Well, I answered my own question: Apple *does not* learn. The update: Apple sent out my machine for repair to address the screen issue and to repair some cosmetic damage for free, in exchange for my time and trouble with the machine thus far.

Today, I tracked the status of my repair with Apple’s repair status page, and noticed my machine was delivered at ~10 AM to the Apple Store. I went there at ~1:30 PM, and asked if I could pick it up. The person at the Apple store said they hadn’t unpacked it yet, and that they would call me when it’s ready. “Probably today, maybe tomorrow”. I told them it had to be today.

I went home, and just as I was walking up the stairs, I get a call. The machine is ready. I could have waited in the store if I had known they would be that quick, but I dutifully went back to pick it up–I want my computer back!

When I finally got it back, (to my horror) I found they replaced the logic board. For the second time. No joke. And, to top it off, they didn’t repair any of the cosmetic damage, as John and I agreed. WTF Apple?

Apple has now agreed to give me a new machine. But seriously, did it have to be this painful? What’s going on at Apple? Will they learn from *this* experience? Maybe the price of the new laptop will open their ears… I doubt it.