Macbook Pro. It's going back and so am I.

[desenso]

Trust me, I'd want to be a fanboy before a troll. I just feel like I've been let down by a girl I spent all my school years lusting over.

Sorry that you decided to return it. Promise us that you'll delete this account and not troll the forums though, please.

 

[Sesshi]

I'd actually be really curious to see some real repair vs sales figures. We'd obviously need Apple; HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Sony might be good bases for comparison.

The one that's bandied about a few times on this forum is completely misleading, but I think it's very unlikely you'll see such figures on a reliable level. For actual validity they'd have to be broken down by product line as well.

 

[Rustman]

Sorry that you decided to return it. Promise us that you'll delete this account and not troll the forums though, please.

Not sure what you mean by troll. I've been lurking a loooonng time. Mainly in the Mac Pro forums though.

Any dissent I have for Apple currently will gradually ease. I don't bear grudges unless of course the next machine Apple provides me with is also a lemon.

 

[crkfc]

i've never had a machine arrive DOA or with any problems. for what it's worth, here's my list of apple products that have arrived and run their life without major problems:

Mac SE/30
Mac Portable
The Dreadful PowerBook 5300 and 1400
PowerMac 6100/66, G3 (B&W), G4 (PCI Graphics)
iMac 333mhz (blueberry), 15" Flat Panel G4 (2x), 1.8ghz 17in G5 (rev B), Al. C2D 20" (about a month old now)
iBook 12" G3
MacBook Pro LED (just arrived. here's to a long and healthy life!)

The machines that arrived fine but had problems (all fixed under AppleCare or original warranty):
iMac G5 20" (rev A)
TiBook 550mhz
AlBook 1.25ghz (2x once for a crack in the casing near the screen and once for a heat sensor issue)
AlBook 1.5ghz (RAM slot)

So, I wouldn't say I've been "lucky" in terms of Apple products. We've had our share of issues with them, my dad mostly with his PowerBooks but everything at least got to use OK, except for my iMac G5 that went "missing" during shipping. They had to overnight me another one. We've had similar experiences with lots of other manufacturers (not computer makers though, since we've been 100% Apple since the dawning of time). The kinds of problems we've all read about just happen sometimes. You occasionally get a "bad" one. There's a difference between a company that makes bad products and getting a bad product from a company. I think the OP's situation is the latter. If you don't think this MBP is worth another shot, that's understandable. I went through hell just trying to order mine (try paying with 2 credit cards and a gift card. Apple doesn't like that) but I have to say, I couldn't be happier (right now). If you're keeping a tally of good vs. bad experiences, mark one up on the good side.

P.S. Example of company that makes bad products: Olevia. Buy a Panisonic.

 

[0sX Le0p4rD]

I love my MBP. I'm forced to use XP at school and it's slow and buggy. I never have problems with OSX.

 

[Cybergypsy]

I found the screen not my taste and went back to the macbook

 

[Neutral Gamer]

I found the screen not to my taste and went back to the macbook

May I ask why you didn't like the screen on the MBP? Did you have yellowing issues or was it just personal preference?

I love mine, it's so sharp and when you've got enough light the glossy display really comes to life with content like photos for example. I prefer it to the Macbooks I've seen in store, although calibration may have had something to do with it!

 

[island]

Why? You could just as easily have had a replacement machine, one that was fine. Instead, you get a bad one, write the entire production run off as inadequate and come here to complain... and now you're back at square one.

I don't see a problem with him coming here to tell his side of the story. Not everything from Apple is perfect.

 

[djejrejk]

Agreed.

Seriously mate you should have at least given Apple a second chance - what did you have to lose? If the second turned out to have problems as well then fair enough at least you tried.

Every company, no matter how good they are, will inevitably end up making the odd defective product. Just cos you had problems with the last one doesn't mean the next one will do; you were just unlucky. There are many people out there, including myself, with perfectly working Macbook Pro's. You could still be one of us by trying again!

If you really are that paranoid about getting a defective product why don't you just go directly to an Apple store or authourised retailer, buy it, open it up there and then and if there's any problems they can replace it STRAIGHT away. Problem solved.

Come on, you said the whole Vista - Leopard issue drove you over to the Mac side. Yet as soon as you have a problem you seem perfectly content to go straight back to the Windows world. Aren't you even gonna put up a fight? Or maybe subconsciously you never wanted to "cross over" in the first place ...

Well said... Apple is not perfect

 

[Blue Velvet]

I don't see a problem with him coming here to tell his side of the story. Not everything from Apple is perfect.

No-one said everything from Apple is perfect, least of all me. I've had problems with Apple products before, most recently an Airport Express which I returned and replaced for a good one, no drama at all.

In fact, I believe the OP had his hopes set far too high in hyperbolically stating that "thinking that my switch from the dark side would be a near epiphany moment" and that, "I just feel like I've been let down by a girl I spent all my school years lusting over."

Most reasonable people, given any product from any manufacturer, if offered a replacement and a refund of £70 (approx $140) would take the offer first, instead of declining and then coming to a forum to a) condemn an entire product range on the basis of one sample and b) make a dramatic announcement about going back to Windows, which they later dispel by saying that they're going to get a Mac anyway.

Smacks of grandstanding and attention-seeking, rather than a genuine search for a machine that works. I have small problems with some of our work machines; I don't expect to find redress or even comfort here, I'll find it at Apple.

By the way, I have a MBP 17" 2.33 at home. Works and functions perfectly, but then I use my machines for work, not as some glorified and theoretical object of lust.

 

[Neutral Gamer]

...but then I use my machines for work, not as some glorified and theoretical object of lust.

You're definitely not a guy then ...

 

[CalBoy]

The one that's bandied about a few times on this forum is completely misleading, but I think it's very unlikely you'll see such figures on a reliable level. For actual validity they'd have to be broken down by product line as well.

I know which one you're talking about; the "customer satisfaction" one that only implies that Apple consumers complain less than their PC counterparts.

In any case, I'm willing to be sympathetic, but as BV says, the OP hasn't really given Apple a fair shake. If this was his third mbp, maybe he'd have a more legitimate leg to stand on.

 

[solvs]

If you spent £1200 on an apple, bit down and it tasted of lemon, wouldn't you feel inclined to choose another grocer?

No, not at all. Nothing is perfect, you expected too much. I'd return the fruit. If they hassled me for awhile and gave me nothing, then I'd never return. If every fruit I'd tasted had been bad, but their other offerings were better, I'd still buy there, but would avoid their fruit. If every other place I went to was just as bad, I'd find alternatives, or even accept the least reprehensible. If they offered me another piece of fruit, even if it wasn't perfect, if I felt it was apt, I'd accept it. If they offered a partial refund and a replacement, and the replacement was good, I would want to shop their in the future.

For the record, I'm not saying Apple is perfect at all. Some will be bad, it happens. I would have taken the replacement. My MBP works great, as does my MP. I've had issues with them, as well as other Macs, but I've had far worse luck with PCs. I also work with Macs, and in the hundreds I've deployed, only a few have had issues.

You expected far more than reality dictated, were disappointed with the results, were offered a partial refund and a replacement, but expected the worst and sent it back. That's fine I guess, but it doesn't make sense to me. Especially since you're just going to get another later, possibly even a lesser, but cheaper model. I think bv put it best though. Here's hoping you come back when you get the new one and you're not as hyped about it so you won't be so disappointed.

 

[AVR2]

Smacks of grandstanding and attention-seeking, rather than a genuine search for a machine that works

Yes, I'm afraid that's how it came across to me as well. Who turns down a replacement *and* a refund? Lots of companies would only offer the replacement.

My revision A MBP 17" (2.16GHz) has worked like the proverbial charm for the last year. Am I just staggeringly lucky? Of course not; the overwhelming majority of MBPs work perfectly.

Some people are going to be unlucky and get the ones that don't, and that applies whether you're buying Apple or Dell or Acer or Lenovo or whatever - and of course, the people with the ones that don't work are obviously going to whine loudly about it on forums like this one.

 

[Sesshi]

I know which one you're talking about; the "customer satisfaction" one that only implies that Apple consumers complain less than their PC counterparts.

In any case, I'm willing to be sympathetic, but as BV says, the OP hasn't really given Apple a fair shake. If this was his third mbp, maybe he'd have a more legitimate leg to stand on.

It's funny, because you can say exactly the same thing for BV and in fact anyone else with one machine voicing an opinion. She has had one apparently decent Macbook Pro. A catchment area of one either way is as valid or invalid if you're making a positive or negative assumption.

It is however fair to say given my experience that you are currently far more likely to encounter an Apple lemon than a price-comparable Dell / HP / Lenovo or Sony, especially at the 'Pro' level. It's just that the Applezombies seem to be more forgiving. A deal-killer defect to someone like me used to actual quality equipment is mentioned only in passing in many posts here.

To me, a good computing platform is how good the hardware is in terms of build quality and facilitating everyday usage in a reliable and versatile manner with the applications I've chosen, and how well the chosen applications work on the platform a a whole. Also it's about how well it's supported should it break and it's also about buying many and not finding them broken on a regular basis. It is not about how cool the OS looks or how seamless the cases appear. I appreciate design, but only if it doesn't come at the expense of other more important attributes. I realise some people have different priorities.

 

[Blue Velvet]

To me, a good computing platform is how good the hardware is in terms of build quality and facilitating everyday usage in a reliable and versatile manner with the applications I've chosen, and how well the chosen applications work on the platform a a whole.

Agreed, which is why I use a Mac for the applications that aren't really a matter of choice in my trade. And what's more, the platform is so easy to configure that even I can make a good stab at supporting our setup while still being creative and hitting my deadlines. Horses for courses and all that...

Mind you, I didn't buy my laptop because it was portable, so maybe I'd feel different about it if it got moved and carried about everywhere, and subjected to a bit more wear and tear. It's just a desktop replacement for me, primarily because of its size.

I'm not even that interested in how it looks, up to a point. I think it's unnecessarily demeaning to tar all Mac users with the same brush... she says, typing this on a Dell before turning back to the real work computer.

 

[robbieduncan]

Mind you, I didn't buy my laptop because it was portable, so maybe I'd feel different about it if it got moved and carried about everywhere, and subjected to a bit more wear and tear. It's just a desktop replacement for me, primarily because of its size.

I've had my MBP since they were available in the UK (so around 20 months I guess). I'm not going to say it's been 100% perfect, it's not been, but after 20 months of daily usage, a lot of portable usage (it's been to Australia 3 times for a start) it's still going strong. It still works as well as the day I got it. The only issues I have had: 2 new (free) batteries, some of the keys have scratched badly (thumb nails seem to have scratched off the paint) and very occasionally it does the high pitched whining thing. In fact this is my 4th Apple laptop, 2nd Pro level one and all have worked perfectly from day 1...

 

[sysiphus]

I can't help but agree that Apple's QC, and even just their standards in general, seem to have gone down in the last couple years...the first sign to me was the cheap materials used when the G3 iBooks transitioned to the "opaque" look. I'd written that off as a fluke until the release of the Macbook Pro; in the mean time I'd bought (and was thrilled with) a Powermac G5. The initial run of issues with the MBP was pathetic in the sense of how many problems there were with the 2000+USD computers, perhaps excusable since it was a new product line. The Macbooks just don't do it, though. The plastics are cheap, the edges rough/imprecise out of the box (in the 2 examples bought by my family, as well as what I observe in the Apple store demo units). Now, it seems that the new iMac screens are hit or miss (gradient issue), the MBPs are as well (bad screens...I'll write off the minor warping that can occur; it's a simple result of heating/cooling a very thin aluminum shell over and over...). All the QC related issues are not Apple's fault directly, per say, since AAPL hasn't manufactured hardware in house for many years. That said, the Apple logo is on it, so the same higher standards of old should be applied, IMHO.
I'd still buy a Mac if I had it to do over again today. I'd still have passed on my G5 to my parents and encouraged them to buy a Cinema Display. I'd still have bought an iPhone, and encouraged my sister to do the same, then helped her pick out an iMac this past week. Apple still has the best product on the market overall, but for the the only real killer reason anymore is the software. So far as hardware is concerned, I'd rather have a mid to high end Thinkpad than a MBP/MB, if build quality was all that mattered. As it stands, I feel fortunate that I bought a Macbook Pro in a relatively good time, after all the Core Duo issues were worked out, but before the current set of issues existed. In short, I can't help but feel that Apple doesn't represent the same level of quality as it used to, but still remains the best overall option...to the OP, I'd have given Apple a chance to replace the machine; mistakes happen whether you're buying an Apple computer, a 747 jetliner, or virtually anything else out there...but due to a general decline in Apple's product line recently, I can also understand why you'd have little faith in them.

 

[Blue Velvet]

...but after 20 months of daily usage, a lot of portable usage (it's been to Australia 3 times for a start) it's still going strong...

I didn't mention that I have problems carrying the 17" around for any length of time. In its bag, it is rather heavy after more than 10 minutes of lugging it around.

Still, there we go. Plenty of people get good Macs. Some don't, and those who don't, generally try to get a replacement with, usually, some success.

 

[Tshapi]

you ask the question, why apple hasn't fixed the yellowing issue on the current MBP?

Apple offers Matte verses Glossy. here r my theories. ( i own the MB)

we look at it from our perspective, but look at it from theirs.

Ratios, MBP with yellowing screens versus MBPs with non yellowing screens. if apple sells millions of 15 inch MBP's and less than a hundred thousand have this issue, then apple sees it as cheaper to ship u a new one and sell the old one refurbed than to fix the screen issue.

also apple makes many electronics, consider the possibility that these bad screens are part of a contract apple had to agree to in order to get something else at a cheaper price. for ex. apple signed a contract accepting theses screens in exchange for a cost break on the Back lit LED for ex. apple can't replace these screens in that instance.

I personally think it is option number one, the pro's out weight the con's

apple has calculated that the screen problems are a minority in the screen population so it is more cost effective for them to sell the defective computer, and if it is exchanged or returned, fix it and resell it, that to actually fix the issues.

After all people pay $2000 dollars or higher for a MBP.

lets break this down, a MB black 2.2 costs $1499 or so

i mention this, because right now the lower 15 and the 13 2,2, both us SR 2.2 ALSO all the computers use the same 160 HDD AND THE SAME RAM,

NOT to mention a lot of little stuff that we don't see like the ports that come on both are the same, the chipsets are the same the mother boards are the same right now (minus the intergrated graphics) the super drives are the same.

i know theres a lot of bto's, but my point is that i am sure apple pays between 1000 and 1500 for a standard 15 MBP (THIS IS JUST A GUESS) AND YOU PAY 2000 AND UP. YOU DO THE MATH. IF YOU WERE MAKING THAT TYPE OF Profit per machine, and you sold millions of units and less than 100,000 came back hardware defective i.e. yellowing screen on average. how would you handle it?

 

[chedda]

Alarm Bells

I was quite confident now was a good time to make a purchase. Particularly as we reach the end of the product cycle i assumed all the problems would be ironed out this worked fine for my powerbook which i bought just as they were ending. Now i am hoping the yellowing issue is only with the led displays which are relatively new and not the 17 high res version ? Has there been reports of the 17" having display issues ? (caution Will Robinson)

 

[Jalu]

It is however fair to say given my experience that you are currently far more likely to encounter an Apple lemon than a price-comparable Dell / HP / Lenovo or Sony, especially at the 'Pro' level. It's just that the Applezombies seem to be more forgiving.

Honestly, I think in reality the opposite is true: Apple buyers tend to be perfectionists and very unforgiving to even small defects. They have somewhat of a point: Macs aren't cheap products so a good quality may be expected. However, writing a laptop of because of small cosmetical issues is something that PC manufacturers are not very familiar with.

There is no equivalent in the PC world for a Macbook Pro. Period. Even the most expensive pro laptops look like toys compared to the aluminium Macbook Pros. And that seems to bother almost nobody.

The yellowish hue of the 15.4" LED backlighted screens is a real problem though, which should be addressed if the problem is really as serious as some claim. A forum is not a representative depiction of reality, so I'd be curious to find out if the problem is really as widespread as some claim.

 

[Sesshi]

I was quite confident now was a good time to make a purchase. Particularly as we reach the end of the product cycle i assumed all the problems would be ironed out this worked fine for my powerbook which i bought just as they were ending. Now i am hoping the yellowing issue is only with the led displays which are relatively new and not the 17 high res version ? Has there been reports of the 17" having display issues ? (caution Will Robinson)

So did I. I bought a 2.33 17" a week before it was superceded by the Santa Rosa model - i.e. about as late as you can buy a machine in it's particular cycle, and I was somewhat hopeful I would get a 'good' one. This has had so far a battery issue, a latch problem, slight drooping which is I'm sure was a factor in the latch issue, heat issues, the same crap wireless as all the others, etc.

However the display on the 17" on both the Core and Core 2 models have not exhibited anywhere near the same issues for me, and certainly no major colour issues although I've had 'patchy' 17" machines, and from what I've read I have no reason to suspect that my forthcoming 'HD' 17" will be as potentially problematic as the 15"s.

Interestingly an HP I had - two actually, which used ostensively exactly the same panel as the 17" MBP at the time did not exhibit the backlighting issue that was mentioned here quite frequently (and I also experienced with my own MBPs) to the same degree. I'd have to say also it was that (all-plastic) HP which was almost a direct clone of an MBP in terms of platform and general specs which really turned me on to the inadequacy of Apple's engineering on the MBP to start with, once I started poking around. What was it that Steve said about other people getting Apple's rejects? I wonder if he meant to say that the other way around.

I'm not even that interested in how it looks, up to a point. I think it's unnecessarily demeaning to tar all Mac users with the same brush... she says, typing this on a Dell before turning back to the real work computer.

That presumably comes from someone unfamiliar with a Precision, and comparing Apples with... well, grapes...?
Sez Sesshi, regressing a year

 

[eenu]

sorry i have just stopped laughing at the OP's first post. Is this for real? Whilst i don't disagree with the fact that Apple's QC is in the gutter.... having had 5 macbooks before taking a refund and having the Apple VC involved I still have to question the OPs motives. Despite my poor experiance with the Macbook i haven't left apple or the OSX platform. Why?

Simply because i don't want to use windows or a pc.... You couldn't have been that bothered if you had one machine and didn't even accept a second plus £70!! Seriously i actually think you are stupid to have not accepted that offer! As has been said to you before, there are lemons out there but the case is Apple will keep sending you machines until you get one your happy with. One thing i have never faulted apple for is their customer service and the willing to replace without much questioning.

I hate to say it but to be honest i care very little for your sob story when you haven't really given Apple the chance to give you another machine and clearly aren't that bothered about moving to the platform.

 

[Blue Velvet]

That presumably comes from someone unfamiliar with a Precision, and comparing Apples with... well, grapes...?
Sez Sesshi, regressing a year

Can a Precision run my apps and my utilities on OS X? Do those utilities even exist for Windows? No.

Can I use it without running anti-malware apps? Do Macs have a registry to go haywire? Regressing is good, as long as we can have a laugh about it.