MacBook Pro with Retina Display Teardown
 

Repairing this is going to be a bitch. Even worse than previous Macs
I know I won't be buying one

MacBook Pro with Retina Display Teardown - iFixit

"MacBook Pro with Retina Display 15" Mid 2012 Repairability Score: 1 out of 10 (10 is easiest to repair).
Proprietary pentalobe screws prevent you from gaining access to anything inside.
As in the MacBook Air, the RAM is soldered to the logic board. Max out at 16GB now, or forever hold your peace—you can't upgrade.
The proprietary SSD isn't upgradeable either (yet), as it is similar but not identical to the one in the Air. It is a separate daughtercard, and we’re hopeful we can offer an upgrade in the near future.
The lithium-polymer battery is glued rather than screwed into the case, which increases the chances that it'll break during disassembly. The battery also covers the trackpad cable, which tremendously increases the chance that the user will shear the cable in the battery removal process.
The display assembly is completely fused, and there’s no glass protecting it. If anything ever fails inside the display, you will need to replace the entire extremely expensive assembly."

Just remember this doesn't come from a Mac-bashing site, its an independant support site for Apple products, run and written by macheads

Very negative perspective from Ifixit .... my Macbook Pro has worked well in its out of the box configuration for well over 5 years, without the need to dismantle or upgrade ... it just works. I think I'd focus on that rather than 'what ifs' of failure.

well thats what you hope for, that it will be reliable
but
batteries DO fail, and screens DO get broken or their electronics fail, and those are the two points which are going to cause the biggest issues if they do fail
Basically you are hoping that the product will live up to Apples reputation for reliability, but how much of a gamble is that? I personally think the risk is too high

Agreed avturboy. Apple make very reliable machines.

Milo Minderbinder, you have a bit of a history of uncalled for Apple bashing round these parts, its becoming a bit tedious. What exactly is the point of your post ? :ugh:

i started with a 128K 9" Mac via various iterations of Macs/MacBooks/iMacs/Power Macs/Mac Pros etc and never had to return one [1984 - 2012] not a bad record.
I had a 22" Cinema Display which malfunctioned. Apple replaced it straight away.

What sort of odds do you want MM?

Take out AppleCare and you are covered for 3 years anyway.

Mixture
I don't have a habit of bashing Apple machines. However I do have a habit of bashing what I see as a poor product, and this particular machine from Apple, with its minimal possibilities for repair would seem to fit that bill.
However its not me making the comments - its the reviewers on an independant website who are actually normally pro-Apple. If they have something negative to say I'd tend to believe them.
And as to why did I post it? Thats quite simple - I'm just trying to point out that spending your money on this range of machines may not be the brightest purchasing decision.

Now a question for you: you have a reputation around here of being an Apple proselyte and failing to look at their projects objectively. In short, you have been taken in by the pretty pictures in the adverts, by the gloss of the marketing team, and the hype of the Jobsian persona. You have no ability of independant thought when it comes to Apple products. Whats your point?

Absolute b*llocks my friend, absolute total bu** !!!!!.

I have been working in the IT industry for quite a while now. I know a rubbish product when I see one and I know a good product when I see one. I am very much fiercely independent, and yes there are Apple products I don't use because they don't fit the bill for me in terms of features (largely some of their software offerings such as their video or photo manipulation software).

I have had more problems with and seen more poorly built Fujitsu, Lenovo, HP, Dell, Toshiba etc. products over the years than I care to mention. Haven't had the same issue with Apple, same goes for people I know.

Infact, I know someone who works in a very senior position at IBM who has got so fed up with endless problems with the Thinkpads they've given them over the years, and having to get them constantly repaired (primarily hardware faults), that they have just gone to the Apple Store to buy a MacBook instead and are exceedingly happy now. They now exclusively use the MacBook exclusively for work and personal use.

Ask any manufacturer who has tried to get me to sell me their product in favour of another, ask any manufacturer who's got my honest feedback after inviting me to look at their forthcoming products under NDA, ask any customer who's had the benefit of receiving my independent advice. I insist on testing their equipment myself for at least a week, and not have some snotty sales rep come give me a stage-managed demo. Nor do I spend much time reading marketing materials.

As aviate1138, avturboy and myself have pointed out. Apple products have an excellent quality and reliability record. I have been using Apple products for a long time both personally and in business, never had one fail, and believe me, I push them harder than most people will ! I've even (accidentally) dropped a MacBook onto a concrete floor, had a heavy painting fall onto it in a random event.... all still working perfectly. Infact, I'm writing this post on a 2008 vintage Mac Pro..... never had one single problem with it, also goes for a 2009 vintage MacBook Pro that I still use for various things.

Therefore moaning about repair possibilities in a new product is somewhat a moot point and you are making mountains out of molehills.

That is all. I can't be bothered to argue anymore.

P.S. No, I have not read Job's autobiography thingy, and have no plans to do so either !

I would agree that in general Apple hardware is pretty reliable, the software for non geeks pretty intuitive as well. I can see that the increasing modulisation of the products will lead to difficulties if things go wrong, much as in the auto industry where previously you might have just changed a faulty headlight bulb, now the whole unit has to come out and be replaced.


SHJ

Well Mixture, to paraphrase a certain lady, you would say that wouldn't you? And to similarly use the words of another "He doth protest too much, methinks."

Seriously, how can anyone claim that a laptop computer in which its not possible to exchange the battery yourself be can be anything other than an example of poor engineering design? And an expensive liability when the battery fails

PS - just checked. Batteries are excluded from Applecare

I do not want to get in to an argument between 2 of our best helpers on here. Both Milo and Mixture do us great service.

However, whilst Apple might produce reliable products, the ones that hit the Ancient household are not reliable. On my left, a 3 year old ipod touch. Dead. Went to the Apple shop in Brent Cross (a long way away, but nearest to me) and they had no interest in helping. Didn't want to either see it or touch it. "So what do I do?" I asked. "Buy a new one" said the moron pretending to be a shop assistant.
That was after spending far too much time on apple and other websites trying to fix the bloody thing.
You won't want to hear the story of the other daughter's ipod. It is also dead. Also unwanted by Apple store.

So, not universally good.

On the bigger picture, I am allowed an opinion. I have two main complaints. I resent the fact that the prices are too high, for what is a well designed but cheaply made product off the same production line in Foxconn, China as all the other electronic vendors.
Given the extremely high prices, Apple make it worse by refusing to pay UK taxes. (None of the new terchie big cos pay UK taxes. Not Apple, not Google, not Vodafone, not Facerot). I resnt paying my taxes, while they do not.
I also resent the basic stuff - I can't even change the battery.

This is not Apple bashing, mixture, it is just me having a point of view. As you are a pro I expect you to have a point of view, too.

Ancient Observer (and Milo Minderbinder),

Guess this debate could run and run.

Unfortunatley I've got more important things to do, having just taken advantage of the BA summer sale, so now need to get on with booking my accommodation. So I'm going to decline from further comment here. :E

MM and M chilax, I bet both of you have no idea how extremely beneficial the great advice you have both dispensed here has been - which has also been free.

Re hardware, every manufacture produces a lemon, sometimes by design, sometimes by batch number, sometimes even by greed by deliberately releasing a low quality product containing a huge profit margin after playing the market with a string of successful products.

To borrow a saying from the car industry: "The best car on the road is one built on a Wednesday."

Cheers.

cameltruck,

No worries, normal service will resume shortly, and I've no long-term hard feelings against MM, just occasionally wish he'd take another look at the way he views Apple.

I know Apple are not perfect. But when taken in the context of the IT industry as a whole, I think even the most hardened Apple begrudger would have to admit they're better than 99% of others and on the same level as the remaining 1%.

On that point - with a minor disagreement about the numbers - we can agree. You might add that Apple products are normally quite pretty.
I'm glad that the born-again liars such as CSC do not make domestic kit.
Imagine a CSC ipad..... it would weigh 3 times as much, cost 50% more, and the software would never work. I guess that's why the Brit civil service keep on buying CSC's lies....????

Ancient

The Apple salesmuppet SHOULD have pointed this price list out to you
Apple - Support - iPod - Repair pricing
Scroll down for UK prices

However there are a number of third party companies around the UK who can repair them cheaper - though I have to say now that I've never used any of them.
It seems that somehow these guys can get spare circuit boards etc out of China through the back door - presumably either from Foxconn, or from Foxconns suppliers. Often the parts turn up on AliBaba - though you'd have to buy a lot of parts!

Green Caps Lock Light on Magic Keyboard
 

Anyone else having trouble with an intermittent Caps Lock light on the Apple Magic Keyboard with iMac

I've tried all the usual tricks - battery change, off/on disconnect/reconnect etc.

Google reveals that this is a fairly common problem.

Any further ideas please?

Mcdhu

Mac Mailbot/Malware
 

Anyone aware of any OSX/iPad/iPhone mailbot/malware around?

I've had spam mail going out of my hotmail account to people on my mailing list for the last 24-48 hours. not sure if it's from my iPhone, iPad or Macbook and how to clear it without buying an antivirus for all 3.

More likely your Hotmail account has been compromised and the culprit is just logging in. Reset your password:

Hacked account - Hacked account

Have a Google for "compromised hotmail" (without the quotes) for more info.

I know Macs have a relatively low infection rate, but it could well be worth installing a free AV program such as this from Avast avast! Free Antivirus for Mac | Security Software for Apple OS X
It'll only work with the newer OSX versions though - older versions may have to make do with Avira or Sophos

I'm not sure what the best AV solution for your iOS devices is - most of the "free" AV solutions for Android phones are pretty much useless (with the notable exceptions of Avast and AVG) and I don't believe the situation for iOS is any better - in fact I don't think either Avast or AVG have a suitable AV program for iOS.
Of course many will claim you don't need protection on an iPhone or Ipad - but that sounds a bit like a "titanic doesn't need lifeboats" theory to me.
Closest thing I can find are a couple of supposed secure browsers such as this from AVG to prevent against hijacks
AVG Free | AVG Family Safety | More than just Parental Control

Wait and see if Mixture has a view

Interestingly in the last 2 weeks I've been prompted many times for additional 'security information' in the form of alternative e-mail address/tel number etc each time I log in to hotmail. You've got me wondering if it's a hack or if they want more,more,more on the information front and if so, why all of a sudden :confused:



SHJ

thats standard, and legit - M$ are tightening up on their security recovery practices, thats why they want the extra info. There was a thread about it 2-3 days ago

Italy threatens Apple with a higher fine for pitiful warranty period - The Inquirer

cough...

Mac (running OSX,Win7,WinXP,OpenSolaris,BSD, and Linux)

[No hardware problems with my old black Macbook or 2nd gen. Mac Mini but at least I can open 'em & fix 'em. No hardware problems with my old Acer Travelmate either, come to think about it.]

PS: Those iPod repair prices are pretty eyewatering, which is why I replaced the battery in my iPod Classic myself!

iPhone expenses app
 

Dear Gurus

Have been searching for a suitable app to track my freelance expenses/mileage/hotac costs etc. Keeping good records is not one of my strong points.

Someone was trying to tell me that there is a version that will email the info direct to your accountant on a regular basis.

Is someone blowing smoke up my jetpipe?

IPad help
 

Why does my IPad not remember me? I have to log on every time to Pprune, am OK on other sites.
Please reply slowly as I don't read too fast! Thanks.

Have you tried caressing it?


I wrote slowly.

Macbook pro issues
 

Hi there
I'd like to know if any of you know about a specific program that can allow me to use the 737 CBT any other program like the PMDG 737NG flight sim on my Macbook?any help is welcome

these maybe

Apple - Support - Boot Camp

Run Windows on Mac - Windows and Mac side-by-side with Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac

Suggest you check their support forums first though

Further to Milo's post, VMWare Fusion might also be worth looking at.

Anyone going to try Mountain Lion tomorrow or prudently wait until the bugs surface and are ironed out. Frankly at the price on offer I will give it a go and trust that Apple have eliminated most of the junk.

aviate1138,

On the assumption you've got a good backup (you should be doing regular backups anyway, irrespective of computing platform !) then I would say go for it. If you're worried, run it in a VMware instance for a few days.

The last few OS releases from Apple have demonstrated great improvements from release to release (I class "improvements" as performance and important functionality, mostly under-the-hood stuff rather than any secondary bells and whistles in the GUI). The present 10.7 is my favourite release to date.

Although I had official access to the 10.8 release well ahead of time, I hardly used it apart from in a Vmware instance for a few hours to provide feedback to a section of the Apple development team with feedback to confirm whether a couple of minor bugs and enhancement-requests I'd reported for 10.7 had been squashed and/or introduced in time for the base 10.8 release. Plus it wouldn't be right to build opinions based upon pre-release software which by nature is expected to be buggy in places.

Mixture

re the various VMs / emulators for Windows on Mac. Have you any personal preference? Any major advantage of one over the other? Its something I know little about

Hi Milo,

Well, Bootcamp is not really an emulator, its just drivers for native running on the hardware. Never used that solution myself, but can't imagine anything being wrong with it.... infact, if performance is top of the agenda, that will probably remain your first choice.

I used Parallels for a while, but found it had various limitations and its emulation was a bit basic in terms of what it emulated. But that was v5, maybe a little v6..... so things may have changed in v7.

Some reasons I settled on VMware (don't know to what extent Parallels have been playing catch-up) :
- At the time I switched from Parallels, I quite liked the stability of Fusion
- It also was the only product to support high screen resolutions
- Fusion had better networking, theirs is a low-level implementation
- I found Fusion had a better virtual drive performance
- The Mac version of VMware Fusion was also natively built on Apple software libraries, rather than Parallels reliance on some third party libraries.
- Support for a broader array of guest operating systems
- VMWare obviously have a bit of a pedigree in the virtualisation world, although its probably unrealistic to expect much cross-pollination from esxi to Fusion.

At 15.99 euros, its hard to pass up, but i will wait until my travels are finished before experimenting....

Mutt

Didnt think starting a new thread would be cool, so i'll ask here. Im looking for earbud recommendations. Im currently getting more and more disappointed with the apple earbuds that came with my phone. My budget is pretty open but nothing to ridiculous. Any ideas? What do you use?

I've just finished downloading Mountain Lion. On first inspection everything seems to work well. It has taken about 4 1/2 hours to download and install, but I do have a fairly slow broadband here in rural Warwickshire. The process itself was very easy. Macworld.com has some good articles about how to prepare your machine for the big event which I found easy to follow: I don't think of myself as being very computer able, although I can generally use them well enough. This is my first MacBook Pro, and my first Apple upgrade process: I am very impressed.

Firestorm this may be one reason it took so long.

Broadband operators saw huge spike in traffic after Mountain Lion launch - Mac software - Macworld UK

Living up the road from you in Brum it took me a couple of hours to complete the process. However I'm still trying to work out what the new software does. I haven't noticed any difference in the operation apart from upgrades going through the apps.

I'm not surprised by that crewmeal, and I knew that was a likely situation. Added to which I live at the far end of the exchange so I get a pretty poor download rate. Anyway, it's done now.

All in all it works well, and I haven't found any problems. I quite liked 'Notes' being integrated with mail. I like messages (I had the beta version for a month or so just for fun), and I'm not convinced that I will use 'reminders' as I set reminders in ical. The new Safari layout looks good, and works well. The real benefits might be more apparent when IOS 6 comes out for iPods and iPads later in the year.

@ ChipperJones
 

I'm with you in not particularly liking the Apple ear buds. You might want to check out Newegg: Newegg.com - Accessories, in ear buds

Scroll down a bit to get to the higher quality brands. I had a Sennheiser set which lasted well. I'd gotten them for about $19 on sale from about $40. But that sale seems to be gone.

I've also bought through dealmac.com and have found good buys there.

Having read the reviews it seems to me that the main purpose of Mountain Lion is to provide support for Mac mobile devices. Since I haven't got any, is there any other reason to upgrade?

Sunnyjohn,

Apple give you 200 reasons on their website here.

Fundamentally, yes, the major headline changes are the social media and sharing stuff.

However behind the scenes, there have been new APIs introduced and improvements to existing APIs. It will of course take a little time for all the third-party software developers to adopt these.

I would say, if you are on 10.7.4 now (i.e. 10.7 with all the current updates), then no need to rush, upgrade when you're ready, but don't wait forever (I'm saying months, a year max.... i.e time for a few 10.8 dot releases to happen).

Apple haven't completely stopped development on the 10.7 branch, just are not introducing new features, just tweaking and fixing existing , there's a 10.7.5 update in the pipeline focusing on graphics performance and quality (can't tell you more than that... since its under Developer NDA).

If you are not on 10.7 now, then you might as well go all the way up to 10.8.