Just an angry switcher....

[HermanTheGerman]

I have been suffering from a loud, scratching fan noise in my MBP for the last two weeks. So I called up Apple Tech Support where I was told to turn my MBP in. All this after getting really mad at two ignorant, incapable and unfriendly tech support geeks who later forwarded me to second level support; just after letting me stay on the line for 35 minutes listining to music. Keep in mind that Apple's tech support via phone is not even free over here.

There, I was accused of just being picky. By the way: I am on my fourth MBP, as two of the previous ones had really bad hardware issues (loose, skew keys, scratches or a severe frame problem - the display was wobbling; all this besides the omni-present whine and heat issues). No American or German assembly worker would have committed such a crime, so I guess you can blame that on Apple's quality control in China (which I highly doubt is even existing at all).

Thus, I got into my car and drove to the closest Apple service provider, who happens to be 80 km away (I live in Germany, in the center of Europe, everything is supposed to be close over here) from my place. The other choice would have been to arrange a pickup and wait for a 10-working-days-repair (which I cannot afford). The whole trip took me three hours (traffic, parking space issues included; the gas happens to be not inexpensive over here); all that just to turn in a two month old $ 3000 MBP (what the heck???)

The tech guy in Munich (who happened to be not affiliated with Apple, though being a licenced Apple repair agent) was more than capable, disassembling the MBP quickly and telling me that the sound was due to a rotten fan and a misfunctioning logic board (By the way: Apple has been issueing new MBP logic boards with new system restore discs for the last two weeks), which has to be replaced. Thus, I have two drive there again; in the worst case even twice (making it three times at all; which is about € 100 just for the gas).

He told me (in an angry and disappointed mood) that he has been doing his job for the last twenty years and never ever before did Apple perpetrate such low quality work. Furthermore, he stated that meanwhile every second (!) MBP is turned in with a logic board failure.

The reason for this longer article is the fact that I am so mad at Apple. I just switched, but I am annoyed beyond recognition. I purchased gadgets for about $ 4000 (see sig) and all I got is bad customer support, creating a tremendous waste of time.

If I would just have bought one of those crappy Dell plastic boxes, I would even have in-home repair service (and with Dell, these words deserve their actual meaning) or a new, immaculate notebook. Did Apple strike a camp in the desert of service?

 

[lamina]

Wow. What a horrible experience.

And to think even the AppleCare reps were being rude to you. If I were you I would be raising all hell over at Apple, which I'm sure you've contemplated.

So what's the verdict? Is the MBP #4 getting repaired?

 

[brepublican]

Gosh. Sympathies your way man. Very unlike Apple...

 

[Killyp]

It's insane, all these MBP problems. Bar the fact mine gave me a BSOD every time I tried to boot windows (just this minute ago), it's been fine...

I hope Apple get their act together for when your logic board is replaced. It sounds like they've been giving very shabby service...

Believe me dude, as a recent switcher, and long time user of PCs, it's WELL worth it!

Hang on in there, when Apple does (finally) give you a decent working MBP, it is the most beautiful machine, except maybe a DB9, or a Stuff front cover model...

Worth it in the end though!

 

[Felldownthewell]

Wow. That sucks. I'm almost wishing my MBP will die so I can have the logic board replaced to end (or at least tune down) the whine and heat. Is this newest version working out better for you?

 

[Pressure]

Wow. That sucks. I'm almost wishing my MBP will die so I can have the logic board replaced to end (or at least tune down) the whine and heat. Is this newest version working out better for you?

If you have the electric buzz from the processor and severe heat issues, you can get the logic board replaced.

I happen to have the electric buzz, screen whine and it gets pretty toasty at times. So as soon as I get my external harddrive (due August) I am sending this baby in to get the logic board replaced.

 

[DarkNetworks]

If I would just have bought one of those crappy Dell plastic boxes, I would even have in-home repair service (with Dell, the word deserves its actual meaning).

That's why I love DELL...it sucks really, i had my iBook logic board repaired twice...

 

[HermanTheGerman]

Wow. What a horrible experience.

And to think even the AppleCare reps were being rude to you. If I were you I would be raising all hell over at Apple, which I'm sure you've contemplated.

So what's the verdict? Is the MBP #4 getting repaired?

Yes, I have to head back the end of the week to turn it in. I called up Apple tonight and they even disclaim that there is a new logic board. They called it rumors.

Strange. What's wrong with you guys?

 

[Felldownthewell]

If you have the electric buzz from the processor and severe heat issues, you can get the logic board replaced.

I happen to have the electric buzz, screen whine and it gets pretty toasty at times. So as soon as I get my external harddrive (due August) I am sending this baby in to get the logic board replaced.

Thanks for letting me know...I thought that it wasn't an issue that they would repair. I called up apple a couple of hours ago and they are sending me a box...hopefully it'll be repaired when I get it back!

 

[munkees]

I too had problem with AppleCare in Germany, what I did was call Apple customer relations which for euope is in Ireland. BTW it cheaper to call them in ireland.

 

[MattyMac]

Im sorry to hear these things...stick with it though. I havent heard of many problems like this in the US..hopeully everything works out for you!

 

[citi]

I'm sorry too...but I just want to say, your screen name (HermantheGerman) is hysterical! D

 

[generik]

Gosh. Sympathies your way man. Very unlike Apple...

What is "like" Apple? Precisely this. Locked in platform, shoddy hardware.

 

[Blue Velvet]

...shoddy hardware.

Massive and highly inaccurate generalisation.

There have been plenty of Rev A issues with the laptops in particular but our dual 2.5 G5s at work are flawless and are of an extremely high build and design standard.

I don't hear many complaints about the Minis.

 

[generik]

Massive and highly inaccurate generalisation.

There have been plenty of Rev A issues with the laptops in particular but our dual 2.5 G5s at work are flawless and are of an extremely high build and design standard.

I don't hear many complaints about the Minis.

The Mini is good, sure, I can vouch for that myself.

But why is the MBP so heinous? Out of the ENTIRE Apple line there is no other model that is returns a higher margin than the MBP, so why is it that they can't seem to afford to get that one right?

 

[Blue Velvet]

...But why is the MBP so heinous? Out of the ENTIRE Apple line there is no other model that is returns a higher margin than the MBP, so why is it that they can't seem to afford to get that one right?

I suspect that it was rushed. The slow development of the Powerbooks and all the pent-up demand for speedy laptops put Apple on the back foot and they wanted to get something – anything – out there before their market in portables collapsed. Especially after the G5 debacle, in terms of a portable solution.

I will be buying a MBP, but next year when most issues have hopefully been ironed out and the specs have been bumped.

Anyway, let the buyer beware before making their purchases... there are no prizes for being on the bleeding edge in hardware, or software for that matter.

Somehow, I don't think Steve Jobs is happy about the situation either.

 

[HermanTheGerman]

Massive and highly inaccurate generalisation.

There have been plenty of Rev A issues with the laptops in particular but our dual 2.5 G5s at work are flawless and are of an extremely high build and design standard.

I don't hear many complaints about the Minis.

I had four black iPod nanos lined up in front of me a couple of weeks ago (two of mine and two of some friends of mine), all build within the same month. Now each of their displays was looking differently, whereas one of them was almost white compared to the others. If you look at Apple's profit margin (especially with the iPods), they should at least be able to get something like quality control straight.

Concerning their product design: Yes, they are far ahead of the competition.

But just take a look at the present (or MacRumor's forums): Almost 50% of the people buying a mac the last quarter were switchers. But now they have a superior OS in a piece of expensive, malfunctioning hardware. Where's the point in that? Not to mention their customer service.

Now is that a good switching campaign? I highly doubt it.

 

[generik]

There is no better way to convince why Windows is the best solution for all than for a switcher to switch and get a whole shebang of problems, then come onto support forums like MR and get hit by foaming fanboys.

 

[Blue Velvet]

...But just take a look at the present (or MacRumor's forums)...

Ah, but by the nature of this being a forum, particularly for trouble-shooting, that means the sample is skewed. Those who are happy with their machines tend not to make waves.

And to me, inconsistent displays across Nanos hardly counts as a major disaster.

 

[HermanTheGerman]

Ah, but by the nature of this being a forum, particularly for trouble-shooting, that means the sample is skewed. Those who are happy with their machines tend not to make waves.

And to me, inconsistent displays across Nanos hardly counts as a major disaster.

So what do you consider a disaster? A loud fan noise? A malfunctioning logic board emitting hot heat and strange sounds? The notebook still works, who wants to be a pedant?

I do not mind that at all to be honest, but not for $3000 bucks (or $200 likewise).

I do not buy a BMW just for the design (or sheer driving pleasure) if I am to constantly park it at the repair shop, where the staff considers me picky just because the freaking car has issues in abundance. Toyotas aren't that bad of a car either, they too drive smoothly and yet they are half price.

 

[Blue Velvet]

So what do you consider a disaster? A loud fan noise? A malfunctioning logic board emitting hot heat and strange sounds? The notebook still works, who wants to be a pedant?

Don't talk to me about loud fan noises. I bought a dual 1.4 G4 for home in 2002 and within 6 months felt forced to replace every fan bar one with a 200+ Euro fankit from Verax just to get a bit of peace and quiet... sure, it was extremely annoying but not a disaster.

If I'd had the choice then I wouldn't have bought this machine, but I needed a Mac at the time to do work at home so I bought the best specced machine I could get. Within 4-5 months, the G5s were released...

However, I still have had exceptional service from this machine and it's still going strong. I have no regrets about buying this Mac at all and never would have contemplated buying a PC in a million years.

Obviously, a malfunctioning logic board is different but if it's within warranty then it will be replaced.

I come back to my earlier point that ultimately it is your responsibility to do your research before you buy something this expensive... personally, I would never have bought a Rev A Intel portable Mac unless I really needed it. Then again, I do spend a lot of time on this forum and knew of the reports that were coming in.

You're perfectly entitled to be annoyed but I draw a distinction between malfunctioning (i.e. broken) and shaky build quality.

 

[hulugu]

So what do you consider a disaster? A loud fan noise? A malfunctioning logic board emitting hot heat and strange sounds? The notebook still works, who wants to be a pedant?

I do not mind that at all to be honest, but not for $3000 bucks (or $200 likewise).

I do not buy a BMW just for the design (or sheer driving pleasure) if I am to constantly park it at the repair shop, where the staff considers me picky just because the freaking car has issues in abundance. Toyotas aren't that bad of a car either, they too drive smoothly and yet they are half price.

Yes, but Blue Velvet's point remains, if you peruse a (insert product here) forum you will find people discussing problems and if you used this as a sample set you would be led to believe that every manufactured product comes with serious design flaws. This isn't to defend Apple, but to point out that using MacRumors as a survey for problems with the MacBook Pros isn't going to tell you if the problem is limited or widespread.
Go look at a Toyota forum and you'll find complaints about road noise, brakes, and overheating engines. Go look at a BMW site and read about the horror of Chris Bangle's designs and malfunctioning wiring.

There is no better way to convince why Windows is the best solution for all than for a switcher to switch and get a whole shebang of problems, then come onto support forums like MR and get hit by foaming fanboys.

The Foaming Fanboy (fanbois foamis lunaticus) is actually a rare sight in the MacRumors region, having being mostly hunted to extinction by the Reasonable Fan or Thoughtful Poster. However, the myth of roving bands of the Fanboy continue to this day, even as threads such as this are completely devoid of such a creature. However, the great region of Windows support forums, as well as the Gamers forums teem with a cousin of such creatures.
I suspect that having seen an aroused or grumpy Reasonable Fan you might have mistaken it for the Foaming Fanboy, which is a mistake made by many a novice.

 

[celebrian23]

I feel your pain. Almost everyday some new problem I didn't have the day before crops up. I knew it wouldn't be perfect, but I was prepared for the normal problems. I said oh that other stuff, that's just a vocal minority- I'm not so sure anymore. I'm bringing it into the apple store this weekend. bleh. Tech support hasn't been so great for me either- they keep on telling me everything is normal. Grrr....

 

[generik]

Yes, but Blue Velvet's point remains, if you peruse a (insert product here) forum you will find people discussing problems and if you used this as a sample set you would be led to believe that every manufactured product comes with serious design flaws. This isn't to defend Apple, but to point out that using MacRumors as a survey for problems with the MacBook Pros isn't going to tell you if the problem is limited or widespread.
Go look at a Toyota forum and you'll find complaints about road noise, brakes, and overheating engines. Go look at a BMW site and read about the horror of Chris Bangle's designs and malfunctioning wiring.

How many of these other forumers have gone through a total of FOUR toyotas? Or BMWs? What are the odds that any good systems exists if someone can get 4 duds in a row?

Likewise what are the odds that Apple decided that the flaws fall way under the perceptiveness of Dell switchovers and that it is better for the figures to cut corners and boost the margins a little.

 

[HermanTheGerman]

Don't talk to me about loud fan noises. I bought a dual 1.4 G4 for home in 2002 and within 6 months felt forced to replace every fan bar one with a 200+ Euro fankit from Verax just to get a bit of peace and quiet... sure, it was extremely annoying but not a disaster.

If I'd had the choice then I wouldn't have bought this machine, but I needed a Mac at the time to do work at home so I bought the best specced machine I could get. Within 4-5 months, the G5s were released...

However, I still have had exceptional service from this machine and it's still going strong. I have no regrets about buying this Mac at all and never would have contemplated buying a PC in a million years.

Obviously, a malfunctioning logic board is different but if it's within warranty then it will be replaced.

I come back to my earlier point that ultimately it is your responsibility to do your research before you buy something this expensive... personally, I would never have bought a Rev A Intel portable Mac unless I really needed it. Then again, I do spend a lot of time on this forum and knew of the reports that were coming in.

You're perfectly entitled to be annoyed but I draw a distinction between malfunctioning (i.e. broken) and shaky build quality.

Well, I was in the same boat as you were back then: I had to buy it. In fact, I did fulfill my responsibility to do some research on my own though (I have been lurking MacRumors for five years). Other than that, I do understand that there is no product line without issues, the percentage of them with Apple's MBP is just bursting my used horizon.

But: It is the way Apple handles its customers' complaints that outrages me. They can be pretty cocky and ignorant. Never before I was told that I am picky and never before I was told everthing is fine with a particular product (whereas it's loaded with malfunctions). Frankly, they deny obvious faults they have committed.

It's fine to committ a mistake, if you stick by it. Apple makes me look like a complete idiot for buying their products and me standing in the rain with $ 3000 bucks less though.

Before anybody gets to jump into my face for making this statement: There are also nice and compassionate Apple employees out there; and yes, I got to know them.