AppleInsider › Forums › Mac Hardware › Current Mac Hardware › Quality control issues with new PowerBooks...particularly the 15"?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Quality control issues with new PowerBooks...particularly the 15"? - Page 10

post #361 of 590
10/28/03 at 12:40pm
I know. You should have seen me inspect every knick and cranny of my Powerbook at the Apple Store. I got a few weird looks from the geniuses. All I'm saying is let's not make an issue of something that is slightly, almost unnoticeably off.
Reply
Reply
post #362 of 590
10/28/03 at 12:55pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally posted by filmmaker2002
Wow, look at us. What other computer purchaser do we know of that inspects their products so thoroughly. None that I know of. I'm not saying we should be overly picky...but I wouldn't worry about the "sqeaky" casing over the SD. White spots are one thing...but let's not take it to extremes...

Speak for yourself. For a $2599 computer, you're mother****ing right I'm going to be "inspecting" it closely and, to be completely honest, expecting a bit MORE than your average, piece-of-shit 8lb. PC laptop.



Believe me...I'd be a little more cavalier if it was a $1099 iBook.

There is something very wrong at play here in the production of these new 15" (the fact that this thread has so many responses and views and stories shared attests to that.

Also, I don't think I'm alone hen I say that the long, painful wait for these things to appear (we knew they were coming because the 12" and the 17" pointed the way, right?) only makes all this sting a bit harder to some because you wait and wait and wait and then get a TOTALLY ed up hunk of aluminum for $2599.

I'm not rich. I saved my head off and so did others, I'm sure. I ate more macaroni and Ramen the past few months than I care to remember so I could purchase one of these awesome machines.



I'll wait and see what happens. If being a tad deflated that a $2599 purchase pooches in and out and squeaks like a monkey on a treadmill makes me unrealistic or an idiot, then an unrealistic idiot I'll be.

BUT I am glad to have a - so far - nice screen and latch, so I 'm ahead on that count.

Reply
Reply
post #363 of 590
10/28/03 at 1:05pm
It's really sad to see this, too, because the 15" PowerBook is otherwise such a gorgeous machine.

I can only hope that some people at Apple are pulling long hours to figure this out and fix it. This is the wrong time for Apple to have a jinx on their best PowerBook. pscates is right: If you spend $2500 on a Mac, you'd damn well better have a slick, polished, reliable machine. My sympathies to all those who didn't get one. \
"...within intervention's distance of the embassy." - CvB

Original music:
The Mayflies - Black earth Americana. Now on iTMS!
Becca Sutlive - Iowa Fried Rock 'n Roll - now on iTMS!
Reply
"...within intervention's distance of the embassy." - CvB

Original music:
The Mayflies - Black earth Americana. Now on iTMS!
Becca Sutlive - Iowa Fried Rock 'n Roll - now on iTMS!
Reply
post #364 of 590
10/28/03 at 1:06pm
I hear ya man...I hear ya. I'm just trying to be a little down to earth. I spend $2600 too and I'm pissed off that I've gone through 4 Powerbooks. I know where you're comin from man.
Reply
Reply
post #365 of 590
10/28/03 at 2:21pm
Here are some pics of my FOURTH Powerbook.

Click Here
Reply
Reply
post #366 of 590
10/28/03 at 3:04pm
How are the screens so far on PB's shipped in October?

i think i am going to return mine... they said i can get full credit. instead of this 1Ghz BTO, i can put in $100 more and get a stock 1.25Ghz model. (why i didnt do that before is beyond me.) i had bought 512mb of ram from crucial, so i will have to get rid of (sell?) one of the 256mb modules in the stock 1.25 Ghz model.
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
Reply
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
Reply
post #367 of 590
10/28/03 at 7:27pm
I am having a serious QC problem with Apple and my PB/800.
The combodrive just went out on it and it is not repairable...
it has to be replaced. Apple refuses to replace it because the warranty is two months past!!!!!

Is this poor customer care, or what!!!??? and as someone else said
here, Apple customer care has never heard of this problem. Very interesting! Not only has Apple decided to deride their customers, but also lie to them.

I have seen many posts on the web about this particular problem and have asked people to respond to me via email. I have almost 20 replies so far and everyone would like to deal with Apple and this problem. We all feel we have been taken for a ride!!! We are possibly considering a lawsuit. We are all researching this at the moment.

Apple is currently dealing with a serious problem for their new models of PBs and G5s. The new 17" has the same issue with the superdrive and Apple is having to replace all of these since they are still under warranty.
The G5 desktops appear to all have faulty fans in them and some people are having problems with the drives.

Apple's quality has definitely fallen to the wayside.

If anyone here would like to join in the action against Apple, please email me: joneshank13@hotmail.com
Reply
Reply
post #368 of 590
10/28/03 at 8:43pm
Quote:
The G5 desktops appear to all have faulty fans in them

subtract 1 from all

my fans are just fine.

although actually you could subtract the 7 we have in our department. not a problem in the bunch, fans drives or otherwise.

my first G5 had a problem with the processor. i was given a new machine. other than that it's been solid.
Reply
Reply
post #369 of 590
10/28/03 at 10:07pm
Mine has the spots - AGAIN! This is after three replacements. What a !@#$ pain in the ass! I am seriously thinking of going for another computer.
Apple has balls to release a product that is clearly faulty in terms of quality control. There is something seriously wrong with their production pipeline if this kind of problem is allowed to reoccur so many !@#$$# times.
As you might be able to tell: I am pissed off!
This piece of alumninium is too freaking expensive to have so many issues. If this were some no-name cheap-o PC laptop, so be it. But it's not. It's an Apple branded, expensive machine that is supposed to be the best! Come on, Apple.

I will remind everyone here to please sign the petition, and maybe we'll get a better response from Apple and not just these ridiculous stealth avoidances and repairs. This must be costing them a huge amount of money.

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_pe...cgi?applelcd&1

Reply
Reply
post #370 of 590
10/28/03 at 10:32pm
Quote:
Originally posted by alcimedes
subtract 1 from all

my fans are just fine.

although actually you could subtract the 7 we have in our department. not a problem in the bunch, fans drives or otherwise.

my first G5 had a problem with the processor. i was given a new machine. other than that it's been solid.

I spoke with an Apple reseller and got the scoop:
They had 8 G5s; 5 of them had problems....Apple took
care of it immediately.
Reply
Reply
post #371 of 590
10/29/03 at 5:25am
i've said it once, and i'll say it again.

why do you people keep sending them in when you KNOW they don't have the problem solved?

they're working on it. you know it, i know it. however, whatever the problem is it's taking them a while to fix it. in the mean time, white spots DO NOT make a laptop unusable, they just make it less pretty.

suck it up for 3 weeks and live with white spots. when users start reporting that laptops they have sent in come back w/o spots, and/or new users aren't having a problem with white spots, then send it in.

that way you send it in once, not 4 times.

i'm sorry, but if after the first time it's not fixed, and you know they're still working on the problem, who's the fool when it keeps getting sent back in?

WAIT until you know the issue is resovled. then send it in. i can't imagine white spots are more disruptive that being w/o a laptop for a week at a time.
Reply
Reply
post #372 of 590
10/29/03 at 5:46am
Thread Starter 
Possibly the smartest post ever.

Yeah, it's OBVIOUS they've not fully addressed the issue. So in the meantime, just ignore them or learn to work around them and send it in ONCE, as it becomes known that the issue has been resolved once and for all.

All you're doing now is simply rolling the dice, HOPING to get a decent one back.



That's no way to live. If I had a supremely ****ed up PowerBook (screen-wise), I'd be more inclined to a) press for solutions b) bug Apple c) bitch about it here to vent some frustration and d) WAIT until they truly nail the problem.

THEN send it in to make them DO IT RIGHT. Those of you who've done the back-and-forth 3 and 4 times...you're a better person than I am. Or you're completely nuts.



I'd rather have a white-spotted PowerBook than none at all (and go through the anger of getting a replacement with - yep - white spots). If mine develops spots and so forth, I'll live with them until I know Apple has officially released some sort of statement or policy declaring the problem solved. THEN I send it in and do without it ONCE, for a week or so. Not 3 and 4 times, knowing damn well that, chances are, I'm just going to get another screwed up one.

Reply
Reply
post #373 of 590
10/29/03 at 6:44am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally posted by pscates ...on the right side of the palmrest, facing the front of the machine (basically the area directly above the slot-loading drive where the side of the PowerBook meets the palmrest/top, there is the tiniest amount of gap or play and it squeaks when you're typing. You can take your finger and press it down and see it move and it makes this slightly obnoxious (but quiet, thankfully) squeaky, "monkey" sound as you're typing...I wonder: is this going to come further apart? The left side is perfect: solid and quiet and a strong, sealed joint. It's just the right side, above the SuperDrive slot.

I just saw this at macnn.com PowerBook forum:

Quote:
i had this problem but took my computer to my local Apple reseller....

they removed the keyboard and to be fair, took my computer apart..

this operation has solved my problem...

official explanation = "the case was not seated properly, now it is and there is no squeaking"
Reply
Reply
post #374 of 590
10/29/03 at 7:55am
Quote:
Originally posted by alcimedes
i've said it once, and i'll say it again.

why do you people keep sending them in when you KNOW they don't have the problem solved?

dude, i agree with you. im gonna hold off as long as possible, but im not sure they will allow me several more weeks on getting a full refund. i want to upgrade to the 1.25mhz model. if it has white spots also, i'll hold off on the repair, but being stuck with a slower machine (for only $100 difference in price) for the rest of its life is going to nag at me more.

i wonder when they will actually start shipping with panther...
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
Reply
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
Reply
post #375 of 590
10/29/03 at 8:27am
Quote:
im gonna hold off as long as possible, but im not sure they will allow me several more weeks on getting a full refund.

if you're talking about a refund, or getting a better machine (in this case for $100) that's completely different.

my comments were directed at those who keep posting that they're sending them in over and over, and are then irate when they come back with white spots. and here they've been out a laptop.

if your case if you can upgrade for $100 i'd do it. if the new one has white spots you can always get it repaired under warrenty a month down the line.
Reply
Reply
post #376 of 590
10/29/03 at 8:50am
Quote:
Originally posted by mac's girl
dude, i agree with you. im gonna hold off as long as possible, but im not sure they will allow me several more weeks on getting a full refund. i want to upgrade to the 1.25mhz model. if it has white spots also, i'll hold off on the repair, but being stuck with a slower machine (for only $100 difference in price) for the rest of its life is going to nag at me more.

i wonder when they will actually start shipping with panther...

For $100 to upgrade to the 1.25GhZ is worth it!!!
These laptops do not appear to have screen problems.

cheers
Reply
Reply
post #377 of 590
10/29/03 at 8:57am
Thread Starter 
What?!?! Are you saying all these screen problems are present ONLY in the 15" Combo Drive (1GHz) PowerBook?



I think a lot of people here having problems had the 1.25GHz SuperDrive model, right?

filmmaker? machem? Others? Hello?

Reply
Reply
post #378 of 590
10/29/03 at 9:04am
Mine is a 1.25ghz BTO(w/o superdrive & single 512 chip)
There's a fungus among us
- Mario
Reply
There's a fungus among us
- Mario
Reply
post #379 of 590
10/29/03 at 9:04am
Quote:
Originally posted by alcimedes
if you're talking about a refund, or getting a better machine (in this case for $100) that's completely different.

my comments were directed at those who keep posting that they're sending them in over and over, and are then irate when they come back with white spots. and here they've been out a laptop.

if your case if you can upgrade for $100 i'd do it. if the new one has white spots you can always get it repaired under warrenty a month down the line.

yeah when i ordered, i thought the $500 in price wasnt worth it, but then i had $150 in BTO options and also had to buy an airport extreme card (which i can return) and more RAM. so the price difference is quite minimal. if i downgrade to the combo drive, it will cost me the same price.

i think the white spots are affecting the 15-inchers regardless of the processor speed. but a gamble at this juncture is worth it. i can actually thank the white spots for something! hehe.
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
Reply
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
Reply
post #380 of 590
10/29/03 at 9:24am
Thread Starter 
I've not used a 1GHz PowerBook, but for what it's worth, Mac's Girl (and it may help "push" you, if you need it), I'm absolutely impressed by the speed and performance of my 1.25GHz PowerBook!

I realize much of it may be Panther and I'm also coming from an 800MHz LCD iMac for reference...but still!

I think you'll dig the speed, the light-up keyboard, preinstalled AirPort, 512MB RAM (right off the bat), etc.

For only $100 more? I'd do it yesterday!

Reply
Reply
post #381 of 590
10/29/03 at 10:48am
I have the stock 15" 1.25 that I bought the day after they were released and it has growing whitespots. I called Apple and lodged a complaint. I asked if they had the problem solved yet and they gave a very neutral answer. I need this machine with me 24/7 until january and then I can be without it for a week. Hopefully by then they will have figured it out.

There is absolutely no reason to send it in until you KNOW that they have fixed the problem. The computer functions perfectly in all other regards and therefore suits my day to day needs.
Reply
Reply
post #382 of 590
10/29/03 at 11:03am
Quote:
Originally posted by pscates
I've not used a 1GHz PowerBook, but for what it's worth, Mac's Girl (and it may help "push" you, if you need it), I'm absolutely impressed by the speed and performance of my 1.25GHz PowerBook!

I realize much of it may be Panther and I'm also coming from an 800MHz LCD iMac for reference...but still!

I think you'll dig the speed, the light-up keyboard, preinstalled AirPort, 512MB RAM (right off the bat), etc.

For only $100 more? I'd do it yesterday!


thanks for the added push, man. i just put in my replacement order for the 1.25GHz. i downgraded the superdrive to combo, but sprang the extra money for 512mb ram on a single so-dimm. so now it's costing me almost $200 extra instead of $100.

btw, i already had the 80Gb HD and the backlighted keys as BTO options on my 1Ghz, and i added an airport card and an additional 512mb ram myself. i didnt realize how stupid it was not to go for the faster PB until spending all this money upgrading the one i got now. i'm returning the airport card but keeping the extra ram for the new baby.

the lead time on the new PB will be 10-15 business days. EEEEEEK!! that means back to sharing one computer for a while.
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
Reply
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his soul?"
Reply
post #383 of 590
10/29/03 at 11:06am
Quote:
Originally posted by pscates
What?!?! Are you saying all these screen problems are present ONLY in the 15" Combo Drive (1GHz) PowerBook?



I think a lot of people here having problems had the 1.25GHz SuperDrive model, right?

filmmaker? machem? Others? Hello?


Yep, problems with my 1.25 too. I had the original screen replaced, and it is much better now, but not perfect. I plan to have it fixed again during my winter break when I won't need my computer so much.

-Spyky
Reply
Reply
post #384 of 590
10/29/03 at 12:00pm
Quote:
Originally posted by pscates
What?!?! Are you saying all these screen problems are present ONLY in the 15" Combo Drive (1GHz) PowerBook?



I think a lot of people here having problems had the 1.25GHz SuperDrive model, right?

filmmaker? machem? Others? Hello?


Mine is a 1.25GHz SD, 1x512, stock 80G HD.
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 #385 of 590
10/29/03 at 12:03pm
I personally haven't heard from anyone I know at Apple say the problem is officially resolved (and these are people who would/should know), and I won't call for my replacement machine until I hear from them.

These are not people with particularly profound knowledge of the inner workings of Apple, but simply people who will know. When I tell y'all that I've called for my replacement machine, you'll know that (at least I think) it's safe.
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 #386 of 590
10/30/03 at 12:42pm
Quote:
Originally posted by pscates
What?!?! Are you saying all these screen problems are present ONLY in the 15" Combo Drive (1GHz) PowerBook?



I think a lot of people here having problems had the 1.25GHz SuperDrive model, right?

filmmaker? machem? Others? Hello?


I have a 1.25 Superdrive BTO (5400 rpm drive). Ordered oct. 2, received oct. 16. No problems whatsoever. Mint condition. Good clear screen, no spots, good battery live (some claim less then 2 hours, I have 2 1/2 hours with Airport on). So I'm a happy camper...

But I was wondering: are there different manufactering plants ? In Europe, where I live, they come from Cork, Ireland. Maybe they're made in Taiwan as well, but QA can be somewhere else. Maybe the Irish have better eyes ...
2x2.7 PowerMac - 1.25 Powerbook - 10.4 Tiger - '65 Mustang
Reply
2x2.7 PowerMac - 1.25 Powerbook - 10.4 Tiger - '65 Mustang
Reply
post #387 of 590
10/30/03 at 1:59pm
Quote:
Originally posted by walrus
I am having a serious QC problem with Apple and my PB/800.
The combodrive just went out on it and it is not repairable...
it has to be replaced. Apple refuses to replace it because the warranty is two months past!!!!!

Is this poor customer care, or what!!!??? and as someone else said
here, Apple customer care has never heard of this problem. Very interesting! Not only has Apple decided to deride their customers, but also lie to them.

I have seen many posts on the web about this particular problem and have asked people to respond to me via email. I have almost 20 replies so far and everyone would like to deal with Apple and this problem. We all feel we have been taken for a ride!!! We are possibly considering a lawsuit. We are all researching this at the moment.

Apple is currently dealing with a serious problem for their new models of PBs and G5s. The new 17" has the same issue with the superdrive and Apple is having to replace all of these since they are still under warranty.
The G5 desktops appear to all have faulty fans in them and some people are having problems with the drives.

Apple's quality has definitely fallen to the wayside.

If anyone here would like to join in the action against Apple, please email me: joneshank13@hotmail.com

If I understand you correctly, your warranty EXPIRED and you expect APPLE to fix your combo drive for FREE? Why don't you just buy one and install it yourself since you're OUT OF WARRANTY.

Reply
Reply
post #388 of 590
10/30/03 at 2:28pm
That's what extended warranties are for...and that is also why you should ALWAYS buy Apple Care on a Powerbook or iBook.
Reply
Reply
post #389 of 590
10/30/03 at 3:50pm
The issue is that many people have had the same problem just one to three months out of warranty. If Apple is highly suggestive of buying the extended warranty for their products, does this mean that Apple products are not worth the already exaggerated cost?

My Sony VAIO was 6months out of warranty when a small problem occurred, a spring in the CD drive snapped....they repaired it w/o any cost to me.


That is customer care!!!!
Reply
Reply
post #390 of 590
10/30/03 at 3:59pm
  • Kickaha
  • Really Fast Typing Member
That's phenomenal and very very uncommon for any company. (And you're comparing replacing a broken spring to a completely new ComboDrive? Uh...)

A warranty has a set expiration date that you know of in advance. If you want continued coverage, there is a procedure for purchasing it. It's totally within your control. Obviously, you didn't think it was worth it before the warranty was over. But now it is.

Tell me, do you bother with insurance past the legally required minimum, then expect the insurance company to cover any and all costs you might incur? That's what AppleCare, or any warranty is, after all, merely insurance.
My brain is hung like a HORSE!
Reply
My brain is hung like a HORSE!
Reply
post #391 of 590
10/30/03 at 8:54pm
Apple has covered me more than once when HW went south a week or so out-of-warranty. I feel that was the right thing to do in both cases, and obviously so did they. I wouldn't have squawked if either problem had happened 30 days out and they had said "no"; more than that I wouldn't have even expected it.

Note, both of these were days out of AppleCare, so three years out of purchase. AppleCare has paid for itself for my machines.
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 #392 of 590
10/31/03 at 1:58am
Quote:
Originally posted by Joecool
Hmmm.....let me put it to you this way.
...
Send it back and get a unit that is worth the $$ you paid for!! ...

Exactly! Thats why i send back my FIRST PB12" 1gighz back, just because it was -->

DOA

hear me--> DOA!

I was so pissed i can tell you.
The second one i recieved instead of the doa one works perfectly right, but the batterie live i complaint in another thread. well ...

btw now, its an awesome machine, i'll keep it up;-)

best
" I will not commit anything to memory that I can get from another source . . . "
ALBERT EINSTEIN
Reply
" I will not commit anything to memory that I can get from another source . . . "
ALBERT EINSTEIN
Reply
post #393 of 590
10/31/03 at 10:04am
Thread Starter 
***BREAKING NEWS***

This just in from the "No Shit!" desk:

http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2003/10/31/15inch/
Reply
Reply
post #394 of 590
10/31/03 at 10:28am
Quote:
Originally posted by pscates
***BREAKING NEWS***

This just in from the "No Shit!" desk:

http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2003/10/31/15inch/

Actually there is some new info there:
Quote:
"The new 15-inch PowerBook has been a big hit with customers since its introduction last month," Apple said in a statement released on Thursday. "However, some customers are reporting the appearance of faint, white spots on their displays after using the system for a short period of time, and Apple is investigating these reports right now. Any customers experiencing this problem should contact AppleCare."

(that was wierd, I couldn't copy/paste that!)

I hadn't heard Apple publicly mentioning this anywhere.

Still waiting to hear of a permanent fix.
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 #395 of 590
10/31/03 at 11:00am
good find!!!!

I am contacting the reporter to alert him to the other problems with the PBs.

cheers
Reply
Reply
post #396 of 590
10/31/03 at 12:13pm
C-Net has a hold of the story now...
Reply
Reply
post #397 of 590
10/31/03 at 12:24pm
And Yahoo
Reply
Reply
post #398 of 590
10/31/03 at 9:57pm
Well, I've joined the club. My 15" 1.25GHz PB is about five weeks old and just today three white spots appeared.

More seriously, the keyboard illumination stopped working. I have seen a few references to this on Apple's discussion boards. I tried resetting the power manager and zapping PRAM to no effect. Sometimes a restart will fix it but it goes off after the first time it sleeps.

When I press F10 to increase illumination I get the usual on-screen display but at the bottom is a circle with a diagonal slash indicating it somehow isnt't functioning.

I also have the creaking sound coming from the region of the CD slot but it is pretty mild. I can't force it to happen but once in a while I hear it while typing.

I'll call Apple tomorrow.
Unofficial AppleScript Studio Lobbyist
Reply
Unofficial AppleScript Studio Lobbyist
Reply
post #399 of 590
10/31/03 at 10:00pm
Welcome...fees are due within a week of joining...
Reply
Reply
post #400 of 590
11/1/03 at 9:07am
Hey fimmaker,

your next film should be done on the Apple
Century theaters cinema screens......sungalsses
required!
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Current Mac Hardware
AppleInsider › Forums › Mac Hardware › Current Mac Hardware › Quality control issues with new PowerBooks...particularly the 15"?