Apple MacBook Pro

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2022

Apple to repair all laptops with defective screens for free

In mid-August 2022, Apple received an order from the Civil and Administrative Tribunal of the Australian state of New South Wales (Australia) to repair defective MacBook Pros. The lawsuit was filed by a former member of the OpenStack board of directors.

Apple does not recognize the problem of factory-defective screens of the 2017 MacBook model year. At the same time, users have clear evidence of a defect. The scandal involving Apple is brewing on August 17, 2022 in Australia, but may spread to the whole world, according to The Register. According to the decision of the Civil and Administrative Tribunal of the Australian state of New South Wales, the company will have to fix all MacBooks of the 2017 model year, including those where the defect does not appear.

Apple was forced to repair all laptops with defective screens for free. Even those where there is no defect

Apple MacBook Pro laptops of the 2017 model were exposed to a display defect that previously appeared in 2016 models. The marriage is known as Stage Light or Flexgate. The essence of the defect is the appearance of an abnormal strip at the bottom of the screen.

The Flexgate strip is darker than the rest of the screen. Immediately after turning on, it seems stealthy, but as the laptop heats up during operation, the strip becomes wider and darker. The defect distorts the image at the bottom of the screen. The Register suggests that the source of the problem is a small printed circuit board located near the base of the liquid crystal panel and providing a connection to the motherboard. Heating the components or contacts located on it disrupts the normal operation of the backlight LEDs or display controller.

Apple acknowledged that some MacBooks have this problem and arranged for free repairs to machines sold in 2016. OpenStack board member Goode complained to Apple about a problem in his computer, but was rebuffed because his MacBook, a 2017 model that Apple believes does not have a coiled cable. Apple offered him to replace the screen for $695, but Hood was not satisfied with this proposal. He found numerous complaints, including more than 80 videos shot by independent Mac repairers that depicted 2017 and later MacBook models that clearly outlined the same issues.

The disassembly of these computers showed that they are equipped with the same cable that Apple happily replaced in 2016 computers. Goode bought a spare screen to evaluate the parts it used and found it used the same cable that Apple had replaced in other models. An attempt to get Apple to acknowledge a problem in its 2017 apparatus failed, as did an attempt to attract a local fair trade regulator that handles complaints on behalf of consumers.

Therefore, Good organized a hearing at NCAT and collected extensive documentation about the appearance of the FlexGate problem in other MacBooks than those that Apple recognized as affected by this problem. Goode also used metadata describing the number of times his MacBook battery was charged to demonstrate that his device was used infrequently - so it could not be opened and closed enough times to wear out the cable if it was strong enough. Apple disputed its analysis and began hearings at NCAT, which took place online in early August 2022.

Goode argued that his MacBook had the same problem as the 2016 model, as it used the same notoriously poor-quality parts. An Apple spokesman countered that Hood's device was old enough to fail, but failed to answer many of the presiding officer's questions, such as why 2017 MacBooks are not included in Apple's free repair program.

A spokesman for Apple, which was not in Australia, mentioned Apple's frequently asked questions about the environmental impact, arguing that the company is developing its products for four years of service, making the issues that emerged in 2021 valid for the 2017 MacBook Pro. An Apple spokesman failed to address the seeming contradiction in the excerpt cited by Hood, and also said it would have to seek clarification on how and why the company decides which machines deserve free repairs. An Apple spokesperson was also unable to explain whether the parts used in the 2017 MacBook differ from those found in the models, which have been fixed for free.

The NCAT stated that it was satisfied that a reasonable consumer fully acquainted with the condition and condition of the applicant's MacBook would consider it not free from defects at the time of delivery and therefore not of acceptable quality. The Ruling, however, does not provide an opinion on whether the 2017 and 2018 MacBooks have a FlexGate problem. It is not necessary to resolve this issue to determine that the computer was free of defects. Therefore, the question of whether MacBooks released after 2016 have a FlexGate problem remained unresolved. As such, the decision leaves open the way for Australian MacBook owners to recover damages, but gives no precedent for either consumers or Apple.

The plaintiff is confident that the evidence and results indicate that Apple has a system problem, and plans to widely distribute the materials and results of its case in the hope that this will give other MacBook owners, possibly affected by FlexGate, a chance to seek damages.^[1]

Apple will pay $50 million for defective keyboards in MacBook

On July 18, 2022, Apple agreed to pay $50 million to settle a class action lawsuit from MacBook owners. Users claimed that the company knew and hid all the problems associated with the butterfly keyboard, which was installed on laptops between 2015 and 2019.

The lawsuit said the keys in the MacBook often stick, and a small amount of dust can make typing difficult. Service centers cannot solve the problem, so after a while it appears again. The payments are likely to be made to customers who have replaced the appropriate keyboards or MacBook key caps at an Apple store or authorized repair center, according to settlement documents examined by CNBC.

Apple will pay $50 million for defective keyboards in MacBook

Initially, Apple introduced the butterfly keyboard as an innovation that would make laptops even thinner. However, buyers claimed that Apple devices were prone to malfunction and could even be damaged by dust, as a result of which the keyboard unexpectedly repeated letters or did not register keystrokes at all.

Apple denied all charges, but agreed to pay compensation to the owners of MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, who purchased laptops from 2015 to 2019 in seven US states: California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Washington. A prerequisite for receiving a payment is to contact the company's service center.

Compensation is distributed as follows: $395 will be received by MacBook owners who have changed the keyboard several times, $125 is intended for users who have changed the keyboard in the MacBook once, and $50 will be received by users who have changed only certain keys.^[2]

2021: MacBook Pro 14 и 16

On October 19, 2021, it became known that Apple announced MacBook Pro 14 and 16 laptops based on M1 Pro and M1 Max processors, which are several times faster than last year's M1. Laptops switched to miniLED screens and received a "monobrow" in the iPhone style.

MacBook Pro 14 и 16

As reported, outside of Russia, laptops will go on sale on October 26, 2021, but so far Apple is accepting pre-orders for them. The date of their appearance in Russian retail at the time of publication of the material was not announced. Two colors are available - dark gray and silver. The MacBook Pro 13 and MacBook Air on the M1 chip are still available for purchase.

Russians will be able to buy a 14-inch MacBook Pro laptop for at least 190 thousand rubles. For this money, they will receive a modification with the 8-core M1 Pro, which also has a video subsystem with 14 cores. The memory capacity will be 16 GB (combined memory - RAM and for a video card), the storage capacity - 512 GB, the power adapter power - 67 W.

In the older version, the CPU received 10 cores, the GPU - 16 cores. The universal memory has the same capacity, and the drive holds 1 TB of data. This version costs 235 thousand rubles, the set includes a 96-watt power supply.

There are three configurations for the 16-inch MacBook Pro. The base one costs 235 thousand rubles. and offers 10 cores in the CPU M1 Pro, 16 cores in the GPU and 16/512 GB memory. If you pay 255 thousand rubles, then a 1 TB drive will appear in the laptop. The top-end package with the M1 Max processor costs 335 thousand rubles. (10 CPU cores, 32 video subsystem cores). There is a 1 TB SSD and 32 GB of combined memory. In all versions, the complete charging has a power of 140 W.

MacBook Pro 16

The M1 Pro and M1 Max chips are Apple's second attempt to make its own processors for PCs and laptops. Like M1, they are made according to 5-nanometer standards. Apple claims that the M1 Pro received twice as fast against the background of a M1 memory bus and a higher frequency of the memory itself, which increased its bandwidth to 200 GB/s (three times more than the M1). Transistors in the chip 33.7 billion - in the M1 there were half as many. Apple says the M1 Pro has 70% and 100% better computing and graphics performance compared to the M1.

The M1 Max has a memory bandwidth of 400 GB/s, and it itself is physically larger against the background of the M1 Pro. 57 billion transistors are hidden inside it, and this processor is 1.7 times more powerful than the M1 Pro in terms of video subsystem performance.

MacBook Pro 14 is a non-standard laptop for Apple. The company has never released a mobile PC with such a diagonal before. The display is based on miniLED technology, and its exact diagonal is 14.2 inches at a resolution of 3024x1964 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. The panel's peak brightness is 1,600 nits.

The MacBook Pro 14 can run on a single charge for up to 17 hours. The laptop lost its TouchBar, a touchscreen that Apple introduced back in 2016, but which did not resonate in people's hearts. By removing it, Apple has made room for a full-size Magic Keyboard-style keyboard of the latest generation. Now, in addition to three USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support at once, there is a full-size HDMI and an SD card slot. Charging is carried out through the MagSafe magnetic connector, plus there is the ability to replenish the charge via USB.

There are also a lot of changes in the 16-inch MacBook Pro. It also does not have a TouchBar, but there is a full-size backlit keyboard, and instead of an IPS-matrix, a miniLED panel is installed. The screen diagonal is 16.2 inches, the resolution is 3465x2234 pixels, the refresh rate reaches 120 Hz, and the peak brightness is at 1600 nits.

The laptop is equipped battery for 21 hour of battery life, with which it weighs about 2.13 kg with a thickness of 17 mm when closed. It also has many interfaces - three USB-C, HDMI and SD in addition to a separate input under. earphones

The thickness of the screen frames for both laptops is reduced to 3.7 mm on the sides and top. The proprietary "monobrow" contains only a camera, albeit with Full HD resolution, so Apple could well move it to another place and completely get rid of the "bangs." What prevented her from doing this is unknown.

It was nice to see the return of MacSafe and the abundance of ports on the MacBook Pro. There were many problems with the transition to devices with 2-4 USB Type-C ports. Plus, it is annoying to constantly carry HDMI adapters with you. With the advent of the check on the screen, questions arise about changing UI/UX gaidlans for macOS. It is not yet clear how this will work, macOS [3] for a few software manufacturers to add headaches with its appearance[4] commented Alexey Tyurnin

2020: Sealing cameras in MacBook breaks screen

In mid-July 2020, Apple issued a warning that gluing cameras in the MacBook could cause the display to break. The corresponding message appeared in the technical support section on the official website of the American manufacturer.

Owners of Apple laptops who fear surveillance using the built-in webcam often tape the lens. This even shaped the market for protective linings or curtains.

Apple warned of consequences of sealing MacBook webcam

The corporation said third-party accessories that block the view of the webcam could cause the matrix to break. Curtains fixed on the chamber create a gap between the matrix and the keyboard and additional pressure on the display when the laptop cover is closed. This failure is not a warranty.

The material on the technical support website says that for most users, a standard privacy protection system is enough - an LED indicator that constantly lights green when the camera is active. The FaceTime HD camera is designed in such a way that, in principle, it is not activated unless the indicator lights up, the company says.

Apple also recalled a feature in macOS that requests access to a webcam for every app it wants to access.

For those who still want to glue laptop cameras, Apple recommends using tools that are not thicker than printer paper (0.1 mm), which do not leave adhesive marks. And in the case of a curtain with a thickness of more than 0.1 mm, the corporation recommends removing it before each laptop closure.

To avoid cracks, laptop owners (not only Apple, but also other manufacturers) are advised to stop using thick pads or remove them every time the laptop lid closes.^[5]

2019

Apple has unveiled the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Price in Russia

On November 13, 2019, Apple unveiled the MacBook Pro laptop with a 16-inch display. Its price in Russia begins at 200 thousand rubles.

In addition to the largest display ever presented on Apple laptops, the new MacBook is equipped with an 8-core Intel Core i9 processor, 64GB of RAM and an SSD with a capacity of up to 8TB. Also, the laptop has a new sound system with six speakers and studio-level microphones.

The display resolution is 3072 × 1920 pixels - that is, the density reached 226 ppi, and the total number of pixels - 6 million. It uses an economical IPS matrix and backlight based on narrow-band LEDs, brightness is 500 cd/m ², wide color gamut P3 and True Tone technology are supported.

The new model contains new video cards from AMD Radeon Pro 5000M series. According to Geekbench , their power in synthetic tests is not too high - about the level of the Radeon Pro 570 and Nvidia GTX 1060.^[6]

Where to use Apple MacBook Pro: 5 Application Examples

Where to use the powerful Apple MacBook Pro: 5 practical examples of the device here.

MacBook Pro banned from taking on board aircraft due to fire threat

On August 13, 2019, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned the taking on board of some MacBook Pro models due to the threat of fire.

We are talking about portable computers sold from September 2015 to February 2017. The batteries in these devices can overheat, creating a fire risk. At the same time, according to experts, the problem is most often found in 15-inch models with a Retina display, which were implemented in 2015. Apple has decided to recall the faulty equipment.

Some Apple laptops banned from flying in the US

The FAA is aware of the battery issue and has reminded air carriers to follow safety rules. According to them, devices containing batteries recalled by the manufacturer should not be transported on planes in both luggage and hand luggage. Thus, airport security officers will have to check the model and date of production of the laptop.

Earlier in August 2019, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), amid Apple's decision to recall the MacBook Pro with faulty batteries, also warned regional carriers to comply with European safety instructions that require such devices to be turned off during flight.

At the end of May 2019, American DJ White Panda spoke on his Twitter blog about how the 15-inch MacBook Pro began to smoke on his lap. During the incident, the laptop was on charge. The man lowered the laptop to the floor and then carried it outside. No one was hurt, but the video became popular on social networks.

To find out if an Apple laptop falls under feedback, you need to go to a special page  and enter the serial number of the device there (you can look at it on the case or in the Apple menu).^[7]

Apple recalls 432 thousand. MacBook Pro that can catch fire at any time

At the end of June 2019, it became known about the recall of 432 thousand. MacBook Pro due to the high fire risk of defective laptop computers. It is noted that a fire can happen unexpectedly, even if the device is turned off and the power adapter is disconnected from the mains.

According to CBS News, citing an Apple statement, the company received 26 reports of overheating of batteries. Five consumers received minor burns, and another felt unwell due to the smoke that emanated from the device. In addition, 17 cases of minor damage to property were recorded.

At the end of June 2019, it became known about the recall of 432 thousand. MacBook Pro due to high fire risk of defective laptops

Apple urges owners of potentially dangerous laptops to stop using them and contact the manufacturer for free repairs.

Consumers can find out for themselves if their laptop belongs to the recalled equipment by checking the product serial number at: https://support.apple.com/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall/. The serial number can be found on the bottom of the laptop or by selecting "About this Mac" from the pop-up menu.

If the MacBook Pro falls under the tool, Apple will invite users to contact the nearest authorized service center. There, the device will be diagnosed and the battery will be replaced with a new one. As a rule, such a procedure takes 2-3 days, but given the prevalence of the problem and the employment of workshops, it can take from one to two or even three weeks. It is possible that all repair work on defective laptops will be coordinated with Apple.

CBS News notes that the recalled computers are manufactured in China and cost from $2 thousand. They were sold through Apple stores and retail partners.

432 thousand devices are implemented in the United States. Another 26 thousand faulty devices are being recalled in Canada. How much defective equipment is sold outside North America is not specified.^[8]

Recall defective MacBook Pros that could catch fire

On June 20, 2019, Apple announced the recall of the defective MacBook Pro laptops. Batteries that overheat and catch fire turned out to be problematic in the devices.

Apple has found that in a limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pros , the battery can overheat and pose a fire safety risk, the US corporation said in a statement.

Potentially vulnerable are 15-inch laptop models with Retina display, released from September 2015 to February 2017.

In the item "About this Mac" in the Apple menu on such laptops, the MacBook Pro model will be indicated (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015). Other 15-inch MacBook Pros or other Apple laptops are non-revocable.

If the model is potentially dangerous, users are advised to stop using it and contact authorized service centers or stores of the company for free battery replacement. Apple warns it could take one to two weeks to diagnose and replace the battery.

On the company's website, you can check by serial number whether the user's computer falls under this tool.

The MacBook Pro serial number is located at the bottom of the device's case next to the label. It is also available on the original MacBook packaging next to the barcode label.

The exact number of laptops subject to recall has not yet been specified. It is also unknown whether someone suffered from this defect.

To replace the laptop, the user can transfer devices to a third-party company with the status of an "authorized Apple service provider" or give it to the Apple Store. You can also contact Apple support and arrange to send the replacement device by mail.^[9]

Announcement of a new MacBook Pro with a normally working keyboard

On May 21, 2019, Apple introduced updated MacBook Pro laptops, which finally solved the problem with a keyboard called the butterfly.

Back in 2016, users of Apple laptops began to complain about the incorrect operation of the keyboard: the buttons "stick," do not always respond correctly to clicks, the characters may or may not be duplicated.

After 3 years, the MacBook Pro keyboard stopped sticking. New model

In the case of the updated MacBook Pro, which was released in May 2019, the keyboard was redesigned and new materials were used - this made it possible to fix problems with the keys when typing.

The novelty was the first MacBook Pro with an 8-core processor and is positioned by the manufacturer as the fastest Apple laptop in history.

The laptop has built in eighth and ninth generation Intel Core processors. The MacBook Pro will come in two sizes - 13 and 15 inches. At the same time, the first version is equipped with an updated quad-core processor, and the larger version with a six-core and eight-core.

Apple notes that the MacBook Pro with eight cores is about twice as powerful as models with four cores, as well as 40% more productive than six-core modifications.

The company claims that the fast processor will allow photographers to engage in complex retouching and apply filters in Photoshop up to 75% faster.

Developers will be able to compile code in Xcode up to 65% faster. And video installers can simultaneously edit up to 11 video streams 4K in Final Cut Pro X, Apple promises.^[10]

The new MacBook Pro went on sale on the Russian market. By May 22, 2019, prices are as follows:

• MacBook Pro 13 2019 (8th generation Intel Core i5, 256 GB SSD) - 155,990 rubles;
• MacBook Pro 13 2019 (8th generation Intel Core i5, 512 GB SSD) - 171,990 rubles;
• MacBook Pro 15 2019 (9th generation Intel Core i7, 256 GB SSD) - 207,990 rubles;
• MacBook Pro 15 2019 (9th generation Intel Core i9, 512 GB SSD) - 240,990 rubles.

Notes