The cult of Mac

[imomus]

My 14" iBook fried and died on Thursday. I recognized the symptoms immediately: a freezing screen which freezes again a couple of minutes after each successive startup (a tiny bit later if it's left for a while). This same thing happened in February when I was in Hokkaido and Apple Japan replaced the motherboard under the guarantee. The computer was then only nine months old. That new motherboard lasted a mere six months. This time it's out of guarantee, and so is the replacement motherboard (Apple guarantees replacement parts for only three months). I don't have Apple Care, and although Apple extended its guarantee on the G3 models when they started having logicboard and screen problems, it hasn't done the same for its G4 range. A new motherboard, AppleCentre Gravis tell me here in Berlin, will cost me 700 euros.

There's no point. That's almost the cost of a new computer. I will simply have to buy a new iBook. I didn't lose any data (you can still access the hard disk from another computer over Firewire), but it's pretty dis-spiriting. I'm an Apple loyalist, there's really no way I'm going to switch to PCs or anything. But I've had so much trouble with these white iBooks, trouble I never had with the clamshell model that preceded them (so sturdily built!), and they're still really the only game in town if you want an Apple notebook. (The brushed silver PowerBooks feel nasty to me, they give me static shocks, they're too expensive, their WiFi capability isn't as good as the plastic models because they're metal, they're heavier...) I can't even get excited about having the opportunity to buy a new machine. How do I know the same thing won't happen again? Why aren't there better choices? (At least I know to pay for an extended warranty this time.)

The irony is that it looks like I'm about to start writing a weekly column for a California-based tech and culture magazine. My editor there is a "high priest of Macintosh" who's published a book called "Cult of the Mac". I've spent the week writing three test columns... on Hisae's iBook. Can I still claim to be an initiate in "the cult of Mac"? Well, yes. I set up Quick User Switching on Hisae's little machine, and every time I see the whole desktop swishing round, a rotating cube, from my environment to hers, from English-language to Japanese, I get a little rush of joy. Apple, you bastards, you walk all over me, you hurt me, you rob me blind. But I still love you. I guess it really is a cult. You can never leave.

Comments

[rjwhite.livejournal.com]

Hm. Is there a chance that it's the logic board? I've run through two of those and Apple replaced them at no charge because they realized there was a design flaw with some of these ibooks. These symptoms sound similar.

http://www.apple.com/support/ibook/faq/

[imomus.livejournal.com]

The Expanded iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program only covers certain iBook G3 models, not the G4 I have. Obviously it should, though, because the G4 is just as subject to these problems as the G3.

Cult.

[jimyojimbo.livejournal.com]

I have actually come round to Macs after using my friend's iBook when we were in America recently. I'm still not a huge fan, as Apple seem to have designed the OS to keep you as far away from "the computer" as possible. It seemed to work beautifully so long as you were doing things in a proscribed fashion. But I guess it really is a "what you're used to" thing.

Anyway, didn't Apple doozy up the custoimer care with the original iPods - the short-lived battery that they wouldn't replace, at least initially.

Re: Cult.

[bdu.livejournal.com]

I'm still not a huge fan, as Apple seem to have designed the OS to keep you as far away from "the computer" as possible.

Not at all, the entrials are definitely there for you to massage through your hands, you just have to be comfortable with a *nix terminal to do so... this is actually what I like most about OSX (says the confirmed biOSual). For normal everyday simple tasks, the "computer-ness" doesn't inhibit or factor in at all, but when you need to get hardcore the terminal is waiting for you.

[(Anonymous)]

Sorry to hear about this. Your machine certainly gets hard use ! I have emailed a my mac guru friend to see if there is a diy solution. Parts can be ordered on line but I think it will still cost around $420 to get a new board, and then replacing it is a delicate operation. Anyway, I'll see what my guru says and let you know.

My wife has an Ibook, so I am debating if we should add Applecare after readding this entry.

Richard

DIY

[(Anonymous)]

How did your friend manage to fry the logic board?
Here is what the guru said:
"It's not fun to replace a logic board and the replacement is about $500.
http://www.pbfixit.com/Guide/84.23.0.html

It's very rare for this to happen with normal use".

Perhaps you need a more powerful Mac then the Ibook.

Richard

[outdoorminerbob.livejournal.com]

I used to be an Applecare agent, call them and tell them what happened. There's a fairly good chance they'll help you. The logic board problem included ibook G4s they are aware of it and they don't like to have dissappointed customers.

[imomus.livejournal.com]

Well, I took the iBook into an AppleCenter yesterday here in Berlin and they told me it wasn't covered by any Apple scheme and therefore the only choice I had was to buy a new motherboard or a new computer, which cost almost the same.

[anchor-dragging.livejournal.com]

Welcome Independent Contractor! That online news source is sort of like a cult as well. I'm going on 5 years and I can't quite bring myself to take another job. I look forward to reading your stories.

[imomus.livejournal.com]

Hello!

how do like them apples?

[fascicle.livejournal.com]

Is there any chance that the priest of the Cult in California
will give you a new device, or pay to have yours fixed (and
where are the G5 notebooks anyway)?

Assuming you have to fund this yourself, the traditional approach
is to slap a PayPal link at the end of your bleeding-heart post.

***

there's the Handheld song, as well as the "rendering a porcupine" line:

I use a Sony Clie TH55 on the move: wifi and bluetooth, though
alas Sony has abandoned PalmOS, so I'll probably never be able
to update my crypto from WEP to WPA. I'm just as annoyed with
Sony, despite their gorgeous screens, because the DAB radio XDR-M1
was advertised by them as having L-band, but had only Band III, so
while it's fine for use in the UK at the moment, it will be useless
for the rollout of the minority L-band stations here in 2007, and
meanwhile is pretty useless for travelling in Europe where L-band
is the norm, and that was the reason I bought the little portable
unit in the first place.

Re: how do like them apples?

[imomus.livejournal.com]

Is there any chance that the priest of the Cult in California will give you a new device, or pay to have yours fixed

Oh, they'll pay indirectly, because it's a paying gig. And one thing there's really never any question about is whether iBooks pay for themselves. I write and I compose and perform music with mine, so it pays for itself within weeks of purchase.

[henryperri.livejournal.com]

I finally came around to buying an imac this summer and although I love the appearance of the computer I just can't stand the OS. There are some thoughtful things included, but also alot of stuff that you can't do which just boggles the mind. The Apple apologists turn a blind eye to all of these things, claiming you never needed them in the first place. Or they say "big deal". Well, it all adds up to a big deal. I'm probably gonna 'switch' back in a few months.

[ohnancydrew.livejournal.com]

what are you trying to do that you can't accomplish? i'm thinking of switching over to a mac, so what you have to say might be useful info.!

[emobus.livejournal.com]

Sucks about your computer. I have had my 12" iBook for over 2 years, and it has never given me any trouble. (Well, okay, a little trouble, sometimes, but nothing I can't fix.) I feel like it is the first computer that hasn't betrayed me. I hope you have better luck with your next one...

[nicepimmelkarl.livejournal.com]

good night everybody.....i'm off to bed.

[queersolitude.livejournal.com]

I see this guy every other morning:

Christof Koch.

[jimyojimbo.livejournal.com]

Christof Koch of CALTECH?

[bryanscott.livejournal.com]

I guess you don't play that many games. . .?

The software compatibility thing was what always scared me away from Macs, though I heartily wish I too could be an initiate.

[xchimx.livejournal.com]

that and the cracking community isn't nearly as large with macs. the fact that mac users are really a minority on the internet is a huge reason to stay pc. personally i can't over zealous pc or mac users. both computers have their place, but both have plenty of problems associated with 'em.

[bklyndispatch.livejournal.com]

after spending my whole adult life within the warm embrace of the Mac OS, I just left it for Suse linux and let me tell you its scary. If I could come up with the money for another ibook, I'd start drinking the kool aid again immediately.

[mskapol.livejournal.com]

My friend has a Mac and an Alpha Romeo. He needs a mechanic for both. Ah, the price one has to pay to be stylish.

>"Apple, you bastards, you walk all over me, you hurt me, you rob me blind. But I still love you."

The Christian in you will never die.

http://www.orsm.ii.net/shite/rs0313.jpg

[jermynsavile.livejournal.com]

Bought a Mac in the mid-90s. Loved it. Failed to upgrade for far too long. Went over to PCs. We use them for work, it seemed sensible to share software and operating system. It wasn't. I hated it. My Dell laptop broke a couple of months ago. Bought a MiniMac and one of those brushed silver Powerbooks you dislike so much. Personally I love it. It's cost me a bomb but I'm learning new things every day and enjoying the experience.

I bought 3 years cover too. Glad I did now.

It's a cult. Definitely.

The cult of Mac

[martinish.livejournal.com]

Apple really are bastards. I didn't care for computers or gadgets of any kind until I bought one of the original iMacs and joined the cult. Over the last five years I've had to replace two broken machines which involved protracted battles with Apple but i still go back for more - and tell others to do the same! Still, they look nice - bloody Jonathan Ive eh?

My AppleCare story

[kineticfactory.livejournal.com]

AppleCare's definitely worth getting. My previous PowerBook had logic board and screen problems just before it went out of warranty, and I got those replaced on warranty (this was in Australia). A year and a half later, the logic board dies (i.e., starts emitting smoke) when I'm in London; I take it to the AppleStore and get it replaced.

The second time, mind you, it took them a month or two to get the parts and fix it, and there was also some running around as they couldn't find my AppleCare record (and the machine's serial number showed up as a Cube in their database). After calling phone support and explaining my situation, I got an override code to get it repaired for free. It appears that, when in doubt, Apple will give you the benefit of the doubt.

[anti-peace-riot.livejournal.com]

I joined the Cult of the Mac in April when I picked up my ibook. I used to be a PC loyalist but then I discovered just how wonderful and easy Macs can be. Where the computer freexing would be a normal event with my PC, the Macintosh rarley ever freezes! They are quite amazing. Although your comment did ring true, "Apple, you bastards, you walk all over me, you hurt me, you rob me blind. But I still love you".

Sorry to hear about your ibook crashing. Perhaps the new editor in California can help you get a new one for a reasonable price?

[(Anonymous)]

Oh dear... I was thinking of buying a brand new iBook a while back but after hearing one too many tales of woe (including yours Momus) opted instead for a used Powerbook which cost me just slightly less than a new iBook.

From anecdotal evidence at least, Powerbooks seem to have greater longevity, so maybe that'd be a better option for you. As you seem to be lugging your mac around a lot the superior build quality should help.

Anyway, enough of the otaku stuff. Good luck x

I still love you

[(Anonymous)]

Apple, you bastards, you walk all over me, you hurt me, you rob me blind. But I still love you.

Reminds me of the Jimi Hendrix penned jingle for Radio 1:
"Radio 1.. You stole my gal... But I love ya jus' th' same..."

- Lex

[lil-spacerocket.livejournal.com]

dont ask me from where but i heard i shouldnt buy any laptop untill 2006 cuz of mega upgrades on.. to many things.. that i dont know. lol. i wanted a mac or something and they told me to def wait..

do u know what the hell theyre talking about?

[morning-jacket.livejournal.com]

Apple is moving to Intel processors, which means faster and better notebooks.

Standard anonymous Apple bashing

[(Anonymous)]

Well, what do you expect - people who choose to remain ignorant about computers and expect that paying a lot of money will absolve them of their ignorance deserve what they get (and to an overhyped brand that isn't overhyped by marketing, but by the same insecure people who want to justify a $3000 purchase they somehow suspect is not worth making). And please don't start up on how great the design is - that would only be a proclamation of how little style and imagination you have. It's hard to understand why someone who wrote this (http://www.imomus.com/1998.html) doesn't see Apple in the same light - a permanent 1998 of design, where everything is doomed to be a blank, shiny white rectangle with rounded corners.

[(Anonymous)]

Momus, you are preferring the ache to the aspirin.

[encyclops.livejournal.com]

That line makes so much more sense now. For years I'd been hearing "preferring the egg to the aspirin" and never thought to inquire just what the hell it meant.

[pintele.livejournal.com]

I've only just started my love affair with Mac but I can see it's headed in a cult-ish direction. I bought a Powerbook (sorry! but I got a discount as a student so it didn't cost too much) two weeks ago and am absolutely in love. It's only been PCs for me before this - not out of choice, but because that's what was in my parents' house and I didn't really know anything about Macs. Anyway, to cut a boring story short, I am newly converted and absolutely in love. I don't think there's any chance I could go back to Windows now.

[auto-appendix.livejournal.com]

I've been using a first generation PowerBook for going on 5 years now. The DVD drive is a little temperamental but otherwise it's great. And I use it for EVERYTHING. I just upgrade with cheap peripherals. Definitely got my money's worth out of it.

Powerbook

[(Anonymous)]

Powerbooks are definitely overpriced, but they are slightly lighter than iBooks (you can check Apple's website). I've been handling a new Powerbook recently, and as far as the feel, I can't imagine what you're talking about--maybe the titanium ones from a few years ago? No static shocks, no noticeable difference in WiFi, and I've found the tactile change from an iBook to be wonderful.
I suggest that you take another look at them. They do have a reputation for being more durable.
(And I hope you have an upgraded or external hard drive. I can't imagine trying to be musically prolific on the limited space an iBook offers.)

FMV

[(Anonymous)]

why dont you try a PC for a while? take a Fujitsu LOOX T serie.
its fun to switch. http://www.fmworld.net/product/hard/pcpm0504/biblo_loox/lt/
it can fit you for sure, its black there is no skulls on it .
florian.