Official checklist when you receive your macbook

[subzozo]

There are many separate threads about what you need to do when you receive your new notebook but mostly deal with software and battery. What I want to know is what will you check your "hardware" to make sure everything is normal. For example:

1. Check your screen for dead pixel, how many ? What will be enough for returning ?
2. Check your temp, what is too hot and what is normal ?
3. HDD ?
4. Battery? 97%? 100%? What is normal and what is not ?
5. Kernel panic ? What is normal/not normal ? What will you do if it happens ?
6. Screen color ? uneven brightness ?
etc.......

Then what would be your reaction if anything above occurs ? What number to call ? Who should contact ? etc....

This would be great summary for any new owner like me. Thank you in advance

 

[kolax]

1 --
For dead pixels, there has to be a bunch clustered in the same region.

2 --
My MBP runs at around 48'C (118'F) at idle. When running demanding programs (such as games) temperature can reach 77'C (170'F). There are cracks you can download that allow you to adjust the fan rotation speed in relation to temperature. I've adjusted mine so when doing fairly heavy stuff, the temperature never reaches 60'C (140'F). [NOTE these are CPU temp's]

3 --
What about the hard drive?

4 --
The battery will charge to about 98% and then stop charging. It rarely reaches 100%. This is to prevent any overcharging to the battery. You will notice your battery life will decrease over months of use - this is normal.

5 --
Kernal panics are really rare. If you do get one, then I wouldn't worry. Will most likely be a software conflict. If you keep getting them, see if you have installed any new software that could be causing errors/conflicts. If you consistently get them then the Apple store would be the next step.

6 --
Assuming you are getting an LED back-lit display then the screen should be even brightness. The older fluorescent displays don't offer 100% brightness over all regions because of the design, though any difference in brightness over the screen should be almost unnoticeable.


This is the best forum for support if you do buy a new Mac and have problems.

 

[subzozo]

Thank you for your quick reply.
Those listed things above are the common questions I read from the forum but since this is my first mac, i don't have much experience about hardware to make sure I wont be panic and running around or posting question all over the forum? From mac owners view, anything else should be checked ? which one is the most important thing or 1st priority to check ? Thank you.

 

[munckee]

I unpacked mine last night. I gave it a once-over for blemishes (refurb, found none), stuck pixels (didn't notice any), and alignment (looks good). Did a fresh OS install to get rid of the junk (down to 6.2GB for the OS). Started playing.

Haven't checked the temp yet other than by hand (didn't feel hot after running the DVD for 30 minutes during the install).

 

[FunBoy50]

Did a fresh OS install to get rid of the junk (down to 6.2GB for the OS). Started playing.

what junk are you talking about? My PowerMac didn't ship with anything i considered junk. Alot of space is taken by GarageBand loops and samples, but i used them, what else consumes space?

I'm interested cos i'm buying an MBP this week!

 

[jorasho]

what junk are you talking about? My PowerMac didn't ship with anything i considered junk. Alot of space is taken by GarageBand loops and samples, but i used them, what else consumes space?

I'm interested cos i'm buying an MBP this week!

Languages, Printer Drivers, Demos.

 

[Dr. Boel]

The pre-installed OS contains support for all languages, help-files you might not need, demo-versions of programs and a lot of other stuff that might not be of any value to you. All this adds up to a lot of GB's. By making a clean install you get to choose what you want on your HDD.

/Boel

 

[munckee]

Languages, Printer Drivers, Demos.

Exactly. And garageband, garageband sample songs, etc. It's there if I ever decide I want it, but for the moment, I've never used GB and don't see much need to.

 

[Scarlet Fever]

i reckon do this;
1. look for dead pixels. if there are any, try unsticking them by rubbing or using a pixel unsticker
2. enjoy your computer. if anything weird happens, take it back to the shop.
3. get applecare.

 

[Illicit]

i reckon do this;
3. get applecare.

I recommend you don't do that til next year.

 

[subzozo]

I recommend you don't do that til next year.

Why is that ? I know its cheaper to get it on Ebay or somewhere else than apple but why till next year ? Beside the software checking such as formating or deleting unused app, what other "hardware" should u check ?

 

[outlandos]

There are many separate threads about what you need to do when you receive your new notebook but mostly deal with software and battery.

I'm new here and soon getting my first MBP.

Have you got a link to any of those "what to do when your new notebook just arrived" threads?

I don't even know if I first have to charge the battery or if it works right away!

Thanks,

outlandos

 

[xpovos]

First off, I know Apple's policy on dead pixels and I still say don't stand for even one dead pixel right out of the box. They can say it's "normal" all they like and that may be true, but for the premium price of these machines, I personally consider it unacceptable. Dead or stuck pixels later in the display's life cycle may or may not happen and so be it if they do, but not right out of the box. That's unacceptable.

I've argued my way out of a restocking fee because of one dead pixel. You have to be forceful while being kind at the same time, but it can happen. Seriously, others may disagree but for ~$3000 I refuse to accept a flaw right out of the box.

I've bought (and had to return) so many MacBook Pros now it isn't even funny. The MBP is the only model of Mac that has ever given me any trouble---and boy, has it! That said, I keep going back for more, because when they're good, they're sooooooooo good.

Here's what has become my personal checklist when buying a new MacBook Pro, based on past experience with quality control issues:

(1). Check lid for excessive warping before opening it. It's hard to find a MBP whose lid doesn't warp ever-so-slightly, but some are much worse than others.

(2). Set the MBP down on a flat, level surface, to be sure it sits flat and all four feet make contact with the surface. I've had two MBPs that wouldn't, due to warping of the bottom casing. One of them was only very slight, while the other made the laptop basically unusable.

(3). Open the lid and make sure it STILL sits flat on the same surface.

(4). Turn it on and check for dead pixels. They're pretty easy to see on the light grey and light blue startup screens.

(5). Once the OS is up and running, check the SuperDrive for proper operation. I've had two SuperDrives which were DOA in a MBP.

(6). Check all USB and FireWire ports for proper operation. (I've never had a bad port, though.)

(7). If possible, attach an external monitor to the DVI-out to check that it's working. Mine always have, but I personally know a few people who have had problems with this.

(8). After several hours of operation, check for battery swelling. I've had two batteries begin to swell slightly after only the first few hours of use.

(9). If possible, verify correct operation of AirPort and Bluetooth.

If it passes all that, enjoy it. If it doesn't, take it back the very next day. May sound excessive and OCD, but we spend too much money on these things to "have to live with" manufacturing defects.

My $.02.

 

[subzozo]

Wow, exactly what i would like to hear. Thank you so much
Another question, say i ordered online and if anything above happens, can I just take it to the closest Apple store? Will the local store deal with online order or should I call the Apple customer service?
And I totally agree, I should receive something worth its premium price, period.

 

[outlandos]

Wow, exactly what i would like to hear. Thank you so much
Another question, say i ordered online and if anything above happens, can I just take it to the closest Apple store? Will the local store deal with online order or should I call the Apple customer service?
And I totally agree, I should receive something worth its premium price, period.

I would like to know this too!

And do you have to charge the battery right out of the box or not?

 

[subzozo]

I would like to know this too!

And do you have to charge the battery right out of the box or not?

You can check the battery process in here http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86284

 

[outlandos]

You can check the battery process in here http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86284

1. Plug the power adapter in and fully charge your computer's battery until the battery indicator lights turn off and the adapter plug light goes from amber to green, which indicates that the battery is fully charged.
2. Disconnect the power adapter and use your iBook or PowerBook. When your battery gets low, you will see the low battery warning dialog on the screen. Continue to use your computer until it goes to sleep. At that point the battery has been sufficiently drained for calibration.
3. Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged again.

3. Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged again... does your computer has to be on then or can you just put your system off while doing that?

 

[xpovos]

I would like to know this too!

And do you have to charge the battery right out of the box or not?

The battery is mostly charged (but not completely) right out of the box. You should use it on A/C power until it gets a full charge. Then follow the calibration guidelines above.

The retail stores will deal with Genius Bar service and warranty repairs regardless of whether you bought the machine in-store or online. If a return/exchange is necessary, though, an online purchase has to be RMA'd back to Apple. I'm lucky enough to have a retail Apple store within a reasonable driving distance, and I always buy my stuff there. Given that I've had my share of problems with MBPs (although, as I mentioned before, none of my other Macs, EVER), I like knowing I can deal with someone directly and cordially to get issues resolved more quickly.

FWIW, I'm one of these "early adopters" and most of the problems I've had have been mostly eradicated in subsequent revisions. The MBP line is getting more and more solid, I'm convinced of it.