Apple computers: The biggest scam in consumer electronics?

[jay.money]

I'm really **** pissed right now.

About 14 months ago, I picked up a Mac Mini to act solely as a music server (hardly a workout for any computer). At the time, I was quite excited to become a Mac user as I'd heard many good things.

Immediately after setting it up (~5 days or so), the thing starts to emit a loud, audible distortion from the audio outs. I call the Assle support line, they tell me to go down to the local Assle store and they'll take care of it. I won't get in to the ****ty attitude on the zit faced twerp working at the tech desk... anyway, they replace the "mainboard", I take it home and guess what: No change still ****. So, I pack it up, take it back, fight to get them to give me new machine (which they finally do).

Like I said, I'm excited to be a new Mac owner, so I overlook this initial bad experience.

Well, after setting back up, ripping a bunch of CDs, I notice that the wireless network reception is flakey. Sometimes its there, sometimes not. Sometimes, if the planets are aligned, the signal is great. But it's not consistent. So, I go out and replace my old, DLink router (which was cheap even 4 years ago) and get what is rated as the best wireless router known to man.

Not much change, all the while my work PC notebook has no problem gaining reception at the same spot in the house.

So again, I take the Mac back over to Zitface. Guess what? He's not able to do anything other than tell me "it's able to connect to our network in the store...".

So back home I go... Set it back up.... Things improve for a few weeks. I'm happy. Not sure what happened, but I'm happy none the less. Until one day, NO SIGNAL. Nuthin. Kaputz.

Reboots provide me one of two things. Either it comes back and the NIC is disabled (don't know why or how, just is), or it comes alive and I have network but only for a few mins (like 3), then nothing again.

As an experiment, I moved the router, so that I can be sure signal is strong. And it is.... For a few mins... immediately after boot up, for about 3 mins. Then nothing.

And guess what. No more warranty. I won't spend another $10 on this pile of ****. I'll UPGRADE to a PC in a heartbeat.

APPLE = JUNK. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE.

Oh yeah, I didn't even get in to the fact that the video out (although HDMI) doesn't scale to my HDTV properly... But a PC will.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[tyrion]

Sorry about your bad experience but don't you think your statement "APPLE = JUNK. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE" is going a bit too far? I've been using a mac mini as a music server for months without it skipping a beat.

 

[jay.money]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrion /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sorry about your bad experience but don't you think your statement "APPLE = JUNK. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE" is going a bit too far? I've been using a mac mini as a music server for months without it skipping a beat.

Yeah, it might be a little emotionally charged, but it's true to experience.

Obviously, not everyone has had the same experience as me or they'd be out of business.

And my personal apology if you happen to be one of the Steves.

 

[tyrion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay.money /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, it might be a little emotionally charged, but it's true to experience. Obviously, not everyone has had the same experience as me or they'd be out of business. And my personal apology if you happen to be one of the Steves...

You can finish the sentence.

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay.money /img/forum/go_quote.gif APPLE = JUNK. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE.

Whatever!
I have been using Apple computers for 4 years, without a single issue. But guess I just have been lucky...

 

[Edwood]

Yeah, Mac's are overpriced and overhyped, but they aren't total junk.

Well at least not 100% junk.






Maybe 50% at least.

-Ed

 

[ntrigue]

I have a disgusting number of Apple products and upgrade regularly....

....with that said, I have 0 complaints!

Shuffle
iPod Video
iPod Touch
iPhone

Mac Mini (C2D)
MacBook Pro (C2D)
30' AC Display
AppleTV

 

[Uncle Erik]

Almost 30 years of using Apple computers for me. I used a Mini as a music server and it worked great. Ended up giving it to my father when the HD died on his 10 year old Mac. He's had no problems with it. My loyalty has been won over the years.

Anyway, do you still have your Mini? If you poke around the Mac message boards you'll probably find answers for everything.

 

[Carmantom]

Seems the key to your statement is "I'm really **** pissed now.

I've never bought any Apple stuff since I always considered it pricey, but the cool factor has always intrigued me. Tis a shame it was your piece of electronics that crapped out, but all electronics run that same risk.

 

[jay.money]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrion /img/forum/go_quote.gif You can finish the sentence.

It was finished. I've updated it.

 

[tyrion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay.money /img/forum/go_quote.gif It was finished. I've updated it.

No, I don't think I'm "one of Steves."

 

[Blutarsky]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Whatever! I have been using Apple computers for 4 years, without a single issue. But guess I just have been lucky...

Me too, my lucky streak is unbroken since 1981/2 and my first apple IIe. Currently, I have a mac mini (love cho baby), powerbook G4 17 (strong like bull) and an iMac G5 for the kids.. In all that time one hard drive failure and a power supply on the iMac (lightening in CO) that was replaced in only a few days at my home by the local apple VAR....

I'd rather not discuss my Gateway, IBM, Sony Vaio (desktop & laptop) and Dell experiences; all less reliable and definitely less fun.

 

[blessingx]

I may just be getting old and crusty, but why do some members bad personal experience elevate to end-of-world, conspiracy rants so often here lately?

I guess at least there is a question mark at the end of the title.

 

[joelongwood]

Sorry to hear of your bad experience with the Mini, and I'm quite surprised at the treatment you say you received from Apple. There's two g4 titanium powerbooks, a mac mini, an emac, two imacs, and a dozen or so iPods set up and running in this house. I've never even had to call tech support. A bit pricey? Yes........but the complete absence of problems has made it well worth it.

 

[VeipaCray]

The biggest problem I have with Apple is that they don't die. I'm still running my dual 533 G4 digital audio from 2001. I really want one of the new tiny quiet mac minis, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with the machine I have... it refuses to die. Prior to this machine I had a beige G3 desktop and a PowerMac 6400. I have given both machines away to friends, but they are still running to date.

To the OP, I'm sorry you've had a bad experience with your mac mini. Apple computers being junk is definitely not the norm. (except maybe the apple lisa) OS X is a very stable, solid OS running on equally solid hardware. If you are still having unresolved issues with your mini, please PM me and I'd be happy to help you in whatever way possible with the Mac. I'm brand new to head-fi and the people on this board have been great so far answering my questions and providing information. I cannot offer any useful head-fi advice, but I'd certainly be willing to offer up my 15+ years of unix, bsd, apple experience to help a fellow head-fi'er.