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Quality control issues with new PowerBooks...particularly the 15"? - Page 5

post #161 of 590
10/9/03 at 10:14am
Quote:
Originally posted by Infoseeker
machem,

What are they requiring you to ship back (cpu and power or everything)? Does Apple provide the shipping material, or do you have to do that?

Thanks!

I have white screen spots, so that requires a repair (BTO; besides, a repair is better than a new one, if they are coming off the line like this (which probably isn't happening at this point)). They send you a nice nondescript cardbord box (which all the packing inside), and ask you send the CPU and power cables back. Back up your HD and so on. In general, my HD doesn't get wiped on a repair unless it is the HD causing problems, though I know the techs routinely do the format/clean install/reset everything dance. In my case, they shouldn't need to touch the HD, but I have it backed up in three different places and ways just to be safe.

The box has a return label already on it, so you just have to call (shudder) Airborne to pick it up.

This is not the first 'book I've returned in this way (though it is the soonest I've had to do it!), and I've had very good luck with the process.
1.25GHz 15" SD PowerBook, etc. etc.
15G 3rd Gen iPod

Well i've said it now, nothing's changed
people are burnin for pocket change
and creative minds are lazy
and the big three killed my baby
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1.25GHz 15" SD PowerBook, etc. etc.
15G 3rd Gen iPod

Well i've said it now, nothing's changed
people are burnin for pocket change
and creative minds are lazy
and the big three killed my baby
Reply
post #162 of 590
10/9/03 at 5:19pm
I have spots too now. Not sure if they have always been there -- most likely -- or if they just appeared. This really ticks me off.
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post #163 of 590
10/9/03 at 6:05pm
Quote:
Originally posted by machem
I have white screen spots, so that requires a repair (BTO; besides, a repair is better than a new one, if they are coming off the line like this (which probably isn't happening at this point)). They send you a nice nondescript cardbord box (which all the packing inside), and ask you send the CPU and power cables back. Back up your HD and so on. In general, my HD doesn't get wiped on a repair unless it is the HD causing problems, though I know the techs routinely do the format/clean install/reset everything dance. In my case, they shouldn't need to touch the HD, but I have it backed up in three different places and ways just to be safe.

The box has a return label already on it, so you just have to call (shudder) Airborne to pick it up.

This is not the first 'book I've returned in this way (though it is the soonest I've had to do it!), and I've had very good luck with the process.

Thanks for the information...hopefully I won't need to send it back...
15" Al PowerBook G4, 1.25 GHz, 80GB (5400 rpm) HD, SD
PM G4 Sawtooth 450
Wallstreet II G4 500 MHz, 40GB, DVD
IIfx, IIcx, II, PB 180, SE/30
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15" Al PowerBook G4, 1.25 GHz, 80GB (5400 rpm) HD, SD
PM G4 Sawtooth 450
Wallstreet II G4 500 MHz, 40GB, DVD
IIfx, IIcx, II, PB 180, SE/30
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post #164 of 590
10/9/03 at 6:14pm
Whoops...double posted...sorry...
15" Al PowerBook G4, 1.25 GHz, 80GB (5400 rpm) HD, SD
PM G4 Sawtooth 450
Wallstreet II G4 500 MHz, 40GB, DVD
IIfx, IIcx, II, PB 180, SE/30
Reply
15" Al PowerBook G4, 1.25 GHz, 80GB (5400 rpm) HD, SD
PM G4 Sawtooth 450
Wallstreet II G4 500 MHz, 40GB, DVD
IIfx, IIcx, II, PB 180, SE/30
Reply
post #165 of 590
10/10/03 at 9:00am
Regarding the white/bright spots problem, it looks like people with even 2 or 3 PowerBook replacements are seeing the same problem. What's even more scary is that many of these displays were perfect from the start, but started to show this defect a few days or weeks down the line.

I've never seen so many people have the same problem with one machine. How many returns will it take for Apple to realize that there is a pattern revealing a really big problem? Obviously they are still using the same LCD manufacturer and are still shipping 15" PowerBooks with defective displays.

Some BTO customers are actually getting turned down for replacement since it's a BTO. That's complete BS! A policy like that is designed only for the timid consumer who'll go for it. They most certainly replace your BTO if you make enough noise. No one should have to 'send in' an expensive and brand new computer to have some tech open it up and replace parts.

I am VERY curios to know who the OEM is for these defective displays and if this is a result of Apple cutting corners (maybe using a cheaper OEM not realizing their displays had such issues).

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=180531
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post #166 of 590
10/10/03 at 4:38pm
A friend of mine bought his 15" powerbook just 2 weeks ago and it was dissapointing. First the latch issue, which was annoying, and 2 days later, the screen went dim and dark. My friend returned the machine and got his money back, but now he doesnt know if he should buy another powerbook or just wait since it seems many machines are faulty.
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post #167 of 590
10/10/03 at 5:18pm
From what I have heard, it is not the LCDs that are the problem, it is how they are attached to the lid frame. There are certain pressure points that can develop (you can infer this if you rub the back of the lid at the spots, the "lcd flex effect" is centered on these spots.

Anyway, if my repaired machine comes back, and develops spots, I will surely raise a stink with my EDU rep, and the people I know at Apple.
1.25GHz 15" SD PowerBook, etc. etc.
15G 3rd Gen iPod

Well i've said it now, nothing's changed
people are burnin for pocket change
and creative minds are lazy
and the big three killed my baby
Reply
1.25GHz 15" SD PowerBook, etc. etc.
15G 3rd Gen iPod

Well i've said it now, nothing's changed
people are burnin for pocket change
and creative minds are lazy
and the big three killed my baby
Reply
post #168 of 590
10/10/03 at 5:47pm
I guess the question is how careful do we have to be about us or things pushing on the back of our screen \
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post #169 of 590
10/10/03 at 6:08pm
Quote:
Originally posted by ast3r3x
I guess the question is how careful do we have to be about us or things pushing on the back of our screen \

I don't think that is the issue -- in other words, some problem/mistake/something-something-that-shouldn't-be-there is back there, and pushing on the lid illustrates/exacerbates the problem, but does not cause it, any more than a brake defect on a car causes you to crash at a stop sign.

I was thinking about if this were a long-term issue, and decided I'd demand a 17". I really don't want a portable that large, but clearly they don't have the same issue with the LCD. I'm just hoping that it is an "on-the-fly" fix at production, and it won't show up in new machines (that is, newer than the first 10-14 days production). Only time will tell.

I'd be really pissed if this was a personal purchase. I've realized the main reason I'm so calm about the problem is that I didn't pay for the machine.

I'm forced to work on my B&W (linux) box, and a Solaris box at work now, and that isn't so bad. I can still get work done. Not having my AlBook means "playing" is harder. Well, and work is slower at home (400MHz G3 vs. 1.25GHz G4).
1.25GHz 15" SD PowerBook, etc. etc.
15G 3rd Gen iPod

Well i've said it now, nothing's changed
people are burnin for pocket change
and creative minds are lazy
and the big three killed my baby
Reply
1.25GHz 15" SD PowerBook, etc. etc.
15G 3rd Gen iPod

Well i've said it now, nothing's changed
people are burnin for pocket change
and creative minds are lazy
and the big three killed my baby
Reply
post #170 of 590
10/10/03 at 6:16pm
oh no!!!! there is one tiny white spot, bright but noticeable, that wasnt there yesterday!!! i will see what else develops before i complain to apple.

if anyone has gotten their PB repaired and returned already, how did it turn out? were they able to repair the spots?



edited to ask: how many dead/stuck pixels must there be before apple will do something about it? i have 3 dead pixels now and 2 of them are clusters of pixels, because they are much bigger than a pixel. one stuck pixel, and now one white spot.
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
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"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
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post #171 of 590
10/10/03 at 9:53pm
Well, I got 4 hours of ACTUAL usage on my 1.25 SD 15" Powerbook today. Sitting down by the lake and studying...taking notes. Airport off, Bluetooth off, screen at 40-50% brightness, no display sleeping, and reduced processor. I used Word to take notes. Powerbook ran for around 4 hours straight and still had a 10% charge when I closed it up. Can only imagine what Panther has to offer. And still no white spots...knock on wood.
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post #172 of 590
10/10/03 at 11:43pm
hey well i finally got my powerbook in the mail and it is freakin sweet. serious design and engineering muscle went into making this thing. it gets warm on the bottom, but not hot like a Ti i've used and the fan has yet to come on. it is so silent. the latch works perfectly and the gap just doesn't seem like a big deal.

i can't say that it's flawless though. i haven't used a pixelchecker yet, but with my own tests, i don't see any dead/stuck pixels, but i do have 3 small white spots forming a triangle. each about the size of a pointed pencil tip. you gotta really search for them to see them, and only on a solid white background. i'm not gonna let them worry me right now though because they are so tiny and hard to see and everything else makes up for them. i'll keep an eye on them and hope that they don't grow...but now they probably will because i mentioned it . anyways good luck to all of you waiting for your shipment.
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post #173 of 590
10/11/03 at 11:03am
i ordered mine through a shop in austria on the day of announcement
it arrived at the shop on friday...well...went there happy...and tested

7 white spots ...each the size of 2x2pixels bunched together in the lowerleft center of the screen
no dead pixels

they sent it back...and now iam highly concerned about it...probably everyone with these 15"albook has this problem
if not now...sooner than later

reading hundreds of these reports....iam waiting for the replacement now...and i pretty much know it will have these spots too

the machine is soo nice...so advanced...great machine....and this screen sooo bad....awwwwww

may there be a chance for an official statement from apple?
recalling all machines? getting an entirely new engineered screen?

so sad

it can be more important than reading the bible six times or... uh... becoming a pope or something like that, you know?
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it can be more important than reading the bible six times or... uh... becoming a pope or something like that, you know?
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post #174 of 590
10/11/03 at 11:19am
there's a thread at macnn about a rumor of a recall because of a problem with 512mb or larger ram modules working with these AL 15"ers and the screen problems. remember, it's a RUMOR, but interesting nonetheless.

White Spots, Ram Issues, Defectiveness, recall
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post #175 of 590
10/11/03 at 2:07pm
I sure hope Apple didn't forget they sell in a market niche with DEMANDING customers. Cutting back on quality can't be a good thing, and the way things are going it also seems to turn into a costly affair.

Nine months should have been enough to get this 15" right, right? Man, I'am disappointed but what's even worse, I will probably still go out and buy this 15" knowing it has all this issues. What's wrong with me? I need help ...
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post #176 of 590
10/11/03 at 4:08pm
For some reason I am unable to post a new poll. Can someone who knows how do this make a new poll? I am curious to see statistics from AI members about what percentage of the PB15's have problems and how many are okay.
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
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"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
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post #177 of 590
10/11/03 at 7:07pm
Took mine to the dealer today to have the screen replaced due to white spots. Every Powerbook I've seen to date has white spots. Some have them in a very pronounced way, on some the spots are barely noticeable. But they all seem to be located around the same places on the screen. So now that I have a "trained" eye, they are easier to spot. Pun intended.
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post #178 of 590
10/11/03 at 9:17pm
Well, bad news guys. After my 3rd day of use on my SECOND Powerbook in as many weeks, I have notced THREE white spots beginning to appear on my 15" screen. They aren't nearly as noticeable as my last one, but if the last one was any indication, they will only get worse...there is something afoot here, and it's not good.
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post #179 of 590
10/11/03 at 10:49pm
3 more tiny white spots appeared today in addition to the small one i noticed 2 days ago. its getting worse and it's only day 4. they really need to recall these things.
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
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"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
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post #180 of 590
10/11/03 at 11:29pm
out of curiosity filmmaker2002 and mac's girl, are you guys transporting your powerbooks and if so, what kinda bag is it in? does the bag put alot of pressure (as in squeezing) on the powerbook?
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post #181 of 590
10/12/03 at 12:20am
Quote:
Originally posted by filmmaker2002
Well, bad news guys. After my 3rd day of use on my SECOND Powerbook in as many weeks, I have notced THREE white spots beginning to appear on my 15" screen. They aren't nearly as noticeable as my last one, but if the last one was any indication, they will only get worse...there is something afoot here, and it's not good.


I am just beginning to see them too. I only notice them on the pale grey start up screen. I have been really careful so I don't know what is up.

I have been keeping it in this - http://shinza.com/product_info.php?products_id=46

It has to be a defect. I am going to be really pissed if it gets worse. I already rely on it for work and I will be screwed without a quick replacement.

EDIT - I just noticed that I can really see them on the AI pages because they are grey as well!
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post #182 of 590
10/12/03 at 12:20am
My 15" has a white spot dead center horizontally and about 1/4 of the way down from the top vertically. It's quite annoying... but I can't go without my computer for a week or however long it would take. Not to mention that the nearest Apple Store is an hour away from my home and three hours from my school.

Has anyone had success at "massaging" out a white spot like dead pixels? I'd love to take care of this without having to service... it's perfect otherwise
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post #183 of 590
10/12/03 at 12:21am
Quote:
Originally posted by EDS66
Rolo:
They all have gaps. Some are bigger some are smaller. I really thing it's by design. Mine bow upward at the ends also, by the way.

No! If the gaps differ in size from one PB to another it is NOT a design feature. It is a manufacturing malfunction and it should be fixed. And soon at that might i add!
Pismo, Deus Ex Machina.
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Pismo, Deus Ex Machina.
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post #184 of 590
10/12/03 at 12:22am
Quote:
Originally posted by Nick DTM
My 15" has a white spot dead center horizontally and about 1/4 of the way down from the top vertically. It's quite annoying... but I can't go without my computer for a week or however long it would take. Not to mention that the nearest Apple Store is an hour away from my home and three hours from my school.

Has anyone had success at "massaging" out a white spot like dead pixels? I'd love to take care of this without having to service... it's perfect otherwise

That is exactly what I have. I don't think that you can massage it away....
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post #185 of 590
10/12/03 at 1:11am
somehow i feel we are in a bad situation...when u have these white spots - apple replaces the screen with the same kind of screen...so there is no way to run from the problem

they are already replacing sooo many...what about a competition?

u know...most ppl probably dont even know they have this problem..but it gets worse and worse..and in a month or so..it will be a disaster for apple

iam so very scared...feels like a bad bad dream
it can be more important than reading the bible six times or... uh... becoming a pope or something like that, you know?
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it can be more important than reading the bible six times or... uh... becoming a pope or something like that, you know?
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post #186 of 590
10/12/03 at 1:18am
Did Apple make these screens or do they come from a specific supplier?
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post #187 of 590
10/12/03 at 2:10am
the screen is not made by apple
it can be more important than reading the bible six times or... uh... becoming a pope or something like that, you know?
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it can be more important than reading the bible six times or... uh... becoming a pope or something like that, you know?
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post #188 of 590
10/12/03 at 2:31am
So is it the same manufacturer as the 17" and 12" ? White dots seems to be specific to 15"...
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post #189 of 590
10/12/03 at 6:38am
I thought it was figured out that it was the case pushing on the back of the screen? I am worried that they will start appearing on my screen now, but I've been using my PBook for a good 3 weeks without problem yet. Just hope that it says this good.
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post #190 of 590
10/12/03 at 9:19am
My PB doesn't have the spots yet after a couple weeks of use. I wonder if Apple should recall some of the good ones to figure out what the heck is going on.

It seems like this is a much bigger issue than the DVD eject problems that plagued the Ti Rev. A units.
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post #191 of 590
10/12/03 at 11:01am
Well, I took my computer to my local Apple Store and the Genuis there said my computer is operating normally.

I'm going to stop worrying about it and start using it...everything else (besides my hard drive ticking occasionally - hope it doesn't blow up )...

Best of luck to you guys...
15" Al PowerBook G4, 1.25 GHz, 80GB (5400 rpm) HD, SD
PM G4 Sawtooth 450
Wallstreet II G4 500 MHz, 40GB, DVD
IIfx, IIcx, II, PB 180, SE/30
Reply
15" Al PowerBook G4, 1.25 GHz, 80GB (5400 rpm) HD, SD
PM G4 Sawtooth 450
Wallstreet II G4 500 MHz, 40GB, DVD
IIfx, IIcx, II, PB 180, SE/30
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post #192 of 590
10/12/03 at 11:59am
My new 15" 1.25GHz looks like a keeper. Latch works perfectly. I don't see any screen problems. OS 10.2.8 update added nicely to the battery life. Sorry to hear about so many other problems.
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post #193 of 590
10/12/03 at 12:26pm
Quote:
Originally posted by booyaka
out of curiosity filmmaker2002 and mac's girl, are you guys transporting your powerbooks and if so, what kinda bag is it in? does the bag put alot of pressure (as in squeezing) on the powerbook?

i have not transported my PB anywhere and have handled it very carefully. i havent put any pressure on the lid or even attempted to twist it. it's been in a good environment temperature-wise and not exposed to direct sunlight. however my latch works perfectly and no other problems with heat, noise, etc. i did want to install an additional 512mb ram, and now i hear mention of ram problems so i am holding off on that to see how the screen issues resolve.
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
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"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
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post #194 of 590
10/12/03 at 12:52pm
I'm very pleased with my new 12" PB -- except for its one bad pixel. I hate bad pixels. Nothing you can do when it's just one bad pixel except live with it. It looks like a dark fleck of dust, except for always being in the same spot and not being susceptible to being brushed away. I've tried rubbing on the pixel as some people have suggested, but that hasn't helped.

My 22" Cinema Display has one bad pixel too, but it's white and I hardly ever notice it unless I look for it. This bad pixel, being dark (lacking all green, to be specific) keeps drawing my eye and is harder to ignore.

I should be happier about all the good things about this laptop, but I keep bumming about the bad pixel instead.
We were once so close to heaven
Peter came out and gave us medals
Declaring us the nicest of the damned -- They Might Be Giants          See the stars at skyviewcafe.com
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We were once so close to heaven
Peter came out and gave us medals
Declaring us the nicest of the damned -- They Might Be Giants          See the stars at skyviewcafe.com
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post #195 of 590
10/12/03 at 3:14pm
Quote:
Originally posted by booyaka
out of curiosity filmmaker2002 and mac's girl, are you guys transporting your powerbooks and if so, what kinda bag is it in? does the bag put alot of pressure (as in squeezing) on the powerbook?

I carry mine everywhere in my Brenthaven Titanium Backpack. That's what Powerbooks are for...so I don't think that this would be the cause.
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post #196 of 590
10/12/03 at 3:58pm
My new 15" is with Apple Repair for white spots, battery life, latch problems, and, get this, a faulty logic board (won't reboot without resetting the PRAM every time). The latst word is that my repair is on hold "awaiting parts." The parts (new LCD & logic board) are "on order." I hope that the new LCD is reengineered to not develop white spots, but I'm not counting on it. It's a beautiful and incredibly fast and formerly functional machine . . . too bad that I can't use it!

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post #197 of 590
10/13/03 at 6:36am
I don't think you're imagining things Paul.

IMO, the Al design is the least exacting Pro laptop enclosure Apple has come up with. They dent easily, the plastic edging between the pieces of Al can be jiggled out of place with continuous use, and the CD slot area is easily bent / buckled. I think the flimsy protection the Al offers may be be part of the reason the other problems crop up as well (screen issues, etc).

The 15" TiBook was a much more robust design IMO. About the only thing I liked less on that design were the exposed hinges in back. Sad fact: the iBook offers a tougher shell than Apple's pro laptops. I know it isn't as sexy, but Apple needs to recosider their materials next time around. I'd take a dense plastic PowerBook that has the same shape and overall characteristics, and is a bit bulkier... over what they have now.

You have to baby the Al Powerbooks in order to keep them in like-new condition.
Aldo is watching....
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Aldo is watching....
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post #198 of 590
10/13/03 at 10:13am
PLEASE SIGN THERE (caps)

http://www.petitiononline.com/applelcd/petition.html

thx to all
it can be more important than reading the bible six times or... uh... becoming a pope or something like that, you know?
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it can be more important than reading the bible six times or... uh... becoming a pope or something like that, you know?
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post #199 of 590
10/13/03 at 11:35am
Thanks, Cycle, for doing the petition. According to the ApplCare rep, the white spots defect is not an issue that he's aware of. He also told me that all of their LCD's come from the same company, and that my PB LCD would be probably replaced with a new LCD of the same model as the old. Despite my frustration with the rep's lack of knowledge of the white spot issue, I continue to be very satisfied with how friendly and helpful the AppleCare reps are.
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post #200 of 590
10/13/03 at 11:40am
they're not likely to admit to that kind of problem. They guy I spoke to initially suggested it might be a software problem and I restart with the installer disc, but I didn't waste his or my time.

Still awaiting the second - no - third coming of my 'book.
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