first genuis bar experience, not that impressive...

so basically my mbp 2.33 has a warped case (common problem it seems..). I take it to the so called "genius" who right away starts asking me what kind of backpack I use and how do i handle it when travelling, therefore assuming that I caused this.
not even nicely, he proceeds to tell me that he's never heard of this problem when a simple google search returns hundreds of warped cases problems.
"we can send it in, and 'see' what 'they' say. It will take 7 to 10 days.." mhhh... what???

no impressed with apple customer service so far, pretty lame in fact.

 

How bad is the warp? If its a little bit, then its extremely common among the MBPs and the customer service representative is either uninformed or lying...if its warped extremely badly then its rather rare...

Have you tried another Genius? Most are pretty nice and very helpful...

 

I wasn't that impressed with the Genius bar. It wasn't all that crowded (Tuesday night) and it still took them well over a half hour before they called me up to see a Genius, and that too was only because my mom started yelling at the manager....

 

I've been severely unimpressed with every "genius" i've encountered. These guys seem to be pretentious *******s with less knowledge than me.

(I'm a bit bitter).

 

Hah. I've seen worse. I feel for you and understand your frustration, but at least they offered to send it in for you. Google "completely outraged" and you'll see what I mean...

Best of luck in getting your mbp fixed.

 

How bad is the warp? Since you googled the problem you probably realize that unless you have horrible warp you can probably fix it yourself. I've fixed several of my machines over the years by just giving it a little twist. From my experience I believe a lot of warped cases (on the newer machines..not the hot plate G4 12" PBs) is caused by picking or carrying the machine by one corner particularly when the display is open. It only takes once.

I'm not a Mac Genius but I do service semiconductor equipment. The first thing you learn as a technician is to become very skeptical of what people tell you. Not that they are lying but everyone perceives things differently. Guarantee you that if you brought a notebook to me that had a warped case the first thing I would think is that you caused it. I may not tell you that but I would be thinking it.

 

I have heard varying experiences with the geniuses, good and bad. I have always had good, but maybe it is just the stores I happen to go to. What I would do is try another genius. How old is the notebook?

 

If you go to the flagship store in NYC, they are pretty knowledgeable. I know the one here in Boston (Cambridge actually) is variable. I've spoken to some of them there and some are pretty good and some aren't as proficient with OSX as I am (barely had my Macbook for 2 weeks).

 

Just in case you happen to be in the SF Bay area: the Burlingame store and it's employees are outstanding! They've taken care of a few issues I've had with Apple products extremely well.

In any case, I agree that you should go back to your local store and talk to another person; perhaps a polite conversation with the manager would help.

 

I received great service at the SF store on Market, and that genius bar is very busy. My mom has never complained about the Genius Bar at the Columbus, OH store, which she frequents. Tech support is a different story though.

 

thanks all. I guess I will try another "genius". in the end, I'm sure the decision will belong to the tech people about fixing my computer or not.
the warp is not so bad, but i think it needs to be fixed. the warping caused the aluminum to stick out around the latch button as well...

 

That looks pretty bad and definitely looks like somebody with a little authority (a manager) should be contacted if another genius gives you any guff about the problem.

 

Mine has the same exact thing! I just never bothered to do anything about it because this was my fourth replacement and was just happy to have a working machine! Maybe I should take mine in. It actually does make the latch harder to use.

 

See, this is why I'm afraid to get a MBP to replace my trusted iBook. As I'm still in college and carry my laptop almost everywhere, I find it hard to justify that I'll be gentle enough not to bend the aluminum. Not to mention, with it being made of metal, I'm sure it'll get hot even with basic tasks.

 

Yikes...is it really that hard to get a perfect machine? Is it because they are made in China? Why doesn't Apple have better standards if people are paying the premium price of a MBP? Those are just rhetorical questions.

 

I guess all they do is replace the case (if they actually do decide to fix it..), so nothing else should go wrong.
I plan on sending mine to repair (I'm still under warranty) in about a week, I'll let you know how it goes and what they say.

 

From what I've heard, its more of an issue of aluminum, and how hard it is to make it exactly as planned...nothing confirmed though, just some of the arguments I have heard about it.

 

Well, Cashmonee got the very first generation MBP, which had more than its fair share of problems. The new Santa Rosa MBPs (hell, even the Merom MBPs) didn't have nearly that many problems, and are actually pretty stable machines.

 

Correct, all but my last one were CoreDuo machines. Oddly enough, none of them exhibited the common flaws. All of them were rather unique. Let me know how it goes tokaone, I may send mine in next month after the semester ends.

 

Thats a silly argument i hear.

You think the pistons in the engine of your car are that sloppy?

Give me a break apple.

It's bad manufacturing and nothing more. People need to not make excuses for apple.

 

Well, I'm going to have to see how good the 'Genius'es are, here in Toronto. I need to get the headphone socket checked on my MacBook as the only way I can hear sound is through a head phone. The built in speakers no longer work because the MacBook switches to a Digital Output when there are no head phones plugged in.

 

The pistons in the engine of your car WOULD be sloppy if they were made of aluminum the thickness of the MBP's case.

The fact that pistons are designed differently to withstand bendings from pressure and impact should be a clue.

Is your laptop designed to withstand massive amounts of force? If so, you'd be seeing a 3-4" notebook if not bigger that was at least half metal. Lightweight? Hardly!



So, what am I trying to say? Your argument is flawed. MBPs and pistons? Apples and Oranges? Did I just make a pun? Who knows, but the point is there.

 

Ok maybe not a perfect example.

http://www.aluminum.org/Content/NavigationMenu/The_Industry/Aluminum_Products/Aluminum_Products.htm Note the 2nd to last point.

Read up here. There are tons of aluminum products that don't have bad tolerances. My cars fenders line up perfectly, lots of computer cases, or homes stereo equipment lines up.

Sure it's not the largest issue ever, but it's silly to excuse it and say it's just a "property of aluminum".

 

Umm...that second-to-last point works in my favor. It's "easily worked and formed," which means after the notebook's made, it can easily be molded, most of the time accidentally.

I see your point, and I agree that it's not ALL a property of aluminum issue, but it's still a part of it.

My personal theory is that the thickness of the aluminum used attributes to this; if it were just a little thicker, these problems would not be as widespread. However, a compromise was made in size and weight.

Of course, if people took care of laptops like they "claim" they do (yeah right, I know you all lie about it), these problems would be nearly as prolific either. However, during manufacture, packing, shipping, and delivery, there's still a chance for problems.

 

Sure some people beat theirs up. Mine has been warped since I bought it, not much, but enough to annoy me.

I still won't chalk it up to a "property of aluminum" but we're all entitled to think what we want.

 

Who ever started the MB aluminum compared to an aluminum piston proved their complete ignorance in metalergy. Pistons are usually made from forged aluminum alloy and most computer cases are made by hydro forming sheet aluminum.......

The Macs are made to look good not to be strong and durable.......if you want strong and durable try a "toughbook" or one made of carbon fibre....

 

The only time I've ever been to an Apple "Genius Bar" was for an iPod related issue. My iPod USB cable broke, so I called the Apple Store ( Easton Town Center in Columbus) ahead of time to let them know about my problem. When I got there the "Genius" just gave me a brand new USB cable, no questions asked.

 

That truly is genius.

 

So is it better to call Apple first and then head over to the Genius Bar? Is the Genius Bar appointment only?

 

IIRC, they only make same day appointments unless you are a ProCare member. What I would recommend is going to Apple's site and setting up an appointment with your local store the morning you want to go. That way you won't have to wait at the store.

 

At the very least, call the store.

Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

 

Being an engineering student and mechanic i'm well aware of the differences.

Different processes, same metal. I was just making a point that aluminum can be "worked" easily and within tighter tolerances than the MBP seems to have. Why do i have to go buy a toughbook? Can I not expect a well manufactured macbook? I don't want to throw it on the ground or anything.

So the macs are made to look good? I suppose having a janky warped lid looks good to people?

All you people are doing is proving my point. Why would you NOT want your lid to close correctly? Why is everyone so "ok" with this warped lid business. It's only because they're Apple that they get away with it.

 

RRRRR different processes and different metal too.....most aluminum alloys that is for forging is WAY to brittle to be hydro formed and when talking notebook cases the alloys are way to expensive to use when your not going to be hardening or heat treating.....unless of course you consider all aluminum to be the same ?

If apple was really into building the best laptop then I would love to see a machined case out of solid billet then hardened That would be sweet and if you could order it anodized in any color that would be sweeter

the issue seen in the pictures is just bad engineering and not really th eresult of useing aluminum per say......if the area had been supported properly there would be no failure barring abuse of course....AND YA your so right in that people are letting it just happen becuase its Apple. You wouldn't want to say something bad about someone else's god would you ?

 

Excuse me??

 

I didn't single you out, just a general statement amigo.

 

http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

 

After he hit on my girlfriend and commented on the contents of her computer, the "genius" told me it would take 24 hours to transfer my single 2.3 gb file over to my new macbook. He then proceeded to open the computer, look at the file to confirm it was 2.3 gb (like I was lying) and tell me it would take 6 hours. 3 minutes later, he said it would be 48. Guy makes a crack about dropping my computer and then fakes dropping it. (Not funny buddy) Then he changed it to 24. I explained that I was a student and needed it asap making sure he would call me as soon as possible. I call 5 hours later. No one picks up. I wait til the next day. No one picks up the phone. I call Apple customer service who calls the Apple store and Apple customer service lady says its ready. I go there. Guy tells me he hasn't started it. Tells me to come back in an hour. Ready an hour later. Original guy also copied Itunes program off my girlfriend's old PC to her new Macbook causing her to return to the store and get it fixed. Causing an employee to ask for her number.

In short,
1. the Apple managers need to teach their "geniuses" not to hit on customers. Totally unprofessional. Turning into Cellphone salesmen or something I guess.
2. I don't like dealing with them, but they're better than people over the phone who don't can't communicate with you.

 

I HATE dealing with them.

I know what you're talking about with phone support:

Him:"Hold the clicker"
Me:"You mean the mouse button?"
Him:"You have an external mouse?"
Me:"No..."
Him:"You see that thing below the touchpad, thats called the 'clicker'"

Absolute idiots.

 

haha clicker, that is a first!

BTW I am a helpdesk/sysadmin, I have done this for about 7 years and that is the first time I have heard someone use that term. And its from a support tech, go figure!

 

Tech support is hilarious sometimes . And the people who call tech support too. Some as just so uninformed, I feel sorry for the customer service reps, having to keep their patience asking questions that shouldn't need to be asked ("Is your computer even plugged in?") .