6 ms·

Revision A Apple projects have had issues for as long as Apple has been making products. Second gen Macbook Air's had Logic board issues, 2007 era RevA Macboo

by msy 14y ago

Revision A Apple projects have had issues for as long as Apple has been making products. Second gen Macbook Air's had Logic board issues, 2007 era RevA Macbook Pros had video card issues, dodgy graphics cards on the early Mac Pros, the iPhone4 antenna, the list is endless. Often it's taken years for the issues to be resolved and Apple to pay for repairs, if at all. It's simple, if you want the shiniest tech, buy whatever Apple is selling today. If you want reliable hardware, wait for the first revision when the kinks have been worked out. That way we don't all get spammed with the histronics of endless bloggers who think this is a new phenomenon.

jug6ernaut 14y ago
I think you missed the whole point of the article. The point isn't with the fact that there is an issue, its that Apple is seemingly trying to sweep it under the rug.
- msy 14y ago
  I'm pointing out Apple have a long history of doing this with Revision A products, which the Retina MBA is. It's not new, it's not unusual and it shouldn't be unexpected.
  - indiecore 14y ago
    So because they do it all the time ignoring a legitimate issue is now acceptable?
    - rm999 14y ago
      msy is not making a value judgment on Apple, he's saying this is nothing new. In contrast to the article: >I remember an Apple that bent over backwards to understand its customers’ point of view and stretched itself to meet the high expectations it sets.
      - commandar 14y ago
        I think the thing is that the two statements aren't really at odds. Apple has always bent over to resolve issues for customers if they acknowledge the issue. For example, I had a pre-unibody MBP that the power button pushed through the top case. Apple very promptly took it back, replaced the top case and a few other cosmetic dings I hadn't complained about, and got it back to me. On the other hand, Apple also has a long history of refusing to acknowledge some issues and giving the customer the run around on them, which is the type of complaint in this article.
    - piyush_soni 14y ago
      I don't think he said that. Probably he just said people should have woken up long back.
    - masklinn 14y ago
      It's more along the lines that really, you shouldn't be surprised that something which has been happening for 15 years or so with no end in sight still happens.
- Osmium 14y ago
  > The point isn't with the fact that there is an issue, its that Apple is seemingly trying to sweep it under the rug. I don't think that's quite it. Apple realises there's a problem, and that's why they have the standardised test. I think the real problem here is that Apple's test is insufficient, but they don't know that, so they don't believe their customers when they say they're having still having issues. And that's not reassuring for someone who's just spent a lot of money on a new machine. Personally, I've never had this issue with my rMBP, but I'm sympathetic with those that do.
  - jug6ernaut 14y ago
    Possibly, you are right that its in the fact that the test is insufficient. The question is if this is known by Apple or not. I personally can't see how they could not know, this is not the kind of issue where ppl are going to be blowing there whistle for no reason. So Apple knows there is an issue, if there own tests do not match the numbers of complains(to some degree) even more red flags should be going up. I am no conspiracy theorist, but there seems to be some valid points in the article.
  - timbre 14y ago
    It's hard for me to believe that they don't know the test is insufficient when the protocol involves waiting 1 minute for the problem to go away.
- jpdoctor 14y ago
  > I think you missed the whole point of the article. > The point isn't with the fact that there is an issue, its that Apple is seemingly trying to sweep it under the rug. I think you missed the whole point of OP post: That is exactly what Apple has a reputation for doing. For example: The Antenna Fiasco - http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/apple-responds-over-iphone-4-reception-issues-youre-holding-th/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/apple-responds-over-iphon...
- dakrisht 14y ago
  Yeah, 100%. Just blind commenting. Dude read it again.
konstruktor 14y ago
When batteries for my 2006 MBP's model had problems, Apple issued a recall. I got a new one in a UPS box that I could use to send the old one back. This cost apple parts and shipping, not even a technician's time. Service like this is much harder to provide if the computers you build are not repairable at all. They created a situation where fixing one problem means exchanging the whole unit. That is their own fault. Are you seriously blaming the customer for wanting a fault fixed in his 3kUSD computer with paid warranty extension?
- Mutinix 14y ago
  From my understanding of the comment, he wasn't blaming the customer. Rather, he's trying to say that people shouldn't rush to buy the revision A (or version 1 or 1st generation or whatever) of an Apple product. Instead, wait for the initial (and what are now expected) flaws to be fixed and then buy them. However, I think this is a problem that is likely to happen with any company, not just Apple.
  - konstruktor 14y ago
    In most markets, the law does not allow beta products and caveat emptor. Warranties against product flaws are mandatory. Personally, I would consider ghosting as shown by the OP a defect covered by warranty. In addition to that, a premium brand should treat early adopters well, especially those who bought the flagship product. This is the point OP seems to be making. However, due to their own design decisions, they have made this very expensive, which incentivizes them to provide shitty service, which is damaging their brand image.
    - bilbo0s 14y ago
      "...Warranties against product flaws are mandatory..." If that were true... the software industry would be in REAL trouble.
      - jarek 14y ago
        Do you agree to an EULA when buying an MBP or another laptop, implicitly or otherwise? Serious question.
arrrg 14y ago
I’m ok with first gen products having issues. I’m not ok with the way with which Apple treats their customers when those issues appear. Issues can appear, especially with first gen products. I can totally understand that. I cannot for the life of me understand how Apple decided to handle this issue. I’m just not used to Apple treating their customers with contempt and treating them like stupid idiots.
ssmoot 14y ago
Just pointing out that for anyone I've ever met, the antennagate was just media sites drumming up page-views. I never had an issue, and despite everyone at my office having iPhone4s and 4Ss, the only time any of us were ever able to affect antenna-strength was having a wet hand, and then purposefully applying a lot of pressure to attempt to attenuate the case. It could be the signal-strength display "fix" was hiding issues (actually, this is almost certainly the case), but in practice, it was never an issue, and the 4 had consistently better signal than any other device I've owned, including a GalaxyS2 since the iPhones could get a good enough signal in elevators that previous phones (both iPhone and Android) didn't. And despite being the same basic design AFAICT, never seen a mention of the issue with the iPhone5.
- jscheel 14y ago
  I could consistently re-create antennagate on my iphone 4 every single time I "held it wrong." I was forced to completely change the way I help my phone, permanently.
  - dusing 14y ago
    You could have returned the phone, you were not forced to do anything.
    - tatsuke95 14y ago
      Typical exchange: Person A: Apple is amazing. Antenna-gate was mass media nonsense. Person B: I, personally, had major problems with the antenna. Person C: Why don't you just get rid of your phone then? No one told you to buy one. Or, I can demand the quality and service I expect from a premium product. What's wrong with that?
      - clarky07 14y ago
        If this makes you think it's not a premium product, or the best out there, go get a different product. What's so wrong with that? I want a pony, but dammit Apple doesn't offer ponies. Saying "I WANT A PONY FROM APPLE NOW" isn't going to make it so. Quit bitching and take your business elsewhere. If you happen to think the iPhone is still the best even with this problem, then get a case or hold the phone differently.
minimax 14y ago
I don't think calling Apple out on selling a faulty $3000 laptop and refusing to repair it counts as histrionics or spam.
- deleted 14y ago
  [deleted]
- sbuk 14y ago
  No, but the tone and ensuing vitriol does. I'd hasten to add that this happen with other manufacturers with startling regularity too. I've been given the run around by HP on a similar spec'ed and similarly priced month old EliteBook, that is faulty to point of unsuitability for any practical use. This is replacing a Thinkpad whose screen came away from it hinges after less than 6 months use. Had I written a scathing blog post about either and linked to it here, I doubt that it would have even raised a comment, let alone a single up-vote. And rightly so because just like the OP, it's ANECDOTAL.
  - sbuk 14y ago
    So the person that down-voted without explaining why either thinks that there has been a lack of vitriol or thinks that anecdotal evidence in the negative outweighs the plethora of anecdotal evidence to the contrary. We'll never know because this has developed into the usual inevitable flame fest.
x0r 14y ago
First gen iPhone here, still going strong. Thanks.
- jmmcd 14y ago
  Well, that one data point certainly disproves the entire argument.
tubbo 14y ago
Gotta agree with this point. I was a 2006 MBP owner (1st-gen), and at one point a CD got stuck in the drive. Took it to an authorized reseller, but I was made to pay for not only the CD drive repair but also a case repair since apparently that was also dented. The reason for all this? The CD drive on the 2006 MBP was located underneath the area where one might rest their wrists on the laptop, so over time this force simply made the hollow CDR drive collapse. Cost me over $600, after I already purchased AppleCare. It's all good now though, I've been pirating Logic and Final Cut for years so it's pretty much paid back. :)
rwhitman 14y ago
I don't see it as spam, I see it as a necessary part of getting the kinks worked out ahead of when we middle-adopters buy the 2nd or 3rd gen products. The more bloggers gripe about these problems the more likely Apple will have prioritized fixing them before the next generation comes out.
- sbuk 14y ago
  So we grade Apple on a curve? We let other manufacturers get away with it because they are not Apple? Because that is what is happening. Apple aren't the only company that positions themselves as premium and they sure as heck aren't the only company that sells $3000 dollar laptops that may (or may not, mainly may not) develop faults. HP and Lenovo for instance...
shocks 14y ago
You forgot iPod batteries that die after (warrantly length+1) months.
iuguy 14y ago
This is the reason why I bought a top end early 2011 MBP rather than the newest widget version. I knew that was the end of a long line, but should last a fair amount of abuse for some time to come.

by msy 14y ago

jug6ernaut 14y ago

I think you missed the whole point of the article. The point isn't with the fact that there is an issue, its that Apple is seemingly trying to sweep it under the rug.

msy 14y ago
I'm pointing out Apple have a long history of doing this with Revision A products, which the Retina MBA is. It's not new, it's not unusual and it shouldn't be unexpected.
- indiecore 14y ago
  So because they do it all the time ignoring a legitimate issue is now acceptable?
  - rm999 14y ago
    msy is not making a value judgment on Apple, he's saying this is nothing new. In contrast to the article: >I remember an Apple that bent over backwards to understand its customers’ point of view and stretched itself to meet the high expectations it sets.
    - commandar 14y ago
      I think the thing is that the two statements aren't really at odds. Apple has always bent over to resolve issues for customers if they acknowledge the issue. For example, I had a pre-unibody MBP that the power button pushed through the top case. Apple very promptly took it back, replaced the top case and a few other cosmetic dings I hadn't complained about, and got it back to me. On the other hand, Apple also has a long history of refusing to acknowledge some issues and giving the customer the run around on them, which is the type of complaint in this article.
  - piyush_soni 14y ago
    I don't think he said that. Probably he just said people should have woken up long back.
  - masklinn 14y ago
    It's more along the lines that really, you shouldn't be surprised that something which has been happening for 15 years or so with no end in sight still happens.
Osmium 14y ago
> The point isn't with the fact that there is an issue, its that Apple is seemingly trying to sweep it under the rug. I don't think that's quite it. Apple realises there's a problem, and that's why they have the standardised test. I think the real problem here is that Apple's test is insufficient, but they don't know that, so they don't believe their customers when they say they're having still having issues. And that's not reassuring for someone who's just spent a lot of money on a new machine. Personally, I've never had this issue with my rMBP, but I'm sympathetic with those that do.
- jug6ernaut 14y ago
  Possibly, you are right that its in the fact that the test is insufficient. The question is if this is known by Apple or not. I personally can't see how they could not know, this is not the kind of issue where ppl are going to be blowing there whistle for no reason. So Apple knows there is an issue, if there own tests do not match the numbers of complains(to some degree) even more red flags should be going up. I am no conspiracy theorist, but there seems to be some valid points in the article.
- timbre 14y ago
  It's hard for me to believe that they don't know the test is insufficient when the protocol involves waiting 1 minute for the problem to go away.
jpdoctor 14y ago
> I think you missed the whole point of the article. > The point isn't with the fact that there is an issue, its that Apple is seemingly trying to sweep it under the rug. I think you missed the whole point of OP post: That is exactly what Apple has a reputation for doing. For example: The Antenna Fiasco - http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/apple-responds-over-iphone-4-reception-issues-youre-holding-th/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/apple-responds-over-iphon...
dakrisht 14y ago
Yeah, 100%. Just blind commenting. Dude read it again.

konstruktor 14y ago

When batteries for my 2006 MBP's model had problems, Apple issued a recall. I got a new one in a UPS box that I could use to send the old one back. This cost apple parts and shipping, not even a technician's time. Service like this is much harder to provide if the computers you build are not repairable at all. They created a situation where fixing one problem means exchanging the whole unit. That is their own fault. Are you seriously blaming the customer for wanting a fault fixed in his 3kUSD computer with paid warranty extension?

Mutinix 14y ago
From my understanding of the comment, he wasn't blaming the customer. Rather, he's trying to say that people shouldn't rush to buy the revision A (or version 1 or 1st generation or whatever) of an Apple product. Instead, wait for the initial (and what are now expected) flaws to be fixed and then buy them. However, I think this is a problem that is likely to happen with any company, not just Apple.
- konstruktor 14y ago
  In most markets, the law does not allow beta products and caveat emptor. Warranties against product flaws are mandatory. Personally, I would consider ghosting as shown by the OP a defect covered by warranty. In addition to that, a premium brand should treat early adopters well, especially those who bought the flagship product. This is the point OP seems to be making. However, due to their own design decisions, they have made this very expensive, which incentivizes them to provide shitty service, which is damaging their brand image.
  - bilbo0s 14y ago
    "...Warranties against product flaws are mandatory..." If that were true... the software industry would be in REAL trouble.
    - jarek 14y ago
      Do you agree to an EULA when buying an MBP or another laptop, implicitly or otherwise? Serious question.

arrrg 14y ago

I’m ok with first gen products having issues. I’m not ok with the way with which Apple treats their customers when those issues appear. Issues can appear, especially with first gen products. I can totally understand that. I cannot for the life of me understand how Apple decided to handle this issue. I’m just not used to Apple treating their customers with contempt and treating them like stupid idiots.

ssmoot 14y ago

Just pointing out that for anyone I've ever met, the antennagate was just media sites drumming up page-views. I never had an issue, and despite everyone at my office having iPhone4s and 4Ss, the only time any of us were ever able to affect antenna-strength was having a wet hand, and then purposefully applying a lot of pressure to attempt to attenuate the case. It could be the signal-strength display "fix" was hiding issues (actually, this is almost certainly the case), but in practice, it was never an issue, and the 4 had consistently better signal than any other device I've owned, including a GalaxyS2 since the iPhones could get a good enough signal in elevators that previous phones (both iPhone and Android) didn't. And despite being the same basic design AFAICT, never seen a mention of the issue with the iPhone5.

jscheel 14y ago
I could consistently re-create antennagate on my iphone 4 every single time I "held it wrong." I was forced to completely change the way I help my phone, permanently.
- dusing 14y ago
  You could have returned the phone, you were not forced to do anything.
  - tatsuke95 14y ago
    Typical exchange: Person A: Apple is amazing. Antenna-gate was mass media nonsense. Person B: I, personally, had major problems with the antenna. Person C: Why don't you just get rid of your phone then? No one told you to buy one. Or, I can demand the quality and service I expect from a premium product. What's wrong with that?
    - clarky07 14y ago
      If this makes you think it's not a premium product, or the best out there, go get a different product. What's so wrong with that? I want a pony, but dammit Apple doesn't offer ponies. Saying "I WANT A PONY FROM APPLE NOW" isn't going to make it so. Quit bitching and take your business elsewhere. If you happen to think the iPhone is still the best even with this problem, then get a case or hold the phone differently.

minimax 14y ago

I don't think calling Apple out on selling a faulty $3000 laptop and refusing to repair it counts as histrionics or spam.

deleted 14y ago
[deleted]
sbuk 14y ago
No, but the tone and ensuing vitriol does. I'd hasten to add that this happen with other manufacturers with startling regularity too. I've been given the run around by HP on a similar spec'ed and similarly priced month old EliteBook, that is faulty to point of unsuitability for any practical use. This is replacing a Thinkpad whose screen came away from it hinges after less than 6 months use. Had I written a scathing blog post about either and linked to it here, I doubt that it would have even raised a comment, let alone a single up-vote. And rightly so because just like the OP, it's ANECDOTAL.
- sbuk 14y ago
  So the person that down-voted without explaining why either thinks that there has been a lack of vitriol or thinks that anecdotal evidence in the negative outweighs the plethora of anecdotal evidence to the contrary. We'll never know because this has developed into the usual inevitable flame fest.

x0r 14y ago

First gen iPhone here, still going strong. Thanks.

jmmcd 14y ago
Well, that one data point certainly disproves the entire argument.

tubbo 14y ago

Gotta agree with this point. I was a 2006 MBP owner (1st-gen), and at one point a CD got stuck in the drive. Took it to an authorized reseller, but I was made to pay for not only the CD drive repair but also a case repair since apparently that was also dented. The reason for all this? The CD drive on the 2006 MBP was located underneath the area where one might rest their wrists on the laptop, so over time this force simply made the hollow CDR drive collapse. Cost me over $600, after I already purchased AppleCare. It's all good now though, I've been pirating Logic and Final Cut for years so it's pretty much paid back. :)

rwhitman 14y ago

I don't see it as spam, I see it as a necessary part of getting the kinks worked out ahead of when we middle-adopters buy the 2nd or 3rd gen products. The more bloggers gripe about these problems the more likely Apple will have prioritized fixing them before the next generation comes out.

sbuk 14y ago
So we grade Apple on a curve? We let other manufacturers get away with it because they are not Apple? Because that is what is happening. Apple aren't the only company that positions themselves as premium and they sure as heck aren't the only company that sells $3000 dollar laptops that may (or may not, mainly may not) develop faults. HP and Lenovo for instance...

shocks 14y ago

You forgot iPod batteries that die after (warrantly length+1) months.

iuguy 14y ago

This is the reason why I bought a top end early 2011 MBP rather than the newest widget version. I knew that was the end of a long line, but should last a fair amount of abuse for some time to come.