I’ve had my refurbished and repaired MacBook Pro for one week today and it looks like we’re right back to where we started. A few days ago, apps started randomly crashing again; same as the first time around. I haven’t loaded up the machine with much of anything, just the basics plus a few fun extras like Twitterific and PandoraMan. Oddly, those apps appear relatively stable and even stranger yet: Entourage has crashed several times today and the Crash Reporter doesn’t even show it in the log.
The size of the crash logs is directly related to the number of crashes for each app; Firefox has crashed the most times and unfortunately, it’s the most used app. To make matters worse: the "grey veil of death" as I like to call it has lowered like a curtain at least five times today. Full. System. Crash.
I’ll be heading back to the Apple Store of course, but this is strike two in my book. Refurb or not, the hardware should work for two-grand and since this is a desktop replacement for me, it’s a productivity killer. Luckily, I waited to remove the desktop from my home office, so I’ll migrate back during the expected downtime.
The sad part is: I ran the hardware test this afternoon and received the exact same error in 3 seconds (above) that I had the last time before I brought the machine in a week ago. Time to put service to the test again; so far, my experience there is good. My overall Mac experience is stellar…say a 9 out of 10….when it’s working. If I factored in the downtime and productivity losses, the experience is much lower of course. I’m now at the point where I don’t feel confident I can be at home or (worse) on the road with the device. It simply isn’t giving me a warm fuzzy that it will work when I need it.
I’ve also thought long and hard about some of the prior comments surrounding a refurbished unit. Perhaps I should have spent the extra money to buy a brand new notebook. I won’t deny someone the ability to have a different perspective than me, but I have to ask: if people shouldn’t be buying refurbished devices, maybe companies shouldn’t be selling them in the first place. I don’t truly believe that statement and I believe that Apple will resolve the issue, but pause and think about it. To blame the consumer for a refurbished purchase doesn’t make sense in my book. Nor in my MacBook. ;)
I bought a refurbed macBook Pro and I had a similar problem. I sent it in 3 times for repair. The 4th time the computers battery expanded on me bending the casing and Apple sent me a new one. Hopefully the same thing will happen to you.
Wow, talk about bad luck.
Maybe we should switch MacBooks?
Seriously use the website to setup your appointment in advanced this time so you don’t have to wait. apple.com/retail
As for refurbs, it is discounted for a reason. I agree that it should be as good as new, but you know you are taking a risk when you buy reburb, that is why you get a discount. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy it. Either way it shouldn’t take Apple more than one time to fix your problem. Just goes to show that they obviously have problems with QA in their service department.
I’d say it is bad luck. It’s just generally disappointing and disruptive to my work; which is no different than if it was my smartphone, a UMPC or whatever.
I really do want the unit fixed and working well. As I mentioned, when it works, I’m really enjoying it. The downtime: not enjoying. Thanks!
Welcome to the Refurb Rollercoaster. Apple is better than most companies, letting you off after three strikes. I hope it doesn’t go that far.
If you have an independent Apple repair place near you, you might want to give them a try. I started using a local one (http://www.tricomri.com) before Apple opened a store in Providence, but I still go to the independent shop even though the Apple Store is close by.
I’ve never had a bad experience in an Apple Store, but I’ve never tried to initiate a repair there. The impression I get from reading people’s stories in blogs and forums is that the Genius Bar arrangement can be a lossy buffer between you and whoever fixes the computer; I’ve heard so many stories of people initiating repairs through Apple and getting their Mac back only to find the problem wasn’t solved.
What I like about using a small authorized repair center is that the person I talk to at the counter is going to be the person working on it.
I have to say it. I though Apples just worked? Whew! I feel better.
I can count on one finger the number Blue Screens of Death I’ve had in the last year with a Q1. I’ll avoid a bunch of bad apple and fruit puns and just hope you get it fixed!
Mark
Not suprising considering it is an Apple… I’ve found the ‘it just works’ commentary to be way off base when it comes to Apple products.
Should have never bought a Mac to begin with… serves you right… next your keys will be melted with a swollen battery.
I switched to the Mac a couple of years ago and have had poor experiences. Perhaps I was just “unlucky” but Windows has been more RELIABLE for me, and I’ve switched back for the most part.
The reps at several Apple stores told me they usually hear about upgrades before they are announced, and none were expected. Long story short, less than 30 days after my purchase the upgrade came with the super drive, apple display support, faster processor, and more. OK, I was unlucky in timing, and this says nothing about the product quality.
My Powerbook had a handful of dead pixels. The machine got so hot the “titanium” paint chipped off within 2 months (I typed quite a bit, but still, 2 months!). The CD burner frequently froze and “clicked” for minutes, and refused to eject the disk. When it did seem to work, the burned disks were unreadable. When waking from sleep the screen often stayed black, though the hard drive spun; only cutting off the power (including battery) then turning the device back on would bring the screen back. The hinge fused in the first year and literally broke off through the screen, and then when I took the hinge off it literally took two plyers and a lot of muscle to rotate the hinge. After two years, the hard drive also failed. By the way, this was a new product, not refurbished, and I take good care of my products, especially when they cost so much.
I also bought an early generation iPod. Right away the battery lasted 2-3 hours. A year later it froze frequently and wouldn’t respond to any buttons. Another year later the screen stopped working; it would work when turning it on (the apple logo appears, nice and dark), but then the pixels turn almost completely blank so you can’t read anything. Eventually there was a class action suit for which I received a $25 check (the iPod cost about $500 when I bought it, I think).
I love a lot of features of the Mac OS but after my experiences (though few-just a Powerbook and an iPod) I am returning to Windows. I’m neither praising nor bashing Apple products in general. These are just my experiences.
It hate you.
You.
Only Y.O.U.
It’ll be nice to me me me.
Address coming in email.
Ha!