Looking for an excuse to waste money on a Mac

VincentVega

i8change wrote: »

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.

People on forums are always more vocal - they're complaining, after all! What about the vast majority of people who don't have any problems at all? The chances are that you'll have no problems at all. You could always splash out on AppleCare for added peace of mind. You get the standard year warranty, and you don't have to take out AppleCare immediately - you can take it out any time before the year is out.

I've owned a Mac Pro (the big tower thing) for nearly four years, and it's never gone wrong. Best computer I've ever owned. My MacBook Air is two years old, and that's been perfect as well.

Turning fifty is a momentous occasion. You deserve something nice to celebrate. Why not an iMac?

John_Gray

i8change wrote: »

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

Is that what is usually called a mid-life crisis? :rotfl:

Hammyman

I bought my Macbook Pro from PC World about 5 months ago. Its used as my main computer and I've never had an issue.

I still have a Windows desktop and I find myself screaming at the bloody thing as I sit there waiting until it gets to a point I can actually do things with it, even though the spec is far better than my Mac.

alexjohnson

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?

Yes, I think you are reading a lot of the worst-case scenarios. I agree with those that think the service from Apple is amongst the best of any company in any field anywhere. I can think of lots of small examples but my Mac mini (2007) used as a media server has just died - logic board. (Forums: that is how that model dies.) The diagnosis was free - which itself is unusual. And the repair will be free partly because I am lucky and partly because the Geniuses are empowered to make sensible choices. My first iPhone 4 had the "no SIM" problem (nothing to do with the nonsense about the antenna, and again it's on forums) and they replaced it on the spot. On the one hand, so they should. But it's the effortlessness and lack of needing to stamp feet and speak to managers and whatnot which is what makes all the difference. You may be concluding that I seem to have had a lot of faults. Yes, I have had a few over the years but at work the average lifespan of my identikit Dell or HP or whatever computer is about 18 months before some mysterious error crops up where it's cheaper simply to replace it than diagnose. Indeed, my daily grind with the work PC's is my daily advert for my Macs. In conclusion then I think your concerns are valid in the sense that you're spending a lot of money, and you want to make sure it's money well-spent. Apple is no more immune to stuff being built on a Friday afternoon than anyone else of course but there's just no doubt that the build quality is better than a generic PC. Maybe not a Toshiba or IBM in the day or a Sony, but some piece rubbish picked up from PC World? Sure. A very good example of this is when you see reviews for the Mac Pro and reviewers point out that even the way the cables are clipped together shows a rare thoughtfulness from which you can simply see the attention to detail at the manufacturing stage. Add to that what, for most people, is brilliant service and I think you'll be very unlikely to find your concerns are ever tested.

As to the model? iMac, all the way. If you think that they are basically a laptop on a stand that may help you put some of those heat concerns in context - by the standards of a laptop it's very loosely packed. A mini is great as a starter Mac (and the new pricing is unhelpful in that context) or as a home theatre PC, particularly as it is nearly silent in operation. But are you really going to use some old monitor on it when you could have a pin-sharp 16:9 LED-backlit IPS screen with a built-in webcam? I know Dell does some good screens and perhaps you have one. Failing that I can't help but think you would be delighted. Add a TV tuner from EyeTV and buy the Apple remote and you'll never leave your study!

Enjoy.

littlepanther

Go on buy an iPad too, you're going to be 50, spoil yourself.

I know it doesn't suit everyone but I love my iPad, writing this response on it.

I have an iMac, MacBook Pro and another iMac that is ten years old, all fab all have their place.

I've been considering a Mac Mini so as to plug into TV as a media centre, I could then move it easily.

Have fun.

davester

Look at your subject title, that gives you a good excuse not to buy a Mac you already said they are a waste of money.

i8change

Originally Posted by davester
Look at your subject title, that gives you a good excuse not to buy a Mac you already said they are a waste of money.

Bad choice of title by me. I was meaning waste some money in the context that I already have a decent PC so don't actually need to spend money on another.

Originally Posted by alexjohnson
You may be concluding that I seem to have had a lot of faults.

It is noticeable that Mac users are often quite happy with their purchase, even if they have had a few problems.

I presume user satisfaction combined with how any problems are dealt with must be a factor in this.

Originally Posted by alexjohnson
As to the model? iMac, all the way.....by the standards of a laptop it's very loosely packed.

That is a good way of looking at it, although the screen heat is seperated from the CPU etc. in the laptop.

The iMac is definately better value than the Mini. I like seperates but it is hard to justify at £649.

The basic white Macbook is the only one I am completely put off getting as there still seem to be cracking problems, even with the new/revised softer polycarbonate ones:-

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=870024&page=2

Which is a pity as, with two bulky towers in the house already, one of those might have been quite nice and easy to put away when not in use. The Pro model is probably less risky cracking wise but at £999 leads back to an iMac with plenty of RAM and an i3.:think:

CityWalk_2

never met anyone with a cracked macbook or macbook pro. I have an Imac and Macbook Pro. Will never go back to PC again. Also I work in the music business and Everyone uses Mac. No problems

skintdragon

Hi OP (and all Maccers)!

I am also in the process of possibly taking the massive plunge in buying myself an IMac... (also a plunge in bank balance ). So lovely and shiny!

Any top tips? I may even do the mad thing and go out and get it in the morning. Admittedly I am no techie but I hope to get myself into my photographic hobby once my academic palarver is out the way. I have been umming and ahhing over a mac for months.

Just need a prod- shall I get one?

OP get one; you only live once!! treat yourself!! :beer:

davester

I have met someone that had a macbook. they complaining it was slow , so I had a look at it, system specs that the OS shows and it showed that the main board memory had died and it was running only on the added memory slot. He had to take it to an apple shop for them to take it totally apart to replace the fried memory. The rest was fine but the memory that was built in wasn't.