Apple QA is slipping...

I'm pretty surprised at the lack of quality in apple laptops. Even if this might just software related, you would expect that apple would've done more extensive testing to see that the GPU would overheat. I personally think it is hardware related because it does not happen in the 15". I have a sickening feeling that you'll just get temporary fixes until they release a new model, which they will give a large discount on if you own one.

The macbook air's hinge issue. Although it is acceptable, wouldn't you expect apple's "excellent warranty" to cover it? Seriously, $800 to replace a hinge. When the hinges broke on my HP out of warranty, they quoted $300 maximum, probably around $150.

I also have to bring up a new article that I found awhile ago, naming apple, Acer and Gateway as the least reliable. I'm willing to bet that a number of the apple problems were just because kids couldn't figure out how to do something, but it still means something.

I personally HATE the way apple does it's apple store. I have to schedule an appointment just to get something sorted out with my mac. I've had to go a couple of long days lugging around my gateway (ironic?) because their schedule was full, and I couldn't get an appointment. Not only that, but the "geniuses" on staff still think that apple makes all of their components rather than outsourcing.

When you pay $2000, I expect it not to break. Although when you pay $5,200+, the MSRP of engadget's model plus tax, wouldn't you expect to have all of the kinks worked out before hand? I don't know, maybe I'm just angry because MY black macbook's display just buggered out Under warranty, but I seem to just see a declining list of reasons to buy a mac.

Note that I am not flaming, I'm just voicing my opinion as a dissatisfied mac user.

 

What do you mean the GPU is over heating?

Oh nvm I guess you mean on the 17 inch. Yeah I don't know what's up with that. nvidia says it's Apple but then why does it not happen on the 15 inch.

 

I'm guessing that they use the same GPU model in the 15" and 17", so wouldn't it make sense that it was a design fault that only the 17" overheated? Now, if both of them did then it would very likely be software, but just the 17" means that something might be very wrong with your computer...

 

I think too many (if not, ALL people on forums) people use this logic as a scapegoat. I can understand why people think like this, but to be honest, it's not right.

Regardless of how much you are paying --- it does not matter!

You are buying an APPLE product, so therefore, regardless of how much you pay, you're getting the same build quality or whatever you want to label it as. Regardless if Engadget's build was 5000 and someone else's was 1000... guess what? Neither will get better treat, better build quality, or better service form Apple (unless you got AppleCare). That's it!

This excuse of, I spent $XXXXXXX.XX on this laptop from Apple, I expect it to do ____. NO! If I bought my MB at $1000 and you bought yours at $3000, it does not matter. Both people are getting the same treatment, period, and both people should have the expectation of great quality, regardless of the price... just for the fact that they invested in an Apple product.

Sitting around telling people that you deserve superior build quality because of how much you spent. No, dummy , you deserve superior build quality because of what Apple represents. The price you spent has very little to do with it, other than paying a premium. Recognize, it's the idea of the premium, not necessarily the amount.

So yes, most people will go on their lives using this wack and lame excuse.

But don't stand in line with a MBP thinking you deserve any more build quality or service than the person holding his MacBook.

 

I'm not saying I should get better service.

Let me give you a situation. VW makes a new engine, and sell it to ford. Your friend buys the ford with a new engine. The engine performs extremely poorly, and needs to be fixed a lot. BMW already has made a new car model, and even though they know of the issues, they continue to use the VW engine. 6 months later, they release it with the flawed engine, and you buy it and have issues. Now for the premium you pay for the bmw, wouldn't you have expected them to fix the engine, instead of saving money on R&D?
The same goes for the 9600, which was fairly notorious for overheating months in advance, but because apple had already finished the new MBP, they decided to mass produce it.

 

Which Mac do you own?

 

BMW never FAILS

<3

 

How can you say Apples quality is slipping if you never even owned an Apple product with a 9600 GT, or a MBA for that matter. You're basing your conclusions off of what you read on forums and websites...and not personal experience.

If you had claimed that Apple's service sucks, sure, I'd give you that becaues it sounds like they are giving you a hard time. But to say that their quality is slipping without actually owning the product that failed is bogus to me.

But I can see why you would feel this way...most people would after reading such things.

 

Now you're taking this further. You talked about spending X amount, and then what you should deserve.

In your scenario, yes I do expect BMW to not use the engine, KNOWING it has problems. However, regardless of which engine they choose, I expect quality because of what they represent. I would not be surprised though if they kept going at it...if those engines are already developed you can't just throw them away...etc. There are many variables.

However, there BMW (or Apple in this case) has information, business information, that we do not have that leads to the release. There are so many things involved, you can't make a legitimate comment on the situation. You think the company WANTS to release a flawed product?

Apple might have a contract with Intel for laptops, promising to spend an X amount of money, therefore getting discounts...etc etc. You just don't know.

The 9600 has been performing well on the 15 inch... these problems for the 17 are confusing a lot of people. Apple probably has the solution, just waiting on what to do.

I agree, I do expect Apple, as a company to release good products and reliable products. These problems probably shouldn't occur, I agree. But regardless of how much I spent with them, I don't expect my product to have a higher chance of stability or expect to be treated better than a lower or higher model.

Speaking of BMW, they have their problems too...fuel pumps on the 335i are notorious... but they keep producing the same engine for the 535i, 135i, X6...etc. The 135i is a brand new car too just release last year, and they still used the engine regardless of the problems it's known to have.

 

I'm switching over from Windows.

I'm ordering the 17 inch MBP. LOL.

 

lol same, once I sell my 15 er

 

It's pretty lame when some of you guys kill a thread in the Apple forum with the quote above.

The source of this article seems fairly valid but even if Apple does have higher warranty returns it has some of the best customer service to deal with the problems at the Apple stores. Making an appointment with and Apple tech definitely beats being put on hold for hours just to speak with someone from an Indian call center.

 

LongLiveLife,

Just a note, through the Apple Store is only one of many methods to get your Mac repaired. You can also send it in (as with all other manufacturers), and Apple will cover all pickup and delivery costs. You can also go through an Apple Store.

So in fact, Apple gives more options for customer service to make things easier and more convenient; you can go to an Apple Store (not an option for many other manufacturers), or you can send it in!

 

I wouldn't consider it lame. We get so many Windows fanatics that just love to tell Mac users that they are wrong, and it's on a daily basis. If somebody comes in to the Mac section, flaming every action Apple has done, or exaggerating flaws, but has a PC in their sig... You get the point.

Don't own a Mac? Don't complain about Apple's service and quality (Which from my standpoint are both top notch).

 

I don't even know where they find that enthusiasm

 

A 100% success rate is impossible. You will always get defective parts, even with Apple. So your expectations are unreasonable.

Personally, I haven't experienced any of your issues

 

Exactly, I couldnt figure out if this guy is just reading everything on the news and generalizing it... or if he's having problems with one of his MacBooks (Im pretty sure he has a black MB) and obviously since his Apple Care has ran out he is mad that his screen is broken or something and I dont know...

 

Every mass produced product is going to have it's problems, that just how it is.

 

This appears to be a pointless thread in my opinion, because the creator appears to be jumping to conclusions based on articles he has read on the internet and not from personal experience, as well as generalising the problems reported in the web articles.

Granted, there are quality issues with Apple products, just like there would be with any product. But most people get it resolved without too much trouble if they're under warranty and it does appear to be a genuine problem.

Apart from that, pretty much everyone is already aware of the other point mentioned, namely that Apple charges a hefty premium for their goods, including parts for repair.

I understand that the screen of your black macbook dying just outside warranty must be very frustrating, especially since repairing it costs such a premium. However, I don't think that much can be done about it, and it is truly unfortunate that you are experiencing this.

 

^^^^
I also agree, there is no question or plea for help, other than he has a problem with his macbook screen, but as its still under warranty, so why doesn't he just send it back for repair ???? Problem solved no ????

I don't quite understand what random complaining about other peoples complaints is going to achieve... other than another flame pc vs mac war. Thus mods please close this before it becomes one.
a

 

actually, I own three. Two white macbooks and a black macbook. the white ones are for the business, but because my black one's display is broken I don't know if I'm going to be able to repair it under warranty.

you need to read my entire post before you criticize me.

 

I did read the whole thing. The closest you got to saying you owned one was being in an Apple store.

If your display is actually broken, it sounds like you might be in the market for some Toughbooks. While I would rather have an Apple laptop, I know how rough I am with portable electronics, and I've realised that you can't use a MacBook as a frisbee and expect it to live.

 

I remember about 1 1/2 years ago on the older body MBP's they were having issues with their heatsinks due to improper application of the paste. Websites were dedicated to show users how to correct this issue since Apple wouldn't unless your machine was broke. As time passed the issue was solved but I do agree with LongLiveLife that is a company is going to sell an advertised superior product you wouldn't want those type of issues right out of the gate. Would something like that deter me from buying Apple? No, but I might wait a month or two before buying the new line or might grab a refurbished one hoping the kinks were ironed out.

You guys say the 15" MBP is doing fine though? I had been thinking of grabbing that instead of the MB.

 

The shipping of the 17-inch Pros was delayed because of the graphics issues...

You can't expect Apple to make perfect products. You can, however, expect them to go out and say they bummed up, though - which they all too often don't.

 

You pretty much never explained anything about anything but a black macbook with screen problems...
And if you dont know, YOU CALL APPLE or YOU GO TO THE APPLE STORE (caps lock strongly needed)


You take your Black MacBooks defective screen and apply this situation to every single other Mac out there?
You are crazy my friend, you took pretty much every problems Macs have and summed it all up in a thread, now go and create a website for Windows issues only, PC issues etc... since they are endless

Percentage of broken Macs is so low compared to other companies, and even if it isnt, its customer service is unsurpassed

 

I am sorry,but how do you know this?

 

guys,please,cool down

 

BMWs always have problems with overheating with the radiator, thermostat, etc. that always fail frequently. Sure, the engine block and suspension is solid but BMW actually does fail at some things. I drive a M3 and my father drives a 550i btw.

 

Yea I'm disappointed by Apple's QA recently as well. The 17" mbp has problems with the gpu issues, flickering screens and the 15" has that issue as well.

Only thing safe to buy right now are mac minis and mac pros.

 

ha! as somebody whos had to do engine swaps on them, no.

I'll stick with my Ford, thank you very much

 

Really ???
from your sig the ACD 24" is perfect so I guess that should be ok to buy as well no??
Oh and what about iMac's ?
The macbooks seem to be doing fine with very few complaints.
Thus that only leaves the 17" mbp which have some reports of problems.
As many have said buying any tech gear from any company can be a risky business. Its impossible to fully test every single machine made for every possible defect.
So what good company's do is to try and ensure the returns and exchange process is a smooth as possible.
From all reports Apple does this better than anyone at the moment.
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