So my Macbook was DOA. Considering a pc now.

[hallaisen]

I took my Macbook back for repairs last week (had whine, moo, defect battery and crashed several times), and was told today that it was approved for DOA status...They're getting me a new one, but it takes 2-3 weeks. It's over 2 weeks since I bought it. I'm not taking it, I'm getting my cash back. I'm pissed off right now, and don't want to wait for 2-3 weeks to get another Macbook which might just as well be full of problems as well. This was my first experience with Apple, and even though I loved OS X it sure wasn't a good one.

Sorry for creating this worthless thread, but I needed to rant.

 

[beloved84]

sorry to hear that. i had the same problem. i learned that if you live close to a local store, have them exchange it if the problem is significant enough and don't take no as an answer.

 

[mad jew]

That sucks but it'll be worth it once you get a fully functioning machine. As you said, OSX is awesome!

 

[hallaisen]

Thanks guys. I did buy it from the local store, but they're all out of macbooks here in Norway. They have waiting lists, and I assume they put me in the back of those lists since it takes another 2-3 weeks. But with all the people having to exchange their macbooks 3-4 times I'm not sure whether I wanna go through with it. I'd be so madly annoyed if I wait for 3 weeks and get another messed up unit. I'm going over there to give them the case/charger etc later today, and then I'll try to get my money back.

 

[hvfsl]

Sorry to hear that, but there are many companies out there that are much worse.

I heard about someone who got something from Asus and it took almost 18months before he recieved it back. (and IIRC it still didn't work).

 

[lamina]

It would be really unfortunate if you lost the Mac experience to a DOA laptop. The chances of you getting 2 bad MacBooks is very slim, and if you do decide to opt for a Windows machine, you will have to deal with spyware, viruses, and instability.

I can understand the frustration of getting a bad laptop, but is it really worth it to give it all up?

 

[hallaisen]

It would be really unfortunate if you lost the Mac experience to a DOA laptop. The chances of you getting 2 bad MacBooks is very slim, and if you do decide to opt for a Windows machine, you will have to deal with spyware, viruses, and instability.

I can understand the frustration of getting a bad laptop, but is it really worth it to give it all up?

The thing is that I'm worried after reading the tons of posts here from people who have problems with their macbooks. There are people who have had to exchange their macbooks 3 or 4 times before they got one without malfunctions. It seems like the whine and the moo are commonplace issues, and I really don't want to deal with that. If they had more units in stock it wouldn't be a problem, cause then I'd get a new one today, but waiting 2-3 weeks is pushing it.

The irony of it all is that I originally ordered one straight from Apple, but got one from the local store instead since they got them in faster. The one I originally ordered came this saturday, and a friend of mine bought it from me. It works perfectly. Worst decision I've made in a looong time.

 

[gekko513]

I'm sorry about the problems you're having.

I'm just curious, where do you get the "But with all the people having to exchange their macbooks 3-4 times" from? Is it from others who have bought in Norway or is from the stories here on macrumors?
Edit: I see you've answered this while I was writing this.

The share of Mac products with problems will always seem much higher on a board like this than what it really is because those who get problems will be much more likely to ask for help or rant here than those who are happily computing away on their Macs.

Historically, the quality of Macs have been better than almost all PC brands, but no numbers are out yet for the situation now after the Intel switch has started.

It's not fun to get a unit with flaws, but it happens for all brands. If you change your mind and go for a PC, the chances of you having problems with it that need repair within a year will be in the same range as if you wait for the replacement Mac. I know that for laptops the chance was around 15% for the best brand (a small PC brand), around 17% for Apple and over 20% for all other PC brands in 2004, but I can't find a source for that now.

 

[hallaisen]

I'm sorry about the problems you're having.

I'm just curious, where do you get the "But with all the people having to exchange their macbooks 3-4 times" from? Is it from others who have bought in Norway or is from the stories here on macrumors?

The share of Mac products with problems will always seem much higher on a board like this than what it really is because those who get problems will be much more likely to ask for help or rant here than those who are happily computing away on their Macs.

Historically, the quality of Macs have been better than almost all PC brands, but no numbers are out yet for the situation now after the Intel switch has started.

It's not fun to get a unit with flaws, but it happens for all brands. If you change your mind and go for a PC, the chances of you having problems with it that need repair within a year will be in the same range as if you wait for the replacement Mac. I know that for laptops the chance was around 15% for the best brand (a small PC brand), around 17% for Apple and over 20% for all other PC brands in 2004, but I can't find a source for that now.

It's from what I've read on these boards. I've obviously been keeping a close look at this place, trying to find solutions for my issues. Obviously you're right about people coming here to complain when something's wrong, but it still seems to me like whine issues and moo issues are really normal. I had both of them on my laptop, and I doubt that I'd get a new one if these were the only troubles, seeing how Apple doesn't recognise either of them as problems.

 

[gekko513]

Yeah, the whine seems to be real risk. There was a poll about it here a while ago, wasn't there... I'll go look for it. Edit: I can't find it...

I have a MacBook Pro and it has the whine when I unplug the power cord. It's annoying, but I can live with it since I almost always use it with the power cord connected and for short periods without the cord I can use one of those apps that shuts it up. I don't have the moo, though.

By the way. If I should guess, you're from Tromsø, are you? Hallaisen, hallaisen.

 

[WinterMute]

It's always worth remembering when reading forums like these that people with problems are going to be more vocal than people without, considering Apple are shipping thousands of these new machines I'm surprised there aren't more threads.

Sure there are problems with some machines, but the majority are receiving good units that perform to spec.

I hope you hold out for another machine, it's a step worth taking and IMO a PC will cause you more trouble.

 

[hallaisen]

By the way. If I should guess, you're from Tromsø, are you? Hallaisen, hallaisen.

thanks for the advice, guys....I'm from Stavanger, gekko

Seems like maybe my best option is to get my money back and order from Apple instead, since that'll probably take a shorter time. If I do that I'll wait for the iPod Nano discount-thing to hit the Norwegian Apple Store as well. The Macbook I ordered from Apple took 10 days to get here the last time. Seems like a better option than 3 weeks from the local store here. But still, I'm scared of getting one with the whine and moo issues, cause they were driving me crazy.

Btw, gekko..do you know if there are any macbooks left in Oslo?

 

[gekko513]

I don't know if there are any left in Oslo, I'm sorry.

So you say "hallaisen" for "hello" in Stavanger like they do in Tromsø, then, or does your nick mean something else?

 

[chaosbunny]

The thing is that I'm worried after reading the tons of posts here from people who have problems with their macbooks. There are people who have had to exchange their macbooks 3 or 4 times before they got one without malfunctions. It seems like the whine and the moo are commonplace issues, and I really don't want to deal with that. If they had more units in stock it wouldn't be a problem, cause then I'd get a new one today, but waiting 2-3 weeks is pushing it.

The irony of it all is that I originally ordered one straight from Apple, but got one from the local store instead since they got them in faster. The one I originally ordered came this saturday, and a friend of mine bought it from me. It works perfectly. Worst decision I've made in a looong time.

A friend of mine bought a white macbook 2 weeks ago, and since it was her first mac I helped setting everything up/show her some tips & tricks. Her macbooks works perfectly, no moo, no heat, no whine after 5-6 hours of use. And as you said the one your friend bought from you works perfectly too. Just to show you there are not all lemons.

Don't give up because of one faulty machine. Of course your worries are understandable, but in the end you'll have a fantastic laptop that will please you for years!

 

[hallaisen]

I don't know if there are any left in Oslo, I'm sorry.

So you say "hallaisen" for "hello" in Stavanger like they do in Tromsø, then, or does your nick mean something else?

yup, it's one of the most stereotypical stavanger-things to say

 

[Southerner]

Sorry to hear about what had happened to you.

These MacBooks (hate the name) are only new and just have been released and they are only the first models - this might sounds frustrating but maybe why don't you wait a bit longer for MacBooks to be revised once Apple has addressed/solves the problems.

Or why not try to get another MacBook from somewhere else other than Apple itself and see if it does have the same problems - if it does, sorry I don't know the solution. If it doesn't - well done, it is the perfect and trouble-free MB you've got on you.

Probably by the time Rev.C or Rev.D MacBooks get released hopefully these issues will be sorted out. If you really want a MacBook and willing to wait for the problems to get sorted out - no matter how long it takes - you could get a second hand iBook or a Mac mini for the time being...

 

[hallaisen]

Just got off the phone with the store...they've been nothing but nice and helpful to me all the time, so I'm giving it another shot. He said they would put me on the list for any Macbooks that would come unexpectedly, and that he'd make the store here in Trondheim do the same. So I'm crossing my fingers for a problem-free new macbook before the end of june.

 

[mad jew]

It's always worth remembering when reading forums like these that people with problems are going to be more vocal than people without, considering Apple are shipping thousands of these new machines I'm surprised there aren't more threads.

Exactly, which is why threads like this are so comforting.

 

[BornAgainMac]

What would cause the whine? I understand the heat issue but is the whine related to a defective capacitor or other component.

 

[Timepass]

I'm sorry about the problems you're having.

I'm just curious, where do you get the "But with all the people having to exchange their macbooks 3-4 times" from? Is it from others who have bought in Norway or is from the stories here on macrumors?
Edit: I see you've answered this while I was writing this.

The share of Mac products with problems will always seem much higher on a board like this than what it really is because those who get problems will be much more likely to ask for help or rant here than those who are happily computing away on their Macs.

Historically, the quality of Macs have been better than almost all PC brands, but no numbers are out yet for the situation now after the Intel switch has started.

It's not fun to get a unit with flaws, but it happens for all brands. If you change your mind and go for a PC, the chances of you having problems with it that need repair within a year will be in the same range as if you wait for the replacement Mac. I know that for laptops the chance was around 15% for the best brand (a small PC brand), around 17% for Apple and over 20% for all other PC brands in 2004, but I can't find a source for that now.

I rememeber reading a simular artical. But from like 2002-2003 area. then apple was at 15% return rate. That not a good thing seeing them going up to 17%. But like the averager return rate for laptops across the board is about 1in5 has to be sent in for repears or replacement during it warrenty life.

 

[Music_Producer]

I have a MacBook and a MacBook Pro, and both are perfect, no whine, moos.. or other exotic sounds. In fact my MacBook (which is what I use the most, for travelling, etc) is so bloody quiet that I can't hear it at all! Except when the fans kick in, which is rare..but it seriously is so quiet.

I was quite terrified of purchasing the MB and MBP after reading all the posts here.. but I went ahead, and luckily I have had no problems. Its unfortunate that you received a unit with problems, however Apple is known for their excellent customer service and tech support, so rest assured, even if you do get a lemon, they will take care of it. And 2-3 weeks is nothing compared to how long I had to wait to have my Compaq laptop replaced!

 

[^squirrel^]

It would be really unfortunate if you lost the Mac experience to a DOA laptop. The chances of you getting 2 bad MacBooks is very slim, and if you do decide to opt for a Windows machine, you will have to deal with spyware, viruses, and instability.

I can understand the frustration of getting a bad laptop, but is it really worth it to give it all up?

There is nothing unstable about XP. Yes if you dont keep your AV up to date and run regular apps such as disk clean up then yes you'll have problems.

People who dont know how to maintain their PC are complete idiots and should probably get a mac. I'm not having a go at people here, but what i'm trying to say is, if you can be bothered to keep your PC clean and up to date then you shouldnt own a PC.

I get sick of people trying to bring XP down. I could list several things about OSX that are bad. (Incompatibility) but really i cant be bothered. Both OS's are far from perfect.

The desktop Intel macs are great, infact spot on. (Hardware wise) but the with regards to notebooks, they need to take some advise from Asus! They are running the same hardware but without all the issues.

If you fed up of being let down by Apple's poor notebooks, then take a look at what Asus are doing. The W3J and V6J are very well made!

I've been beta testing Vista and i'm very impressed with the way it operates so you'll have that to look forward to.

 

[Bakey]

There is nothing unstable about XP. Yes if you dont keep your AV up to date and run regular apps such as disk clean up then yes you'll have problems.

People who dont know how to maintain their PC are complete idiots and should probably get a mac. I'm not having a go at people here, but what i'm trying to say is, if you can be bothered to keep your PC clean and up to date then you shouldnt own a PC.

What!?! Get it together!! Sheesh...

A very bold statement saying XP isn't unstable; I have to use it everyday day in day out.

There isn't a day that goes by without something in Windows being brought down; it infuriates me no end!!

At the end of the day regardless of the level of competency of the end user they shouldn't have to install anti-spyware this, and anti-virus that -- but we don't live in a perfect world and MS have made a pretty poor job at patching up the patches. So with this you should be calling such users who don't install apps of this nature in order to maintain their PC to be naive not idiots!!!

 

[dextertangocci]

People who dont know how to maintain their PC are complete idiots and should probably get a mac. I'm not having a go at people here, but what i'm trying to say is, if you can be bothered to keep your PC clean and up to date then you shouldnt own a PC.

So why should you keep a pc clean and up to date, and have stupid anti-virus software which slows it down tremendously, and not a mac? I just think those software engineers at microsoft just can't compete with Apple's, and don't know how to be innovative!

But hey, that's just the opinion from an idiot.

 

[chaosbunny]

There is nothing unstable about XP. Yes if you dont keep your AV up to date and run regular apps such as disk clean up then yes you'll have problems.

People who dont know how to maintain their PC are complete idiots and should probably get a mac. I'm not having a go at people here, but what i'm trying to say is, if you can be bothered to keep your PC clean and up to date then you shouldnt own a PC.

I get sick of people trying to bring XP down. I could list several things about OSX that are bad. (Incompatibility) but really i cant be bothered. Both OS's are far from perfect.

The desktop Intel macs are great, infact spot on. (Hardware wise) but the with regards to notebooks, they need to take some advise from Asus! They are running the same hardware but without all the issues.

If you fed up of being let down by Apple's poor notebooks, then take a look at what Asus are doing. The W3J and V6J are very well made!

I've been beta testing Vista and i'm very impressed with the way it operates so you'll have that to look forward to.

So far I have owned 3 powerbooks, then there is this friend of mine described above with the macbook, and another friend has used various powerbook models from a 233 mhz G3 one until today. No one of us ever got a faulty one (knocks on wood). I guess you can't call Apples notebooks poor just because of reading forums like these. After all we are here to discuss problems and issues and help people who have to deal with them. But that does not mean all apple notebooks out there are bad. You think you have a 100% chance not to get a lemon if you buy an asus? lol

Apart from that you can't call people idiots who don't want/know how to deal with viruses etc. on a pc. Just because someone is not as computer savvy as you does not make him an idiot. Even a programmer I know who worked with windows for years and did everything you described and more to keep windows stable once got a virus on his machine and lost valuable data. But I'm sure this can't happen to you "Mr. Iknoweverything".

Apart from all that you may have a point though in being sick of people bashing Windows, I know it is not that bad and also know many people who live happily with it, but you just did not use appropriate words.