Were PowerPC Macs better quality?

[kabunaru]

Another thing, does anybody else think that PowerPC macs were more unique because of their PowerPC architecture which differentiated them from PCs?

 

[UMHurricanes34]

I think the fact that the machines are being produced at a faster rate is the reason why people *think* the quality of intel Macs is lower than PPC Macs.


I ordered the very first intel iMac and my first machine was a complete lemon, but I guess that's to be expected with Rev A of a new generation of machines. My replacement has been absolutely perfect.


That being said, my PBG4 from 4-5 years ago is still running strong, only issues I've ever had is a bad logic board. It's been an extremely solid machine.

 

[KurtangleTN]

I was checking my iMac G3 (off eBay) and the bottom said "Assembled in USA!" I couldn't help but think "Wow this must be old!".

I don't want to say PowerPC Macs were of better quality, squarely because they had their problems too, chipping Powerbooks, the frigging ticking time bomb logic boards on iBook G3s, the early G5s..

 

[kabunaru]

I don't want to say PowerPC Macs were of better quality, squarely because they had their problems too, chipping Powerbooks, the frigging ticking time bomb logic boards on iBook G3s, the early G5s..

Last revision iBook G4s and PowerBook G4s were good except for some 17" PowerBook G4s that had display issues:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yYWdmUcymo&feature=related

 

[CashGap]

Was your last toaster as durable as the one you bought 20 years ago? How about your last microwave? Car? Stereo? "They don't make 'em like they used to" is said pretty universally.

And thank goodness!!!

40 years ago, a toaster probably sold for $10, which was average daily take-home pay for an entry level worker. 1/3 of the design was focused on results (toast), 1/3 on serviceability (gotta be able to open it up and replace the heating elements, cord and control) and 1/3 on making it tough enough to last ten years.

2/3 of that design effort is now unnecessary. A basic toaster still sells for $10 at WalMart, is of MUCH higher quality if measured by the quality of the toast it produces, and costs about two hours of average entry level worker take-home pay. It will last three to five years but be thrown away in 2.5 when something better comes out.

Over a ten year period, the worker spends just as much real wage on a toaster, but never has to use a toaster over three years old and never has to endure a two week or more delay to have their toaster serviced. They just toss a box in the buggy on the next trip to WalMart.

These are the good old days. Take a ride in a perfectly restored or maintained 1967 Cadillac or Lincoln. You'll take a Yaris in a heartbeat if comfort, reliability, safety and performance mean anything to you.

 

[Dane D.]

Another thing, does anybody else think that PowerPC macs were more unique because of their PowerPC architecture which differentiated them from PCs?

I think so, my experience with Macs dating back to PPC 6100/66AV days has been trouble-free. Of the 13 different PowerPC Macs I have and still use, they still perform better than their PC counterpart from the same era. Especially Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark. I also noticed that on the PowerPC eMac my son has, it rips MP3 in iTunes much faster than a 2GHz AMD custom box. I like having a PowerPC, reminds me of a loyal dog, always there ready to please its master.