Apple Asks That 3G-enabled MacBook Pro be Returned

A little while back, an eBay user with a listing for a 3G-equipped MacBook Pro caused quite a stir. Though it was purchased as a for-parts laptop from a seller on Craigslist, Apple demanded the listing be removed. Now it seems that Apple isn't just happy with blocking the sale, it wants its prototype laptop back.

CNet got in touch with the owner of the Macbook Pro, a man from North Carolina named Carl Frega. Frega says he was contacted by Apple yesterday afternoon to have someone from Cupertino come pick up the laptop in question. Interesting, considering an Apple Store employee actually saw the machine and refused to fix it because it was supposedly filling with third-party components.

Frega told CNet that he came by the laptop on Craigslist and repaired it before selling it on again (something he does regularly with all kinds of computer equipment). The new owner had a problem with the computer and took it to the Genius Bar to have it fixed only to be told that "nearly every internal part was third-party" and they couldn't fix it. According to the Genius Bar work order, the main logic board, optical drive, display, hard drive, and top case were non-Apple parts. This is despite the fact that the motherboard was the trademark red that Apple uses in its prototypes. The person that had purchased the machine from Frego ended up taking him to small claims court for selling him a fake MacBook Pro and Frega ended up with the MacBook Pro and an order to pay the other party $740.

Except now it seems Apple has decided that this MacBook Pro is not filled with third-party components, but is a genuine Apple prototype that it wants back. Frego did not offer any more details about arrangements to return the prototype to Apple, including whether or not he'll be reimbursed for the cash he coughed up to buy it in the first place. His unique laptop garnered a significant amount of attention when it appeared for sale on eBay as a collectors item and bidding reached $70,000 in less than a day.

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  • chick0n
    Apple wants to control everything, and their zealots are happy about.

    Talk about pathetic.
    Reply
  • monkeysweat
    apple should pay for it,,,,unless they can prove it was stolen property,, but at least have decency to reimburse the guy for some of the troubles he had --- considering apple already had the thing in their hands at one time.
    Reply
  • christop
    Is it me or does it look like an older pro book.
    Reply
  • wingartz
    christopIs it me or does it look like an older pro book.Powerbook 17" or the macbook pro 17" with the first intels inside
    Reply
  • danraies
    Give him some free stuff - a new macbook, an iphone, and an ipad - and call it a day. You can't blame the guy for wanting to sell the unique computer, but it's also hard to blame apple for wanting to keep their prototypes away from prying eyes.
    Reply
  • Apple should have to pay the $70,000 ebay price. Apple has no right to make ebay end an auction like that. The guy paid for the item he owns it, and he should be able to sell to who ever wants it. Apple NEVER reported it stolen. Apple only got involved after it hit ebay.
    Apple, YOU SUCK. If you dont believe in the rights of the american, then move your corporate HQ to china with your other communist friends, FOXXCONN
    Reply
  • kilo_17
    I wouldn't give it back.
    Reply
  • chick0n
    kilo_17I wouldn't give it back.
    Then Apple will do what they do best ... sent their army of lawyers after you ...
    Reply
  • cyprod
    chick0nThen Apple will do what they do best ... sent their army of lawyers after you ...I'd actually be willing to take the lawyers up on that. Since the laptop was taken to a mac store, and they refused to service it claiming it wasn't an apple product, this sets a precedent for it not being stolen property. In court I'd simply say "it was returned to apple, and at that point they had an oppertunity to claim ownership, they did not, thus is must not have been stolen", and as long as you can prove it isn't stolen property, apple can't do anything other than to ask nicely to have it back.
    Reply
  • scook9
    jneutzejr@verizonnetApple should have to pay the $70,000 ebay price. Apple has no right to make ebay end an auction like that. The guy paid for the item he owns it, and he should be able to sell to who ever wants it. Apple NEVER reported it stolen. Apple only got involved after it hit ebay. Apple, YOU SUCK. If you dont believe in the rights of the american, then move your corporate HQ to china with your other communist friends, FOXXCONNYou clearly do not have any experience with the law......does not matter how much you paid for it, you could have even traded a kidney for it - if it was not obtained through legitimate means it is stolen property and you will not get any reimbursement or even a thank you when they seize it (which they could probably have the sheriff come and do). It is obviously Apple's intellectual and physical property. Sure someone stole it a few years ago and Apple may not have made a stink about it - that does not make it any less theirs.

    The fact that everyone is hating apple for this is pretty pathetic and shows how ignorant the majority of society really is....you can bet Apple is trying to identify who was in custody of this prototype when it went missing and will be firing them if they still work there. And I can't blame that at all for that.

    I am in no way a fan boy, had an ipod touch and stopped using it completely when I got my first android phone - that is my total involvement in Apple products. No I do not like them much as a company but in this case I have to take their side.

    Don't let fanboy hate blind you guys.....you can hate apple and still understand why they would be reacting this way.

    Is it also "evil" of Intel to block the selling of ES chips? Exact same thing....
    Reply