Looking for an excuse to waste money on a Mac

i8change

Was looking to spend some money on an unnecessary Mac purchase for my 50th Birthday.

Originally liked the Mini (base model £500) as I don't like all in ones, if one part goes the lot is junk plus there is more heat inside. They (Mini) are often reported as the most reliable Mac.

Just as 50 approaches, new base model £649! with the PSU stuffed inside (more heat) and the forums say problems:-

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2472540&tstart=15

So I thought base £849 Macbook would be a treat, but no turns out they crack a lot and I don't fancy being left with junk after three years when the Applecare runs out!:-

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2365658&start=0&tstart=0

So I thought go up to a grand for the metal cased Macbook Pro, but no, more cracking problems!:-

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2097403&start=0&tstart=0

Then I thought, well the iMac has got lots of RAM and the latest i3 processor as standard, perhaps the heat wouldn't be a problem and it looks OK.
But no again, screen problems and some very shoddy treatment of some customers, even those with valid applecare. I don't like the sound of the customer lottery with regards to service:-

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1580232&start=0&tstart=0

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2321490&start=0&tstart=0

I have got a 7 year old Dell that has never had a problem and just won't die. My main PC is in an Antec P series case with Seasonic PSU and stable Intel manufactured Mobo with decent HDD etc., so I am just not used to these sort of problems.

Can any of the Mac converts put the above complaints into perspective and recommend one of their models. It would be nice to try something new for a treat, even though the recent Windows 7 has been surprisingly good.

I am not too fussy but I am expecting something half decent, that will last, due to the pricing?

gazfocus

i8change wrote: »

Was looking to spend some money on an unnecessary Mac purchase for my 50th Birthday.

Originally liked the Mini (base model £500) as I don't like all in ones, if one part goes the lot is junk plus there is more heat inside. They (Mini) are often reported as the most reliable Mac.

Just as 50 approaches, new base model £649! with the PSU stuffed inside (more heat) and the forums say problems:-

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2472540&tstart=15

So I thought base £849 Macbook would be a treat, but no turns out they crack a lot and I don't fancy being left with junk after three years when the Applecare runs out!:-

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2365658&start=0&tstart=0

So I thought go up to a grand for the metal cased Macbook Pro, but no, more cracking problems!:-

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2097403&start=0&tstart=0

Then I thought, well the iMac has got lots of RAM and the latest i3 processor as standard, perhaps the heat wouldn't be a problem and it looks OK.
But no again, screen problems and some very shoddy treatment of some customers, even those with valid applecare. I don't like the sound of the customer lottery with regards to service:-

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1580232&start=0&tstart=0

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2321490&start=0&tstart=0

I have got a 7 year old Dell that has never had a problem and just won't die. My main PC is in an Antec P series case with Seasonic PSU and stable Intel manufactured Mobo with decent HDD etc., so I am just not used to these sort of problems.

Can any of the Mac converts put the above complaints into perspective and recommend one of their models. It would be nice to try something new for a treat, even though the recent Windows 7 has been surprisingly good.

I am not too fussy but I am expecting something half decent, that will last, due to the pricing?

How 'techy' are you? I've just spent a fair bit of money on building an i5 Hackintosh which cost about the same as the base mini.

i8change

How 'techy' are you? I've just spent a fair bit of money on building an i5 Hackintosh which cost about the same as the base mini.

I was just after something quick and easy really so I am not really up for the Hackintosh thing.

gazfocus

i8change wrote: »

I was just after something quick and easy really so I am not really up for the Hackintosh thing.

Ok, fair enough

I must say, I do love the iMacs and if I could afford one, I'd be straight down to the Apple shop to buy one. Maybe you could find someone that has student discount to buy you a Mac as you will save 10-14%.

i8change

Maybe you could find someone that has student discount to buy you a Mac as you will save 10-14%.

Actually, the son starts Uni this September so I was going to get the 14% discount and cheap Applecare in his name (he has the paperwork needed for the discount. )

That is what initially got me thinking Mac for 50th Birthday treat.

It's just the sort of faults reported on the Apple forums that put me off, plus I don't really need one if they are problematic.

gazfocus

i8change wrote: »

Actually, the son starts Uni this September so I was going to get the 14% discount and cheap Applecare in his name (he has the paperwork needed for the discount. )

That is what initially got me thinking Mac for 50th Birthday treat.

It's just the sort of problems reported on the Apple forums that put me off, plus I don't really need one.

Have a look on http://forums.macrumors.com for some good advice regarding Mac purchases. I must admit, I hadn't heard of the issues with the Mini before reading your post.

What I have noticed with Apple though is their customer service is excellent. I used to own a white macbook and when cracks appeared (outside its warranty), Apple replaced the bottom casing free of charge and within 3 days. When I had problems with a new Unibody Macbook Pro I bought, they sent me a new one immediately (even before I returned the faulty one) so I definately wouldn't worry about receiving bad customer service.

Russel245

gazfocus wrote: »

Have a look on http://forums.macrumors.com for some good advice regarding Mac purchases. I must admit, I hadn't heard of the issues with the Mini before reading your post.

What I have noticed with Apple though is their customer service is excellent. I used to own a white macbook and when cracks appeared (outside its warranty), Apple replaced the bottom casing free of charge and within 3 days. When I had problems with a new Unibody Macbook Pro I bought, they sent me a new one immediately (even before I returned the faulty one) so I definately wouldn't worry about receiving bad customer service.

You will see poor customer service on forums, since when things go right people don't tend to rant on forums about it, though I can't really comment on apple's customer services as I've not dealt with them.

So far as apple go for reliability, any iphone 4 thoughts aside, they're one of the best in most reviews I have read, dell are pretty good too.


On a side note, if you're happy with your current PC, you could always just partially buy into the apple life and get an ipad.

i8change

Have a look on http://forums.macrumors.com for some good advice regarding Mac purchases. I must admit, I hadn't heard of the issues with the Mini before reading your post.

Thanks, I will have a good read of the above link.

The timing is bad as I would have gone for the old £500 Mini as I always fancied one, just needed an excuse to buy one.

The new model at £649 is just pushing it a bit too far pricewise for what it is, even with the discount. Cannot see it selling well with the iMac having i3 CPU and 4GB RAM at £999.

i8change

Originally Posted by Russel245
On a side note, if you're happy with your current PC, you could always just partially buy into the apple life and get an ipad.

I had thought of the iPad and that would have done the job as a Birthday treat, but I am one of the minority who are not keen on wireless Internet and have the Internet in my mains wiring via Devolo devices.

Also, I might have been tempted to go wireless and get one but some say don't get the 1st gen. iPad, better usually follows.

Chimpofdoom

Imac? Seriously, go go go, best decision I ever made!

I had a problem, called the CS team and they diagnosed it, told me it wasn't serious, but would book me a slot at the genius bar if I wanted.

Call centre was in Ireland too!

Pricey, yes
Stylish, yes
Easy to use, yes
Would I do it again? Hell yes!

Myrtle0204

Ok, this comes from a total Mac lover - DONT for the ipad (in my opinion) I have one and while I love the portability of it I am writing this on my Macbook Pro because there are alot of limitations to the ipad :0)

I LOVE my MAcbook pro - have had it 18 months and have to say its the best laptop I've ever had - its so quick its silly.

You dont need an excuse just treat yourself :0)