I am a happy owner of a G4 Cube.
Sure, it sometimes freezes, usually if I leave it for a few hours. It sometimes fails to wake up, and every few days I find myself needing to hold down the power button.
Considering how much freeware I run on it though, it's a wonder it works, let alone works as well as it does!
This computer has been my only computer for over six years now. In that time it has needed a new power supply, and a new hard disk. It came with System 9.1, I think, but it could have been 9.0. Since, I have installed OSX 10.0, 10.2, 10.3, and now 10.4. The screen has never had a dead pixel, and other than a dead HD and PSU, I have never had an issue that a simple restart hasn't fixed, although a good disk format and system reinstall every couple of years seems to keep it running smoothly when it gets too bogged down with the random stuff I run on it.
Although I intend to get a new Apple laptop within the next month or so, I will always keep this computer. My parents both have black G3 Powerbooks which would have to be about 10 years old and still run great, although I can't believe how my Mum puts up with how slow it is.
All in all, I am sorry that you have had such problems with your computers, but you should know that you are certainly in the minority. The vast majority of Mac owners are more than delighted with their machines, which continue to run excellently well past their intended lifetime. It saddens me that you are judging the quality of a brand of computer on one example. You are just unlucky. Take it to an Apple store, and have them look at it. If no joy, back up your data, format the disk and put a fresh system install on it, and see if there are still problems. If not, then make sure you watch what programs you run. If you download random stuff on the net, then you take the chance of destabilising your system, just like any other operating system. If you only use software from reputable sources, and keep your computer's software up-to-date, Apple computers will run for days, if not weeks, and not freeze. Many people on these forums will confirm this.
In conclusion, don't base all your opinions on one piece of bad luck. Beware running badly made applications from non well known sources, and enjoy the computer you have, because there are plenty of Windows to Mac converts that will never look back, and love OSX.
