Macbook pro dies after 1 year and 3 weeks

Question

So..
I Purchased my MBP last year, without the 3-year applecare plan.
I have been using it mainly for internet, music and all the
other normal everyday things people use their computers for.
Three weeks after my 1-year warranty expired, the computer
simply stops working..
I took it to a licensed apple technician, and most chances are
that the motherboard is the problem. (he still has the computer)
My question is: is this normal? I mean, one year and 20 days?? really?
Even if I did have applecare, this is completely unacceptable !!
A new motherboard is not going to be cheap.. It's a major flaw..
This is a machine that should last a lot longer and it sure costs like one.
what should I do next? anyone knows of a similar situation? every piece
of advice will help.
thx
A. Raviv

Answer 1

Hi,
I notice that your location is Israel. Did you purchase the MBP in Israel? I understand things may have changed, but after doing some searching it seems that the 3-year AppleCare either:
1) was not offered in Israel until recently
2) is still not offered in Israel
3) if a MBP was purchased outside of Israel the 3-year AppleCare plan would not be valid in Israel
4) if a MBP was purchased outside of Israel the 3-year AppleCare plan may be valid Israel
I am basically trying to string together some pieces of information, and, a stated don't have the whole picture.
My research sources include:
1) Trying to Fix the World: Apple and Israel (http://howtofixtheworld1.blogspot.com/2008/06/apple-and-israel.html). Granted, this was posted in 2008 (updated in 2009), but it seems to set the basis for Apple repairs / warranty issues in Israel.
2) iDigital website (http://www.idigital.co.il/). I used the google translator to read this in English. There are many parts of the site that don't translate. But, was able to rummage around it seems like they offer the iDigital Care Protection Plan for MBPs. This seems like a substitute for the AppleCare plan, and may support the idea that AppleCare is not available there, since it seems to be picked up by this 3rd party.
3) The Apple site for Israel, particularly, the "Why you'll love a mac" page (http://www.apple.com/il/why-mac/faq/#reliable) that states:
Is a Mac reliable?
When you buy a PC, you’re buying hardware from one company and an operating system and software from other companies. Not so with a Mac. Because Apple builds both the computer and the software that comes with it, they’re literally made for each other. This means that a Mac rarely freezes or crashes. Occasionally an application might quit, but it won’t affect the rest of your system. And Mac OS X resists most viruses, so you can do anything — without worrying about losing everything.
No, the above passage does not guarantee or warrant anything, but it does suggest that a MPB is "reliable". Then, given that it may be the case that AppleCare may not have been a viable option for you, I would press that as a polite argument as why it might seem appropriate for Apple to repair you MBP, just 20 days out of the year warranty.
As "GoTVols" mentioned:
Hurry! And if you talk to a person that isn't helping ask to talk to their supervisor.