problem with new MBP

Hi everyone,
last tuesday I decided to become a switcher and I purchased my first ever Mac, I decided to go with the 15" MBP with the 128MB vid card.

I got it home and right away I noticed the screen was acting funny and flickering. I ignored it for a bit because it only happened when the screen wasn't on the brightest setting. However, a couple days later I returned it and got a new one.

This new one, also as an issue too. As soon as I started it up for the very first time everything turned on, because I could hear the start up music, except the screen, it stayed black. I couldnt get it to come on, so after random key pushing I closed the notebook and open it right back up and the screen was on, very strange.

However, this problem persists. Everytime the notebook stays closed (not turned off, just closed, and therefore in "sleep mode" I assume) the screen wont turn back on as soon as I open the notebook.

Any idea why the screen doesnt turn on right away? I really dont want to have to get my 3rd MBP in a week.

please help

 

The screen flickering at less than 100% brightness is known/emerging issue.

The screen/sleep/open lid stuff is abnormal.

 

My MB had those same sorts of issues until, one day, the screen simply died. Return your MBP again, pade.

 

wow, thats ****ty.

I called their tech support and he had me remove the battery and hold down the power button for 5 secs. apparently that resets something.
then he had me restart the comp, then hold down option+apple key+p+r on the black screen and listen for three chimes. apparently that resets some more stuff.

He said that those steps should rectify the problem, and that I should call back if it happens again.
If it does happen again I think im just gonna return it again.this really sucks.

 

He's having you reset PRAM which, to my knowledge, is normally used to start a machine which refuses to boot. I had to do that once with a little 12" PB which is now three years old. To date, that's the only "issue" the machine has ever had. Hope it works for your MBP.

 

yep:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=986781&tstart=0

 

well, this morning the problem happened again, looks like its back to the store to get a 3rd MBP.

I guess I could call tech support back, but i dont think I should have to deal with this on a notebook that is two days old so Im not going to.

 

Just an update, took the MBP to the store and they were able to verify the problem. But they didn't have any more in stock to give me so now I have to wait an undetermined amount of time.

This is quickly becoming the worst shopping experience of my life, totally not what I expected from apple.

So, just as a heads up to all you potential switchers, its not all roses.

Only up side is that I'm gonna get them to throw in some free stuff, maybe a case or a bag or something, they were being pretty flexible today so i don't see it being a problem when I go to pick it up. Also considering writing a letter to apple HQ, this is just horrible.

 

I had similar problems with my daughter's Macbook. Resetting the PRAM worked, but I didn't want to have to do that every time and so they replaced the unit. Luckily the retail store had one in stock. I also had to bring it into the store for a new battery. I didn't like having to deal with these problems, and having to take it into the store, but at least they fixed the issues with no cost to me and no need to ship it back to them. If I had to be without the system then I would be mad.

 

That's all well and good if the store is close - for me it's over an hour away. I'm not going to be liking a return situation like that. Is this something I'd be able to do via fedex?

 

thats exactly the problem, the store isn't that far from my house, but in rush hour traffic its about an hour away and its brutal to get there.
When I go to pick the MBP the next time it will be my FOURTH trip out there, at about 45min to an hour each way thats a full day of my time, which is ridiculous, not mention the fact that it took like 20min for their techs to test my unit, then it took like 15 min of paper work each time.

What would you guys do in my situation?
the people at the store were soooo nice so I would have felt bad yelling at them but i wanted to so badly. I'm sure people in my situation would have demanded a free shuffle or something.

 

Yes, if you have issues with your computer while under warranty Apple will send you either a fex ex box or UPS. Cath don't look at this as a situation that will happen to you. For every one person that post issues about their Mac there are 100 more satisfied customers with no issues. Keep in mind most people with no issues don't bother to post how great their machine is or how well it runs with no problems.

 

Pade don't take this the wrong way but since your house isn't that far from the Apple store then make the trip during non-rush hour traffic or wait until the weekend. I understand your frustration however because of your inconvenience you can't really count the 20 minutes the techs take to test your unit, that's pretty reasonable. Nor the 15 minutes of paperwork. That's reasonable too.
Maybe this will bring you down to earth. My new Powerbook (over 30 days old) developed issues with the screen. I took it to the Apple store and they sent it to service. A week later I came to get it and the casing wasn't snapped together from them taking it apart. The genius looked it and sent it back in. Another week later I came back and fired up the machine in the store and the DVD player wasn't recognized and the machine started getting very hot within 2 minutes and the screen was warped and there was glue on the bottom casing.
I called customer relations in the store and they wanted to fix it again. I wasn't happy. I stayed calm but persistent and they ordered me a new model up from the one I had at of course no charge.
Some time in your life you will end up with a bad story from something you purchased so this is not unusual.
Sorry but you can't expect Apple to give you a free iPod for your troubles. Their job is to fix the machine or replace, not compensate customers for their time.

 

Well, I'm going for the Macbook Pro and hopefully I'll have no problems, but I know it can happen - if so, I'm glad to know they can send me a fedex box. My friend showed me his Macbook Pro this morning and it was beautiful. I was going to try and wait for Leopard but I don't think I can. I might get it this weekend.

 

Just go for it and enjoy it. You can choose to either upgrade, archive and install or reformat and install when you get Leopard. Either way it won't be a hassle. It won't be like the Windows Vista upgrade horror stories.

 

That's good to hear. It will take me that much time just to figure out some of the ins and outs of OS X. Just in time for Leopard. That's amazing that an OS upgrade can actually be fairly simple. In the past I've always gotten a new computer when I wanted the new Windows OS because it's just too crazy the other way. I refused to do it with Vista and then I discovered the Mac so now I'm into a whole new world. I can't wait!

 

Wow, that does put it in perspective, that really sucks.

Also,I'm not saying I want a free ipod, i really don't, I already have one, I'm just saying I should be compensated in some way, you were. I actually suggested that they give me the closest macbook pro they had in stock. They said they didn't have the glossy so that it would have to be the MBP with the 256MB card, but that would require permission from the corporate office, which they couldn't do since it was after business hours.
After having some time to calm down I think the fairest course of action would be for them to give me the apple care package at no charge, if they have so much faith in their product they shouldn't have any trouble putting their money where their mouth is.

 

You might just be given that warranty package, pade. Apple nearly always makes things right for its customers, sometimes giving service above and beyond. A year or so ago, my son's iPod quit working so we took it to the local store to get it fixed. The warranty had ended roughly a week earlier, but the manager decided to honor it anyway. My boy was given a new iPod, plus another 90 days warranty!

I've been treated very well by Apple and have become very loyal if not a complete fanboy. What you're going through is a PITA, but if you hang in there (I know it's tough), I believe things will be made right for you, especially if you're dealing with the folks directly at the Apple store.

 

I really wasn't compensated, Apple damaged my laptop in service twice and my model was discontinued (sorry forgot to mention that) so they wanted to fix it again and I refused but I was calm, matters get worse when you (the customer) shows anger. I just told them I wanted a replacement and they offered the new model. They took care of me based on the situation but I wasn't compensated.

However you have a point and Apple will compensate customers because I was once before. My PowerMac G5 was ordered on Apple's website. The day before my ship date Apple emailed me telling me that due to factory issues my order was pushed back for 3 more weeks. I was none too happy. I told them this was unacceptable and wanted to cancel the order. They offered to N/C my AppleCare protection package since it was part of the order.
Actually they were late shipping my laptop as well and they shipped me a free Brenthaven carrying bag so I wouldn't cancel.

The only thing is the ball was sorta in my court because my order had not shipped yet. If you are still within your return policy the ball may still be in your court to be compensated for your inconvenience.

 

just as an update, after a little pushing apple stepped up and fixed the issue.They gave me the 2.4 Ghz model at no extra charge.

so, i guess the moral of this story is forget patience, you are the customer so just be persitent till you get what you want, so long as its reasonable I guess.
In my case they thought i was reasonable simply because it was the model they had in stock that most closely matched the one I bought, that fact that it was so much more expensive isnt really my concern.

 

haha, I'm gonna assume that you're a happy customer now?

 

well, they said that they didnt want me to have a bad apple experience , now I can honestly tell them the experience was not bad overall.
so yes, I'm happy.

PS:this 3rd one is perfect from what I can tell, there is almost 0 flicker of the screen.
don't settle people.

 

damn thats awesome.

 

After reading this thread I feel very uneasy since my 2.2 CTO MBP has this waking from sleep issue. As well, if I move it while it's sleeping it'll automatically turn on... Since I have a CTO is there anything I can do?