Question about MBP and the recall.

[thegreatluke]

Yeah, so I have a MBP with a serial code of 8607-.

And it has all the standard problems. Very hot to the point where I can't touch the underside, the processor whine, the screen buzz, the Wifi not automatically reconnecting after sleep, sometimes not waking up from sleep at all and requiring a restart, and some non-standard ones. (For example, my fans are pretty loud. In a quiet room, they're as loud as someone whispering loudly to you, just a duller sound, if you understand me - I hope.)

I think I'm going to do the recall. I have two questions first though.
a) The RAM door underneath the MBP is dented. If you have it upside-down with the hinge facing towards you, the dent is on the closest side on the right side of the door. I don't think it's noticable unless you feel it or you look at the right angle, but if someone repairs it, they'd probably notice it.
b) Are they replacing the MBP's or just fixing them? Honestly, I'd rather have it replaced so the RAM door is fixed and this way I have a clean install of OS X - also, no waiting time would be nice.

While getting it fixed or replaced would be very nice, I don't want to risk my AppleCare. What do you guys think I should do?

 

[Chundles]

There is no MBP recall. Apple have just fixed up the ones they're shipping.

 

[thegreatluke]

What?

I know it's not a "recall" (don't know why I called it that) but didn't the article also state they're now fixing buzzing MBP's without saying they're "in specifications?"

Edit: Never mind, I read the part of the article where I thought was the fixing part but I think it had to do with "revised" MBP's having problems.

I'm thinking I can, though, get it replaced if I call and complain enough. It seems to be working for other MBP owners. I don't want, though, for Apple to call me and say "Oh, there was a dent in your lower case and your AppleCare is terminated. We can't replace this MBP, and you'll get your old one back in two weeks without AppleCare."

That would suck. I don't know if they'd notice though. What do you guys think I should do?

 

[yippy]

That isn't a recall, Apple is saying that some of those problems are defects. A recall they request that you exchange it even if you don't have the problem because they think you probably will.

 

[FarSide]

Very hot to the point where I can't touch the underside, the processor whine, the screen buzz, the Wifi not automatically reconnecting after sleep, sometimes not waking up from sleep at all and requiring a restart, and some non-standard ones. (For example, my fans are pretty loud. In a quiet room, they're as loud as someone whispering loudly to you, just a duller sound, if you understand me - I hope.)

Well - I would go to the next apple store or dealer (they'll try to fix it or send it to apple for you) and tell the guys about those things. I wouldn't accept such a product for sure. Maybe you don't get a new one but push them until they fix these issues. If you get it back with same problems - send it back in... this how it works. My apple dealer allways helped me...

 

[thegreatluke]

Well - I would go to the next apple store or dealer (they'll try to fix it or send it to apple for you) and tell the guys about those things. I wouldn't accept such a product for sure. Maybe you don't get a new one but push them until they fix these issues. If you get it back with same problems - send it back in... this how it works. My apple dealer allways helped me...

Thanks!

Do you think they'll take away my AppleCare if they notice the dent (first post)? If they do, do you think they'll believe me if I say the MBP came with the dent? (Which is true, BTW.)

 

[PeterKG]

Did you install 10.4.6 and the firmware update. Both these fix many of the issues you are having.

 

[Carson]

why would they cancel your apple care in the first place? You payed for it, so if your computer broke they would fix it. That's the whole point of a warranty.

 

[thegreatluke]

why would they cancel your apple care in the first place? You payed for it, so if your computer broke they would fix it. That's the whole point of a warranty.

If you read the (one-year, limited) AppleCare warranty, it doesn't cover accidental damage, which is what they'll probably think it is. If I buy three-year AppleCare (which I won't even get for 11 months), it covers accidental damage.

However, I'm not quite sure if they'll believe me that my MBP came like that. (Which is true.)

 

[skubish]

If you read the (one-year, limited) AppleCare warranty, it doesn't cover accidental damage, which is what they'll probably think it is. If I buy three-year AppleCare (which I won't even get for 11 months), it covers accidental damage.

However, I'm not quite sure if they'll believe me that my MBP came like that. (Which is true.)

If you buy applecare it doesn't cover accidental damage (like dropping it) either.

 

[generik]

If you read the (one-year, limited) AppleCare warranty, it doesn't cover accidental damage, which is what they'll probably think it is. If I buy three-year AppleCare (which I won't even get for 11 months), it covers accidental damage.

You mistaken Applecare for Dell's extended warranty program, and yes, it DOES provide cover for accidental damage, for less cost too.

It also goes to follow that Dell provides superior support for their machines, but hey.. some'd disagree

 

[thegreatluke]

You mistaken Applecare for Dell's extended warranty program, and yes, it DOES provide cover for accidental damage, for less cost too.

It also goes to follow that Dell provides superior support for their machines, but hey.. some'd disagree

I'm not really concerned about Dell's program, as I didn't and probably never will buy a Dell. AppleCare (the one-year free warranty) does not cover accidental damage.

I was really hoping to get an answer about the dent. It's really bugging me.

 

[kretzy]

Regardless of the dent, they will not take away your Applecare.

 

[FarSide]

the little dent is the smallest problem. The other problems are, as mentioned by others, known by apple and have been discussed a lot! Apple Care starts running after the first year. This has nothing to do with Apple Care at all!

PS: tell us when you get reactions from apple

 

[thegreatluke]

I didn't mean AppleCare, I meant the one-year warranty they give you.

I have heard of stories where they take away the warranty (as in one-year, not AppleCare) if the Mac was damaged.

So, I'm still on the fence. I'm thinking about calling Apple tomorrow or Sunday about it though.

Would this change anything?

 

[cjohns]

My experience is that applecare is fantastic. I lost the powercord to my iMac G5 in a move and called Apple to order a new one. They sent it to me at no charge, arriving two days after my call. Had an ibook which had a nonworking touchpad (secondary to a drink being spilled on it and no not by me). Although specifically not covered by warranty, they repaired it anyway and all it cost me was shipping. I've had other experiences too, all good. I suggest you give it a try. It also doesn't hurt to go through an Apple Store or a local certified repair center as sometimes they seem to slip stuff under the radar for you. Good luck to you with your problem.

 

[thegreatluke]

My experience is that applecare is fantastic. I lost the powercord to my iMac G5 in a move and called Apple to order a new one. They sent it to me at no charge, arriving two days after my call. Had an ibook which had a nonworking touchpad (secondary to a drink being spilled on it and no not by me). Although specifically not covered by warranty, they repaired it anyway and all it cost me was shipping. I've had other experiences too, all good. I suggest you give it a try. It also doesn't hurt to go through an Apple Store or a local certified repair center as sometimes they seem to slip stuff under the radar for you. Good luck to you with your problem.

Thanks for the response!

Was this the one-year warranty (which I mistakenly called "AppleCare") or the actual 3-year AppleCare?

I think I'm going to try tomorrow. All I really have that I don't want to give up on my HD is a couple documents and some songs (in case they replace it rather than fix it.) Hopefully they will replace it because of all the problems, because if they fix it they'll probably miss a couple.

 

[cjohns]

The iMac was under the 3 year Applecare warranty (free powercord). The ibook is a more interesting story. I bought it from Circuit city before they stopped carrying macs. It was a floor model so I got it for a really great price. Had a few (quite a few) scratches on the base from the antitheft device they used. When I took it to the apple store with the nonfunctional track pad he looked it up and found it was still under the one year warranty even though I had owned it far more than one year. The comment to me was that circuit city probably didn't get around to mailing in the sales information until some time after all of their mac units were sold and I should just let them fix it and not worry about the real purchase date (which I did). They have also been very liberal in covering the ibooks at my daughter's school including some which were run over by cars or screens broken off their hinges by not opening them properly. Of course they have an institutional contract with the school, but still... Your mileage may vary. I've only recently started buying the three year Applecare warranty for our home systems. I never buy extended warranties anywhere else but have just had such a good experience with apple. We tend to keep our units a long time (just retired a pismo powerbook and kids still use the colored imacs at home).