Macbook!!!

[KenWittlief]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Norris

Does it have a Core Duo/OSX. The nice thing about the macbook is that its a really powerful machine, You won't be gaming much on the Intel graphics but the processor its self is worth $300. The factor that makes it worth the extra $500 is the functionality of OSX and the lack of spyware/viruses that you get with windows. If you pay for the apple care that machine will last you a good 3-4 years.

My son got a G4 while he was in HS. A few months after the 1 year warranty expired the onboard LAN failed. He used a LAN card to keep it on the network.

A few months later the whole mother board went up in smoke. Id say about 16 months after it was new. Replacement mother board was something like $350 - and thats assuming nothing on the board (processor, memory...) was destroyed when it blew. Its sitting on a shelf in the basement - 50 feet of rope and it will make a nice boat anchor.

That was the last thing we bought from apple. When you buy those extended warranties you are more or less paying for the replacement parts upfront (whether you actually end up needing them or not).

[Jonathan Norris]

Ken, I understand your pain, but it is felt with every computer manufacturer. The truth is that laptops don't last well under regular use. I have had a dell and a Toshiba laptop and have had major problems with both (causing costly repairs). It seems like everyone has horror stories with laptop manufacturers these days. I have just heard much better stories about apple's customer care (if you get the extended service +$$$), than what I received with both dell and Toshiba. With Toshiba they had my computer in for repairs for 3 months and 29 days (2 more days and they would have had to give me a new comp). To me it seems that Apple makes better products, and take better care of their customers. (No, I have never bought an Apple computer, but my next purchase will most likely be a Macbook Pro)

[Adam Shapiro]

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

My son got a G4 while he was in HS. A few months after the 1 year warranty expired the onboard LAN failed. He used a LAN card to keep it on the network.

A few months later the whole mother board went up in smoke. Id say about 16 months after it was new. Replacement mother board was something like $350 - and thats assuming nothing on the board (processor, memory...) was destroyed when it blew. Its sitting on a shelf in the basement - 50 feet of rope and it will make a nice boat anchor.

This is certainly not the first time I have heard of problems like this. Like Jonathan said though, these things happen with all computer manufacturers. Jonathan had it happen to his Toshiba. A good friend of mine literally had his new Gateway laptop melt only 15 days out of warranty (Gateway told him there was "nothing they could do for him"). Traditionally, though problems certainly do occur, Apple is very good about caring for them. They try to take the best care of customers that they can. Purchasing AppleCare is your own decision; the sales people try their best to outline the benefits of having it, especially on a portable computer, but if you decide not to get it they're not going to force you or lie to you as is the case with some other retailers. Apple's policy is that they gave you the opportunity, if you decide of your own will not to purchase the additional warranty they can't cover problems like that. It is a terrible coincidence for it to occur just outside of warranty, but these things do happen. I always recommend that people purchase the AppleCare as, in the majority of cases, they will be happy they did, if only for the phone technical support.

I have owned many different computers over the years and have compared my experiences with technical support services for a number of different manufacturers. I would say that the worst experience was certainly the old Compaq service (though they have improved with the HP buyout), followed by Packard Bell. Above those two were Gateway, then Dell, then IBM. Apple has always been much more helpful for any problems (software, hardware, or otherwise) that I have had, and that is from a user standpoint. Please know that I am trying to be unbiased, despite being an Apple employee, however hard that may be. I hope this helps, I'm sorry you've had bad experiences in the past and I wouldn't be shocked if you wished not to purchase any further Apple products. Still, you may want to give them another shot, at least some time in the future.

[Bill Moore]

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

50 feet of rope and it will make a nice boat anchor

Must be an awfully small boat. The rope will weigh more than the anchor! G4 Powerbooks are known for their lightweight properties.

Totally different experience with Macs. In 21 years, I have owned 5 different models, and all continue to run. Three (iMac G3, iBook G3 and Powerbook G4) are used on a daily basis. The other two (FatMac 512k and Performa 475) work perfectly, but are obsolete for modern programs.

Only one that had to go into the shop was the iBook G3 (which I bought secondhand), and that was for a factory recall to replace the motherboard free of charge.

It would be wonderful if every appliance/tool I purchase lasted as long!