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Up to Discussions in Portable Macs
14 Replies Last post: May 6, 2008 2:21 PM by HoTiCe29  
Click to view mike_ak's profile New Member
mike_ak
2 posts since
Nov 21, 2006
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Nov 21, 2006 3:21 AM

Upset about VIBRATING macbook

Hi,

I bought a macbook in the beginning of November. I noticed that I would feel a strange vibration everytime I rested the palm on the laptop. The vibration would stop only if I placed a card under the macbook.
I called Apple and they asked me to send it back and they would send me a new machine. I did that. 12 days later, I receive a brand new macbook. However, this macbook vibrates just like the other.
What is the probability of getting a computer with the same deffect twice?
Is it a deffect or is it normal?
The new macbook arrived today, and again, I have to use a card under it.
Thanks...
Mike_ak
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Click to view Typhoon14's profile Old Hand
Typhoon14
2,128 posts since
Feb 2, 2001
1. Nov 21, 2006 11:41 AM in response to: mike_ak
Re: Upset about VIBRATING macbook
Are you sure its an actual vibration? There really aren't many parts in there that could cause the whole computer to vibrate . . . I know on my old PowerBook, when it was plugged into AC power, you could feel kind of a "charge" to the frame, especially if you ran your finger across it. Almost like a low-level static field. I'd seen it on other PowerBooks as well, so I never thought anything of it. Do you still get it when running from the battery?
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Click to view bruine's profile Member
bruine
555 posts since
Nov 9, 2006
2. Nov 21, 2006 11:50 AM in response to: mike_ak
Re: Upset about VIBRATING macbook
You can also feel the drives spin on a laptop (both the HD and the optical drive) And you also feel a bit when the fan spin (more intensive computing). Can it be to that you're refering ? Maybe show what you describe to someone used to laptop (Apple store, Mac dealer, friend,...)
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Click to view mike_ak's profile New Member
mike_ak
2 posts since
Nov 21, 2006
3. Nov 21, 2006 12:50 PM in response to: bruine
Re: Upset about VIBRATING macbook
Actually, it is a real vibration... it feels like having a massage under the palm, when I rest the palm on the macbook.
I called Apple this morning about that. They said since they replaced my computer, they cannot do another replacement. I understand it... and I need my macbook for my work. I can't wait for another 12 days. I filed a complaint anyway.
They also said that the vibration is 'normal' due to the design of the macbook: using high speed components (e.g.: HD).
The vibration is damped when I place a card under it...
I love Apple products and I buy a lot from them... a lot... however, it is just a bit upsetting when such things happen...
Do any of you know how I can check the speed of my HD? Its model is FUJITSU MHV2080BHPL. I tried to find it in google, but I couldn't find the info about the speed.
Thanks.
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Click to view gooser's profile Member
gooser
209 posts since
Jun 23, 2006
4. Nov 21, 2006 1:26 PM in response to: mike_ak
Re: Upset about VIBRATING macbook
keep a card under it. maybe the joker card.
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Click to view MacCheetah3's profile Old Hand
MacCheetah3
6,630 posts since
Apr 2, 2001
5. Nov 21, 2006 3:58 PM in response to: mike_ak
Re: Upset about VIBRATING macbook
Hi
Never had anything that I would describe even near that.

Apple MacBook (Black) 2.16GHz C2D, 4GB, 200GB (7.2K), DL-SD + 16GB iPod touch - Debug Computer Services http://www.click2debug.com
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Click to view RichL's profile Old Hand
RichL
2,433 posts since
Oct 7, 2001
6. Nov 21, 2006 5:35 PM in response to: MacCheetah3
Re: Upset about VIBRATING macbook
Me neither...

RichL Columnist/Reviewer for MYMAC.Com
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Click to view bruine's profile Member
bruine
555 posts since
Nov 9, 2006
7. Nov 21, 2006 10:49 PM in response to: mike_ak
Re: Upset about VIBRATING macbook
Quote:<hr />
Do any of you know how I can check the speed of my HD? Its model is FUJITSU MHV2080BHPL. I tried to find it in google, but I couldn't find the info about the speed

<hr />
Fujistu describe a MHV2080BH HD as a 5400RPM: Fujistu web site
I don't know what the PL stand for but I guess it's your drive. Didn't found anything useful on Google either, but it's usually the easiest way for this kind of info. But I seem to be a bit more patient than you

For the vibration, I don't know which mobile part is supposed to be higher speed than what my PB have, (same rotation speed for the HD and the PPC chip used shouldn't be easier to cool), but my PB certainly doesn't produce the kind of vibration you describe. The fact that slightly elevating a part of the computer help would let suppose that some imbalance reside somewhere. Could it be in relation to the use of a Fujistu drive (usually considered cheaper than some other brand) ?
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Click to view grey_lightning's profile New Member
grey_lightning
165 posts since
Oct 28, 2001
8. Nov 22, 2006 9:11 AM in response to: mike_ak
Re: Upset about VIBRATING macbook
Does the problem happen all the time, or only somtimes? Under the left palm or right? On my G4 Powerbook, the only thing that causes vibration is when the optical drive is spinning up at hight speed, but that vibration can be really significant, much like what you aredescribing. It is strange, though that putting something under the computer helps with the problem.
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Click to view yblanco's profile New Member
yblanco
2 posts since
Jan 10, 2007
9. Jan 10, 2007 2:47 PM in response to: grey_lightning
Re: Upset about VIBRATING macbook
I too have a new Black Macbook C2D with the vibration. After 1 week of trying to get a permanent solution (it actually goes away with paper between Macbook and desk and applying pressure on right palm rest) I took it to the Apple store yesterday. Of course everything was "normal" according to 2 different guys on genius bar. I told them then this was not normal (my hands are numb after typing for 5 min) so they took the computer and sent it for repair. Normally I will hear from them in a week time but I don't have too many hopes.
I tried to be very technical on my explanation but they did not seem very interested to me. If no repairs are done I will ask for a replacement machine or full refund at Amazon. I've bough 4 Macs and at least 4 iPods in the last 4 years so I will not accept anything less from Apple.
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Click to view extreme343GS's profile New Member
extreme343GS
164 posts since
Dec 6, 2006
10. Jan 11, 2007 3:03 AM in response to: yblanco
Re: Upset about VIBRATING macbook
never seen anything like that before.

can't understand what a card a can do.try and make sure the plane is levelled.

are they both the C2D macs??
i've got a CD.


Quote:<hr />
I've bough 4 Macs and at least 4 iPods in the last 4 years so I will not accept anything less from Apple.

<hr />


are u bill gates by anyway???


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Click to view yblanco's profile New Member
yblanco
2 posts since
Jan 10, 2007
11. Jan 22, 2007 9:32 AM in response to: extreme343GS
Re: Upset about VIBRATING macbook
Ok let's say in the last 6 years to make you happy...
I spent literally hours with Apple Care on the phone last week and they refused to replace my machine because tech support says is 'within spec'.
I'm returning my machine to Amazon anyway (I hope they'll take it back) but the message I wanted to pass to Apple is that this looks like s design issue to me and Apple should aknowledge and DO something about it. As small as this problem semms is really frustrating.
I don't know if I should order another MB from Amazon, upgrade to MBP (don't really want to because I like the size of the MB) or wait until some more machines are released later this year.
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Click to view HoTiCe29's profile New Member
HoTiCe29
2 posts since
May 6, 2008
12. May 6, 2008 4:41 AM in response to: mike_ak
Re: Upset about VIBRATING macbook

Hi

The vibrations are coming from your hard drive. Apple's new hard drivers are made in China.
I had 1.83 mac mini with a fujitsu 80gb hard drive made in Thailand. A year later I upgraded my mac mini but the new hard drive was made in China. The Vibration was so anoying that I replaced the new mac mini with my old fujitsu made in Thailand one.

Apple is going cheap.

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Click to view Ralph_Thornton's profile Member
Ralph_Thornton
521 posts since
Mar 13, 2002
13. May 6, 2008 6:34 AM in response to: mike_ak
Re: Upset about VIBRATING macbook
The only time I feel vibrations on my laptops is when I'm using a CD or DVD disk. The spinning of than drive can be quite noticeable. During all other uses I have not experienced any vibrations that could be described as a massage to the palm.
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Click to view HoTiCe29's profile New Member
HoTiCe29
2 posts since
May 6, 2008
14. May 6, 2008 2:21 PM in response to: Ralph_Thornton
Re: Upset about VIBRATING macbook

Yes you are also right, I kow this because the new mac mini's come with a noisy Made In China SuperDrive!
The Superdrives used to be Made In Taiwan.
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