon. I don't want to have to go through Applecare/Apple if I can just return it to Amazon. I think I will get a desktop now so as to avoid these problems. I have had three Apple desktops prior to this MacBook and none of them had a single issue.
 

longofest

Editor emeritus
Jul 10, 2003
2,931
1,715
Falls Church, VA
Dude... that sucks. I've had that whirl-click with my PowerBook before, and it isn't fun.

Good luck getting everything resolved and getting your client business stuff back on track. Like the other guy in the forum said, you might want to try going straight to an Apple store if you can to see if you can't get the situation resolved pretty quickly rather than waiting another 10 days for a replacement unit...
 

QCassidy352

macrumors G5
Mar 20, 2003
12,066
6,107
Bay Area
I ordered a powerbook from amazon last december and it wouldn't power on either... I just returned it and got a refund. But to have 2 lemons in a row! Damn, that's some bad luck! :(
 

hallaisen

macrumors regular
May 28, 2006
209
0
Not cool at all. My 1st macbook was DOA as well, and I've been waiting for over a month for a replacement now. I'm finally getting it tomorrow, and if it's DOA too then Apple has lost a customer.
 

nickelbackmac

macrumors regular
Jun 23, 2006
248
0
Jonesboro, Arkansas USA
That's really bad... :( ... I would hate for that to happen again. Maybe the Amazon.com's MB will be worth it. My friend's MB was totaled from an angry 9-year old with a hammer. I had a MBP that I ordered with 1-Click, it got "stuck" in their systems and had to order me another one the next day, then it was DOA. But anyways, hope the 3rd MB will actually work.;)
 

mike.b

macrumors newbie
Sep 16, 2005
26
0
Romania, Europe
Apple has a REAL quality PROBLEM these days. i`m happy that my macbook (5 days old) it`s perfect, in the same time i`m sorry for all this problems. this really can`t happen with a company like Apple.
 

aristobrat

macrumors G5
Oct 14, 2005
12,292
1,403
mike.b said:
Apple has a REAL quality PROBLEM these days. i`m happy that my macbook (5 days old) it`s perfect, in the same time i`m sorry for all this problems. this really can`t happen with a company like Apple.
Of all of the stuff I've purchased from Apple (3 PPC minis, 1 Intel mini, 2 15" PowerBooks, 3 MBPs, 1 MB, 2 4GB nanos, 1 20GB 3rd gen iPod, 1 U2 iPod, and 1 60GB Video iPod), the only quality problem I've had was that 1 nano was DOA.

I wasn't happy with the design of the MBP (heat issue -- so I exchanged it twice before getting a refund), but the build quality was fine.

I agree with QCassidy -- it's bad luck to get two lemons in a row.
 

ChrisWB

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 28, 2004
254
1,358
Chicago
Thank you for the kind replies. I am glad that you guys are sympathizing. This really is a horrible situation. Here's an update.

Well, I have had to call Amazon a number of times now to try and get this resolved. The customer service people are extremely helpful, but actually getting UPS to come has proved impossible. I'm going to take it over to the UPS store tomorrow and Amazon claims they will reimburse me for the shipping costs. Amazon has told me it will take me 1-4 weeks to get my money back. Wonderful. I'm glad I have $2200 in the bank that I can afford to lose for a few weeks. While I'm dreaming about money I don't have I'd also like a pony, a sports car, and a model airplane.

My mother wants to take me down to the Apple store and buy a MacBook there tonight. I'd be willing, but then I will have to pay tax and I will have $3400 in outstanding charges. I don't know if my mental health can take that. I don't know if my work can take me being without a computer for any longer.
 

Killyp

macrumors 68040
Jun 14, 2006
3,859
7
I'd take it down to the Apple store and ask them to get a new one out IN FRONT OF YOU and make sure it's working 100% properly! If you can't afford the whole thing, then maybe just buy the bottom half and add a screen on later... :D

Seriously though, that's exactly what I'd do, even if I hadn't bought it from the store. Send it back to Amazon, ask for a refund, and go to the Apple store saying I was fed up with Amazon giving me worse service than a postman on steroids and I'd prefer to buy it from a proper Apple store...

Just my 10%
 

regre7

macrumors 6502
Apr 18, 2006
292
0
Atlanta, GA
I've always been under the impression that Amazon has an excellent return policy....

It sucks that things like this happen.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Damn!

Sorry you are having trouble. There are good macbooks out there. My firts white seemed perfect but the superdrive died, replacement (black :) ) seems to be working perfectly. It's reading all the discs I throw into it and doesnt make any noises at all. It also seems to run cooler than my white book.
 

generik

macrumors 601
Aug 5, 2005
4,116
1
Minitrue
MacRumorUser said:
Damn!

Sorry you are having trouble. There are good macbooks out there. My firts white seemed perfect but the superdrive died, replacement (black :) ) seems to be working perfectly. It's reading all the discs I throw into it and doesnt make any noises at all. It also seems to run cooler than my white book.

Yeah, there are good PC laptops out there too. Your point being? :rolleyes:
 

aristobrat

macrumors G5
Oct 14, 2005
12,292
1,403
ChrisWB said:
Oh, they have a wonderful return policy! They say so themselves!
I've had no problem with Amazon returns. I returned a MBP and had the full refund on my AMEX 48 hours after they received the MBP back.

Then again, I wouldn't chose to use them (or any other place that couldn't do an immediate exchange) to buy anything critical to the operation of my business (or that was important to me).
 

Mechcozmo

macrumors 603
Jul 17, 2004
5,215
2
No other way to say it. That sucks. Was your client understanding and will return once you've got your computer issues sorted out?

Just curious: Why did you not buy the MacBook through Apple? AppleCare had a 48 hour turnaround time on my PowerBook which I was rather impressed with. Also, what happened to your pre-MacBook computer? Did it die? (Should I be looking for a thread on this?)

Hope you get all of your issues sorted out, and also glad to hear that you will be sticking with Apple. Forrest Gump said it... "S*** happens." Deal with this and move on, things will get better.
 

ChrisWB

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 28, 2004
254
1,358
Chicago
aristobrat said:
I've had no problem with Amazon returns. I returned a MBP and had the full refund on my AMEX 48 hours after they received the MBP back.
I pray that this happens. Thank you for giving me hope!
MacRumorUser said:
Damn! Sorry you are having trouble. There are good macbooks out there. My firts white seemed perfect but the superdrive died, replacement (black :) ) seems to be working perfectly.
"Damn!" is one of the words I used to describe the situation also! Part of what annoys me is that my mother's MacBook works perfectly! I'm glad you ended up with a good machine.
Mechcozmo said:
No other way to say it. That sucks. Was your client understanding and will return once you've got your computer issues sorted out?
Hopefully. He seemed like a nice guy and I think he's the type who will understand that shoot happens.
Mechcozmo said:
Just curious: Why did you not buy the MacBook through Apple? AppleCare had a 48 hour turnaround time on my PowerBook which I was rather impressed with. Also, what happened to your pre-MacBook computer? Did it die? (Should I be looking for a thread on this?)
I am going to get the next MacBook tomorrow at the local Apple store. I should have done that the first time, but Amazon's inexpensive prices lured me! My old computer was a beautiful powermac G5 which never gave me an ounce of trouble. I sold it thinking the intel chips were akin to the messiah in nature. Yes, I'm foolish.
Mechcozmo said:
Hope you get all of your issues sorted out, and also glad to hear that you will be sticking with Apple. Forrest Gump said it... "S*** happens." Deal with this and move on, things will get better.
Thanks for the advice. I agree!
 

ChrisWB

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 28, 2004
254
1,358
Chicago
Well, the story has a happy ending. I went to purchase a MacBook at the local Apple store (Old Orchard) and I received very nice service. I asked to have the machine opened in the store so I could test it before I walked out of there. I ran the disk verification and monitored the temperature for fifteen minutes. This MacBook ran at around 50C with eight or so programs open at once. It never got hotter than 54C. Remember, my first MacBook was in the 70's under a similar load.

It took three tries, but I now have a beautiful machine that seems to work well and be problem free.
 

bobber205

macrumors 68020
Nov 15, 2005
2,182
1
Oregon
Not that I don't feel totally sorry for you, but you don't have any other computer in the house?

Because that's amazing....:eek:
 

T-Stex

macrumors 6502
Jan 15, 2006
470
1
Pennsylvania
ChrisWB said:
Well, the story has a happy ending. I went to purchase a MacBook at the local Apple store (Old Orchard) and I received very nice service. I asked to have the machine opened in the store so I could test it before I walked out of there. I ran the disk verification and monitored the temperature for fifteen minutes. This MacBook ran at around 50C with eight or so programs open at once. It never got hotter than 54C. Remember, my first MacBook was in the 70's under a similar load.

It took three tries, but I now have a beautiful machine that seems to work well and be problem free.

I'm glad things worked out in the end. I almost went to the Old Orchard store yesterday to get a MacBook, but ended up going to Northbrook Court instead. My girlfriend and I each got a Black MacBook, and both are flawless. I couldn't be happier. Also, other than the salespeople pushing .Mac and ProCare a little too hard, we received great service as well.
 

TonySwartz

macrumors member
Jan 11, 2004
93
0
For the future, send an email to Steve Jobs at steve@apple.com, it'll get looked at and you'll get a call from the Executive office. They usually work with you and every department to make sure you leave with a happy Apple purchase. :D
 

ChrisWB

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 28, 2004
254
1,358
Chicago
bobber205 said:
Not that I don't feel totally sorry for you, but you don't have any other computer in the house?
Yes! Luckily I was able to use my mother's MacBook which is her business computer.

The truth is I was a bone-head for selling my powermac before I had a working computer to replace it.

T-Stex said:
I'm glad things worked out in the end. I almost went to the Old Orchard store yesterday to get a MacBook, but ended up going to Northbrook Court instead. My girlfriend and I each got a Black MacBook, and both are flawless. I couldn't be happier. Also, other than the salespeople pushing .Mac and ProCare a little too hard, we received great service as well.
Awesome! I've never been to the Northbrook Court Apple store. Is it as nice as the Old Orchard store? I'm glad you got two perfect machines.

TonySwartz said:
For the future, send an email to Steve Jobs at steve@apple.com, it'll get looked at and you'll get a call from the Executive office. They usually work with you and every department to make sure you leave with a happy Apple purchase. :D
Good idea. I sent Mr. Jobs an email.

This is a bit odd - my new MacBook goes up about 10*C if I watch a video. It hasn't gotten too bad yet, but what is with these machines getting hot?

Edit: Crap! It hit
70degrees.png
 

FullmetalZ26

macrumors regular
Jun 12, 2006
159
0
bobber205 said:
Not that I don't feel totally sorry for you, but you don't have any other computer in the house?

Because that's amazing....:eek:
Amazing, or maybe a little weird. I mean, I can see thirteen from where I'm currently sitting.... :confused: :p

But seriously, most of them are ancient anyway. In any case, I'm glad to hear the situation finally panned out for you. I plan on ordering my blackbook from Apple tomorrow, and I'll be maxing out my credit card and wiping out the daily debit limit on my bank card, so I'm hoping for a good experience.
 
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