MacBook Pro v Wife

[Ifti]

When you have purchased something yourself, with your own hard earned money, you appreciate it and want to keep it in mint condition.
When something is given to you for nothing, that same appreciation is not there, so I guess you don't care for it as much.

Have the same when I hand my prestine phones down to the kids (teens) and they scratch the thing up! But hey, it's a 'thing' at the end of the day. I'd rather they scratch that than scratch, or God forbid more, themselves.

You've given the equipment to someone else. It's not yours any more - let them be free with it........and suffer your pain in silence! lol

 

[eyoungren]

That’s offensively stupid. Carrying a laptop by its open screen would immediately disqualify a person from working at my place. Not even a Yoga should be carried that way. Common sense should be a minimum requirement.

I don't know anything about your business, but here is a hypothetical question. What if this person was bringing in the money for your business? Would that make any difference?

I worked for a weekly newspaper for 14.5 years. The top sales rep was the main reason the business survived that long. But she was toad, a real mean person who railroaded the owners, treated everyone else like garbage and absolutely refused to have anything to do with technology. The day the boss got a computer in her office she had a screaming fit at him, telling him where he could get off. The man who signed her paychecks.

It was my and my coworkers unfortunate task for several years to print out and respond to her email daily - because it went to OUR computers!

But she was never fired. Why? Because she made bank for the business. Without her selling, the business would have gone under.

When the business got sold, she went with it. Last I checked, she's still working for the new owner. And that guy is far more tech-oriented than my old boss ever was.

 

[eyoungren]

I don’t disagree with the principle that a gift becomes the other person’s property, free of conditions. But I think there’s a difference between controlling how someone uses something and simply being upset when something you cared for gets damaged — especially when it’s something expensive or sentimental.

For me, it wasn’t about ownership or superiority. It was about different values when it comes to caring for things — and those kinds of value clashes happen in every relationship.

My wife and I have different standards when it comes to stuff like this. I vented about mine here as I figured some people would be in the same boat. Just like how the car forum guys complain about how their wives don’t look after their cars etc

We’re also still allowed to be annoyed at each other sometimes. That’s all part of the joys of marriage too.

Maybe I used too many exclamation marks on my original but it was meant in a lighthearted way!

I think I understand where you were/are going with this, but the car analogy as they often say around here, doesn't really work. Wives looking after husbands cars for a short period of time is different because it's still the husband's car, his property. So, they complain. It doesn't quite correlate because you gave your wife the Mac, it wasn't a borrow.

If I borrow my wife's stuff, it goes back to her in the same condition. There have been times where there were bitter arguments because I carelessly broke her stuff. I've learned, I've grown up (hopefully) since those times. She handles my stuff carefully if it's been loaned to her.

Recently, I bought her the soft cover version of a book of mine she's been using because it's being read at a location where MY hardback could be damaged. What happens to that softcover I don't care - but I got my hardcover version back. And the softcover fits better in her backpack.

But, as I said, I believe I understand what you were trying to do. A tongue-in-cheek sort of thing. I get that. It just didn't come over too well in the initial post I think.

 

[NeonNights]

Hehehe, this thread is prime outrage bait. I’m not at all convinced that any of it is true.

So, in that spirit, I’ll add this..

So the OP’s better half had a Macbook, it died, and she needs a new one. The OP, the Prince Charming as he is, does NOT buy her a replacement. Instead he sees it as an opportunity to treat HIMSELF to a new laptop, and gives her the now unwanted hand-me-down. And he’s wondering why she is not treating it like… a brand new latest spec MacBook. Instead, she’s treating it as… a hand-me-down.

Is it really so surprising?

Great point.

I bought my wife the new blue 15" M4 Air earlier this year as a birthday gift to replace her 6-year-old Windows laptop. I have seen her drop her old Windows laptop, get flour all over the keyboard while baking, and get all sorts of knots in the power cord. Knowing all this, I still bought my wife the new MacBook because I felt it was higher quality and would serve her a very long time. I fully expect it will get dinged up and scratched through use, but as long as she gets good use out of it then I don't really care.

I wouldn't call my wife careless, but she definitely doesn't preserve the condition of devices like I do. Most of the stuff I hand down to relatives is in pristine condition. On the flipside, my wife gets a lot of use out of devices and doesn't upgrade often. She had her iPhone 6 and iPhone 11 Max over five years each, whereas I'm more spendy and upgrade frequently. I held onto my rMBP 13 over 8 years, but my past few Macbooks were upgraded after as short as 1-3 years. My point being, knowing that my wife gets a lot of longevity out of her devices I fully expect it will pick up wear and tear, and that's completely fine because technology is a tool and as long as she's happy using the gift I gave her then I'm happy for her.

 

[Heinzja]

There's definitely a change with the size classes on the 11". This video (screenshot attached) shows the 11" with the mail app open on the left, and the message app open on the right. The mail app shows the full mail, as well as the mailboxes on the left. My 10.5" doesn't do this - it just shows the mailboxes as a slideover.

I’ve had my 14 inch pro for 12 months with not a single mark on it! Flawless screen.

My wife’s MacBook m1 Air broke so I used the opportunity to hand down the 14 pro and get me a new machine.

1 week later scratches and marks galore on this once beautiful machine!

I gave a big lecture and insisted it’s left at home and she iPads it at work and still it’s ruined!

She basically rests her iPhone on MacBook screen and it’s marked it all over!

Anyone else is the same boat! I’m gutted after keeping it so clean for so long 🤦‍♂️

Married more than 45 years and give up long time ago how women treat it stuff… is all in live to adaptation… (anyway you got a new MBP out of it - see it positive…) “Wife happy - live happy!”

IMHO your new MacBook will have a longer life than your marriage if you think that way without adaptability…

Have the same when I hand my prestine phones down to the kids (teens) and they scratch the thing up! But hey, it's a 'thing' at the end of the day. I'd rather they scratch that than scratch, or God forbid more, themselves.

Don’t forget that is a very small price to pay to upgrade your phone whenever you like and be the good guy for the family by doing this for the kids… as mentioned before marriage/children is build and based of compromising and adapting…. If you get a new phone out of it it’s even better!

 

[eyoungren]

Great point.

I bought my wife the new blue 15" M4 Air earlier this year as a birthday gift to replace her 6-year-old Windows laptop. I have seen her drop her old Windows laptop, get flour all over the keyboard while baking, and get all sorts of knots in the power cord. Knowing all this, I still bought my wife the new MacBook because I felt it was higher quality and would serve her a very long time. I fully expect it will get dinged up and scratched through use, but as long as she gets good use out if it then I don't really care.

I wouldn't call my wife careless, but she definitely doesn't preserve the condition of devices like I do. Most of the stuff I hand down to relatives is in pristine condition. On the flipside, my wife gets a lot of use out of devices and doesn't upgrade often. She had her iPhone 6 and iPhone 11 Max over five years each, whereas I'm more spendy and upgrade frequently. I held onto my rMBP 13 over 8 years, but my past few Macbooks were upgraded after as short as 1-3 years. My point being, knowing that my wife gets a lot of longevity out of her devices I fully expect it will pick up wear and tear, and that's completely fine because technology is a tool and as long as she's happy using the gift I gave her then I'm happy for her.

Every time my wife's phone slips off the bed and hits the bedrail on the way to the floor I cringe. Every time she sleeps with her headphones or headset on I cringe.

But, she uses cases for her phone where I do not. I gave her the headphones (a freebie given to my mom, which she gave to me) and otherwise it would go unused. It was unused for a few years before I gave it to my wife. And the headset? Shokz Open Run Pro. Apparently they are made better than the original Aeropex I got her. I'll replace them again when this set breaks.

Me? I'm still using my original headset (Shokz Aeropex).

I just keep my mouth shut. It's not my stuff.

 

[Papanate]

I’ve had my 14 inch pro for 12 months with not a single mark on it! Flawless screen.

My wife’s MacBook m1 Air broke so I used the opportunity to hand down the 14 pro and get me a new machine.

1 week later scratches and marks galore on this once beautiful machine!

I gave a big lecture and insisted it’s left at home and she iPads it at work and still it’s ruined!

She basically rests her iPhone on MacBook screen and it’s marked it all over!

Anyone else is the same boat! I’m gutted after keeping it so clean for so long 🤦‍♂️

You should of got a protector cover for it - but that aside just shut up about her computer - if it doesn’t bother her than leave it be.

 

[Xand&Roby]

People don't realize the value of a product because they have too much money and are fully immersed in a consumerist logic, except then complain when they are in turn used as the products they use.

Take her jewels and bags and scratch them, out of carelessness, not out of spite, and she will learn the lesson she did not understand at 4 years old.

Objects also have an environmental cost, I understand that for subjects who believe themselves to be the masters of the world it is a difficult concept, but the world in which you live is given on loan for a period of time, hopefully, limited.

 

[Xand&Roby]

Hehehe, this thread is prime outrage bait. I’m not at all convinced that any of it is true.

So, in that spirit, I’ll add this..

So the OP’s better half had a Macbook, it died, and she needs a new one. The OP, the Prince Charming as he is, does NOT buy her a replacement. Instead he sees it as an opportunity to treat HIMSELF to a new laptop, and gives her the now unwanted hand-me-down. And he’s wondering why she is not treating it like… a brand new latest spec MacBook. Instead, she’s treating it as… a hand-me-down.

Is it really so surprising?

Is it his wife or his daughter?

I don't see all these princesses around, I don't understand why I should see all these kings!

 

[NeonNights]

Every time my wife's phone slips off the bed and hits the bedrail on the way to the floor I cringe. Every time she sleeps with her headphones or headset on I cringe.

But, she uses cases for her phone where I do not. I gave her the headphones (a freebie given to my mom, which she gave to me) and otherwise it would go unused. It was unused for a few years before I gave it to my wife. And the headset? Shokz Open Run Pro. Apparently they are made better than the original Aeropex I got her. I'll replace them again when this set breaks.

Me? I'm still using my original headset (Shokz Aeropex).

I just keep my mouth shut. It's not my stuff.

We live parallel lives. My wife's iPhone falls onto the bedrail regularly too. At one point, I replaced three screen protectors on her iPhone in the first month. I am also a fan of Shokz ear buds (OpenFit 2).

 

[Lioness~]

I’ve had my 14 inch pro for 12 months with not a single mark on it! Flawless screen.

My wife’s MacBook m1 Air broke so I used the opportunity to hand down the 14 pro and get me a new machine.

1 week later scratches and marks galore on this once beautiful machine!

I gave a big lecture and insisted it’s left at home and she iPads it at work and still it’s ruined!

She basically rests her iPhone on MacBook screen and it’s marked it all over!

Anyone else is the same boat! I’m gutted after keeping it so clean for so long 🤦‍♂️

You should be gratefull that she haven't left you a long time ago, or that she didn't hit the Mac in your head.

I am of course assuming that this is not the first time you disrespect her and value your devices more then your marriage.

 

[JamesMay82]

You should be gratefull that she haven't left you a long time ago, or that she didn't hit the Mac in your head.

I am of course assuming that this is not the first time you disrespect her and value your devices more then your marriage.

Don’t worry her positives outweigh her negatives!

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I have the perfect solution…
show your wife this thread.
Bam! All your problems will be gone because the wife, and the laptop, will also be gone.

 

[Lioness~]

Don’t worry her positives outweigh her negatives!

Would be interesting to know what her story about you is with her friends 😂

I have the perfect solution…
show your wife this thread.
Bam! All your problems will be gone because the wife, and the laptop, will also be gone.

Hopefully she have some humor around her 'somewhat problematic husband' 😍

 

[AlixSPQR]

I’ve had my 14 inch pro for 12 months with not a single mark on it! Flawless screen.

My wife’s MacBook m1 Air broke so I used the opportunity to hand down the 14 pro and get me a new machine.

1 week later scratches and marks galore on this once beautiful machine!

I gave a big lecture and insisted it’s left at home and she iPads it at work and still it’s ruined!

She basically rests her iPhone on MacBook screen and it’s marked it all over!

Anyone else is the same boat! I’m gutted after keeping it so clean for so long 🤦‍♂️

If it still works, and she's fine with it, never mind. ❤️

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

People don't realize the value of a product because they have too much money and are fully immersed in a consumerist logic, except then complain when they are in turn used as the products they use.

Take her jewels and bags and scratch them, out of carelessness, not out of spite, and she will learn the lesson she did not understand at 4 years old.

Objects also have an environmental cost, I understand that for subjects who believe themselves to be the masters of the world it is a difficult concept, but the world in which you live is given on loan for a period of time, hopefully, limited.

I get what you are saying, but at the end of the day, it’s a tool, not a piece of jewelry.
If op actually cares that much, he would’ve bought AppleCare for her.
at the end of the day, these computers are meant to be used, abused, scratched, whatever.
And no matter what, no matter if she keeps it in absolutely pristine right out of the box condition, it will lose its value. Because again, it’s not jewelry, it’s not a Rolex.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Don’t worry her positives outweigh her negatives!

Jesus Christ, it sounds like you put more value in the laptop then you do your own wife.
respectfully, get your priorities straight.
The MacBook is nothing, it’s a mass produced product, millions and millions and millions and millions are made every year, in the grand scheme things some scratches are not that important.
we are not talking about some luxury sports vehicle that costs more than a house, or some super rare jewelry that will increase in value.
we are talking about a computer, which, no matter what condition it’s in from absolutely pristine to destroyed, will be pretty much worthless in a couple years.

 

[Queen6]

I buy new or gift my wife or another family member something, by default it's theirs's. If I was so uptight about such things I'd have traded or sold it. Life is simply too short to worry about such trivia. Computers are merely tools, the individuals that use them is where the real magic lies. TBH some seriously over value Apple's importance in their lives...

Q-6

 

[fzJNotIBOxgnbqejSeVCvJScL]

Are the nails of your wifey long, is she wearing a lot of accessories on her fingers/wrists, and does she touch the screen often?

That might be a possible cause.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

.......

Take her jewels and bags and scratch them, out of carelessness, not out of spite, and she will learn the lesson she did not understand at 4 years old.

.....

Why on Earth would one ever wish to do such a thing?

In your hypothetical suggestion, you over-look a key point.

The notional jewels and bags that you advise the OP somehow deliberately damage, or scratch, do not belong to him; they are not his to destroy, damage, or scratch, but, rather, belong to her and are hers to do with as she wishes.

Thus, this nihilistic advice is nothing other than a recommendation to deliberately damage the property of someone else, something that - if carried out - would most certainly undermine the relationship between the OP - or anyone else - and a spouse, or partner, and could not be considered as motivated by anything other than spite.

And, a gift once given, is no longer yours; if the gift comes with conditions, or demands, it is not a gift, but is instead something that the donor regards as perhaps, a loan, and clearly considers that it is not the property of the person to whom it had been given.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I get what you are saying, but at the end of the day, it’s a tool, not a piece of jewelry.
If op actually cares that much, he would’ve bought AppleCare for her.
at the end of the day, these computers are meant to be used, abused, scratched, whatever.
And no matter what, no matter if she keeps it in absolutely pristine right out of the box condition, it will lose its value. Because again, it’s not jewelry, it’s not a Rolex.

Excellent post.

And, even if it is a Rolex, or jewellery, why not use it, (rather than lock it away) and thus simply deal with the dings and scratches that come with something being used - something that one derives pleasure and enjoyment from - regularly?

For years, we had expensive glassware - Waterford cut crystal - kept in a special cabinet, that only came out on special occasions, (such as Christmas) which meant that everyone was far too afraid and nervous of chipping these gorgeous glasses to derive much pleasure from their use.

Not now. For the past few decades, we have used them, daily, for they were designed to be used as much as admired.

If they chip, or break, so be it; that is life. There was a time when we never had a full set, (on account of the vicissitudes of life, tap/faucet encounters, sundry accidents, and so on) but, instead, the laid table featured an uneven number of gorgeous glasses from a few different sets. And that setting was also enjoyed.

 

[eyoungren]

Thus, this nihilistic advice is nothing other than a recommendation to deliberately damage the property of someone else, something that - if carried out - would most certainly undermine the relationship between the OP - or anyone else - and a spouse, or partner, and could not be considered as motivated by anything other than spite.

I would just add here that regardless of who this is done to, willful destruction of property is a crime. Whether that would be reported, a suspect arrested, charged, convicted and sentenced is another matter. But if someone on the street walked up to you and started to damage your property to 'teach you a lesson' it would be a criminal offense.

So, the suggestion is not only outlandish, it's illegal.

 

[jimmirehman]

Everyone treats things differently. You passed it on to her, its not longer your concern. At the end of the day it's an inanimate object that is meant to be used. I understand we find Apple Products to be beautiful and should be protected at all costs but at the same time, there is something to be said about a well worn Apple Device, the beauty is still there but you know its seen some ****.

 

[eyoungren]

Excellent post.

And, even if it is a Rolex, or jewellery, why not use it, (rather than lock it away) and thus simply deal with the dings and scratches that come with something being used - something that one derives pleasure and enjoyment from - regularly?

For years, we had expensive glassware - Waterford cut crystal - kept in a special cabinet, that only came out on special occasions, (such as Christmas) which meant that everyone was far too afraid and nervous of chipping these gorgeous glasses to derive much pleasure from their use.

Not now. For the past few decades, we have used them, daily, for they were designed to be used as much as admired.

If they chip, or break, so be it; that is life. There was a time when we never had a full set, (on account of the vicissitudes of life, tap/faucet encounters, sundry accidents, and so on) but, instead, the laid table featured an uneven number of gorgeous glasses from a few different sets. And that setting was also enjoyed.

The story about everything on the table is also a valuable and entertaining conversation piece. My wife and I still share stories about things we once had and what happened to them. Because it wasn't about the thing, it was about what happened. A shared experience.

 

[darngooddesign]

I’ve had my 14 inch pro for 12 months with not a single mark on it! Flawless screen.

My wife’s MacBook m1 Air broke so I used the opportunity to hand down the 14 pro and get me a new machine.

1 week later scratches and marks galore on this once beautiful machine!

I gave a big lecture and insisted it’s left at home and she iPads it at work and still it’s ruined!

She basically rests her iPhone on MacBook screen and it’s marked it all over!

Anyone else is the same boat! I’m gutted after keeping it so clean for so long 🤦‍♂️

Put a screen protector on her MBP, it will hide the damage.