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Anyone else notice Apple's decline in perfectionism?
- Thread starter Apple!Freak
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I really hate that cable problem! My sister's iPod cable did that so now I am uber careful with mine! Come on Apple you sell the dam cable for $20, at least make it worth the $20, it probably costs them $4 to make.....blaskillet4 said:
Apple isn't the only company with this problem. Everything made now-a-days is disposable. I think that we have just come to expect better than average from Apple and we commonly forget that they are a computer company and they make all their products in China, just like everyone else. Also, they buy a lot of their parts from third parties. Apple doesn't make their own superdives or hard drives or chips. They just put it all together. They can't help it if the industry norm is to create disposable parts.
Although...with all the Nano flak that Apple is getting they better shape up those iPods fast, because if they don't the other companies will jump on them like a pack of rabid dogs and pretty soon the iPod will just be another MP3 player. They've been waiting for Apple to screw up for years now and it looks like Apple has finally done just that. Let's hope they get the message before that happens.
Although...with all the Nano flak that Apple is getting they better shape up those iPods fast, because if they don't the other companies will jump on them like a pack of rabid dogs and pretty soon the iPod will just be another MP3 player. They've been waiting for Apple to screw up for years now and it looks like Apple has finally done just that. Let's hope they get the message before that happens.
I think Apple does there best to provide us with a quality product. Expecting 100% just isn't realistic. Of course when it occurs to you then it's upsetting. The saving grace is that Apple has good customer service and does all it can to take care of there customers.
I have had a defective iPod and a dead HD on my PB, both were replaced, no questions asked. Yes, it was inconvenient, but i was glad i didn't have to pay for a new computer or iPod. I exepct electronics to work well, and if they don't, i expect some warranty of workmanship, in my experience Apple has delivered. therefore, i have no qualms.
I'm still using my trusty Gen 2 iPod because as excited as I was about the new iPod and Nano, when I went to the store and used one, it felt cheap.
I'll pay extra for quality, but not for profit margin and cutting corners.
That flimsy slice of plastic on the new iPods lost them a sale.
Not to mention:
- Still can't tell iTunes to only put a certain file type, bit-rate on an iPod.
- Still can't assign IPs based on MAC address on the Airport Extreme.
- Still pay a premium for monitors that are no better than their competitors.
Seems like lately, Apple is happier impressing stock holders than customers...
I'll pay extra for quality, but not for profit margin and cutting corners.
That flimsy slice of plastic on the new iPods lost them a sale.
Not to mention:
- Still can't tell iTunes to only put a certain file type, bit-rate on an iPod.
- Still can't assign IPs based on MAC address on the Airport Extreme.
- Still pay a premium for monitors that are no better than their competitors.
Seems like lately, Apple is happier impressing stock holders than customers...
No, I disagree. I've been using the Mac since the 128K and they have gotten better and better. The worst time was the period without Jobs but when he came back things improved again.
Apple is now having most of its computers manufactured in giant factories in China, like Dell and everybody else. In the article that announced Apple's transition to contracting with a new factory in China, someone was marveling that costs to build the notebooks were only 5% over the cost of the parts -- they aren't paying people much to build these.
Apple differentiates itself with its software, and hopefully with customer service. Good customer service becomes more important as quality control deteriorates.
Crikey
Apple differentiates itself with its software, and hopefully with customer service. Good customer service becomes more important as quality control deteriorates.
Crikey
Yep, I had exactly the same thing happen with the cable that came with my 3G iPod.Koodauw said:
On the whole, having used Apple products for many, many years I think that the overall build quality isn't quite what it used to be. That said, I think they're still quite a way ahead of a lot of other manufacturers.
I think the TiBook paint chipping was the one of the worst problems they've ever had. I also had to send in my old 15" AlBook five times for an eventual replacement. But Apple is still the leader in quality, design and technology if you ask me. 
I don't hold it against them at all. For every 1 defective product I've had 4 flawless ones.
I don't hold it against them at all. For every 1 defective product I've had 4 flawless ones.
Ok.. you guys are expecting way to much out of Apple IMO. Look at the PowerMac G5. It's case is soooo awesome! Look at HP's cases... what are they plastic and metal mixed?
These are the only problems I've had:
Rev. D iMac G3 333MHz side door falls off easy
iBook G4 1.42GHz down-left side makes a squeaky sound
iBook G4 1.42GHz battery isn't flush... it hangs out a little.
iPod Generation 4 20GB HD died - got a brand new one in 3 days
Apple's a great company. Stop complaining.
These are the only problems I've had:
Rev. D iMac G3 333MHz side door falls off easy
iBook G4 1.42GHz down-left side makes a squeaky sound
iBook G4 1.42GHz battery isn't flush... it hangs out a little.
iPod Generation 4 20GB HD died - got a brand new one in 3 days
Apple's a great company. Stop complaining.
i do find my Nano a bit weak the center button is loose and moves around
Well my iMac G5 and iPod 4g color screen ROCK!!
SO hapy i got the 4.5g iPod i have firewire AND color screen
Well my iMac G5 and iPod 4g color screen ROCK!!
SO hapy i got the 4.5g iPod i have firewire AND color screen
In particular it seems that apple is skimping on what you get especially for ipods. No fire wire, No wall charger, hate to compare to non apple products but when I got my Zen micro last xmas (which I later came to dislike due to lack of audible support and some genral issues (these have since been remedied) and now because the thing wont hook to my iboo) it came with an extra battery a hard case with a belt clip and stand attatchement, wall charger, usb 2.0 computer connect cord, a nice carrying baggy, and an extra gig of storage 5 this was when the minis were four. It is also very small and feels good in the hand and it is still scratch free even though I have thrown it in my pocket with change and keys and whatever. Im still going to buy an ipod because I like the style better and such but I am upset with apple on the lack of extras which can barely be classed as extras and more as necessitys.
PS-the described zen micro was 200 dollars just like the ipod mini.
PS-the described zen micro was 200 dollars just like the ipod mini.
I have seem a thread in Appleinsider discuss problems of new OS. No wonder serious user are conservative upgrading OS.geeman said:It's not just hardware - it's software too.
Tiger
(don't get me started
Remember the security issue with automatically installing dashboard widgets?, the (IMHO) backward step in trying to find stuff by hitting "Apple-F" (Spotlight, for me, is just too slow compared to how the finder worked before). Is it me, or do apps crash WAY more under Tiger than they did under Panther?
Windows is unsafe, while OS X is buggy.
Last summer I ordered a PowerMac G5 1.6GHz from an eBay seller. The computer new, in the box. After two hours the computer froze. The mouse would not work, iTunes would continuely skip, and if the machine was not hard shutdown, well then the fans would gain speed like a jet engine. I looked on the Apple Support Forums and this was a common issue and lots of posters said Apple was ignoring the issue. Although Apple did have a firmware update, and it seemed to work at first, until the machine froze and the fans went off.
Just to think, I gave up a PowerMac G4 QuickSilver that was perfect. All I wanted was a faster computer!!!!!!!!!!
Just to think, I gave up a PowerMac G4 QuickSilver that was perfect. All I wanted was a faster computer!!!!!!!!!!
devilot said:
Though, the bottom line is China is known more for third-rate quality than it is first-rate. Good quality products certainly come from China, but ten times more of poor quality products. The interesting thing about manufactuering in China, is that you can get every range of quality. If you're willing to put the big bucks on the table, you'll get high-quality stuff. If you're only willing to put a little down, then you'll get low-quality stuff.
In my opinion, Apple is cutting corners in their software much more as their hardware. Materials, design and even tolerances are smaller then ever.
But their software is lacking on basic features (FINDER!!!) and GUI consistency. iTunes is slow, Mouse drivers are unacceptable weak, but hey we got prettier higher-res icons & extra eye candy
But their software is lacking on basic features (FINDER!!!) and GUI consistency. iTunes is slow, Mouse drivers are unacceptable weak, but hey we got prettier higher-res icons & extra eye candy
Certainly my perception of the situation is that Apple's quality control appears to be slipping, but whether that is due to an actual underlying trend or simply due to the fact that the issues are getting more publicity due to the significant increase in Apple's profile over the last few years, I don't know.
I have been a Mac user for 6 years, and have had no serious problems at all, with either hardware or software. However, I have only recently started checking out sites like MacRumors and paying attention to press stories about Apple itself. I would like to believe that the quality is as good as ever, and that I am only seeing more complaints because I have only just started looking, but it is hard to tell.
I have a 2G iPod and the cable is exactly the same. Anyone with a first generation?
I have been a Mac user for 6 years, and have had no serious problems at all, with either hardware or software. However, I have only recently started checking out sites like MacRumors and paying attention to press stories about Apple itself. I would like to believe that the quality is as good as ever, and that I am only seeing more complaints because I have only just started looking, but it is hard to tell.
Koodauw said:
I have a 2G iPod and the cable is exactly the same. Anyone with a first generation?
I don't think it would have mattered where they moved it, but it does seem to be making a real difference that Apple do almost none of their own manufacturing any more. Even if the contract manufacturer is basically decent, it's still a separate company. Communication and the ability to change things quickly are naturally going to suffer with those arrangements.wako said:
minimax said:
How is Apple cuting corners in Software ? iPod hardware yes ,Mac hardware not as mcuh