Just have to bitch about Fujitsu hard drives in new 12" PB

[California]

Bought a new 12" PB Sunday. Superdrive/80gb standard.

Sold my 12" PB Combo/60gb hd for same amount of money the new one cost, so felt pretty good.

Then I turned it on and DANG the new one has a Fujitsu hard drive that sounds like my stomach is upset. I really didn't expect the noise.

Older PB (purchased in Dec) had a silent Toshiba 60gb 16mbcache 5400 Gax drive. And let me tell you, not only the noise factor -- but the combo PB was faster than this sucker because the Fujitsu only has an 8mb cache. Dang!

Just wanted to complain. Will have Apple Tech take the drive out for swap next week. Wish Apple would stick to Toshibas or Hitachis or Seagates and leave the Fujitsus behind.

And perfectly happy not making Intel switch until a few revisions down the line.

 

[mad jew]

I never really think about hard drive specs when I buy a computer (aside from shear size of course) because there's rarely any choice in customising the speed/cache/whatever. I guess this is pretty stupid of me considering what a large part they play in the speed of one's machine. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention.

 

[California]

I never really think about hard drive specs when I buy a computer (aside from shear size of course) because there's rarely any choice in customising the speed/cache/whatever. I guess this is pretty stupid of me considering what a large part they play in the speed of one's machine. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention.

Hey Mj -- yeah. Well, I've actually called Apple and complained about the poor specs and performance on Fujistus -- there is no way you can get around it once you open the computer box to find out. But in this case, since it is making noise, back she goes.

 

[Demoman]

Hey Mj -- yeah. Well, I've actually called Apple and complained about the poor specs and performance on Fujistus -- there is no way you can get around it once you open the computer box to find out. But in this case, since it is making noise, back she goes.

Maybe this particular drive model/lot has some manufacturing issues? It surprises me. Fujitsu drives have been very reliable and good performers over the years.

 

[OldCorpse]

Aaah, California, you're my kinda gal I too am holding off on the Intel madness, not because I distrust Intel, but why be a guinea pig? The PPC platform is "obsolete", but it's also very mature. The chips run cooler - I like that, especially in a portable, especially in hot SoCal. My lil iBook runs super quietly since the fans rarely turn on - again, cool chip - and the battery life is great. It does all I need. There is still plenty of software for it, and will be for a long time yet. Why not wait until the Intel/Apple combo matures a bit? I'm in no hurry and by the time I'm ready for some new gear macintels should be six times the machines they are today

Oops, there I go, off topic... of course, this PPC/Intel thing holds a fascination for me, and I intentionally got the last iteration of the 12" iBook, so I tend to ramble on about it any chance I get

Back on topic. Contrary to what the other poster said, actually Fujitsu HDD have a poor reputation for performance and high failure rates. You did the right thing in exchanging it. Eventually, I suspect Fujitsu will get out of the HDD business as they don't seem particularly dedicated to it, and don't have the scale and ambition of even a Hitachi (who bought IBM's HDD business).

 

[daneoni]

Wow i thought the PPC folks were growing thinner with each intel release but glad to know some are still out there with PowerBooks. I was at an apple store recently and saw folks with Titaniums (which i think is the best laptop design..ever) and i just smiled. Saw all the folks with their MBPs on the Geniuses (Genii?) bar table looking sullen after the (we're gonna have to take it in) statement has been dropped. (Not saying all MBPs are bad or PowerBooks are great)

Even if i get an intel machine, i'll still hold on to my PB. Its the first laptop i'm gonna get AppleCare for just to prolong it.