> Apple does repair programs or recalls when something like that happens
Usually those repair programs are limited to a few years after purchase. I still have a 2015 MBP where the reflective coating is damaged (screen looks really bad) but it only got bad after the repair program has expired.
I also had a 2016 MBP (gave it to a relative) but I'm scared that the flex cable or the keyboard are going to fail and repair is going to be too expensive and Apple won't fix it because it is too old.
> despite the screen covering deterioration in weird spotty ways
If it's like images at [1] you may be eligible for a free screen replacement. I got Apple to change mine after it started showing the defect (granted, I went to an Apple Store mere weeks before the Apple Care+ coverage ended). Mine is a late 2013 rMBP. The new screen, however, is starting to show the same kind of damage around the edges.
Ouch. Looking at that link, I discover my late 2013 MBP is in the list of machines eligible for repair, but of course the time limit has passed.
I have a late 2013 MBP whose screen developed visible loss of coating in 2014, and cleaning the screen even made an annoying always-on bright pixel due to a tiny chip in the surface
I was sad at that at the time and looked into getting a new display but there was no way to do it. You couldn't even go to an Apple store and pay for it, which I was willing to do.
Today I discover that it was an acknowledged fault that I could have had repaired for free...
> [Apple quietly announced][1] that they were extending the warranty on their flagship laptop’s keyboard by four years.
No, they didn't. If you read the very source the article cites for this, you find,
> The program covers eligible MacBook and MacBook Pro models for 4 years after the first retail sale of the unit.
The original warranty was 1 year[2]; this is a three year extension.
"Extending by 4 years" is just too good to be true. Although, I had no idea the warranty on MBPs was so bad; a well built machine should trivially last a year. And now that I Google around, this doesn't seem to really be unusual on Apple's part. My last laptop had a 4 year warranty, and it lasted about that long. But my current laptop only had a 1 year standard, and I had forgotten that I paid $80 to extend it for 3 years. Apple seems to offer an extended warranty ("AppleCare+") but wants $270 for it.
> You'll mail the product in I'd imagine, and weeks later, maybe, you'll get one back?
I took my MacBook Pro 2017 in for a keyboard replacement. The AASP had to mail it in to Apple. It's now on it's second week in Apple's custody.
> Apple is pushing AppleCare+ to all laptops and phones, which means that accidental damage like this would be covered for a low, flat fee no matter what happened to your device
The low, flat fee only applies to cracked screens. I have a cracked camera lens on my iPhone X (a $7 part), and Apple wants $500 for a whole device replacement.
> two repairs: both by Apple, under warranty. a replaced trackpad and a replaced display. no 3rd party involvement. 2015 MBP Retina 15" - bought I believe in 2016 from Apple website.
So you can't make the easy joke about how the new MBPs are so bad they burst on fire.
> Our records show that your device has already been serviced as part of this Program.
Hmm... I bought a new Apple Macbook Pro via the Apple store. It was a MBP 2015 which I bought in 2017 (I didn't want the touchbar), but I find this particular message weird from Apple.
This is not a refurbished MBP, why is Apple treating why it is?
> if you think your display cable is the issue, you can now get it for $5 through Apple's self service repair
Are you referring to flexgate, ie MBP 2016-2017? Those are fused with the display assembly. Even if I had one, I'd basically need a lab to extend it, even independent shops usually don't do that repair.
Considering that your MBP screen issue is the same one always mentioned about Apple, and it was widely discussed online and screens got replaced under warranty, it seems to be the exception that proves the rule.
I hope Luke Tully is around and reading these comments, the only contact he has on his site is the twitter and he looks inactive on it.
But his 2015 MBP delamination is covered by an Apple Recall from many years ago! He doesn't have to pay a dime to get that issue fixed.
I first took my 2015 MBP to Apple a few years ago for the delamination problem and was told it was covered under a recall notice, but at the time I didn't have up to 2 weeks of service time to be without my MBP, so I just dealt with it. This Spring I finally called up Apple and told them I wanted to get my delamination issue fixed. The Apple rep was completely lost about the recall I was talking about, but about 15 minutes of looking around he found the recall information. 1 week later I had my MBP back from the service center looking b-e-a-utiful :)
I know about this: I used the recall once on a 2014 mbp, but maybe should twice now since the replacement screen shows some signs too after a few years...
I've tried that twice, and they've refused to replace the screen even though my rMBP's serial number falls under a recall for the GPU. They claim that the image retention is normal for a Retina screen. Yes, my screen is an "LP" version (made by LG). Shrug.
Kind of funny, I'm still on my most recent replacement/repaired unit, and it's still working great since my AppleCare Protection Plan expired (knock on wood). But I guess it's only a matter of time until I'll have to buy a new one.
That's the same as saying 'buy a new one :)'. The bets of Apple fixing anything and not just telling you to replace your 13 month old laptop are slim at best.
Usually those repair programs are limited to a few years after purchase. I still have a 2015 MBP where the reflective coating is damaged (screen looks really bad) but it only got bad after the repair program has expired.
I also had a 2016 MBP (gave it to a relative) but I'm scared that the flex cable or the keyboard are going to fail and repair is going to be too expensive and Apple won't fix it because it is too old.
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