say it ain't so!

I was wondering if you macbook users could vouch for this. Is it all true? I was considering getting one and now I'm not so sure.

 

I've seen that site before too, and while a lot of the problems have happened before, they happen rarely, maybe 1 in every 1000 MacBooks, and even if you are so rare to get that problematic MacBook, don't worry, if you take it to an Apple Store and you have AppleCare protection, you will most likely get a replacement or get it fixed, even if the issue isn't technically recognized by Apple.

 

Thanks I honestly feel a little bit better about the macbook after hearing this. Now I wonder if there are 'defects' sites for other notebook manufacturers. A quick google search didn't really reveal anything. But you're right about that 1 in 1000. There will always be a rotten egg.

 

All I can say is that I've owned and used a number of Apple computers over the years and they have all been of excellent design and above average quality.

Human nature is to expend the extra effort to complain when we have an issue where we often remain silent when we are happy with something.

While I don't doubt all of the issues on AppleDefects.com have occurred, without additional research showing the percantage of machines with one or more of these defects it does not mean a whole lot. If these issues are with a vocal 1% then Apple has awesome quality. If these issues are with 10% of products Apple has a problem. If the issues are with some percentage in between, Apple is like many manufacturers.

All I can say is that the only issue reported that I had was the sharp edge thing. Even that you don't notice if you have the notebook positioned nicely for typing.

 

Yeah, it's mainly a list of seen problems. I wouldn't be surprised if some of it was not owner caused. Such as display issues. That looks like someone broke the lcd screen.
And a lot of those issues were fixed and as others said, only effected a very small percentage of units.
Such as the ""The macbook case itself is so fragile that even if you do not hit somewhere hard, or drop it ; your lcd screen can get damaged and apple customer care will say that it is all your fault -even if the macbook is your heart, and you handle it with so much care that you don't show to your eye-."
Um yeah... sorry, but no, LCD panels don't just BREAK. The cases are not fragile at all.
I really think it's just that in some of those cases, people do something to their MB/MBP that breaks it, then expect apple to fix it for free. Then when they won't, they ***** about it on forums and such.

I think every consumer electronic company has that. But I imagine that other companies have pages similar to this.

 

Just keep in mind that people will 99% of the time, only report problems about their stuff, not how wonderful things are. EVERY company has a few bad computers, but its how the company deals with the problem that matters. And Apple, well Apple is just outstanding when it comes to that sort of thing.

 

+1 to Jim's comment above, although it seems ironic that neither the macbook or macbook pro pages at appledefects have been updated to reflect the C2D models. Guess that extra effort only goes so far...

Also, being a wiki means exactly ONE person has to have a "problem" (reasonable or otherwise) to add something to the unresolved issues list.

 

And also keep in mind. . . That ANY Mac issue is considering a huge deal. No matter how small the problem may be, a lot of people will use the smallest problem to say how bad OS X is. Mainly thats due to people hating OS X due to the obnoxious Apple fan boys.
I'm sure you know those type of people. Any bad press for Apple is magnified heavily due to this type thinking.

 

Actually, as a prospective Mac user, if there is one thing I've noticed it is the reverse of the last comment. I find no matter how hard it is to do something or no matter how many times their system crashes Mac users always smile and say 'aren't Macs wonderful'?
I love the lotus land that Mac users live in, so I intend to join.
Now, if only that fantasy were true. One year ago we bought 10 iMacs for our office (the software was Mac-only--proprietary Medical software). Since then 3 machines have gone down (one required replacement because it crapped out so often), one faulty keyboard was replaced and our server crashes about once monthly (and it is NOT software related).
Every time I use my Apple Care extended warranty, they seem surprised that I would actually expect them to fix something!
So, yup, any bad publicity is obviously just an exaggeration.

 

OK, then in that case I just have one other concern: what about the heat? Is it truly unbearable to have the macbook in your lap?

 

I've had my C2D 2.0ghz MacBook (Black) for about a month now. Through the week, I use it for about 8 hours a day on a desk followed by 4-8 hours a day mostly on my lap. The highest external temperature I observed was about 90 degrees Fahrenheit . Thats like warm but not hot water. Definitely not unbearable. Its not any warmer (subjectively) than my Sony SZ gets although its a lot quieter.

Even on the couch or my lap the fan seldom revs up to audible speeds and the MacBook is smart enough not to fry itself - it will speed up the fan to cool as needed (obviously there is a point beyond which it can't compensate but you only really need to consider that when the fan is at max, at which point your temperature widget in Dashboard might merit the occasional glance).

 

Hmm, perhaps Steve integrated a touchpad with some DMSO and a suitable feel good chemical, so we get our daily delusional dose, but more likely, one of the big reasons people choose anything is because they perceive it better than the alternatives.

The two big common perceptions with respect to the Mac is intuitive use and reliability. I know there are people that would ignore issues just so they could feel good about thier decision, but most people who think they got hosed complain about it and I see (very subjective as I don't pretend to read all the complaints on the internet) more complaints on the PC side than the Mac side.

Are Mac;s perfect? Heck no. Is Mac Hardware better than PC hardware? I think on average its on the high end of the PC quality scale but there are higher quality PC's to be had if you want to pay the price. Is OS X better than Windows? I think on the usability side, its a personal choice, but on the speed and reliability side OS X is a clear winner by leaps and bounds.

If you accept that any product is imperfect, and its just a matter of degree, you just have to decide what is more important to you and find a product with a suitable balance. For me, the Mac is better but for others it won't be. I think Apple's market share is growing, but there a long way to go before the market says "Mac's are better"

If you'll excuse me I have to go meditate now and contemplate the meaning of life, or at least the possibility the iPhone will actually work well in its first incarnation later this year. Peace and tranquility to you ;-)

 

Thanks Jim, very insightful! You weren't getting overly philosophical at all That's just what I needed to hear.