The Anti-Apple-Fanboi Thread

[DontSayBanana]

Preface: I know Beeb really, really loves his Mac, and when they work, they are excellent at what they do. I was actually considering one, until this BS unfolded, and just thought I'd put it down to be referenced for objective data in future "computer purchase" threads:

My GF is a graphic design major, so she was pretty much forced into buying a MacBook Pro- the last school she was attending required it, and the school she's going to now "strongly recommends" it.

We picked up an '08 MacBook Pro. Coupled with the student Adobe package we had to get, the price tag was insane- nearly $4K. But it was a nice toy, all shiny and aluminum.

Well, between the two art schools, she took a couple of classes at the community college here. An idiotic fellow student knocked her laptop, still in the bag, off a 2-foot table onto the floor.

A couple weeks later, Airport started acting weird and cutting off randomly. Called Apple Support, sent it in, and design defect number 1 became evident: because of the rigid construction, the little drop cracked the motherboard, voided the warranty, and they wanted to charge us $1200 for the repair. S' father managed to use a sob story to get the drop damage overlooked and get the laptop repaired.

It comes back, and we start getting weird pink lines in white areas of the screen. Not stuck pixels, but we'll come back to that. We send it back again to have them fix whatever they screwed up, they keep it for a day and send it back with a new screen and a paper reading "SYMPTOM: VERTICAL PIXEL LINES." Also, when it comes back, not only are the pink lines in white areas still there, but now there's green patches in black areas.

At this point, I get involved. I'm pretty damn certain at this point that the video chipset is the problem. I get annoyed, call Apple, and after the tech gets through his script, I point out that I've probably been troubleshooting Intel architecture longer than he has, and I tell him what the problem is. S gets back on the phone, and Apple reluctantly takes back the Mac again.

It comes back a month later, finally fixed, with the repair sheet reading: "PARTS REPLACED: MAIN LOGIC BOARD; SYMPTOM: VIDEO DISTORTION." No lines since.

Just offering a bit of counter-taint.

Next episode: WHY iTunes sucks.

[Threviel]

Yeah, that really shows why Apple sucks, that kind of shit would never happen with another company.

[Norgy]

Apple would probably be less disliked if several companies produced hardware running on their platform.

[Ed Anger]

Apple would probably be less disliked if several companies produced hardware running on their platform.

I blame Beeb.

[HisMajestyBOB]

I've never had any trouble with Apple's warranty or repair service, and I've had to use it several times.
Granted, they could never prove that the reason my computer wasn't working because of "abuse"...

[DontSayBanana]

I've never had any trouble with Apple's warranty or repair service, and I've had to use it several times.
Granted, they could never prove that the reason my computer wasn't working because of "abuse"...

Basically, the new metal shells transfer all the shock to the motherboard. The damage was shock damage, so even though it was an accident, they refused to cover it... under the $250 additional warranty. It was only covered once it was pointed out that even Dell would cover limited drop damage under their standard warranty.

With the lack of seams, the new unibody MacBooks are going to be worse if anything. They've got shock issues to where they're incredibly fragile, the aluminum shell actually poses a burn hazard (batteries are apparently prone to exploding because of the cooling issues, as well)...

The video problem is actually pretty basic. The motherboard they put into S' rig had two different GeForce chipsets SLI'd, as I found out later, one of which is absolute bleeding edge, so there's still a lot of firmware issues.

Another thing to consider is that the only hardware unique to Mac now is the funky touchpad that tracks multiple fingers at once. It's nice, but patents are limited, so it's only a matter of time before we start seeing those for PCs. As it stands, I was considering a refurbished Gateway M-series, running at the same exact specs as S' MacBook (minus the double video chipset), for less than $500.

[DisturbedPervert]

But, it's pretty.

[Neil]

This is what happens when you place form above function.

[ulmont]

patents are limited, so it's only a matter of time

20 years from earliest filing date...I hope for something sooner better.

[Barrister]

Basically, the new metal shells transfer all the shock to the motherboard. The damage was shock damage, so even though it was an accident, they refused to cover it... under the $250 additional warranty. It was only covered once it was pointed out that even Dell would cover limited drop damage under their standard warranty.

With the lack of seams, the new unibody MacBooks are going to be worse if anything. They've got shock issues to where they're incredibly fragile, the aluminum shell actually poses a burn hazard (batteries are apparently prone to exploding because of the cooling issues, as well)...

First of all you'll excuse me if I don't just take your word that the unibody structure is actually a huge design fall, not to mention the "burn hazard" issue you throw in there.

But if I boil your story down to basics:

-laptop was dropped
-laptop was damaged
-you had to fight with manufacturer and they eventually fixed the problem.

Yeah, what a horrible, horrible company.  You'd never get that experience with any other manufacturer. 

[Ed Anger]

Thread needs more personal attacks.

Beeb, you are a homo.

There.

[Norgy]

Apple would probably be less disliked if several companies produced hardware running on their platform.

I blame Beeb.

We all do. World hunger? Beeb created it. Obesity? Beeb, through Albertan cattle. Global warming/cooling/whatever? Beeb.

[Barrister]

Apple would probably be less disliked if several companies produced hardware running on their platform.

I blame Beeb.

We all do. World hunger? Beeb created it. Obesity? Beeb, through Albertan cattle. Global warming/cooling/whatever? Beeb.

My powers are beyond measure...

[PRC]

My GF has a year old iMac (year plus three weeks) and one week ago its hard drive failed and now needs to be replaced.  Fucker.

[derspiess]

From what I've been able to gather, Apple tends to shit on its customers.  Yet its customers still worship the brand.  I wish my company could pull that off.