Macbook Concerns

[muleking]

I'm tempted to pick up my first mac when a smaller macbook comes out. Given the past apple track record, should I expect the same slew of problems on that new hardware as people are having on the 15" macbook pro. Or is it likely these new laptops will already have those problems ironed out.

I guess what I am saying is do you guys think these laptops will be fixed based off the problems already identified with the Pro, or will they stand independently with their own variety of early adopter glitches?

thanks for any help of opinion anyone out there can offer.

 

[~Shard~]

Many times there are specific issues with the initial rev of a machine, independant of its counterparts, however I think you can feel better knowing that a smaller MBP will be very similar in design to the existing MBPs, and therefore a lot of the kinks will already be ironed out, as you suggest. That doesn't mean this new machine won't have problems of its own, but you definitely have less to worry about IMO.

 

[student_trap]

I'm tempted to pick up my first mac when a smaller macbook comes out. Given the past apple track record, should I expect the same slew of problems on that new hardware as people are having on the 15" macbook pro. Or is it likely these new laptops will already have those problems ironed out.

I guess what I am saying is do you guys think these laptops will be fixed based off the problems already identified with the Pro, or will they stand independently with their own variety of early adopter glitches?

thanks for any help of opinion anyone out there can offer.

rev A.s are always a risky purchase, although apple seem to be fair in dishing out replacements/no hassle repairs etc, so the choice is yours

The fact that the new macbooks will be able to learn from their older siblings intel mistakes should mean they are a little less risky than the current mbp's

 

[~Shard~]

Ah, sorry, you were referring to the MacBook, not a new MBP. In that case, yes, there are always issues with the initial rev of a product, and the MacBook could have issues separate from the MBP due to its different design. Just use the iBook and PowerBook as previous examples - many of the problems encountered in those models were isolated to those models and independant of the other product line.

So I guess yes, there definitely could be issues, but by at least having one Intel laptop product out already, and discovering some of its issues, this will no doubt help mitigate some problems with the MacBooks when they are eventually released.

 

[muleking]

Thanks for the advice, I'm still up in the air as whether I'll go consumer or Pro with my laptop purchase. I'm going to see what they put out. I really want to go with an Apple but I don't want to get in a position where I'm wishing I went with a company that is a little more acclimated to producing intel based laptops.

 

[~Shard~]

Thanks for the advice, I'm still up in the air as whether I'll go consumer or Pro with my laptop purchase. I'm going to see what they put out. I really want to go with an Apple but I don't want to get in a position where I'm wishing I went with a company that is a little more acclimated to producing intel based laptops.

I understand what you're saying. If it's any help, the Intel Macs (and specifically the MBPs) have been well received so far and see to be performing extremely well in benchmarks and the like, and also have not had any major issues. Apple was serious about this transistion, and to that end, you can feel pretty confident that they're not rushing things, and are making sure they're doing things right the first time, as they're only being given one shot on this.

Also, Apple is not really a stranger to Intel. Internally, they have been running OS X on Intel architecture for 5 years or so already, dating back to Cheetah.

 

[muleking]

From what I understand the default warranty is 90days telephone support and one year of service. Is it really worth getting the apple care if I can take it back to a store and get fixed if any issues arise in the first year of owning?

 

[plinden]

From what I understand the default warranty is 90days telephone support and one year of service. Is it really worth getting the apple care if I can take it back to a store and get fixed if any issues arise in the first year of owning?

You have a year to decide whether to extend the warranty. My iMac's out of its 90 day period now, but I live just 15 minutes from an Apple store so if I have any problems I'll just make a Genius appointment.

I'll decide whether to extend it just before the year is up. Apple notify you when you're coming to the end of the year, like they did with my iPod (although they had the date wrong, their records showing I'd bought it in December 2004 whereas I bought it in March 2005. But a very helpful and courteous rep fixed that up with a short phone call ... luckily I still had the web order number).

 

[~Shard~]

From what I understand the default warranty is 90days telephone support and one year of service. Is it really worth getting the apple care if I can take it back to a store and get fixed if any issues arise in the first year of owning?

I think if there are any major problems with the computer they will manifest themselves well within the first year of use. Therefore, I would argue that the standard warranty is probably adequate.

 

[dylans]

In that case, yes, there are always issues with the initial rev of a product, and the MacBook could have issues separate from the MBP due to its different design.

True that... but I would like to know "WHY" initial revisions have so many problems.

Why can't a giant company like Apple take a dozen MBP's off the actual assembly line, give them to some power users (or random users), and work out all the kinks prior to launch ?

I could only think they are losing "a lot" more money in return and support costs than they would if they pushed the launch of their product out by a month.
Even if they aren't losing that much money (or any at all), they are losing their customers trust.

My MBP (a revision above the so called "bad" revisions) is in the shop right now getting a brand new LogicBoard installed. WTF ?

 

[cherry38]

I'm tempted to pick up my first mac when a smaller macbook comes out. Given the past apple track record, should I expect the same slew of problems on that new hardware as people are having on the 15" macbook pro. Or is it likely these new laptops will already have those problems ironed out.

I'm guessing you'll be fine with a MacBook.

When the Mac Mini's were first released early 2005, I was one of the first people in line to get one. It was a completely new product and I have not had a single problem with it in over a year...and that's as Rev A as you get. It's absolutely perfect.

I admit, I have had MacBook Pro issues. However, I know A LOT of people with MBPs, and I am the only one who has any problems at all. I honestly believe that the MBP issues aren't as widespread as we think. People have problems so they come to these message boards to complain and get help, and it makes it look like MBPs are the buggiest computers that have ever existed. But depsite my problems with the MBP, I know way too many other success stories to think that there are major production issues.

Sorry this was long to finally answer your question, get your MacBook when they come out. Buy it from your local Apple Store, and if you have any problems with it (which I doubt you will), go in ASAP and they will help you out. Hope I helped

 

[muleking]

thanks for all the feedback, I have alot more confidence in going with an apple now.

 

[~Shard~]

thanks for all the feedback, I have alot more confidence in going with an apple now.

Glad we helped - if you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

 

[cherry38]

From what I understand the default warranty is 90days telephone support and one year of service. Is it really worth getting the apple care if I can take it back to a store and get fixed if any issues arise in the first year of owning?

I don't think this has been mentioned yet so I apologize if it has been - you have until the end of your standard 1 yr warranty to buy Apple Care. so you have plenty of time to think about it I haven't bought it yet for my MBP, but I probably will. Although, I 've never had to use it for my other macs...

EDIT: It was mentioned, I am blind