10 ms·

I've had my iPhone X replaced once after the screen went mental - a bright green line randomly appeared on one side of the screen - now the replacement drops

I've had my iPhone X replaced once after the screen went mental - a bright green line randomly appeared on one side of the screen - now the replacement drops > 50% of all calls :-( On the MacBook Pro front I've had the sticking keys issue on the left command, C, B, G and 3 keys - so took it in finally after being tortured by this for months - 1 week later and I called them to see what was going on and they said that the whole top piece needed to be replaced, but when taking out the motherboard they have snapped the thing in two. Making these machines difficult to repair doesn't just effect end users it seems. Still, I'm glad that Apple are still the sort of company that replace the whole machine in these situations. I'm sure there are bean counters who will be thinking making it harder to get things fixed is the solution though.

stevewodil 8y ago
Wait so did they give you a new machine? Or are they continuing to fix the same one
- andy_ppp 8y ago
  Haha! The display was also behaving strangely so they gave me a completely rebuilt machine. i.e. none of the parts were the originals. Oh and I should have said originally I'd already dropped something on the screen which shattered and they did charge me the £700+ for repairs at a previous date. It does make me question how long this machine will last and if I should sell it while it's pristine before anything bad happens to it...
ardy42 8y ago
> but when taking out the motherboard they have snapped the thing in two. Don't MacBooks have the SSD soldered onto the motherboard now, so motherboard damage == total data loss? Edit: yep: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/11/touch-bar-mbp-teardown-soldered-ssd-cosmetic-speaker-holes-and-more/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/11/touch-bar-mbp-teardo... If you're going to make something almost totally unrepairable, you'd better make it almost totally reliable as well.
- andy_ppp 8y ago
  You have to backup the thing before giving it to Apple and I format the thing too.
- LeoPanthera 8y ago
  The same exact thing happened to my MacBook. Stuck keys - damaged while being repaired. It came back with a blank disk. But it also came back in like-new condition, so I don't really mind.
- userbinator 8y ago
  What's worse is the fact that they encrypt everything by default so you can't just desolder, dump, and flash the data onto a new board. They say it improves security, but certainly it's possible to have FDE which can be copied onto a new disk --- you're just doing a bit-exact copy of the ciphertext.
  - majestik 8y ago
    Try Time Machine
  - Kye 8y ago
    Does the recently revealed hardware encryption problem affect the SSDs used in Macs? I know it's for BitLocker, but maybe you can use the same bug to get your data out.
  - stevep98 8y ago
    Also Apple recently removed a data recovery connector on the motherboard which was used to access the ssd even if the rest of the board was dead. https://www.pcmag.com/news/362635/data-recovery-connector-removed-from-2018-macbook-pros https://www.pcmag.com/news/362635/data-recovery-connector-re...
    - arthurfm 8y ago
      Data recovery is now performed via the Thunderbolt port. https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/20/apple-t2-data-recovery-transfer-imac-pro-macbook/ https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/20/apple-t2-data-recovery-transf... Apple has recently documented a new data recovery process internally for Macs that utilize its T2 chip introduced with the iMac Pro and the 2018 MacBook Pro. The new process for repair staff is being introduced due to the T2 chip’s advanced security features including hardware encryption for SSD storage that isn’t compatible with Apple’s previous data recovery methods used on older machines. PCMag should update their article.
gtyras2mrs 8y ago
The bright green line seems to be the usual OLED fault. Usually because of some minor shock. MKBHD's Pixel 3 also had a similar issue. https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/9r0hsh/mkbhd_im_not_about_to_make_an_entire_video_but/e8einlu/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/9r0hsh/mkbhd_im_no...
- andy_ppp 8y ago
  It happened while I was using the phone with no impact. Just freaked out in realtime for no reason. At first I thought it was the sun or something casting a green light onto the screen.
  - gtyras2mrs 8y ago
    From what I've heard even a minor bump could cause issues. https://twitter.com/MKBHD/status/1055440851550326785 https://twitter.com/MKBHD/status/1055440851550326785 To quote from the above tweet, "Turns out about a week before this line showed up, I had a small pocket-slip drop (maybe a foot)." More context from reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/9r0hsh/mkbhd_im_not_about_to_make_an_entire_video_but/e8fvu8r/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/9r0hsh/mkbhd_im_no...
    - givinguflac 8y ago
      Just to provide a counterpoint of data, I’ve been using the X since launch as has my wife, with no display or other issues. I’ve dropped my phone literally 100 times (I’m clumsy and use a case) and it’s still good to go.
- int_19h 8y ago
  "... the screen bends under itself at the bottom edge of the phone before meeting up with necessary chips, in order to reduce the size of the bottom bezel. This 180 degree display bend is very fragile ..." That's just great - yet again, practicality is sacrificed for the sake of pointless flashy design.
magnetic 8y ago
> On the MacBook Pro front I've had the sticking keys issue on the left command, C, B, G and 3 keys - so took it in finally after being tortured by this for months - 1 week later and I called them to see what was going on and they said that the whole top piece needed to be replaced, but when taking out the motherboard they have snapped the thing in two. Is this on the 2018 MBP?
- andy_ppp 8y ago
  Mine was late 2016...
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
dba7dba 8y ago
Still, I'm glad that Apple are still the sort of company that replace the whole machine in these situations. I'm sure there are bean counters who will be thinking making it harder to get things fixed is the solution though. It is possible because customers pay for it. It sure as heck is not coming out of the profit for the shareholders...
- jotm 8y ago
  Stop with the heresy! Apple customers are loyal to the death! Your downvotes show this, heretic!
maaaats 8y ago
> Still, I'm glad that Apple are still the sort of company that replace the whole machine in these situations Huh, in Norway there are multiple cases of them refusing to follow the law when it comes to repairs. Norway has good consumer protection laws, better than the guarantee most companies provide, and Apple is known for not honoring this.
- jotm 8y ago
  Ignore that, ~~peasant~~ valued customer, keep buying Apple!
- bunnycorn 8y ago
  > Apple is known for not honoring this. Because one costumer decided he wanted to have his laptop repaired instead of the Apple's usual practice of giving a refurbished device? That's not what most people want. I would rather have a refurb that is better wear and tear state than my device, and has a new battery, than have my previous device repaired. I have no affection for pieces of plastic and aluminum.
  - sumedh 8y ago
    > That's not what most people want. How exactly do you know this? I would imagine lot of people want their own device repaired.
  - maaaats 8y ago
    > Because one costumer decided he wanted to have his laptop repaired instead of the Apple's usual practice of giving a refurbished device? I have no idea what you're talking about here..? It's not whether they repair or give you a new one, but them right out refusing to deal with it.
- 2muchcoffeeman 8y ago
  Apple repairs is weirdly inconsistent. I’ve heard horror stories. But my own experience has always been good. Myself and a friend have had devices replaced within the warranty period free of charge even though it was clearly our faults.
tqkxzugoaupvwqr 8y ago
> On the MacBook Pro [2016] front I've had the sticking keys issue on the left command, C, B, G and 3 keys I so want to buy the MacBook Air 2018 but am afraid the 3rd generation keys only delay the known problems until I’m out of warranty. I have to wait and see if there is a wave of defects in a year or two to judge its reliability. Why did Apple have to sacrifice reliability for thinness…
- dethac 8y ago
  Thinness drives sales. Sacrificing reliability drives sales. It's not only Apple: look at Microsoft, for example.
  - switch007 8y ago
    How do we know thinness drives sales? If thinner devices, which also are faster with more features etc sell more than the previous edition, the cause is quite difficult to pinpoint, surely? The fact that devices get thinner and devices are sold in ever more numbers/profitably does not mean the device dimensions are the cause.
- abathur 8y ago
  Similar position. May keep using my 2013 and replace the battery when it gets feeble enough. All I really want the new MBA for is the 16gb ram, but they bundled it with multiple new tradeoffs.
jotm 8y ago
Keep buying Apple no matter what, do your part!
cududa 8y ago
Woah I thought it was just me. Same green lines, and the replacement has terrible reception
r_singh 8y ago
I buy high config apple devices regularly, and they're quite expensive here in India with import duty, rupee depreciation and ppp in mind. If my products went bad like, I'd be genuinely too disappointed. Luckily I've always had damaged / out of warranty products replaced by apple by being a little persistent.

stevewodil 8y ago

Wait so did they give you a new machine? Or are they continuing to fix the same one

andy_ppp 8y ago
Haha! The display was also behaving strangely so they gave me a completely rebuilt machine. i.e. none of the parts were the originals. Oh and I should have said originally I'd already dropped something on the screen which shattered and they did charge me the £700+ for repairs at a previous date. It does make me question how long this machine will last and if I should sell it while it's pristine before anything bad happens to it...

ardy42 8y ago

> but when taking out the motherboard they have snapped the thing in two. Don't MacBooks have the SSD soldered onto the motherboard now, so motherboard damage == total data loss? Edit: yep: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/11/touch-bar-mbp-teardown-soldered-ssd-cosmetic-speaker-holes-and-more/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/11/touch-bar-mbp-teardo... If you're going to make something almost totally unrepairable, you'd better make it almost totally reliable as well.

andy_ppp 8y ago
You have to backup the thing before giving it to Apple and I format the thing too.
LeoPanthera 8y ago
The same exact thing happened to my MacBook. Stuck keys - damaged while being repaired. It came back with a blank disk. But it also came back in like-new condition, so I don't really mind.
userbinator 8y ago
What's worse is the fact that they encrypt everything by default so you can't just desolder, dump, and flash the data onto a new board. They say it improves security, but certainly it's possible to have FDE which can be copied onto a new disk --- you're just doing a bit-exact copy of the ciphertext.
- majestik 8y ago
  Try Time Machine
- Kye 8y ago
  Does the recently revealed hardware encryption problem affect the SSDs used in Macs? I know it's for BitLocker, but maybe you can use the same bug to get your data out.
- stevep98 8y ago
  Also Apple recently removed a data recovery connector on the motherboard which was used to access the ssd even if the rest of the board was dead. https://www.pcmag.com/news/362635/data-recovery-connector-removed-from-2018-macbook-pros https://www.pcmag.com/news/362635/data-recovery-connector-re...
  - arthurfm 8y ago
    Data recovery is now performed via the Thunderbolt port. https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/20/apple-t2-data-recovery-transfer-imac-pro-macbook/ https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/20/apple-t2-data-recovery-transf... Apple has recently documented a new data recovery process internally for Macs that utilize its T2 chip introduced with the iMac Pro and the 2018 MacBook Pro. The new process for repair staff is being introduced due to the T2 chip’s advanced security features including hardware encryption for SSD storage that isn’t compatible with Apple’s previous data recovery methods used on older machines. PCMag should update their article.

gtyras2mrs 8y ago

The bright green line seems to be the usual OLED fault. Usually because of some minor shock. MKBHD's Pixel 3 also had a similar issue. https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/9r0hsh/mkbhd_im_not_about_to_make_an_entire_video_but/e8einlu/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/9r0hsh/mkbhd_im_no...

andy_ppp 8y ago
It happened while I was using the phone with no impact. Just freaked out in realtime for no reason. At first I thought it was the sun or something casting a green light onto the screen.
- gtyras2mrs 8y ago
  From what I've heard even a minor bump could cause issues. https://twitter.com/MKBHD/status/1055440851550326785 https://twitter.com/MKBHD/status/1055440851550326785 To quote from the above tweet, "Turns out about a week before this line showed up, I had a small pocket-slip drop (maybe a foot)." More context from reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/9r0hsh/mkbhd_im_not_about_to_make_an_entire_video_but/e8fvu8r/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/9r0hsh/mkbhd_im_no...
  - givinguflac 8y ago
    Just to provide a counterpoint of data, I’ve been using the X since launch as has my wife, with no display or other issues. I’ve dropped my phone literally 100 times (I’m clumsy and use a case) and it’s still good to go.
int_19h 8y ago
"... the screen bends under itself at the bottom edge of the phone before meeting up with necessary chips, in order to reduce the size of the bottom bezel. This 180 degree display bend is very fragile ..." That's just great - yet again, practicality is sacrificed for the sake of pointless flashy design.

magnetic 8y ago

> On the MacBook Pro front I've had the sticking keys issue on the left command, C, B, G and 3 keys - so took it in finally after being tortured by this for months - 1 week later and I called them to see what was going on and they said that the whole top piece needed to be replaced, but when taking out the motherboard they have snapped the thing in two. Is this on the 2018 MBP?

andy_ppp 8y ago
Mine was late 2016...
deleted 8y ago
[deleted]

dba7dba 8y ago

Still, I'm glad that Apple are still the sort of company that replace the whole machine in these situations. I'm sure there are bean counters who will be thinking making it harder to get things fixed is the solution though. It is possible because customers pay for it. It sure as heck is not coming out of the profit for the shareholders...

jotm 8y ago
Stop with the heresy! Apple customers are loyal to the death! Your downvotes show this, heretic!

maaaats 8y ago

> Still, I'm glad that Apple are still the sort of company that replace the whole machine in these situations Huh, in Norway there are multiple cases of them refusing to follow the law when it comes to repairs. Norway has good consumer protection laws, better than the guarantee most companies provide, and Apple is known for not honoring this.

jotm 8y ago
Ignore that, ~~peasant~~ valued customer, keep buying Apple!
bunnycorn 8y ago
> Apple is known for not honoring this. Because one costumer decided he wanted to have his laptop repaired instead of the Apple's usual practice of giving a refurbished device? That's not what most people want. I would rather have a refurb that is better wear and tear state than my device, and has a new battery, than have my previous device repaired. I have no affection for pieces of plastic and aluminum.
- sumedh 8y ago
  > That's not what most people want. How exactly do you know this? I would imagine lot of people want their own device repaired.
- maaaats 8y ago
  > Because one costumer decided he wanted to have his laptop repaired instead of the Apple's usual practice of giving a refurbished device? I have no idea what you're talking about here..? It's not whether they repair or give you a new one, but them right out refusing to deal with it.
2muchcoffeeman 8y ago
Apple repairs is weirdly inconsistent. I’ve heard horror stories. But my own experience has always been good. Myself and a friend have had devices replaced within the warranty period free of charge even though it was clearly our faults.

tqkxzugoaupvwqr 8y ago

> On the MacBook Pro [2016] front I've had the sticking keys issue on the left command, C, B, G and 3 keys I so want to buy the MacBook Air 2018 but am afraid the 3rd generation keys only delay the known problems until I’m out of warranty. I have to wait and see if there is a wave of defects in a year or two to judge its reliability. Why did Apple have to sacrifice reliability for thinness…

dethac 8y ago
Thinness drives sales. Sacrificing reliability drives sales. It's not only Apple: look at Microsoft, for example.
- switch007 8y ago
  How do we know thinness drives sales? If thinner devices, which also are faster with more features etc sell more than the previous edition, the cause is quite difficult to pinpoint, surely? The fact that devices get thinner and devices are sold in ever more numbers/profitably does not mean the device dimensions are the cause.
abathur 8y ago
Similar position. May keep using my 2013 and replace the battery when it gets feeble enough. All I really want the new MBA for is the 16gb ram, but they bundled it with multiple new tradeoffs.

jotm 8y ago

Keep buying Apple no matter what, do your part!

cududa 8y ago

Woah I thought it was just me. Same green lines, and the replacement has terrible reception

r_singh 8y ago

I buy high config apple devices regularly, and they're quite expensive here in India with import duty, rupee depreciation and ppp in mind. If my products went bad like, I'd be genuinely too disappointed. Luckily I've always had damaged / out of warranty products replaced by apple by being a little persistent.