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tombolt
Spends far too much time on here
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:38 am
Posts: 2967
Location: Dorchester, Dorset
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My mate's ibook G4 was playing up and the hard drive was making funny noises, so I suggested he took it down to the Apple Store in Exeter as I thought they'd be able to fix it for him. They said his hard drive was on the way out and there was nothing to be done to fix it and he'd have to fork out for a new Macbook. Not exactly sound advice is it?
I've said I'll do it, which I don't mind, but you'd think he could have had it done professionally.
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| Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:26 am |
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big_D
What's a life?
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:25 pm
Posts: 10691
Location: Bramsche
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Well, the diagnosis was correct, I would guess. Clicking hard drive is usually a sign of a very sick drive. Buying a new MacBook is a bit drastic though. 2.5" IDE drives are becoming harder to find and are pricey, compared to SATA drives - a quick search showed a 320GB 2.5" drive was around 20% more expensive on a PATA as opposed to SATA connector...  If the rest of the iBook seems to be in good condition, then I'd have a go at upgrading the drive, but, realistically, I'd probably look at it as an opportunity to get a new MacBook, if I didn't have any Mac OS 9 only legacy software and the for a new machine...
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| Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:26 am |
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Nick
Spends far too much time on here
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:36 pm
Posts: 3527
Location: Portsmouth
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Dave, I think you've missed the point.
The "genius" didn't even suggest that the drive could be replaced. They said the only option was to replace the machine, which is pretty bad form IMO.
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| Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:38 am |
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paulzolo
What's a life?
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:27 pm
Posts: 12251
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Replacing the herd drive in an iBook is a major strip-down and rebuild (I’ve done it, it’s involved). http://www.macupgrades.co.uk/store/mach ... e=ibook-g4I am not surprised an Apple Store Genius isn’t going to do that - they probably aren’t allowed to get too deep into the hardware.
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| Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:39 am |
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timark_uk
Moderator
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:11 pm
Posts: 12143
Location: Belfast
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I know other computer users call Apple users sheep, but that's taking things a little too far, Paul. (8+p Mark
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| Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:41 am |
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jonbwfc
What's a life?
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:26 pm
Posts: 17040
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maybe he was subliminally suggesting the purchase of one of these.
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| Mon Sep 07, 2009 3:54 pm |
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ChurchCat
Doesn't have much of a life
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:57 am
Posts: 1652
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Maybe… No-one here actually knows what the genius said or did not say. We only know what was understood to have been said and we only know that second hand. The genius may well have said that it was not an economic repair. If the machine for example is worth £100-£200 in pristine condition and fitting a new drive would cost as much to do then this would be true. Cheaper to buy a replacement G4 on Ebay. The genius may well have said Apple are not able to repair it as the parts are no longer carried. She may then have suggested a new or refurbished Macbook that being the best that could be offered. Either way at this distance it is not easy to pass judgement. _________________A Mac user 
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| Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:39 pm |
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saspro
Site Admin
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:53 pm
Posts: 8603
Location: location, location
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Every experience of Apple "genius's" I've ebver had have been bad. It's always replace the unit if it's out of warranty or "we'll need to send it off for repair" if it's in warranty.
They do appear to be on a similar level of knowledge to PCWorld's Geek Squad (i.e. next to nothing).
Maybe I'm a bit overcritical being in the industry myself.
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| Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:24 am |
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