Will Apple take back an opened MBA?

another question

I received it this morning and I hate it. I cannot get anything to work properly. I flattened the outer box it came in but the 'APPLE' box itself is still intact.

I also received the educational discount. I will ring them in the morning but I'm just wondering if someone can give me a heads up.

Passenger

What do you mean, that the laptop is faulty?

another question

Passenger wrote: »

What do you mean, that the laptop is faulty?

Badly phrased, sorry. I find iTunes, writing text, using FireFox and Safari really difficult. Download folder, migrating, the layout, the touchpad, I hate the whole lot. I'm finding it really difficult to use. I can't believe I have spent so much money I something I thought I really wanted and now I don't like it at all.

Passenger

Wow. Well it might be a bit rash to immediately send it back. If you blind-buy anything there's always a chance you won't like it, and it's always somewhat of a gamble when spending a lot of money on it. Anyway, I would encourage you to spend more time getting used to it as Mac OS is more intuitive then any OS that Windows have ever released, imo.

Apple will however refund if you return within 14 days.

another question

Passenger wrote: »

Wow. Well it might be a bit rash to immediately send it back. If you blind-buy anything there's always a chance you won't like it, and it's always somewhat of a gamble when spending a lot of money on it. Anyway, I would encourage you to spend more time getting used to it as Mac OS is more intuitive then any OS that Windows have ever released, imo.

Apple will however refund if you return within 14 days.

I have spent hours on it and I really can't use it, it's driving me mad. I'm just worried if there are any clauses for computers bought under the educational discount or if there is any return fee (re-stocking etc)

Liameter

MacOSX is highly customisable - it's possible to tweak it to work as you wish. It's also a good idea to get a seasoned Mac user to spend a couple of hours with you while you explain your problems and he tells you how to solve them. Obviously, if you can't customise the trackpad to work as you wish then you can use a cheap mouse instead - USB or Bluetooth.

However, first impressions count and I think you've gotten so annoyed with yourself that you won't allow yourself the time to learn.

I wonder how long it took to get used to using a Windows PC? If you were given a laptop running Windows 8 today, and you had never used Windows previously, how would you get on?

another question

Liameter wrote: »

MacOSX is highly customisable - it's possible to tweak it to work as you wish. It's also a good idea to get a seasoned Mac user to spend a couple of hours with you while you explain your problems and he tells you how to solve them. Obviously, if you can't customise the trackpad to work as you wish then you can use a cheap mouse instead - USB or Bluetooth.

However, first impressions count and I think you've gotten so annoyed with yourself that you won't allow yourself the time to learn.

I wonder how long it took to get used to using a Windows PC? If you were given a laptop running Windows 8 today, and you had never used Windows previously, how would you get on?

I agree with you but I really would just feel a lot for relaxed if someone could tell me that Apple will accept it as a return and give me a full refund even though it was purchased with the educational discount and has been turned on.

Liameter

It's an unusual thing to do so the chances of finding a student here who has done it are poor. Best idea is to ask Apple. They might suggest free tuition at your nearest store so be mentally prepared to accept or reject that idea.

gctest50

This might help - will cost nothing to try for 14 days

http://www.parallels.com/download/desktop/


http://solidworksonamac.com/macbook-air-has-arrived-install-windows-7-pr/

.

banquo

Yes, you can return it.

shanec1928

another question wrote: »

I have spent hours on it and I really can't use it, it's driving me mad. I'm just worried if there are any clauses for computers bought under the educational discount or if there is any return fee (re-stocking etc)

ya what ever you got free has to be returned as well or else it gets deducted from the refund

another question

Thanks guys. I'm going to give using it one more go this morning and see how I get on. I'm looking on youtube for any videos that might help. There isn't by any chance a thread on here for newbie MBA users recently changed from windows?

Nonoperational

Stick with it. It's worth it.

If you have opened the box and turned it on, I don't see why they would refund you, but other people seem to think they will.

Razor Russ

another question wrote: »

Thanks guys. I'm going to give using it one more go this morning and see how I get on. I'm looking on youtube for any videos that might help. There isn't by any chance a thread on here for newbie MBA users recently changed from windows?

My advice is stick with it..I once was a windows only guy. I get that you are confused and frustrated. but STICK with it. it will be the best decision you will ever make. The mac is a far superior machine to anything windows has to offer. but it is radically different. you just need time to get used to it and a day and a half isn't long enough. do t send it back yet.

Sad Professor

OP, you only have the machine two days. I know learning a new operating system can be very intimidating at first, but you need to give it time. If you have any questions, ask here or feel free to start a thread. Many of the posters on this forum are very experienced Mac users and I think you'll find them very helpful.

Macs are not difficult to use. The difficulty you are having has more to do with unlearning the Windows way of doing things than learning the Mac way, which is actually much more intuitive once you get used to it. I've helped friends who switched from Windows and many of them expressed similar second thoughts at first. But after a couple of weeks with the machine they were flying.

Tell us the difficulties you are having and we can help.

Sad Professor

Take at look at some of the guides and tutorials on Apple's own website:

Mac Basics (this includes a video/section on switching PC habits)

Video tutorials

Apple also have a vast technical support database which has article covering almost every problem you could encounter. You can search it from the search bar on the Apple site or from this link:

http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=search

Razor Russ

OP,

as other posters have said, there is loads of support out there from the mac community from forums like this and others. IMO that's one of the great things about the mac. ask as many questions as you like.

Nemeses

OP also has the option of ringing AppleCare as well for free for the first 90 days, they would be able to help out with quick how to's and setting up the machine as well. Plenty of support to get you settled in!

another question

Thanks again guys for your help. I will post a few of the following questions relating to things I am having difficulty with, so maybe if ye have time ye could answer 1 or 2 of them for me please:


1) Where is the control panel (like the uninstall program etc) I downloaded Chrome and Firefox and I wanted to 'uninstall' Chrome, where on a PC I would usually go to Control Panel-Programs-Uninstall programs.


2) I am a big user of the HOME and END and DELETE keys on my current keyboard. Is there an equivalent? I read a lot of articles and use the HOME key to zip back up to the top, I find myself up now using the UP arrow to trudge back up to the top.


3) Is there anything other than TextEdit?! for typing letters, documents etc other than buying PAGES, I find it quite hard to use.


4) Text size on everything is really, really small, I'm by no means short sighted but I find myself squinting at everything. I know I can enlarge font size when typing a document and zoom in on websites but I mean the general text on the mac itself is tiny. If I open a 'new tab' on firefox the words 'new tab' are in like font 4 (no joke) I can barely make it out.


5) Is there anywhere I can download a big clock? The clock at the moment is in the top right hand corner and it disappears most of the time when I open a window which is really annoying because I am always checking the time.


6) How do you make the equivalent of desktop shortcuts? I had all my previous word documents emailed to myself and when I downloaded a few yesterday they went into the 'my documents folder' but they are all jumbled up. I want to be able to create folders for certain bundles of documents and have those folders instantly accessible on the desktop.


They are the most immediate problems at present.

another question

OH! the other big problem I was having is deleting a song off iTunes. Usually I just right -click and delete or highlight it and press the delete key. I just cannot get rid of it. Everything time I try and drag it to the trash folder is starts playing.

Razor Russ

another question wrote: »

Thanks again guys for your help. I will post a few of the following questions relating to things I am having difficulty with, so maybe if ye have time ye could answer 1 or 2 of them for me please:


1) Where is the control panel (like the uninstall program etc) I downloaded Chrome and Firefox and I wanted to 'uninstall' Chrome, where on a PC I would usually go to Control Panel-Programs-Uninstall programs

2) I am a big user of the HOME and END and DELETE keys on my current keyboard. Is there an equivalent? I read a lot of articles and use the HOME key to zip back up to the top, I find myself up now using the UP arrow to trudge back up to the top.



3) Is there anything other than TextEdit?! for typing letters, documents etc other than buying PAGES, I find it quite hard to use.




4) Text size on everything is really, really small, I'm by no means short sighted but I find myself squinting at everything. I know I can enlarge font size when typing a document and zoom in on websites but I mean the general text on the mac itself is tiny. If I open a 'new tab' on firefox the words 'new tab' are in like font 4 (no joke) I can barely make it out.



5) Is there anywhere I can download a big clock? The clock at the moment is in the top right hand corner and it disappears most of the time when I open a window which is really annoying because I am always checking the time.




6) How do you make the equivalent of desktop shortcuts? I had all my previous word documents emailed to myself and when I downloaded a few yesterday they went into the 'my documents folder' but they are all jumbled up. I want to be able to create folders for certain bundles of documents and have those folders instantly accessible on the desktop.




They are the most immediate problems at present.

1. If you open finder (its in the Doc at the bottom of the screen) open it > Applications and then just drag any application to the trash and its uninstalled

2. the mac has very smooth scrolling, thats how i get to the top. You can use the trackpad to scroll very fast

3. i use pages and its fine, you have the option of using office for mac, or google docs. there are rumours that pages will become free in the autumn

4. if you go into system preferences. its top right hand corner in the  menu. try accessibility for font size or zooming

5. apple have a screen called a dashboard. you can download widgets for it including clocks

6. you can add folder shortcut in the doc, personally i use an app called alfred. its really good. you basically double tap a key and then type the application or document to launch and it loads straight away. try it out it comes as a free or paid version

Razor Russ

another question wrote: »

OH! the other big problem I was having is deleting a song off iTunes. Usually I just right -click and delete or highlight it and press the delete key. I just cannot get rid of it. Everything time I try and drag it to the trash folder is starts playing.

if you right click the song, you should get a menu and then select delete from the menu.

another question

Razor Russ wrote: »

My advice is stick with it..I once was a windows only guy. I get that you are confused and frustrated. but STICK with it. it will be the best decision you will ever make. The mac is a far superior machine to anything windows has to offer. but it is radically different. you just need time to get used to it and a day and a half isn't long enough. do t send it back yet.

Just noticed your the person helping me on the itunes question! When you say stick with it and that you used to be a windows only guy - can you tell me what exactly it is about the MAC that makes it so worth the effort in your opinion. I'm just curious because I am so frustrated with it at the moment. Basically I use the internet a lot of research purpose, I write a lot of documents, different types, I like to be able to make them look well-presented and beautiful where possible. They are my two primary uses. I'm not a photos person or into videos or gaming or graphics or anything like that.

I like all my documents on my desktop and some arranged in folder for easily access. I like 'clean lines' and minimalism and as bad and chronic as it sounds, I bought it on the strength of it's beautiful design, because it's lightweight and slim and has a long battery life as well as the raised keys because I hate crumbs!

I admit to being completely stupid that I never once contemplated having to learn a new operating system.

Razor Russ

another question wrote: »

Just noticed your the person helping me on the itunes question! When you say stick with it and that you used to be a windows only guy - can you tell me what exactly it is about the MAC that makes it so worth the effort in your opinion. I'm just curious because I am so frustrated with it at the moment. Basically I use the internet a lot of research purpose, I write a lot of documents, different types, I like to be able to make them look well-presented and beautiful where possible. They are my two primary uses. I'm not a photos person or into videos or gaming or graphics or anything like that.

I like all my documents on my desktop and some arranged in folder for easily access. I like 'clean lines' and minimalism and as bad and chronic as it sounds, I bought it on the strength of it's beautiful design, because it's lightweight and slim and has a long battery life as well as the raised keys because I hate crumbs!

I admit to being completely stupid that I never once contemplated having to learn a new operating system.

Why did i change to mac ??? having used both windows and Mac, i find apple much easier to use. I still use windows in work and it annoys me so much. Once you get used to it you will find it much easier to use. From email, search and general day to day use. Its much more stable, no or virtually no virus's. the system isn't constantly asking you to approve updates for security and the likes.

its the learning the new OS that is difficult for a while. But once you get over that initial oh my god what have i done....it will get some much easier. There is a saying once you go mac you never go back.

Razor Russ

another question wrote: »

Just noticed your the person helping me on the itunes question! When you say stick with it and that you used to be a windows only guy - can you tell me what exactly it is about the MAC that makes it so worth the effort in your opinion. I'm just curious because I am so frustrated with it at the moment. Basically I use the internet a lot of research purpose, I write a lot of documents, different types, I like to be able to make them look well-presented and beautiful where possible. They are my two primary uses. I'm not a photos person or into videos or gaming or graphics or anything like that.

I like all my documents on my desktop and some arranged in folder for easily access. I like 'clean lines' and minimalism and as bad and chronic as it sounds, I bought it on the strength of it's beautiful design, because it's lightweight and slim and has a long battery life as well as the raised keys because I hate crumbs!

I admit to being completely stupid that I never once contemplated having to learn a new operating system.

there is a website that does tutorials for mac its call ScreenCastonline have a look at it

mathepac

... 1) Where is the control panel (like the uninstall program etc) I downloaded Chrome and Firefox and I wanted to 'uninstall' Chrome, where on a PC I would usually go to Control Panel-Programs-Uninstall programs....

I suggest you download and install AppCleaner which is freeware. Apart from deleting the application, it cleans up all the preferences, databases, caches, etc related to the application you want to uninstall. If you simply trash the app, the associated files are left behind ad infinitum.

another question wrote: »

... 3) Is there anything other than TextEdit?! for typing letters, documents etc other than buying PAGES, I find it quite hard to use. ...

I like Bean a lot. Although it's not under active development, it's a good little word-processing app.

If you want MS Office level stuff you choices of (all for free)

• NeoOffice
• LibreOffice
• OpenOffice
• Symphony

to list 4 of the top free office suites (IMHO).

another question wrote: »

... 4) Text size on everything is really, really small. ...

Click on the Desktop to go to the Finder and under Finder>View>Show View Options set Icon Sizing, Text Size, Grid Spacing etc. I think this should fix your problem unless these setting are being superceded by app specific settings.

another question wrote: »

... 5) Is there anywhere I can download a big clock? ....

Click on the clock-face (analogue) / time (digital clock) in the menu-bar. set View as Digital. Open Date & Time Preferences ... to open the preference panel to allow you to set various options.

another question wrote: »

... 6) How do you make the equivalent of desktop shortcuts? ...

The equivalent on OSX is an alias. Select (highlight) the file, document, folder, etc in the Finder and select File >Make Alias. Drag the alias to where you need it.

HTH & Welcome aboard

po0k

lern2putr

Deep Thought

Hey...Stick with it...

I was Windows, now Mac and still use windows in work..

Mac is far easier...eg to one of you questions about control panel for uninstall..

Mac is clever and to unistall an app, find the app in the app folder and press delete...thats it...Mac does it all for you

Macs don't use Apps like Windows, they Mount the apps rather than install them this makes it easier and cleaner to remove...

DT

ZENER

Deep Thought wrote: »

Macs don't use Apps like Windows, they Mount the apps rather than install them this makes it easier and cleaner to remove...

DT

:rolleyes: I've lost count of the number of times I've come across this gem. The majority of Mac programs arrive as .dmg files when downloaded. Opening this .dmg reveals the application which should be dragged to the Applications folder.

Instead of this a lot of people leave the .dmg on the desktop - open it and run the app from there each time they use it. Either that or they put the .dmg into the Application folder and open it from there !

Ken

Deep Thought

ZENER wrote: »

:rolleyes: I've lost count of the number of times I've come across this gem. The majority of Mac programs arrive as .dmg files when downloaded. Opening this .dmg reveals the application which should be dragged to the Applications folder.

Instead of this a lot of people leave the .dmg on the desktop - open it and run the app from there each time they use it. Either that or they put the .dmg into the Application folder and open it from there !

Ken

you do mount it initially to install it, the the disk image will appear as another device in the Finder, would you leave the DMG on the desktop..in fact a lot of the apps open a window with the app and app folder and an arrow showing you to drag it...??

ZENER

I know but I constantly see it on Macs belonging to ex-windows users who are unfamiliar with the Bright Side

Ken

another question

Thanks for your help everyone. I did in fact send the MBA back and have decided on an Asus Zenbook instead. Just in case there is anybody else on here looking for the answer to my original question (will Apple take back an opened MBA?) the answer is YES.

I want to be very fair to Apple and say that their customer service is second to none. It was absolutely no problem that it was opened and turned on, they were even happy enough for me to keep it for the full 14days and use if I wanted to make sure but I was sure so I didn't avail of their offer.

I received the educational discount and that was no problem either.

Timeline for refund:

Called Thursday afternoon to arrange refund. Received confirmation email about 5 minutes later. Received a call from the collection courier on Friday morning. He collected at 11am. On Monday morning, I received a confirmation email from Apple stating that they had received my products for return.

Cash back in bank a/c this morning (Thursday). From initial refund enquiry to cash refund in bank (5 working days). Superb service. And also, the person you speak with on the phone emails you a confirmation of the refund request and it also acts as a personal email to the person you were speaking to, so if you have any further questions, you can reply directly to the email (as I did) and he replied within 2 hours with an answer.

It is unfortunate I didn't like the product because they are a fantastic company to deal with, plus they refunded the €10 I paid for express shipping.

So, on a last note, I would definitely recommend that if you are not sure about a product, buy it anyway, get the feel of it because refunds really are no problem with them. The only thing they ask is that you keep the original packing (not teared plastic or anything) just the product box, the delivery box, any blocks or safety stuffing and put everything back into the box as best you can, which is fair enough.