Everything Apple (the Mac heads thread)

Franco Manca... #justsayin #breakfastpizza

Considered it but had pizza last night.

Have to say, I do like the new trackpads. It feels remarkably like a real button. Also dig the new keyboard on the macbooks although not a huge fan of the rest of it.

Soooo... It failed the video card test immediately so they're replacing the logic board. Should be done tomorrow or the day after. Oh, and its free.

I asked if its just another board with the same dodgy solder and they've actually remanufactured them with the current process so its all brand new.

Happy days! NOS 2011 MBPs all 'round! #winning

Thunderbolt update #375:

Managed to get an electronics shop near my folks' place in Spain to look at the monitor, they've quoted €780 to replace the panel and glass screen... Just sent the quote off to ParcelFarce, I look forward to seeing how they're gonna wriggle out of paying me this time... Le sigh...

isn't this almost the cost of a new one?

That's the point, not worth repairing so they have to pay me the money...

but they are not... aint' they? Good luck!

They've got proof now, not just my say so...

..had a play with the new MacBook today.
They were listed for €1450 (smallest possible configuration), while they give you the 13'' air for €999. Ridiculo.
Of course they look super hot.

I found the much hated keyboard not too bad.
It surprised me how "hard" I had to type.
Still better than the MBP one in my opinion.
I hope in a few years it'll be just a rubber mat, once people realize the sensation of pushing down a button is not really necessary.

I'm interested to hear back if anybody's actually getting some work done on these little things; obviously tedious on the 12'', and I'm curious to hear how this no-fan technology plays out under constant workload...

Did you try flexing the main body? That kind of put me off, just the sheer bendyness of the thing.

Fucking love the keyboard though.

Haha, no.. I already got weird looks when I typed like half a screen worth (with no app open) and then lifted up and flipped and turned the whole thing, inspecting the finish closely as if I was Sherlock Holmes looking for fingerprints..

Haha, no.. I already got weird looks when I typed like half a screen worth (with no app open)

Who doesn't do that? I mean surely that's a normal thing to do when testing out a laptop?

Who doesn't do that?

Well I guess it was the combination of a lot of fast typing, followed by "inspecting", after I basically entered the store, said "no thank you I do not have any questions righ now thanks", and went straight to the thing..

That sound pretty normal TBH.

Backlight on my 7.5 year old MacBook has just given up the ghost...by using the function keys to turn it off and on, (lowest setting to one dot) does make it flicker on, and sometimes it stays on for a while but after restarts it's dodgy again. Seems likely that it's the inverter or inverter cable, but replacing those even using iFixit's help doesn't seem easy...the whole thing basically has to come apart. Anyone tried it?
Is it time for a nice new retina iMac I wonder? don't need portable, the MacBook hasn't had a useable battery for 2 years! Still, I'm a bit sad to lose the old thing if I'm honest!

I'm in the same field as you, right now a new laptop (or a computer for you) seemed like a better solution, just it's not exactly cheap.

Problem is a lot of people go to the apple store to use it as an internet cafe or to charge their phones... so while what you did is perfectly normal as I did the same, it seems weird...

the whole thing basically has to come apart. Anyone tried it?

What have you got to lose?

True, true, I will probably give it a go

it's funny how Apple reps from Ireland do not reply to your emails in writing, they always reply with outbound phone calls which are not recorded. My nightmare is almost ending, there is a slight delay with the delivery and still need to sort out my Applecare as they said there is nothing the can do to transfer it and want to con me into paying another £200 for a new agreement.

1. Is Applecare compulsory, 2. Does some version of Applecare come with new computers?
   
   

The business advisor I met the other day said it was included but in his subsequent quotes is charging it additionally to the cost of the machines (his quote for the MBP is 205+VAT and for the iMac is 104 + VAT) It appears to be an add on online so maybe it was just a slip of his forked tongue.

Incidentally, @chrisbmx116 the 'cheap' quotes turned out to be not ground breaking, but better than a kick in the teeth.

For a fully upgraded (2.8ghz i7 and 1TB pcie storage) 15" rMBP they're offering 2396.2 including VAT. Ordinarily that would be 2549 so a saving of 153. I can claim the VAT back in three months, eventually 'paying' 1997 (2 quid less than the cost of the basic 15" machine").

Meanwhile for the maxed out iMac 5K (4ghz i7, 32gb ram, 1TB flash, 4gb MX295x) which usually costs 3369 they're quoting 3166 (saving 203). The basic machine is 1849. Again, I can claim back the VAT making the purchase 2639 eventually.

He is tempting me with a lease option though (free upgrade (or cancellation) at the end of agreement). Would pay roughly 249 a month for a year or less for 24/36 months but not sure how I feel about being contractually bound to yet another thing. Rates, office, phone, blah etc.

You only get complimentary hardware warranty for 3 years if you bought through the higher edu network, not even any old student can get. That said, I am not sure if I would be willing to pay over £200 only to be able to possibily to speak to a bunch of monkeys on the phone. I am seeing / hearing more and more debates about if Applecare is any longer a good deal in light of Apple being very upfront about the UK sales of goods act / consumers right laws, whichs give you 6 years protection anyway. I am not going to go into detials with the law, but it basically means any electrical items are expected to last for 6 years against any manufacturing flaws, which is pretty much what Applecare does, if you think about it. Neither of the law or Applecare provides protection against accidental damage / water damage etc, so what is there that Applecare covers that the law doesn't? The only good thing about Applecare is that if/when comes to make a claim for repair / replacement, you'd have to waste less breathe.

I am only pushing for my Applecare because I can get for £48 / £60 being a uni staff, otherwise, I wouldn't be bothered with it.

Thanks very much for that - from what I had read on Apple's own website (including as you say being so up front about UK Sales of Goods Act) I couldn't understand the value of it and was wondering if there was some accidental damage clause in there that made it worth it. Apparently not. Insurance it is.

On another note - hope your saga resolves soon enough. Vicariously hurting with you.