Official Apple discussion forum is weak!

[Politis]

Is the official Apple Discussion forum of any use? From what I have seen - and I dont want to generalise - it seems you are often encouraged to be all nice and sweet. And the answers are stingy.

The advice is fine when it has to do with end-user questions and which can often be found in the MacBook guide. But the advice seems absent if it is about potential faults with the Mac or other, more specialised questions.
In fact, the advice seems as tepid as the geniuses on Apple stores.
At least that is my experience.

 

[Fubar1977]

There is certainly less "freedom of speech" but that`s to be expected on a board being run by the company making the products being discussed.

 

[sorepheet]

It may be "weak" but think of the forum as an extension of Apple's branding. Posts that discuss potential hardware/software issues may be removed/dismissed as a PR move. Since it is the "official" source to get information from Apple it only makes sense that Apple would look out for its brand and make sure that disparaging content doesn't run unchecked and rampant. This is why sites like MR and others get so much traffic, we're allowed to discuss the issues we're having and get REAL answers, not be subjected to a PR machine.
Did you have a particular issue we could help with?

 

[Richard1028]

Is the official Apple Discussion forum of any use?

A relative question. If I say it's of use to me would that make it useful to you?

Besides, one can say the same thing about this joint. There are more mods here than there are users it seems.

 

[Politis]

Top bucks make your ears prick

Did you have a particular issue we could help with?

Well, when you pay top bucks for a product that is marketed as the silver-winged angel of perfection on earth, you expect a smooth, clean performance. Otherwise you might as well spend 3x less on some Gollum of a PC and, if there are some gliches, take it on the chin.

I have a new MBP 15'' matte screen. I have not uploaded anything yet or moved it around. So, among other things, noises that remind me of my old PC make me ask questions. By the way, I am happy to have a MBP and, ideally, I want to keep the one I received.

The last item is a constant, fluctuating eletronic wheez from the MagSafe Power Adapter.

 

[aristobrat]

Well, when you pay top bucks for a product that is marketed as the silver-winged angel of perfection on earth, you ...

If you're in the US, call 1-800-APL-CARE or if you have an Apple Store nearby, make an appointment at the Genius Bar.

The top bucks you paid entitle to you to warranty service that's consistently rated (by independent parties) to average well above the industry norm.

Having said that, I totally agree that the discussion forums are weak. I don't even consider them when troubleshooting something. I'll hit MacRumors first (to gather information), then Apple second (if it's something I can't fix myself).

 

[Politis]

What Apple Store said about Macrumors

When I first went to Apple store as a naive Mac rookie, I mentioned some info I had from MacRumors. Man, what an answer I got, "We never look at MacRumors, never". So I thought, well, you are certainly more than aware of it!

 

[Fubar1977]

Maybe not individual Apple store employees but you can be damn-sure Apple do keep an eye on the major Mac sites, MR being amongst the largest.