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Problems with new 2010 Mac Pros?
- Thread starter David B. Lewis
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I have been running my new Westmere Mac a lot since purchasing it a month ago.
No problems.
It has run very smoothly.
Apple doesn't manufacture perfect products, but it does produce almost perfect products; and it stands behind its product and will fix problems when they occur. You can't say that about other computer companies.
No problems.
It has run very smoothly.
Apple doesn't manufacture perfect products, but it does produce almost perfect products; and it stands behind its product and will fix problems when they occur. You can't say that about other computer companies.
I've been using Macs since 1987, and have been generally satisfied with the reliability of their products. However, I would not trust customer satisfaction surveys that are tied to Apple's own data.
Shortly after receiving my new 6-core Mac Pro, I received the customary email survey request to evaluate the new machine. One could assume these surveys are designed to give Apple some clues about their customers' product needs, demographics and buying habits. What I find disturbing is that the later part of the survey enters a multiple-choice section, that seems skewed in Apples' favor. I was asked to rank multiple items for my order of preference or use. As the process continues, I was repeatedly asked to choose between items that I previously ranked as non-preferred or features I wouldn't use. Thinking this was just a quirk in the survey, I proceeded and noticed 4 pages in a row that brought up only items I previously listed as unfavorable or features that I wouldn't use. After giving it some thought, it seemed that the survey was attempting to offset my previous "no" votes with forcing me to give "yes" votes (thus, leading to a more favorable survey to Apple's benefit). I saw no value in giving answers that contradict my previous ones, so I bailed.
FWIW, I have had a few very bad experiences with Apple Care/customer support, but my Macs have generally been solid and reliable machines. I will continue to buy Apple products, but that decision is based on my experience, not on customer surveys.
Apple could not figure out why my monitor blacked out, so they want my pro and monitor so they can test it out and see if they can figure out the problem.
They are going to give me a new pro and new 24 inch monitor since they dont make 20 inch monitors anymore.
Apple has great customer care.
They are going to give me a new pro and new 24 inch monitor since they dont make 20 inch monitors anymore.
Apple has great customer care.
All the stuff you hear is either:
A. User error.
B. Trolls.
C. A small minority who have a genuine problem.
The problem is with the internet you only hear about the bad stuff. Rarely does someone come to a forum and say "Zomg my new computer is perfect!"
Every manufacturer has their share of defects but dumb people don't realize this so they say crap like "Company X has bad quality control!" (Really, Wheres the number of defective units compared to good units?)
Most everyone who buys an Apple product has no problem at all. You will hear idiots on forums try and disagree simply because THEY are having a problem or know someone who does have a problem. Not to mention, these "problems" are often one time thinks that never show themselves again after a simple reboot.
The thing is, in order for everyone to get cheap electronics, they have to be mass produced not handmade with care buy a computer engineer. If something is defective, exchange it. Simple as that. Its going to happen with mass production.
Apple is not alone, I remember when the Canon 5D Mark II came out. Amazing camera at an amazing price, but you wouldn't think so with how many people on the photography forums bitched and moaned and complained for whatever reason.
Basically, if you want it, buy it. Its never wise to read online reviews especially about Apple products. Too many trolls out there.
Well there are some faulty Apple products. I had a 2010 MBP that died 2 days after I got it. Some of the Mini Servers or Xservs I work with died after a rather short life (Logic Board gone). I just came back from a 2 month work trip and my Iphone is dead now (left it at home so it wouldn't break).
The thing that bugs me the most with Apple is that you have to plow through the front lines first. The phone support always treat you like you were an idiot, no one has ever heard of a problem before and so on. Most of the time you have to play hardball in the Apple store (I took my dead MBP in without an appointment because it was 2 days old and I needed it for work - left with a new one after some discussion). In the end, they always deliver, you just have to not go away.
Another Genius told me that a repair for a Macbook would cost $80 and after the repair he produced a bill of $300. Talked to the store manager and ended up not paying anything.
I dislike their software update / problem solving strategy more. Bootcamp plays merry hell with your system due to HFS drivers (issues know since 2008 I believe) and you have to manually disable them. FCP doesn't like AVCHD too much in Log and Transfer and the installation can stall with every disk you insert. It's not that these problems are so bad, I just don't understand why the problems persist over years.
All in all, you're pretty save with Apple though, I've had way worse experiences with Dell machines and Siemens laptops, just like someone said before, some are bound to go wrong, but normally, they take care of you.
Edit: (Actually wanted to write this, but forgot) I have a 4 MPs at work. No problems at all. My 6 core that I just got doesn't have any Audio popping or display issues on a Dell 30" and a Samsung 24". So all good. The machine is amazingly quick and I actually thought they were going to make them more expensive.
The thing that bugs me the most with Apple is that you have to plow through the front lines first. The phone support always treat you like you were an idiot, no one has ever heard of a problem before and so on. Most of the time you have to play hardball in the Apple store (I took my dead MBP in without an appointment because it was 2 days old and I needed it for work - left with a new one after some discussion). In the end, they always deliver, you just have to not go away.
Another Genius told me that a repair for a Macbook would cost $80 and after the repair he produced a bill of $300. Talked to the store manager and ended up not paying anything.
I dislike their software update / problem solving strategy more. Bootcamp plays merry hell with your system due to HFS drivers (issues know since 2008 I believe) and you have to manually disable them. FCP doesn't like AVCHD too much in Log and Transfer and the installation can stall with every disk you insert. It's not that these problems are so bad, I just don't understand why the problems persist over years.
All in all, you're pretty save with Apple though, I've had way worse experiences with Dell machines and Siemens laptops, just like someone said before, some are bound to go wrong, but normally, they take care of you.
Edit: (Actually wanted to write this, but forgot) I have a 4 MPs at work. No problems at all. My 6 core that I just got doesn't have any Audio popping or display issues on a Dell 30" and a Samsung 24". So all good. The machine is amazingly quick and I actually thought they were going to make them more expensive.
Tali, you're getting now blips of static/snow at all with your 30" Dell? Are you connected directly to the Dual-Link DVI??
Also, which card are you using, the 5770 or 5870?
Write to steve jobs email address, someone from his office will call you or write back and you can cut through all the red tape. That is what I did.
My Mac pro 2010 had kernel panics whenever a FireWire device was attached to any of the ports. They offered to replace, but I'm not happy - the box appeared to have been opened prior to my receiving it. And they have not addressed the issue or offered an explanation yet. Although they promised they would
So not fully impressed with customer care (UK) so far
They offered to replace it but you're still not happy? What do you want, a signed confession?
No, they're trying to figure out why you dislike/don't want those features. It doesn't do them any good to find out more about things you're already happy with if they want to make a better product.
So far so good with my 3.2 GHz. MP.
Bone stock so far with the exception of some added memory. The MP wakes from sleep OK, hot corner display OFF works, can't find anything that doesn't work properly. Oh, it's not dead silent like my MBP's. After living with my silent MBP's this will take a little adjustment on my part.
cheers
JohnG
Bone stock so far with the exception of some added memory. The MP wakes from sleep OK, hot corner display OFF works, can't find anything that doesn't work properly. Oh, it's not dead silent like my MBP's. After living with my silent MBP's this will take a little adjustment on my part.
cheers
JohnG
I'm using a 5870, no static no snow so far. It's connected directly over dual link dvi, the samsung is with a dvi adapter. I have one of those dual link dvi adapters for short projects I cut on the MBP - but that one just doesn't work right.
Both displays are calibrated with a eye one display 2 thingy, I don't think that that makes any difference though.
Something I noticed however is that I do hear some kind of pop when my girlfriend powers her computer on. That despite the UPS that I have hooked up to my MB. Perhaps people experiencing pops have old wiring (like me) or live in an apartmentblock with even older wiring?
Oh, it's not dead silent like my MBP's. After living with my silent MBP's this will take a little adjustment on my part.
cheers
JohnG
Yeah, the MBP's are virtually silent when idling or doing light work on them.
It's when you start running the heavy stuff that you notice the MBP's fans revving up and becoming noisy. The Mac Pro will remain consistently quiet despite what you throw at it. Very nice.
Oh, and no problems here either so far on my dual-hexa core 2.93Ghz with the 5870.
That should not happen. I have 2 8TB Raid 5s daisy chained on one port and a smaller 1tb on another port. Sometimes Log and Capture in FCP at the same time. No problems as long as I don't chain them all (I was bored and tried it). The only thing that happenes then is that Log and Capture doesn't recieve enough data from the camera and drops frames.
That said, I'm off to the store to have them look at the Iphone, let's see what they come up with now.
An explanation as to why they sent me a Mac that had been opened prior to my receiving it? Shelling out 2k and getting this crappy service - I don't have any confidence that they wont do the same with any future purchases.
Seriously thinking of going down the hackintosh route now
How on earth would the people you are talking to now, possibly be able to explain how your box might have been opened, by whom, and for what reason??? I'm sure it's as much a mystery to them as it is to you. What's crappy about the service you're getting? You had a problem Mac and they're replacing it at no cost to you? Sounds like pretty good service to me. Your expectations seem irrational.
Doesn't the Minidisplay Port to DVI have a max resolution of 1920 x 1080? As far as I remember you need a dual link DVI adapter for anything higher than that, but I'm not entirely sure (and the darn thing costs $99).
I've read some posts that people use a mini dvi to displayport cable and plug that into the Dell Monitor (was with the 30") to avoid the cost, not sure if it works though.
Windows 7 x64 does that every time on my MacBook Pro 4,1, it's a Windows thing; it sends a huge voltage spike to the speakers when loading the kernal, I have no idea why, and frankly I'm not happy with it, but at least OS X doesn't do it!
How on earth would the people you are talking to now, possibly be able to explain how your box might have been opened, by whom, and for what reason??? I'm sure it's as much a mystery to them as it is to you. What's crappy about the service you're getting? You had a problem Mac and they're replacing it at no cost to you? Sounds like pretty good service to me. Your expectations seem irrational.
As mentioned before, they said they would but haven't got back to me. Under the Sale of Goods Act, they are obliged to replace/ accept faulty equipment without charge. So accepting the return without charge is hardly an example of great customer service - it is the minimum I would expect from any vendor.
And I have no desire to buy equipment from a vendor who cannot reassure that products they sell as new have not in fact been tampered with. They are in breach of the Trades Description Act for doing this.
I don't see anything irrational in that
