Comments on: The Downside of Macs

By: Interview: Computer Setup : Productivity501

Interview: Computer Setup : Productivity501 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:00:51 +0000

[...] had significantly more issues with my Mac, but I’m pretty hard on computers and I still prefer it to my windows machines. [...]

By: so

so — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:48:41 +0000

that is exactly waht happened to me. My laptop is still on the shop, I have still no idea of what is wrong with it, and I bought another lap because I cant live without a machine!!
Wish me luck! :)

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:20:06 +0000

@Bret – I think Apple has an excellent system for home users. It doesn’t match up with what I’ve experienced buying business class service plans for business class laptops from Dell or IBM.

But I do agree. I like my experience better than what you just described! :)

By: Bret Capranica

Bret Capranica — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:30:00 +0000

Mark, I admit to a degree of Mac envy. Having gone through 5 PC laptops in the past six years, I was intrigued with what I thought was a superior built machine in the MacBooks and MacBook Pros. My iPhone has made me think again about the Mac world.

I too would really love to stick with one machine for three to five years. I’m not so sure it’s realistic. Machines will be machines and those of us who use them incessantly will simply have to be content with the constant of repair centers, and none seem exceptional to me.

One of my co-workers has the exact same Toshiba laptop as I do – purchased from the same store the same day. We always buy the extended warranty on laptops for quick service. His motherboard went out. We immediately contacted support and it was over-nighted to the repair center. We were then told, because of the economic slow down and the newness of the machine, the repair center kept no motherboards for this machine on hand. 6 weeks later. . . . How’s that for support – extended warranty support.

Your Mac story, still sounds better to me.

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:44:07 +0000

@Nancy – Well I must be harder on my computers than you are. :) Of the past 5 laptops I’ve had only one didn’t need repaired.

@Braden – Apple does have good tech support. I’m just saying they don’t have a “business class” option like most PC laptop manufactures have. Their system works well and usually the turn around time is 3 days. A lot of people who buy a Dell aren’t going to opt for the business level support either. I just wish Apple had it as an option.

By: Braden Douglass

Braden Douglass — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:03:43 +0000

While I find this to be an extremely well written article about the need for better repair services in the computer world. I do see Apple’s service to be on the ok side of things. Example: I had a computer with a bad logic board and video card, sent for an applecare box, received it the next day and then received the computer two days after that. I find this to be an adequate turn around time and when we are not spending money on shipping and packaging this is very good. Thanks for the write up though, everyone needs to see holes in their system and this is a good way to show them the need for improvements.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:23:09 +0000

Hmm, sorry to hear about all the trouble you had. I’ve had no fewer than 5 Mac laptops so far, and only needed repairs once. That process was as painless as it could have been, but then again, I am fortunate to have an Apple store a mile away.

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:07:03 +0000

It is about a 2 hour drive to the nearest Apple store. I asked if they repair laptops onsite and they said no–they usually have to send it off to do things like replace the system board or they have to order the part. So taking it to an Apple store would be 4 hours to get it there and 4 hours to pick it backup later. And that doesn’t count the time of actually going into the store.

Dell on the other hand shows up the next day with the part in hand.

By: infmom

infmom — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:56:27 +0000

Did you not have a local Apple store to which you could take it? One of the in-store techs might have been able to solve the problem while you waited.