Is this typical? Was switching from PC to Mac a Bad Idea?

[dr. shdw]

I definitely understand your frustration, but it's no reason to discount Apple entirely.

HOWEVER--their customer service in recent years seems to be less than it once was. I had a Powerbook 5300cs back in the 90's that I dropped on a cement sidewalk. My fault, pure neglect.

Apple replaced the display and the upper housing in 4 days flat, no questions asked.


That sold me on their laptops.

However, my last Apple laptop was, without a doubt, a lemon. In 4 years, I had:

• Multiple keys detach until Apple finally replaced the keyboard
• 2nd keyboard replacement because of stuck mechanisms
• Dead pixels on the screen I was repeatedly told by an Apple store "genius" that Apple would not cover
• Damaged, lighter areas of the screen where an InCase backpack apparently didn't protect the back of the display from the notebooks in the backpack
• Display finally replaced after many trips to the Apple store, only to have the backlight fail a few months later
• Hard drive failure
• Weird, undiagnosed issue where the computer could not find the startup disk
• Freezing problems and Kernel Panic so bad that Apple finally wiped the hard drive to try and solve the issue
• Repeated hardware-related Kernel Panics, several related to the faulty upper RAM slot I now understand Powerbook G4's have an issue with
• Trackpad failure and replacement


Now, I'm not gonna lie here. I beat the crap out of my laptops. I expect it to work, or be fixed. And all those headaches aside, Apple really has taken good care of me over the years. I'm convinced the Powerbook G4 was a lemon, but they covered it well past the end of my Applecare warranty.

My girlfriend is now using it--more gently--and it seems to be doing fine.

You have to realize, computer hardware is not perfect. Failures are possible. Lemons are possible. What matters is that Apple will take care of you, even if you have to call the 1-800-SOS-APPL line and send in your machine.

I know it's frustrating, and for a while there it seemed like my computer was failing every other week. I believe Apple should have replaced my machine with a refurbished model. I actually asked them to replace it, both through the general manager of the store I bought it at, and directly through Apple via the 1-800-SOS-APPL line multiple times, and was either outright laughed at, or told "well, we don't consider these issues major failures, so if it happens again..."

But, even after all that drama, I still got suckered into buying a MacBook Pro and am loving it. What can you do.

My other two machines ran flawlessly right up until the end, save for some minor cosmetic issues that cropped up in the 4th or 5th years of use. I'm hoping the current MBP will follow in their footsteps rather than the lemon's.

Wow, most of your issues can be bunched together...

All most likely due to a crappy 3rd party case.. as the increased pressure also screws with the keyboard.
• Damaged, lighter areas of the screen where an InCase backpack apparently didn't protect the back of the display from the notebooks in the backpack
• Display finally replaced after many trips to the Apple store, only to have the backlight fail a few months later
• Multiple keys detach until Apple finally replaced the keyboard
• 2nd keyboard replacement because of stuck mechanisms
• Trackpad failure and replacement

Hard drives fail like no other, probably caused the Kernel Panics/Unable to find disk, and I'm sure the memory slot didn't help either..
• Hard drive failure
• Weird, undiagnosed issue where the computer could not find the startup disk
• Freezing problems and Kernel Panic so bad that Apple finally wiped the hard drive to try and solve the issue

Not really a lemon, you just abused your laptop a lot..

 

[RoskO]

apple quality has lacked for the price they charge ....period. You pay a premium but don't necessarily get a better product, you just get a more physically appealing product.

 

[Inspired]

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to get anyone worked up here. I like the IDEA put forth by Apple in their Mac line, and I'm curious/worried that if I try to remain with these products, the problems I've experienced will just be the beginning.

Ideally, what I'd like to hear is that not all Apple products are beset by such numerous problems. That Apple does make a quality product and stands by it. I'd like to hear your experience with Macs, those that worked and those that didn't. For those that didn't, how you coped with the problems and how they were eventually resolved. Not in detail, but in a way that I can make use of in my specific case. In short: help, please. Not with technical support, but perhaps with commiseration to a problem you know yourself. I know a web forum cannot magically repair my notebook.

Perhaps, as the poster before you said, I just ended up with a lemon. Perhaps I'm being too picky, or expecting too much. I'd like to honestly know what this community thinks, an overall impression gleaned from many separate voices.

For venting my frustration the way I did in my original post, I apologize. Perhaps I was too openly emotional in expressing my frustrations. Just seemed as good a place as any, where others have felt the same pain.

Don't apologize, you didn't do anything wrong, there are some people around this forum that are just meanies , but there are even more nicer people on this forum that are more helpful.
Also yes, from my research it does seem like Macbooks run into a lot of problems, I think(don't quote me on this) that Apple probably doesn't put out it's top quality hardware so that it would get more of it's customers to buy AppleCare. If anyone cares to argue differently I would like you to make a simple search on this forum about AppleCare, you'll find TONS of "reasons" why it's a good idea to add another few hundred dollars onto your Apple Purchase.
I am not a PC Fanboy(I would actually prefer a macbook, just cause i dislike vista), but a PC user(since i dont have the luxury of buying a macbook for myself).
And if you feel that PC's gave you less headache by all means go for it, but still macbooks Mac OS X ARE definitely a lot more stable than Vista, macbooks gives you better battery life than your normal PC laptop, and are one of the lightest notebooks on the market with the specs they give.
I hope helps.

 

[RoskO]

but still macbooks Mac OS X ARE definitely a lot more stable than Vista, macbooks gives you better battery life than your normal PC laptop, and are one of the lightest notebooks on the market with the specs they give.
I hope helps.

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. OSX is not more stable....as a matter of fact I think it's less stable/able to handle problems than windows. I run Windows 7 x64 ultimate currently, I've run vista for a few years (since beta), and I've been on OSX 10.4, 10.5, and now snow Leop.....I can honestly say system stability is far superior on windows, in my experience, and I throw a lot more at windows than I do OSX. On OSX I typically browse the web, chat, use built in apps like iphoto/imovie etc...but really nothing crazy or hardcore on it. I haven't jumped in to xcode, don't do much local development on it...so it really should be able to handle anything with the specs I have. Just last night I was trying to fix my damn display port issues (see another post I have here and video of how unreliable display port is), I had safari open, and nothing else....nothing....not one other app. I jumped on facebook, was commenting on a status, and safari locked up tighter than a drum, with a cute beach ball of course. I figured it's probably some javascript or something locking up the browser....oh no.....I actually had to reboot the entire system to get it back up and running. I couldn't force quit, the OS wouldn't respond to any keystrokes, this is absolutely crazy to me. In windows, I'd just end task on the failing application/process and go about my way. And can we please unplug a usb device without being told how terrible it is to do so before telling the OS you are going to unplug it?

I use both operating systems heavily, this perception has really gotta stop. Unless you are a complete fanboy of one side, I'd expect more scrutiny from people that throw down $2000 + on an apple laptop, or windows laptop. And lets be honest....vista has been rock solid since SP1. Windows 7 is really nice, the battery life comparison isn't really fair if you pay attention to your comparisons. When you compare windows on a macbook pro, your comparison has already failed from the beginning, as apple doesn't even ship embedded video drivers for windows on bootcamp, it utilizes the 9600gt 100% of the time in windows, that rips the battery down to at least an hour less battery life, if not more, on the same laptop. If you compare a laptop that was built for windows, by someone like toshiba or lenovo, they do the same dual video card switching, and they get very very comparable battery life per watt hr.

I like Apple, I bought one, I like my iphone (and I don't hate the iphone for how bad att has made it look lately), so I don't think you can say I'm some "M$ dood trying to stir up the forums", but just be sensible if you start to lay down remarks and give advice to people, misleading advice at that.

My advice: If you use windows as much or more than you do OSX, then just buy a windows laptop. Apple is not worth the cost or physical appeal. If you like and cannot live without some things in OSX like iphoto, or you just plain enjoy the OS more for some reason, then get an apple. You do have 1year from the date of purchase to buy applecare, and you also could buy a used one on craigslist, many times they come with applecare and are well cared for.

You are the only person that can decide what you need, and what you really use it for.

 

[kdum8]

My Macbook Pro experience

I first got into the mac world in April 2008 with a Macbook Pro purchase. I switched from windows because I was fed up with the operating system and the constant problems. Macs just looked cooler and had a good reputation.

I have been very happy with OS X and can't fault it. Although I haven't tried Windows 7 yet, for me Leopard blew away XP and Vista.

However I get the feeling that Apple is not so hot on the quality control side of things. First my superdrive failed, then my battery died very-prematurely and today the MBP just stopped working. It just shows a blank screen when you turn it on. It is possibly the dreaded 8600 GT NVidia chip issue but I wont know for sure until I take it in to the store.

Yes I have Applecare but no I am not that impressed. For a machine that cost me over $3000 I have had three separate independent problems on it. Given that this is my first mac it hasn't done a lot for my first impressions. I love the mac though, and don't want to change but it is a worrying sign. One problem could perhaps be excused but three is just frustrating indeed. I considered paying over $3000 a lot but I was looking for something that just worked. OS yes, hardware, not so sure.

So here I am writing this on my old, old PC from 10 years ago in Windows XP. It might not be the sexiest beast in the world but at least it works and has never had a problem.

Yes I have Applecare so hopefully they will fix it for me free of charge but still it shouldn't really happen.

You always hear people saying that you have a lemon, but problems with Apple notebooks seem to be relatively common these days. Certainly I know a few people who have had issues.

Don't know what more to say. Love OS X, love the look of macs, a little disappointed with the quality control.

I'll certainly stick with Apple for a while and see what happens but my impressions have taken a dent.

*Update*

Took my MBP into the Applestore and the problem was confirmed as a failed Nvidia 8600M GT chip, although they couldn't run the test in the store in my case. The genius bar was very helpful and they fixed the notebook in an impressive 4 days and I got it back to my house by delivery courier.

Unfortunately as we all know I just have another 8600 GT GPU in my computer which no doubt will fail again...

 

[Jaro65]

I have the same model MBP as yours.
My superdrive needs replacing but I dont use it, so I am just living with it. I have it under Applecare and will probably wait until right at the last minute to get it replaced, That way, they may just give me a new MBP instead

Crossed fingers, my logic board hasn't needed replacement yet.

Smart!

I have similar MBP, and when I had the battery replaced under Applecare, the tech noticed light stripes on the screen in the dock area which I've seen on a few occasions (a reboot always fixed it). He told me to bring the laptop in so that they can replace the screen. But like you, I have plenty more time under Applecare and so I'll wait. Who knows, maybe we'll just get lucky.

To be honest though, my MBP has dual FireWire ports, which are perfect for having both an Apogee Duet and a FW800 HD plugged in, an ExpressCard slot, and a replaceable battery. I find that design quite a bit more desirable than the latest unibody models.

 

[mrsir2009]

For basic stuff try the Little Cat Choo Choo OS...

 

[mark28]

And if you feel that PC's gave you less headache by all means go for it, but still macbooks Mac OS X ARE definitely a lot more stable than Vista, macbooks gives you better battery life than your normal PC laptop, and are one of the lightest notebooks on the market with the specs they give.
I hope helps.

It's just marketing. Vista is very stable for more than a year now atleast ( I have Vista under dual boot and it never crashes ) . But most importantly the battery of the MBP does not have as much capacity "PC laptops" have. OS X just has better power savings something Linux can do too.

Under Linux I get about 4-5 hours while working ( with many apps open so not just surfing the internet without flash ). if my laptop had one of those 85 Wh batteries "PC laptops" nowadays have, I'd probably get 10 hours+ too ( there are Linux users who get this kind of battery life on a normal laptop, not a netbook )