http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/02/01 ... _troubles/



I think QC is just something to aspire to with most companies these days

So it doesn't just work then?

Yes if you're not unlucky - mate of mine has one and its very nice. Apparently though the failure rate is high enough for them to get actually worried. They've had a lot of trouble with the 'g5 iMac' form factor over the years, there seems to have been issues with at least one model in each revision.

Jon

Reality check.

Apple's quality is a lot like Volkswagen's. It's a reputation built on hardware from some time ago. Since manufacture moved to the Far East, quality control has been imperfect. For a high profile manufacturer which built a reputation on quality, letting the QC slip is never good.

My experience of buying Apple hardware since 1994 or so has been that it's pretty damned reliable. My current laptop was a refurbished one, is into its fourth year with no major issues, and is still capable of running the latest OS.

There have been some bad ones across all the Apple ranges, but I guess that's just par for the course. Complainers always shout louder than those who have experienced no problems at all.

I'm not surprised they are having trouble with it. The i7 and i5 cpu's run hot enough as it is - I wouldn't want one that close to my other components without a vast heatsink.

Still, could be worse, could be an Xbox 360

The guy who I go to if I need Mac repairs has been working with Macs since they first arrived in the 80's. He does repairs on a daily basis and he thought that Apple's build quality had declined substantially over the past decade. I've got a Powerbook from the mid-90's which still boots up fine, never had any problems with my B&W G3 or G4 Cube ( ), yet the PPC G5 I'm working on now has had to have a repair or two and is only working with one of its dual processors.

I hope Apple get their act together because I was considering one of the 27" iMacs if this G5 gives up the ghost.

I'm glad I put off getting one. Still want one though.

the 27 inch iMac is as well made as any product made by the lowest available cost components, put together by the lowest available cost staff. controlled by the minimal QC as can be got away with.

The problems arise when the image begins to get tarnished. Apple products are percieved to be premium products and the prices reflect this (in the publics eye, wether they are premium priced products is another argument). The consumer expects premium products to be be "better" and if this is shown not to be then will complain much louder than someone who expects less from a VFM product. Product recalls can be expensive and embarrassing and can kill a brand, just ask the guys at Perrier.

Apple has run out of spares to repair 27" iMac in the UK. If that's not a bad sign I don't know what is.

From Ars Technica

Is it too early to set sail the failboat?

yes, as it sank a week last tuesday