Apple Computer Company has jumped the shark!

[Mend]

I bought my first Mac in the 1980's, an Apple IIe and have been a loyal customer since then. I have had to buy Dell's for my office for program compatibility, but none for several years...all my money has gone to Apple, especially as they are a blue company. Now I would color them puke green. My PowerBook went down in April due to a problem with the battery...I am on the protection plan, this isn't about the money. I sent it in, they repaired it and mailed it back with a broken lid. I re-sent it, and they sent it back with a four inch scratch in the screen. I re-sent them to fix what they had broken, and it appears Apple has run out of screens. A computer company has run out of what is 50% of a laptop. They have had my computer for two weeks, waiting for a new screen...gaacckkkk. I remember when Dell was a very good company, got popular, and did this stuff. Apple has grown too big for its britches, the support people are rude, they just don't care. Anyone know a good computer company, preferably one that is blue?

[politicat]

1. Sorry about the bad luck there.

We've never had problems with Apple care. As for screen shortages, the port situation (i.e. that there is no management of the ports right now because the sale has been held up in court) is slowing imports into the United States, and very few screens are made in the US.

If you don't like Windows, then I'd not even bother looking. There are a few linux laptops out there, but they have the standard component problem -- things don't necessarily work together.

I'd be talking to someone in management at Apple care and trying to get satisfaction.

[Mend]

2. I will try that

thank you...I told them if it is not done by Wednesday, to just mail it back as is. I can live with a scratch. I don't mind windows, I was just trying to stay with a Democratic-friendly company but this is nuts.

[Nomad559]

3. How Is Apple a blue company?

Has the Apple Corp ever donated to the Democrats?
I don't think so.

Apple uses slave labor In China to build iPods and computers.

Inside Apple's iPod factories
http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=14915&Page=1&pagePos=2

Apple approved sweat-shop labour
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=32644

Photos: inside Foxconn's "iPod City"
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1815


Apple lobbied against state e-waste recycling legislation and continues to lobby against takeback bills.

http://www.texasenvironment.org/ewaste_apple.cfm

http://www.computertakeback.com/bad_apple/bad_apple_biz.cfm


It seems to me that the Apple Corp Is more Red than Blue.

[Mend]

4. I didn't know that....

I knew Stephen Dell was a big bush contributor and I had heard that Stephen Jobs was a Democrat, but this info is really discouraging.

[Wrinkle_In_Time]

5. Excuse me, you've got some FUD on your shoe...

Apple Corp has donated 99% to the Democratic Party, 0% to the Republican Party and 1% to "Other".

Here's Buy Blue's analysis on how Blue Apple is.

An Apple sub-contractor (Foxconn) was found to have used sweat-shop labour. When these allegations first arose, Apple audited Foxconn as this practice conflicts with Apple's code of supplier conduct.

Regarding their environmental practices, they could certainly do better, however you neglected to mention what they have already done (recycling, packaging reduction, take-back programs).

Please be careful where you walk...

[myomy]

6. and don’t forget Al Gore is on the Board of Directors..

.

[Nomad559]

8. That's true

Al Gore joined the Company’s Board of Directors In 2003, has Al Gore ever criticized Apple for their environmental practices?
He recently praised Wal-Mart for their environmental efforts.

Gore praises Wal-Mart for enviro efforts

Wal-Mart Discusses Global Warming Steps

:)

[Nomad559]

7. Apple Corp

Buy Blue states that the "Apple Corp" Is a blue company because "Steven Jobs" and his spouse donated to Dems.

When Steve Jobs left Apple, was Apple Blue or Red?

Thanks for the Buy Blue link, I found this link that shows that the "Apple Corp" did give to the RePUGlicans.

So It seems that Buy Blue Is In error.

[onehandle]

9. Push for a new computer.

The motherboard in mine went bad in January. They were out of them for this early 2005 model and would have to manufacture a new one.

I pushed for a new PowerBook and they had me go to the local Apple Store and pick up the current model.

Apple has one of the highest customer service ratings, but you have to tell them what you want. They will do more for you if the repair is going to take extra time.

[realisticphish]

10. Don't send stuff

to apple, at least. Try what I did: use a local repair company, that is certified by Apple. There was one only 20 minutes away from me. They worked fast, were polite, and were fantastically helpful in figuring out my problem. And it was all covered by the protection plan.

Believe me: a small, local company will ALWAYS be better then sending your precious computer into the bowels of the beast.

[Downtown Hound]

11. Yes, always avoid sending stuff whenever possible

It's not just Apple that has these kinds of issues. I had a computer company actually lose a whole computer on me when I sent it in for an upgrade. There are Apple dealerships and authorized repair outlets everywhere. Even if you have to make a little bit of a drive and maybe wait a while for your necessary part to come in, it's worth it in the end.

[Mend]

12. update....they finally returned it July 28th and I swear the

new screen doesn't not seem quite the same. The dark dots are more visible. Also, now it sometimes starts whirring and I can't shut it off normally but have to press the off button. That said, I will never send it away again. Your ideas of looking for local Apple repair are great. They had my computer this time for almost 3 weeks while they did a "world-wide search" for a screen. I am looking into an IBM for my next computer although I got a new Apple desktop 6 weeks ago before this trouble, so I will still be eligible for this group. Thanks for the ideas and help.

[bullimiami]

13. if the computer has been in for multiple repairs and is still not 100%

i would call and complain my way all the way to the top. i would want a new computer this time. they can afford it and its the least they can do for you. you should not have to go through another round of repairs.

[Mend]

14. normally I would do as you say, but I have given up. Also

this is the last 10 months of a 4 year business lease....so I will send them back their computer when the time comes. I have been told that what they did was give me a lower resolution screen than the original one I had. I hope they like it when it is theirs again.

[bullimiami]

15. if the computer is over 3 years old it must be close to the end of its

useful life anyway, plus its going back to them. i agree then its probably not worth the hassle.

[GoneOffShore]

16. Three years for an Apple is just barely broken in

Our first MacClassic 2, vintage 1992 just became a doorstop. I was using it to run a FileMaker Pro 2 database up until last year.

The second MacClassic 2 was being used to do basic word processing, spreadsheets and print serving until the hard drive finally went down at year 15.

Donated a Performa 636 and a bondi blue iMac to a theatre company, and they're both going strong, as are our other two vintage iMacs.

The PowerBook I'm using finishes up it's AppleCare plan in October and then it gets a bigger hard drive.

Generally, unless you're doing heavy image work or video editing and need super fast processors you don't need to replace Macs all that often.

Just upgrade the system and keep going.