My macbook repair/exchange experience...

Hi, I wanted to share with everyone what happened recently. For those that don't remember p), I bought a white macbook in november from the apple online store (late 2008, intel IGP model). Unfortunately, the first two units were defective, but apple went ahead and did an express exchange and I was happy with the quality of the third unit.
A couple weeks ago, I noticed the fan started to get really noisy (usually the sign of a fan dying). It sounded a lot like when (if you did this as a kid ) you put a card on the back wheel of your bicycle to make it sound like an engine, and it would get really bad when the fan speed increased. So, I called apple, and they were more than happy to repair it, they sent me a box overnight, and I had my macbook back in three days. They fixed the fan, it was fine, but I noticed I got some strange pixelation on the lower center part of the screen, and some dark "spots" as well. I used to work on computers, and the only thing I could think that would cause that would be excessive pressure on the screen itself. Also, there were three black, sticky "splotches" on the case itself.
Back on the phone with apple, they apologized and sent me another box. I sent it out again (just this last monday). I got it back this morning, and the repair order stated they replaced the lcd, bezel and cable. Only this time, there was a dark black streak on the lower right palm rest, and the entire lower half of my screen had really dark patches on it. I cleaned it and it was still there, so obviously another defective monitor, or carelessness from the repair tech. After about a half hour on the phone with apple again, they told me to take it in to the nearest apple store and they'd go ahead and do an express exchange if it's found to be defective.
Well, I went to the apple store, and explained to them everything that happened. They looked it over and agreed to replace it, so I walked out with a brand new early 2009 macbook (with nvidia 9400 IGP). I couldn't wait to get home and turn it on, and I'm happy to report that it's flawless. *phew*
I do want to say one thing though, apple customer support has been really great throughout this whole thing, from the beginning. I'm just appalled though that their repair techs would maintain such a dirty workstation, and be so careless with other people's electronics. The genius at the bar told me though, their repair depots are contracted through apple, but are not actually a part of apple. He advised that if I have any more issues in the future to just bring it in to an apple store, and I think I'll definitely heed his advice.
+1 to Apple.

 

I'm sure that people will come in and agree with you about how great Apple support is, but if you really think about it, they wouldn't need to do those five replacements if they had good quality control/service (as you mentioned the repairman was careless) in the first place.

Just some food for thought.

 

You should ask for a unibody MBP instead
Happy to hear your story

 

Hmm...it sounds like you are just overly anal to me, no offense. I congratulate you and applaud Apple for their service.

I suppose I could complain about the light leakage on my screen and they would exchange it?

 

I can't disagree with that statement. I was reading a lot about the poor quality of the first batch or so of the new aluminum macbooks. It made me very weary, and in fact that's why I opted for the white macbook. It does say something about a company though that's willing to go the extra mile to correct a problem, even at their own expense, and that's a big plus in my book.

Overly anal about dirt and ruining a screen that wasn't caused by me, but a repair tech??? Sorry, have to disagree with you here. Light leakage, and overly dark (and I mean, excessively dark toshibadude) patches are two completely different things.

 

Nothing anal about it....

 

I doubt it was dirt...as in mud. It was probably something that could easily have been cleaned with some effort.

My car went in for service the other day. The mechanic left some oil grease on the hood. I asked for a new car because I don't know how to clean lol.

 

In anticipation of the following flamewar, unless Talin chooses not to respond.

 

I'm just poking fun. No big deal. I apologize Talin.

I just found your story funny because when you said dirt I envisioned small specks of dust or fingerprints and such. Because I have no idea of the extent of dirt, I have no right in assuming anything.

 

Congrats! Apple really pulled through on this one!

 

Hehe I like that picture, copyrighted? j/k

Good to see you didn't give up on apple

A weaker person might have

 

If this is directed at me how dare you. To say something like this is an insult.

 

I'm sure it wasn't directed at you. He is saying a weaker person in general.

 

LOL! No way, not directed at you at all! Did it really sound that way?

Apologies

I was mainly referring to those who never really give the brand a chance, first minor fault they jump ship back to pc to never return. I've had friends who I feel buy a mac just so they can point out what they see is a flaw then throw it in my face like "ha mac can't do this" and go off on their way back to pc.

 

ToshibaDude has a habit of assuming insults when there are none; happened to me too

 

Ok, lets not hold grudges now...

 

It's ok, I didn't take offense, just been busy testing some games in XP.
Toshibadude, I didn't mean dirt specks, I meant, black, sticky splotches, like about the size of a dime each. Same with the dark spots on the monitor. Oh well, I like my new system. *back to testing*
Have a good night everyone.

 

I think that apple did a good thing on this. I like apple and I think that apple care really rocks.

Congratulations on the new unibody one.

 

^I think it is the white one.

 

^I think it is the white one.

 

Yeah it is just the white one.

 

they should gave you unibody!

 

They wanted $300 to upgrade to the unibody, and I didn't have it on me at the time, oh well.

 

you can continue to complain till they give you one

 

Very funny.

 

wow, after reading the post by the OP I am all the more interested in getting an apple on a subsequent laptop purchase!

incredible.

 

that's true. If you take it long enough, they even give you a macbook pro .... aw. Jk

 

yeah,talk to Will and Yasir,they have some experience in that area

 

Wait, you're interested in getting five defective laptops in a row?

I have nothing against Apple (I just bought a 32GB iPod Touch) but I couldn't resist saying this.

 

I can't find anything about 5 defective laptops in this thread...