Looks like Apple is about to face its next date in court: a San Diego filing by private citizens Fred Greaves and Dave Gatley calls for a class-action lawsuit, accusing Cupertino of deceptive advertising with regard to the displays on its MacBook and MacBook Pro machines -- specifically alleging Apple's screens aren't nearly as good as they were advertised to be. Citing observances that MacBook (Pro) displays are too often "grainy" and "sparkly", that Apple uses dithering to achieve higher color depths than is feasible for the equipment, and that apparently customers seeking repair or replacement were rebuffed, even "chastised" by rogue Geniuses, telling users they are "too picky about... the quality of the display." So, will this lawsuit blend? Time -- but mostly lawyers -- will tell. [Warning: PDF link]
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Crom @ May 24th 2007 12:56PM
I purchased 2 of them in June 2006 for my business. To date: They have both been repaired 3 times as of this week. I also took friends to the apple store and was responsible for 3 referals on Mac Books. Two of those Mac Books have been replaced 2 times. Issues as such: Dead spkears, Dead Keyboard,
Crashing, overheating- Slow performance, Yellow casework, trackpad buttons failing, DVD drive failing to read and burn DVD's, and battery that dies from one moment to the next, oh and a Screen with 4 dead pixels and discolored spots.
I have been a long time computer user since the Commodore 64 days... I love macs and pc's and have some vintage machines as well that I collect. There is something wrong here, at least with the early revisions models.
I have been burned with Apple before (Mac 8500, G3 beige 1st generation) In my experiecne they have had a history of dismissing claims.
My expereinces are in the New York city area
I would recommend purchasing your machine from the Applestore, preferably a well staffed store. I use the apples Store in Soho New York City. I would not recommend a store such as Techserve in New York City. They refused to service my machines yellow case and non responsive trackpad. They are also rude, argumentative and try to dismiss your claims. The same yellow case and busted trackpad complaint in the apple store was quickly fixed.
Proceed with caution, I recently adivsed 2 more folks to purchase 2 Macbooks. So far they are very happy and have zero issues. They run Vista great.
This is consitent with Apple as they seem to improve as new versions of machines are released.
david howson @ May 25th 2007 10:29AM
my kid got me into mac's about 15 years ago and i have never been more happy, you cant wear them out, you just get tired of one and buy a new one. i believe in the company so much, in 2000, i brought 15 shares, LOOK AT ME NOW
DAVID
david howson @ May 26th 2007 12:48PM
CONFIRMED
david howson @ May 25th 2007 11:29AM
i took a 3 year old e-mac to the mac store and in 1 wk they replaced the logic board, N.C. NO CHARGE, 3 YEARS OLD, where else could that happen?
david
AS_GB @ May 26th 2007 9:37PM
I just purchased my first MBP after purchasing the iMac about a yr ago. I also own an HP zd8000 (cost about the same as my 15" MBP 2 yrs ago) and the switch from a glossy screen to a matte screen definitely showcases a different look. However, I have not noticed the "grain" in the MBP matte screen until reading this thread. It obviously wasn't apparent enough for me to notice it without someone pointing it out. I had so many problems with my HP - too heavy, a multi-media power laptop - but too complicated to use to max potential, HOT - it literally melted my video card, and the $500 3-yr warranty didn't mean jack to CompUSA - I still had to pay $300 to replace the USB board due to "customer abuse". Right. I'm seriously going to abuse a machine I paid $2300.00 for. Give me a damn break. I've not had ONE problem with my iMac so far..and love my MBP a ton since I got it. I work in the printing industry, we use them at work. I've not heard a complaint from anyone.
As for the class-action lawsuit - good luck. Those things usually aren't worth the time nor the effort. But - I have dealt with HORRIBLE customer service (HP + CompUSA - will never buy from either AGAIN)and if people feel they're not receiving the product that was promised, they have every right to sue.
amr @ May 31st 2007 9:04PM
There seems to be a undercurrent of problems with mac books screen developing cracks. Apple is sticking by their "damage" view of the issue rather than the manufacturer defect problem. Indeed there may be cases where consumers took a hammer to the laptop, but I know in my case there were no drops or slams when the screen suddenly developed a crack.
I had been a satisfied Apple customer for over 5 years. However I will no longer do business with them because they do not stand behind their products.
Pete newby with Mac @ Jun 2nd 2007 12:01PM
I have a Mac and a Dell PC (Windows XP SP2), so I am not a fan-whatever. My 5-month old MacBook Pro 17-inch has an amazing screen, and I have not had ANY issues with the display. The other day I inserted a very old CDR and it would not read it, and it would not eject it. Tech support told me to restart it while holding the mouse button to force-eject, and it worked. That is the only issue I have had. I am quite satisfied with it and would strongly recommend it. About the PC, I like it, and it does the job, but it has been attacked by viruses too many times and Explorer freezes too often. Viruses consumed the original hard drive, so I had to replace that. The Dell Ultrabrite screen is very vivid. Mac is better built, and more stable, but it can be considered expensive. To me, it is worth it, and I enjoy using it more than the Dell PC.
Gerry @ Jun 5th 2007 6:06PM
The entire situation with Apple and its so-called "Geniuses" is really offensive. I tried several times to have a dead iBook repaired under warranty, and each time I heard a different excuse. Finally I was accused by a Genius of having dropped the laptop, thereby voiding the warranty. He tried to show me that the screen portion was offset from the body, the result of being dropped. It was not offset -- the screen portion had that much play in it. I'm convinced these folks are schooled in customer DIS-service and are probably rewarded for the number of claims they can dismiss. Never again, Apple.
JohnC @ Jul 11th 2007 5:09AM
I just returned from the Apple store where I had a cluster of bad dots on my MBP. They order a new screen in for me last week and I went in today bought Apple care and I have my notebook 1.5hrs later. If that is not service then someone please find me another company that would do that. Just to make sure people don't think I am this die hard Apple person. I am a windows tech by trade that switched to the MBP once they got the Intel chipset. The real reason was the service as they have been amazing in servicing anything that I had problems with. Being in tech you know nothing is perfect but it is how you handle the problem that makes the world of difference.