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HarriganC · Sep 22, 2004, 09:10 PM

Hello Everyone,

I received my brand new 15" to replace my 12" that was hurting my eyes. After taking it out of the box I was really excited that I had no dead pixels or uneven illumination. A few hours after, I noticed pry marks on the right side of the display. This didn't bother me because other than that I have a perfect unit (Better than some that come out of Shanghai. I was putting it in my bag today (First time on the road, and noticed a bow in the the lid when closed. I also notice that the metal and plastic trim doesn't sit flush at the bottom of the unit. I don't know what to do... Send it out for repair or demand a new unit, or live with it so I don't have another headache. Even though I already sold the 12" and it is gone, and this PB s my only computer my current workload is low and can handle living w/o a computer for a week max.

What do you suggest?

Any input is appreciated.

Chris

BTW... This is not a refurbished unit.
....Don't crack on my pics, I am by no means a photographer. Any input would be appreciated ASAP I want to call them in the morning.

here is a link to some pics:http://homepage.mac.com/csharrigan/PhotoAlbum6.html

KeriVit · Sep 22, 2004, 09:20 PM

I'd go ahead and call simply based on the pry marks.

Regarding sitting flush, if I understand correctly, my 17" doesn't sit flush either but hasn't been an issue.

No harm in calling though it's part of what u paid for.

cash · Sep 22, 2004, 10:00 PM

hi,

i say definately call them and see what they can do about the pry marks... but were they there originally?

regarding the screen not sitting flush on the base, i think nearly all the powerbooks (at least the 12" ones ive seen) have this problem. i think it has to do with apple only using 1 hook right in the middle, probably for aesthetic reasons. personally i wouldnt mind having 2 hooks if that meant the screen would sit flush on the base.

but i think most people just live with it. you cant have everything right? funny tho, as the pc laptops ive seen always have a sturdy clip/hatch to lock in the screen...

anyway, i agree with KeriVit about calling them about the pry marks. if its quite new, they may even replace your powerbook.

--
cash

HarriganC · Sep 22, 2004, 10:07 PM

I received it Thursday, it came out of the box with the pry marks. I am just worried that I may get some dead pixels if I get a replacement.

Thanks for the Input... anyone ever had a similar situation?

HarriganC · Sep 23, 2004, 09:16 AM

They are sending me a replacement... Good decision?

I am a little leary.

Ruahrc · 03:17 PM

I have the exaact same thing on my PB 15" too I think. Down in the lower-right of the display the plastic trim comes about .5mm away from the metal. Although mine doesn't look as bad as yours because the plastic trim does not have much denting from the prying.

What did you say to the people on the phone to get a replacement? I imagine it must be a pretty hard sell to get them to replace it in person although it could be easier over the phone (as you could just say you have pry marks

)

Let me know how your new PB goes maybe I'll do it too after you get yours and it's another perfect one

Ruahrc

edit: yeah I think every display "bows" (in the respect that the edges are higher than the middle where the latch is if you are looking at it straight on). That can be fixed using Wildeepz from RadTech? I don't like how my PB screen "rattles" when it is closed. The Wildeepz should fix that too, maybe I'll get some.

HarriganC · Sep 23, 2004, 03:43 PM

Well, I recieved the Email from them including the labels, and in the email they mentioned taht it would be 7-12 business days before I get my new unit. (I was also very nervous of getting a machine worse off than mine) I wasn't happy with that, so I went to my local ASP, and show the technician the cosmetic issue. He told me that he is very anal like me and found it to be unacceptable. So, since my machine is perfect other than that I am having the ASP do the repair that apple authorized. They will be replacing the lid, plastic and aluminum bezel. He ordered the parts today and will call me when they come in and will do the repair while I wait. If anyone is in the Rhode Island, South Eastern Massachusetts area I can't reccomend Tricom enough, they are really one of the few ASP's that is authorized to service portables. I am happier about having them fix my machine than getting a new one, because !.) I don't have to be w/o a machine 2.) I have someone that is an anal perfectionist like myself that will be working on my machine!!!! 3.) I don't have to worry about getting a machine with dead pixels, or another issue.

Smiling ear to ear

-Chris

Oh and BTW, a new machine was offered to me when I called in tech support said it's so new that "No questions asked they could DOA it," and that there shouldn't be any marking on the plastic.

It really seems to me that the computers coming out of Shanghai manufacturing facility aren't assembled as well as they were in Taiwan, but that's just my opinion.

urrl78 · Sep 23, 2004, 04:34 PM

I am under the impression that when replacing a unit with a new one they scrutinize the replacement more carefully. My 1 Ghz 17" was replaced with a brand new 1.5 Ghz model and it is totally spotless and is fully functional. I did not have to wait either. I kept my partially functioning 17" until the new one came in at the store. Then I swapped. But this is just my experience. I don't think they want to doubly disappoint consumers. Anyway hope it turns out well for 'ya.

HarriganC · Sep 23, 2004, 04:46 PM

Well in dealing with apple directly it is tough to know what you are getting... When my replacement unit leaves Shanghai it would just be as if I ordered a second, the warehouse doesn't know its a replacement since you send the other unit to Sacramento. Also, I have heard in the past that when you have a unit that isn't within 30 days old, that they are going to "replace with a new one," that these units are "new to you," and are generally refurbs.

That could be inaccurate for I have no true proof, but I have heard that and even in the industry in which I work this is an every day practice. It's unfortunate but true.

Ruahrc · Sep 24, 2004, 01:58 PM

Sounds like it worked out well for you
What does ASP Stand for, and where can I go to find one in my area?

Ruahrc

HarriganC · Sep 24, 2004, 07:30 PM

Authorized Service Provider for Apple, I believe.... I was lucky to have one nearby that can work on portables.

striker100 · Sep 25, 2004, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by urrl78:
I am under the impression that when replacing a unit with a new one they scrutinize the replacement more carefully. My 1 Ghz 17" was replaced with a brand new 1.5 Ghz model and it is totally spotless and is fully functional. I did not have to wait either. I kept my partially functioning 17" until the new one came in at the store. Then I swapped. But this is just my experience. I don't think they want to doubly disappoint consumers. Anyway hope it turns out well for 'ya.

I'd love to hear that story. What was with your 1Ghz Powerbook that it was replaced with the 1.5GHz, was it a lemon?