I was at the Apple Authorized dealer again today for a very long time. I used their phone to call them since I told the technician the damn thing needs replacing and he was pretty much fed up with it as well. He didn't want to attempt any more fixes. I was on hold for a very long time as I got bumped from one level of technician to the next. When I finally got to the top, I was then forwarded on to someone who could work out the exchange of my lemon MacBook for an Apple MacBook. I was told to wait for an email from UPS with instructions about returning the MacBook.

From the invoice:
"Logic board was replaced yesterday. Now DVD Movies will not play but data cd/dvd working fine."
"Customer called Apple. Apple is giving new computer to customer. Customer picked up his computer."

Though my replacement MacBook is running like a champ and trouble free, an unlucky Australian almost had his home burn down due to a MacBook battery exploding and caching on fire: MacBook Burns.

Received the UPS shipping info email today, did what it instructed then contacted Apple and they activated the order. Another two weeks or so and I should have a new MacBook.

In my chats with the Apple representative, I decided that I would rather a black MacBook than a white one. I, rather cynically at this point, told them that if it was black it would be easier for me to imagine that I never bought a MacBook and I could pretend it was a Dell laptop or some such thing. I was told I would have to pay extra for it, but, after some more cynicism, sarcasm and drama... well, I would be getting a black MacBook in the exchange.

Before shipping the lemon Apple back, I wanted to clean it up a bit. Grab some files off the desktop, clear browser caches, temp directories, etc. But now the MacBook will not boot at all. No amount of PRAM refreshing, battery removal and power draining seems to solve the problem. Oh well, off it goes back to Apple with my banking info still in the browser cache... hopefully they will just through the thing into a shredder...

My CoA friend just sent me this link with the subject line "Beware! This just happened to me."

I am keeping an eye on that battery indicator, but, so far, my replacement MacBook continues to run along trouble free. I am actually gaining a fair bit of confidence in this machine now.

http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/04/27/battery/index.php?lsrc=mwrss

Well, things with my MacBook have been running fine since the long and sordid story of my broken MacBook... Until now. This last week, while I am running on battery power, I am experiencing random shutdowns. No warning, just power off. When I try to restart right away, nothing, its dead. After about 5 minutes, it will start again, but only long enough for me to start a browser and then click, off it goes again. If I plug the MacBook into an power outlet, it runs again without shutting down.
The last time this happened, the battery indicator read that there was 11% charge remaining. I think something is faulty in the indicator and that is why I am getting the shutdowns without any "Battery Low" warnings... I will check for an update and see if that solves the problem. Until then, I am stuck to a power outlet...

So, as the one year anniversary approaches since Apple sent me my replacement black MacBook, I received an email reminding me my last chance to purchase the additional two years of Apple Support was fast approaching. I'd wait till payday, but I was definitely going to make the purchase after my experience with MacBooks so far.
Well, payday has arrived, and like some perfect cosmic cue, I logged into my MacBook this morning, and while reading The Reg, I noticed that familiar screen flicker... So I quickly fired up Skype and gave Apple a call. I now have an extra two years of support to get this MacBook repaired should it decide to up and die like the original lemon MacBook that inspired this whole site!
Hmmm, I originally decided on the MacBook because of the cost to power and speed (and brand reputation!), but I wonder if adding that $316.94 at the time of purchase would have altered that choice... or was I already too enamored (ney, taken in) by the idea, too taken in by the CoA? I also wonder if Apple support would cover homes burning down as a result of battery explosions??

Over the last couple of days I noticed the MagSafe connector was getting quite warm and the led in it was flashing between green, amber, and nothing at all. Today, I saw my battery was not charged 100% and it should have been having been plugged in all night long. I reached for the MagSafe, and it was too hot to hold, when I moved the cable, the green led came on, followed by the amber, then off again. I unplugged it, removed it and investigated. The rubber covering over the cable right at the join of the MagSafe had melted exposing electrical wiring.
Considering those things cost around $100, I now only 'need' $200 worth of defects to make the AppleCare extended warranty pay for itself...
Thankfully, the helpful Apple staff said they would send me a new one within 24 hours. I am at home sick with the flu and have to use this sick time constructively... Catching up on all those old tv series I have missed over the years and sleeping... Love that HBO but running those video files sure go through the battery power fast... have to keep borrowing my nieghbour's power supply.