[pete]

after my recommendation, my girlfriend's sister bought one of the new ibook G4s 800mhz. The unit worked for ten days and then started freezing up randomly. Nothing helped and Apple agreed to replace it for a new one. They sent her a new one from Taiwan and ten days later the display started acting funnily, with distortions of colors, bright red and green flickering pixels and a general flickering all over the screen.

She's very sad about this and feels extremely disillusioned and disappointed with Apple products. What should she ask for now? Obviously, this should not be repaired, but replaced. But if they replace it with another one, who knows if that one will have problems too. I suggested that she ask for an upgrade to a powerbook 12 instead. They seem to have less problems.

Does anybody know if the new ibooks have been particularly plagued with quality issues? Or was her experience a mere coincidence?

[pat++]

The iBook G4 is not known to have problems... my guess is that she just didn't have luck. Just ask for a replacement, it's a pretty good machine.

[pete]

Let's hope that it really was just bad luck....she's going to call Apple today to see what they say. I can totally understand how disappointing it must be to have so much trouble right after you get a new computer. Anyway, hopefully she'll get a replacement and everything will be fine.

[polendo]

Pete, read the apple forums on the G4 iBook (support/discussions/iBook/dual G4). As far as I know, they do also have problems with logic boards.. fewer than their G3 counterpart, but still have issues. A powerbook is a much safer bet.

good luck.

[nredman]

Originally posted by polendo:
Pete, read the apple forums on the G4 iBook (support/discussions/iBook/dual G4). As far as I know, they do also have problems with logic boards.. fewer than their G3 counterpart, but still have issues. A powerbook is a much safer bet.

good luck.

aren't the new G4 ibooks based on the G4 powerbook logic boards???

[pete]

that would be interesting to know....makes sense though.

[polendo]

Yes they are, but somehow those things keep failing. It isn't really funny now, that these quality issues haven't been solved.

[pete]

If there is good quality control, the chances of getting TWO lemons right after each other should be almost nil. It does seem, unfortunately, that Apple's quality control has slipped over the past years. I've had countless issues, (most of them manageable), since the first generation Powerbook G3. By far the best and most reliable powerbook was the Pismo. The new aluminum seem good too, but it's too early to say how they'll hold up over time.

Anyway, it's embarrassing to recommend an apple laptop to somebody and then have these things happen. I will not defend apple as there really is no excuse for such poor quality control. They just better be courteous and professional about solving the problem quickly!

[polendo]

Pete,

You got it right correct.

[nredman]

Originally posted by polendo:
Yes they are, but somehow those things keep failing. It isn't really funny now, that these quality issues haven't been solved.

i haven't had any problems with mine (knock on wood) computers are bound to have problems...nothing is perfect...although they should be

[pete]

Well, I think there should be a basic level of quality control and it's questionable if there is right now. I totally understand that these things are complicated though and that better quality control means higher costs for the consumer. I get the feeling that it's cheaper to just deliver the computers and hope for the best and when it doesn't work, just repair or replace.

Anyway, my girlfriend's sister talked to Apple yesterday and they agreed to replace it again and also add an airport card for free - n ot that she can use it with her modem connection, but still.

we'll see if the third time around will work....

[pat++]

Originally posted by pete:

we'll see if the third time around will work....

Keep us posted.