He made the decision to buy one that works, if there's a flaw it's perfectly reasonable to be reimbursed.

Most countries also have laws to give consumers a time period where they can return whatever they bought, no questions asked (as long as the product is in good condition)

I’m saying he should get a new one that works. The question is why should he be able to return it for cash?

Yes but it worked when he bought it.

So the product was not, in fact, in good condition when he wanted to return it.

Yes, but that's a hidden defect.

If I sell you a TV, pretending that it was working perfectly when I know for a fact that there's a component in it that has 90% chances of blowing up in the next month, you'd be perfectly right to complain and expect me to pay you back your money after your TV exploded.

I don't think Apple knew for a fact that the speaker was defective.

You received a defective product. Why would you be expected to keep a relationship with a party that didn't meet the expectations from the get go?

You made the decision to buy a product. You got a defective one and they offered you a replacement. With the replacement you will be exactly where you set out to be. With less money, and with a working product.

Even in Sweden, consumer law paradise, I’m pretty sure you can’t ask for your money back.

You went in to the relationship with the belief that Apple was a premium vendor. You recieved a product that was not a premium product. What I think is important is: how much work is to get a replacement? That can really sour a relationship, esp when you may get a refurbished machine as a replacement.

For example here in germany it is mandated by law that you have 2 weeks grace period to get your cash back, no questions asked.

Yes, but in this case 3 months had passed.

No, not for the second macbook, which this is about. But it is also not in germany so, it does not matter anyways :)