Apple Computer rant and three-winged screwdriver search.

The battery in my daughter's Apple laptop died a week ago, so I ordered a new one online. I've changed a couple laptop batteries before, on a Gateway and Acer, without problem so didn't hesitate to try to do so again, although this would be my first attempt on an Apple.

When it finally arrived, I opened the case just fine but was rebuffed by three-slotted screws protecting the battery. I tried using normal screwdrivers but no luck. I didn't want to try too hard for fear of stripping the screws.

So yesterday I went to Lowe's and despite having a nice variety of sets of tiny screwdrivers none was a tri-wing. I asked an employee there and he said they requests for one often but just don't carry them. He speculated it was an Apple conspiracy to keep them off the market so they could charge $100/hour for labor to replace the batteries themselves.



When I got home I searched online for a store in Vegas that might have them. In computer forums I found lots of people have had this problem before me. Lots of people said "try Radio Shack" and many others said "Did -- no luck there either." Some said that Sears has a big screwdriver set that includes one but I didn't feel like driving all the way to Sears on the chance this information was accurate.

So I finally went to the local Best Buy and presented the computer and batter to the Geek Squad counter. They charged me $50 to replace it. Probably took them five minutes, at best. When I got home I saw people selling tri-wing screwdrivers on eBay for $1.99.

The moral of this story is if you have an Apple laptop and competent enough to loosen some screws then I would suggest ordering a tri-wing screwdriver NOW before you really need it. Laptop batteries last only about five years. Also, shame on Apple for using these unusual screws.

The question for the poll how do you feel about this?

Always look on Amazon first. Always. When I want
to buy elsewhere, I always check Amazon for
the reviews of it first.

http://www.amazon.com/Piece-Tri-wing-Precision-Screwdriver-Set/dp/B0089NNRL4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390176106&sr=8-1&keywords=triwing+screwdriver+set

Quote: Wizard

The battery in my daughter's Apple laptop died a week ago, so I ordered a new one online. I've changed a couple laptop batteries before, on a Gateway and Acer, without problem so didn't hesitate to try to do so again, although this would be my first attempt on an Apple.

When it finally arrived, I opened the case just fine but was rebuffed by three-slotted screws protecting the battery. I tried using normal screwdrivers but no luck. I didn't want to try too hard for fear of stripping the screws.

So yesterday I went to Lowe's and despite having a nice variety of sets of tiny screwdrivers none was a tri-wing. I asked an employee there and he said they requests for one often but just don't carry them. He speculated it was an Apple conspiracy to keep them off the market so they could charge $100/hour for labor to replace the batteries themselves.



When I got home I searched online for a store in Vegas that might have them. In computer forums I found lots of people have had this problem before me. Lots of people said "try Radio Shack" and many others said "Did -- no luck there either." Some said that Sears has a big screwdriver set that includes one but I didn't feel like driving all the way to Sears on the chance this information was accurate.

So I finally went to the local Best Buy and presented the computer and batter to the Geek Squad counter. They charged me $50 to replace it. Probably took them five minutes, at best. When I got home I saw people selling tri-wing screwdrivers on eBay for $1.99.

The moral of this story is if you have an Apple laptop and competent enough to loosen some screws then I would suggest ordering a tri-wing screwdriver NOW before you really need it. Laptop batteries last only about five years. Also, shame on Apple for using these unusual screws.

The question for the poll how do you feel about this?

Are these are the same ones that the Nintendo hand-held gaming devices use? If so, you can buy a set on Amazon for about $3. I have a set. Amazon Prime is your friend :)

I would have improvised and drilled them out.
Even if it ruined the screw, you can find another
screw that would fit in its place. I've done this
many times with things, just think Macgyver..

Quote:

Are these are the same ones that the Nintendo hand-held gaming devices use?

Yes. In computer forums more people seemed to want these for Nintendo than Apple products.

Quote: EvenBob

I would have improvised and drilled them out.

That is too invasive for my style. Last night I went to a sushi restaurant and took home a wooden chopstick with the idea to carve it into a tri-wing screwdriver but thought better of the idea when I got home.

It's a shame Best Buy didn't sell you the screw driver and apple didn't include one or offer one with your order. $50 is a rip-off for the service provided and is worse than charging just to plug it in but on the other hand you did pay for convenience.

Quote: EvenBob

I would have improvised and drilled them out.
Even if it ruined the screw, you can find another
screw that would fit in its place. I've done this
many times with things, just think Macgyver..

Bad idea if its still under warranty or you ever want to resell something. I would hate to drill out a screw on a laptop if i could avoid it, chances are most people don't have the skill to do this and would end up eating away all the plastic Good Idea if its doing that or tossing it into the trash

Wizard -- next time, go to an apple store, play dumb, and just tell a mac genius "it stopped working."

I'd set the line at -400 you walk out of there with a new battery installed for free.

Quote: onenickelmiracle

$50 is a rip-off for the service provided and is worse than charging just to plug it in but on the other hand you did pay for convenience.

I agree, but I'm sure they have a certain minimum to actually accomplish anything. It does make me feel a little better than I've pumped them for free advice a few times in the past.

Quote: sodawater

Wizard -- go to an apple store, play dumb, and just tell a mac genius "it stopped working."

I'd set the line at -400 you walk out of there with a new battery installed for free.

I would take that bet. I'm sure the computer is out of warranty and laptop batteries do go bad routinely. I would compare this to demanding free tires on a car of the car maker because the old ones wore out.

Maybe if I looked like juiciejennie (why do I keep bringing her up?) I would walk out with the free battery installed, but a middle-aged white guy is going to have no such luck.

Quote: onenickelmiracle

It's a shame Best Buy didn't sell you the screw driver and apple didn't include one or offer one with your order. $50 is a rip-off for the service provided and is worse than charging just to plug it in but on the other hand you did pay for convenience.

+1

I am so tired of places charging that much for simple repairs.

I took my car to pepboys because I needed my fuel filter changed. I bought the tool to do it but I didn't feel comfortable doing it so I took it to them. I asked how much it would be and he said the book says 1.5 hours. I was thinking ok a little steep but whatever. I had him write it up and right before I left I asked him what their hourly rate was. Expecting him to say $50 and hour, he replies $109 a hour. Wholly crap I said and took my keys back.

Quote: AxelWolf

Bad idea if its still under warranty

If the battery is bad the warranty is up anyway.
I never resell anything, I use everything till it's
not usable anymore. I'm the last buyer of all
that I own. I even re-purpose things when I
can.

Quote: Wizard

I would take that bet. I'm sure the computer is out of warranty and laptop batteries do go bad routinely. I would compare this to demanding free tires on a car of the car maker because the old ones wore out.

Maybe if I looked like juiciejennie I would walk out with the free battery installed, but a middle-aged white guy is going to have no such luck.

I'd take the other side.

Apple stores are known for their excellent customer service. Doesn't matter if it's out of warranty. If you play dumb and act like you have no idea why your MacBook stopped working, they will discover it's the battery. And for something as cheap and easy as a new battery, they'd likely just do it for you for free.

Many people have walked into Apple stores with out-of-warranty iphones that were broken in some way, and walked out with free new or refurbished later-model iphones. And iphones cost Apple a hell of a lot more than a MB battery.

I had an iMac that was almost 3 years (!) out of warranty and the Apple store replaced the 27-inch display for me free of charge "as a courtesy." Best Buy quote for that repair would have exceeded $800.

It's not just Apple. Auto manufacturers are notorious for this type of scam to get you back to the dealership for repairs. States are fighting back with the Right To Repair Act.

In a related story, a friend of my daughter kept getting stopped by this pig of a cop for having a license plate light out. He never gave her a ticket, instead he used the stop as an excuse to sexually harass her. The car's owner's manual had a warning that said not to attempt this repair but to take the car to the dealer. The cost of the repair was quoted at just over $100.

When I heard about it I had my daughter tell her friend to drop by. I popped the trunk, partially pulled down the lining and replaced both bulbs with ones I had in my garage that probably cost all of two bucks. I took my time so she was in and out in just under 15 minutes.

Quote: Wizard

That is too invasive for my style. Last night I went to a sushi restaurant and took home a wooden chopstick with the idea to carve it into a tri-wing screwdriver but thought better of the idea when I got home.

LOL that's seriously funny. It probably would have been fun until it failed.

I can't stand Apple, I do what ever I can to avoid them, especially the laptops. My GF loves her (IPAD possibly more them me) even tho its beat to death and her it acts half retarded. It was never the same after it was taken from a hotel room. then on top of that I think She left it in the bathroom while she took a shower or spilled something on it. The Screen is all blotchy, the sound cuts in and out and it always freezes up. She is to stubborn to buy a new one.

I went with a Galaxy and I'm very happy

$109/hr is a totally reasonable rate for a mechanic

Quote: AxiomOfChoice

$109/hr is a totally reasonable rate for a mechanic

Except the mechanic is probably getting about $12 an hour or so at Pep Boys, and the store is getting the other $90+

Quote: GWAE

I took my car to pepboys because I needed my fuel filter changed.

Even worse is what a dealership will charge to replace an air filter. About $50 -- part NOT included. Those require no special tools to replace, just a few of those snap-hinges (I don't know the correct term) and you're in. I could do it in under 30 seconds and I'm by no means a mechanic.

Quote: AxiomOfChoice

$109/hr is a totally reasonable rate for a mechanic

We will have to agree to disagree

I may not have a problem if I was charged 109 for an hour of actual work but the charging by the book is ridiculous. If it only takes them 35 min to do the job then I should be charged for 35 min.

Quote: GWAE

We will have to agree to disagree

I may not have a problem if I was charged 109 for an hour of actual work but the charging by the book is ridiculous. If it only takes them 35 min to do the job then I should be charged for 35 min.

I agree that book rates are garbage.

Many reputable mechanics will charge you for the time taken, unless it's a little over book, in which case they will charge you book. If it's a lot over book, they will ask you first (it means something else is wrong).

So, I am fine with the rate, but not the way it's applied.

Quote: Wizard

Even worse is what a dealership will charge to replace an air filter. About $50 -- part NOT included. Those require no special tools to replace, just a few of those snap-hinges (I don't know the correct term) and you're in. I could do it in under 30 seconds and I'm by no means a mechanic.

Any oil change place should put in a new oil filter for just the cost of the part when you get your oil changed.

Don't take your car to a dealership. They are overpriced and not actually better mechanics for your car. Usually people will go work for a dealership for a while, and then the good ones open up shops that specialize in that kind of car, or go be a specialized tech for that type of car at a shop that deals with different makes.

deleted

Quote: AxiomOfChoice

Don't take your car to a dealership.

Lots of people tell me that. If anyone can recommend an honest mechanic in west Las Vegas, I'm all ears.

Quote: Wizard

an honest mechanic .

Usually an oxymoron, but they do exist. Word
of mouth is the only way.

Quote: Wizard

Lots of people tell me that. If anyone can recommend an honest mechanic in west Las Vegas, I'm all ears.

I have been dealing with the same mechanic for over 10 years now, he owns a place on Decatur and Charleston.

I like the fact he owns the business and you talk to him personally, he normally gives the estimates, and helps works on the cars as well.(he speaks Spanish so you can talk Spanish with him) most of the time he seems to know whats wrong with my car by just explaining whats happening.
Before I was using him I had an electrical problem with my eclectic windows, NO one could figure it out, I took it to 4 different places, they all said, I needed to replace the window motors and everything under the sun, for outrageous prices.

I took it to him and explained what it was doing, he told me in 1 minute without looking, I needed to replace a small $10 censor that was overheating, because it was dirty, It worked perfect. He is very cheap old school prices, My bill always seems to be less then the estimate. He has even said no charge it was something simple.

My dad from Washington is a certified mechanic. I always call him first on things with my car, everything my dad says matches up with this guys opinions. My dad says the guy is crazy for not charging more. He never tries to over sell me stuff, he will tell me if i have something that defiantly needs replacing and how important it is or is not.

If you want let me know and I will try to find his number,or get you the address.

Quote: Wizard

I'm sure the computer is out of warranty and laptop batteries do go bad routinely.

My computer repair man told me to take the battery out when I'm using regular power. It's supposed to make the battery last longer.

Quote: mickeycrimm

My computer repair man told me to take the battery out when I'm using regular power. It's supposed to make the battery last longer.

2. You can extend the life of your current battery. If you use your laptop as your primary desktop PC, you may be wasting battery cycles by leaving it plugged in all the time.
The solution: pop the battery out until you actually need to go somewhere with your laptop. As long as the latter is plugged into an AC outlet, it doesn’t actually need the battery.
Trust me on this: I’ve seen fairly new batteries that could barely last half an hour, even though the laptop rarely went anywhere. When in doubt, pop it out.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/252025/a_laptop_battery_owners_guide.html

Quote: EvenBob

2. You can extend the life of your current battery. If you use your laptop as your primary desktop PC, you may be wasting battery cycles by leaving it plugged in all the time.
The solution: pop the battery out until you actually need to go somewhere with your laptop. As long as the latter is plugged into an AC outlet, it doesn’t actually need the battery.
Trust me on this: I’ve seen fairly new batteries that could barely last half an hour, even though the laptop rarely went anywhere. When in doubt, pop it out.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/252025/a_laptop_battery_owners_guide.html

The problem with this is that if the power cable accidentally falls out (which happens with some of them -- they are meant to be easy release so that they don't damage anything) you lose power.

Quote: AxiomOfChoice

The problem with this is that if the power cable accidentally falls out (which happens with some of them -- they are meant to be easy release so that they don't damage anything) you lose power.

Well, I'm taking mine out. I just got it 6 weeks
ago and have yet to use the battery.

Quote: Wizard

Also, shame on Apple for using these unusual screws.

The question for the poll how do you feel about this?

I used to curse the name and wish eternity in hell for those that used Torx, Phillips II, and all the other oddball screw heads. Until, that is, I broke down and bought a kit.

One tiny little box that has just about every bit you could ever need. It was probably <$10. Now no matter what I'm working on, I lose no time at all and have to wait for nothing. It actually gives an extra jolt of "feel good" seeing one of those damned tamper proof heads and knowing it is coming off as easy as can be. Take that, security feature!

But I still hate those slotted, "one way" tamper proof bastards. Sometimes I can still get them if I apply a metric ton of pressure into it, but more often, I just use a screw extractor and rip the thing out.