Apple Having Support Problems?

[CrackedButter]

I've owned 4 macs.

First a G3 iBook, then a G4 AluBook, then an eMac and now I'm on a G4 iBook.

NEVER had a problem with any of the machines. They have been great. Just to let you know it isn't all bad. I also pay for .mac and have done for 2 years now. I'm happy with it and yes I get spam but the filter is very good and its hardly an issue for me.

 

[California]

I tell you, I've had nothing but trouble with Apple. I'm young, I'm a medical student (so relatively affluent), and I'm a "switcher." I'm their target audience! That switching part though, that was a mistake on my part. Mac OS X is beautiful software, I love it. Unfortunately I've had a lot of problems with the hardware. These days it's enough I wish I still had my IBM/Lenovo laptop--that never gave me problems.

I bought two new computers for the start of the school year, a macbook for me and an iMac for my fiance (sold on the iSights). The iMac arrived with a faulty graphics system. The screen looked like it was in 4-bit mode, but only every other vertical line, sometimes. It was whack, out of the box, and they wanted me to have it repaired. I wanted a new one, or a discount because apparently what I bought was a refurbished computer (that's what I call a new computer that's already gone in for major repair once). That argument lasted hours and required talking with some upper management at Applecare. They were not sympathetic.

My macbook was a greater problem. First of all, it is essential to my life: academics, scientific research and analysis, reports, email, everything. And it started shutting down on my spontaneously. I sent it in for repair. They very quickly replaced the case (why?) and sent it back to me (kudos for speed). Unfortunately they didn't fix the problem and within days it had resumed the spontaneous shutdowns. Sent it back in, not happy, and they kept it for a week. They replaced the case (again, why?). I need something that's reliable every day and now I'm upset. They ship the computer back. The same day I get it back the screen goes black and it won't boot up. It powers on but I can't see anything. With an external monitor I get it working again, but now every single time I start my Macbook I have to reset the PRAM or it won't do anything--black screen. WTF Apple!

Now I call this a lemon. This machine is clearly broken badly. I'm pissed. I call Apple. Applecare technician agrees with me and sends me to a "product specialist" who wants me to again reset the ram and everything the tech just had me do. Then he wants me to send it in for repair again. Absolutely not! This will the third major repair in one month. I want a new computer. Well, he can't really do that he says. I was so angry. An hour later we had contacted Customer Service but their line suddenly went dead mid-conversation and then Mr. Specialist didn't know what to do. He asked me to hold a few minutes. Suddenly he could look into replacing my computer. Three hours on the line already!!! By the end of this he wants me to take my machine to the local Apple Store and they will determine whether they're willing to replace it or not.

Finally I got somewhere when I called corporate to complain. Another hour on the phone and several legal documents faxed back and forth (honestly, legal documents indemnifying them of further claims!), and supposedly a replacement computer is now on its way to me. Not that I have a tracking number or any way to verify this is actually the case.

I didn't know Apple before the Intel switch, but I'm deeply disappointed. In fact I recommend to anyone who asks to avoid purchasing an Apple computer. The hardware obviously has serious flaws and is unreliable. The tech support, as far as it goes is excellent, but it doesn't go far at all.

That has been my experience. This kind of service will nip Apple's success in the bud. They better change something and fast.

Dude. You bought Rev. A machines. I've bought -- EIGHTEEN Macs over the past two years and -- nope NO problems. Granted, they are all PowerPc Macs. Just bought the final Rev. PowerPC 12" Powerbook G4 last week. I'm pleased as punch.

Sorry about your luck but you bought Rev. A machines. The only Rev A machine I ever bought from Apple was the Titanium (tibook) 400mhz G4 Powerbook in August of 2001. Three years later, almost to the day the warranty ended, Apple replaced almost the whole machine under Applecare. That was about my only trouble with Apple, and the problem with the machine was that I was really scared and all thumbs when it came to putting in a stick of memory -- broke the holders and they sent a whole new logic board. That machine is still going strong, with a DayStar CPU upgrade, in a friend's office, and it's got years left in her.

Three of my friends still are on 1998 and 1999 iMacs, going strong with new harddrives only. Two of my other friends are on 2001 and 2000 year iMacs -- one with the same hard drive. Two friends are on 2001/2000 iBooks, going strong. My sister and two other friends are on year 2002 iMacs. All kicking butt. Personally, I prefer my year 2002 667mhz VGA Titanium Powerbook (on it right now) to my other machines and will be upgrading the CPU to 1.2ghz in a few months at Daystar. All to say that Apple makes kickbutt machines. Sorry about your luck. Oh, and again, forgot to mention that since i've been on Apple since 1989, I never had a virus. I bought NOrton Anti Virus out of ignorance once inthe 90's and once in 2002, but promptly took it off the puters, unnecessary.

If I were you, I'd have started off with the top of the line G5 2.1ghz 20" iMac (with iSight) and a 14" 1.42ghz iBook. You understand, these are the top of the line of the great PowerPC line of Apple products. It's like buying a 1989 560SL Mercedes (last year) or a 1968 Mustang convertible. I'd ask Apple for a trade 'em in for your rev a machines at least until Rev C Mactels.

 

[DeVizardofOZ]

No matter...

... what you, "a consumer", spends his hard-earned money for, you should expect a product with an acceptable life-span, period!

Don't be too forgiving, when you get a lemon, whoever made it, just demand a replacement. Anything less means you get a fixed lemon, and probably waited for it days or weeks. It is unfortunate that manufacturers get away with murder, when you let them...

Whatever we buy, we want the single engine plane NOT to stop in mid-air, the car to run, and the brakes to brake, the computer to compute, the harddrive to last, the battery not to melt, and the screen not to flicker, etc. etc.

If this still happens it means the manufacturer, and those who should kick their butt in terms of QC, are simply not doing their job.

I don't get paid if I don't do my job. Anyone out there who does not get my meaning???

 

[satzzz]

Not everywhere is the apple support poor. Here in the netherlands I can't complain about the service and support!

I think it is also because of the knowlegde of apple. They have worked years with the "old" powermacs, and they know how to repair or support every problem and/or hardware, just because there expirience..

Now apple is switching to Intel, They don't have that expirience that they had with the "old" powermacs...

 

[ryanw]

Missing the point

I've owned 4 macs.

First a G3 iBook, then a G4 AluBook, then an eMac and now I'm on a G4 iBook.

NEVER had a problem with any of the machines. They have been great. Just to let you know it isn't all bad. I also pay for .mac and have done for 2 years now. I'm happy with it and yes I get spam but the filter is very good and its hardly an issue for me.

If you haven't been reading the comments, it would appear MOST people are complaining about the more recent models. I would agree with most that the Powermac G5's have had serious issues and now recent macbook's... Apple needs to do one of the following ... Higher Quality Assurance testing OR better support cause right now they're missing both.

 

[DeVizardofOZ]

Not switching, but switched...

Now apple is switching to Intel, They don't have that expirience that they had with the "old" powermacs...

...When the APPLE management decided to go with the INTEL platform, I considered that an intelligent decision, even though I think they should have kept the door open to AMD (maybe they have internally). At the same time they knew the possible problems, and should have done their soft- as well as hardware-homework, like R&D. Now it seems they do what MS has been doing for the past decades with their problem stricken OS's... let the poor consumer do it for them... Very bad policy!

I will buy a MBP, but will wait until things get better. By doing so I probably will get the benefit of an new formfactor, the MEROM, a faster FSB, maybe even a higher resolution on the 17"... We'll see.

 

[Henri Gaudier]

I don't get it.

Every time I read a thread on Apple's reliability or Apple's service I rarely see my experiences mirrored but this time there seems to be a lot of disatisfied people out there. I've had nearly a dozen Macs and everyone has either died or needed something major correcting. And everytime the service from Apple has been diabolical. EVERYTIME. Often native Dutch or German centres I think. How can this be with all of these Apple are great stories? "Our customer satisfaction is very high" Schiller sh*t!! And as for the Indian call centre closing down as quickly as it opened remark - well that just shows you Apples attitude to workers rights doesn't it. Globalisation crap. Apple are a wank capitalist corp that designs nice products and then they get someone else to make them in the cheapest way possible. All this idolatry. There service may be good in the US for whatever reasons, pride or US consumer expectations but when they travel abroad they don't give a sh*t. Trust me. If only there was some way out but after the thousands I've spent on software... there's no changing.

 

[kresh]

If you haven't been reading the comments, it would appear MOST people are complaining about the more recent models. I would agree with most that the Powermac G5's have had serious issues and now recent macbook's... Apple needs to do one of the following ... Higher Quality Assurance testing OR better support cause right now they're missing both.

I'm 40 years old and literally can't remember how many computers I have purchased for personal use. I normally only keep a computer for 5 or 6 months before getting something newer. I know I had to have purchased 50 or 60 computers for personal use.

My very first Apple product was a 1.25GHz G4 Mac Mini. (March 2005 I think) On advice from a friend, I purchased this computer and he helped me over-clock it to 1.58GHz and upgrade to 1GB ram.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a power user, but I absolutely love this little computer. It's the best piece of electronics I have ever purchased, and it's the longest time I have ever kept a computer. I just can't imagine using any other operating system, for ANY reason.

My whole household is now all macs, my wife and 4 kids each have one. The 6 mac mini's that we have in our house are unconditionally flawless.

I was going to put my Mini on eBay this weekend and get a MacBook Saturday at the Apple store in Raleigh. I was assuming the MacBook was a Mini in a notebook case, but now I'm scared of doing so. If the MacBook is not as nice and reliable as my mini, I would be extremely upset.

Sorry to ramble on so, but it is really rare for me to find a product, or anything, that has impressed me as much as my Mini has.

After the long story, would any of you really recommend the MacBook vs my Mini (knowing that I love it so)?

 

[CrackedButter]

If you haven't been reading the comments, it would appear MOST people are complaining about the more recent models. I would agree with most that the Powermac G5's have had serious issues and now recent macbook's... Apple needs to do one of the following ... Higher Quality Assurance testing OR better support cause right now they're missing both.

Maybe so about the recent models but...

G3 iBooks suffered greatly from logic board problems, I didn't have any, AluBooks when they came out had loads of troubles with their screens and the palm rests and eMac's had their fair share of issues as well. I didn't suffer either on either of those issues.

My point is: It doesn't matter if it is intel or PPC designs. Hardware is going to fail and its potluck on how when and why.

 

[DeVizardofOZ]

APPLE does not just operate in the USAofA...

It is time APPLE implements clear policies for their WW operations in terms of repairs, returns, and the like. It is not enough, when the service in the US or UK is great it must be great everywhere, including Hongkong and the Mainland. That would send a signal to all those switchers, turned off by the what they read here and their own experiences.

There is no perfection, but at least APPLE should strive visibly in that direction.

 

[AppleJustWorks]

always sucked...

in my experience, their support has always sucked..even from day 1 with my first PowerMac G5 back in 2004.

Let's see...

PowerMac G5 arrived with a defective superdrive, miscalibrated fans. The genius 'couldn't hear the fans', and accidentally put the repair in someone else's name, so when I tried to pick it up, I had to haggle to get it. Oh, and when I did finally get it, the superdrive was still broken. Super...

Cinema Display arrived with 7 dead pixels...I know this is a touchy issue, but the problem with their support regarding it was that none of them knew the actual number to replace it at. The phone people told me 5, the store (after the 45 minute drive there) told me 15, and another rep (who finally replaced it) told me 3.

iMac G5 had a defective power supply on arrival--would shut off randomly, some times not turning on. They refused to acknowledge this the first time we were there...the second time we were there...third time...fourth time they gave in--by saying "we'll keep it overnight." They still.."couldn't find a problem." When they gave it back, it worked for..two weeks, then the fans started being wonky. They couldn't hear that the first or second visit, on the third visit they took it overnight, "couldn't hear any audible issue", but it shutdown on them. I guess taking our word for it, they replaced the fan assembly, logic board, and power supply. Worked for a month, now it still shuts down.

MacBook Pro had the defective battery (random shutdowns), now fixed. Also, I had the screen buzz (now fixed), CPU A Whine (now fixed). They basically fixed all the issues in this machine, but were four days over their expected return time.

I'm not saying their support is totally crap, but they're certainly not consistent in performance, technical knowledge, friendliness, or even coverage. I was talking to a friend about "what I'd do if I were Steve Jobs," and the first thing we agreed on was to fire the entire AppleCare department, and all the genius', because they all seem to suck.

But hey, my iBook G4 and MacBook are fine...

 

[daneoni]

Might as well add my story. My 2005 PB (non Hi-Res) i bought in august 05 started forcefully going to sleep. The genius almost gave me hell saying he couldnt prove anything and that i should re-install...yeah that'll happen.

Luckily every record of the sleeps could be found in console logs so i simply save them and marched down there the next day. This time he had no choice but to take it in. After supposedly getting fixed i picked up the laptop,got home, powered it up and lo and behold it slept in like 10 seconds and had a wonky trackpad. Took it back and they replaced the MLB again this time giving me a 1.67 MLB (i had a 1.5GHz).

I got home and things were fine for a while until the powerbook this time refused to go to sleep talk about irony. Off to the Apple store again, took it in again this time for about a week and a half (this is the only machine i have) and when it came back "fixed" i had been given my original MLB (my clock speed was now back to 1.5GHz, my serial number was back to what it was after not having one due to replacements) and there were scratches and crud on the casing. In essence i wasted my time completely.

I immidiately took it home and sold it as is, i just couldn't be bothered to complain anymore.

Hmmm support could be better but it could also be worse.

PS i'm in the UK.

 

[andrewfee]

Apple support in the UK is terrible. When I had an iMac G5 (Rev.A) I had no end of problems and was without the machine for at least 2-3 months. (which actually cost me some work, as I had just started to do some web design for a local business)

After 5 faults (the last two being it coming back from repair with a damaged screen and a dead hard drive) I eventually convinced them to replace it, but rather than getting another iMac, I figured I'd go for a "safe" option and go for a Rev.D Powerbook as I figured they would have sorted out all the faults. Now, to be fair, I did get a maxed out 17" one as compensation (although they screwed that up and I had to get the RAM sent out separately and fit it myself) but I'd rather have had a perfectly working iMac.

Not much with the Powerbook either though - I had a dead sound board within a couple of weeks of owning it (which meant I was without it for a week or so) and I've now been without the proper use of it for two months again. When it came back from service the first time after being "fixed" it had this:

I've had an iSkin cover on it from day one, so it couldn't have been caused by me (see the next pic) and other than a hairline scratch next to the trackpad (you can't even see it in the photo) it was perfect - it hasn't even been out of my house. Not the first scratched machine I've had either. (if I remember correctly, the first Powerbook was scratched out of the box)


The screen brightness wasn't fixed either, they just disabled my calibrated profile, which gets back maybe 5cd/m2:

As you can see, it used to be quite good:

They replaced the main logic board, but the buzzing that started (and it makes "chirping" noises when running iMovie) is still there.

Funnily enough, as soon as I called to complain, they got the part in the next day (or so they claim) and have said I should have it back next week. I've been told to call up again next Thursday - if I have it back (and working!) by then, I'll be entitled to some kind of compensation, if not, then they'll sort out a replacement machine.

For £280 I'm appalled at the level of service.

I've had far more downtime since switching to a Mac than any other computer - back when I had a store-bought PC years ago from somewhere local, I was without it maybe for a week over a period of several years. When I started building my own machines (at least 5/6 years ago now) that was down to a matter of days. (I could either pick up the parts locally the same day, or order online with next-day shipping)

Since buying the first iMac G5 (got one the day they were available, if I remember correctly) it must have been at least 4-6 months I've been without my computer now. (right now I'm now back to using an old PC I've built from spare parts - but there are at least two parts on their way out - keeps crashing and sometimes refuses to boot, but I'm not going to be buying more hardware for it, unless Apple want to pay the bill)

It probably wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the fact that I'm disabled, and my only real contact with the "outside world" and friends is via the internet.

I absolutely love the OS, and Apple's software, and the hardware is fantastic when it works, but I'm having doubts as to whether my next machine will be from them or not. (realistically, I don't think I could drop OSX for Windows, but I can't believe how unreliable these things are)

At least they're not as bad as Samsung though - they had my two-month-old LCD HDTV in repair for over four months (the store said I had to wait for the repair to be done and get them the TV back to get a refund) which left me with a 14" Portable CRT during that time, and when I eventually did get it back, it went up in smoke as soon as I plugged it in and turned it on - literally!

 

[AdeFowler]

How depressing

It seems to me that there are very few clear policies at Apple Support; it often depends on who you talk to. For example;

my 15" PowerBook had a stuck red pixel. I rang Apple and the guy said "Sorry but that's within acceptable limits (for Apple)". I put the phone down and rang again. The next guy said it was totally unacceptable and insisted on sending me a new machine.

I'm on the verge of getting a friend to buy a MacBook but I'm seriously scared, having preached to her for years about Apple's legendary quality and support.

If you're reading this Steve, spend your next $100m on staff training

 

[DeVizardofOZ]

Luck...

in my experience, their support has always sucked..even from day 1 with my first PowerMac G5 back in 2004.

Let's see...

PowerMac G5 arrived with a defective superdrive, miscalibrated fans. The genius 'couldn't hear the fans', and accidentally put the repair in someone else's name, so when I tried to pick it up, I had to haggle to get it. Oh, and when I did finally get it, the superdrive was still broken. Super...

Cinema Display arrived with 7 dead pixels...I know this is a touchy issue, but the problem with their support regarding it was that none of them knew the actual number to replace it at. The phone people told me 5, the store (after the 45 minute drive there) told me 15, and another rep (who finally replaced it) told me 3.

iMac G5 had a defective power supply on arrival--would shut off randomly, some times not turning on. They refused to acknowledge this the first time we were there...the second time we were there...third time...fourth time they gave in--by saying "we'll keep it overnight." They still.."couldn't find a problem." When they gave it back, it worked for..two weeks, then the fans started being wonky. They couldn't hear that the first or second visit, on the third visit they took it overnight, "couldn't hear any audible issue", but it shutdown on them. I guess taking our word for it, they replaced the fan assembly, logic board, and power supply. Worked for a month, now it still shuts down.

MacBook Pro had the defective battery (random shutdowns), now fixed. Also, I had the screen buzz (now fixed), CPU A Whine (now fixed). They basically fixed all the issues in this machine, but were four days over their expected return time.

I'm not saying their support is totally crap, but they're certainly not consistent in performance, technical knowledge, friendliness, or even coverage. I was talking to a friend about "what I'd do if I were Steve Jobs," and the first thing we agreed on was to fire the entire AppleCare department, and all the genius', because they all seem to suck.

But hey, my iBook G4 and MacBook are fine...

There shouldn't be LUCK involved when buying ANYTHING, including an APPLE

 

[seenew]

Well, as its been said that only the bad issues get brought up, I'll share my feelings.
I've had nothing but good experience with Apple. When I first got my 5G iPod, I bought the old iTrip along with it from Apple.com at the same time. Well, of course, later I found out that model of iTrip was not compatible. I called Apple up and told them I bought an incompatible product that was listed alongside the 5G iPod on their site. Basically they told me I should be more careful next time to check for compatibility, but then they refunded me the full $40 and told me just to keep the iTrip. I sold it to a friend.

Later down the road, I managed to get a HUGE dent in the back of this same iPod, and it died. I sent it in for repairs, and they sent me a new one (or refurb) really quick, and free of charge. It wasn't even covered under the warranty! (physical damage, that is)

I'm running a 20" Intel iMac, and so far for 2 months I've had no problems, and I hear that once you're past the 3 month mark, you're probably good to go, so I'm waiting..

 

[mdriftmeyer]

Manufacturing observation:

Back in 1996 every major manufacturer did most of its assembly in the U.S. or Western Europe.

Take a guess where it mainly resides now?

People want a $1000 laptop/notebook. Back in 1996 they'd be lucky to get an DX4/100 Intel PC for $1000 by Digital, HP, Compaq, etc.

Check this old message group Email about the Alpha Processor (Then cutting edge)

http://www.xent.com/summer96/0060.html

If you think offloading manufacturing/assembly to third world countries for pennies on the dollar only gives us cheap and powerful computer to use then you really miss the boat on QA.

You aren't going to get systems for basement prices that include Workstation reliable parts, assembly and longevity from anyone.

Battery flaws that SONY has are affecting many in the industry.

Motherboard designs for these new generation chips will always produce flaws.

Second revision rule of thumb.

When you go and buy a car do you buy the first year of a new model? Or do you wait a year or two?

The Auto Industry has been building cars for over 100 years and they still get horrendous recalls.

Get used to the disposable society. From Blenders, to hairdryers/coffee makers, to major tool manufacturers the days of buy and use for a decade or more cost major bucks and the low end, plastic encased models are tested for failure time frames.

This business market is driving people to purchase every twelve or less months.

I'm still going to wait on revision B of the Mac Pro. I've got more than one operating system/hardware combo and I won't die without the Mac Pro.

 

[gregorsamsa]

But Apple products/support still better than most!

in my experience, their support has always sucked..even from day 1 with my first PowerMac G5 back in 2004.

Let's see...

PowerMac G5 arrived with a defective superdrive, miscalibrated fans. The genius 'couldn't hear the fans', and accidentally put the repair in someone else's name, so when I tried to pick it up, I had to haggle to get it. Oh, and when I did finally get it, the superdrive was still broken. Super...

Cinema Display arrived with 7 dead pixels...I know this is a touchy issue, but the problem with their support regarding it was that none of them knew the actual number to replace it at. The phone people told me 5, the store (after the 45 minute drive there) told me 15, and another rep (who finally replaced it) told me 3.

iMac G5 had a defective power supply on arrival--would shut off randomly, some times not turning on. They refused to acknowledge this the first time we were there...the second time we were there...third time...fourth time they gave in--by saying "we'll keep it overnight." They still.."couldn't find a problem." When they gave it back, it worked for..two weeks, then the fans started being wonky. They couldn't hear that the first or second visit, on the third visit they took it overnight, "couldn't hear any audible issue", but it shutdown on them. I guess taking our word for it, they replaced the fan assembly, logic board, and power supply. Worked for a month, now it still shuts down.

MacBook Pro had the defective battery (random shutdowns), now fixed. Also, I had the screen buzz (now fixed), CPU A Whine (now fixed). They basically fixed all the issues in this machine, but were four days over their expected return time.

I'm not saying their support is totally crap, but they're certainly not consistent in performance, technical knowledge, friendliness, or even coverage. I was talking to a friend about "what I'd do if I were Steve Jobs," and the first thing we agreed on was to fire the entire AppleCare department, and all the genius', because they all seem to suck.

But hey, my iBook G4 and MacBook are fine...

You, & some others here, have obviously had more than your fair share of bad luck with Apple. Customers paying good money rightly expect to receive faultless products every time. When they don't, it's understandable they're peeved off. In this respect, Apple must do better.

Many others, however, swear by Apple's general reliability & quality of products. (My iBook, bought only last October, is used at least a few hours almost daily. So far, no problems whatsoever!). Fact is, statistics consistently prove Apple still to be one of the best computer manufacturers when it comes to longevity of their products.

PS. I'm not an Apple fanboy. My next computer (a 15.4" laptop) may not even be another Apple. But I'm 100% sure I will buy another Apple computer in future, not least because of the general high quality I know I can expect from Apple compared to many PC manufacturers, & a wonderful OS to boot! - But, then again, if Apple's QC was to deteriorate significantly, & get a consistently growing number of customer complaints...

 

[gauriemma]

No, because different versions of the ranges were initially posted only recently has it been clarified...get with the program and stop trying to be a smartass

Get with what program? I went to the support site on the day the recall was announced, checked to see if my serial number was in the range, it wasn't, and I went on with my life. Just to be safe, I even checked back a couple days later, and the ranges were still the same as the first time I checked.

I had to do the same thing wheh I was checking out our Dell laptops at the office. It's really not that difficult a concept. I think some people just like to have something to complain about.

 

[daneoni]

Get with what program? I went to the support site on the day the recall was announced, checked to see if my serial number was in the range, it wasn't, and I went on with my life. Just to be safe, I even checked back a couple days later, and the ranges were still the same as the first time I checked.

I had to do the same thing wheh I was checking out our Dell laptops at the office. It's really not that difficult a concept. I think some people just like to have something to complain about.

Some sites were reporting wrong ranges, at the end of the day its which site alerts you first, in my case it was MR and they didnt get it right initially which is.......confusing

 

[zelet]

After reading through this thread, doesn't it concern everyone that so many of us have dealt with customer support over the past couple years.

What ever happened to quality control? I am not sure I have ever bought one Apple product since 1996 that I didn't end up calling Apple Customer support because something was wrong.

I remember buying a lot of computers, Apple II's, original macs, Commodore 64's, Amigas, Dells, etc. that never once required a phone call. Now everything I buy from Apple breaks or needs a repair prior to it's warranty running out. I have also had two machines and an ipod go completely bad after the warranty expired.

To be fair to Apple - all electronics suck really badly. People have demanded cheap for years so all the manufacturers put the priority on price over quality. Every single piece of electronics is made by some 14 year old Chinese slave... er... laborer. Of course your stuff is going to break.

Washing machines used to last 15 years. They last about 5 (max) now. I have a Palm PDA from high school that still works. The one from College stopped working after 9 months. I bought a brand-new TV that started getting green spots after 4 months. My parents still have a TV that works as good as it could from 10 years ago.

 

[wnurse]

Dude. You bought Rev. A machines. I've bought -- EIGHTEEN Macs over the past two years and -- nope NO problems. Granted, they are all PowerPc Macs. Just bought the final Rev. PowerPC 12" Powerbook G4 last week. I'm pleased as punch.

Sorry about your luck but you bought Rev. A machines. The only Rev A machine I ever bought from Apple was the Titanium (tibook) 400mhz G4 Powerbook in August of 2001. Three years later, almost to the day the warranty ended, Apple replaced almost the whole machine under Applecare. That was about my only trouble with Apple, and the problem with the machine was that I was really scared and all thumbs when it came to putting in a stick of memory -- broke the holders and they sent a whole new logic board. That machine is still going strong, with a DayStar CPU upgrade, in a friend's office, and it's got years left in her.

Three of my friends still are on 1998 and 1999 iMacs, going strong with new harddrives only. Two of my other friends are on 2001 and 2000 year iMacs -- one with the same hard drive. Two friends are on 2001/2000 iBooks, going strong. My sister and two other friends are on year 2002 iMacs. All kicking butt. Personally, I prefer my year 2002 667mhz VGA Titanium Powerbook (on it right now) to my other machines and will be upgrading the CPU to 1.2ghz in a few months at Daystar. All to say that Apple makes kickbutt machines. Sorry about your luck. Oh, and again, forgot to mention that since i've been on Apple since 1989, I never had a virus. I bought NOrton Anti Virus out of ignorance once inthe 90's and once in 2002, but promptly took it off the puters, unnecessary.

If I were you, I'd have started off with the top of the line G5 2.1ghz 20" iMac (with iSight) and a 14" 1.42ghz iBook. You understand, these are the top of the line of the great PowerPC line of Apple products. It's like buying a 1989 560SL Mercedes (last year) or a 1968 Mustang convertible. I'd ask Apple for a trade 'em in for your rev a machines at least until Rev C Mactels.

California, it's replies like this that pisses switchers off, even seasones mac users get upset with these replies. What the hell is Rev A?. What idiot argument is this?. That's it ok for apple to make a ****ed-up product cause it's the first version?. What?.. apple just started making computers that they don't know how to make quality products until they already made the first version?. Apple should be horrified at your suggestion. Imagine if no one bought Rev A (whatever the **** that means) machines from Apple. APPLE WOULD GO BROKE!!. There's always Rev A machines when it comes to computers dude. The next mac pro upgrade will use a new processor, faster, new video, more ram, newer harddrive and becomes rev A cause THEY ARE THE FIRST APPLE PRODUCTS TO USE THE NEW UPGRADED PROCESSOR, NEW HARDDIVE, ETC. Really, stop with this nonsense. You are like the 10th idiotic apple fan I have read using this dumb argument.

 

[AppleJustWorks]

California, it's replies like this that pisses switchers off, even seasones mac users get upset with these replies. What the hell is Rev A?. What idiot argument is this?. That's it ok for apple to make a ****ed-up product cause it's the first version?. What?.. apple just started making computers that they don't know how to make quality products until they already made the first version?. Apple should be horrified at your suggestion. Imagine if no one bought Rev A (whatever the **** that means) machines from Apple. APPLE WOULD GO BROKE!!. There's always Rev A machines when it comes to computers dude. The next mac pro upgrade will use a new processor, faster, new video, more ram, newer harddrive and becomes rev A cause THEY ARE THE FIRST APPLE PRODUCTS TO USE THE NEW UPGRADED PROCESSOR, NEW HARDDIVE, ETC. Really, stop with this nonsense. You are like the 10th idiotic apple fan I have read using this dumb argument.

Right on. I made the same argument to someone on a different forum, and it's just amazing how fanboy mac users concoct these elaborate theories of why apple screwing up is acceptable.

The point is, by simple logic, yes, the following revisions of a product tend to be more reliable because they've had time to address issues, but no, that doesn't mean (anyone) shouldn't buy a machine purely because of it's revision number. If that was the case, then Apple would be out of business. Period.

 

[BackInTheSaddle]

A lot of it is perception...if you don't get a defect, the product is great. But as the chairman of Matsushita (Panasonic) once observed about product quality, no matter how high your standards are, for the person getting a problem unit, your quality is 100% defective. I'm paraphrasing, but that's the essence of it. There are more people buying Apple computers today than ever before, so there will be a much larger volume of problems.

I've had great experiences with Applecare so far, only one instance where I felt the person was reading his answers off a cue card. If I talk to an engineer, I get someone who knows the product, understands the problem I'm explaining and is actually able to solve the problem, in American English so far, thank God. Don't know what tech support is like for those folks outside of the USA and Canada, but Apple gets a big thumbs up from me. (That doesn't apply to .Mac however; Apple REALLY needs to improve support there.)

And for my money, Dell and Toshiba could learn a thing or two from Apple on how to provide tech support.

 

[EagerDragon]

I'm the same way. I have had .mac since way back when it was "Free for Life" and I just have gotten used to keeping it. I also keep thinking that ole Jobs and company are going to come up with the killer .mac app that will make .mac indespensible.

I'm still waiting...
waiting...
waiting...
waiting...

One more update for .mac in Sept. If they don't give me a compelling reason to continue, next year I will not re-subscribe. There I made my mind. LOL