Hi everyone. Some of you may remember that a little while back I posted a thread debating between which MacBook to buy. Now I've decided, but to be perfectly honest I still haven't completely decided if I'm willing to go that route over a PC.
Let me give you some background information on my computer ownership.
My first desktop, an eMachines PC, lasted me a good six years before I replaced it. I didn't have a single problem during that time, be it with hardware or software. The only reason I'm not still using it today is because it simply got too old, it was already outdated at the time I bought it and it had little capability for upgrades. The desktop I replaced it with, another PC, has already lasted four years and is still going strong. Like the last one, it hasn't had a single hiccup since I purchased it.
I also have a Windows laptop, which is currently on the fifth year of it's life. Unfortunately, this one doesn't have the same flawless record. During it's fourth year, just after the warranty ran out. The hinges broke and had to be repaired. Since then they have been cracking consistently and look to be breaking again. I've never had a problem with the software or the components, I've just decided the case is too bulky and flimsily built and I don't feel like I can count on it anymore.
Which brings me to the reliability of the MacBook. This (if I buy it) will be my first Mac, but I've done a lot of research on the subject and have found several alarming trends. First, a lot of people are saying it took them several tries to get the "right" MacBook. The first, even second or third ones they walked away with had some glaring problem, and had to keep being replaced until the user got what is now their current one. As someone who has consistently gotten high-quality machines on my initial purchases, this is somewhat disturbing. Second, the necessity of AppleCare. I understand if you want to be covered just in case, but many people assert that something WILL go wrong during the three years you're covered. I could point out that my first desktop went almost double that time without a problem, but I understand that notebooks are a different entity. Instead I will point out that even though my laptop is poorly constructed, it didn't have it's first problem until after the three year warranty expired. Are Macs really that prone to repair?
Whatever machine I buy needs to last me at least five years. My current laptop has help out that long, so I don't think it's an unreasonable expectation. And even though I've heard all these horror stories, I'm aware that on the other side of the spectrum many of you have held on to your iBooks and PowerBooks a long time. So, I'm torn. I'm willing to pay a premium for a machine that won't let me down. The question is, will Apple deviler?
Let me give you some background information on my computer ownership.
My first desktop, an eMachines PC, lasted me a good six years before I replaced it. I didn't have a single problem during that time, be it with hardware or software. The only reason I'm not still using it today is because it simply got too old, it was already outdated at the time I bought it and it had little capability for upgrades. The desktop I replaced it with, another PC, has already lasted four years and is still going strong. Like the last one, it hasn't had a single hiccup since I purchased it.
I also have a Windows laptop, which is currently on the fifth year of it's life. Unfortunately, this one doesn't have the same flawless record. During it's fourth year, just after the warranty ran out. The hinges broke and had to be repaired. Since then they have been cracking consistently and look to be breaking again. I've never had a problem with the software or the components, I've just decided the case is too bulky and flimsily built and I don't feel like I can count on it anymore.
Which brings me to the reliability of the MacBook. This (if I buy it) will be my first Mac, but I've done a lot of research on the subject and have found several alarming trends. First, a lot of people are saying it took them several tries to get the "right" MacBook. The first, even second or third ones they walked away with had some glaring problem, and had to keep being replaced until the user got what is now their current one. As someone who has consistently gotten high-quality machines on my initial purchases, this is somewhat disturbing. Second, the necessity of AppleCare. I understand if you want to be covered just in case, but many people assert that something WILL go wrong during the three years you're covered. I could point out that my first desktop went almost double that time without a problem, but I understand that notebooks are a different entity. Instead I will point out that even though my laptop is poorly constructed, it didn't have it's first problem until after the three year warranty expired. Are Macs really that prone to repair?
Whatever machine I buy needs to last me at least five years. My current laptop has help out that long, so I don't think it's an unreasonable expectation. And even though I've heard all these horror stories, I'm aware that on the other side of the spectrum many of you have held on to your iBooks and PowerBooks a long time. So, I'm torn. I'm willing to pay a premium for a machine that won't let me down. The question is, will Apple deviler?
