I was thinking of buying a Rev A MB Air. Don't really need the hard drive space as I have external storage. But after going through the posts it seems almost all the Rev As have video and over heating problems. The MB Air I am getting is with Apple Care until 2011.
View 24 RepliesShort version:If you have an Early 2009 white Macbook (with the nVidia 9400M integrated video), you may have a defective LCD. I'm collecting serial numbers to establish a pattern of which notebooks have the defective LCD and which are usable. Please post the first 5 characters of your serial number, which model LCD you have, and if you notice lines/pinstriping (see below for how to find out all three of these easily)
Code:
Build Week : LCD Model : Lines present
03 : 9C5F : No
03 : 9C5F : No
04 : 9C5F : No
04 : 9C5F : No
08 : 9C5B : Yes
08 : 9C5B : Yes
11 : 9C5B : Yes
12 : 9C5B : Yes
13 : 9C5B : Yes
13 : 9C5B : Yes
15 : 9C5B : Yes
The fun stuff:
I recently picked up an Early 2009 white Macbook after owning a Late 2006 Macbook for the past two years. The performance has been great, but the LCD is another story.
I noticed faint horizontal lines on the LCD when viewed at a normal 90 degree angle, typically where solid light colors are displayed.
The effect is similar to pinstripes, and appears regardless of color profiling, calibration, OS, application, displaying 2D or 3D graphics modes, full screen video, or if booted from the hard drive or install DVD. Menus are a good example - faint lines where there are none on the Late '06 version, or on two 2007 Macbooks I'd initially checked side by side. If watching videos or playing games, any solid light colored region would exhibit the same issue - sky/clouds are a good example. From past experience, this looked like banding due to poor dithering in the LCD itself.
Example image: These menus should be translucent and uniform. The defective LCDs render the menu with pinstripes and bands.Thinking this was a single bad LCD, I proceeded to check 22 other 2009 white Macbooks on display at Apple stores and other retailers. Approximately half of the notebooks exhibited the exact issue, while others had the same clean display as I'd had on my original system.
Several past threads mention issues with Samsung LCDs - sure enough, this notebook and all that display the pinstriping have a display model of 9C5B (associated with Samsung). The notebooks that had clean displays without the pinstriping have a display model of 9C5F (associated with LG).
After pointing out the pinstriping to the lead genius at a local Apple store, he immediately noticed the issue as well and agreed that it was not normal (he described it as something that would drive him crazy. My sentiments exactly). Out of the 5 white Macbooks on display at the store, 3 had the issue and 2 were usable. After further digging, he discovered that Apple engineering is aware of the issue and states that no hardware should be replaced. As the system was new, he offered to exchange the notebook, with the caveat that if the replacement had the same LCD, they wouldn't be able to exchange the notebook again. The other option given was to pay for upgrading to the Unibody Macbook which doesn't appear to have the same issue (at least, not to the same degree).
Having originally purchased the notebook at Microcenter, I returned to the same store and pointed out the issue to the Microcenter sales rep. Kudos to Microcenter, their support is fantastic - he offered to check several more systems prior to my leaving the store. We proceeded to open and check 3 other Macbooks hoping to find one that was usable - all had the same LCD, and same issue (all from build weeks 12 and 13).
The goal:
Collect as many date codes from serial numbers as possible and determine which weeks shipped with defective LCDs. Personally I would like to increase my chances of exchanging this notebook for one with a usable LCD, and if you're looking to purchase, you may want to avoid particular build weeks. The build week from the serial number is the only identifier that can be checked without opening the box and starting up the system to check the LCD directly.
How to check your serial number/build week and LCD model:Serial#: Launch System Profiler. In "Hardware Overview", pull the first 5 characters of the serial number. For example: W8913 (W8 = Shanghai, 9 = 2009, 13 = Week 13)
LCD model: System Preferences -> Displays -> Color -> Open Profile -> #13 'mmod' -> Model. For example: 00009C5B
How to detect the lines:
The default Leopard wallpaper is great for detecting this issue - set this wallpaper (System Preferences -> Desktop -> Nature -> Aurora). Pull down the Finder menu. If you don't notice anything, tilt the screen back and the lines will be more prominent (but is perfectly visible at standard viewing angles).
Macro shot - if functioning properly, the LCD should display this entire menu without lines. The top half of this image is fine, the lower half has lines running through it. The graphic below this menu has a region of light solid color underneath "Show Original" and "Add to Sidebar": post your system information here so we can get a good idea of which weeks are affected. If your LCD is displaying the same issues, please contact Applecare and open a support case, or work with your local Apple store to see if you can locate a notebook with a usable LCD.
Ultimately, this is unacceptable given the typical quality standards for Apple products if the issue is widespread. Hopefully with enough information we can get some changes made to the replacement policy to recognize this as the defect that it is, rather than something that is "functioning normally".
So I read online that my PowerBook G4 that I've had since about 2004 may have the defective memory slot that caused Apple to introduce the "PowerBook G4 (15-inch 1.67/1.5GHz) Memory Slot Repair Extension Program" in 2008. However, my serial number isn't within the program's parameters, and as I understand it, the program ended in 2008. It says it applies to serial numbers W8503xxxxxx through W8518xxxxxx; mine begins with W84.
Basically, I have a couple of questions before I a) shell out money for diagnostics and possible repairs or b) buy a new laptop: Is this a memory slot problem? My 15" PowerBook G4 (Model A1045; 1 GHz; 256 MB; 60G; Combo; BT) had been getting the beach ball for awhile, and was very slow operating and online. My sound card had been on the fritz. The internal speakers would sometimes not work, but the headphone jack would still work. So yesterday, the mouse froze while in Firefox, and after waiting awhile, I forced it to shut down. When it booted up again, I got a blank screen and three short beeps, followed by the LED light blinking periodically. All these symptoms seem to point to what Apple said was the memory slot problem [URL]
If this is a memory slot problem, what might the repairs involve and are there price estimates available? Is it better to just get another laptop? (I'm thankful I've had it for this long without any major problems, it's had a good life). If I do get another laptop, am I able to retrieve my information from my old laptop and transfer it to the new one? Is this an expensive procedure? Or is this laptop entirely kaput and my files forever trapped on there? What the recommendations out there (if I buy a new one instead doing repairs to the G4) for a laptop that will be used as my only computer (i.e., what's a good workhorse Mac)?
Booted up my one month old MacBook Pro this morning to find what looked like a mark on the screen.On closer inspection it looks to be a defective pixel, which is red in colour. It really stands out against pretty much any colour accept red.I have Apple Care, would they replace the screen?If not is there, is there anyway to fix this?
View 5 Replies View RelatedI got my Macbook Air about 3 weeks ago and love it. However after the first 2 weeks, one day I turned it on and it was making a loud grating, spinning noise. The noise could be equated to if you try to play a CD but it hasn't been secured in the CD player fully so its banging around. But of course I have no disc drive...
So I stopped using it, tried turning it off and on again a couple of times over the next few days to no avail. I'm about to go back and demand a new one, but yesterday I turn it on and it's suddenly stopped making the noise.
My question is, is this problem likely to return, and is it due to a defective laptop? Should I see about exchanging it while it's still brand new or just wait and see if it happens again?
I pretty much use my Macbook in desktop mode (closed lid) since I bought it. Few days ago, I needed to do a SMC reset and the lid didn't go back on properly, it had a slight squishy feel O.O - but after a while I noticed the battery was rocking on the table. Seems like the battery has swollen up.
It might be a defective battery but I think it might be heat issues. With the lid open, it runs a lot cooler, almost a 10 degrees difference. Does any one have a similar problem?Oh, tried to get it replaced by Apple but because its more than a year they want me to buy a new battery
Why has Apple not recalled the batteries in the white macbooks(early 2009) when it is very evident that these batteries have a manufacturing fault? Mine has swollen after 112 recharges but should have lasted 300 recharges before only having 80% capacity after which it will still work, just not as many hours. Because of the excessive cost of Apple batteries and Apple's releuctance to recall defective products my next laptop will be a windows8 machine.
Info:
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.4)
Recently bought a mac air and while trying to charge it, the battery sign says not charging but the computer is running on ac. I tried another adapter and it works. Does that mean my adapter is defective?
Info:
MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.3)
I just got my macbook pro retina 2.6 with 16 gigs of ram. It was working great for the first 40 minutes then on the left side of the screen two inches went black, then the screen went fuzzy then cleared up. I reinstalled the OS just to be on the safe side and sure enough it happened again. Called support and they told me DOA, however they can't do anything because apple support systems are down! Check out the photos of my screen. It will clear up if I don't use it for a few minutes which makes me think it is the graphics card. Hope this isn't a displaygate for apple all this money and I get a DOA - whatever happened to QA?
Info:
MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012)
After waiting 3-4 weeks I was so excited to finally receive my retina macbook pro today. To my dissapointment as soon as I turned it on this glaring white light/cloudy mark behind the screen stabbed me in the heart. So dissapointing to wait so long just to get a defective unit.Â
I called AppleCare and they said I could either ship it back for a refund, or I could take it into the apple store for a refund. Apple store is only 30 minutes away so instead of putting any trust in fedex I decided to just go return it in person.Â
So now I'm waiting up to five days for the money to be refunded so I can order again and wait ANOTHER 3-4 weeks to receive a unit because I upgraded the base model to 16GB of ram, and it may have the same exact problem when it arrives... who even know... Â
I saw on macrumors a few others have had this issue so I'm not alone, but I do hate that I was unlucky this time around.  [URL]
I have an 11/2007 MBP... 4 yrs, 2 months and 3 weeks old tomorrow. Yesterday I got the "black screen of death". I won't bore you with what I tried, but today a local expert assessed the situation: reset SMC and PRAM, noted that it booted into target disc mode and would screen share, in other words, he proved it was one of the known MBP's of this genre (15", 2.4/2.2GHz) to have a defective NVIDIA 8600 graphics processor. I called the recommended local Apple Authorized repair facility only to be told that, while these WERE being repaired at no charge, out of warranty, it had been discoved that, OMG they were repairing a WHOLE BUNCH of them and a time limit had been imposed and there were no longer being repaired after they reached four years from purchase date.WHY WAS NO ONE EVER NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT? And why am I just SOL because my computer chose to work an extra two months and eighteen days?
I plowed through the "you don't have phone service" with battering ram efficiency this evening, past the Apple care agent, his supervisor, and to "Customer Care" with whom I will be speaking again tomorrow. I have told them I "EXPECT" a "customer satisfaction code" which will provide me with a free repair. I have armed myself with the absolutely outrageous information that Apple, after booting NVidia out three years ago (one guesses after the rotten graphics bit) is welcoming them BACK this spring - Oh, so ANOTHER generation of MBPro users can get screwed?I sure could use some help here when I need another argument! Does anyone know the magic language to induce Apple to behave in an Apple-like manner concerning this matter?
Info:
iMac/MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.1), also Windows xp on a Dell Inspiron 5150
I installed 8 x 4Gb RAM in my Mac Pro (2.2.4GHz Quad-core Intel xeon). When I check, slot 8 shows up as empty and that I only have 28 Gb of RAm and not 32. Can I leave things alone and run it on 28Gb of RAM or should I remove the defective module in slot 8 as well as the RAM in Slot 4 to balance it? Alternatively I have 2 x 1 Gb RAm modules I could put in slot 4 and 8.Â
View 3 Replies View RelatedMacBook Air, 1.8ghz, SSD drive.
Geekbench 32bit, score 2132
No apps, running, although NOT after a fresh reboot.
Detail attached. (It's a RTF file inside the zip file).
In comparison, MacBook Pro 17" Santa Rosa 2.4ghz Core 2 Duo, 4gb ram. is 3172.
Good news though, MBA scored higher than PowerMac Dual-Core G5 2.5ghz.
I have a small office (5-10 Mac books) working on wifi, and we are needing a better way to store large art and video files somewhere other than external hard drives. (For the amount of work we do, we would simply have too many hard drives floating around). Also, I need all of my staff to have access to the same "cloud" server, as well as some satellite workers. Â
Someone recommended an NAS enclosure with multiple hard drives...Is this my best option? And if so, what are the best NAS servers out there? Â
As u can see I have a 17" mbp and had it for a few months but after the nvidia announcement, Im seriously thinking about selling the mbp and using the which will cover for a 2.8ghz 8 core mp.
One of my fears is that the gpu will die over the years on the mbp and when apple care runs out or even if the mbp is covered by ac knowing that one day I would need to get it serviced..
I know I had the mp before and know what to expect and while the 17" mbp is a desktop replacement it is portable. Damn nvidia!
Sorry this is more of a venting thread than anything else.
Also curious anyone else on the same boat as I am with selling their mbp fora mac pro?
I have 2 1GB sticks left over after updating my 2.2GHZ Macbook's RAM to 4GB. My friend wants my old RAM modules, but his macbook is the black one from 2006. Will this RAM work in his blackbook?
View 1 Replies View Relatedi have aquestion can you run different opperatin systems using spaces? like to use mac os x in one and another one linux and the 3rd one windows? how many operatin systems can you run in one pc at once thanks can anyone please upload a picture of the mac using spaces with diffetens os's
View 10 Replies View RelatedI just hate getting scratches easily on my brand spanking new power adapter. Although I'm really, really careful now, I wish Apple upgrades the cheap looking adapters in the near future.
View 12 Replies View RelatedI am considering to get a new Mac. In that I want to be able to use two seperate operating systems. The Mac operating system and maybe either a windows or linux or an other useful and functional alternative! The reason for this is, that I have several laptops incl. an iPad. I have concluded that iPad isnt that useful for my needs till now, its not very functional for my needs. I am also going to upgrade my smart mobile still considering functional alternatives (would like to hear yoru thoughts about this as well)! I want to integrate them into one machine only and utilize cloud and / or an external Disk, and be better able to use useful apps and software that are not available on either one of the systems on their own my own system! Usage will be both for biz and private, but at the end usefulness, and functionality will play a big part in my final decision! Do you think this is practical, useful and cost effective way doing it the way I want to do?
Info:
iPad, Other OS
6 of 8 processors at 100% for 24 hrs/day for nearly a week), my MacPro's "Power Supply 2" temperature suddenly rose to ~207 ?F (~95 ?C).I got a large external fan going through the desktop to bring the temperature down. I also tried to install smcFanControl to see if I could bump up the internal fan speed. Well, I could bump up THREE of the fans (I/O, CPU/Memory, and Exhaust), but it says that the PS fan is steady at just under 600 rpm, despite me cranking it up in the software to anything else (including the max, 2800, and anything less).
View 2 Replies View RelatedI tried to archive and install 10.4 Retail copy on my 17" iMac G5 which has 10.3.9. The installer checked the disc and said it had scratches or fingerprints so to restart. I did, cleaned the disc and tried again. I got the same message but chose to ignore it and proceed and the disc got 36% of the way and said it is damaged and to restart. But it's gone far enough that I have not got 10.3 any more and the ONLY way I can restart the computer is with this defective disc! Or a network but my other Mac, connected with ethernet that worked well, now doesn't see the iMAc any more. I also have an external CD drive , doesn't read DVDs.
Right now I am stuck in the Startup Disk with a choice of endlessly restarting or shutting down. I shut down and it restarted from the disc OK.I checked the system profiler and under applications it shows only Disk utility,Installer,Network Ut, Open Firmware Password, Reset Password,Startup Disk, System Profiler. Under USB, it didn't recognize my external CD drive. Under Disk Utility I tried to repair permissions but it says it has no valid packages.
The person I bought the computer from sent me the Tiger copy discs and included 2 copies of Disc 1. I checked the second but it needs minor repair that couldn't be done with Disk Utility on my other Mac. But if I can somehow eject the disc that is in the 17" iMac (don't know how) will I ever be able to restart?
how do i return a defective song?
Info:PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)
I just got a unibody 17''. Can I swap the hard drive in it with a 15'' Santa Rosa MBP? Just to save time installing everything plus the 15'' has a newish 7200 rpm hard drive. I noticed the trackpad System Preference is different between MBPs so I'm wondering what else is different.
View 3 Replies View RelatedIs there a program or thing I can do to share apps between my iMac and Macbook? I have heard of cloning the HD as another way of doing it? How does this work? Is this even legal?
View 3 Replies View RelatedBought new macbook pro. I have current software OS X v10.7.3. I am unable to download any new software/applications. Get the no mountable file systems error. I did not have this problem with my old macbook with same OS X version.
Info:
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3)
in the most of the powerful applications i.e microsoft office.. and i hope that if we can use microsoft project 2010 or apove in our mac's computers Â
Info:
MacBook Pro (13-inch Late 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.3)
I just bought one yesterday, and noticed that everytime i pick it up the inside "clicks".. like a metallic click sound.. Is this normal? or should i return it
View 7 Replies View RelatedThinking about ditching the optical drive in my mid 2008 2.5Ghz 15" Macbook Pro and adding a small but fast SSD drive. My idea is to have two hard drives obviously. I would like to have the SSD drive be my specialized drive for running FCP and possible After Effects. The older 250GB drive that is the original equipment would be my main drive. I would do all my web design, flash, photoshop, illustrator, ftp, ssh, programming and web surfing/everyday stuff. Both Drives would be bootable. the 250 drive would have snow leopard and everything else on it and the SSD drive would have snow leopard as well. Is this possible or practical? Would the gains in performance and stability gained from segmenting the two systems be noticeable and worth it? I've seen some articles on dual booting different OS's on the same drive but never on their own exclusive drive with the same OS.
View 6 Replies View RelatedMy boot time is over a minute,but all the other macs have boot time like 30s or 40sec.Is there anyway I can improve it?
View 8 Replies View RelatedCan I install Snow Leopard while still having Lion on my Macbook Pro? I have some software that will only run on Snow Leopard but my mac came with Lion. I have a Snow Leopard install disc so was wondering if I could run both operating systems...
Info:
MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.3)
