[moose43]

I have had it with Apple and my iMac. I just dropped off my 3rd defective iMac within the past 4 months.

#1 died after about a week. It usually would not turn on, and if it did, it was like it was locked up and would not do anything. After hours on the phone, I was told to return it. After waiting 2 days for my return sticker, it was sent back and a new iMac arrived about 10 days later.

The second one lasted a couple of weeks longer, then developed an incessant loud clicking noise that would not stop. After hours of tech support phone help, again I was asked to ship it back. Same process. Loose everything you have loaded and more importantly, all the time it took to install things. Also without a computer for another 7-10 days.

Now the third and final straw. This iMac worked fine for about 2 months. Then pink and green 1/16” square “pixel ghosts” would stay on panes as you opened them. If you drug the entire window around, they may multiply, or they may go away. Again, a call to support and after doing all of the standard contortionist start-up sequences, I was asked if I had experienced any vision problems recently. I guess they thought I may be seeing things. I was told to take it into a local Apple store. After getting there, I find out that you need an appointment. Get an appointment, come back and voila, the problem can also be seen by an iMac Genius. He pronounces my logic card bad which they do not stock and quotes a 5-7 day wait again. No loaners. And if I take it home and use it until the part arrives, I loose my place in “line” and will have to wait again.

Now all Mac lovers say I am an exception, but while waiting in line, there are customers before and after me with Apple problems waiting for their appointments. Seems there are a lot of people that need repair appointments to fix defective Apple products.

If I had to do it all over again, I would never buy an iMac. In the last 4 months, I have had more problems with my Apple, than my Windows based stuff over the last 10 years. Spending time on the phone, time wasted packing up, shipping then waiting for a replacement. Time wasted loading software and data back on….

It even took 7 phone calls to make sure my latest iMac was correctly listed on Applecare and even today, the phone number in your system was your corporate phone number, not mine. It seems your quality and customer service has not kept up to your product launches.

[Goldfinger]

Originally Posted by moose43 

Now all Mac lovers say I am an exception, but while waiting in line, there are customers before and after me with Apple problems waiting for their appointments. Seems there are a lot of people that need repair appointments to fix defective Apple products.

Any product from any company can go bad. Apple doesn't make magical hardware that's immume to defects. That said, I think you're better off complaining a lot and asking for a completely new iMac after 3 repairs.

[moose43]

The first 2 problems both resulted in new computers. The third is suppose to be repaired. My rant was mostly because of how the Apple system works. It is slow response, guilty until proven innocent and not very apolgetic at all. DId I say slowwwww. The learned their process from car dealers. "let me get back to you", then let you stew for 10 minutes on hold"

I asked if I could take my computer hoe, while waiting for parts to arrive adn they said NO. I would loose my place in teh repair line and would have to sart the 5-7 day clock again when then part arrived.

Why can't I use the computer until the part arrives, (it does work, just has dancing green adn pink squares) have them schedule me for a repair and pop it in. Its not like a tough job. Pop the case, undo a few wire connectors, hook up the new logic board and I go back to work. They could care less that I have been without a computer for 21 days out of my first 3 months of iMac ownership.

[uicandrew]

i actually recommend buying a 2nd hand imac. esp from a forum member, who is knowledgable and hopefully honest enough to tell you about any quirks.

[LagunaSol]

Originally Posted by moose43 

Now all Mac lovers say I am an exception, but while waiting in line, there are customers before and after me with Apple problems waiting for their appointments.

Um, who else would you expect to find in line but people who are also experiencing problems?

My iMac has been mostly flawless - I'm having one issue where the fans kick into high gear when waking from sleep and they won't shut off without a reboot, so I suppose I'll have to take it in. But I believe (based on personal experience, Consumer Reports ratings, etc.) that Apple remains a cut above other manufacturers in the quality department. Seems you've just had a run of bad luck.

I read a story earlier today about a family on their seventh Xbox 360 due to constant hardware failures, yet many buyers have had problem-free units since launch day. Who can explain it? Sometimes that's just the way things go...

[brokenjago]

It even took 7 phone calls to make sure my latest iMac was correctly listed on Applecare and even today, the phone number in your system was your corporate phone number, not mine. It seems your quality and customer service has not kept up to your product launches.

Um, we're not Apple.

That being said, you have my condolences on the demise of your iMacs. Weird.

[goMac]

I'm not sure why your machine would do this. Sounds like bad luck to me.

That said, the innerds of Macs are designed by Intel these days, so you'd be getting the same computer guts if you went with a PC. Just saying, it's not like Apple is pulling from a different, lesser, parts pool than the Wintel sellers.

Edit: Also, I see you're in the Northwest. What Apple Store are you going to? I completely recommend the Alderwood one (This is all assuming you are in the Seattle area). I've had some bad experiences with the U Village one before (although I knew people who work there now).

[JKT]

moose43 has a point - when things do go wrong, Apple's support can be utter crap. My two experiences of repairs at London's Regent Street Apple Store have been OK for the first time and completely dire the second time. Not just a little bit bad, but dire. It really sours your opinion of the company when it happens to you.