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Is anyone else disappointed with Apple ?

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AndyWilliams
Registered User

Joined: 06 May 2003
Location: London

Posted: Wed Jan 05 2005 12:59 Is anyone else disappointed with Apple ?
So, after 16 months of owning a G3 iPod, I’m thinking of giving it all up and going back to CDs… My first replacement was swapped out by Apple Europe quite quickly - they picked up from my office on Monday, and a new, brown-boxed Pod was on my desk by Friday. Not bad, eh? Yesterday morning I put my G3 in its cradle (first day back at work etc), and within 30 seconds I knew something was up - I was able to watch the drive space increase within Explorer, and before I could do anything, my Pod had been wiped of all data. I undocked, scanned for Artists and found my full library intact. Problem was, that’s all that was left: the data/text for the library. Try and actually play an album, and it finishes in five seconds. I made an appointment with the Genius Bar @ The Apple Store, Regent Street London. I didn’t want to mess with the Pod in case it could be recovered. Anyone that’s been to a G-Bar will know the boys there are quite removed from reality. I tried to explain what I thought happened and he wasn’t interested, mumbling something about regen’ing the software, formatting and wiping everything off. Usually I wouldn’t have minded but this time I didn’t have a backup. However, I had no choice, I had to agree. Then I thought, hang on, I don’t want the same one back - why would I? So, bravely, I asked for a brand new G3 Pod. Lo and behold, I got one (albeit brown-boxed). The guy had just given up. I asked how many G3’s they swap out in a week… 30-40 minimum. I tried my hand again: “If I pay the additional ŁŁ for a colour Pod, could I do that today?” The flippancy of the reply is what forced me to write this today: “I take it you haven’t heard of Apple’s upgrade path? Throw the old kit in the bin and buy a new model.” Normally I’d find that funny, but I’m one of those people who paid Ł400 for the “best product on the planet”. My first Pod had hard errors on the surface; the 2nd current one lost everything; now I’m on to my third. Hardly what I expected when I paid my money in good faith. To cut a long story short, I left the Apple Centre with a new 2003 G3 - more than likely one with a battery that only lasts three hours or so. Either that or it’s reconditioned. It’s fully wrapped in protective plastic, but, frankly, nothing would surprise me. It’s quicker and more cost effective for Apple to swap out old for new. It seems common practice in many cases nowadays. The whole experience has left me quite disillusioned by Apple. I really thought they had a grasp on their new business, but am increasingly left with the impression that what they actually have a grasp of is extensive media. With so much good coverage, the bad just gets brushed under the carpet. Am I alone in thinking this? Feeling “had” by Apple?

Inge
Man-At-Arms

Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Nieuw Lekkerland @ Holland

Posted: Wed Jan 05 2005 16:21
A friend of mine has two iPod's, two iBooks, one Airport, and everything works perfectly fine. When the mainboard of his first iBook got corrupt, they replaced it almost immediately (thanks to a friend who works at the distribution center, apparently). Still, four out of five products being flawless is quite okay. Furthermore: if Apple really made that sort of crap, than the millions of iPod owners would have burned mr Jobs instantely. Bad luck, Andy: I think it to be accidental. Still pretty shitty though. Inge
Care for a game of Monopoly?

AndyWilliams
Registered User

Joined: 06 May 2003
Location: London

Posted: Wed Jan 05 2005 16:31
That's the thing Inge.. The "Genius" was very withdrawn.. He hears the same thing everyday, swaps out pods all day long. He too felt the same way as me, but obviously couldn't properly air his opinion. My problem now is this.. I have a 2003 Pod - The battery issue didn't come up until 2004 and Apple made no battery changes until Aug 2004 - So, I have a G3 with an old battery that will pop within 8 months. BUT ! What do i do ? Buy an iRiver ? or something like that... I really wanted a Renault 5 GTI once, I had a little car I loved but loved the GTI - The day I handed the keys over to the new owner, and bought my GTI - I regretted it - I missed my old car SO much. Im worried I'll be the same with the Pod.. Granted other MP3 players do a hell of a lot more than the pod (live recording, FM tuner, FM Tuner recorder, instant edit on the player) but there's something about having an IPOD in your hand. Apple, they've fucking got us all by the balls The must have brand for the 21st Century. A

Sunbuster
Registered User

Joined: 05 May 2003
Location: Finland

Posted: Wed Jan 05 2005 16:55
I don't know, I haven't owned an Apple product myself (yet), but all the people I know who have Apple products swear by the name (including two mastering techicians and one live/theather technician). Your case sounds somewhat like a freak accident thing concidering this... The battery issue was pretty widespread though, so if you have one from 2003 you'll probably have that problem One question, are we talking about iPods or G3s? because afaik G3 is the old processor used in Apple's desktop and notebook computers, and iPod is the mp3 player. But how are they connected? do iPods have a G3 processor inside? Anyway, next time your iPod gets a flu, have them give you a 2005 model The reason you want an iPod and not a Creative Zen or iRiver is because iPods are so damn sexy

AndyWilliams
Registered User

Joined: 06 May 2003
Location: London

Posted: Wed Jan 05 2005 17:01
Hey Sun.. The G3 Im talking about is the Generation3 ipod. The first G1 is with click wheel - the G2 & G3 are Firewire 400/USB2 with touch sensitive wheel - The new iPod G4's with touchpad/click wheels are G4 - The colour one & the U2 model are Generation 4. As you say, iPods are really cool. Not just the "Apple" name but the use - it's so easy my mum could even use it (and that says a lot as she can't work out the VCR ! ) I might be able to sell my unit to a friend. IF i can, I'll get the G4 colour.. Or, wait until the G5 comes out in April. Keep you eyes on www.engadget.com - They have everything you can imagine.

QBical
Registered User

Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Utrecht , The Netherlands

Posted: Wed Jan 05 2005 19:20
I had the same problem with my G3 Ipod, all the tracks we're gone, it happend when I totaly resintalled my pc. When you register your Ipod it wipes the whole disk. So if you already registered it, don't do it again! But I agree, it's a bit wierd. Other than that there is absolutely nothing that'll make me go back to an discman... grtz! Ray
PC: P4 HT 3ghz, 1gb ram, 500GB+ Storage, plextor DVD-rw, M-audo Audiophile 2496 Laptop: Apple Powerbook G4 15inch Other Stuff: Phonic MU802 mixer, Alesis M1 Active Mk2 Monitors, Ipod 2nd gen. 20GB, maxtor firewire HD 80GB

AndyWilliams
Registered User

Joined: 06 May 2003
Location: London

Posted: Wed Jan 05 2005 19:26
Well.. I just had a great result - My friend wanted my replacement Pod at quite a decent price. After doing a bit of maths, I worked out it's time for a Christmas present.. So i ordered the 40Gb Photo Pod ! I must be mad, but this way I have a full warrenty and 17hrs battery ! for Ł59 I can get an additional 1yr year warrenty.. Happy Christmas Mr Williams. Still not happy with Apple but like I said, I'd buy an iRiver and be choked the second I used it. A

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