Screw you, Apple
 

Looking at my desk, I realize I have given Apple way too much of my money. I am typing this from a Macbook, I use an iPhone, and all my music travels faithfully with me in my iPod. Something about this just isn't right.

Back in the day Macs just sucked. Nothing was compatible, they froze all the time, and were just generally a pain in the ass to use. Then sometime around the end of the 20th they picked up their game and made some quality products. Their business picked up. Then they got cocky. While my Macbook seems to be doing just fine, I know others have not had the same luck. iPhones and iPods, however, are just freaking atrocious. This is where the point of this thread comes in.

I've been a faithful iPod user for years. I started with the U2 special edition (because it was black and had a red click wheel, which I thought looked badass). That lasted until I felt like upgrading to an iPod video with a whopping 60GB. That sucker lasted a good 4-5 years before crapping out on me. Now, that's a good lifespan for a tiny piece of hardware if you ask me. So I'm thinking...ok I'll stick with Apple for my music listening needs. I grab myself a 160 GB iPod classic, happy I can once again carry around most of my music. It lasts for a year (albeit with a few glitches) until the thing corrupts a week after warranty and I'm stuck with a very expensive paperweight. Being lazy and broke, I never attempted repairs.

Months pass and I get a new one for Christmas for my girlfriend. It falls a short distance (nothing my old iPod couldn't take...I even have some stories about its rough existence)...and BAM white screen of death. If you don't know what this is...well, you are lucky. After some searching, I find this is a very common problem amongst iPod classics and iPod touches alike...even with small impacts. That's 2 freaking expensive ass iPods in 2 years. Of course, I take it in and they are convinced I dropped it (granted, I did...but it wasn't anything that should have ended its life). Warranty voided.

Oh hell no. I want my ****ing iPod. I crack the sucker open, adjust the LCD ribbon (which would be the most logical place to look first) and BAM it works again. Party. Someone picks it up, flops it on the couch, and its the white screen all over again. I open it again, it starts working again, and I go about my day. A week later and I'm staring at the ****ING white screen again. That's where I'm at today.

So I guess this thread serves the dual purpose of complaining about Apple's increasingly shoddy craftsmanship and seeing if anyone has some advice on permanently getting this thing fixed. I've posted this elsewhere, but I wanted to see if you guys had anything to say. If I open it again, I want it to be for good. The parts in there are so fragile that I fear I will really screw something up every time I do it.

One thing to note...the second time I opened it I noticed the ribbon kind of stuck to the hard drive with something a bit sticky...I don't know if this would have anything to do with what's going on but worth mentioning.

So yeah...screw you, Apple. Why do I have to love the iPhone so much?

Hmm. My Classic is about 4 years old now and haven't had a problem. I'd be angry if it crapped out on me any time soon...

I've had my 64 gig iPod Touch since December, and other than it being completely open-source-unfriendly, I love it and have had no problems. I've purchased a rubber case for it, and have dropped it countless times with no problem.

That said, many of my friends have had broken/bricked iPods, so I feel like this thing may be a ticking time bomb.

3rd gen iPod Touch motherlover. It freezes fairly often and I don't really use it for anything other than browsing and music, but it's a fairly good product. It's also durable as hell.

On the other hand, Macs are useless pieces of trash. Why anybody prefers them to Pcs is beyond me in every way.

I've had my iPod Classic for over four years now and there's not a hitch with it. Even the battery life is still fairly decent. I wouldn't give much of a toss though if it crapped out because I didn't pay a penny for it. I'm not entirely sure what to make of Apple products. Something about the whole grey metallic construct of Apple products in recent years seems cold and soulless and the software seems pretty much the same.

I'm using a Mac Mini most of the time in work to develop iPhone and iPad apps (yeah I'm a hypocrite), I find OS X to be a very awkward operating system and the Apple keyboards themselves are a nightmare to use. One of my biggest problems with Apple software is that it is so closed and restrictive, you even have to get a license from Apple just to test a simple software program on an Apple device. Android is open-source and there's so much you can do with Android devices and they're way more fun to use. Then again an Android device is far more likely to get fucked up from dodgy software than an Apple device so their restrictions do have a purpose.

I run through a lot of iPods. And I don't think I'm particularly clumsy, I just think they are not built to last. The term "timed obsolescence" comes to mind.

Apple are one of the main culprits for planned obsolescence, I'm surprised my iPod has lasted this long so that's a big screw you to Apple. I had to write an essay on the ethics of planned obsolescence about a year ago and it's all pretty much a smart way for electronics manufacturers to sell as many products as possible and maximise profits. Designing a product so that it fails just outside the warranty period so that the customer would possibly buy a replacement is a pretty low thing to do, but there's nothing to stop them really.

My sister still uses the iPod Touch my dad found on the road around 2 years ago. It's scratched all to hell (the back and sides, not the screen) but works wonderfully.

It's sort of the nature of form follows function. :D It's one of the basest principles in design, but not many truly follow it. I imagine what you said could definitely be a factor. They don't exactly exude warmth or people friendliness. It's all very exacting and logical. I personally love it, but I'm biased. I know Jony Ive gets a lot of inspiration from Dieter Rams, who's pretty incredible. If you look up some of his stuff, it's all black, white, silver/gray, with occasional flourishes of wood.

I've owned the same 8GB nano for three years. It's been rained on, sweated on, dropped on the sidewalk several times and had a drink or two spilled on it and it still works perfectly fine. I've been pretty impressed honestly. I haven't noticed any decline in battery power either (cue battery to stop holding a charge tomorrow).

I'm really not a fan of Apple products at all. Usually, Zune for my music needs, PC for my computer needs, and BlackBerry for my cell.

My entire family have iPhones, various iPods, etc. They still use PCs, though.

I'm not saying they're crap at all - I'm just saying that they've never appealed to me.

I've never bought a Mac product in my life. When I was in middle school in the 90s they introduced those really colorful, ugly Macs into our classrooms to teach us how to use computers. What a crock. I was already PC literate so I used the time where everyone was learning about who knows what to play the games that were on there. Some dinosaur game.

My friend gave me an iPod once and I gave that **** back and got a Creative Zen touch, my favorite Mp3 player to date circa 2003. It finally broke after about 5 or 6 years of service and I've been without an mp3 player since. Well, I found wireless Walkman headphones with about 1Gig memory in the garbage in Oregon and use those from time to time.

I never ever want an iphone or any smartphone really. That's what my laptop is for. I hate small screens and small keypads.

Apple free existence is possible and highly recommended. Also Gates > Jobs, and I'm happy Gates won the staying alive longer competition.

I like my iPhone, but I hate the annoying as f*ck updates Apple wants to put on my computer all the time. I deal with iTunes because it's the only way I can put music on my phone and sync my stuff in general. But I don't give a sh*t about your stupid Safari, and I don't want to use your cloud services. Please, just let me use the phone and sync it when I need to. That's all I want. Please.

As far as Mac computers, I'm actually taking an elective this semester that deals with Mac, and we each have a Macbook Pro to play around with and get to know. I figured it'd be the least I could do if I ever happened to be in a position where I needed to support a Mac computer. So far, Macs are cool and all with their frilly features. But I'm starting to get the feeling that you have about as much administrative control of them as you would a PS3.

My Ipod classic (80gig) lasted 4 years. It finally crapped out due to me constantly moving music around and it being used every day for hours a day since four and a half years ago. I'm not surprised the hard drive it self decided to die (as all do after such abuse). I recently got 160 gig classic for Christmas after half a year of not having something to listen to music on. Granted I don't use it as much as I did, mainly because I've gotten used to not having a music player with me. I'll be pretty pissed if this craps out on me in less than 3 years though.

Also, funny thing, my 1st generation Nano actually still works (after 6-7 years now is it?). I don't like it much for two reasons, the maximum volume level for that is about 1/4 of what my classics could achieve in terms of ear shattering goodness, and it holds only 2gigs.

Anyway, besides Ipod classics, I wouldn't even bother with any other apple product. Overpriced trendy garbage is what it is. (this comes from someone who is stuck using an Emachine.)

Here are my experiences with Apple:
1986: Got an Apple IIC and used it as my first gaming computer. My best memories of it are playing early editions of King's Quest, and text-based games like Hitchhiker's Guide and Leather Goddesses of Phobos. I loved that thing. It never broke down - my family gave it away sometime in the mid-90s.

1988(?): My dad got an early version of the Apple MacIntosh. Wasn't nearly as fun as the IIC but I got hours of enjoyment playing with its text-to-speech program. Also, the first computer I used to get on the Web and play around on idiotic message boards.

2003: Got my first laptop, an iBook G4. It's still kicking to this day. While it has virtually no memory and doesn't support most current software, it still works fine and I can get online with it and use it for basic functions if I cared to (but I don't - too slow).

2005: My first iPod. 5th generation 30 GB click wheel. I have it one of those clear hard plastic cases which I guess are worth using b/c I've dropped it many times and had no problems. The thing works fine. I still use it b/c it has some music on it that I don't have anywhere else.

2008: Got a 21" screen iMac desktop. After 3 years of heavy use by multiple people it gave me the blue screen of death (which did piss me off) but I've got it sitting around b/c I've seen others like it with the same problem be revived and I plan to fix it one of these days.

2009: My first (and only) iPhone. 32 GB 3GS. I use this as my phone and MP3 player and also take full advantage of all of its smartphone features. Never had a problem with it.

2011: Got a MacBook Pro and have zero complaints. It does what I want it to do with lightening speed. I'm using Lion which I kind of hate but spent the extra $100 to get Apple Care support for 3 years and any problems I've had with the stupid OS so far have been taken care of over the phone pretty swiftly.

2011: I found an iPod Nano, 4GB 3rd generation on the street. It's beaten to hell and looks like it's been run over by a car but the only thing that doesn't work on it is the lock switch. Even without that though, it automatically puts itself into battery saving mode while in use. So, free 4GB music storage on a little tiny piece of metal I found on the ground.

Sometimes I think about spending a couple hundred on some crappy PC laptop that I can abuse and then just throw in the trash when it dies on me but this would only be so that I could protect my beloved MBP from harm so it's probably unnecessary.

So, um... Screw you, Apple haters

Why the apple hate, they have really good products. Their laptops are **** overpriced, but loaded up with Windows their great if you find one cheap second hand. The iPod Touch is fantastic though, best $400 I ever spent, 64GB, Netflix, Last.fm, Pandora, 8tracks, Classic Nintendo Emulators, Games to no end, Guitar pro + tuner, recording and effects software to use as a pre-amp, make phone calls and send texts free, what more can you want in something that fits in your pocket.

My poor ipod 80 gig got stuck in my lazy boy and now its ****ed. Anyone know a good place to get used or refurbishedmp3 players?

Yabe?

What is yabe?

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Ebay

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I feel dumb.

Whew!

For a moment I thought you were mad at Fiona Apple. :rofl: She is one of my favorites!


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I'll tolerate an Ipod because I've had one for so long now I'm just used to them but having Itunes on my computer has put me off ever owning another single apple product. Or buying a single thing from Itunes store.

I just hate the way that they try to dominate everything, if I want one thing I have to install this, this, and this as well. It's like whenever I use an apple product it's almost like I can physically feel the corporate repression of big business pressing down on me.

I've been pretty impressed by the abuse my iPod touch has lived through. Like being thrown across the room by an irate 5 year old and dropped countless times hard enough to twist the casing.

It does irritate me that you have to follow Apple's rules with their products. I hate iTunes, but I have no other choice in what to use. I hate Safari even more than Internet Explorer, but they still try and trick me into downloading it every time an iTunes update comes along. And it annoys me that their app store won't tolerate competition. There's never a half-decent alternative to their book service, for example, because every time a better one comes along they find an excuse to not put it up for purchase.

I have to say I don't understand the Safari hate. It's a good browser with decent plug-ins and is far more standards compliant than IE. It's not quite as good as Firefox in some regards, but it's nearly identical to Chrome.

The main problem I have with Apple is an idealogical one. They've always tried obstinate, restrictive, and virtually the antithesis of Open Source. They don't seem to care one bit about advancing technology and improving the ways we can use computers, they just want to make ****loads of money.

Proof? Look at all the lawsuits recently. They're trying to copyright the most ridiculous things, because "they did it first". Bull****. Most of the ideas they have are stolen from science fiction writers in the first place. Provided the other companies aren't literally stealing the code from them (which is highly unlikely given how **** an OS OSx is), I see no reason why they should have any claim to it whatsoever. If their product is better, then they'll do better in sales. If their product is worse, then it's pathetic that they'll resort to sueing the other companies in order to stay ahead in sales.

iPhones, and their ilk, are fantastic pieces of technology. They are really very innovative, and Apple do tend to be the first people to bring out a workable version of something, like Siri for example. But they're compatible with nothing. I work part time for a games company, and one of my friends has spent the last year or so writing an app so that one of their browser games can be played on the iPhone. He said that OSx was the single worst language he has ever had to work with, and he had endless trouble trying to get the app approved when it was finally done. Not only that, but it's totally incompatible with every other phone device out there. Woop.

Apple made the choice decades ago not to be IBM compatible, like everyone else. While most of the computing industry was making the effort to share (within reason so that they could still make profit) to collaborate, and to make sure their products all worked on each others' platforms. Did Apple? Nope. And they still don't. I don't get why they have to be so difficult, to control everything, like others have said. They're not looking to develop and innovate, unless they're the ones to do it, and that, personally, is an attitude that I can't stand.

As expected, there are arguments for both sides. When I wrote my OP, I was fairly peaved. In all honesty, though, ther are pros and cons.

Pros:
I rarely worry about viruses and malware. On a PC it's almost a daily concern.
It looks sleek (some people have said cold, but I like their aesthetics).
Ease of use (for their handheld products like the iPod and iPhone only... MacBooks are easy but not included for reasons seen in the cons)

Cons:
Restrictive (before my MacBook I was a die hard PC guy... I just wanted to see what the other side was like. Once my MBP dies I'm going straight back to Windows. I'm used to cracking into the registry and doing whatever the hell I want)
Expensive
Hit or miss craftsmanship (seems like you either get something that last for years or something that craps out the day after you get it)

I'll be willing to concede that maybe I just got very unlucky with my 2 classics... But I still get the impression that all their focus is on the iPod touch and the iPhone leading to a higher chance of a lemon in regards to the classic. Which suck because I love the classic's look and feel... I'm an old school guy i guess. Plus 160GB.

Is it?

I've had one problem in the last 7 years, and I don't use anti virus software.

For me it is... I don't know what your usage is like but I'm pretty hard on my computers. I'm willing to traipse into potentially dangerous websites in the name of finding a useful program or exerting more control on my PC than they currently give me. Maybe I should mention I'm somewhat of a computer nerd? For an average user I can see how it probably isn't such a huge deal.

What kind of "websites" are we talking about here? ;)

If you are implying I watch porn, I have no issues admitting I watch my fair share of it. I'm a guy. I like porn. Who the hell doesn't?

In fact, this just inspired me. I'll be on youporn.

I watch porn all the time, but it's never given me any issues. My mom has ended up clicking sponsored links a couple times which turned out to be malware. I've been having issues with flash a lot, and I've no clue as to why. It's been happening for a long damn time. The last computer had to be restored every month practically. It was a joke.

I've had my iPod Nano (7GB, I really need to upgrade because I keep having to delete stuff I don't listen too much), and that's lasted for about four years now. It broke last month; just wouldn't respond to the menu button, but it suddenly fixed itself. Mindfuck, man.

If your torrenting and downloading programs,games, movies, music you are nearly garenteed to get something at one point or another. Maybe you have just been lucky but id definitely say you are either very careful or just the mall small minority.

The state of AV software nowdays pretty much nullifies a lot of the threat that's out there. With active scanning of everything that comes in or out of your computer, you literally have to go out of your way to get a virus intentionally, and even that is hard sometimes. (I've tried). Otherwise, most anything that tries to sneak by is caught and quarantined automatically, or just straight up blocked.

Of course, that's dependent on what you're using for AV software and whether you keep it up to date or not. Still, stuff like Avast is damn good at all this and keeps itself updated.
I surf the sleaziest porn sites unafraid.
The argument for Macs over PCs that centers on Macs being largely virus-proof is only relevant to uneducated, unskilled PC users. (which is probably why it's always going to be relevant)

^

And also why I'm going straight back to PC once my mac craps out. I appreciate its user-friendliness but I really want more control. I feel like it treats me like an idiot by not allowing me access to its inner workings.

I'll admit I'm not much of a backend tinkerer or anything, but aren't you pretty much able to access the inner workings via Terminal?

You forgot lazy and/or uninterested PC users. I consider spending even five minutes thinking about and implementing AV software to be a waste of my time.
Simply because, like all computer tech stuff, it bores me.

I hate using it (again, cuz it's boring) but when I need to it's always done what I want.

Technically, yes...but it's still superficial access. It's not nearly as open as, say, Windows XP was. Granted, Windows 7 is a little tighter but it still offers more accessibility than OS X.

My PC broke down and I've been doing my insideous online bidding with an iPod touch. I can't even use the thing unless it's plugged in as I get a weird "iPod needs to cool down before you can use it" warning every time I unplug it. It's not even warm. And so I've been alternating between unplugging it and letting the battery drain slowly so I can plug it in again and use it without it over charging and destroying the battery. When does the iPod start doing this? Right after the warranty expires, of course.