When Apple switched processors and started building their machines with Intel components I was angry. I tried to get on board with the idea that everything would be just as good as before because it was just a hardware change and not an operating system change. But still, I was nervous about the whole deal. I had lots of nasty stuff to say about Intel. The other Mac enthusiasts shunned me because I was so adamant that Apple was making a bad move. I softened my stance a bit after listening to months of how this change was a “good thing”.
After some convincing from someone whose advice I never should have taken, I bought a 17″ MacBook Pro at the very beginning of 07. It came in with issues. SERIOUS ISSUES. In fact, it had so many issues that within a week it was back at Apple. I fought with Apple for a little while (they wanted to repair it and I wanted an entirely new machine). Then the new machines were going to be held up awhile. Anyone who knows me even casually knows that I NEED my computer. At that point I was operating on a 4+ year old PowerBook G4 and it just wasn’t keeping up. I had already given my G5 tower to my brother because, well, I had gotten a new computer and I didn’t think I’d need it. After much ado, I settled on simply getting a nice little black MacBook that I could have delivered overnight. I liked the color. The size was nice and I max’d the RAM out. All was happy in my world. And still, I was trying to believe the Intel BS about how it was “just hardware” and it was great hardware or Apple wouldn’t be allowing it in their machines.
Fast forward a year… Anyone with a Mac knows that you have AppleCare for a year. The AppleCare warranty system has always been great in the past. You can also renew the AppleCare for additional years after your free year is up. I had never done that before. Heck, why would I? After all, I had a history of great machines from Apple with literally no problems year after year after year. That first generation 12″ aluminum PowerBook is still serving Morgan quite nicely. Other than having the latch repaired when it was almost new and replacing the power supply/cord it’s been great (knock on wood). Besides, I was always taught that extended warranties are gambles. Usually they are great for the company and not really good values for the consumer.
So, my AppleCare ran out about 6 months ago. Now I have a MacBook with a dying motherboard. Seriously. A couple of weeks ago it started, without warning, not charging the battery. I did a little research and found that the batteries haven’t been lasting very long on machines that are used everyday for long hours. I bought a new battery and a new charger/power adaptor just in case that was the issue instead of the battery. Goodbye over $200. But, it was a necessary purchase. Literally, I HAVE to have a reliable machine to make money to help support this family. They came in and did absolutely no good. The new battery will charge in other machines. But not mine. The power cord works great (as did my old one apparently).
When I started stomping my feet and almost crying, Rick was prompted to bring out all of his electronic test equipment to help me. Usually, he makes me deal with my own Mac issues. We have a split household. He’s a PC person. But, he’s also an electronics engineering type person and since we must remember that the only difference is the OS, he knew he could tell me what the real issue was/is with some diagnostics. I admit that while I totally understand the software side of things, the actual hardware perplexes me at times. Anyway, it’s the whole damn thing going bad. He explained it all to me and I could explain it all here but I won’t for fear of boring everyone even more than you already are. At first we thought that just the charging component was dead. Nope. Now I know thanks to some other abnormalities that the whole motherboard is jumping ship.
Before anyone e-mails me, yes, I have reset the PMU. It was one of the first things I tried. I did all of the standard crap that I would tell anyone else to do (remember that I was in this business for awhile). And, after all of this, I called Apple. Gone are the nice and helpful English speaking tech support folks that I used to deal with so regularly for clients computers. I wonder if they’ve had to add lots of new staff and teach them how to say no to helping their customers. It certainly seems that way. Maybe that’s what happens when you’ve got thousands more calls because you’re putting out subpar merchandise thanks to “new” hardware. I have read all of the online forums and know that I am not alone in my frustration. I used to be impressed by how you could call Apple and always walk away from the call happy (unlike my previous experiences with HP, Gateway, etc.). Now it seems to me that Apple has gone to the dark side. Planned obsolescence at it’s worst. I guess that most people replace their machines every year or so. I don’t want to. That’s why I bought a Mac.
So… Where does all of this leave me? My beloved Apple has abandoned me with a limping year and a half old MacBook with a ton of info. on it and a machine that I need everyday. Of course, I can clone the hard drive and I have already backed up all of my stuff since I have no idea how long it will last or not last. I can’t afford to replace it right now. But I’m also not sure that I can afford NOT to replace it. I certainly am no longer spouting the praises of Apple because they simply don’t deserve it. Yes, the OS is still FAR superior. But, when it comes down to it, hardware is what makes it all “go”. And if you don’t have adequate components, the rest is useless. I’m not sure what my options are on the PC side and if anyone is using better “stuff” but if they are maybe I will become a backwards switcher. That pains me to say. It really does. But, ultimately, I was right. Intel sucks.