Apple starting to swap out those dirty MacBooks?

As with many things when it comes to AppleCare support, your mileage may vary, but AppleInsider apparently started to receive word that the Macbook discoloration issue is starting to result in some few-or-no-questions-asked returns, Apple simply offering up whole laptop replacements just like that. Now, we're not guaranteeing results or anything should you march that blemished MacBook into an Apple Store and foist it upon the first Genius you see, but it's a start, right? Anyone else having good luck getting their laptop taken care of?

[Jake @ Jun 28th 2006 11:34PM]

This is good to know. Mine hasn't discolored, but it's good to know I have a plan if it does.

[Rafia @ Jun 28th 2006 11:38PM]

Had mine replaced today by the good people of Menlo Park, NJ, apple store. Now i don't want to take it out of the box to use because i fear it will get dirty again. Any suggestion... becasue this is a very expensive paper weight right now in the box.

[D.J.J.S @ Jun 28th 2006 11:58PM]

Hmm Not Suprised From Apple ..
Anothere Issue.. Great to know when there Stock hit preatty low today.. First the Over heating Problems,
Then the Whole Mooooooing Fan Problems..
Thermal Grease Problem anyone?
How about Magnet Adaptor not so safe when it catches on fire!! O yea Not to Mention the Lil iBook that caught fire last month to.. O yea.. Before Apple Fan Boys Say " Just get the Black one's " umm No! Smudge's anyone? how about Shuttingdown Uninspectably..
O wait.. Now DISCOLORATION on your Apple.. Wow what a shocker.. Apple Products-Overpriced Products for Suckers.. the Only Good thing I have admit is the OSX is Beautiful Looking.. and Good for Film Editing&Photo.. Maybe they should Test there Own Products and not keep the Such a Secret. and Expect people to buy them and not Complain.. Im not suprised if anything else gose Wrong with Apple Products..

[Gregory-Andrew @ Jun 29th 2006 12:05AM]

My MacBook Is Beginning To Discolor. I Took It In To The Apple Store, And They Offered Immediatly To Replace It, But Then They Found Out It Was Custom Made, So I Had Apple Care Send Me Labels And My MacBook Is On It's Way Out As Soon As I Get Back From Vacation On Next Monday. Thank God They're So Good About Dealing With This Stuff.

[Dave @ Jun 29th 2006 12:10AM]

At least Apple is swapping them. Apple does a great job at cleaning up when they make a mistake. Which is more than you can say for most PC dealers. When was the last time you got any good customer care from Dell or someother piece "O" Crap PC dealer. I can't tell you how many times those guys over there have screwed me and my place of work.

Don't be bitter DJ just because your XP sucks compared to OSX. XP wishes it could handle video and graphics like a mac. and at least macs don't have driver and firmware issues like so many freaking PC's

Apple's Customer Care is pretty darn good!!!

[Silver @ Jun 29th 2006 12:12AM]

D.J.J.S., if you're going to hate, at least learn to spell. You're killing us here. Perhaps we don't hear about the millions of PC laptop problems out there because many PC owners don't really care? Hmmm. I could tell you my Compaq laptop is a flimsy piece of poop (which it is), but no one is going to blog about that, now are they...

Ignorance - it's what's for dinner.

[Jody @ Jun 29th 2006 12:13AM]

D.J.J.S,
While you're right on the part about Apple needing to test their stuff more, I think you're a little harsh on them as a company. I work on computers and about twice a week I see a Dell come into my office with problems of either overheating (randomly turning off) or of making strange noises (normally because of dust build up). It seems that while other computer companies experience just as many problems as Apple none of them are publicized nearly as much as Apple's.

Apple is really nice about repairs (believe me I've gotten them to extend the default warranty more than once (white lines on Powerbook anyone? (before the official warranty extension)) because of something obviously wrong they did - try that with Dell, HP or TOSHIBA (don't even get me started on Toshiba's manufacturing defects).

I got to say in the past 7 years my mom has owned a mac (iMac then Mac Mini) and I've owned a PC (Gateway then Dell) and while I can't count the number of times I've worked on my PC, I can tell you I've worked on her mac twice... once because the printer screwed up, and the second time to migrate her data to her Mac Mini.

I now use a Powerbook and have been happily chugging away without need for repair for a year now.

I guess what I'm saying is D.J.J.S, please don't make a big deal that one of Apple's products (especially a new one) is having manufacturing problems related to heat. Every other computer company is too... Even Xbox 360 is (if you're a Microsoft Fanboy).

-Jody-

P.S - Good for Apple! I hope they figure out what ever the heck is wrong with the acrylic (?) they're using. I wonder if its heat related or a reaction to the oils in people's skin? My brother's MacBook is 3 weeks old and shows no signs of this color change, and runs cooler than my Powerbook. Thoughts?

[SteveJ @ Jun 29th 2006 12:23AM]

My black MacBook shows no discoloration. Perhaps that's what the extra $150 was for - black anti-discoloration coating. ;) Seriously, though, no problems with the BlackBook and I love it. No question it is the best laptop I've ever owned. Really fast, perfect size, amazing screen (no, screen glare has never been a problem - they seem to have gotten the balance just right), beautiful looking, fantastic feature set, etc. It does run a bit hotter than my old AiBook, but I don't find it uncomfortable to use on my lap, and it is soooo much better than the AiBook in every other way. The "mooing" fan thing is there, but doesn't bother me. I think it's overblown, pun intended. It's just a fan spinning up and the sound is quite feint.

[JPolsk @ Jun 29th 2006 12:25AM]

I was just curious how old and/or heavily used the pictured MacBook is. I doubt the editors are following these posts, but if you guys are, it would be great if you could post it.

[andy @ Jun 29th 2006 12:31AM]

Looks like we'll be seeing some refurb macbooks on apple's site pretty soon.

[Meltz @ Jun 29th 2006 12:46AM]

For the sake of the life of my track-pad and my eyes scrolling through all these comments - take these heated debates somewhere else! There are message boards and forums dedicated to that.
Thank you.

[Chris szostek @ Jun 29th 2006 12:51AM]

As to the comments on mac products having issues, I have had my G4 powermac since 2000. I have had only 1 issue, Zip disks (yes it has a zip drive, this was 2000 ok) would get stuck as in not respond. Since I have not used a Zip since about 2 months after getting the mac I really don't care. There is the probobility that it was an issue with the disks themselves as well, I never really took good care of them. The point I am getting to is follows this. I work in publishing and am in command of 3 older G4's a G3 and a Unix box. All of MY macs at work are crap, they crash at least once a day and are all running OS9 still. Out of curiosity I opened one the other day to find a mountain of dust, they are all settled on the floor and have not had any form of upgrade since they were purchased. Also since they were purchased by a small LLC they went with the bare minimum of system stats to run the bare minimum of programs needed for my job.

If these machines had been taken care of or not been purchased out of some guys trunk, my days would be allot less tense.

Thats all, I'm done.

[BeDammit @ Jun 29th 2006 1:21AM]

Uh.. geez
They are made in China.
I remember when everything that came from China was plastic and eventually broke.

Hmmm
Maybe we are back to that again...

[moo @ Jun 29th 2006 1:34AM]

I was in an Apple Store today, and the people who worked there had yet to have anyone in about the blemishes. In fact one of them hadn't even heard about it until I showed her a picture of it online. I'm starting to really doubt the accuracy of that online survey. Oh, and this is in "the Valley" (as in Valley Girl, (San Fernando Valley), not Silicon) in CA.

[Xophonic @ Jun 29th 2006 2:36AM]

I have 4 friends with white macbooks and no problems or discoloration from any of them. I am on my second year of exclusively using apple for everything but gaming and have to say they simply make the best stuff out there. All companies have their problems but I don't see why there are so many angry PC users on the internet bashing apple all the time. If you don't want it don't buy it. As for being overpriced, I would pay even more for the convienience and simplicity of OSX and apple products. I know when I buy apple it will work seamlessly with my other apple products and if anything fails it will be replaced with no hassle. Windows has many uses and good qualities as well but I'm on my computer for maybe 10 hours a day and whether for work or play I never miss my old Alienware PC. So hate all you want, these products make my life easier and I will never sway until someone does it better.

[nothatingjusthones @ Jun 29th 2006 3:17AM]

to the first couple of comments....
yeah it's true that you hear a lot of pc laptops crapping out... but a lot of the time it's a cheap compaq **cough... laptop... the thing with apple items is that they are not very cheap.. yeah now they have come lower in price but usually you get what you pay for.... i mean you spend a good penny on an apple... if you were to spend the same amount of money on a pc.. and were smart about it (i mean any jackhole can spend a crapload of money and still come out with a piece of ......) you would get a decent cpu without a lot of the hassle... everyone always says to me " you do video editing on a pc?" im like yeah... i run adobe premiere after effects and all that... never any problems.. they're like "wow, that's crazy because i used to have a pc and tried doing that and had all kinds of problems"... i'm like yeah of course you did with your 256MB of RAM on your P4 on and ECS mobo that you got from FRY's.... for like $400... oh wait but then you went and got a g5 for a measly $1300! and now no problems (except for when it decides to turn itself off during your final edit for no real reason!!!).... give me a break... don't get me wrong, i like mac's, i don't own one and don't plan on buying one (sodered on chips... hahaha) but i think they're cool, i just don't like how they're made to be the perfect machine when they're not.. same goes for the ipod... stylish? ok. problems? of course. pricey? heck yes! now if you go and get a zen for like half the price, you'll be set, with about half of the problems. oh wait, but now you can't say that you have the same thingamajig that the "shadow" person had in the multi colored background commercial.... gosh darn it. ok, enough of my rant..

p.s.
sorry for all the periods and poor structure, it's what i'm used to for work. i'll just say it like this, i hate systems that remind me of dos.

ok buh bye!

[mel @ Jun 29th 2006 4:33AM]

I agree with the above post. PC's are fine. The cheapest PC desktop or laptop I have ever bought was above $1100. My PC equipment has never failed me in the past 10 years (I even had one Dell). I bought an 1.0GHZ iBook last year, and I found it to be too slow. My new 2.0GHZ White MacBook runs only okay with the 512mb default ram (I guess they made it mandatory to upgrade).

For me, the difference between a Mac and PC is only the OS. I just find them to be different, not one better than the other. They both have their up's and down's. And I do not find Mac's especially easier to use or extra durable or whatever.

Socially, it seems that my image changes when people realize I use a Macbook. Go figure...

BTW, I hope mine won't have the discoloration problem.

[Michael @ Jun 29th 2006 4:41AM]

So they replace the macbook for discoloration, but not replace my ibook g3 for fucking logic board failure. Hmmm...I'm just bitter cause i cant afford a macbook.

[Mat @ Jun 29th 2006 5:11AM]

This really doesn't surprise me. After 14/15 months of backbreaking work, my PowerBook's HD packed in. I did have prior warning so was able to back up my data. I contacted Apple about the cost of repair, and they couldn't stop apologising for the fault. It was picked up the next day, delivered back to my door two days later with a new HD, and all the latest updates installed on it, fully cleaned and serviced...which in itself extended my warranty, at no charge! Now THATS service.
I have a nano also, but I bought that from a Dixons store, to get the accidendental damage cover, and I have to say, sometimes the faults with 1st Gen Apple products really piss me off! But, thats the risk of being an early adopter I guess. But then again, don't lots of companies have problems with 1st Gen runs of products? PS2? Xbox 360?
Thats my 2p, but I agree with much of what has been said already...well that which I was able to decipher... :P

[Random Apple Tech @ Jun 29th 2006 6:05AM]

I've had one to look at... Apple aren't exchanging the unit, they're shipping out a new top case (inc keyboard and trackpad) to be fitted. Hmmm.

[TZK @ Jun 29th 2006 6:17AM]

I guess bright white plastic isnt the best solution for a laptop. You also might want to wash your friggin hands before each use. Use some soap?

[iband @ Jun 29th 2006 7:11AM]

I've had my MacBook 2.0 (white) for a month. No problems at all. Occasionaly mooing only noticeable if the room is dead quiet, which is rare. No discoloration at all. I use it about 2 hours a day. Perhaps the problem is worse for those who use it for longer periods.

[PeteC @ Jun 29th 2006 8:19AM]

Rasfia - My advice. Take the godamn thing out of its box and use it. Stop worrying about what people will think if it doesn't look pristine anymore and that will implicate you as some dirty slob. It's a computer, enjoy using it, not carressing it and checking for scratches.

[Jordan @ Jun 29th 2006 8:58AM]

Rafia - Just get a marware cover for it. They look decent and completely protect against this. www.marware.com

[sputnik @ Jun 29th 2006 9:30AM]

It's funny how folks compare the amount of PC laptop repairs to apple laptop repairs. PC's make up something like 95% of the market. So of course repair shops will see more PC laptops being repaired just because they make up virtually the entire market.

But to see such a relatively small firm such as Apple have so many problems stand out as unique. Apple and it's loyal lemming following often tout Macs as being the Zen of computing. But in reality when you get your hands on one you realize they have just as many problems Software and hardware wise as any other manufacturer. The difference is that Apple is a premium product that folks are paying above and beyond to not have issues like these. And of course Mac fans are so mum about any problems that it's always difficult to get a decent review or truly gage a products weak points and flaws.

To your own detrement Apple users.

[Portwineboy @ Jun 29th 2006 9:45AM]

My guess is that some people have sweatier hands than others and this is why you see a few discolored macbooks and many more that aren't.

[TheAdmiral @ Jun 29th 2006 10:03AM]

Let's face it, Macs have slowly been morphed into nothing more than overpriced Intel based PC's. Apple's so dependent on Microsoft for Office (and now, to appease the majority of computer owners -> Windows XP). People need a good reality check... Macs are going bye-bye for good in the near future. Apple will be supporting the faithful few, but they have already turned almost all of their collective attention and brainstorming towards iPods & iTunes.

Am I being cynical, possibly... but the proof is in their profits. The ever-increasing Linux/Unix (pick a flavor) market has taken away from Macs already small share of the PC market. They have had to succomb to Intel and Microsoft, and their computers and laptops have suffered for it. The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back should have been when you can't even get the same level of graphics quality on OS/X on the better monitors as you do on regular PC's. Superior graphics was a main selling point for DECADES. Now it's just a memory. Profits are pouring in (for now) from iPod & iTune markets. Why beat a dead horse by keping in the computer market when you can milk the cash cow of those 2 markets?!?!

[PSAvenger @ Jun 29th 2006 10:29AM]

I hate to admit it, but I agree with your comments Admiral. I've worked in a printshop for over 20 years, we got our first macs in the late '80's and I've spent all of my time bragging about our products superiority to my PC friends.
The fact is, whenever a PC user paid the same $$ amount as me, he ended up with a high-end pc or laptop.
In recent years, I have had to replace the HD on my MacBook twice (the second time, they replaced the whole thing since I had the discoloration issue as well). In the meantime, my company abandoned Macs 2 years ago, and I now begrudgingly agree that it was a smart move. After adapting to moving from a mouse with 1 button to one with 5, I think XP is just as easy to grasp as OS/X (and for the record, I still have my Mac at my desk, it's just gotten real dusty).
My office finally bought me a laptop to work on from home, and I got to say that I now agree with my friends, you can get a superior PC based laptop if you buy one in the same price range as a MacBook. If the ads I see are right... you can get a comparable one significantly cheaper. I guess I wasn't comparing oranges to oranges, and my friends can't keep from rubbing it in, now that "I've seen the light" as they call it.
As for software, I do mainly graphics design, and Quark and Adobe's suite all look and work the same in both arenas. I use Adobe Premier and Audition for my audio/video editing I do (more for personal use than work). They also work to the same level of quality in both worlds.
All I can say is, Mac has had it's day, and I am grateful for all they've done. But, I see the same future you do Admiral, and I bid Macs adieu, and thanks for the memories!

[mac hater @ Jun 29th 2006 11:06AM]

i personally hate all things apple except ipod (mine lost all usb connectivity/chargability a month ago, had to buy a f/w card)

But if you take your mac in for swap, open it up and remove anything unnoticable that will be handy in yur new mac. (like ram) and thermal grease/heatsinks(heh heh heh...)

Ps: avoid voiding your warrenty if you attempt this....

[David @ Jun 29th 2006 11:12AM]

I've been very happy with the protection offered by the Invisible shield by Shield zone (www.shieldzone.com) on both my ipod and MacBook. It is a thin, clear rubberish sheet that you apply with a soapy water solution.

David

[MacLover @ Jun 29th 2006 12:46PM]

I think TheAdmiral is a closet Mac user and lover.

[TheAdmiral @ Jun 29th 2006 1:12PM]

I guess you're using the term "think" lightly.... especially with the name MacLover. Don't strain anything too hard, I know the truth hurts.

[PodcastMayhem.com @ Jun 29th 2006 1:45PM]

I'm going to the Pasadena Store this weekend. I'll let you guys know how it goes. I'm just annoyed that i won't be with my laptop for a while since it's my primary computer for all my work.

[Cliksingles.com @ Jun 29th 2006 2:13PM]

I bought a MBP 2.0 and have had zero problems with it. I think most of these issues are bad parts batches and perhaps are showing up due to the use of different manufacturers than used in the past. Personally I have used equipment built in China and it has so far proven to be substandard compared to items purchased from established outlets in other parts of the world(in my case scientific and manufacturing equipment). Basically its a problem of you get what you pay for.

[Kazuya @ Jun 29th 2006 3:08PM]

I live in Australia, and when I talked to the guys at my local Mac authorised dealer (we actually don't have any Apple stores where I live), all the folks in store didn't even know about the discoloration issue - just gave me funny looks when I questioned it :S.

[William @ Jun 29th 2006 4:43PM]

Funny thing is, Apple's machines have come down considerably in price since OS X. I don't know if anyone has noticed, but a 12" laptop with a 6 hour battery weighing in at less than $1k for students is just... amazing, and rather unheard of. I know someone is going to yell Averatec, but from experience I can say they break easily, the battery is done at 1hr, and the graphics chip is horrible. I've had my 12" iBook for a little over a year, and I have to say that I wouldn't trade it in for any PC laptop made in that year, period.

This is the first revision of the new MacBook's, so everyone just chill. Every time there's a new design and run there are problems. Dell had some serious issues with the 5100's that caused most of my friends much anguish. Everything from overheating to pressure on the keyboard causing them to shutdown.

I've been through a class action suit with Toshiba, and I can say that if there is a real issue that affects more than a few customers (much like the Xbox 360 'defects', these seem isolated) there will be a suit and everyone will end up happy (even if it takes a few years).

[peenque_taco @ Jun 29th 2006 5:22PM]

I don't know why you're getting on the Admiral MacLover, there's no need to start a mac/pc war for the 1 millionth time on here.

Can't we all just get along? I mean, he could take a cheap shot about your name MacLover and make a remark about the small size needed to "love" a Mac (those usb ports are sort of small.... maybe the internet port?). But that would be cruel to say.

Now go play candycrusher and release your pent up anger in a constructive fashion.

[TheAdmiral @ Jun 29th 2006 5:30PM]

I don't know how to use a REAL computer?!? Why do they let people like you on here MacLover? Just because you're in denial, it doesn't give you the right to put people down. Notice that I didn't bash Mac users, even if some like yourself are pathetic losers that probably didn't know until the internet came around that women don't have staples across their stomachs.

[Camperton @ Jun 29th 2006 5:55PM]

mac hater -- you probably just had to update the firmware on the ipod, not get a new card. Often an iTunes update goes hand in hand with a firmware update.

[Justin @ Jun 29th 2006 6:34PM]

I'm glad the unintelligent PC users are representing en masse in this thread. I'd like to mention that most of you are really reaching as far as your arguments are concerned.

Apple may be this small company, but i don't see anyone flocking to texas for a Dell Computers announcement or people speculating on what the Dell Ditty is going to look like, do you? Apple gets much more publicity for their products and in turn they will get much more flack for defects that occur in their products. For some reason though, you PC fundamentalists just don't grasp that concept.

[Raphael Shilton @ Jun 30th 2006 2:01AM]

I read all the way down to the end of the thread, and was thinking 'hey - no-one brought up the sycophant nerds who flocks across country as a plus point for apple!' and then like a trooper, Justin was there.

[MacLover @ Jun 30th 2006 9:34AM]

I find it interesting how Justin compares Apple to Dell. Apple is the ONLY maker of Apple computers. Dell is just one of MANY manufacturers of PC's. Try comparing oranges to oranges next time scooter. Your lack of intelligence explains why you have to stick to simple, dumb downed products like the ipod. Go ahead, keep on being a lemming, while I do my own thing and not follow you off that cliff.

[ben @ Jun 30th 2006 6:54PM]

I think this is all really funny, because my 2+ year old iBook has the same discoloration problem but I never thought to bitch about it. I just thought plastic + hot + semi-dirty hands = permanent stain.

[TheAdmiral @ Jul 7th 2006 11:14AM]

It looks like the only unintelligent person here is you Justin. Dell has a nice range of equipment, but if you want to truly compare Apple to the PC market, you need to consider all the other computer manufacturers. As for as the iPod, the ditty is a stripped down player. Why don't you compare it to the dozens of other companies making audio/video players? Why not look at Creative, which puts out products at similar prices, yet are vastly superior to iPod. Especially considering iTunes & iPods aren't the only choices around, and they aren't nearly as modular.

Let's face it Justin... you're just another "mac fundamentalist" that has is too blind (or too stupid) to see the grim reality that everyone else does.

[julia @ Jul 28th 2006 3:24PM]

I use both - windows and mac. Both have their good points, but when shopping for a new laptop I couldn't find a windows machine comparable to the macbook - overall - at the same price. For desktops it might be a different story. I would like to see a lightweight model though from Apple. Love the Panasonic W5!

I don't understand the extremists either ;)

[rebecca @ Sep 20th 2006 9:14AM]

michael, apple has a logic board replacement extension program for g3 ibooks purchased from 2001-2003. i had the logic boad of my ibook replaced 3 times. pain in the ass, but apple was very good about it. had it back within a week all three times. if you just search for g3 ibook logic board uder support on their site you'll find a link with the serial numbers that are elligible. good luck!

[Scott @ Feb 19th 2007 8:37PM]

I took my macbook in to the Apple Store today and they are going to replace the disclored pieces, presumably for free. The guy there told me that they'd had a bad batch of the plastic - it didn't cure properly or something, affected serial numbers have been identified and mine was one of them.