And Apple is, of course, the only company who has major problems. So they screwed up. So what?
So what? They screwed up.
If I run over your dog, is "oopsie, my bad, I just messed up - what's your problem, man? I SAID MY BAD, dude..."
Apple isn't the only corporation who screws up - why does that exempt them from criticism? They're the only one I'm buying from, so I don't care if Gateway can't do things right.
Heat. You rarely, if ever hear about other manufacturers' Core Duo laptops burning consumers or over-heating to the point where usability is severely impaired (processors stepping down, etc.).
Why? Because they realize that extra height allows for more airflow between components making the whole package cooler to the touch.
My point is, Apple doesn't revolve around you.
Of course they do. As a retailer, they 'revolve' around every individual consumer's needs - we keep them in business because they provide a resource to us.
(Which gets to a Jobs-centric issue - his concept of consumption is top-down, Unca Steve will tell us what's going down and we'll like it. If I'm forced to consume, it won't be based on the desires of a billionaire.)
I haven't seen many of those people on Macs – I see them using Linux.
Ah, the 'head in the sand' defense - "I haven't seen them, they can't exist!" (see also: your Genius Bar arguments)
You missed all of the 'My MBP/MB/iMac is whining/mooing/overheating/blowing up/etc.' threads of the last eight months, I guess.
You're expecting Apple to pander to your needs specifically, when they sell machines to millions of people. They have to appeal to the broadest possible base while still making money, which they're doing.
That's the point, they aren't appealing 'to the broadest possible base.' They're appealing to a relatively small, relatively privileged, usually white customer base that buys based on trends and can be incredibly fickle.
Show me how Apple no longer innovates
OK - they don't innovate. They've come up with nothing new and amazing since the iMac - seven years ago? They charge me (well, not me) $130 every two years for a new OS that rarely adds anything but flair to previous outings. Oh, and occasionally fixes prior problems.
has good build quality (and do NOT bring up the MacBook and MBP because the Internet has blown the 'problems' way out of proportion).
Ah, yes, the 'cuz I say so' argument. Do you have evidence that those problems don't exist and aren't widespread? No, of course not. You just want to discount the available evidence because it contradicts your rosy view of Apple's doings.
By 'omnipresent branding' I'm assuming you mean having an Apple on all of their products and renaming the computer brands so they all have 'Mac' in them?
Look up what 'branding' means.
How many people do you know from DC to San Francisco? How many stores do they account for? I'm curious.
I'd say a dozen stores, maybe 15+. (And, of course, all the AppleCare calls that are essentially 'Genius Bars' by phone.)
Well, since I don't know why you're whining, why not tell me what your experience with AppleCare is?
I don't have one, I refuse to pay. AppleCare did try to charge me $60 when my seven-month old Quicksilver G4's hard drive had a bearing slip so they can 'talk me through it.' Uh, no.
Some people call the ghetto people scum too.
Yes, but 'ghetto people' is usually just code for "poor and black" or "poor and Latino," so we call them racists where I'm from.
