Comments on: About My New Fifth Generation iPod Nano http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/10/31/about-my-new-fifth-generation-ipod-nano/ Web site and blog for Maria Langer, freelance writer, commercial helicopter pilot, and serious amateur photographer. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:33:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Maria Langer http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/10/31/about-my-new-fifth-generation-ipod-nano/#comment-2800 Maria Langer Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:55:17 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/10/31/about-my-new-fifth-generation-ipod-nano/#comment-2800 Well, they didn't use the word "antique" when talking about my PowerBook, but I suspect the "genius" was thinking it. He claimed he couldn't order the parts he needed, then told me I could go to one of the Apple Consultants to get it fixed. This irked me for two reasons: 1. When I belonged to the Apple Consultants program back in the early 1990s, Apple did nothing to steer business our way. 2. How is it that a "consultant" can order parts for an Apple computer that Apple can't order? The part in question is indeed my hard disk -- at least the genius confirmed that. The consultant wanted $250 to replace it with a 160GB drive. When I balked, he said that if I bought the drive, they'd put it in for $100. (Talk about changing your tune, huh?) I can get a replacement drive for about $50. So that's what I'm likely to do. My advice to you: if the computer is an important part of your computing life -- like your only machine or your only travel computer -- replace it. You need something to rely on -- and you simply can't rely on a 6-year-old laptop for mission-critical work. As for mine: when fixed it'll likely become the kitchen laptop, for recipes, quick e-mail checks, and Web surfing while something's on the stove. Well, they didn’t use the word “antique” when talking about my PowerBook, but I suspect the “genius” was thinking it. He claimed he couldn’t order the parts he needed, then told me I could go to one of the Apple Consultants to get it fixed. This irked me for two reasons:

1. When I belonged to the Apple Consultants program back in the early 1990s, Apple did nothing to steer business our way.

2. How is it that a “consultant” can order parts for an Apple computer that Apple can’t order?

The part in question is indeed my hard disk — at least the genius confirmed that. The consultant wanted $250 to replace it with a 160GB drive. When I balked, he said that if I bought the drive, they’d put it in for $100. (Talk about changing your tune, huh?) I can get a replacement drive for about $50. So that’s what I’m likely to do.

My advice to you: if the computer is an important part of your computing life — like your only machine or your only travel computer — replace it. You need something to rely on — and you simply can’t rely on a 6-year-old laptop for mission-critical work.

As for mine: when fixed it’ll likely become the kitchen laptop, for recipes, quick e-mail checks, and Web surfing while something’s on the stove.

]]> By: Michael http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/10/31/about-my-new-fifth-generation-ipod-nano/#comment-2799 Michael Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:13:39 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/10/31/about-my-new-fifth-generation-ipod-nano/#comment-2799 Your are indeed right about Apple not interested in 'old' (6 years!) computers. My gorgeous 12" PowerBook died recently too and the Apple store weren't interested; something about it being an antique. Anyway, I like it so much I took it along to an Apple shop that repairs all sorts of Macs but unfortunately it wasn't the HDD. Probably something much bigger..like the logic board :-( Of course I had to pay for the guys to undo and redo all those little screws and run their diagnostics. What to do next? Anyway, I hope it's 'just' the HDD on your PowerBook. Your are indeed right about Apple not interested in ‘old’ (6 years!) computers. My gorgeous 12″ PowerBook died recently too and the Apple store weren’t interested; something about it being an antique. Anyway, I like it so much I took it along to an Apple shop that repairs all sorts of Macs but unfortunately it wasn’t the HDD. Probably something much bigger..like the logic board :-( Of course I had to pay for the guys to undo and redo all those little screws and run their diagnostics. What to do next? Anyway, I hope it’s ‘just’ the HDD on your PowerBook.

]]>