2019 Intel MacBook Pro User Receives Free M5 MacBook Pro Replacement, Still Criticizes Apple for Planned Obsolescence

Apple has long been revered for both its groundbreaking products and its commitment to exceptional customer service. A recent incident illustrates this balance perfectly: a fortunate owner of a 2019 Intel-powered MacBook Pro received a complimentary upgrade to the new 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro. This upgrade came about thanks in part to the fact that the customer actively subscribed to AppleCare+, which naturally places him at the forefront of support services. However, even after upgrading to a superior model, the customer expressed disappointment with Apple, citing concerns over the company’s alleged ‘planned obsolescence’ practices.

Customer Seeks AppleCare Assistance for Battery Replacement

On Reddit, a user known as ‘GeneralZilla’ recounted the circumstances surrounding his unexpected windfall. Initially, his Intel-based MacBook Pro required a second battery replacement. Upon visiting an Apple outlet, he learned that a replacement was unfortunately not an option. Understandably, frustration set in, particularly given his ongoing AppleCare+ subscription payments.

Eventually, persistence paid off for the user, leading to an Apple employee’s offer to replace his outdated model with an “equal machinery”option. This phrasing leaves one to wonder how an Intel processor could equivalently match the capabilities of the new M5 chip. To provide some context, the user had been paying $9.99 monthly for AppleCare+ over six years, accumulating a total of $719.94— a substantial sum, especially in light of the cost of a brand-new device.

Significant Savings Despite Critique of Apple’s Practices

The base model of the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro retails for $1, 599 on Apple’s official website, or $1, 480 for the Space Black variant on Amazon. Regardless of how it is viewed, ‘GeneralZilla’ emerged from this experience with noteworthy savings. Nonetheless, despite touching upon features that vastly improve his previous setup, he voiced concerns regarding Apple’s business practices surrounding product longevity.

“Today I took my 2019 15′ IMBP in due to a battery service warning. I’ve been paying the monthly subscription for Apple Care since the original warranty lapsed. This was going to be my second battery replacement so I was already familiar with the process but I was told that the store could not service my laptop and to call an apple care specialist about more information regarding the denial of service.

After about an hour of getting bounced around and escalated, one of the representatives offered to replace my laptop with “equal machinery, ”but that the only options were what was currently available on the apple website. I just got lucky I guess with the timing and that equal machine is the new M5 14′ base model.

I’m happy for the free upgrade and not having to pay Apple another $2000 for the hottest appliance you can buy that’s non-cooking related, but I’m not understanding why they would even warranty my device in the first place if they had no plans to repair it at all. I know this sounds like a “teacher you forgot to collect the hw”situation, but how does this benefit Apple at all, or me in my specific case?

I have a Windows partition I use daily for work that I can’t use on the M5, and I wasn’t necessarily interested in spending a few hundred dollars at a third-party place on a laptop I supposedly have a warranty for. I expected to get a free battery replacement on a machine, from the warranty provider, as per the warranty. I plan to go through with the swap, and again am definitely grateful for this blessing of good customer service, but the planned obsolescence is such a horrible practice. Where tf is Steve Jobs?”

Community’s Perspective on Apple’s Generosity

The Reddit community largely praised the impressive outcome for the new M5 MacBook Pro owner, acknowledging that few other companies would offer such a level of service. In fact, it’s not customary for laptop manufacturers to allow long-term payment plans for warranties while providing replacements of this caliber. Typically, most brands offer short-term warranties, often only extending coverage to two years, even with additional payments. From this perspective, it’s clear that the Intel MacBook Pro owner was indeed fortunate.

For further details on this incident, you can read the original post on Reddit.

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