Macbook Pro piece of junk rant

[lucius]

I got a new Macbook Pro 4 months ago, as an insurance replacement after a house break-in deprived me of my Powerbook. The new machine was a 2.16GHz Core Duo (original, not 2). At first I thought this was an amazing machine, super fast in comparison with my old Powerbook G4. However, in 4 short months the following things have become evident to me:

1. It gets as a hot as hell and I don't see why I should have to manually tweak the fans on a £1500 machine. Jives (Jobs and Ives) should think their designs through a little more thoroughly.

2. The case has started to warp and buckle, just above the sleep light on the front of the case. Also, the eject key has warped so that it sticks out at a jaunty angle. This concerns me as my old Powerbook started to warp after a couple of years such that I had difficulty getting CDs in and out of the drive. Apparently history is repeating itself much faster.

3. As of about 3 days ago, putting CDs or DVDs into the laptop causes the most awful racket. It seems to still play films and accept data CDs but when I put a blank DVD into the machine it eventually spits it out again. Great.

I'm basically fed up with the build quality on Apple laptops. My wife has an Intel Mac Mini which is a great, reliable bit of kit. The same cannot be said for my MBP. It has a flimsy, poorly designed feel to it that I find really disappointing.

I love OS X, I hate having to use Windows or Linux on the desktop. Howerver, I wish I could run OS X on a laptop that was more reliable and resilient. Apple laptops are like stage props, they look good on films and TV shows but they are of little use in "real life".

 

[nesbitt_a]

1. It gets as a hot as hell and I don't see why I should have to manually tweak the fans on a £1500 machine. Jives (Jobs and Ives) should think their designs through a little more thoroughly.

Its not easy cooling processors in a 1inch enclosure.

2. The case has started to warp and buckle, just above the sleep light on the front of the case. Also, the eject key has warped so that it sticks out at a jaunty angle. This concerns me as my old Powerbook started to warp after a couple of years such that I had difficulty getting CDs in and out of the drive. Apparently history is repeating itself much faster.

3. As of about 3 days ago, putting CDs or DVDs into the laptop causes the most awful racket. It seems to still play films and accept data CDs but when I put a blank DVD into the machine it eventually spits it out again. Great.

I'm basically fed up with the build quality on Apple laptops. My wife has an Intel Mac Mini which is a great, reliable bit of kit. The same cannot be said for my MBP. It has a flimsy, poorly designed feel to it that I find really disappointing.

I love OS X, I hate having to use Windows or Linux on the desktop. Howerver, I wish I could run OS X on a laptop that was more reliable and resilient. Apple laptops are like stage props, they look good on films and TV shows but they are of little use in "real life".

If you're not happy, contact Apple - they'll do their best to sort any problems out for you.

 

[Queso]

Hmm...my PB12" begs to differ on the stage props comment, although I've been sitting out the Intel transition for several reasons, the past heat issues with Intel chips being one.

Yours is under warranty. Are you close enough to Meadowhall for a Genius Bar visit? You may be able to get the thing replaced.

 

[lucius]

I never had a 12" PB (mate did) but I did have a titanium PB for a couple of years. That was tough although the paint did start to peel after a while.

I'm closer to the Trafford Centre. I've been trying to book in there but the slots are pretty anti-social for people who don't work next door or within 2 miles. I will push for it to be repaired and then probably sell it.

Its not easy cooling processors in a 1inch enclosure.

I suppose my challenge to Apple would be then, don't build a 1" thick machine. Maybe the novelty (5 years of Apple purchasing now) has worn off or maybe I'm just too much of a techie but I would really appreciate a laptop that was capable of being an actual portable machine rather that warps and boils. As I said, its OS X that does it for me, not the shiny computers.

 

[nesbitt_a]

Its not easy cooling processors in a 1inch enclosure.

I suppose my challenge to Apple would be then, don't build a 1" thick machine. Maybe the novelty (5 years of Apple purchasing now) has worn off or maybe I'm just too much of a techie but I would really appreciate a laptop that was capable of being an actual portable machine rather that warps and boils. As I said, its OS X that does it for me, not the shiny computers.

I agree there - but they are oh so shiny!

 

[other]

As I said, its OS X that does it for me, not the shiny computers.

Exactly. My MacBook's CPU gets so hot that it underclocks itself when it's used. So, I payed for a computer with a 2 GHz CPU, only not to be able to use it. Why didn't they just ship it with a 1.67 GHz CPU, since that's what it underclocks itself to? But my biggest problem is that it whines. I'm going crazy over it. It's annoying as hell.

 

[SMM]

I think your title sums it up nicely, "....rant". I upgraded my PM 17" for a MBP 17" and find them comparable, except the MBP is faster, has a nicer display, has better features and is generally just a more evolved version of what was already a great machine. So, I have to rate your post

 

[Quboid]

The OP is very serious about his problems with that MBP. And so far all the complains have been comming from the laptops.
Thats pretty scary. I want to upgrade to a MBP (someday ) but i dont like the sound of this.

Does anyone have similar isssues with the new newer models?

 

[michaelsaxon]

My Macbook Pro also has the slight warping to the eject key. I'm not experiencing those other things though. It does get warmer than my Macbook did, but not so much that it is warping.

Next time I'm around the Apple Store I'm going to show it to them and see if there is something that they can do.

 

[jedib0p]

I had alot of similar problems as the OP on my mbp.

Extreme heat, high pitched whine, crooked keyboard keys, poor quality case. The case was so bad that it creaked like a loose floorboard on 40% of the unit. I was pretty unhappy.

Apple support completely fixed everything though. I spoke with someone in customer relations after a couple of attempts at fixing these issues and she replaced my unit with a brand new C2D mbp.

The new mbp is just amazing. The difference in cooling is night and day. The case is extremely well built. I'm just so thrilled with the support and this new mbp.

If you are really unhappy I encourage you to speak with Applecare about a replacement.

 

[lucius]

I think your title sums it up nicely, "....rant". I upgraded my PM 17" for a MBP 17" and find them comparable, except the MBP is faster, has a nicer display, has better features and is generally just a more evolved version of what was already a great machine. So, I have to rate your post

I'm glad you've had a better experience than me. I've never had one of the 17" machines. This one is a 15", the last one was a 15" Powerbook and the one before that was a Titanium 15". I've always recommended Apple to other people, in terms of the OS and the free iLife suite. That said, I'm massively cheesed off that this 4 month old machine has a case that's started to buckle and warp so obviously. I did some trawling on Google and I am not alone in this experience.

 

[26139]

Uh...

I love OS X, I hate having to use Windows or Linux on the desktop. Howerver, I wish I could run OS X on a laptop that was more reliable and resilient. Apple laptops are like stage props, they look good on films and TV shows but they are of little use in "real life".

Then why did you buy one? You're obviously covered under Applecare, so instead of wasting your time whining you could TAKE IT IN.

 

[lucius]

I had alot of similar problems as the OP on my mbp.

Extreme heat, high pitched whine, crooked keyboard keys, poor quality case. The case was so bad that it creaked like a loose floorboard on 40% of the unit. I was pretty unhappy.

Apple support completely fixed everything though. I spoke with someone in customer relations after a couple of attempts at fixing these issues and she replaced my unit with a brand new C2D mbp.

The new mbp is just amazing. The difference in cooling is night and day. The case is extremely well built. I'm just so thrilled with the support and this new mbp.

If you are really unhappy I encourage you to speak with Applecare about a replacement.

Do I have to fork out the hundreds of pounds for Applecare then or will they address these issues under the standard 12 month warrenty?

 

[Gosh]

Just tweak the fans! Give it a chance to breath!

In my opinion they let the fans run too low - in the name of hearing aesthetics!

They allow the internal temps to get to high before the fans power up!

http://www.lobotomo.com/products/FanControl/

Seems to work and comes with uninstall instructions if you don't like it (suggest 2500/2700 rpm and set then temps "say" 40/70degC).

I would get yours checked out though!

 

[Daveway]

I'm positive that most of the OP problems have been fixed in the C2D version of the MBP, so these are not problems plaguing the entire mbp line.

 

[lucius]

Then why did you buy one? You're obviously covered under Applecare, so instead of wasting your time whining you could TAKE IT IN.

I don't have Applecare. I will take it in however, I just wanted to vent my spleen a bit. Apple seem to make the same mistakes over and over, its a shame they don't learn.

 

[Quboid]

I don't have Applecare. I will take it in however, I just wanted to vent my spleen a bit. Apple seem to make the same mistakes over and over, its a shame they don't learn.

You are really efficient at crying down apple....

please, i beg. DONOT go to the store with that attitude

 

[iW00t]

My machine never warps and buckles. You must have been abusing yours.

 

[jedib0p]

Do I have to fork out the hundreds of pounds for Applecare then or will they address these issues under the standard 12 month warrenty?

I'm not completely sure but I don't think any phone reps are allowed to assist you if you are over the 3months of default phone support.

You can take it to an Apple Store or Authorized repair center though under the 1 year warranty.

I bought the Applecare protection for the piece of mind and I will buy it again on my next notebook from apple.

 

[lucius]

You are really efficient at crying down apple....

please, i beg. DONOT go to the store with that attitude

Don't get me wrong, I believe in OS X - I use it on every possible occasion. I really wish I didn't have to use Windows or (VMWare) Linux at work. I also think Apple have been a great company in terms of pursuing a strong vertical position with good products. As I said earlier, my wife's Mac Mini is an amazing little device. I have also loved every single iPod I have owned in the last 5 years. However, Apple seem to have real problems with producing durable laptops. This is not just a blip or a one off for me. A quick Google reveals this has been a long-running problem for Apple.

I'm not completely sure but I don't think any phone reps are allowed to assist you if you are over the 3months of default phone support.

You can take it to an Apple Store or Authorized repair center though under the 1 year warranty.

I bought the Applecare protection for the piece of mind and I will buy it again on my next notebook from apple.

Yeah I think you might be right. I did buy a Dixons cover on a previous laptop (bought it from Dixons because it was an insurance replacement). Wasn't sure if the Applecare covered accidents and what not though.

 

[other]

My machine never warps and buckles. You must have been abusing yours.

What a great conclusion.

 

[lucius]

My machine never warps and buckles. You must have been abusing yours.

Yes, right, by abusing it you must mean gently placing it in my Crumpler laptop bag, gently putting in on my desk or gently putting it on the dining room table. What an abusive laptop owner I am. Practically extreme laptopping. That was sarcasm by the way (never sure if sarcasm travels well around the world).

 

[other]

I'm not completely sure but I don't think any phone reps are allowed to assist you if you are over the 3months of default phone support.

Honestly, that can't be true, can it? What the hell am I supposed to do if my MacBook breaks down after more than three months? There are no Apple Stores in my country.

 

[erkanasu]

I agree with the OP!, the machine looks great, but many other laptops I have had have been MORE reliable ( even my old DELL! ). Not only that, I have been very dissatisfied with the genius bar workers the quality of repair( e.g. I gave them my laptop to replace the lcd inverter cable, They gave my MBP back to me with DENTS in the casing, they took it back and replaced the case, BUT THEN gave it back to me with the bottom case bulging out with the superdrive unable to eject cds!. I have been a pissed off apple user lately.

 

[e12a]

My friend's CD MBP has warping above the latch. Looks hideous.