Q: MacBook Pro screen blinks

Since I never got Applecare I've just been living with the issue.... however I just discovered that I should get about $650 for it using the trade-in program.  I'm this close to trading up for an Air.

And I learned my lesson, Applecare is a MUST when buying a laptop.

Yes, I understand. How will we tell Apple to exchange all our defective MBP?

ANOTHER "Same here" post!Late 2008 MBP with the same exact problem. I'm going to the Apple store ASAP- and showing them this thread! Hopefully i won't be given the same run-around that everyone here has had to deal with. My Family and our business runs on all Macs - between the business and home we have 13 computers, 5 iPhones, and 5 iPods... and this really is not acceptable for Apple! If anyone hears of updates on replacement computers please post!

thank you

Slice~R~ wrote:

 

I'm going to the Apple store ASAP- and showing them this thread!

That's more useful; let us know how they react to that.  This is clearly a known defect at this point, so let's see how they handle the undeniable evidence.

Stokestack, I really understand your point but doing what you suggest will burry the whole issue.

This is unacceptable.

This is not why we love Apple.

People should keep posting about this defect until a solution is found.

Hello All!

This is my story: late 2008 Macbook Pro, 2.53Ghz, Nvidia card 512, 8GB Ram running Lion.

About 2 months ago the trackpad was buggy, not sure why, but went in with apple care (until 04-12) and got it changed, no questions asked. Two weeks later, my screen was flickering when lighting was low. It wasn't very obvious but it bugged me as it was happening more and more often (just like an old neon lamp). Brought it in again, they had a look at it for 15 min, came back showing me the ram module was slightly popped upwards. I never bumbed my computer, always in neaely mint condition. He put it back and said to see if it would fix things.

Well, a week later, trying to run some games the computer shutdown with a full battery and connected to power. Happened a few times so I brought it back, along with an instance when certain keys didn't work (all function keys did, not the others).

This time they replaced the top case with keyboard, hardrive and logic board. Basically I had a new computer (they actually put in a 2.66Ghz board). I guess my laptop had ghosts...week later the top part of the screen flickered on and of (managed to get a video shot of it). Very tired of the issues, BACK at the store. Same tech saw me, had me wait 15 min and came back with the manager. Manager shook my hand, put a new macbook box on the table and offered to exchange mine against the base model. I was surprised, but explained that I had bought a top of the line model at the time, and given the hassle, I'd appreciate a better spec one, even if it mean paying a small difference.

He left, came back with that model and apologized. So I'm the happy owner of a 2.4Ghz quad i7 with a 1Gb vid and 750Gb Hdd. Tech problems were annoying, but each time they were courteous and very professional. Hopefully this experience helps you guys out.

Cheers!

Thanks Easyflier! Got an appointment at the Apple Store tomorrow - Keep my fingers crossed!

Just a follow up. I'm very pleased tonight. The apple store did indeed replace my late 2008 macbook with a brand new macbook pro late 2011 stock model (MD318LL/A). I was on my third logic board over nearly the 3 years (apple care was about to expire next month). This last time (2nd logic board after first one was replaced about a year into owning it) came back with flickering right away. Frustrated i brought back to genius bar next day. 6 days later or so my 3rd logic board along with some other fixes. Flickering screen still present this time after machine was on for a few hours. Brough back to genuis bar. This time they said they're going to try to replace the display. Prior to that i had spoken to a store manager (thank you all for your suggestion on that and overall just being a squeeky wheel to them) who did tell me afte they've exasted everything replacing the machine woudl then be an option, so i thought i had to at least wait for this display to be replaced this last time. Well to my suprise the store manager, who i left word with just to let her know my maching was back at the store called and said they're going to go ahead and replace it. I went into the store, fairly easy and painless process, the employee did keep the box though (policy? said they have to send my old one back in it) and got a brand new stock (MD318LL/A). Couldn't be happier (If you add up the amount of time my computer was out for repair over the 3 years, i'd say roughly 3 weeks) and worth all the headache to have a new computer. Thanks everyone. One thing, none would say this is the nvidia chip problem, they said there was a batch of bad ones when they first came out but what they replace the logic boards now should be perfectly fine? Obviously not.
Hope if you are in the same boat you have the same outcome.

Hi

I have a Macbook Pro (2008 edition) and have had the following replacements -  logic board, Keyboard, Top case (corrosion) & new battery.  12 days left on my Applecare so phoned Apple direct - problem with continuously spinning beachball & blinking screen they replaced it for the new 15' 4GB/ Thunderbolt / Intel Graphics card.... RESULT!

How did it go?

Didn't make it that day - trying for this weekend - i will definatively post the results!!

Nevermind

Hey guys, question for you all.

My macbook pro was purchased on 1/20/2009. It's always has had this problem. Is worth making a trip to the Apple Store if I don't have Applecare ( would have expired now anyway) and trying to get the laptop serviced? Will they deny it entirely and make me pay for repairs? Thanks.

I would give it a shot. I went in because one day the computer would not boot up - it had power but nothing came up on the screen.

The screen had flickered a very few times over the years - I just shrugged it off, as I had no idea about the problem or this thread at the time. 

Anyway, they replaced the logic board for free -- said there was a known issue. I was ecstatic. I had no AppleCare (never bought it) and was braced for a huge bill. It ended up being $700+ but it cost me nothing. I'm a customer for life because of that.

I have seen no flickering since then, though I did get one of the two onboard fans replaced last year after it started making a racket. I still think the computer runs too hot, though. My husband's Macbook is cool as a cucumber - mine is really hot to the touch most of the time.

Definitely take the computer in. I've been in there when folks bring in their iPods and iPhones that they've dropped and shattered the screen or whatever - I've heard the geniuses say that Apple's policy is one-time free replacement on those things even when it's flat-out the customer's fault, so I get the feeling they have the same attitude about all their products. Worth a try.

Kren,

What model MacBook Pro do you have? I thought they were only recognizing the problem with the 2008 models.