Anticipation  

October 2006 I bought a Mac Book (the 512 MB, white type). I was a first time buyer. Although I had never owned a Mac before, I fell for the slick design and its solid reputation, or should one say, solid marketing. Oh yes, I was ready to be converted.

The first year

I installed a dual boot system with Windows XP and the MAC OS. It worked fine, for almost a year. No complaints there, or hardly any, since the USB mouse did not always work with the computer. This may be caused by the mouse as well.

The lousy power adapter 

Apple has made this nifty little magnetic power plug, to make sure that if someone trips over the power cable, it simply releases and nothing gets damaged. Great stuff! I have never had a problem with tripping over a cord, but I can imagine it happening.

Unfortunately, any advantage this nifty little plug has is undone by the lousy quality of the thin cord just behind it. Since form goes over function, Apple has chosen to let the thin cord come out of the plug directly. So, if you are plugged in to power but the power cord bends, it will wear very soon. Ours broke and burned after about 10 months. 

Of course, Apple knows that its accessories are substandard, so they only give a three month warranty on it. We bought a new power adapter for $75,-.

But so far, nothing permament was wrong

The break down begins

DVD Rom player breaks down

The computer crashes and freezes regularly, especially when I use DVDs. I conclude there must be an issue with the DVD player, and I try to find out how to get it repaired.

Service of Apple in Europe

I call my European Apple number to ask how I can have the problem fixed, since the laptop is still under warranty. They explain that I have to drop by and bring the laptop. I explain that I live in Sri Lanka. They say that that's a pity, but that they can only help me if I bring the laptop there. I explain that the ticket may cost more than the laptop. Yes, they understand, but well, I have to bring it there.

After waiting a few weeks and not knowing what to do, I decide to contact a reseller in Sri Lanka, who tell me that they can repair it if it is under warranty. I am amazed! This is great stuff! Somebody needs to tell this to Apple! Their international warranty is valid across borders!!!

Epsi, our Sri Lankan Apple representatives

A warm applause for Epsi Sri Lanka, you would think, for repairing the DVD player. Unfortunately, the computer keeps crashing and freezing after I get it back, and, importantly, it freezes both in the MAC OS and Windows XP. So, I return it. And here the real nightmare begins.

I could give you an chronological account of my experiences with Epsi, but that would even be more boring than the text above. So, I'll summarize.

It's the software, no the hardware, no, nothing is wrong.

The most popular option: I have been told to upgrade to Tiger and upgrade my memory (I believe this would cost $240 altogether, although I am not sure, since I will not consider paying such a ridiculous amount when there is a hardware problem). Interestingly, Epsi has tried it and upgraded to Tiger and increased the RAM. It still crashed. But still, probably since they will get $240 for it, this is the advice they give me.

I have been told that the motherboard needs to be replaced. When I made clear that I am fine with that, but that it should be covered by the warranty, they told me the motherboard was fine.

I have been told that the problem is that I use non-Mac software on my computer: Thunderbird and Openoffice. Uninstalling these does not solve the problem. 

I have been told that the computer works fine, just fine. Although the crashing has been observed by Epsi employees, they prefer to maintain that there is no problem.

Anything else wrong?

Well, the surface breaks off after the repair, the white turns grey, there sometimes is a horizontal line on one third of the screen. 

Gosh, I have never seen a computer of such crappy quality as this Mac book.

Bottom line

So, the bottom line is that now have a dead laptop at home, that I have been able to use for less than a year and cost me 1200 euros.

The only conclusion I can draw is that Apple makes crappy computers. And that, if you want to make a fashion statement and want to walk around with your shiny computer, but actually prefer to write letters by hand and think that internet is for geeks, a Mac book is fine for you. 

If you need a computer, rely on it, will actually want to use it, then get a Dell, or a Sony, or a Toshiba, or a Fujitsu, or a Lenovo. Anything will give you more computer for less money than a Mac.

Honestly!