Flickring MacBook Pro - should it stay or go

[robertc]

I am stuck in the middle of a tough decision with a flickering MacBook Pro-

Send the baby back to the reseller, and swap it for a new one?

Or, to Apple for a screen fix?

It's perfect, aside from the screen.

Is anybody pondering the same question?

 

[showtime]

What kind of flickering is it?

 

[mbp657]

You paid over $2000 for a laptop that has flickring screen and now you are trying to force yourself to keep it? send it back and get another one.

 

[docc]

Send it back to the reseller for a replacement. You spent good money on this notebook and there is no reason for you to accept mediocrity. Also consider what the turnaround time for each of these will be and keep in mind the possibility that the replacement might have a similar problem too. I think its a faulty batch and Apple needs to send some of its people down to the manufacturing plant to assist in working out the kinks. Until then, its just a matter of luck (isn't it always ).

 

[Nor*Cal]

I am stuck in the middle of a tough decision with a flickering MacBook Pro-

Send the baby back to the reseller, and swap it for a new one?

Or, to Apple for a screen fix?

It's perfect, aside from the screen.

Is anybody pondering the same question?

don't hesitate to send it back

 

[xpovos]

don't hesitate to send it back

Seriously. Having spent that much money on the machine, will you ever be able to be truly satisfied with it this way? It's bothering you already; what happens when the "honeymoon" is over?

Edit: I should have read more closely. You intend to get it fixed on way or another, but you're wondering the best way. Should you gamble on an exchange unit which may have an even worse problem? Or should you just get it fixed because it's otherwise perfect?

That's a tough one. Did you buy it online or in-store? If in-store, I say exchange it. And if the new one is messed up in any way, exchange THAT one. And keep bugging them until you get one that's right.

If bought online, I would be torn but would probably opt for a repair---although I would have a really bitter taste in my mouth for a long time to come, having to send in a brand new product for repair on a right-out-of-the-box defect.

 

[robertc]

The flicker is a pulsating, flickr - I could describe it, but this video on youtube explains it all, watch?v=20-NEgXUk5o - check out the one on the right.

I noticed it very strongly on the first startup - and then always with three bars from the brightest setting, most notable in Aperture.

The reseller is offering to replace it - so I should send it back then?

 

[xpovos]

The flicker is a pulsating, flickr - I could describe it, but this video on youtube explains it all, watch?v=20-NEgXUk5o - check out the one on the right.

I noticed it very strongly on the first startup - and then always with three bars from the brightest setting, most notable in Aperture.

I don't want to send the MBP back, but I don't want the flickering? What should I do?

If you don't already know, find out if this happens on AC power, battery, or both. The 15" C2D MBP I'm using to write this reply had an absolutely terrible flicker out of the box. (I know this isn't the same hardware, but still.) I quickly discovered that it only happened when the laptop was plugged in. No flicker on battery power. I replaced the cheap surge protector I was using with a quality battery backup and have never seen it flicker since then. This was about 8 months ago.

And if it happens both ways, trust me: I feel your pain. Having to send it back, whether for repair or replacement, just sucks any way you slice it. But what sucks more is keeping the defective unit and then slowly growing to hate it over time because you know you spent so much of your (presumably) hard-earned money on a defective product.

 

[robertc]

The flickering appears regardless if it is plugged in or not. It is from the batch in week 22. Any ideas if the latest batch also exhibits similar issues?

 

[wako]

Mine did this as well when I first took it out of the box! The following day when I was going t take it back to the Apple store IT STOPPED! Completely! I have no idea why, but I havent seen the screen flicker ever again. I bought the laptop 3 days after its release and also have a week 22.