I think they tend to have problems in specific areas. I know that lots of people report issues with the slot-load DVD drives on all of the macbooks. I don't find this to be (entirely) apple's fault though, as there are so few companies that even make these types of drives that finding a quality supplier is probably hard.
Fundamentally, their computers are the same as other manufacturers. Anyone who thinks their is something (drastically) different about mac hardware (at least with respect to the main components like hard drives, disc drives, ram, etc) needs a reality check. Things like the screen, trackpad, etc, are unquestionably nicer and make using the computer better (and account for the price difference).
With respect to iPods - my first one (iPod 4G) died when a friend jokingly threw me into a wall. The hard drive sounded like death for about 2-3 months, and then it went. My 5G had the headphone jack break, but I replaced it on my own. Still works ~3 years after purchase.
Fundamentally, their computers are the same as other manufacturers. Anyone who thinks their is something (drastically) different about mac hardware (at least with respect to the main components like hard drives, disc drives, ram, etc) needs a reality check. Things like the screen, trackpad, etc, are unquestionably nicer and make using the computer better (and account for the price difference).
With respect to iPods - my first one (iPod 4G) died when a friend jokingly threw me into a wall. The hard drive sounded like death for about 2-3 months, and then it went. My 5G had the headphone jack break, but I replaced it on my own. Still works ~3 years after purchase.