50 Months with MBP - $1.80/Day

Some of you may know that my MacBook Pro has been slowly dying on the inside (literally) for about half a year now. After many instances of random shutdown and messed up startup screens, the computer will be 50 months old this month, September 2010. I first got it in August 2006, making it the first Intel Mac ever. It has lived through 3 major releases of Mac OS, starting with Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger.

2.16 GHz Core Duo, 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, 100 GB HDD

While it was covered under AppleCare two years ago, I had two batteries replaced, the power charger replaced, the logic board replaced, the LCD inverter replaced twice, the screen replaced, 1 GB RAM replaced, SuperDrive replaced, among four or so incidents. (I might be forgetting some.) All for free! Thank you, Apple. In all honesty, there was only two situations that really required service: 1) when the power charger cable burned, and when my screen was buzzing. Everything else, I must admit, was a little superfluous and only prompted action because I kept complaining. I'm pretty sure this is more indicative of really good customer service as opposed to shoddy Apple products. (P.S. I forgot that I got my entire MBP replaced the third day I got it back in August because it overheated and died. Shoddy Apple products? Maybe. Maybe it's just me.)

~$2500, including a free HP printer and an iPod nano 1G.

At about 50 months of use, that comes out to about $50/month, or $1.80/day in cost of ownership (assuming I stop using it this month). Compare this to a ~$800 Dell Inspiron E1505, a popular computer that 2006 high school graduates like myself get for college. It's used for only two years and is replaced by another, better computer. That becomes about $33/month or about $1.20/day for the Dell over two years. A typical user will then spend about $1000 on his next notebook computer. Bring these two computers to the 50-month time scale, we get $1800 (= $800 + $1000), over 50 months, i.e. up to the present. That comes out to $1.30/day for these two computers, about 50-cents cheaper than owning a Mac. So why even get a Mac? Seriously.

50-cents is an eighth the cost of buying coffee everyday (at an average of $4/cup/day). The daily cost of having a texting plan is about $0.57/day (at +$20/month for unlimited texting, via Verizon). 50-cents isn't all that much. I think it's worth the cost.

Now, I just need to dig up $2000 to get myself another MacBook Pro.

Snow Leopard Wallpaper

In case you didn't know, the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard's default wallpaper was called Aurora. Now, it's called Leopard Aurora, and the new Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard's default wallpaper takes the name Aurora. Very creative, Apple.

Here, I submit to you, the Leopard and Snow Leopard wallpapers (for a 15" MBP). Click for full-size.



Very subtle changes, and nice vignetting.

Another thing I noticed... Quick Look can now open in full screen mode by holding OPTION + SPACEBAR. Pretty neat.

Birthday and Gifts

I have received my computer back from Apple's Texas repair center in Houston last Friday night. This is the second time I sent the MacBook Pro (first generation) to the Genius Bar covered by AppleCare. The first time, they replaced my LCD inverter and that got rid of my problem with the buzzing.

The buzzing returned more consistently every day, and this time, I was expecting the service to be somewhat the same. I was surprised to learn that the Apple technician not only replaced the LCD inverter, the LCD panel was replaced, the logic board was replaced, as was the Super Drive and a 1 GB DIMM of RAM. Wow!

When the computer was turn on, however, I noticed the display was rather blue. It was not only a little cooler, but it was noticeable cooler, as if there was another layer of blue-tinted film in the display. Using the built in color calibrator for ColorSync did not yield any nice results. My eyes have been strained by trying to calibrate this LCD this way.

I am waiting on Ricky's color calibrator, held hostage by Adrian. I hope it'll fix it. Otherwise, Apple's going to be hearing from me a third time...

As a result, even after a week and a half of the computer being in the shop, I'd rather not use the blue-ish MacBook Pro for now. I will still use the iPhone as my primary device. My photo work will have to be put on hold because of this. While I am glad Apple was able to help make my notebook run like new (for the most part), the LCD has made me very frustrated.

"Gifts" received at this time of this post:
1. MacBook Pro repair replacing nearly all components with refurbished parts, by Apple.
2. Ricky's Pantone Huey, from Adrian. (pending)
3. Crumpler's 'The Considerable Embarrassment' bag from my sister, but really from myself.
4. A box of Entenmann's chocholate chip cookies, from my train buddy.
5. Fieldrunners from the iTunes App Store.

Edit:
6. Lysol for my cubicle.
7. Dinner with the family.

MacBook Pro in for Repair

A little rant:

Yesterday, my admiration for Apple and its products has diminished slightly after dealing with an Apple Store SoHo Genius (whose name isn't James). I realize how easy it is to get captured by the Apple media and propaganda, but I also realize how easy it is to dislike Apple for its practices of simplicity at the expense of control. For example, there is no reason an Apple-branded USB to Ethernet adapter can be used only for the MacBook Air.

How Apple does things, it does very well. What Apple does, though, sometimes doesn't sit well with even the most die-hard of Apple fans.

I feel like saying Apple does not genuinely care for its customers (most big and successfully companies don't). But I would have to remind myself that Apple, Inc. is a company after all and in it for the engineering, design, and business.

Cleaning the MacBook Pro

Today, Apple announced the next-generation MacBook and MacBook Pro. Being envious of the new slick look and usability designs, I started to clean and polish my first-generation MacBook Pro. This is kind of like having your car feel and run better after a simple car wash. Haha. Silly psychological schemes.

Back with my Mac

It turns out that the AppleCare's 'Next Day' service with DHL took two days. When I posted the previous entry: DHL to the Rescue ... Maybe, the package was actually still in Houston. Go figure ...

The repair slip (all of which was of no charge to be because of my trusty AppleCare Warranty), indicated that a few components were switched out. Indeed, it does feel a bit different, but the second I cracked open the computer and turned it on, it started to buzz again, albeit, not as loudly. I was disappointed, but at the same time, I am extremely glad I got my computer back safely. It came with a free carboard box and foam packaging as well, which is always a plus.

Edit: Check out the box from yesterday's POTD.

DHL to the Rescue ... Maybe

I have no idea where the Bethel Grove came from, and I don't know if the computer will arrive. I do not know what to expect, but I'm still hoping for the best. I have called both Apple and DHL about this decrepency but the address is right: 14850.

I will wait it out.

Preparation for the Trip to the Apple Store

I will do a final back up of my entire computer via SuperDuper! and Time Machine right now. Afterwards, I will not modify anything on my computer so that the back ups are as up-to-date as possible. I will limit my computer use to web-based applications and services only for now. (Same goes for the iPod touch, of course. No more syncing is to be done until after the Apple Store visit.)

Now's the best time to put Google to the test. Haha.

Appointment Scheduled

My appointment with the genius bar is scheduled. It should be fun. While I am very proficient with speaking with AppleCare consultants over the phone, it will be my first time speaking with an Apple Genius in person.

I'll keep you posted.

MacBook Pro is Sick

There is something wrong with my power systems again. So far, I have replaced two batteries and a power adapter.

Now, for some reason unknown, the computer's fans spin up like crazy whenever the battery is in, and goes back to normal when the battery is taken out. This is the case with the power adapter plugged in or taken out (of course with both battery and cable out, there is no power).

I have phoned the Apple people and they had me reset the SMC but that did not help. Now, I have stumped the nice man on the phone (his name was Jason), and I will probably have to take this in to an Apple Store. I will be going home Thursday night, so the timing is just right. It sucks to have to deal with this during my time at home, but it has to get done, and Friday is the most opportune time to do so. There is a chance I might lose my computer for a little bit. I would then have to resort to using the iPod touch or a lab computer for my fill of the daily Internet.

Oh boy ...

(Photo courtesy of a guy from Australia)

Apple Adapter Arrives

My MacBook Pro adapter has arrived!

The nice thing I remembered was that Apple came out with a different/newer/smaller power adapter for the MacBook Pro, after issues with the older bigger ones. They were considered very huge after the smallish size from the PowerBook G4 days. An AppleInsider article from October 2007 talks about the issue.

I am happy to say that I now have a smaller power adapter. This makes me so happy ...

Without a Computer

Yesterday afternoon, I discovered that my Apple MacBook Pro power adapter had melted and frayed on the end with the MagSafe adapter. Immediately, I telephoned AppleCare not knowing if they were even open on Saturdays. I was surprised to get an answer. Because this was a safety issue, the lady on the phone (Sarah) told me hot to use it and transferred me to a product specialist (Devin), who then had me follow a safety script that included questions like, Did I feel any discomfort or get injured by the product, and Was any personal property damaged as a result of this problem.

It was interesting. All in all, Apple will replace it for me for free. This makes it the third time I had contacted Apple and had the successfully replace parts for me for free. (Two separate battery incidents prior to this one.) My $400 AppleCare extended warranty is really paying off! Alas, I am without a computer to use as the MBP's battery life sucks. A lot.

I take it as a sign for me to really start studying and to stop procrastinating by going online. Unfortunately, I have with me an iPod touch, and it is more than adequate to get me to my music, movies, e-mail, calendar, and Internet. I do not know if that is a good thing or a bad one. Heh.