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return the macbook or change the drive? UPDATE: APPLE IS GREAT!

W

worldvsvenkman

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 16, 2007
3
0
...so i'm one of the people that bought a macbook (last wednesday) and then saw that they were upgraded. the processor upgrade isn't that big of a deal to me, but the HD update is. i have the 80 gig, and i almost upgraded mine when i ordered it, but decided not to. now, i talked to the guys at the applestore, and they said i can return mine, pay the 10% restocking fee, and get the newer model macbook (the white 120gb model).
b/c of my edu discount, the swap would run me about 120 or so, or i could pick up a new HD and change it myself, but i've read that if i do that, i can kiss my warranty goodbye.
any advice? thanks!

EDIT: Check my last post.
 
Just return it.

PROTIP: You won't lose your warranty unless you break it while installing the new drive.

Too slow mad jew. :rolleyes:
 
worldvsvenkman said:
...so i'm one of the people that bought a macbook (last wednesday) and then saw that they were upgraded. the processor upgrade isn't that big of a deal to me, but the HD update is. i have the 80 gig, and i almost upgraded mine when i ordered it, but decided not to. now, i talked to the guys at the applestore, and they said i can return mine, pay the 10% restocking fee, and get the newer model macbook (the white 120gb model).
b/c of my edu discount, the swap would run me about 120 or so, or i could pick up a new HD and change it myself, but i've read that if i do that, i can kiss my warranty goodbye.
any advice? thanks!
Click to expand...

fwiw, for 120$ you can easely get a 160gb @ 5400rpm hard drive and install yourself :D
 
you're also forfeiting the faster (slightly) cpu and faster super drive. if the cost to upgrade the hard drive is the same as returning and buying again, maybe it might be worth it to get a new macbook.
 
Eidorian said:
PROTIP: You won't lose your warranty unless you break it while installing the new drive.
Click to expand...

EXACTLY! If you have issues later on down the line with another component, you just swap your original hard drive back in..."what, I didn't replace that" And seriously, easiest hard drive to replace EVER.

Personally, if I had bought a unit a few days before they released the upgraded models, I'd just hit AppleStore with the customer-from-hell routine (you gotta stay calm, that's the only thing -- and I say this as someone who used to work in management at a very large consumer electronic chain) and basically demand that they give me a new machine -- no restocking fee. Unless it was BTO...if it was BTO, I'd still consider paying the $120, but if it was spec, I'd seriously just really, really push for a replacement.
 
siurpeeman said:
you're also forfeiting the faster (slightly) cpu and faster super drive. if the cost to upgrade the hard drive is the same as returning and buying again, maybe it might be worth it to get a new macbook.
Click to expand...

I agree with siurpeeman - if it's the same price to just upgrade your HD as it is to just get a brand new machine altogether, definitely go the latter route.

Also, just FYI, depending on the manager working, you can often get restocking fees waived if you're insistant - especially if you're just turning around and giving them the money back. It's worth an ask, anyways.
 
thanks for all the advice! sorry it took me so long to get back on here.
so i went to the store, cash in my wallet to throw down for the new machine.
i just go up to the counter and say, "hey, i've got this macbook that i bought barely a week ago & was one of the lucky ones to buy right before the update." i was in good spirits about it - that kind of sounds like a jerk thing to say, but i was laughing and the clerk laughed, too. he told me to hold on a second & got someone else to come up with one of the new models.
they inspected my old macbook, made sure everything was there. asked for my license to be sure i was who i claimed to be.
scanned the label on my old box, scanned the one on the new box. i was keeping my wallet out so i could hand them the cash. imagine my surprise when the clerk handed me my license and the new macbook, two receipts, and said "you're good to go. have a nice afternoon."
:eek:
yep, that's right. i didn't have to even ask - i didn't get the chance to, haha. they replaced the macbook with the new version for no cost whatsoever. no hassles. it took me longer to walk from the t station to the store than it did for the exchange.
this is my first mac, and so far, apple has made me a believer.:apple:

sorry for the long post - i guess i'm just excited, haha. :D
 
worldvsvenkman said:
thanks for all the advice! sorry it took me so long to get back on here.
so i went to the store, cash in my wallet to throw down for the new machine.
i just go up to the counter and say, "hey, i've got this macbook that i bought barely a week ago & was one of the lucky ones to buy right before the update." i was in good spirits about it - that kind of sounds like a jerk thing to say, but i was laughing and the clerk laughed, too. he told me to hold on a second & got someone else to come up with one of the new models.
they inspected my old macbook, made sure everything was there. asked for my license to be sure i was who i claimed to be.
scanned the label on my old box, scanned the one on the new box. i was keeping my wallet out so i could hand them the cash. imagine my surprise when the clerk handed me my license and the new macbook, two receipts, and said "you're good to go. have a nice afternoon."
:eek:
yep, that's right. i didn't have to even ask - i didn't get the chance to, haha. they replaced the macbook with the new version for no cost whatsoever. no hassles. it took me longer to walk from the t station to the store than it did for the exchange.
this is my first mac, and so far, apple has made me a believer.:apple:

sorry for the long post - i guess i'm just excited, haha. :D
Click to expand...

Congrats! Yep - that is the way it should have been handled!!!
 
i'm not surprised. i've returned things to the apple store without having to pay the restocking fee. it really is at the discretion of the manager, and my experiences with them have generally been positive.
 
I can only commend the staff at apple stores, not that I have ever really talked to them myself, but they always sort my mum out and she enjoys her trips down there with her computer troubles, she is a total technophobe (nightmare, I dont have the patience to handle her ALL the time ;) )

This isnt really all that related to the op but there was a time when there were many crappy resellers in the uk so I am very happy to have proper apple stores here now and my mum is too!

Good job with the replacement macbook, I bet you had a big smile on your face!
 
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