Apple Acknowledges 15" PowerBook Spots 71
zachlipton writes "Computerworld is running an interesting interview with Dave Russell, director of product marketing for portables and wireless at Apple. Russell comments on the white spot issues that have plagued the new 15" PowerBooks (Apple has been very responsive about fixing mine at least) and he has this to say about a G5 PowerBook: 'We certainly want to do that, but it's going to be a while.' Russell also comments on a lot of other ideas related to the PowerBook and iBook lines."
It's about time (Score:3, Informative)
Re:It's about time (Score:3, Interesting)
No, my 12" AlBook (purchased in March this year) has a bright spot on it too. I was wondering what it might be, and now that I have seen this I am going to do something about it. It sounds very similar to what my screen has
I have these (Score:3, Informative)
Thankfully, I also have extended apple care. I am gonna wait until I hear that they are 100% fixed before I send it in. I don't want to be waiting 2-3 weeks for a replacement, etc. That would be a real big problem. Hopefully they will get the delays down and the success ratio up, and then I can get a new screen that is pristine.
Re:I have these (Score:2, Informative)
Thankfully?
You, and other PB15AL owners with spots don't need to worry about extended Apple Care at this point: Your Mac is covered by Apple's One Year Warranty. The AL PB's are new and not even close to expiring this out-of-box warranty.
Re:I have these (Score:1)
Capturing the elusive Spotted PowerBook (Score:5, Funny)
Funny choice of words. I can't help but picture a herd of beautiful wild PowerBooks, running free across the plain.
(it's a Daria reference [outpost-daria.com].)
Re:Capturing the elusive Spotted PowerBook (Score:1, Funny)
First OS X Virus: Spotted PowerBook Virus (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Capturing the elusive Spotted PowerBook (Score:2, Funny)
In that case, they'll ask for your permission, and if you agree, they send you a new machine and the old one ends up sitting on somebody's desk in Cupertino (or maybe Elk Grove in some cases). It's all rather civili
Re:Capturing the elusive Spotted PowerBook (Score:2)
At least (Score:5, Insightful)
And, don't expect anyone to say the G5 powerbook is coming soon. Nobody would buy the current models if that was remotely the case.
Re: "G5 PowerBooks coming soon..." (Score:5, Insightful)
- Apple just updated the PowerBooks. History says that they are very unlikely to update 'em again quick. (See MacRumor.com's Buyer's Guide page for dates of past revisions.)
- There is no G5 Xserve yet. If Apple can't get a G5 working within the Xserve's size/power/noise limits (with sales doubtless in the pits as folks wait for G5), then they're likely a *long* way from doing G5 within the PowerBook's (far tighter) limits.
Re: "G5 PowerBooks coming soon..." (Score:1)
Re:Xserve (-1, Off-topic) (Score:2, Insightful)
The power dissipation of the PPC 970 is really nothing special, a laptop version is definitely feasible, though I'd imagine they'll wait for the 90nm version until they go for it, especially with the MPC 745
Re: G5 Xserve (Score:3, Insightful)
Why aren't they shipping already? A few ideas:
- Legal constraint from IBM? Seems unlikely - IBM's bottom line is supposedly hurting for lack of business to keep their pricy new 970 fab busy. Frustrated wanna-be
Re: "G5 PowerBooks coming soon..." (Score:2)
I'll be amazed if the next Xserve isn't a G5 and if there aren't already G5 Xserve prototypes. It's just a matter of time waiting for the product cycle to roll around. Early 2003 is beginning to look likely.
I sincerely doubt the non-presence of a G5 Xserve
Re: "G5 PowerBooks coming soon..." (Score:2)
So I should be able to order one several months ago? I'm assuming you mean Q1.04, in which case I'm simply being an ass.
Easy way to check (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Easy way to check (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Easy way to check (Score:2)
Sorry if I've got the whole thing wrong, I haven't seen any pictures of these spots. Has anyone got any pictures online?
Re:Easy way to check (Score:4, Informative)
D.
Re:Easy way to check (Score:2)
Excellent Test for 'the Spots' (Score:5, Informative)
I'll be waiting to see if they get bigger, as I have a screen with no dead/stuck pixels and I don't want to tempt fate and/or be without my powerbook for some unknown amount of time.
Steve Jobs notes it too (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Steve Jobs notes it too (Score:1)
I don't have the 3 year AppleCare (Score:1)
I hadn't heard about these spots.
When do the start showing up?
If I don't have the 3 year AppleCare, am I just screwed if/when I get spots on mine?
Re:I don't have the 3 year AppleCare (Score:4, Informative)
The good news is that even without AppleCare, Apple will still replace or repair your machine for free. Call 800-SOS-APPL and they will do the rest.
I coulda sworn (Score:1)
Re:I don't have the 3 year AppleCare (Score:1)
Extended warranty: Normally you get one year, with AppleCare you get three.
Extended free phone support: Normally you get 90 days, with AppleCare you get it for the full three years.
AppleCare is usually regarded as a good thing, specially for laptops. But unless you really need the phone support, it is something that can wait. You can buy it at any time during the *first* year.
So no, if you (or I) get the spots, we will NOT get screwed because our machines are still covered by t
Re:I don't have the 3 year AppleCare (Score:2, Informative)
Cooler 970s (Score:2, Interesting)
Blonde Mac Users (Score:4, Funny)
Correcting at production? (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Correcting at production? (Score:1)
Re:Correcting at production? (Score:2)
Just about had enough (Score:5, Funny)
My iBook screen has no white, red or blue spots and the battery lasts for 4.5 hours... My external FW800 drive on my G4 didn't get corrupted when I updated to Panther... The ethernet port in my G4 holds a connection... My G4 doesn't shutdown when I use my cellphone... None of my OS X apps mysteriously quit and I don't have any issues with deep sleep. My iPod battery lasts for days on end and all of the music I purchased from ITMS is still in my iTunes library...
When am I going to be like everyone else and have an issue with an Apple product?
It's just not right, I tell you.
Re:Just about had enough (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Just about had enough (Score:1)
Re:Just about had enough (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Just about had enough (Score:1)
The Rest of the Article... (Score:1)
Of course, on the other hand, I'm baffled by the inconviently portable portable.
And what is up with Apple addressing white spots in 15" Powerbooks but not addressing screen imperfections from keyboard imprint in iBooks? Shouldn't bad design be considered equally?
Brain Dead, 512k cache != 512mb RAM (Score:1)
Re:The Rest of the Article... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:The Rest of the Article... (Score:2, Informative)
I use those alcohol glasses wipes to clean screens. They work great and take everything right off without having to press or scrub.
Just upgrade... (Score:5, Funny)
what about screen that won't stay closed? (Score:2)
Re:what about screen that won't stay closed? (Score:1)
Don't press hard (or at all), trying to make it stick, or the pressure may cause/exacerbate the white spots issue.
AppleCard (Score:3, Informative)