http://www.macintouch.com/reliability/macbooks2. html
First - the survey was held because so many people did see problems with their hardware
Second - I think it's a decent source, just one of your run-of-the-mill Apple info sites
Third - You'll see the ORIGINAL MacBook Pro's have seen:
MacBooks had 30.1% of the total laptops repaired for some problem or another
MBP 15"'s have seen 27.8% of the total laptops repaired, and
MBP 17"'s have seen 14.2% of the total laptops repaired
That is if you accept their sample as representative of all the laptops Apple released
Worse yet, it's not like the Dell et al. recall where it was "all the batteries are messed up". The problems are all over the place, we've got:
Swelling Batteries
Flakey Displays (mostly video cable caused)
Power Supply Connectors fraying
Hinges (suprise?)
Logic Board flaws
Fans mooing and/or howling
Optical drives failing in all sorts of ways
So, it's general sloppiness all over the spectrum. How's that for anecdotal. We can fight all day, but I've got my experience and you've got yours.
Ummm, your evidence is anecdotal as well yes? Why is your evidence better than mine? I'm puzzled.
If Apple continues to have hardware problems, they're going to drive away all their supporters (like us), then it doesn't matter if they license their OS to another platform or not. Bankruptcy kinda sucks that way.
You're using Microsoft as an example for anything? Bad! Bad! No cookie for you.
Firstly, Microsoft never had a proprietary hardware lock-in that Apple has always had.
Secondly, Linux runs fairly well on x86, PowerPC, and SPARC platforms (there are others), and definitely isn't locked into a brand of computing equipment to work.
Thirdly, Sun did exactly what Apple should do, given it's a little harder due to the number of peripherals that the consumer demands on the Apple platform and not so much on the Sun side. But instead of keeping Solaris on SPARC only (which isn't proprietary, just no other (real) SPARC manufacturers http://www.sparc.org/), they opened it up and put it out there on the x86 platform. Who knows where it will go from there, but so far it's been a success.
I'm the sys admin for a company that "switched" just about a year ago, and man the hardware has been AWFUL! To be clear they're all Mac Book Pro's, mostly 17" models, but we got 3 15"'s as well. Granted this was version 1.0 hardware and probably the first hundred batches or so. Nonetheless we've purchased a few since then and had a large number of problems (more than one problem per laptop). The software is fairly good, but man the hardware.... It's enough to make me consider switching back.
APPLE -- If you're listening, license your OS for other x86 hardware. Now.
All those computers that shipped with "Free Vista Upgrades", I'm guessing they counted. Whenever I buy my batch of Hells (er Dells), I ensure they come with FreeDOS, or some other innocuous OS so Microsoft doesn't get to count "Sold OS's" due to my purchase. Microsoft sucks.
"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain
There's nothing in an HDMI cable that makes it magically more complicated than any quasi-shielded A/V cable. You can buy them for about $6 on many websites (including the one I had a good customer service experience with at monoprice.com)
You can also buy an adapter to convert your PC's DVI (video only) out into HDMI for $5
I'm not saying there is a crisis, but I think things are a little more complicated than dark fiber being available.
1. Certain companies are hoarding dark fiber, attempting to create a shortage, to accomplish, um, political aspirations
2. You must connect (expensive) equipment to the ends of this dark fiber, and pay people to maintain it, and upgrade machine rooms, etc. etc.
3. You must be able to justify to shareholders, etc. that people will pay for the bandwidth if you provide it
There are others I'm sure, but I thought I'd toss that out there
I figured the only reason a story about this should be posted it is to encourage people not to support a business that makes retarded business decisions. I just hope that is actually what happens. Don't monetarily support retarded companies! There are plenty of other reasons not to support Wal*Mart, but this is a good one too.
I should also point out that I manage a fleet of over 60 laptops for field use. They happen to be IBMs and Dells. The IBMS we had actually had a pretty poor track record, but I'm happy to report our Dells have had a VERY low percentage of failures.
I know my sample of Mac's is fairly small at 8, but I submit to you that I've had a failure in my list on ever laptop that we own.
That's not a hardware issue in general, that's a freakin quality control nightmare.
P.S. Are you a Hokie, as in from Virginia Tech, as in one of the largest Apple clients in the world? As in you might be an Apple apologist? Hmmmm.... Could you comment on the failure rates of the desktops or XServe's used in the giant cluster there?
I've had about 8 users get MBP's including myself. A list of problems we've had so far:
- Hinges suck, can't sit it on your lap if legs are any more than +/- 5 degrees, screen will flop around
- We've had to have 2 screens replaced
- We've had a number of cosmetic problems, light sensors breaking, power buttons sinking into the case, etc.
- We've had at least 2 batteries bulge and become useless - We've had a hard drive go already
- We've had a SuperDrive Combo-whatever DVD+-RW + CD/RW drive die
I've had about 8 users get MBP's including myself. A list of problems we've had so far
- Hinges suck, can't sit it on your lap if legs are any more than +/- 5 degrees, screen will flop around
- We've had to have 2 screens replaced
- We've had a number of cosmetic problems, light sensors breaking, power buttons sinking into the case, etc.
- We've had at least 2 batteries bulge and become useless
- We've had a hard drive go already
- We've had a SuperDrive Combo-whatever DVD+-RW + CD/RW drive die
BIG hardware problems with these damn things.
I applaud Jon for his words. TheRegister.com also ran a story about the Norwegian official complaining RE: Steve Job's "passing the buck" style attitude. It can be found here.
Cheaper, commodity hardware does not work for all of us! There's a huge category they're missing out on.
I know the Fortune 100 (or maybe 500?) companies don't care, as they can just run clusters of cheap ass machines. But what about the millions of small to middle sized businesses and research institutions?
I've been involved in a number of smaller sized research organizations, and uptime is the utmost importance, however, we definitely aren't running "server farms", so clustering is out the window. I've relied on Sun servers running tons of GNU tools to get the job done. I think you'll find (unless you already know) there's a very large number of people doing what I'm doing. We can't rely on Dell (or even Penguin, or Monarch, or....) to deliver consistent, well thought out, easily-repairable, robust servers. Sun (and other big box makers) can! So what do I do? Run Solaris 10 (GREAT, Solid OS) and install a ton of GNU open-source tools. The result? Great open-source software, and the reliability and well thought-out hardware from Sun. It takes a bit longer to do, but the results are great.
"...several scientists contacted for the article refused the offers on conflict of interest grounds, while others happily signed their life away and are hustling to finish their dissenting papers. And who have planned a luxurious European jaunt. And who just bought a Mercedes. And a new house."
In my experience this is about the 5th or 6th time they've done this. I've ordered PC's from them with everything from RedHat to FreeDOS to nothing at all. Depending on when I ask for the quotes on various machines dictates what kind of PC I actually get.
Not at all like what I get when I order a server from Sun.
I can't believe this. I never thought I'd see the day. Someone using the fact that Micros~1 writes a terribly insecure operating system to argue that DRM and IP is a bad idea.
I'm not saying that enforcing IP rights on media files via proprietary software is a good idea.
The fact that Windows' terrible security model makes it a trivial task for user-space programs to comprimise the security of a computer, doesn't mean DRM-enforcing techniques are a TERRIBLE IDEA.
What a HORRIBLE, AWFUL scar on the front page of Slashdot. Shame on Slashdot (again)
Slashdot Mirror
Howabout this one?
http://www.macintouch.com/reliability/macbooks2. html
First - the survey was held because so many people did see problems with their hardware
Second - I think it's a decent source, just one of your run-of-the-mill Apple info sites
Third - You'll see the ORIGINAL MacBook Pro's have seen:
MacBooks had 30.1% of the total laptops repaired for some problem or another
MBP 15"'s have seen 27.8% of the total laptops repaired, and
MBP 17"'s have seen 14.2% of the total laptops repaired
That is if you accept their sample as representative of all the laptops Apple released
Worse yet, it's not like the Dell et al. recall where it was "all the batteries are messed up". The problems are all over the place, we've got:
Swelling Batteries
Flakey Displays (mostly video cable caused)
Power Supply Connectors fraying
Hinges (suprise?)
Logic Board flaws
Fans mooing and/or howling
Optical drives failing in all sorts of ways
So, it's general sloppiness all over the spectrum. How's that for anecdotal. We can fight all day, but I've got my experience and you've got yours.
Ummm, your evidence is anecdotal as well yes? Why is your evidence better than mine? I'm puzzled.
If Apple continues to have hardware problems, they're going to drive away all their supporters (like us), then it doesn't matter if they license their OS to another platform or not. Bankruptcy kinda sucks that way.
You're using Microsoft as an example for anything? Bad! Bad! No cookie for you.
Firstly, Microsoft never had a proprietary hardware lock-in that Apple has always had.
Secondly, Linux runs fairly well on x86, PowerPC, and SPARC platforms (there are others), and definitely isn't locked into a brand of computing equipment to work.
Thirdly, Sun did exactly what Apple should do, given it's a little harder due to the number of peripherals that the consumer demands on the Apple platform and not so much on the Sun side. But instead of keeping Solaris on SPARC only (which isn't proprietary, just no other (real) SPARC manufacturers http://www.sparc.org/), they opened it up and put it out there on the x86 platform. Who knows where it will go from there, but so far it's been a success.
I'm the sys admin for a company that "switched" just about a year ago, and man the hardware has been AWFUL! To be clear they're all Mac Book Pro's, mostly 17" models, but we got 3 15"'s as well. Granted this was version 1.0 hardware and probably the first hundred batches or so. Nonetheless we've purchased a few since then and had a large number of problems (more than one problem per laptop). The software is fairly good, but man the hardware.... It's enough to make me consider switching back.
APPLE -- If you're listening, license your OS for other x86 hardware. Now.
Wow, Microsoft states that the future is something someone has already invented! Sweet How Novel.
All those computers that shipped with "Free Vista Upgrades", I'm guessing they counted. Whenever I buy my batch of Hells (er Dells), I ensure they come with FreeDOS, or some other innocuous OS so Microsoft doesn't get to count "Sold OS's" due to my purchase. Microsoft sucks.
"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain
There's nothing in an HDMI cable that makes it magically more complicated than any quasi-shielded A/V cable. You can buy them for about $6 on many websites (including the one I had a good customer service experience with at monoprice.com)
You can also buy an adapter to convert your PC's DVI (video only) out into HDMI for $5
The moment I clicked "Comments" I was looking for this information. MOD PARENT UP.
Police departments and district attorney's offices are definitely not filled with the smartest people in the country. I'll be calling right now.
I'm not saying there is a crisis, but I think things are a little more complicated than dark fiber being available.
1. Certain companies are hoarding dark fiber, attempting to create a shortage, to accomplish, um, political aspirations
2. You must connect (expensive) equipment to the ends of this dark fiber, and pay people to maintain it, and upgrade machine rooms, etc. etc.
3. You must be able to justify to shareholders, etc. that people will pay for the bandwidth if you provide it
There are others I'm sure, but I thought I'd toss that out there
You spelled "disconect" wrong in your sig.
NAH! That's objective reporting at it's best. NO bias at ALL!
oh well....... Now the record companies have got countries getting them money.
I figured the only reason a story about this should be posted it is to encourage people not to support a business that makes retarded business decisions. I just hope that is actually what happens. Don't monetarily support retarded companies! There are plenty of other reasons not to support Wal*Mart, but this is a good one too.
So for next version of windows, we already know:
1. It will be based on at least 5 year old thinking and technology
2. They will have learned nothing from the design of Vista
Sweeeet
Wow..... I feel differently.
I should also point out that I manage a fleet of over 60 laptops for field use. They happen to be IBMs and Dells. The IBMS we had actually had a pretty poor track record, but I'm happy to report our Dells have had a VERY low percentage of failures.
I know my sample of Mac's is fairly small at 8, but I submit to you that I've had a failure in my list on ever laptop that we own.
That's not a hardware issue in general, that's a freakin quality control nightmare.
P.S. Are you a Hokie, as in from Virginia Tech, as in one of the largest Apple clients in the world? As in you might be an Apple apologist? Hmmmm.... Could you comment on the failure rates of the desktops or XServe's used in the giant cluster there?
Good rational, because you haven't had a problem with yours means there aren't any problems with any MBP's and I'm a liar. Great.
I've had about 8 users get MBP's including myself. A list of problems we've had so far:
- Hinges suck, can't sit it on your lap if legs are any more than +/- 5 degrees, screen will flop around - We've had to have 2 screens replaced
- We've had a number of cosmetic problems, light sensors breaking, power buttons sinking into the case, etc.
- We've had at least 2 batteries bulge and become useless - We've had a hard drive go already
- We've had a SuperDrive Combo-whatever DVD+-RW + CD/RW drive die
BIG hardware problems with these damn things.
I've had about 8 users get MBP's including myself. A list of problems we've had so far - Hinges suck, can't sit it on your lap if legs are any more than +/- 5 degrees, screen will flop around - We've had to have 2 screens replaced - We've had a number of cosmetic problems, light sensors breaking, power buttons sinking into the case, etc. - We've had at least 2 batteries bulge and become useless - We've had a hard drive go already - We've had a SuperDrive Combo-whatever DVD+-RW + CD/RW drive die BIG hardware problems with these damn things.
I applaud Jon for his words. TheRegister.com also ran a story about the Norwegian official complaining RE: Steve Job's "passing the buck" style attitude. It can be found here.
RELIABILITY!
Cheaper, commodity hardware does not work for all of us! There's a huge category they're missing out on.I know the Fortune 100 (or maybe 500?) companies don't care, as they can just run clusters of cheap ass machines. But what about the millions of small to middle sized businesses and research institutions?
I've been involved in a number of smaller sized research organizations, and uptime is the utmost importance, however, we definitely aren't running "server farms", so clustering is out the window. I've relied on Sun servers running tons of GNU tools to get the job done. I think you'll find (unless you already know) there's a very large number of people doing what I'm doing. We can't rely on Dell (or even Penguin, or Monarch, or....) to deliver consistent, well thought out, easily-repairable, robust servers. Sun (and other big box makers) can! So what do I do? Run Solaris 10 (GREAT, Solid OS) and install a ton of GNU open-source tools. The result? Great open-source software, and the reliability and well thought-out hardware from Sun. It takes a bit longer to do, but the results are great.
B E A utiful.
"...several scientists contacted for the article refused the offers on conflict of interest grounds, while others happily signed their life away and are hustling to finish their dissenting papers. And who have planned a luxurious European jaunt. And who just bought a Mercedes. And a new house."
I wonder, if you coated the planet in these things, what it would do to the global climate. Hmmm.
Worse than you thought I know, but it's true.
In my experience this is about the 5th or 6th time they've done this. I've ordered PC's from them with everything from RedHat to FreeDOS to nothing at all. Depending on when I ask for the quotes on various machines dictates what kind of PC I actually get. Not at all like what I get when I order a server from Sun.
I can't believe this. I never thought I'd see the day. Someone using the fact that Micros~1 writes a terribly insecure operating system to argue that DRM and IP is a bad idea.
I'm not saying that enforcing IP rights on media files via proprietary software is a good idea.
The fact that Windows' terrible security model makes it a trivial task for user-space programs to comprimise the security of a computer, doesn't mean DRM-enforcing techniques are a TERRIBLE IDEA.
What a HORRIBLE, AWFUL scar on the front page of Slashdot. Shame on Slashdot (again)