U.S. built MBP Vs. China built!!!???

[92GTA]

I just went to order a MBP, (my company is Apple certified) and Apple now has a brand new P/N (I don't want to post it yet, NOTHING shows on google or their site) that is listed as "TRADE COMP" and has the exact same price. I called and they said that the new P/N was for a U.S. built MBP and the old/current P/N was for the China built MBP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone have details on this? This purchase is actually for myself. The new P/N starts with a "K" not an "M" and they are not shipping as of today but will be!!! A Google and search of Apple.com reveal not a SINGLE hit as of this post. *Note* this new P/N is NOT the "D" revision, it's something totally different but specs and cost are EXACTLY the same!

Anyone? Bueler? Is it possible they changed OEM's to ensure better quality because of the issues they were having?

EDIT: Can a MOD please change MPB to MBP in the topic title, thanks lol.

 

[caveman_uk]

I would be surprised as Apple uses Taiwanese companies like quanta and asus to make it's notebooks. I haven't heard of Apple making any of it computers outside of the far east for quite some time - except the Powermacs which are 'assembled' in the west (Ireland or the US depending on market).

To be honest there's nothing special about manufacturing in the west. If your QC is rubbish you can build crappy computers anywhere-the US, Europe or China - all can build utter tat given the chance. Irrrational dislike of Chinese stuff is just being xenophobic.

 

[portent]

Maybe it's a separate CKD order for government customers that don't allow foreign sourcing? Just speculating. It may be that Apple has changed contract manufacturers regarding the quality issues. Or maybe QC is now being done stateside, before units are packaged and shipped, to catch defects that weren't being caught at the factory.

I've never heard of a 'K' part number. Have there ever been any new Macs without an 'M' P/N? (I know refurbed machines have an 'F' P/N.)

FWIW, I have a 12" PowerBook, from China, with excellent fit-and-finish and reliability.

 

[grabberslasher]

Possibly they're manufacturing MBPs at the Sacramento plant now as well as Shanghai? That could be the answer.

 

[92GTA]

No it's definantly not government. Here is the product description for the current MBP and the description for the new one below it:

MA464LL/A - Apple MacBook Pro - Core Duo 2 GHz - RAM 1 GB - HD 100 GB - 583 Available $2,248.85
KA46*LL/A - MACBOOK PRO CD/2.0 1GB 100GB 15IN OSX TRADE COMP - Check ETA $2,248.85

MA463LL/A - Apple MacBook Pro - Core Duo 1.83 GHz - RAM 512 MB - HD 80 GB - 820 Available $1,798.88
KA46*LL/A - MACBOOK PRO CD/1.83 512M 80GB 15IN OSX TRADE COMP - Check ETA $1,798.88

Just for the record, I have nothing against products made in the far east.

 

[caveman_uk]

No it's definantly not government. Here is the product description for the current MBP and the description for the new one below it:

Apple MacBook Pro - Core Duo 2 GHz - RAM 1 GB - HD 100 GB - 583 Available $2,248.85
MACBOOK PRO CD/2.0 1GB 100GB 15IN OSX TRADE COMP - Check ETA $2,248.85

Apple MacBook Pro - Core Duo 1.83 GHz - RAM 512 MB - HD 80 GB - 820 Available $1,798.88
MACBOOK PRO CD/1.83 512M 80GB 15IN OSX TRADE COMP - Check ETA $1,798.88

The specs for 'the new one' are for the base model and the 'current' one is the model above. They're different specs. There's nothing unusual in the specs.

Besides both quanta and asus are very well respected OEMs in Taiwan. They are not 2 cent fly-by-night operations. I seriously doubt a US company could do much better.

 

[Chaszmyr]

My MBP shipped from China, and my friend's Intel iMac did as well.

 

[92GTA]

The specs for 'the new one' are for the base model and the 'current' one is the model above. They're different specs. There's nothing unusual in the specs.

??? They look the same too me? Maybe you are reading my post wrong? The top 2 are the 2.0 model, the bottom 2 are the 1.83. Of each model, the top is the old P/N and the bottom is the new....

EDIT: I added P/N's to my original post to make it more readable for you.

 

[Icedog]

Could it have something to do with this?

http://thinksecret.com/news/0603briefly3.html

Apple readying new serial number format

Apple will roll out a new serial number scheme for hardware products in May, sources have disclosed. All Apple hardware components, from iMacs to iPods to iSights, will sport a new 18 digit numeric serial number. Current Apple hardware features 11 digit alphanumeric serial numbers. Sub-assembly parts, such as optical drives and logic boards, will move from the current 12 alphanumeric character serial number scheme to a 17 alphanumeric character one.

Apple says it is implementing the change to accommodate continued growth and scalability. Customers will be unaffected by the serial number change, although today's Apple serial number decoding tools will surely need to be updated.

 

[92GTA]

Hmmm, I don't think so. They were very specific in saying that it was because they were U.S. built models. I don't see how that would effect serial #'s.

I'm positve that it has to do with quality in some way because I can't imagine it being cheaper for them to simply begin making them here. I mean even if they were built abroad and QC'd here, they still can't just say they were built here. Maybe Intel has something to do with it?

 

[generik]

Can someone buy one of these K models and see if it says made in the US of A?

 

[superbovine]

Hmmm, I don't think so. They were very specific in saying that it was because they were U.S. built models. I don't see how that would effect serial #'s.

I'm positve that it has to do with quality in some way because I can't imagine it being cheaper for them to simply begin making them here. I mean even if they were built abroad and QC'd here, they still can't just say they were built here. Maybe Intel has something to do with it?

your logic is flawed. they wouldn't price them different their margins would just be less in theory. Apple wouldn't compete with themselves to make less money from themselves. what quality difference could there be? They are assembled with the same parts which are made in Asia, so you basically judging on how well people can use a screw driver between the US and China. I assume the plants use some type of quality standard like ISO 9001 to assure quality.

 

[generik]

They are assembled with the same parts which are made in Asia, so you basically judging on how well people can use a screw driver between the US and China. I assume the plants use some type of quality standard like ISO 9001 to assure quality.

Surely the Americans are more talented at welding screwdrivers?

 

[toothpaste]

I just went to order a MBP, (my company is Apple certified) and Apple now has a brand new P/N (I don't want to post it yet, NOTHING shows on google or their site) that is listed as "TRADE COMP" and has the exact same price. I called and they said that the new P/N was for a U.S. built MBP and the old/current P/N was for the China built MBP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone have details on this? This purchase is actually for myself. The new P/N starts with a "K" not an "M" and they are not shipping as of today but will be!!! A Google and search of Apple.com reveal not a SINGLE hit as of this post. *Note* this new P/N is NOT the "D" revision, it's something totally different but specs and cost are EXACTLY the same!

Anyone? Bueler? Is it possible they changed OEM's to ensure better quality because of the issues they were having?

EDIT: Can a MOD please change MPB to MBP in the topic title, thanks lol.

Does it really matter where the laptop was assembled?

 

[bah-bah'd]

Irrrational dislike of Chinese stuff is just being xenophobic.

Don't you mean Chinophobic?

 

[sk1985]

Does it really matter where the laptop was assembled?

Actually it does. At least to me. I try to buy American made goods as much as possible. I have nothing against the orient, but I'd buy an American made product over ANY foreign made product.

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

Sometimes the foreign made are better.

 

[bah-bah'd]

Actually it does. At least to me. I try to buy American made goods as much as possible. I have nothing against the orient, but I'd buy an American made product over ANY foreign made product.

Me to; except for cars, knives, porcelain, lacquer-ware, power tools, suits, shoes, home applianaces and cheese...

I stopped buying american when I realized most american companies are capitalist opprotunists who really don't care who makes the sub-par crap you buy just because it is 5-15% less than what is sitting next to it on the shelf. I buy American when I want something disposable.

 

[jefhatfield]

your logic is flawed. they wouldn't price them different their margins would just be less in theory. Apple wouldn't compete with themselves to make less money from themselves. what quality difference could there be? They are assembled with the same parts which are made in Asia, so you basically judging on how well people can use a screw driver between the US and China. I assume the plants use some type of quality standard like ISO 9001 to assure quality.

lmao

we here in america can use a screw driver better than anybodys out theres

and the rest of this world can go to hell...as i pull out my flag and assualt rifle

 

[jefhatfield]

Actually it does. At least to me. I try to buy American made goods as much as possible. I have nothing against the orient, but I'd buy an American made product over ANY foreign made product.

oh, it does...and what do you know about computer manufacturing??

maybe you just don't like "orientals"

 

[jefhatfield]

Don't you mean Chinophobic?

it could be that they don't like china because

...they are communist

and

they plan to take over apple inc and use it as a staging ground for the invasion of america

maybe the chinese macs are spying on the good ole usa

i am scared, those commies are back...oh noooo!

 

[superbovine]

lmao

we here in america can use a screw driver better than anybodys out theres

and the rest of this world can go to hell...as i pull out my flag and assualt rifle

ahhhhhhh noooo anything but the assualt rifle!

 

[yg17]

Actually it does. At least to me. I try to buy American made goods as much as possible. I have nothing against the orient, but I'd buy an American made product over ANY foreign made product.

Because the american cars are so much more reliable than Hondas and Toyotas

 

[generik]

Because the american cars are so much more reliable than Hondas and Toyotas

I know BS when I read it

Ford cars reliable?! Cats chase after dogs! Felons put police behind bars! Women date men! Curry tastes sweet!

 

[mojohanna]

Can someone buy one of these K models and see if it says made in the US of A?

I would all but stake my life on Apple NOT manufacturing in the US.