asv108's Journal: My Affair With Apple is Over!

Some of you may recall that I decided to make my first personal Apple non-ipod hardware purchase back in February. I picked up a dual 2ghz G5 and I was really impressed with the machine, OSX, and many of the applications that are available for OSX, but after nearly eight months of use I have decided to get rid of my only apple machine. Here is a quick list of the reasons why:

• Non-portable hardware support is limited to outsourced local techs:

  Have a problem with your G5? If you need to replace something, you will have to find a local repair shop that is authorized to fix Apple computers. You can not send your $3000 computer back to Apple for repair. I can't just get a part too, even though I probably know more about the problem than the local tech. So I end up driving for an hour to drop off the machine, because the closer place has a 3 week wait. The 3 week wait requires you to drop off your machine, you can't just put your name down and drop it off when they are ready.

• Apple Hardware is Prone to Breakage

  From the large sample of mac users I'm in contact with on a regular basis, its easy to see that Apple hardware has major reliability problems. The hardware looks great and has some great design features but in some cases reliability is sacrificed for marketability. Over-complex solutions are sometimes used for simple problems, the G5 fan control system is a great example.

• No Upgrade Path

  Want to upgrade your G5 hardware? Good luck! Want to upgrade OSX? Pay Apple ~$100 every year.

• Apple Warranties Suck

  Want to have service and support after a year? Well if you own a Mac, you will have to purchase an Applecare support plan. For example, if I bought a Powerbook and I wanted the same level of support that I get from IBM on my thinkpad at no charge, I will have to pay Apple $350.

• A Culture of Shareware

  This is somewhat improving but a lot of apps that run on OSX and even some that come with OSX are crippled unless you pay more money. See a good app for OSX? Chances are you will have to pay for it, regardless of how insignifigant its functionality is, buying a Mac brought be back to the windows app development paradigm where developers made little closed sourced specialized apps and tried to milk them for as much money as possible.

One positive note, Apple stuff seems to hold its value. I should be able to get a little bit less than $1900-$2000 for this machine which I got for $2400. I will sell it, spend $1200 on much more powerful homebuilt system running gentoo, and pocket the rest.

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Re:I'm with you

[TechnoLust]

Dell's support is better than Apple? If that is the case I will NEVER own an Apple. We're a multimillion dollar contract with Dell AND buy the 3 year Gold Support and I STILL have to go through an act of congress to get anything done. Dell's support is the worst I've EVER dealt with.

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Re:I'm with you

[TechnoLust]

Yeah, after I've been on the phone with them for 7 hours going over every stupid little "fix" they can suggest. "Yes, it's plugged in." "Yes, the power light is on." "Yes, I ran the diagnostics." "No, it didn't complete because the hard drive slung a platter out the back of the case." "No, I don't think upgrading the BIOS would help, since the hard drive has melted into a heap of charred metal." "No, I won't try to boot from the diagnostic CD again. Just send my a new hard drive, damn it!"

Re:I'm with you

[asv108]

Here at Penn State, I've had a pleasurable experience with Dell Support. One of our servers had a bad network card. I called Dell Support, after 10 mins they agreed to send a new card out the same day. They had a guy drive up from Harrisburg, PA (2 hours) to deliver the card.

On the other hand, I would never buy a Dell laptop. They are usually bulky, plasticy, pieces of shit, but if your looking for a cheap server, Dell is a decent choice.

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