Macbook air dead 2 months after warranty ends!

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Level 1

1 points

Macbook air dead 2 months after warranty ends!

Hello,

My name is Tal and I am from Israel. I have purchased the macbook air 14 months ago, and last week in crashed - i.e. when I try to power on it beeps 3 times, pause, beeps 3 times and so on - and does not turn on. It happened suddenly, without any reason (i.e. it did not fall, got wet or something like this). Well, I went to the local representative of apple in Israel, they checked it and said it is the memory - and they need to replace mother board = $1000 (!!!). The computer is not in guarantee anymore (for 2 months....) - so I HAVE TO PAY THIS AMOUNT!!

When you buy mac - you do not even dream that this will happen to you. Any suggestions what to do?

Thank you,
Tal

Macbook Air, Mac OS X (10.5.7), None

Posted on Jun 12, 2009 1:45 PM

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Answer 1

Cutthru

Level 1

130 points

Jun 12, 2009 4:12 PM in response to Tal123

So how long should a ONE year warranty last?

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Answer 2

Susan M

Level 2

330 points

Jun 12, 2009 4:12 PM in response to Tal123

I would suggest calling Apple and asking for *Customer Relations* They have more power then the Applecare Techs, and can in some cases make exceptions for a situation like yours. I know this from personal experience. Twice.

My advice is to be very calm and polite, tell them how much you like their products, what a loyal consumer you are ready to be (and if you have any other Apple products, let them know).

Hope this helps you.

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Answer 3

Tal123 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 13, 2009 1:00 PM in response to Susan M

Thanks Suzan. How do I get their customer relations? I am trying to do it for few days already and get only automatic responses...

Tal

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Answer 4

Tal123 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 14, 2009 3:14 AM in response to Cutthru

Dear Cuttrough,

When you buy a mac it is supposed to be like a mercedes - i.e. work and work, and not stop functioning 2 months after the end of the ONE year guarantee.

Tal

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Answer 5

carl wolf

Level 6

14,631 points

Jun 14, 2009 6:00 AM in response to Tal123

"When you buy a mac it is supposed to be like a mercedes - i.e. work and work, and not stop functioning 2 months after the end of the ONE year guarantee."

When should it stop working? You had the chance to purchase an extended warranty, and you did not.

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Answer 6

Tal123 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 15, 2009 3:31 AM in response to carl wolf

No one offers extended warranty in our country.

Also - I don't know how long I am expecting it to work, I just know I definitely do not expect it to stop working after 14 months!!!

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Answer 7

Hachre

Level 1

85 points

Jun 15, 2009 5:20 PM in response to carl wolf

I expect 10 years.

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Answer 8

Jun 15, 2009 6:22 PM in response to Tal123

AppleCare is a really great investment and you have upto one year to purchase it

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Answer 9

Jun 15, 2009 7:27 PM in response to Tal123

Hi Tal,

The three beeps means you need to replace the RAM. (memory). Not an expensive fix.

Check this Power On Self Test link: http://support.apple.com/kb/TA43884

Shouldn't need to replace the mother board simply to replace RAM. Take to an Apple certified service provider if you can.

You could post here in the MacBook Air forum also for help. http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=239

Carolyn 🙂

Message was edited by: Carolyn Samit

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Answer 10

Hachre

Level 1

85 points

Jun 16, 2009 4:05 AM in response to Carolyn Samit

The problem is that the memory is soldered onto the main board on the MacBook Air.

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Answer 11

Susan M

Level 2

330 points

Jun 16, 2009 10:32 AM in response to Hachre

I tried to find a number for you to call, but couldn't (for Israel). Here is the link for International numbers. http://www.apple.com/support/contact/phone_contacts.html

If possible, I would call Apple's main number, and ask for Customer Relations. This is the US number:
800-767-2775

Here is also the Community affairs number:
800-974-2974

I do think you are right; a computer this expensive should last longer than 14 months. But, if at all possible in the future, I can't stress strongly enough that you should purchase AppleCare. This gives you peace of mind for three years from the original date of purchase. Apple is very good about honoring this commitment (again, I know this from personal experience).

I don't know if this is available for International customers, but Apple now offers a new service where you can arrange for them to call you. If this is available for you, go to the main support page, click on Technical Support (left hand side of page) and click Arrange a phone call with an Apple Expert. Follow the instructions from there.

Good luck.

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Answer 12

Tal123 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 17, 2009 2:44 AM in response to Tyler Parker

I checked with customer relations - you can't buy extension of warranty outside of the USA! This is why it was not offered to me by the Israeli representative. Amazing!!

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Answer 13

Tal123 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 17, 2009 2:45 AM in response to Hachre

Indeed this is what the Israeli tech told me - the memory is soldered to the motherboard, and you need to replace it all = $900

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Answer 14

Tal123 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 17, 2009 2:47 AM in response to Susan M

Suzan,

Thank you so much for that. I have succeeded to call their customer relations. They told me the only way to solve it is to ship the item to the US, and they will fix it for me for $350. That is not ok for me. it is a MacBook air. i cannot accept to pay $350 for a 14 months old computer. I share the opinion of one of the people who responded here - it should work 10 years not 14 months.

Tal

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Answer 15

Tal123 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 17, 2009 2:52 AM in response to Tal123

ALL,

MY CONCLUSION IS ONE. I AM NOT GOING TO FIX THIS COMPUTER. I MUST SAY APPLE DISSAPOINTED ME A LOT. I AM NEW WITH THE APPLE WORLD, AND IT LASTED 14 MONTHS ONLY. LIKE THE SHORT LIFE OF MY MACBOOK AIR. NO MORE APPLE.

MY PLAN IS TO GO TO A VERY HIGH BUILDING, THROW THE MACBOOK AIR FROM IT, WHILE A FRIEND WILL SHOOT IT ALL IN A CAMCORDER. THEN I WILL SUBMIT IT OVER THE NET SO THAT EVERYBODY WILL SEE THE FRUSTRATION OF A NEW MAC USER. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT BEFORE PEOPLE ARE MOVING FROM PC TO MAC, THEY UNDRERSTAND THEIR DECISION.

Tal

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