but this is absolutely frustrating. I've always used WPA2 and now I can't because the laptop refuses to use it. I did find this <a href="http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=359918">thread</a> about another MBP owner who has had some hardware issues as well. This is very recent as well, but my model's older and I've been a customer for awhile now, so Apple should do the same service they did this guy. I asked about swapping it but "That would never happen". I mean, this is the second time my AirPort card has started acting up, only this it is much worse than before. Sometimes, it would just quit loading pages and nothing would connect. IM apps would time out, iTunes would not access anything, and yet AirPort still registered the signal. The Genius I originally talked to said that either the board or the card was defective, so it is likely that the board is bad... And the cosmetic conditions are not as great either.
They replaced the outside shells, but now it is ripping apart on the sides more, its still ripping a little in the front, and the keyboard keys are in worse shape than before. The keyboard had always been fine, but not now. Some of my keys are sunken a bit and are odd to press when typing, which is new. Also, the aluminum panel that goes around the screen, where the iSight camera is, is popping out a bit where it hasn't been. What else?!
It seems that the only thing that they fixed for me was the power button, which is vastly improved. I am a loyal Apple customer but this is really some poor customer service that I have been given. Two years ago, they were nice about everything and would swap stuff like this out anytime there was a problem. Now, they're making more money than ever before and are not as friendly it seems. Come on Apple, your service used to be so much better. I guess if that guy in the link above was right, then the guys at the top of the food chain are much nicer than the store employees. I'll try a different store if I take it in, since they may have some better service. Plus, I have to buy some more software...
I personally think that this is worth pursuing here, but opinions are appreciated. Does anyone else think it is worth complaining about? These hardware problems, and now software, are disrupting my time for working on projects, time that I really use. I'm starting to think that I could have used a MacBook instead, which doesn't have these problems... I need a working a laptop Apple, so help me out.
-BMF
Alright, after I had my MBP's cosmetic problems fixed, I also had the AirPort Card replaced since it dropped my network connection every now and then. Well it's doing it again, but there are more issues now than before. For instance, under System Preferences, the AirPort pane saves my network as a WPA network when it is WPA2. Also, the password saved in it is shorter than my current password. When I attempt to change these and delete the saved items in Keychain, it just reverts back. I can't connect to the internet now it seems. WPA2 use to work much better, but now it just hates it. Regular WPA network are continuously dropped even when AirPort registers a strong signal. Note that the AirPort was working very, very well after it was replaced but it is doing what it used to do at a much more extreme rate. If it is not the card, then it is the logic board like one Genius suggested to me.
What should I do? I have switched my network to WEP for now in attempt to try to use the internet. When my connection does go through, the speed is very nice and files can be downloaded very quickly like they should, but this is just not right. Even my friend's MacBook is starting to be unable to connect, but it works right anyway. I know it's not my router since all of my other devices can connect correctly, so it must be the MBP. This is really hurting me since I am currently doing a lot of editing and video recording at the moment, though I could use my iMac or my friend's MacBook for awhile. Assistance and suggestions would really be helpful. I may have to take it in again...
Thanks in advance,
-BMF

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