Macbook Experience

[DaLurker]

Whilst I really enjoy my Black Macbook and really like Mac OS X, I've had quite a few bad ones and thought I'd document it here to share with you guys.

1st Black Macbook (Core Duo):
Physical condition was perfect, screen was perfect, no mooing. There was CPU whine but I figure this is normal.
Problems: Keyboard had malfunctioning keys (replaced)
Screen developed a Buzz (Replaced with 2nd Macbook)

2nd Black Macbook (Core 2 Duo):
Physical Condition: Perfect
Problems: Screen had a smudge (inside of the LCD) on the top right hand corner, about 2-5mm across (Replaced with 3rd Macbook)

3rd Black Macbook (Core 2 Duo):
Problems: Hinge "popped" everytime I opened it and top case had scratches on the corners. (Replaced with 4th Macbook)

4th Black Macbook (Core 2 Duo):
Problem: Dead pixel after 2 days. Red is stuck on.

So while I really like the Macbooks, I'm really disappointed that I have yet to receive a perfect one. I've decided I'll keep this last one with the pixel since it seems small, I don't have the time anymore to go exchange my laptop and Yorkdale has made it clear that they're not willing to exchange my laptops anymore and will only repair it.

 

[Grakkle]

Try the pixel-massaging thing. I had a stuck pixel on mine, too, and massaging fixed it.

 

[chicagdan]

Whilst I really enjoy my Black Macbook and really like Mac OS X, I've had quite a few bad ones and thought I'd document it here to share with you guys.

1st Black Macbook (Core Duo):
Physical condition was perfect, screen was perfect, no mooing. There was CPU whine but I figure this is normal.
Problems: Keyboard had malfunctioning keys (replaced)
Screen developed a Buzz (Replaced with 2nd Macbook)

2nd Black Macbook (Core 2 Duo):
Physical Condition: Perfect
Problems: Screen had a smudge (inside of the LCD) on the top right hand corner, about 2-5mm across (Replaced with 3rd Macbook)

3rd Black Macbook (Core 2 Duo):
Problems: Hinge "popped" everytime I opened it and top case had scratches on the corners. (Replaced with 4th Macbook)

4th Black Macbook (Core 2 Duo):
Problem: Dead pixel after 2 days. Red is stuck on.

So while I really like the Macbooks, I'm really disappointed that I have yet to receive a perfect one. I've decided I'll keep this last one with the pixel since it seems small, I don't have the time anymore to go exchange my laptop and Yorkdale has made it clear that they're not willing to exchange my laptops anymore and will only repair it.

So wait a minute ... they let you exchange a Core Duo MacBook for a Core 2 Duo MacBook? Apple would never do that ... consider yourself lucky. BTW, that second defect is so idiotically small that I'm amazed you asked for a replacement (and got one.) Especially since that replacement gave you a CPU upgrade.

 

[cwedl]

Try the pixel-massaging thing. I had a stuck pixel on mine, too, and massaging fixed it.

You should be careful with pixel-messaging though because you can actually cause more dead pixels if not careful.

directions for pixel messaging

Turn off the screen.
Apply moisture to a tightly woven cloth (so not to scratch the screen).
Using a single finger behind the cloth, apply pressure to the area where the stuck pixel lies.
While still applying pressure turn the screen back on.
Remove the pressure and the stuck pixel should be gone.

I would recommend using a program that will display different colours on the screen in the hopes of getting rid of the stuck pixel.
JScreenFix - is a good program, found as a java program ( so it can run on many platforms - http://www.jscreenfix.com/

 

[DaLurker]

So wait a minute ... they let you exchange a Core Duo MacBook for a Core 2 Duo MacBook? Apple would never do that ... consider yourself lucky. BTW, that second defect is so idiotically small that I'm amazed you asked for a replacement (and got one.) Especially since that replacement gave you a CPU upgrade.

Actually I didn't have to bitch and moan either... the sales looked at it, and said yeah, that's eligible for replacement. It's about the size of 20 pixels, u won't understand unless you see it.

As for exchanging it... they didn't let me exchange it, they offered a replacement because they replaced 3 different parts of my LCD (LCD, Inverter and some sort of cable) and they said the issue still persisted.

 

[Pr0jkt]

Actually I didn't have to bitch and moan either... the sales looked at it, and said yeah, that's eligible for replacement. It's about the size of 20 pixels, u won't understand unless you see it.

As for exchanging it... they didn't let me exchange it, they offered a replacement because they replaced 3 different parts of my LCD (LCD, Inverter and some sort of cable) and they said the issue still persisted.

The same thing happened too me. I had a Core Duo macbookpro2.16GHz 100 gig hardrive 1 gig of ram. It got sent in 5 times for failed harddrives, overheating and bad logic board.

Finally Apple sent me a BRAND NEW Macbookpro Core 2 Duo 2.33GHz 120 gig harddrive and 3 Gigs of RAM!! so not only did i get a new computer I got hooked up and upgraded for free!!! I just got it last week and I'm in love with it.

 

[BlackMax]

From the description of all your replacements I'm wondering how many of them were refurbished.

Did Apple tell you they were replacing your problem MacBook with a new MacBook? If not, I would let them know it is about time they sent you a brand new MacBook.

 

[phungy]

The same thing happened too me. I had a Core Duo macbookpro2.16GHz 100 gig hardrive 1 gig of ram. It got sent in 5 times for failed harddrives, overheating and bad logic board.

Finally Apple sent me a BRAND NEW Macbookpro Core 2 Duo 2.33GHz 120 gig harddrive and 3 Gigs of RAM!! so not only did i get a new computer I got hooked up and upgraded for free!!! I just got it last week and I'm in love with it.

Lucky! I'm assuming this was still under the 1 year warranty?

 

[extraextra]

From the description of all your replacements I'm wondering how many of them were refurbished.

Did Apple tell you they were replacing your problem MacBook with a new MacBook? If not, I would let them know it is about time they sent you a brand new MacBook.

What does refurbished have anything to do with his problems? They've been checked over by Apple twice for any problems, if anything they're the LEAST likely to have problems. Refurbished doesn't mean used and abused, sorry to say.

 

[BlackMax]

What does refurbished have anything to do with his problems? They've been checked over by Apple twice for any problems, if anything they're the LEAST likely to have problems. Refurbished doesn't mean used and abused, sorry to say.

Nothing necessarily. Unless previously returned notebooks were possibly returned to the available pile as refurbished units with some of the issues overlooked.

I suppose I find it more likely that such issues (keyboard malfunction, smudge on inside of LCD, hinge popping and scratches) could slip by on refurbished units as opposed to coming off the assembly line in such condition. Also, from reading all the reports (on this forum) of issues folks have encountered with their refurbished MBPs and MBs, I would say its debatable whether refurbished units are the LEAST likely to have problems...