08-16-2009, 10:16 AM

So I've had my MacBook for almost 3 years and the extended warranty is about to expire, and it has been extremely valuable to me. I've had to bring in my machine several times for repairs/replacement parts. Anyways, last week I gave it to Apple because the fan would stop working at times, when it did work it was extremely loud and sounded like something was stuck in there, as well as the unit randomly shutting down.

I got it back, thought everything was all fine and dandy, they replaced the heatsink and the logic board, but the fan is starting to make that same noise again, even though it's very faint. Now, I've mentioned that I've brought it in for repairs before, and I can't keep giving up my computer every few months for days at a time. How likely is it that I will get a replacement MacBook if I ask for one? My warranty is about to expire, and I don't think it's fair that I would have to pay for a repair that they haven't fixed properly in the first place.

Side not: I've been a loyal Apple customer for over a decade and have never had as many problems with a Mac as with this machine.

08-16-2009, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by 86Apex

So I've had my MacBook for almost 3 years and the extended warranty is about to expire, and it has been extremely valuable to me. I've had to bring in my machine several times for repairs/replacement parts.

How likely is it that I will get a replacement MacBook if I ask for one? My warranty is about to expire, and I don't think it's fair that I would have to pay for a repair that they haven't fixed properly in the first place.

Unless there is someone else out there in exactly the same situation as you, I think that it is a very tough call whether or not you would get a replacement MacBook if you asked.

But I will share this thought...just for discussion's sake...and not necessarily saying it would apply to you.

Consider that not all laptops age at the same rate. 3 years of regular use for one person, could be like 10 years of use for another person.

Just like an automobile...consider two drivers with the same exact car. Driver A may drive their car 10,000 miles/year...and driver B may drive their car 30,000 miles/year. Obviously driver B's car is probably going to wear out sooner...and need more frequent repairs & parts replaced than driver A's car in the the same period of time.

What I am simply saying is...maybe your laptop in 3 years of ownership has seen more use that someone else's 3 year old laptop...and thus may simply need more "repair" attention than someone else's laptop.

Obviously it was a GREAT idea on your part getting the extended warranty...because it definitely sounds like you've used it!

Of course there is one additional unknown...and that is somehow your individual laptop may be suffering from some sort of manufacturing defects...and thus may be a "lemon"!

But the counter argument to this is...you've had the laptop for 3 years, had it repaired multiple times...and as you mentioned, after the repairs your computer ran "fine & dandy"!

So it's tough to say whether the laptop issues are due to defects or regular (but maybe heavy) use.

Just some food for thought,

- Nick

08-16-2009, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

Unless there is someone else out there in exactly the same situation as you, I think that it is a very tough call whether or not you would get a replacement MacBook if you asked.

But I will share this thought...just for discussion's sake...and not necessarily saying it would apply to you.

Consider that not all laptops age at the same rate. 3 years of regular use for one person, could be like 10 years of use for another person.

Just like an automobile...consider two drivers with the same exact car. Driver A may drive their car 10,000 miles/year...and driver B may drive their car 30,000 miles/year. Obviously driver B's car is probably going to wear out sooner...and need more frequent repairs & parts replaced than driver A's car in the the same period of time.

What I am simply saying is...maybe your laptop in 3 years of ownership has seen more use that someone else's 3 year old laptop...and thus may simply need more "repair" attention than someone else's laptop.

Obviously it was a GREAT idea on your part getting the extended warranty...because it definitely sounds like you've used it!

Of course there is one additional unknown...and that is somehow your individual laptop may be suffering from some sort of manufacturing defects...and thus may be a "lemon"!

But the counter argument to this is...you've had the laptop for 3 years, had it repaired multiple times...and as you mentioned, after the repairs your computer ran "fine & dandy"!

So it's tough to say whether the laptop issues are due to defects or regular (but maybe heavy) use.

Just some food for thought,

- Nick

Yeah, I figure that the average user probably/hopefully doesn't have the same problems as I have. I mentioned possibly getting a replacement to the Apple representative when I handed in my computer for the repairs last week, and he said if I continue having problems of this nature they probably will, but I don't know if I can convince them that the sounds the fan is making now are the same as when the unit started shutting down and the fans would malfunction. It also seems peculiar to me that there was no mention of the fans in the repair report, just the logic board and the heatsink, but then again, I'm no technician.

Actually, the fine and dandy comment was for my last repair, but it seems like it's not all fine and dandy now with the fan sounds. I had to bring in my MacBook twice before they finally fixed a screen flickering problem I had about a year ago, so repairs weren't always successful. :/

I don't think that I've been using it anymore than an average user, and even though it is a laptop, it almost never leaves my home. Anyhow.

Thanks for the input, guess I'll just have to go in and ask for a replacement and see what comes of it.

08-16-2009, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by 86Apex

It also seems peculiar to me that there was no mention of the fans in the repair report, just the logic board and the heatsink, but then again, I'm no technician.

Actually, the fine and dandy comment was for my last repair, but it seems like it's not all fine and dandy now with the fan sounds. I had to bring in my MacBook twice before they finally fixed a screen flickering problem I had about a year ago, so repairs weren't always successful. :/

I don't think that I've been using it anymore than an average user, and even though it is a laptop, it almost never leaves my home. Anyhow.

Have you ever had the fan replaced? I have heard of the fan bearings on folks computers wearing out...and that would help to increase fan noise.

A worn out fan could just be a defective fan...or it could indicate a computer that has seen a lot of use, or a computer that runs hot very often, which would cause the fan to run a lot!

As far as laptop use more or less than the average user...how do you know that you don't use your laptop more than the average user? What's your measuring stick...who are you comparing yourself to?

For example...How much do you use your laptop per day (hours & minutes)?

- if you said 30-60 minutes (indicative of someone just checking e-mail & quick web surfing)...that might be considered light use.
- if you said 2 hours...that might be considered average use (indicative of someone who may be doing some computing while watching TV on the couch)
- if you said 6-8 hours or more...this might be indicative of someone who uses their computer for work, or someone who plays a lot of games, and doesn't get much sleep!!

Average use, or above average use can be very very relative.

- Nick

08-16-2009, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

Have you ever had the fan replaced? I have heard of the fan bearings on folks computers wearing out...and that would help to increase fan noise.

A worn out fan could just be a defective fan...or it could indicate a computer that has seen a lot of use, or a computer that runs hot very often, which would cause the fan to run a lot!

As far as laptop use more or less than the average user...how do you know that you don't use your laptop more than the average user? What's your measuring stick...who are you comparing yourself to?

For example...How much do you use your laptop per day (hours & minutes)?

- if you said 30-60 minutes (indicative of someone just checking e-mail & quick web surfing)...that might be considered light use.
- if you said 2 hours...that might be considered average use (indicative of someone who may be doing some computing while watching TV on the couch)
- if you said 6-8 hours or more...this might be indicative of someone who uses their computer for work, or someone who plays a lot of games, and doesn't get much sleep!!

Average use, or above average use can be very very relative.

- Nick

Haven't had the fan replaced as far as I know, I don't know whether they write down every single part that gets replaced during a repair or not. I did mention that the fan wasn't working at times (obviously I didn't use the computer when I noticed it wasn't) and that it was really loud in the higher rpm's.

Whoa, cool your jets. I use my MacBook for about an hour a day and when it's not in use it's in sleep mode. I didn't use a measuring stick, just figured the average user checks their email, their favorite sites and watches a couple youtube videos. I don't play games on it, I have a gaming console for that. That's what I consider average.

Anyways, thanks for your help. It seems the only way to find out if I'll be able to get a replacement is tomorrow when I go into the store.

08-16-2009, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by 86Apex

Whoa, cool your jets. I use my MacBook for about an hour a day and when it's not in use it's in sleep mode.

Anyways, thanks for your help. It seems the only way to find out if I'll be able to get a replacement is tomorrow when I go into the store.

Hey...you cool your jets...those were just examples!

Good luck at the Apple Store tomorrow! If getting a replacement laptop is what you want...hope it happens.

Please post how things turn out,

- Nick

08-16-2009, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

Hey...you cool your jets...those were just examples!

Good luck at the Apple Store tomorrow! If getting a replacement laptop is what you want...hope it happens.

Please post how things turn out,

- Nick

Hehe, thanks.

I don't really want a replacement, I just want my computer to work properly, but with the many problems I've had I don't want to be stuck out of warranty because they didn't fix it properly in the first place. I think that's only fair.

I'll keep you updated.

08-18-2009, 02:32 AM

I come to you, new MacBook in lap. Went to the Apple Store earlier today, after some tests they decided to fix it, I hinted at the history of the machine and asked how likely it would be to get a replacement. The rep asked his manager and handed me a brand-spanking-new-right-off-the-assembly-line-machine. I'm so happy right now. I was expecting to get the same model if they did replace it, not a brand new model. Oh, and of course I bought another extended warranty for this machine. You can never be too safe.

08-18-2009, 05:47 AM

Originally Posted by 86Apex

I come to you, new MacBook in lap. Went to the Apple Store earlier today, after some tests they decided to fix it, I hinted at the history of the machine and asked how likely it would be to get a replacement. The rep asked his manager and handed me a brand-spanking-new-right-off-the-assembly-line-machine. I'm so happy right now. I was expecting to get the same model if they did replace it, not a brand new model. Oh, and of course I bought another extended warranty for this machine. You can never be too safe.

Really Really awesome! I have heard this sort of story a number of times. Great for you getting a new laptop.

As far as what they gave you. They pretty much have to give you a new laptop, since they probably no longer have any laptops just like yours since it's 3 years old.

Just out of curiosity...can you list the specs of your old computer, and the specs of your new laptop?

Congrats again,

- Nick

08-18-2009, 10:52 AM

I guess that thought hadn't crossed my mind. I had an iPod replaced once but they gave me the same model, even though it was a couple years old, so I just figured I'd get the same one.

Old MacBook:

2.0 GHz Core Duo (32-Bit)
60GB 5400 HDD
512 MB RAM
Intel GMA 950
Single Layer Superdrive


New MacBook:

2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo (64-Bit)
160GB 5400 HDD
2GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
Dual Layer Superdrive

Huuuuge difference, especially since the old MacBook could only be expanded to 2GB of RAM and the new one goes up to 4GB. Can't say that I'm not happy.

08-18-2009, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by 86Apex

I guess that thought hadn't crossed my mind. I had an iPod replaced once but they gave me the same model, even though it was a couple years old, so I just figured I'd get the same one.

Old MacBook:

2.0 GHz Core Duo (32-Bit)
60GB 5400 HDD
512 MB RAM
Intel GMA 950
Single Layer Superdrive


New MacBook:

2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo (64-Bit)
160GB 5400 HDD
2GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
Dual Layer Superdrive

Huuuuge difference, especially since the old MacBook could only be expanded to 2GB of RAM and the new one goes up to 4GB. Can't say that I'm not happy.

Yeah...what Apple usually does when giving someone a replacement computer...is give you a computer that falls with the same "performance or quality level" in the currently available lineup.

So basically your old 2.0 ghz MacBook was an "entry level" laptop model...so they replaced it with the currently available "entry level" model laptop.

Of course as you mentioned...you now have a MUCH better laptop! Slightly faster CPU, bigger hard drive, more ram, much better graphics processor!

Congrats again...hopefully the "better" replacement laptop in some way makes up for the frustration & stress you went thru with your old laptop.

- Nick

08-18-2009, 12:43 PM

Well, I'm baffled!!
I've heard about Apple maintaining a bang-up customercare policy, but this is just... ever heard this about Acer or HP?? [b]No!![b]
Great, I love it...

08-18-2009, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Sur3Mac

Well, I'm baffled!!
I've heard about Apple maintaining a bang-up customercare policy, but this is just... ever heard this about Acer or HP?? [b]No!![b]
Great, I love it...

Other members on MacForums when they qualified for a replacement computer have shared similar positive experiences!!! So this is definitely not a unique situation...Which is a good thing!

I think this situation may be a bit "more positive" than usual, since the original poster's computer was almost 3 years old (because they purchased the extended Applecare).

So the specification difference between the problem computer & the replacement computer are greater than someone might experience if they only had the basic 12 month warranty.

- Nick

08-19-2009, 10:34 PM

Extremely happy with the new machine. Already switched in a 320GB 7200RPM Seagate Momentus drive and am eventually going to up the RAM to 4GB. The graphics card is so much better than the integrated Intel GMA 950, it's like night and day.

I was worried that because my warranty was about to expire they wouldn't want to give me a replacement and just do a temporary fix on my old MacBook, but I got lucky. Should've bought a lottery ticket that day.

08-19-2009, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by 86Apex

The graphics card is so much better than the integrated Intel GMA 950, it's like night and day.

Definitely a BIG difference in graphics hardware!!!

- Nick