MacBook Owner Sues Apple Over Defective Motherboard

News
By Wolfgang Gruener
published

A lawsuit seeking class-action status has been filed against Apple in Texas.

Omar Rosales states that Apple notebooks are "rendered useless" when the "logic board fails". That may be rather common sense, but Rosales claims that Apple has been aware of a problem and simply did not disclose it.

The complaint notes that Rosales had to replace a defect motherboard and pay $335.58 for the repair. Apparently, there were "hundreds" of similar issues reported by other users, which led him to file suit.

So far there has been not much detail that could provide an indication that this lawsuit will proceed, especially since there was no information in what timeframe the incidents occurred and whether Apple intentionally was hiding any information. Rosales said that a web page entitled "MacBook Pro Logic Board Failure" has been viewed more than 100,000 times, but there was no connection to actual product failures.

Apple declined to comment on the issue.

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Wolfgang Gruener
72 Comments Comment from the forums
  • EDVINASM
    One of many reasons I stay away from Apple products. Especially PCs since there is no "after-market" compatibility (apart from very few approved vendors). I don't like sitting on a time bomb knowing the easiest fix is spending loads of cash. Kinda reminds me SAAB - nice, comfy, safe, unique but when goes wrong you might as well recycle the darn thing.
    Reply
  • belardo
    Boo hoo... This is the same crap that HP and Dell does all the time.
    Reply
  • The Greater Good
    I hope he wins.
    Reply
  • siciro
    And more proof not to buy Crapple products
    Reply
  • Pennanen
    Apple products are not bad, they are just overpriced. Macbooks that have these kind of flaws should cost 200$ but its not stupid to sell them for 2000$ if idiots pay that.
    Reply
  • Murissokah
    Oh, come on. I am no fan of Apple hardware, but sueing them because the computer does not work when the motherboard fails? Really? Had he sued for bad customer support or Apple screwing him out of the warranty I'd give him kudos.

    And stating that the cost for repair is too high (and lacks alternative) is no decent argument, since he chose to buy their stuff knowing, and probably even bragging, that it is an expensive closed package.

    Some people just lack common sense.
    Reply
  • innocent bystander
    $335 for a motherboard? That's pretty steep.

    I'm not big on laptop component pricing because mine is maintained and supported by my employer but I could replace my desktop motherboard for less than $200 + about an hour of my labor).

    That being said, Apple has every right to charge whatever it wants for service and support. God knows, their users should be used to paying through the nose for trivial things by now.

    Unless there is a systemic problem with the motherboard, however, the lawsuit shouldn't go anywhere. Electronics fails and when it does, it takes the entire system down with it. This should be obvious to anyone.

    IB
    Reply
  • ewood
    EDVINASMOne of many reasons I stay away from Apple products. Especially PCs since there is no "after-market" compatibility (apart from very few approved vendors). I don't like sitting on a time bomb knowing the easiest fix is spending loads of cash. Kinda reminds me SAAB - nice, comfy, safe, unique but when goes wrong you might as well recycle the darn thing.the only time saabs have issues are when people avoid routine maintenance... like the blown engine problem: always the direct result of someone waiting too long between oil changes and using shitty oil.
    Reply
  • ohim
    To be honest i have no pity for apple products owners. If they can afford the premium price because of the looks and a logo then screw them, he payed prolly 2000$ for the god damn thing in the first place , why should i care if apple charges him 350$ for the repairs.
    Reply
  • My MB Pro (late 2007) lasted 1.5 years. It stopped booting after one of firmware updates. It also looks like the logic board problem from what I've read on various forums - and yes, found a lot of people complaining. Obviously I am no longer Apple customer...
    Reply