My "new To Mac" Story Options

[camarao]

Hi

this is a complicated story...
First I was amazed by the new Imacs and I decided to buy one after years with Intel/Windows. I ordered a 17" model.
I waited a long time for it to come and in that time of waiting I read this discussions and realized that there were some people with noise fan issues in their Imacs. I was worried and tried the Imac in the shop before brought it to home. It had that horrible noise! I didn´t buyed it and instead I went to a friend's place who had just bought a 20" model to try it out. The same tests and no noise!
Next day I switched my order for a 20 " model. It arrived 2 months later (!). I've made the tests at the shop and (apparently) no noise... I bought it.
First week I was amazed with my new Imac, but after 2 weeks of working there was a fan that was starting to make an irritating noise. This was a very low volume noise, that's true, but it was really irritating. I know my PC is noiser, but I didn't payed 2000 euros for the PC, and the PC was noisier but less irritating.
It's a noise that seems to come from one of the fans. The others fans just produce a smooth air blow.
But the main problem is that it seems it's getting worst , like it is deteriorating.Yes this is a mechanical noise of the whining type.
Conclusion: the Imac is still less noisier than my PC, the Imac is still more irritating than my PC, the irritation is probably a psychological effect of reading those discussions and finnally I don't care about that, I will sell the Imac and buy a Powerbook.

[lepetitmartien]

As it seems to affect part of the iMac G5, not all, I'd go at Apple iMac support page and have a chat with support.

It's a known issue and Apple is working on it, if you have a noise (not the fan noise) coming from the power unit, there is a standard user self maintenance procedure where apple sends you a new one and directions on how to change it. The fan noise unfortunately is not covered as the cause is not solved (a replace won't necessarily stop the noise) so contact Apple support. At least you'll add your name to their to do list…

And they may even solve it (but when?

[Nels]

Just have to say, for what it's worth..... and on this subject, I won't make it short, if only to exercise a little therapy for all that take the time.

camarao,

I understand where you're coming from. Unfortunately, there are so few of us willing to take a stand, that the quality of anything advertised and then sold by most big business, whether it be a person, a product or a service, will continue to decline. And then they have the nerve to ask for more money for those infamous care plans they offer. As if they're really doing us any favors by charging us an extra $399 for something they've devised because they know their product could be faulty and/or will inevitably break down sooner than later. What a counter-diction! What a sham! ....We desperately need a modern day Ralph Nader, but then things have gotten so out of hand.

The only action we're left with to counter punch the evils of a company willing to risk lives for a quick profit ...or a company that cuts thousands of their long time loyal employees and then raises prices for what then becomes an inferior product, etc., ..is to surrender to the paranoid state of mind they've induced in order to insure as much as possible, that we're not getting one of those many rejects they knowingly are trying to sell to us ...and at full price. ...You were smart to do what you did. ...More often than not these days, we end up having to take things back for one reason or another, so it's good practice to open the box right in the store. And when there's that certain familiar stench of dishonesty in the air, it's almost worth it, if only to see the look on the salesperson's face as you're opening up your purchase. And then to find something(75% of the time) that is either broken or scratched or warped or missing, well........................

Anyway, as it always strikes a nerve in me, I just wanted you to know that you're not alone. Also, don't you dare feel foolish for possibly getting more and more cautious, if not paranoid. There's nothing wrong with merely wanting & expecting to receive what we've been promised and/or brainwashed into thinking we were getting. ...Dead pixels on an Apple 20 in. Display(TWICE), ..a lid(FAULTY LATCH) that won't stay closed on an Alum. 15" Powerbook G4(ONCE), .. a warped LCD screen & another lid that again would not stay closed, on yet a different Alum. 15" Powerbook G4(ONCE) << Those are not things that they make mention of in their costly advertisements or that are included in their prideful product specs. So, you simply shouldn't have to pay for them. Isn't it enough that we're all, so very underhandedly, being used in essence to do much of their product testing for them. Worry-less upgrade, anyone? Does not exist! But rest assured, THEY'RE WORKING ON IT" and my personal favorite, "THE ISSUE SHOULD BE RESOLVED WITHIN THE NEXT 30 DAYS" ...And to those that defend that kind of behavior, ..that kind of common practice, that in fact has become so much the norm, I say to you that no matter how you slice it, the choice of releasing thoroughly untested software, for example, is a conscious choice and a conscious corporate effort to spend less the questionable companies' own dollars, thus us having to not only be ginny pigs, but on top of everything else, we're charged for the privilege. And the many that settle for such quality in production are in a big way saying, "KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK" & "DO IT TO ME ONE MORE TIME" ...and let's not loose sight of that ever popular, fear forced upon us, APPLECARE plan, which I for one will not take part in, thus I'll have less nightmares to tend with. $99 or $199 or $299 or $399, just to have some mature-less kid miss-handle or drop my investment and then lie about it? Then the fun would surely begin. ..I think not! ...My very first Power Mac, I owned for 7 years until it sadly became un-upgradable and the few issues I had in all that time, I fixed myself. ..You'd think I'd be most confident that my Powerbook will last as long, but mmmmm, for some reason, ....I'm not.

It's truly a shame that due to the above, we're forced to fear, thus not being able to focus on that sheer excitement of receiving and enjoying something as elegant as a G5 w/ Display or those beautiful self-contained iMacs ...and let's not forget the Powerbook. Too often, right from the get go/day of purchase, by the time all the kinks are worked out, ..the thrill is gone. ....Just reading the forums will give you nightmares. The fact that a company does well regardless, is only a testament to Jerry Springer being the No. 1 watched show in America.

Now, some would say that I'm rambling ..cause after all, I could have just stopped at.. "I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM", but I say that most just don't bother to say enough.

Again, camarao, I'm truly sympathetic with the non-simplistic purchase of your, SHOULD HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE, iMac. Hope you start to enjoy it at some point, as it is very possible.

.....Ending on a good note, I'm very happy to report that my wife has the 20" iMac w/ the round base and that cool hydraulic arm. It's working flawlessly and she loves it, as do I. There's still a slight issue with the latch on my 3rd Powerbook purchase, but other than that, I'm very happy. No more dead pixels on the 20" Display either. It's a beautiful thing when everything finally comes together. .....Just hope the waters stay calm for at least the next couple of years.

THE END

This post has been edited by Nels: Thu 17 Feb 2005, 04:58

[lepetitmartien]

Now…

Back to the iMac problem

I found This Thread on g5support, with some tips and a people trying to walk around the thing. My other sources were not in English si it's the best I found, save eventually the forum on Apple site.

[camarao]

Just have to say, for what it's worth..... and on this subject, I won't make it short, if only to exercise a little therapy for all that take the time.

camarao,

I understand where you're coming from. Unfortunately, there are so few of us willing to take a stand, that the quality of anything advertised and then sold by most big business, whether it be a person, a product or a service, will continue to decline. And then they have the nerve to ask for more money for those infamous care plans they offer. As if they're really doing us any favors by charging us an extra $399 for something they've devised because they know their product could be faulty and/or will inevitably break down sooner than later. What a counter-diction! What a sham! ....We desperately need a modern day Ralph Nader, but then things have gotten so out of hand.

The only action we're left with to counter punch the evils of a company willing to risk lives for a quick profit ...or a company that cuts thousands of their long time loyal employees and then raises prices for what then becomes an inferior product, etc., ..is to surrender to the paranoid state of mind they've induced in order to insure as much as possible, that we're not getting one of those many rejects they knowingly are trying to sell to us ...and at full price. ...You were smart to do what you did. ...More often than not these days, we end up having to take things back for one reason or another, so it's good practice to open the box right in the store. And when there's that certain familiar stench of dishonesty in the air, it's almost worth it, if only to see the look on the salesperson's face as you're opening up your purchase. And then to find something(75% of the time) that is either broken or scratched or warped or missing, well........................

Anyway, as it always strikes a nerve in me, I just wanted you to know that you're not alone. Also, don't you dare feel foolish for possibly getting more and more cautious, if not paranoid. There's nothing wrong with merely wanting & expecting to receive what we've been promised and/or brainwashed into thinking we were getting. ...Dead pixels on an Apple 20 in. Display(TWICE), ..a lid(FAULTY LATCH) that won't stay closed on an Alum. 15" Powerbook G4(ONCE), .. a warped LCD screen & another lid that again would not stay closed, on yet a different Alum. 15" Powerbook G4(ONCE) << Those are not things that they make mention of in their costly advertisements or that are included in their prideful product specs. So, you simply shouldn't have to pay for them. Isn't it enough that we're all, so very underhandedly, being used in essence to do much of their product testing for them. Worry-less upgrade, anyone? Does not exist! But rest assured, THEY'RE WORKING ON IT" and my personal favorite, "THE ISSUE SHOULD BE RESOLVED WITHIN THE NEXT 30 DAYS" ...And to those that defend that kind of behavior, ..that kind of common practice, that in fact has become so much the norm, I say to you that no matter how you slice it, the choice of releasing thoroughly untested software, for example, is a conscious choice and a conscious corporate effort to spend less the questionable companies' own dollars, thus us having to not only be ginny pigs, but on top of everything else, we're charged for the privilege. And the many that settle for such quality in production are in a big way saying, "KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK" & "DO IT TO ME ONE MORE TIME" ...and let's not loose sight of that ever popular, fear forced upon us, APPLECARE plan, which I for one will not take part in, thus I'll have less nightmares to tend with. $99 or $199 or $299 or $399, just to have some mature-less kid miss-handle or drop my investment and then lie about it? Then the fun would surely begin. ..I think not! ...My very first Power Mac, I owned for 7 years until it sadly became un-upgradable and the few issues I had in all that time, I fixed myself. ..You'd think I'd be most confident that my Powerbook will last as long, but mmmmm, for some reason, ....I'm not.

It's truly a shame that due to the above, we're forced to fear, thus not being able to focus on that sheer excitement of receiving and enjoying something as elegant as a G5 w/ Display or those beautiful self-contained iMacs ...and let's not forget the Powerbook. Too often, right from the get go/day of purchase, by the time all the kinks are worked out, ..the thrill is gone. ....Just reading the forums will give you nightmares. The fact that a company does well regardless, is only a testament to Jerry Springer being the No. 1 watched show in America.

Now, some would say that I'm rambling ..cause after all, I could have just stopped at.. "I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM", but I say that most just don't bother to say enough.

Again, camarao, I'm truly sympathetic with the non-simplistic purchase of your, SHOULD HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE, iMac. Hope you start to enjoy it at some point, as it is very possible.

.....Ending on a good note, I'm very happy to report that my wife has the 20" iMac w/ the round base and that cool hydraulic arm. It's working flawlessly and she loves it, as do I. There's still a slight issue with the latch on my 3rd Powerbook purchase, but other than that, I'm very happy. No more dead pixels on the 20" Display either. It's a beautiful thing when everything finally comes together. .....Just hope the waters stay calm for at least the next couple of years.

THE END

Thank you Nels!

Today I went to the shop where I bought my noisy Imac and they told me that they will try to solve the problem. Of course I don't have to pay anything as it is covered by the garanty.
I really don't understand the Applecare thing. If you buy something and if it has some kind of problem you'll just get it fixed or trade for another product with no payements nor questions...It's as simple as that. And if they tell me the noise is normal ( of course it isn't!) I will ask for my money back or choose another product for the same money. It's as simple as that!
I agree with everything you told and look at the scandalous thing about the software. Back in the days when we bought hardware synths, we almost never had to "upgrade" them (except for the Waldorfs...). Maybe the companies at those times, tested the products until they were shure they had no bugs. Now we are the testers! And we pay to test!

Conclusion : never buy things when they're released.

[lepetitmartien]

Applecare is Apple system of warranty. You must contact them for anything wrong with your computer. It works for a year, save if you ask (and pay) for the extension to 3 years (I may add you have until the last day of the first year to extend it

I'm not saying Apple won't do something, they are working on it and are struggling to find a solution because it's not normal to have this noise. They can't give you a sure solution now but…

Cool down, and read the g5support thread. Please.

I may add as I've seen you're in Europe that the repair system of Apple is partly down for weeks because the main company doing it for Apple in the EC went bankrupt… so repairs are handled save the really big ones either by the user if it can be done easily or by the appointed Apple Center resaler until they find a solution for this too.

And you SHOULD really read this g5support thread

[Nels]

Today I went to the shop where I bought my noisy Imac and they told me that they will try to solve the problem.

Hope you didn't have to leave that beautiful, brand new iMac with whom ever for repair. Yikes! ..And if you did, make sure you check it thoroughly upon pick up. Half the time they repair one thing and damage another, not to mention the nicks & scratches.

You should have just demanded an exchange and continued to open boxes until you finally came across an iMac that worked as was intended, without that noise.

Just think, if more people made it a practice to open the boxes, right in the stores and continued to do so until they came across what ever item they were purchasing in pristine working condition, ....it would cause a Tsunami type reaction in the direction of those companies that have been getting away with way too much for way too long, thus we would eventually start to see less and less rejects, thus corruption would be on the decline. ...............Just a pipe dream of mine...

Hope everything turns out alright for ya,
Nelson

[camarao]

Applecare is Apple system of warranty. You must contact them for anything wrong with your computer. It works for a year, save if you ask (and pay) for the extension to 3 years (I may add you have until the last day of the first year to extend it

I'm not saying Apple won't do something, they are working on it and are struggling to find a solution because it's not normal to have this noise. They can't give you a sure solution now but…

Cool down, and read the g5support thread. Please.

I may add as I've seen you're in Europe that the repair system of Apple is partly down for weeks because the main company doing it for Apple in the EC went bankrupt… so repairs are handled save the really big ones either by the user if it can be done easily or by the appointed Apple Center resaler until they find a solution for this too.

And you SHOULD really read this g5support thread

Thank you for your tip.

I've already read the G5 support page...

As rule I never touch inside a computer. I don't have to do that.
That's why we have the garanty ( is it "warranty" ? Excuse me for my english...).

I hope they solve the problem. I couldn't ask for a replacement computer at that moment because they don't have any to give me. I've waited 3 months to receive mine... There are no Imacs 20" in stock anywhere in Portugal ( almost).