Apple Digging into Accounts of iPhone Explosions in Europe

[JFreak]

Lets not talk about Apple prices because we all know they are over priced.

Depends on the point of view, actually.

One could think that Apple products are overpriced, because they tend to cost at least as much as comparable product made by company X. And because Company Y sells products A, B and C that are inferior to the Apple product costing more, then Apple product is overpriced because it costs more money to purchase than the cheapo product that is available (but does not actually compare to the Apple product). More money out of one's pocket = overpriced.

But then again, one could think that Apple prices its products just right, because it is one of the few computer hardware companies that actually make money. That means Apple is in no threat going bankcrupt (let's not remember the time Steve was away). And while that fact does not touch *MY* bank account, it means that Apple is here to stay and has resources to R&D and keep selling the great products we all want to buy and use.

I think Apple products are not overpriced.

 

[Droid13]

You make a fair point

Depends on the point of view, actually.

One could think that Apple products are overpriced, because they tend to cost at least as much as comparable product made by company X. And because Company Y sells products A, B and C that are inferior to the Apple product costing more, then Apple product is overpriced because it costs more money to purchase than the cheapo product that is available (but does not actually compare to the Apple product). More money out of one's pocket = overpriced.

But then again, one could think that Apple prices its products just right, because it is one of the few computer hardware companies that actually make money. That means Apple is in no threat going bankcrupt (let's not remember the time Steve was away). And while that fact does not touch *MY* bank account, it means that Apple is here to stay and has resources to R&D and keep selling the great products we all want to buy and use.

I think Apple products are not overpriced.

Your post is fair because you allow for subjectivity, which is what overpricing is all about - there is also the fact that markets around the world are different and in the UK, Apple do cost a lot even with education discounts.

I view Apple products as generally overpriced, particularly at the higher performance end - on internal component technical specifications alone they are invariably overpriced, as a complete package it varies by how close we are to a refresh. I could have got a Dell XPS 12" for what the MacBook cost, with dedicated graphics and all... I don't regret the MacBook, I quite like it actually, but still...

However, for what I get with my iPhone, I view that as good value compared to the other devices and associated fees I was considering that met my requirements, at least at time of purchase.

To get back on track with this thread though, does anyone know, just for interest, what the typical catastrophic failure rate for mobile telephones is?

 

[pfml07]

I think Apple products are not overpriced.

Im sorry but to buy another laptop with the same specs as a macbook or macbook pro it would cost half as much. Obviously it would have windows but if you want to try and explain to me how an operating system cost Half of the price then go right ahead

 

[zedsdead]

Im sorry but to buy another laptop with the same specs as a macbook or macbook pro it would cost half as much. Obviously it would have windows but if you want to try and explain to me how an operating system cost Half of the price then go right ahead

Go and find me a unibody aluminum windows laptop that has a 7-hour battery and a multi-touch glass trackpad. Not to mention the high quality screens that apple uses, and an illuminated keyboard, all at less than an inch thick.

 

[pfml07]

Go and find me a unibody aluminum windows laptop that has a 7-hour battery and a multi-touch glass trackpad. Not to mention the high quality screens that apple uses, and an illuminated keyboard, all at less than an inch thick.

For starters unibody is not a good thing, upragdes are more difficult, in fact apple dont even cater for upgrades other than ram and HDD, the fact that you have to have a glossy screen is crap, a multi touch trackpad is not difficult to find, in fact there are alot of touchscreen windows laptops out there now ready for windows 7 (which is fact isnt all that bad). Ok the 7 hour battery life is good, however, ive seen more than enough failed macbook batteries.

I do like macs, i love the operating system, i love the ease of use and simplicity, i like the designs. But, they are over priced and especially in this "Credit Crunch" its not a good idea. Its more for me, about overpriced products that fail or set on fire or explode. If i pay premium price for a product I expect a premium product and premium service and you just dont get it from Apple.

 

[jsdoyle]

May not have been the phone

Everyone is quick to fault the phone but it is also possible that the phone was struck by a BB if he had it slightly away from his face. Projectiles can make a noise when they fly by so the "hissing" sound he heard may not have been from the phone.

See an article on my website: The Sound of Bullets.

The victim in this case may be lucky to have only received some glass in his eye.

Scott

 

[peterdevries]

For starters unibody is not a good thing, upragdes are more difficult, in fact apple dont even cater for upgrades other than ram and HDD, the fact that you have to have a glossy screen is crap, a multi touch trackpad is not difficult to find, in fact there are alot of touchscreen windows laptops out there now ready for windows 7 (which is fact isnt all that bad). Ok the 7 hour battery life is good, however, ive seen more than enough failed macbook batteries.

The majority of users never EVER upgrade their laptop, let alone do something as simple as take the battery out. And the fast majority of people love glossy screens.

People only compare the specs, but if you look at the total build quality: keyboard, unibody aluminium, screen, speakers, backlight and other things that are never compared, than you would get a totally different picture. Add to that the fact that you can go to genius bars with questions with your laptop under your arm, and I think the price is quite reasonable.

And the failed batteries? Where did you see these? On this forum? Did you ever think of how many battery recalls Sony, IBM and DELL had over the past decade? Just because Apple owners complain more about failing products, doesn't mean it happens more than with products of any other manufacturer..

Products fail, that's a given for any manufacturer. There is no possibility for Apple to produce a perfect product (or any manufacturer for that matter) as the product would become impossibly expensive. A totally indestructible phone would cost around 5000€ as a Vertu does, a totally indestructible MBP would set you back around 10000 to 15000€. Just imagine the extra engineering, design, testing and QA that would have to be put in. Would you buy that?

 

[LagunaSol]

there's 12 positive votes!?

Apple haters and Microsoft astroturfers abound on MacRumors these days. Surely they see exploding iPhones as great news.

Me, I'd like to know how a phone explodes with enough force to shatter glass without showing scorch marks or residue from the burst battery?

 

[peterdevries]

Apple haters and Microsoft astroturfers abound on MacRumors these days. Surely they see exploding iPhones as great news.

Me, I'd like to know how a phone explodes with enough force to shatter glass without showing scorch marks or residue from the burst battery?

Was there any talk that the battery burst? I didn't read it anywhere. The details about this thing are just sketchy and there is now way to draw any definite conclusion about what happened from what we know.

 

[whooleytoo]

And the failed batteries? Where did you see these? On this forum? Did you ever think of how many battery recalls Sony, IBM and DELL had over the past decade? Just because Apple owners complain more about failing products, doesn't mean it happens more than with products of any other manufacturer..

The first gen MBPs had a battery recall. Lots of problems with random shutdowns, and bulging batteries (two in our office lifted up off the desk). I'd hate to think what might happen if that kind of pressure/expansion happened in an enclosed (unibody) frame.

 

[LagunaSol]

Was there any talk that the battery burst? I didn't read it anywhere. The details about this thing are just sketchy and there is now way to draw any definite conclusion about what happened from what we know.

No, but glass doesn't tend to shatter without some external force; impact, pressure, dramatic temperature change. The most likely scenarios would be the phone was dropped (or sat upon) or it exploded. The hissing sound indicates something internal (does glass ever hiss on its own?) - and the only internal thing that would explode would be the battery.

I'm not drawing a conclusion, but I do find it highly unlikely that the glass would just spontaneously shatter without any outside influence.

Addendum: whooleytoo has a good point about a bulging battery, which possibly could cause the glass to shatter. A bulging battery would be easy enough to recognize.

 

[JAT]

the fact that you have to have a glossy screen is crap,

You do know that most mfgrs have historically ONLY offered glossy screens. A couple finally followed Apple with some anti-glare measures recently, just as Apple was getting away from the matte screens.

 

[DMann]

You do know that most mfgrs have historically ONLY offered glossy screens. A couple finally followed Apple with some anti-glare measures recently, just as Apple was getting away from the matte screens.

It's nice to know that they do listen - matte is back.

 

[pfml07]

I really could sit here and argue all day about prices and prouct flaws of many companies.

I still want a phone to explode in my face