Best way to buy a MBP in UK to avoid dead pixels

[michaelmac]

Hi all,

Just about to buy a MBP and am keen to avoid getting one with any dead or stuck pixels. Not even sure if this still happens 'these days' as the last Apple laptop I purchased was three years ago. The one before it, an IBM, had one stuck pixel that annoyed me everytime I turned the thing on!

As a photographer I am particularly keen to make sure the display is OK. So, what is the best option - online where (I think) you can send the thing back for any reason if you are unhappy or retail - can you do the same there?

Hopefully the problem has largely gone away as it is reported less and less. Still the best part of £2k and you want to make sure it is perfect!

Thanks in advance

Mike

 

[tersono]

Well, if you buy retail there's nothing to stop you insisting that they take it out of the box so you can check it then and there...

Personally, I tend to buy online direct from Apple, but it's been quite a while since I've seen a Mac screen of any variety with stuck pixels...

 

[michaelmac]

Well, if you buy retail there's nothing to stop you insisting that they take it out of the box so you can check it then and there...

Personally, I tend to buy online direct from Apple, but it's been quite a while since I've seen a Mac screen of any variety with stuck pixels...

Good news with the stuck pixels. The only issue I had with either online or retail is that they can fall back on that old 'a few dead or stuck pixels is acceptable' lark! I guess I am looking for a returns accepted without having to lie about the reason - if you did find a pixel or two staring at you and forever white!

Cheers for the reply.

 

[hishat]

if u purchase ur mpb from PC world...get the performance package...£9.99 a month...covers u for absolutely everything! except stolen/lost....i think its a bargain...as my macbook is a month old...and i already got the screen replaced...screen would have atleast cost me £160! so i think of it as 16months of cover for free...what do u think?

 

[MagicWok]

LOL

imo - I would stay as far away from PCWorld if I were you.

Their staff know squat and almost all their products are overpriced. Grrr. Their support sucks too. My girlfriend bought a pc laptop from them. One month later, the logic board/motherboard on it fried. Took it back wanting to get it repaired asap as it was used for work, expecting this tenner every month that's being spent should expidite matters.

First guy we took it to at their repair desk was a complete moron. He never made eye contact, and kept trying to turn the thing on thinking he'd have the magic touch. Despite telling him I've tried to turn it on for two days straight using various methods. Kept asking him questions, I just got shrugged shoulders. Anyway, we asked to have it repaired, he meekly said it would be something like £110. Fair to say, I was a bit pissed off at this point.

lol Stay away if you know what's good for you. I kept thinking whilst at their "repair & help centre" - I wish I could be Apple Care for this laptop PC. lol

 

[hishat]

LOL

i think you just have bad luck...my laptop screen cracked...rang up pc performance...told them it had cracked...they arranged to come and collect my laptop. 1 week later...wollah...my macbook is delivered back to me...it would have taken 3days but postal strike elongated the process..

the nice thing about pc performance is that if you report more than three errors (at different intervals) with your laptop. they replace it with the same model. and if its discontinued they replace it with the current model if not vouchers are sent to refund the cost of your laptop.

all my mac's and PEECEE's are insured..never had a problem...at the end of the day...its your call...

im jus giving you advice...even if it is frowned upon by some members here

 

[michaelmac]

Hi there, thanks for the advice about PC World. Worthy of a quick look (not a fan of them with the limited knowledge they usually display) and the Performance Package leaves a lot of gaps for Mac's:-

Benefits include -
NEW! Data Backup* free 1GB storage
NEW! Data Recovery* worth £99.99
Software telephone support (PC Laptop Only)
NEW! Online training
Onsite repair service for PC's - Courier Collectinon service for Laptops
Unlimited Repairs
Replacement product if cannot be fixed
Breakdown due to Mishap (unless qualifies for instant replacement)
Worldwide protection
Annual healthcheck worth £49.99 (PC Laptop Only)
*Exludes Apple Macs

So, you loose 4 of the benefits because it is a Mac. This leaves Telephone "support" and a basic accidental damage insurance (most household policies cover this if you name the laptop on your policy). I would think twice before gifting PC World £120 per year on this and opt for the Applecare which will work out cheaper.

As to the original topic I don't think the PC World option would cover a stuck pixel as most manufacturers say 5-6 etc., is within design spec.

Thanks anyway for the advice - much appreciated.

For me it is great to see so few comments about dead pixels anyway as this, hopefully, proves the manufacturing process has improved to the poit that this is a rarity.

Best wishes

Mike

 

[emotion]

Nevermind the pixels the bottom 1/3 being yellow is a much bigger worry.

I've had two screens on my brand new MBP and both (Samsungs) have had this problem.

It's in for repair again.

I'm not impressed.