Refurbished MacBook comes with “the Problem”
On February 6 I purchased a refurbished MacBook from the Apple online store. It arrived two days later. It was my very first Mac (okay, I actually learned how to use a computer in 1984 on an Apple IIe, but it wasn’t mine!) after years and years of using PC’s. I was very excited!
As everyone said, it was easy to navigate through, setup tasks were simple, connecting to the Internet was so easy as to make PC’s just a sad, sick joke…and then suddenly my screen went blank. I must have done something wrong, I thought. But it happened again later that day. And with each day it got worse and worse until, by day 3, I could barely keep it running.
Well, imagine my surprise when I Googled the subject and found this website!! I was pretty ticked off that Apple would send out a refurbished MacBook, *knowing* this was an issue with them, and nobody checked my logic board and heat sink?!
I called Apple and they told me to take it in, which I did. I told the repair guys what I’d found on the ‘Net. A week later I get it back and they just replaced the heat sink. Well, you know what happened - it started doing it again.
Does anybody here know if replacing JUST the heat sink was a good guess or a total blunder? The repair guy swears he was just following procedures and that he couldn’t replicate the problem after 8 hrs of running it, so assumed it was fixed. I replied that if a computer repair layman like myself could diagnose the issue with a 5 minute Google search, why didn’t he know what to do?
Okay, so now my MacBook is back in the repair joint and it will be there another week before I get it back. The manager there told me to call Apple Customer Relations and ask for a loaner, which I did and I got one. What I’d really like is some little reward for my pains of having bought a computer 3 weeks ago and not been able to use it at all, but it doesn’t look like one will be forthcoming, and I’m just not the nagging kind.
I will let you know if the problem was solved, but word to anybody buying a refurbished unit, call and make sure that somebody replaced the logic board and heat sink *before* they send it out to you!!
March 1st, 2007 at 6:38 am
[...] Original post by L8Bloomer and software by Elliott [...]
March 5th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
You should have stayed with a pc.
March 6th, 2007 at 6:02 am
What, nobody in the history of Microsoft has received a “lemon”?
March 6th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Lemons=Compaq.
Crap=Apple.
Microsoft makes only software (except mice and keyboards), Apple makes a So-So OS (check the NIST for who has more OS flaws) and style over substance hardware.
March 9th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
It’s not simply a matter of random hardware defects making some machines lemons. It’s a matter of whether or not the problems are corrected with a reasonably conscientious service effort. Apple’s track record is plummeting because of problems not being solved after repeated tries and attempts to deny the occurrence of systemic hardware problems at the expense of the customer. At least with Windows you can get away from problematic brands (Sony, Compaq, Acer, Gateway/Emachines) instead of being trapped with bad hardware for the sake of OS/apps compatibility.
Is there a link to the relevant portion of the NIST website?
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:59 pm
I had a ibook that had the same problem of the screen going blank. I toook it in and got the logic board and hard drive replaced. less then a year later it happened again. You have alot to look forward to next year.
January 1st, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Fred, so if apple=crap, then vista must =dog sh*t because that is what it is. You wont win that argument.
January 2nd, 2008 at 4:06 am
Yup! I bought a refurbished Macbook from Apple. It was a “real experience…” The first machine had booted up, and then apparently I did something innocently wrong…and the machine would not function. So, I returned it to them, which they kindly accepted, and paid the freight for. The problem is that the machine they sent me had significant scratches on the case—-the ad from Apple said they would put on a new case. SO, I sent that one back! The third machine worked fine, and has been doing so for a year and a half. I don’t know how bad the PC’s are, but maybe they ALL have their problems, whether MAC or PC. I don’t know.
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:20 am
I was debating whether to buy a new or refurbished macbook and this site answered my questions. Windows for me are no longer in the running because of my video editing, I hate Vista with a passion (and I have been a lifelong Windows user) and I had a bad experience with all of the Windows laptops I owned. I do agree that mac has its problems- I have replaced my keyboard and mouse for my imac I think 3 times, and my ipod video twice. HOWEVER in mac’s defense, you have to admit that they have an AWESOME customer service. I simply call about my crazy mouse or non-functioning keyboard, they send me a box overnight, next day with a brand new keyboard and mouse. I put the old crap in the box, send it back to them free, and that’s it, no questions asked. That’s what’s so great about apple, yes they make crap, but they replace it, free, without any hassle. Applecare is way worth it.
January 5th, 2008 at 2:17 am
I am returning my refurbished macbook for a new one because the headphone jack is broken and there is some warping on the case just above the big apple logo. My first refurbished macbook had no scratches and I had the option to repair it or replace it. I opted to get it replaced, but I’m afraid the replacement will have scratches on it. Will apple fix it or replace it again if it has scratches?
January 8th, 2008 at 12:38 am
I think the real issue is: SERVICE. We’re gonna have problems with both PC and MAC.
January 25th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Howdy, my friend bought a newer powerbook that was refurbished, and the display would go blank every once in a while, as well. I told him to not buy refurbished gear, and he learned the lesson. Dipping into the box of a thousand refurbished pieces of gear gives you a piece of junk or a decent piece of equipment that will last forever.
Companies distributing millions of the same piece of hardware to millions of customers with intelligence ranging from zero to infinity, makes it a nightmare for customer service. Of course there are gonna be bad parts. A lot if it comes from the component manufacturers, as well. Look at all the motherboards that had a bad lot of capacitors put on them. It’s not just apple, it’s the whole manufacturing industry, too. Quantity versus quality produces more junk than useful gear that will last into the future.
I have a Powerbook G4 Ti1000 which I use everyday for mostly everything. Getting to the point to where I can’t watch high quality videos on it. It was built in 2001, I’ve replaced the top case since the trip overseas to Afghanistan with all the helicopter rides, dust, and other crap, and it still works great. It’s been dropped at least 20 times already. Tough beast.
No matter if you get a PC or MAC, there is the quality niche, and the cheap niche. Most of the time you get what you pay for. Sometimes you pay too much for low quality junk.
Every OS will have its problem, and until people get to the point to where they can build their own operating system with their own kernel for their own hardware, no one will be happy.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
I have been using Apple products for 16 years without issue. I’ve bought refurbished as well as just released products. During that time I’ve worked on the PC side as well. On the hardware side, Apple has been far superior overall. I have had PC hardware that was bulletproof, and other hardware that I would use for anchors. The bulletproof were custom made from select components that were high quality. No surprise then that ALL the Apple products I have used are bulletproof as well.
The OS story is the same. In my years I can tell you hands down that Apple has produced a far superior OS and I don’t have to re-authenticate it every so often because something happened to the software. I even bought a Motorola Mac Clone and it was better than any out of the box PC money could buy. I could even run the last release of OS 9 on it without problems despite the masses saying you can’t without problems.
Time is money and I will invest the money to save me time. I can make it back and then some with the quality I get from the Apple line of products. If I should have a problem the solution is literally a phone call away, in this country, and resolved that day without getting put on forget. Brush up on your foreign languages if you buy something else so you can talk to Johnny, a.k.a. Akmed the next time you need tech support.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:50 am
I was looking forward to purchasing a refurbished macbook… is it REALLY worth it to buy brand new or are these storys just bad luck?
February 5th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Oh, no is what I’m thinking now, too. I was just on the verge of clicking on “purchase” for a refurbished MacBook. Now I’m hesitating and will probably go for something on MacMall. Glad I found this site today.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I have been a pretty faithful apple guy since I learned to use computers with an Apple IIe, I still have it and it still runs! Over my time I have had 3 macs that I have bought as refurbished macs: an iMac, iBook, and MacBook Pro. In this time I have never had an issue with a refurbished mac that I have bought. My brother has a Mini and a Pro, both refurbs, and never an issue. I am not going to claim apple is perfect by any stretch of the imagination, and I certainly will not say every refurbished mac is perfect, but both my experience and my brother’s experiences have been nothing but positive. I also look it as the discount basicly allows you to buy AppleCare for free in effect, if there was a problem, which I have have never had… knock on wood!
March 4th, 2008 at 7:29 am
hi i had this problem too… but after the upgrade to leopard seems to have not happen since..
March 21st, 2008 at 10:10 pm
There’s that anxiety that always comes with buying something that is used. If someone didn’t want it, why would you? I was almost sold at the price — 919.00 tax included for a refurbished macbook. But maybe a couple of hundred extra dollars wouldn’t hurt if you want to buy and go, and return for your next upgrade in a couple of years. Maybe a few more months of saving up for a new one would be better.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:23 pm
I really appreciate how you have all listed your experiences here to help all of us contemplating our future purchases! The only thing that puzzles me is why would Apple be willing to sell a refurb with a one-year warranty if they knew they would have to fix it?
I wonder how many out of all the refurbs that are sent out are really “Bad Apples”?
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:56 pm
I bought a Macbook back in January from Best Buy. Just a few words of advice. Don’t buy Apple from Best Buy! Go online or visit an Apple Store to purchase. When I bought the computer they offered Mac Optimization for my computer for $30.00. Not knowing anything about Apple computers (my first one) I chose to purchase it. Needless to say, the minute I got home and fired up the Macbook, I had nothing but problems with my brand new computer! I called Apple Care numerous times and they helped fix whatever problem occurred each and everytime. However, the last time I called they couldn’t help due to the fact that the hard drive had crashed! I took the computer to our local Apple Store ( also not knowing there was one in our city before purchasing from Best Buy), they were superior on Customer Care/Support. They ended up giving me a brand new computer due to all the problems I had with the Macbook from Best Buy. I was also informed that Best Buy had sold to me at the same price the older model Macbook. The Mac Optimization that they offer is a bogus deal. The Apple store told me that the computer already comes with everything you need, it didn’t need “Mac Optimization”. A way for Best Buy to make an extra $30.00. My New Macbook works great, and I can’t say enough about customer care/support from Apple. I will say, I feel sorry for someone who buys the computer I had even though they re-furbish it. It never worked! I blame that on Best Buy and their “Mac Optimization”.
April 8th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I bought a refurbished Core Duo MacBook Pro from the online Apple store. NO problems in 1.5 years. NICE machine. Saved a boatload of cash. $1350 versus $2000.
Bot
April 9th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I have bought two refurbished Macs and never had a problem. In fact couldn’t be happier. I was in the Windows world for so long I thought hating and/or tolerating a computer was how everyone lived their lives. Windows (be it Vista or XP or whatever convoluted thing they are pawning) is corrupt and makes work harder — the exact reason not to have a computer! I find it funny how passionate people are on one side of this or the other — mostly because how could anyone LOVE a Windows computer? Granted it tries harder and harder to look and feel like a Mac (and if you dispute this you head is up your a** — just look at the evidence as the UI has evolved) but is still ugly, bloated and difficult to use. But I guess if you are born white trash and choose live white trash you need to violently defend white trash
June 9th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I have purchased Over the years I have purchased at least 5 refurbish from the Apple store.
Never an issue with any of them in fact I always recommend this site to my friends looking for a Mac.
I now have a MacBook Pro and a Intel Imac both purchased from the Apple store as refurbish.
I have always purchased Apple care with the money I saved but have never had to use it.
I am sure it happens in all hardware sometime a lemon gets out , be it new or refurb.
For the amount of money I have saved over the years no one could convince me to buy new.
Don’t be afraid go for it!
I wouldn’t even get into the Mac vs. PC issue there really is only one computer on the market and that’s Mac, nothing really to compare to
I just feel bad for these people working on a PC thinking they are on a real computer.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I purchased a MacBook refurb close to 2 years ago. Not a problem. My wife loves it, thinks is is better than any Dell she has been forced to use at work. I have an HP, have had it for close to 3 years. Same sentiment. Never a problem (knock on wood), I did not upgrade from XP, and do not plan on doing that. I also am smart about how I load things onto my laptop.
The company I work for is a Mac shop. It is all we use, and as of a year ago, all we purchase are refurbs. The occasional problem, but for the most part, most machines are rock solid. The truth, you get what you pay for most of the time, but the refurb store for macs, mean you get better than what you should be paying for…
June 11th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Hm, I’m going to college next year and am looking to buy a macbook. Now I’m seriously considering getting a refurbished one.
Where is the best place to buy a refurbished macbook? Does Apple sell them directly or do I have to go through some sketch third party…..
October 4th, 2008 at 5:04 am
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October 20th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
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October 22nd, 2008 at 5:16 am
ipod repair scratches…
I’m not sure I agree with you….
October 27th, 2008 at 9:39 am
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November 27th, 2008 at 2:49 am
I just received a referb Macbook… worst thing ever. It shipped in 2 days looked brand new out of the box. Great i thought. I was so happy. Set up the OS and was ready to rock. Open up safari and FREEZE…. restart.. not 5 min later another FREEZE then CRASH. So i ran a hardware test and you guessed it CRASH. So i wanted to re install the OS. What do you know,,, they send me corrupt discs. After 7 days of waiting for replacements and hours of reinstall.. I can no longer open any programs. I am sending it back ASAP. Lets see what Apple has to say about this one
November 29th, 2008 at 11:26 am
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December 18th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Bought a refurbished MacBook Pro in 2008. From day one it would shut itself down for no reason. I went the Genius Bar so many times that I knew everyone by name. Everyone behaved as if they had never heard of this problem before. After a couple of months of getting nowhere, I demanded that the laptop be replaced. Finally, I received a brand new MacBook Pro and it has worked just fine. No refurbished computers for me!