[ot] MacBook Random Shut Down Horror

[robin]

Dang guys. How many people is that now?

It's too many, I have two Powerbooks that need replacing. I'm definitely not jumping to Intel yet. I really wish Apple would get it's shti together.

[tomperson]

I was thinking of getting a macbook for gigs. Switch to a dual core machine, and taste the waters of macs which so many people praise. I'm starting to have some serious doubts about this, though. I know for sure I can get an equally or better speced lappie from HP, like my current single core centrino, which hasn't let me down even once.

Damned. Why do they have to make this so complicated for me!!!

[robin]

Damned. Why do they have to make this so complicated for me!!!

Tell me about it. If you can handle XP then you're probs better off than me. I need OSX really.

[subterFUSE]

Maybe Apple just needs to accept that what people really want from them is just the OS?

Allow OSX on PC hardware, and give MS some competition.

[robin]

Maybe Apple just needs to accept that what people really want from them is just the OS?

Allow OSX on PC hardware, and give MS some competition.

As much as I'd love to see that I can't see them doing it. Which for actual users is a shame.

[hambone1]

I don't know why people jump in at Rev 1, then seem surprised when the problems aren't yet sorted out. It happens just about every time Apple updates their processor technology.

If you want to be an Apple hardware beta tester, you've gotta expect these things.

I'm personally waiting until the dust settles and problems ironed out. I can't risk screwing up live performances over impatience!

[forge]

I don't know why people jump in at Rev 1, then seem surprised when the problems aren't yet sorted out. It happens just about every time Apple updates their processor technology.

If you want to be an Apple hardware beta tester, you've gotta expect these things.

I'm personally waiting until the dust settles and problems ironed out. I can't risk screwing up live performances over impatience!

well, maybe people just hope if they're releasing a product it should be bloody ready

I agree they should sell OSX for PCs - no reason to stop selling their hardware, I'm sure plenty of people would still buy it, but people like me who wont be able to afford new hardware any time soon would find the money for just OSX

well, most likely, I'm not really unhappy enough with windows, I just think OSX is cool, but OS is not as important as what it runs and alot of the time the software is more stable on windows because there's a bigger market so software companies put more effort into the PC versions

but that could change if OSX was universally available as more people would get it

[earsmack]

Maybe Apple just needs to accept that what people really want from them is just the OS?

Not true for me. I want the Apple hardware and software. So what if they have a bum problem with the MacBook right now. They have a fix and eventually it will no longer be an issue.

[tomperson]

So what if they have a bum problem with the MacBook right now. They have a fix and eventually it will no longer be an issue.

I don't think most guys on this very same thread agree on that statement. They are selling you a top of the line laptop, it should be ok from day one. A problem here and there, that's ok, things happen, but such a wide issue...it seems like their QA is really poor, and this damages the company's image...Some people *depend* on their computers for their income.

[Tarekith]

Not everyone buying a computer is up to date with a company's past release history either. Not saying it's right, just that it's easier for people who are into technology to pay attention to the trends and remember them, where as for some people, a new Macbook might be their first computer or laptop purchase.

[glu]

If i spent over grand on a computer, it better the hell work as it should!

I am lucky to have held off this long. No trigger pulling this year

I do see myself getting a macbook once things get settled, and I am sure apple is working day and night for this- for their customers, and for their MACreputation, so it is only a matter of time.

[earsmack]

I don't disagree that this points to poor QA. It would be nice if it worked right out of the box and this problem didn't come to pass. However, Access and the Virus TI went through something similar with an expensive piece of gear that didn't work right. Now they are finally getting to the point where people are calming down and things are working properly. They are redeeming themselves, as will Apple.

We all buy tech all the time...we know the risks of a new product. So now just let it shake out, if you have the problem get it fixed...and move on and make music.

[subterFUSE]

If i spent over grand on a computer, it better the hell work as it should!

I am lucky to have held off this long. No trigger pulling this year

I do see myself getting a macbook once things get settled, and I am sure apple is working day and night for this- for their customers, and for their MACreputation, so it is only a matter of time.

Unfortunately, Apple doesn't much care about it's customers... at least in my experience.

Perfect example is what recently happened with the iPods.


For many years, the single biggest feature request for Apple's iPods has been Gapless Playback. Gapless Playback, for those who do not know, is the ability for the iPod to play a continuous CD without any audible space between the tracks. This is an essential feature for DJ mixed CDs, live recordings, classical music, or any music which plays continuously.

For years, the iPod users have been forced to rip their mixed CDs as a single, long audio file. This single file could be played without adding the audible spaces, however you lost the ability to see track information and quickly skip between tracks.

Some time ago, third-party companies began producing firmware which could be installed on iPods to essentially hack them and add features. Some examples of third-party firmware include iPod Linux and RockBox.

These third-party firmwares added many features, among which Gapless Playback was included. So, this fact proved that there were not any hardware limitations which prevented the iPod from playing music gaplessly. It was simply that Apple needed to update the firmware to include that feature.

iPod users eventually learned of these third-party firmware solutions, and increasingly hounded Apple for them to add the gapless playback feature with their own firmware update. "If these other guys can do it, why can't Apple??? Right???'

Anyway, a few weeks ago.... Steve Jobs announces upgraded version of iTunes, and some new iPods and iPod Nanos. One of the more talked about features added was.... you guessed it... Gapless Playback. Steve specifically said that it was their most asked-for feature.

Sure enough, along with the new iTunes software came updated firmware for iPods. All of us iPod owners who have been waiting for Gapless quickly downloaded the new firmware and installed.... thinking to ourselves... FINALLY!!!

Unfortunately, we quickly discovered that the upgraded firmware did not give Gapless Playback to older iPods like the 4th generation iPod Photo. No... in fact, Gapless Playback only works on new iPods. 5th Generation video, or 2nd Generation Nanos.

So why would Apple do this? The first answer someone may give is that the older iPods must have some hardware limitation which prevents gapless playback. But that can't be true... because I could install RockBox on that 4th Generation iPod, and it will play gapless.

So, if there isn't any hardware limitation for the older iPods... why would Apple not give them the feature?

Simple answer..... because they want people to buy newer iPods to get the feature. What does Apple gain from adding a feature to an older iPod? Nothing. They get a customer who is happier with his older purchase, but that doesn't benefit Apple in the short-term... because that person will just keep that old iPod longer.

So.... it is clear that Apple has decided to screw over its customers. In particular, they decided to screw the very people who begged for years for this feature.


Of course, the threads began flying at the Apple Discussion boards over this issue. Loads of unhappy iPod owners all feeling let-down by Apple. Why would the company they have been so loyal to treat them like this?

What was Apple's response to the threads in the message board about gapless playback? Their mods deleted them. Every last one. Every mention of the new firmware only working on new iPods, erased. Obviously, Apple was getting a bit nervous about all these people who knew what they were up to.... and wanted to run damage control before more people learned about it.


So.... I'm afraid I won't be convinced that Apple realy cares one ounce about it's customers. They only care about the prospects. This is, of course, a very short-sighted business practice..... but it is the only explanation for what is happening.

[bencodec]

S. They are selling you a top of the line laptop, it should be ok from day one. A problem here and there, that's ok, things happen, but such a wide issue...it seems like their QA is really poor, and this damages the company's image...Some people *depend* on their computers for their income.

i hate to be snippy here but it is worth pointing out, it's not a top of the line laptop, infact it's their cheap entry level model.

all revisions have issues, so big some small. the macbook pros have less issues then the 1.67 powerbooks. the early macbooks have more issues then the ibook G4 but less then the ibook G3. sometimes your ahead, sometimes your behind.

[glu]

So.... I'm afraid I won't be convinced that Apple realy cares one ounce about it's customers. They only care about the prospects. This is, of course, a very short-sighted business practice..... but it is the only explanation for what is happening.

good post.

i should have clarified

happy customers= better prospects
angry customers= fewer prospects