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Warning to would-be iPad buyers!

P

procyonx86

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 25, 2008
30
0
A warning to potential iPad buyers everywhere (but especially in Asia):

First, if you live in a country where the iPad has not been officially launched yet, do NOT go out of your way to purchase an iPad from another country. Apple limits hardware support for a product to countries in which it has launched said product, so if your iPad acts up, you will have no choice but to send it to a country where iPad hardware support exists. And no, you will not be able to drop it off at a local Apple Store/Apple Authorized Service Provider and have them send it.

Second, if you do decide to go ahead and buy one, make sure you check it for dead pixels before you leave the store. Ask the store employees to connect your iPad to the internet, and download some solid-color images such as the ones here. Bring along a magnifying glass if necessary. If you find a dead pixel, demand a replacement at once.

Finally, check the screen for yellow tint. Again, using your internet-connected iPad, download one of Snow Leopard's default wallpapers (this, for example). Compare the output to that of any other mac on display, preferably a Macbook Pro. Why a Macbook Pro? Because they use TN LCD screens, while the iPad uses an IPS one, which should be superior.

Don't make the same mistakes I did and become Apple's latest sucker to beta-test their $700 hardware in a country where the iPad hasn't launched.

iPad. Now with magical dead pixels and yellow screens!
 
Agreed. I definitely recommend the magnifying glass. If you can't see it without one, you will still want to know it's there. Hopefully this thread will help save others.
 
Koodauw said:
Agreed. I definitely recommend the magnifying glass. If you can't see it without one, you will still want to know it's there. Hopefully this thread will help save others.
Click to expand...

Really? Why? If you can't see something and it doesn't bother you, then why bother? Seriously, I think it's consumers like you who drive up the cost of the product with your OCD and other compulsions. If something is obviously not working, then cool... get it replaced. But otherwise, get on with your life.

And to the OP: just because you are checking in the store doesn't make you safe. You can't check a machine THEN buy it if it's okay. Checking it in the store is the same thing as taking it home and checking it... you can still return it if you have a legitimate complaint. Walking out of the store is NOT going to change a thing. Oh, and having one pixel out is NOT a legitimate complaint unless it's in the middle of the screen. The only reason to check something in the store is to save a trip back IF there is a major issue and need a quick replacement.

Seriously, do you think Apple is going to let you open continuous boxes until you find the perfect machine? Especially when you are standing over in the corner with your magnifying glass?

OzExige said:
OMG :eek:

thank you, thank you, thank you!
Click to expand...

Serious or sarcasm? Answer carefully.
 
THX1139 said:
Really? Why? If you can't see something and it doesn't bother you, then why bother? Seriously, I think it's consumers like you who drive up the cost of the product with your OCD and other compulsions. If something is obviously not working, then cool... get it replaced. But otherwise, get on with your life.

And to the OP: just because you are checking in the store doesn't make you safe. You can't check a machine THEN buy it if it's okay. Checking it in the store is the same thing as taking it home and checking it... you can still return it if you have a legitimate complaint. Walking out of the store is NOT going to change a thing. Oh, and having one pixel out is NOT a legitimate complaint unless it's in the middle of the screen. The only reason to check something in the store is to save a trip back IF there is a major issue and need a quick replacement.

Seriously, do you think Apple is going to let you open continuous boxes until you find the perfect machine? Especially when you are standing over in the corner with your magnifying glass? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I think Koodauw was being sarcastic.
 
THX1139 said:
Really? Why? If you can't see something and it doesn't bother you, then why bother? Seriously, I think it's consumers like you who drive up the cost of the product with your OCD and other compulsions. If something is obviously not working, then cool... get it replaced. But otherwise, get on with your life.

And to the OP: just because you are checking in the store doesn't make you safe. You can't check a machine THEN buy it if it's okay. Checking it in the store is the same thing as taking it home and checking it... you can still return it if you have a legitimate complaint. Walking out of the store is NOT going to change a thing. Oh, and having one pixel out is NOT a legitimate complaint unless it's in the middle of the screen. The only reason to check something in the store is to save a trip back IF there is a major issue and need a quick replacement.

Seriously, do you think Apple is going to let you open continuous boxes until you find the perfect machine? Especially when you are standing over in the corner with your magnifying glass?
Click to expand...

So paying $700 for a product doesn't entitle me to a reasonably working unit? My MBP isn't perfect, but if its fans start wailing or if its keyboard starts vibrating? I've had 6 Apple laptops without any dead pixels, why can't I get an iPad without a dead pixel? And what about the yellow tint on a supposedly superior LCD type?

Where exactly did I claim that Apple was "forcing" me to beta-test their gear? I have wanted an iPad since its launch, and since there was no release schedule for my country, I decided to buy one from the US. My past experiences with Apple led me to believe that it would not be an issue. Why should it? I've bought THREE Powerbooks before in the same manner, and they were serviced properly here (that was back in 1990s). So yeah, I was surprised to learn that they actually had such limitations on hardware support. Apparently one feature of douchebags is the tendency to mark others with their own label.

Tobster3 said:
Which country are you in?
Click to expand...
Indonesia.
 
I had the yellow 'splotches' problem on my original iPad, after living with it for about half a month I got ****** with the idea of not doing anything about it, took it into an apple store and they replaced it on the spot (no applecare).

Obviously anecdotal, ymmv, but if you're experiencing this problem you might as well give it a shot!
 
You'd have a valid complaint if the iPad was available in your country and they didn't let you replace it.

Didn't you realise the risks involved when you bought from overseas?
 
I'm sorry to hear about your iPad experience, but i'm glad you're going out of your way to warn potential customers in foreign countries :)

+10 internets to you ;)
 
@colmaclean:
Read my reply to shen above. I've had three US-purchased powerbooks serviced in the past, when Apple had yet to have any authorized resellers/service providers in Indonesia, so I was under the impression that "buy overseas, get it serviced here" was a given.

@yayitsezekiel:
That was my intention. Apparently some people misconstrued the self-deprecating jab near the end of my first post as a form of nerdrage toward Apple.

As for the magnifying glass, I'm actually quite serious about it. It will help determine whether a speck on the screen is a dead pixel or dust on the back of the screen. It will also help you to argue with store personnel who pull out the "one subpixel anomaly is acceptable" card on you, by showing that 1 pixel = 3 subpixels, and that dark speck on the screen may be more than a single pixel. Yes, we're talking subpixels here, because that's what Apple's talking about.
 
procyonx86 said:
@colmaclean:
Read my reply to shen above. I've had three US-purchased powerbooks serviced in the past, when Apple had yet to have any authorized resellers/service providers in Indonesia, so I was under the impression that "buy overseas, get it serviced here" was a given.
Click to expand...

Actually if you go read, laptops are one of the few things that do have an international warranty with apple. Just for future reference....
 
Since you bought yours from somewhere not in your country, why not take it back for a replacement? One dead pixel isn't anything to worry about, if you know the LCD manufacturing process, you know that a few pixels isn't anything. But if you had a whole group of pixels or 5+ then you have a right for an exchange. Nothing is effect but if the imperfection is big enough, Apple will give you a replacement. All you had said in your OP is that Apple won't give you support in an area that they said they don't give support. If you read that closely, you will notice that you made the mistake, not Apple. It's not Apple faults that your country doesn't have a store or reseller. They cant open stores in every single country in the world all at once, they first have to start in bigger countries then trickle down to smaller countries. So its your fault, no one pulled a fast one on you or denied you support that you were entitled to. You just want support that wasn't entitled to you, in your country where Apple doesn't have support. Your fault.
 
TraceyS/FL said:
Actually if you go read, laptops are one of the few things that do have an international warranty with apple. Just for future reference....
Click to expand...

Yeah, for future reference, here's Apple's page on Warranties, particularly their Limited Warranty for the iPad.

SnowLeopard2008 said:
Since you bought yours from somewhere not in your country, why not take it back for a replacement? One dead pixel isn't anything to worry about, if you know the LCD manufacturing process, you know that a few pixels isn't anything. But if you had a whole group of pixels or 5+ then you have a right for an exchange. Nothing is effect but if the imperfection is big enough, Apple will give you a replacement. All you had said in your OP is that Apple won't give you support in an area that they said they don't give support. If you read that closely, you will notice that you made the mistake, not Apple. It's not Apple faults that your country doesn't have a store or reseller. They cant open stores in every single country in the world all at once, they first have to start in bigger countries then trickle down to smaller countries. So its your fault, no one pulled a fast one on you or denied you support that you were entitled to. You just want support that wasn't entitled to you, in your country where Apple doesn't have support. Your fault.
Click to expand...

One-way ticket from Jakarta, Indonesia to New York, USA: ~$2000
Replacement display for Apple iPad (WiFi-only model): ~$300
Forum poster with apparent reading comprehension issues trying to guilt trip the OP with strawman arguments: Priceless.

On a more serious note, this thread was never about how dissatisfied I am at Apple; it was made so that other people need not repeat the same mistakes I did. So yeah, I completely admit that I was at fault for not following the Customer's First Commandment of caveat emptor. That doesn't mean that I can't warn other people about it.
 
I think you can have the iPad replace in Singapore.. If you can it will be cheaper for you to go to Singapore.
 
procyonx86 said:
A warning to potential iPad buyers everywhere (but especially in Asia):

First, if you live in a country where the iPad has not been officially launched yet, do NOT go out of your way to purchase an iPad from another country. Apple limits hardware support for a product to countries in which it has launched said product, so if your iPad acts up, you will have no choice but to send it to a country where iPad hardware support exists. And no, you will not be able to drop it off at a local Apple Store/Apple Authorized Service Provider and have them send it.

Second, if you do decide to go ahead and buy one, make sure you check it for dead pixels before you leave the store. Ask the store employees to connect your iPad to the internet, and download some solid-color images such as the ones here. Bring along a magnifying glass if necessary. If you find a dead pixel, demand a replacement at once.

Finally, check the screen for yellow tint. Again, using your internet-connected iPad, download one of Snow Leopard's default wallpapers (this, for example). Compare the output to that of any other mac on display, preferably a Macbook Pro. Why a Macbook Pro? Because they use TN LCD screens, while the iPad uses an IPS one, which should be superior.

Don't make the same mistakes I did and become Apple's latest sucker to beta-test their $700 hardware in a country where the iPad hasn't launched.

iPad. Now with magical dead pixels and yellow screens!
Click to expand...


This is excellent advice!

A lot of the Apple Fan Bois on this board don't understand that product warranties and return policies are different outside of the US. In most Asian countries after you take something home you are SOL. You have to contact the manufacturer for any assistance. Instead, most merchants will let you inspect a product out of its box before you buy it.
 
procyonx86 said:
So paying $700 for a product doesn't entitle me to a reasonably working unit? My MBP isn't perfect, but if its fans start wailing or if its keyboard starts vibrating, I'm being a D-bag by taking it back? I've had 6 Apple laptops without any dead pixels, why can't I get an iPad without a dead pixel? And what about the yellow tint on a supposedly superior LCD type?

Where exactly did I claim that Apple was "forcing" me to beta-test their gear? I have wanted an iPad since its launch, and since there was no release schedule for my country, I decided to buy one from the US. My past experiences with Apple led me to believe that it would not be an issue. Why should it? I've bought THREE Powerbooks before in the same manner, and they were serviced properly here (that was back in 1990s). So yeah, I was surprised to learn that they actually had such limitations on hardware support. Apparently one feature of douchebags is the tendency to mark others with their own label.


Indonesia.
Click to expand...

procyonx86 said:
Don't make the same mistakes I did and become Apple's latest sucker to beta-test their $700 hardware in a country where the iPad hasn't launched.
Click to expand...

I see. They didn't force you to do it, they just tricked you into it.

You are tottaly entitled to a reasonably working unit and you are totally entitled to take the iPad in for servicing... in the country where it was sold. Apple is not the only company that restricts things this way.
 
OMG what am I gonna do now!

I was happy with my iPad until I got the magnifier out and now I can see every other pixel is dead (black). OMG it must be a rubbish one and now I think my life is over......

holy cow what should I do?
 

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Actually, your title "Warning to would-be iPad buyers" is extremely misleading. You should have mentioned Asia in the title or said overseas. Please be more exact with any other threads you may post so others don't waste their time.

OK...Advice given for overseas buying of iPad. Advice taken and agreed upon by some. Save bandwidth-Close thread please.

Time wasted...too much.
 
procyonx86 said:
One-way ticket from Jakarta, Indonesia to New York, USA: ~$2000
Replacement display for Apple iPad (WiFi-only model): ~$300
Forum poster with apparent reading comprehension issues trying to guilt trip the OP with strawman arguments: Priceless.

On a more serious note, this thread was never about how dissatisfied I am at Apple; it was made so that other people need not repeat the same mistakes I did. So yeah, I completely admit that I was at fault for not following the Customer's First Commandment of caveat emptor. That doesn't mean that I can't warn other people about it. If you don't care about the thread topic, or have nothing to contribute, you should refrain from commenting, lest you risk making yourself look like a complete tool.
Click to expand...

Guilt trip? All I said was that you should not expect customer support from a place that you knew beforehand that Apple doesn't offer it. No one tricked you or forced you to do anything. It was your own fault.
 
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