Are you an (Apple) genius?
February 2, 2015 12:38 PM Subscribe
I have an annoying problem with my newly Macbook Pro. Please let me know whether I'm crazy and/or give me tips on getting it fixed.
I purchased a mid 2014 vintage Macbook Pro a month ago. As long as I've had it, the black clutch cover has felt out of spec. I am able to wiggle it with my finger. When I pick my laptop up, my hand grabbing the rear end feels the cover move. It feels weak and flimsy, and it bothers me every time I pick my machine up. I'm also concerned that this could be suggestive of it breaking at some point.
I have asked around and can't get a clear consensus on whether it's out of spec or not. Two genius bar employees I showed it to agreed that it seemed out of spec, but I don't think they specialized in the laptop line. I showed it to another Apple genius who did specialize in laptops and he felt it was not out of spec, but said he'd never heard of this as being an issue.
This latter genius bar employee said that, although they would probably fix this if I wanted, they could only do so by replacing the entire display unit, as the clutch cover is not its own part. This seems absurd to me. I also don't want to be without my machine for the amount of time a major repair would take. This seems to me like it should be a 30 minute process max. (Aside: *is* a display unit replacement something that can be done while I wait?)
I've compared my machine to the Apple display models, and they don't have this problem. Nor do my friends per anecdata.
What should I do given the above?
I purchased a mid 2014 vintage Macbook Pro a month ago. As long as I've had it, the black clutch cover has felt out of spec. I am able to wiggle it with my finger. When I pick my laptop up, my hand grabbing the rear end feels the cover move. It feels weak and flimsy, and it bothers me every time I pick my machine up. I'm also concerned that this could be suggestive of it breaking at some point.
I have asked around and can't get a clear consensus on whether it's out of spec or not. Two genius bar employees I showed it to agreed that it seemed out of spec, but I don't think they specialized in the laptop line. I showed it to another Apple genius who did specialize in laptops and he felt it was not out of spec, but said he'd never heard of this as being an issue.
This latter genius bar employee said that, although they would probably fix this if I wanted, they could only do so by replacing the entire display unit, as the clutch cover is not its own part. This seems absurd to me. I also don't want to be without my machine for the amount of time a major repair would take. This seems to me like it should be a 30 minute process max. (Aside: *is* a display unit replacement something that can be done while I wait?)
I've compared my machine to the Apple display models, and they don't have this problem. Nor do my friends per anecdata.
What should I do given the above?
Response by poster: @cjorgensen, are you relatively confident that this is an in-and-out repair? That's my impediment to just doing what you suggest.
posted by prunes at 12:49 PM on February 2, 2015
posted by prunes at 12:49 PM on February 2, 2015
It wiggles back and forth? Or the whole hinge seems loose?
On my current-gen Macbook Air the cover actually slides left and right a bit, I never even noticed before. But only if I push it. It's not loose enough to slide if I pick the machine up and shake it.
I would say if the hinge seems strong enough to hold the screen in any position then it's fine.
posted by GuyZero at 12:49 PM on February 2, 2015
On my current-gen Macbook Air the cover actually slides left and right a bit, I never even noticed before. But only if I push it. It's not loose enough to slide if I pick the machine up and shake it.
I would say if the hinge seems strong enough to hold the screen in any position then it's fine.
posted by GuyZero at 12:49 PM on February 2, 2015
Response by poster: It slides front-to-back, not side-to-side. (Where side-to-side represents sliding the long ways, left to right.)
posted by prunes at 12:52 PM on February 2, 2015
posted by prunes at 12:52 PM on February 2, 2015
I've had the entire display assembly changed on my Retina MacBook Pro at an Apple Store. They did it in a little less than 1 hour, and that's the time they quoted. I found the work order, and here's the relevant section:
Proposed Resolution: Replace display. Quoted 1 hour.posted by zsazsa at 1:01 PM on February 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Estimated Turn Around Time: Same Day
I've had the entire display assembly changed on my Retina MacBook Pro at an Apple Store.
Me too, when the screen started separating from the back. For free. Not under warranty. (The magic words were "known issue.") Which leads me to my next piece of advice: if you can, take to the Apple Store ask them to check if your problem is a known issue.
posted by Room 641-A at 1:15 PM on February 2, 2015
Me too, when the screen started separating from the back. For free. Not under warranty. (The magic words were "known issue.") Which leads me to my next piece of advice: if you can, take to the Apple Store ask them to check if your problem is a known issue.
posted by Room 641-A at 1:15 PM on February 2, 2015
There's the rub. They have to have the part on hand. Replacing a display is a bit involved as well, so it is going to depend on too many factors like the time of day, etc., but there's no way you want to live with faulty hardware. As much as it sucks to give it up for any period of time it is best to do so in the long run.
posted by cjorgensen at 1:40 PM on February 2, 2015
posted by cjorgensen at 1:40 PM on February 2, 2015
You can take it in, have them look at it, and they can call you when they have the part if it isn't in stock right then. "Leave it there and wait" is NOT the only option.
I've had similar issues by the way, and the only times I've needed to leave it overnight was when the repair ended up being "swap entire motherboard". They'll just swap the display assembly.
posted by emptythought at 2:28 PM on February 2, 2015
I've had similar issues by the way, and the only times I've needed to leave it overnight was when the repair ended up being "swap entire motherboard". They'll just swap the display assembly.
posted by emptythought at 2:28 PM on February 2, 2015
I would try getting AppleCare service on it. Have them order the parts ahead of time and have them contact you when the parts are in, so as to minimize the time your computer is in repair.
posted by nathanm at 3:24 PM on February 2, 2015
posted by nathanm at 3:24 PM on February 2, 2015
If there's more than one Apple Store that's convenient for you, call around and ask which one can have the repair done fastest. I'm guessing that it's a combination of having the part in and how busy they otherwise are that determines how fast you get your laptop back. Insist that you can't afford more than a day's worth of downtime and ask what they can do for you to get it back same-day. Like cjorgensen says, they might just transfer your data to a new Macbook. Seems like that decision is pretty much at the genius's discretion.
posted by yasaman at 3:54 PM on February 2, 2015
posted by yasaman at 3:54 PM on February 2, 2015
To begin with I am confused about how you can purchase in 2014 a NEW VINTAGE MB Pro???
That being said said, on a Unibody (non Retina MB Pro) The cover simply needs to be re-seated. If the plastic has been bend out of shape* or perhaps damaged by a previous repair (any screen replacements from a non Apple repair facility ???).
If this doesn't help this part can be easily replaced.
As a former lead genius (survived 4 years at the GeniusBar...) I can tell you that arguing with a Genius over what you think is a spec and how they should do a repair is not going to help you....
Just go there, be nice. If its under Apple Care have them take it in and take care of it.
*No you should not be lifting or handling the laptop by the clutch cover.
posted by Mac-Expert at 5:09 PM on February 2, 2015
That being said said, on a Unibody (non Retina MB Pro) The cover simply needs to be re-seated. If the plastic has been bend out of shape* or perhaps damaged by a previous repair (any screen replacements from a non Apple repair facility ???).
If this doesn't help this part can be easily replaced.
As a former lead genius (survived 4 years at the GeniusBar...) I can tell you that arguing with a Genius over what you think is a spec and how they should do a repair is not going to help you....
Just go there, be nice. If its under Apple Care have them take it in and take care of it.
*No you should not be lifting or handling the laptop by the clutch cover.
posted by Mac-Expert at 5:09 PM on February 2, 2015
Just as anecdata, not all Apple Stores are so accommodating as to offer same-day service. I was told I'd have to leave my laptop at the store for about three days just to pop out and replace some keycaps with the paint worn off.
posted by Andrhia at 5:41 PM on February 2, 2015
posted by Andrhia at 5:41 PM on February 2, 2015
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Displays are generally something that can be done while you wait if they have the part, but there's a good chance they will just swap you models and do the data transfers in the store for you. If they offered to do a fix, take them up on it.
It's even hard for me to parse your description, since none of the MacBooks I have used to this.
posted by cjorgensen at 12:46 PM on February 2, 2015 [1 favorite]