MBP overall construction

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MBP overall construction

I have a MBP that is nearly a year old and I have to say I am not overly impressed with the quality of the construction. Anyone else? I like the hinge system but I don't like the flimsyness of the display, far to flexible to last long. The battery is nearly impossible to remove. The metal above the lid release has bulged out (Mac says this is my fault for resting my hands on the case). I have noticed other case anomalies which are hard to explain. We have two other MBP at work I have noticed similar issues with those as well. I assume that Apple designed this to be placed on a desk and never moved. And I guess you should always use a mouse and external keyboard. I didn't buy this to be a pc, I purchased this for mobility. In comparison I have a 5 year toshiba that has no flaws and works great. With the countless threads I have read about issues with the MBP, I would think long and hard about purchasing another MAC product. Back to what I was saying, I have keys on the keyboard that feel fragile. I have a dead pixel on the display (had since new), never had that on any other computer or monitor I have owned. Don't get me wrong, I am not a MS lover that is why I thought I would try a MAC but come on. Is Apple getting too big? I glad to seem Apple succeed but what is the cost? Are customers no longer important?

MacBook Pro 15, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Aug 28, 2007 8:09 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 28, 2007 8:40 PM in response to nuckjr

I'd suggest perhaps trying a reinstall of the OS. Or perhaps repairing disc permissions using the disk utility in the utilities folder. Hopefully that will alleviate the technical problem you're having with the machine.

Best of luck.

PS - No manufacturer guarantees displays free of pixel defects. Not one. I've never had a pixel defect on a mac ever. I had one on a PC once.

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Answer 2

Mac-Medic

Level 6

17,301 points

Aug 28, 2007 8:42 PM in response to nuckjr

If you're not happy, I suggest contacting Customer Relations at 512-674-2500 and they will work it out with you. Venting your frustration here won't do any good. No one from Apple reads these boards.

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Answer 3

Aug 28, 2007 8:43 PM in response to nuckjr

Just remember that what you see here is an emergency room.

Does Toshiba have online help forums hosted on their site? I can't tell because I get a server error when I go to their tech assistance page.

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Answer 4

Bobs86

Level 1

0 points

Aug 28, 2007 10:13 PM in response to nuckjr

The concern over the MBP overall construction is well advised. The very good news is that Consumer Reports September 2007 issue rates the MBP as number 1 in both the 15 and 17 inch models. In their evaluation they report "Tech support for Apple laptops has been superior, while reliability has been undistinguished."

I have a new MBP and, in light of the Consumer Reports, I also bought the Apple Care package for it.

My last Apple Computer was a 1.25 GHz G4 which had a very poor motherboard with sub standard memory module sockets. Mine gave trouble under warranty and Apple replaced it with a new motherboard that is of much better construction. That G4 is still in use and works perfectly.

I hope that Apple has good control over their suppliers. Let us hope that they remain the top notch company they have been and keep their quality high.

I hope that Apple does read these postings and gives careful consideration.

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Answer 5

nuckjr Author

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Aug 29, 2007 9:04 PM in response to Mac-Medic

Sorry in advance. Don't mean to offend anyone.

It is obvious that some of you (not all) are not objective when it comes to computers in general. I pride myself in knowing computers and have built my own computers. I currently have 4 pcs running in my household and 1 MBP, not to mention the countless others I have built or given away. I am not saying that the MBP is a bad machine, I am simply saying that maybe Apple has lost some of their focus. I would hate to see quality and craftsmanship dwindle as popularity grows. Obviously someone from Apple sees these posts otherwise you wouldn't see various posts locked. I am not new to the game of computers at all. As far as customer relations, I have talked to them and Mac genuises and have never been satisfied with their conclusions. I have an issue now with my superdrive in the fact that certain discs it won't read (mostly colored), that it used to read. Mac tells me that it is the quality of the discs, well these discs were burnt with my MBP and now won't read them. Funny how that is a disc quality issue. Don't kid yourselves, money drives this business. Why do you think the iphone was invented? I love my MBP, I am simply disgusted with updates that do nothing more than break something. Don't fix what isn't broke. I have reinstalled the software that is how I was able to get my airport to begin working the way it was intended. As far as reviews and ratings, I do look at those but I also look at who those come from, email and internet surfers or true users. There are those of us that use our computers for more than email. I do realize that computers do break but when I talk to customer support I don't want to hear how I can buy Apple care, if you stand behind your computer shouldn't you want to fix it? Is it so much to ask for a company (any) to care about their customers more than pushing the lastest and greatest product or extended care? I think not but I guess I am few in that crowd. I don't want to see Apple become a company like Dell that hands a tech manual to a high school graduate and tells him/her to fix the worlds problems and if you can't sell them and extended warranty. Thanks to those who did have suggestions

Message was edited by: nuckjr

Message was edited by: nuckjr

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Answer 6

Aug 29, 2007 9:54 PM in response to nuckjr

Had mine the same length of time with no really problems. Apple Care? Yes, and every company has an extended warrenty. You should get it if it's not too late. I feel very confident knowing that I am covered for 3 years. Sorry you have a bad taste in your mouth towards the various issues you brought up.

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Answer 7

Aug 31, 2007 7:21 PM in response to Rajesh Sharma

Rajesh Sharma wrote:
PS - No manufacturer guarantees displays free of pixel defects. Not one. I've never had a pixel defect on a mac ever. I had one on a PC once.

Hmm, according to the following link, Samsung Offer's 'Zero-PIXEL-DEFECT' Warranty for LCD Monitors. I wonder does it apply to OEM TFT module which Apple uses in some of their machines.

http://www.forbes.com/infoimaging/feeds/infoimaging/2004/12/30/infoimagingasiapu lse2004_12_30_ix9333-0197-.html

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Answer 8

Aug 31, 2007 8:01 PM in response to UltraNEO-__

My apologies. I meant no manufacturer of Notebook computers.

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Answer 9

Aug 31, 2007 8:03 PM in response to UltraNEO-__

PPS - The article you referenced says that they're only offering it in South Korea and that

In general, LCD makers have regarded a panel with less than six defective pixels as normal, Samsung Electronics said.

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Answer 10

Fardad_F

Level 1

0 points

Aug 31, 2007 11:35 PM in response to nuckjr

Ummm... try dropping any other laptop from 6 feet onto marble (like what I did accidentally) and having everything work perfectly with just a bottom dent.

I'd say the 'overall construction' is fairly good. 🙂

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Answer 11

Aug 31, 2007 11:46 PM in response to nuckjr

I've used a number of laptops over the years and have just been a recent Mac convert (last year), I've found the construction of the MBP to be superior in every way. I'd suggest you take a look at any old or new Toshiba, Dell, or HP and compare it to the MBP. From the keyboard to the screen I think its superior.

Sure, if you drop 'em they all will suffer failures, dents, etc, but I'd have to say, so far, my MBP is holding up great and I use it daily.

<Legal disclaimer>

Just my three cents.

~Steve

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