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Underground > Art, Fashion & Design >

Apple Computers design flaws

09:26 / 28.11.03

Don't get me wrong I'm an Apple devotee since way back (I still have a 'classic' somewhere - no hard disk... who needed them?) and have recently bought the new Aluminium G4 Powerbook AND an iPod. But the Powerbook is a great example: It looks SO slick when you are working on the train, but simple thing like the catch which stops it opening (and powering up) in your bag is the flimsiest effort I have ever seen. Already (2 months in) and it's broken. The previous model (cooler looking even) the Titanium G4 - super lightweight, ultra thin... the hinges holding the screen snapped: turned out they were hollow cast metal with the tensile strength of balsa. Come on, Apple... the devil SURELY is in the details.

nedrichards is confused

10:00 / 28.11.03

Agreed on those hinges, much gnashing of teeth over that. I suspect the problem with all laptopts is weight, people just won't buy the thing if it feels like you're carrying around a cast iron homage to the crystal palace.

They do, do some very cool things though I mean the easy release and angle of their desktop machines is just great. Nobody else makes it as easy to upgrade your stuff. I dare you to stick a new hard drive in one of the G5's and not be impressed. I dare you. And then you see stories like this.

10:17 / 28.11.03

you see, ned... it's that type of thing that really boils my piss. I'm dreading taking my Powerbook back to have the latch fixed. I've already waited a month for a replacement battery... (mine had a capacity of 58 minutes!)

the iPod is a dream, though.

11:00 / 28.11.03

There is some debate about the design of the iPod too.

Ah, Apples ... I used to love the feel of my work G4's keyboard .. until I accidentally knocked a cup of actual apple juice into it.

The G3 box I had before that was no great joy to the eye though, especially the hacksaw cuts made to enlarge the CD bay to accommodate a non-Apple burner -- why they had to choose another size in the first place is beyond me, the box was hardly a miracle of miniaturisation -- and how did they figure anyone could work out the left-pointing triangle symbol on the keyboard meant "push here to turn me on"?

14:49 / 28.11.03

Interesting link. The iPod battery on mine is Never Full (it will charge and charge in its cradle, but once out of it it begins at about 95% approx. I'll monitor the situation.

15:38 / 28.11.03

I've seen some of the portable problems myself... though a good bag and careful handling does help. These new Albooks, though, have been fret with problems. Picked up a last gen Tibook thinking that a last rev would be sorted out by Apple moreso then a new line. Also, NEVER buy a machine without AppleCare (you can also get it withng a year of purchase). Hell of a warranty on a machine you lug everywhere.

On the battery issue with the iPod... you'll notice the ~95% charge on most "battery use" machines as that's the cutoff point before an overcharge can occur. It's a fail-safe mechanism to keep you from ruining the battery. Also (at least on pbooks), resetting the PMU after having charge problems on a well used battery can help. Knowledge Base docs outline the placement of the switch. There were a few problems with 10.2.8 with the display of battery charge. An update to this helped get things back on track on some machines.

We're The Great Old Ones Now

08:09 / 29.11.03

Well, I've taken the plunge. After years away from Apple (I had a PowerBook 145 monochrome, about the size and weight of a small car) I am returning to the fold. I shall be treating my new 15" G4 like royalty, so we'll see how it goes...

15:33 / 29.11.03

I'm slightly pissed at Apple lately. Which sucks. Because I'm a diehard Apple guy from way back (I'm posting this from a beatup G3 upgraded Performa that I keep for backup).

I have an 800 mhz iBook that I bought in November of last year and since May I've sent it to Apple 3 times for the same issue. Out of the blue it'll get vertical and horizontal lines, then it will freeze, then complete video loss.

I just got it back from Apple Repair for the 2nd fix of this two weeks ago... only to have it repeat the issue again. Pain in the ass when I have papers due next week.

Gendudehashadenough

18:42 / 17.12.03

I too, have had numerous Apple computer problems with my 700mhz iBook. When the screen scambles it's because of a faulty logic board component coupled with the design flaw that accompanies the video cable that goes up through the hinge, and into the screen. While I still love Apple's design and ease of use, I have found that the AppleCare warranty, or at least the one offered with the notebook computers, is almost completely worthless, and here's why. When virtually ANY part of the computer malfunctions, it will invariably be a logic board issue. Obviously, things like the hard drive, cd drive, and power supply area are exempt from this description, but most other parts of the computer are connected with the mother board. This means that whenever one of this small parts malfunctions, such as the ethernet jack, which has had notorious design flaws, the entire mother board must be replaced.

Also, if Apple's repair techies deem that YOU caused the problem, that entire component is now void under warrenty.

So, for example: if the ethernet jack breaks, which has been attributed, in most communities to be Apple's lack of functionality problem, Apple will blame the problem on the consumer, thus causing s/he to pay for the repair. Since the ethernet jack cannot be replaced by itslef this now voids the entire logic board under warrenty, because the problem, according to Apple was not cause by there faulty product and assembly, but by the consumer.

So, when the computer's video component final goes out, which it most certainly will (on the ibook's anyway) the consumer is up a creek without a paddle, because now, the cost of the repair for the logic board, which is no longer under warrenty, is $700 bucks for a flaw in the design. Apple products = good. Apple service and support = not so good.

I.Hate.Apple.

19:56 / 17.12.03

I dunno. I had a problem with the video on the 800mhz 12" iBook I got at the start of this year (apparently a common one). Dealing with AppleCare was by far the smoothest, most professional electronics repair experience I have ever had. I dropped it in at an Apple Store, they sent it off and it was back within literally a couple of days, all fixed. So I can't complain.

One thing I wish they would tell you is how to do the various resets and reboots properly (rebooting the iPod, for instance, was necessary once when I took it out without ejecting it properly first). You can Google for this stuff or get it from the the Apple Store or on the helpline, but it should be in documentation. (The iBook documentation is ridiculously slim, basically comprising "turn it on, start using it". Okay, so there's practically nothing else you need to do, but still... for those of us who like to play, a nice manual would be good. I suppose they're counting on the fact that *nix geeks who get Macs will already be used to hunting down documentation online.)

I've heard far more horror stories about the major PC manufacturers.

nedrichards is confused

23:24 / 17.12.03

I'm also hearing strong rumours about an Applecare Plus for portables which would cover *everything* from accidently dropping it to having it stolen but I'm sure it'd be hellaciously expensive.

08:48 / 18.12.03

The story about ipod batteries is is no longer accurate - you can buy replacement batteries from apple in the for around $99 and for around $49 from 3rd party suppliers...

AS for other mac stuff -I've never had a single problem with my imac and when my first ibook went under with the same problem D. Mass describes it was repaired quickly and efficiently under applecare (of course that i book was stolen a week after it was returned leaving me 1. wishing that apple had kept it longer and 2. unable to varify if the problem would have re-occured as it has with D. Mass's machine - i hope it has - bloody burgulars)

02:02 / 02.01.04

My problems with Macs come under pretty much the same headings as everyone else's. My old-style Powerbook G4, on which I'm typing now, has incredibly weak screen hinges, and the battery on my 30gig iPod is never full. It's not just at 95% though, we're talking half-charge after endless charging.

But you know what? I don't mind that much. My iPod still plays for as long as it should, the Powerbook works perfectly 3 years after I bought it, and using Macs is so much less hellacious than the PCs I have to deal with at college.

19:51 / 07.01.04

i have a "new" (fall '02) imac, and i hate that the power button is all the way at the back.
that is all.

21:59 / 07.01.04

I'm annoyed that the new 4 meg mini ipods
A) won't be out in the UK until 2 months after they hit the states
B) are currently set to be priced £199 while the us version will be priced at $249 (which should translate as closer to £140 at current exhange rates )
C) the new -low end full ipod will be £250 for a 15 meg version just £50 more for an extra 11meg of memory.

07:40 / 08.01.04

Sleaze is entirely right. I agree on all points.

I own a first-edition 12" Powerbook, and it's lovely. No problems whatsoever; yesterday, I had my first kernel panic after six months of ownership and daily use. Wonderful machine.

08:23 / 08.01.04

They *seem* to have misjudged the whole Mini iPod situation. I'd still have my iPod 20meg over a similarly priced mini - they are no frills, optional dock and tiny memory. what's the point?

12:24 / 08.01.04

Have a positive support experience... my Ghz Tibook's AC Adapter started to go on me since the wire that connects the machine to the brick is split at the end (apparently a design flaw people have noticed). Called them up late and the tech guy forced the order to ship that night for me. Two days later, it was on my landing with another box to ship the old unit back. Quick, clean, and actually a better designed adapter than I started with (thicker gauge wire housing). Not bad for 20 mins...

nedrichards is confused

14:07 / 08.01.04

btw. sleaze and others you do mean gigabytes not megabytes re: the ipods don't you. Because there's a slight difference. :-)

15:20 / 08.01.04

Nedrichards
Yes - a 4 meg ipod would be silly - i keep getting the two confused (though thankfully not when i'm buying stuff...)