Q: New Retina Macbook pro 13 Haswell system hang/unresponsive

How do you find out the manufacturing date?

Oops, sorry I read the info wrong.  There is a sticker on the box, but it actually says "Order date - Nov 29."  I got one with 16gb ram, so it was a little wait till I got it, but it was worth it. 

Just want to chime in here... My manufacturing date was December 4th and I am experiencing these issues. Keyboard and trackpad DO NOT respond the second 10.9.1 prompts me with a login screen. I posted on another thread who is in a similar boat but I wanted to add my thoughts / insight / scenario to this growing thread.

Not only am I a user who is experiencing the same behavior as the OP as well as several other members on the forums / this thread but I am also a certified Apple Tech 4 times over. (ACMT, ACSP, MIB, ASP for anyone who cares)

Anyway, I have tried everything from SMC reset, PRAM reset, closing the lid for any length of time, turning the system off for any length of time, reinstalling the OS, installed ALL updates (I even have tried the Developer version of 10.9.1 plus updates that aren't yet released), connecting USB 1.1 and 2.0 devices in every possible configuration, bluetooth keyboard / mouse and, needless to say, the problem persists. I even succumbed and disassembled the machine to disconnect the battery and reconnect. No avail.

I have run ASD on the system which reports zero errors and interestingly enough, the trackpad and keyboard work outside of the Mavericks install in the recovery portion and diagnostics tool. This is now considered a known and common issue and is clearly related to an incompatibility between Mavericks and the 13" rMBP late 2013. In 5 years of being a certified Apple tech I have never seen anything quite like this.

Have you tried the installing EFI update that fixes the issue? Not once have I had any freezing issue with my machine. I've owned it since November 15th.

(2.4GHz/8GB/256GB)

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1704

You will invalidate your warranty, if you interfer with the computer. But as an Apple technician, you will know this, as well as how to do an SMC reset.  I suggest doing an Internet Recovery, to get the unit back to it's original OS build standard and starting again with updating to the appropriate 10.9.1 build for your model.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4718

Adam,

While I appreciate your response, did you even read my post? My model shipped after the EFI update was released and already had the update pre-installed. As an Apple Tech myself, do you not think I would have already installed all updates (as I said I had) and read all KB articles? I appreciate your desire to help on the forums and with this issue but please read the full responses of those who report an issue so that your assistance is actually warranted.

Also, to Putnik, I am aware that a standard consumer will invalidate his or her warranty if he or she disassembles a computer. I am in no way recommending that anyone who is not certified with Apple take this course of action. I was merely chiming in to this thread, which is growing in length daily, to report my experience with this system model in the hopes it will help someone. If that someone happens to work at Apple and report back, so be it. If that someone is someone who JUST purchased a brand new $2K computer and, like me, is experiencing this behavior, know that he or she is not alone and should contact Apple to coordinate a replacement. I have performed an Internet recovery 4 times, including using my own resources from GSX, to troubleshoot and attempt repair of this rMBP 13".

Also, for anyone interested, you can do an SMC reset without removing the battery. My thought for removing the battery was, since I can, I might as well try everything before I have Apple replace the system. I am well aware that since this seems to be an issue within Mavericks, replacing the system offers zero guarantee but it's worth the attempt to try. (Note: To perform an SMC reset on Apple models that do not allow you to remove the battery, simple hold down the LEFT Shift button, control, option and Power all at once. Release. Press power to turn the system on.)

I purchased my 13" rMBP on 2 November and have had no problem with it.  I will not deem to make any technical suggestions to you because of your qualifications, but suggest it would not be out of order to ask for an exchange unit under warranty.

The original build for this model was 10.9.0 (13A2093) and it was then updated to 10.9.1 build 13B3116.  I suggested the Internet Recovery option to get your computer back to a public release version, so that you could take it back to an Apple store without contravening your Developer NDA.  You do not say what build you are on at present.

Thank you, Putnik, for your response. I am having Apple ultimately replace the system but since it is a CTO it will be a few days / weeks until said replacement arrives. It currently has a 10.9.1 public build (13B3116) on it as the Developer release was a thought I had in the midst of my 4 Internet Recovery attempts. At this point, it just seems hopeless. It does give me some faith that you, too, have the same model and have not experienced issues with this model. The length of this thread and the view count suggest that this is a growing trend and accounts for a good majority of 13" rMBP owners.

I exchanged my rMBP per Apples request. This was straight from the apple care senior advisor stating any rMBP with chronic TrackPad/Keyboard unresponsiveness was faulty. I also believe this is chronic to the Haswell builds of rMBP's and not Ivybridge builds. Might be wise to purchase the Apple Care warranty for any upcoming issues.

Adam,

Since you were also told to exchange your rMBP per Apple's request, have you received your replacement unit yet? If so, has the problem subsided or continued?

I do agree with you that this does appear to be chronic to the Haswell builds and, as a result, has me on the fence of just purchasing an Ivybuild 15" model but they have their own issues, too. Truly, I would prefer a Macbook Air with Retina and 16GB of ram but said model does not exist.

I've just returned my 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro. Since I bought it at BestBuy, I got the Extended Holiday Return Policy. I wish Apple still made the 15-inch Non-retina Ivy Bridge MacBook Pro.

If Apple did still make the 2012 Non-retina "Ivy Bridge" MacBook Pro, I'd go for this:

15-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2012, Non-retina)

- Hi-res Glossy Display (1680x1050)

- 2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7

- 8GB Memory

- 256GB Solid State Drive

- Intel HD 4000 Graphics,

NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (1GB)

Someone please tell me, Is the New 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro "safe" to buy? I'll go for that one.

15-inch MacBook Pro (Late 2013, Retina)

- 2.0GHz quad-core Intel Core i7

- 8GB Memory

- 256GB Flash Storage

- Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200

Got 13" Retina for Christmas, 8MB, 256 GB. Opened box and started setup today. Got intro screen, chose language, did 14 page Voice Over tutorial, got to country page and it froze. Holding down power key for a few seconds rebooted to same problem. Tried closing lid also, same thing. Incredibly disappointed.

Apple released a fix that deals with the issue that you are describing.

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1704

However, it is dissapointing that Apple (or its distributors) are still selling units without this update already installed.

Good luck!

I have 17" late 2010 MacBook Pro, originaly came with Snow Leoperd, since Apple relece the Maverick i updated the software and everything was fine since one week ago (when the 10.9.1 was releced) and then my Mac start to freeze constantly i did backup and i reinstal the Maverick it work for couple of days and then it start to freeze again......any tips sugestions.....2.8GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 256 and 512MB GeForce Graphic cards......

I have bought 2 new MacBook Pro Retina 13"'s over the last month and both are working perfectly. Haven't had any issues with hanging. I am in South Africa and got the A1502 model.