CNN report: Apple G3 iBook is a lemon design. Video commonly dies shortly after warranty is up.

[Eug]

Apple users threaten to sue computer maker

The iPod battery's life will get shorter with time, but that's to be expected even with a Li-ion battery.

However, the iBook's video/logic board problems seem like out of the ordinary. And it's happened to me too. I sold my iBook (just out of warranty) a year ago to a friend, and a few months ago it started having problems. Last month the video simply died. It still runs, but with a blind screen, and it will require $$$$ to fix. I'm in the midst of transferring all the data to a new iBook.

iBook G3 users take note. It may be worth it to get AppleCare if you still can.

 

[InlineFive]

Why should we pay extra for AppleCare when it's their own fault the overcharged product is defective anyways?

-Por

 

[Schadenfroh]

the message is clear, applecare has failed!

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
Why should we pay extra for AppleCare when it's their own fault the overcharged product is defective anyways?

Well, that doesn't help you much when you're one month out of warranty and your video dies. What I'm saying is that for those of you already with G3 iBooks, it may be smart to spend the cash on getting another 2 years of AppleCare. You can't assume Apple is simply gonna give you a new machine if your old one dies out of warranty.

 

[stinkycheese]

The company, with a market share of around 2 percent, is able to command higher prices...

Who's going to be first to say that Apple's computers aren't more expensive?

 

[randomlinh]

interesting. mine did the same (refurb tho)... i chalked it up to that. granted, i got the apple care for a different reason... regardless of brand, i have seen notebooks die too easily. My friends dell HD died, mid-high end one.. another semi budget model one had it's mobo power die.. my video, cdrw/dvd, and battery all went... heh.. boy am i lucky. Altho, i must say i had no problems getting everything fixed, and quickly

 

[Viper96720]

Strange how it acts up right after the warranty is over. Does Apple have a bomb circuit or something inside set to go off when the warranty is up?

 

[InlineFive]

All the same, if notebooks die quickly I would much rather buy a cheaper Dell then fork over the cash for an too-expensive-for-it's-features-and-awful-compatibility Apple.

-Por

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
All the same, if notebooks die quickly I would much rather buy a cheaper Dell then fork over the cash for an too-expensive-for-it's-features-and-awful-compatibility Apple.

Well, FWIW, my TiBook still runs fine... knock on wood

Works great, less filling.

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
Why should we pay extra for AppleCare when it's their own fault the overcharged product is defective anyways?

Well, that doesn't help you much when you're one month out of warranty and your video dies. What I'm saying is that for those of you already with G3 iBooks, it may be smart to spend the cash on getting another 2 years of AppleCare. You can't assume Apple is simply gonna give you a new machine if your old one dies out of warranty.

Question is, will AppleCare take care of it? There have been problems with that as well IIRC.

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
Why should we pay extra for AppleCare when it's their own fault the overcharged product is defective anyways?

-Por

If you purchase it (whether it's overpriced or not .....) then it's kinda your problem to protect it isn't it? If you decide not to get the extended warranty then why should apple care? Buyer beware .... Like people said in the other thread on this topic if it's outta warranty and it fails then it's outta warranty whether it's your overpriced iBook or you $85k bimmer or the $10 coffee maker you bought @ Walmart.....

Thorin

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: X-Man

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
Why should we pay extra for AppleCare when it's their own fault the overcharged product is defective anyways?

Well, that doesn't help you much when you're one month out of warranty and your video dies. What I'm saying is that for those of you already with G3 iBooks, it may be smart to spend the cash on getting another 2 years of AppleCare. You can't assume Apple is simply gonna give you a new machine if your old one dies out of warranty.

Question is, will AppleCare take care of it? There have been problems with that as well IIRC.

If it's under AppleCare, yes they will take care of it. Every single forum post I've seen says so. No problems whatsoever.

The problem is not having AppleCare. ie. a 15 month-old computer without the extended AppleCare warranty. (The normal warranty is 12 months. Actually, some people with problems within the first month or so of their warranty running out have also gotten their machines fixed, too, but I wouldn't count on it.)

Originally posted by: Viper96720
Strange how it acts up right after the warranty is over. Does Apple have a bomb circuit or something inside set to go off when the warranty is up?

Well, mine started acting up about 8-9 months after the warranty was up. Not good by any means, but not 1 month after the warranty was up either.

Needless to say, I have 3-years of AppleCare on my TiBook.

 

[arsbanned]

Just think of all the schools that use iBooks in their "every child must have an Apple computer so that we may maintain that 3% share for them and we'll use TAXPAYER money to DO IT!!!!" programs. I'd hate to be on that support staff.
Oh wait.

 

[sandorski]

Laptops seem like one product where an extended warranty makes sense. My bro bought a Sony Vaio about a year back and recently received a Final Notice to buy an extended warranty. He is seriously thinking of going for it, since his Vaio already died once after just 6 months of use.

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: X-Man

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
Why should we pay extra for AppleCare when it's their own fault the overcharged product is defective anyways?

Well, that doesn't help you much when you're one month out of warranty and your video dies. What I'm saying is that for those of you already with G3 iBooks, it may be smart to spend the cash on getting another 2 years of AppleCare. You can't assume Apple is simply gonna give you a new machine if your old one dies out of warranty.

Question is, will AppleCare take care of it? There have been problems with that as well IIRC.

If it's under AppleCare, yes they will take care of it. Every single forum post I've seen says so. No problems whatsoever.

The problem is not having AppleCare. ie. a 15 month-old computer without the extended AppleCare warranty. (The normal warranty is 12 months. Actually, some people with problems within the first month or so of their warranty running out have also gotten their machines fixed, too, but I wouldn't count on it.)

Originally posted by: Viper96720
Strange how it acts up right after the warranty is over. Does Apple have a bomb circuit or something inside set to go off when the warranty is up?

Well, mine started acting up about 8-9 months after the warranty was up. Not good by any means, but not 1 month after the warranty was up either.

Needless to say, I have 3-years of AppleCare on my TiBook.

Wasn't there a webmaster of a Mac Fan site who sent his laptop in a couple of times to Apple Care and they didn't fix his problem? In fact, didn't they trash his laptop after he sent it back in again? I looked for the link in the archives but I couldn't find it. 'twas a pretty large thread.

 

[Eug]

Apple starts iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: Eug
Apple starts iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program

I like that!!! That is stepping up and backing your product...It is obvious a bit more of an occurrence then a few here or there....Also they don't want to alienate what little marketshare they have....


I have 1 Sony VAIO and it has been running great since end of 2000...Also got a Gateway almost a year old and it is doing great as well....knock on wood....