Reader Comment: “so wish I saw your blog post before purchasing 2019 MacBook Pro”

2021-02-05 • SEND FEEDBACK |
Related: 2019 MacBook Pro, Apple, Apple Core Rot, James G, laptop, MacBook, MacBook Pro, reader comment

re: 2019 MacBook Pro Seems to Have a High Failure Rate

Reader Jan S writes:

I just got my 7-month old Computer back from repair from Apple and I had the exact same issue. It was restarting or shutting down when sleeping nearly from the start. A few calls to Apple and reinstalling the operating system seemed to fix it. But then out of the blue last week it would just shut down after only being on for a few minutes. The computer would go to the login screen and the fan would make a quick spin noise and shut down.

I called Apple support since the stores are still closed in California and we reinstalled the OS again, and tried the several things but nothing work. Thankfully my computer was backed up with Time Machine and I was able to turn off all of my personal info before sending it in.

Apple quickly sent me a box which I received on Tuesday, I shipped the computer out the same day. Apple received it on Wednesday, repaired it and shipped it back the same day and it was back with me on Thursday. The parts were listed below on the AppleCare service product repair summary.
605-06168 - Logic Board, 2.3 GHZ, 64GB, AMD Radeon Pro 5500M, 1 TB
605-06552 - Touch ID Board

It came back with Catalina OS, so I did have to also update the OS, but it’s up and running good as new (hopefully).

I so wish I saw your blog post before purchasing or even after purchasing and added Apple Care. My computer was fixed under warranty, but now I’m worried it’s not going to last. Thanks again for the detailed post.

MPG: the good news is that such repairs usually seem to 'stick' from what I've heard.

Being forced into macOS Crapalina to accomplish a repair is unacceptable IMO.

Think of all the time wasted here that’s like a Dilbert cartoon, in which time-wasting reinstalls of a buggy OS are required to get common hardware problems fixed.

With the huge price premium Apple charges, a 1-year Apple warranty might be a puzzler. But it’s all about profit margin: Apple’s skillful marketing distortion field for shiny stuff makes it possible to offer a pathetic 1-year warranty and then charge another $350 for an adequate one. Gotta hand it to Apple for the upsell from bad value.

See also: Apple Core Rot.

James G writes:

Your recent post of your reader’s comments regarding their 2019 Macbook Pro reminded me of my own experience with my same vintage Macbook Pro. I detailed that experience for you in March or April 2020 ,  but it bears repeating.

My 2019 macbook pro arrived in mid December 2019 and I had the exact same problems as your reader -  kernel panics or crashing while asleep, starting right off the bat. When I was actually able to get it in to a genius bar, their hardware test immediately identified the logic board as faulty and my machine went in to Apple two days before they shut down nation-wide due to COVID. It took a about a month to get it back, they sent it to my office address despite instructions otherwise, and the keyboard cable was loose,  causing only half of the keyboard to illuminate and another trip to the Apple store, which had fortunately reopened by then.

Since that motherboard replacement the machine has been rock solid and a joy to use. It has a good keyboard with a nice touch. I have kept updating software within the OSX 10.15 Catalina family, fearing incompatible bugs if I upgrade to Big Sur. That OS update doesn't appear to have any real value-added functionality so I don't think I am missing anything by holding out. 

So based on your other reader’s experience it would appear that bad motherboards are a problem with the 2019 16” MacBook Pro. One would think Apple would actually test these things before shipping. And if your reader’s 16” macbook Pro was a later production run than mine its logic board failure makes me think they have not gone back and fixed the root cause of these logic board failures. 

At this point I am petrified to upgrade and will run this machine as long as it still has the speed to needs my needs.

MPG: maybe the Apple M1 series is faring better, but they’re not a viable alternative for serious use yet, due to software limitations and a cap of 16GB memory.