Its also not fair for apple to hide behind the 1 year warranty for such a major issue. I found this on the Maryland Attorney general's website.
Implied warranties require that goods be in operating condition and fit for sale, and that they continue to work for a reasonable period of time. Merchants must honor the implied warranty whenever they sell a new or used product.
A disclaimer that a product is sold "as is" doesn't apply to Maryland's implied warranty, except in the case of used cars that have been driven more than 60,000 miles and are more than 6 years old. Dealers selling such a car "as is" must give you a written disclosure stating that the implied warranty does not cover that automobile.
For other purchases, a merchant cannot exclude or limit the implied warranty. If you buy an item, take it home and discover it doesn't work, you can take it back. Or, if you buy an item that breaks sooner than would normally be expected, you have the right to have it repaired or replaced, or to have your money refunded. Any time you purchase an item that doesn't work or stops working shortly after you purchase it, you should contact the merchant who sold it to you. Your purchase is covered by an implied warranty, which means it is implied that the item will work as it is supposed to. If it doesn't, the seller must make good on that promise by repairing or replacing the item or returning your money. This right has nothing to do with the store's return policy. "
ref - http://www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/tip72.htm