Hi everybody,

I've been using my current 15" Macbook Pro for about 2 years now, it gave me no problem whatsoever. But earlier this year, some problem started to crop up. Namely the screen's backlight starts flickering once in a while and after a few weeks my MBP cant detect it's own motion sensor. Then one fine day, my MBP fell dead on me. It just wont start when i pressed the power button. I tried to reset the SMC, but to no avail.

So i sent my MBP for servicing to Machines 1Utama because it's the closest Apple Service Center from my place. It was the 5th or 6th day of CNY when i went there. When i arrived at the Machines Plus counter, the person at the back was playing some CNY song VERY loud. As i was explaining the problems to him, he kept playing the song out loud from his Macbook, his face showed such indifference as though he was too lazy to layan me and he didn't notice that the loud noise made it hard for me to say anything without me shouting. Granted it was CNY, i can understand lah the festive mood and that there wasn't many customers that day. But professional courtesy la, when someone is talking to you make sure you look at him, NOT stare at your computer screen playing games or choosing songs or whatever ALL the time! And Machines is supposed to be an Apple "Premium Reseller"? Please laaaaaa

But that was nothing compared to what happens next

After a week, someone from Machines called me to tell me that the problem has been fixed and all i need to pay was RM100 (which i thought it was lucky of me, since it was nothing to do with the logic board). I collected it, used it for a week and it died on me again. This time, i tried to press Command+Control+Power Button and my MBP manage to start back after a few tries. But now other problem starts to show, the fan runs on full speed all the time and the battery wont charge at all. Just like the first time, i sent it back to Machines 1Utama. After 5 days, i was sleeping when the service center called me and told me my worse fear, my Logic Board needs replacing. It cost around RM2400 for the Logic Board and since my battery and disk drive needs replacing, it would be another RM1000+ for those. Hey, i was asleep when he called me, my mind was still fuzzy and i cant make a decision on whether to replace everything or get a whole new MBP on the spot. So i told him i need to consult my computer guru first and i will give him a call the next day

Called the Machines Service Center the next day, asked the very lazy sounding receptionist to transfer my call to the one who serviced my MBP. The call went like;

Him: Hello (in a VERY cold way, as though i disturbed him in a middle of a date or something)
Me : You called me yesterday and told me that my MBP needs parts replacement (i gave him my service number so he knows which one in mine)
Him : Yes (still in a cold lansi way)
Me : So it's the Logic Board right? How much is it again? and how much will the battery and disk drive cost?
Him : I've already told you yesterday (in a VERY ANNOYED AND LANSI TONE! What's his problem anyway? insecure about the size of his man-parts?)
Me : Ok, since it's gonna be quite expensive, i think i'll wait for Apple to release the new MPB (and i still spoke to him in a very POLITE way!)
Him : Ok. We'll still need to charge you RM60 for cancellation of service (WTF, it's still under the last service warranty!)
Me : RM60? I thought it's still under your warranty from my last service (just a week ago)? Since it's the same problem as last time, could the one before be caused by the same faulty Logic Board? (Which means its the same problem, but cause me to send it back twice)
Him : I'm not the one who serviced your laptop last time (Again with the very annoyed tone)
Me : So do i still need to pay?
Him : No


What kind of 2 bit service center is this !? I asked him in a very soft way and he treated me like crap! I've sent them an email requesting the company's stand on this matter and they had not replied me even after around 2 months. Hey, when you buy a RM7000++ laptop, you'd expect some professionalism! After all, we are the one who pays for their salary ! I'll get more friendlier service if i buy a cheap 1000+ Acer laptop from Low Yat Plaza ok! "The Best Apple Reseller" my bottom!

The best part is (MY part that is ), i manage to make Machines lose some of it's customers. You see, i was always good at influencing peoples around me and i have quite a few friends working in the graphic design line. 1 of them is a founder and head manager of a graphic design studio company. Somewhere in August this year, she's doing a major revamp on their computer line. She's looking for around 10 units of 17" Macbook Pro and 3 units of iMac and 2 units Mac Pro and not to mention countless softwares for the new office and is searching for a single product and service provider. She has bought her personal iMac and iPod from Machines Mid Valley and is a long time customer of the shop and has shortlisted them to be her supplier. Guess who managed to change her mind ? You see, they are not far sighted enough to see this. Just because they were arrogant with one customer, they have lost business for around RM120,000++ worth of hardware and about 5 years worth or servicing and consultancy fees

Im looking to get a replacement for my 15" MBP, and now that the price has drop yet again, the time is ripe to get one soon. But rest assured im never doing business with Machines again

Yup, you'll get politer reply when you asks for the price of the Ferrari at Naza Automall, while wearing a faded T-shirt and shorts

Yup, the ones in MV & Gardens are a bit more politer. But my main problem is their main service center which is located in the office blocks within MV City. Even if i buy from them, whenever it needs servicing, will it end up in the same place and people.

I agree. One of my boss last time always send his iMacs to VR Tech, fast service with very little hassle!

The shop's customer service IS good. But they will end up sending my MBP for servicing to the same place and to the same big-head-small-batang guy

I rather smash my car into the shop to be honest

1. My Logic Board is a gone case. So i rather get a new MBP than servicing this one (Logic Board+Battery+Optical Drive= more than half the priceof a new 15" MBP)

Oh, i WILL! I was planning to do that all this while. But since i know they might delete the comment, i think it's better the warm up LY forum 1st


Never fret, you are not alone

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Added on April 17, 2010, 3:52 amEven if i buy from the KLCC branch, they will still send it to their main service center in Mid Valley mah. There is no way im paying that SOB's salary !


Yup, they're rather good with their customers. But im thinking of getting mine from Epicenter in Pavillion

You know lah, Malaysians being Malaysians, once you've pass the test, you wont bother to keep up your good work mah

Boycott! Jangan tak boycott!


True, thats why whenever i go to KLCC or Pavillion after work or for lunch, i'll always bring along my blazer . If you wear them, you'll be treated like a millionaire, which is quite shallow of them But still, i've already bought a 7000+ laptop, dont you think i at least deserved a fair treatment from them?


This post has been edited by omega-lynx: Apr 17 2010, 03:52 AM

I did not bring this topic up to make it into a political and social status one. Just because on average sg earns higher, doesn't mean malaysians are all dirt poor. We have a lot more rural populations in our country and that alone can pull your Per Capita (not Capital like you wrote) Income down. Our GDP is higher than yours, but since our population are higher than yours too, it's just simple logic that our average are lower than yours. But that doesn't mean there are much much less well-to-do malaysians than singaporean.

And why the need to brag about your kid carrying a Macbook? Did she paid for it herself? There are many parents here who sends their kids to private schools who can afford stuffs much more expensive than you la. My dad gave me an RX8 for my 19th birthday, but thats hardly anything to brag about here, since i've already have vehicles of much higher calibre now than im making my own money

It's so true! But its very short sighted of them, because there are a huge number of iphone & ipod users who are teenagers. Just because they're not working, doesn't mean they cant afford them.

Btw, why need to brag oso? last time whenever i go out with friends, i tend to use a Gen2 instead. If i drive the RX8, there will be a lot of "you belanja lah" calls whenever we go out makan hahaha

hahaha i think all of us are guilty of that to some degree. But at least they're not paying our salary, so we can say or judge what we like muahahaha

There was this one time, i saw a family at a parking lot, the husband was wearing a faded t-shirt with a cheap looking shorts, the wife was wearing something similar too. It just crosses my mind at that time that they might not be very well-off la, might be driving a Saga or a Wira or some very old japanese car. Wrong, they went into a brand new 5 Series. As i got into my own car i started to laugh my @ss off for being such a biased jerk

No, it's not. I didn't apply for ACPP in the first place. Quite silly of me really

For the amount they're asking for a new logic board, and with the stuffs that needs replacing, it would amount to just a shade under 4k. So it's just more economical to buy a new laptop since the logic board only comes with a 3 month warranty