computer woes

[hafital]

Wow, it's like I invoked the name of Apple, or something.

The Apple store called. It'll cost $750 to fix it. :( Water did get into and affected several key components. I was a bit flustered when they called and should have asked what, exactly, was damaged, but I didn't. I got stuck on the cost, which is over my limit of $600, meaning, I'd decided that if it cost more than $600 to repair, I would opt for a new computer. But of course I'm still all undecided and uncertain about what to do. A new computer is tempting, but do I really need it? I have the money in savings, but you know, it's *savings* for a reason, and I might lose my job soon. But I'm not actually saving that much more money. And I did get a nice big tax return. And there's the fact that the computer might not really be the same ever again. The nice gentleman at the Genius Bar warned me that any replacement parts only have a 90 day warranty. The way he said it made me think he was implying they don't actually last that long (although why that would be, I don't know).

halp! Feel free to give other options.


[Poll #1350481]

One of the folks on the apple forums accepts old iBooks and he repairs them and donates them to schools, which is a nice thing, and if I'm gonna buy a new one, I might do that with the iBook, if I can figure out a way or a guarantee about the harddrive being wiped and reformatted.

It's amazing you know, since about October I've been thinking I was gonna lose this computer. There was just something in the air, I dunno. And just a couple of weeks ago I had brought to work because I needed to review DVDs for this claim I've been working on, and I accidently left it at work, drove all the way home, realized I'd left it at work, and drove all the way back in a panic and pretty much dead certain that someone would have stolen it before I got back there (we've had expensive tech items stolen from our department before), but it was still there. It was like a warning!

eta: sorry about the rambling incoherent grammar.

Comments

[cesperanza.livejournal.com]

The other thing is, it is possible to install apple software on THESE:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001GIPSAC/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

And even if not, they're pretty nice machines for the money.

[hafital.livejournal.com]

oh look how cute that is. lol. I dunno, though. That looks like a nice option for a second computer, not for my main one.

[karmenghia.livejournal.com]

I have one of these. It's nice and mobile, but not much better than surfing on one's cell phone.

[slb44.livejournal.com]

I had to replace my iBook a little over a year ago. Well, I could have gone the repair route as well, but since like you it would only be warrantied for ninety days I opted to go new.

I got the MacBookPro and it's been a joy to work with. So I have no complaints whatsoever, even though I loved my iBook dearly.

The fact that you've found an organization that will take the iBook and refurbish it and put it to good use is even better imho.

[tod-hollykim.livejournal.com]

Tho' I was tempted by flying monkeys and I know *I'm* not in Kansas now.



btw, I've finished Wicked and most of the way through Son of a Witch at the moment. My stepmom gave me the combined hardback for Christmas.

[gattagrigia.livejournal.com]

Rule of thumb that I've lived by for years regarding any kind of tool (computer, GPS, Microplane vs cheap shreader) - ALWAYS buy the best you can afford when you have to buy. Get new, get as top of the line as you can. Tools are supposed to help you do stuff, cooking to computing. They shouldn't make you worry.

Technology changes rapidly, and while reconditioned would 'do', new will last that much longer before it *must* be replaced. I can't recommend platform (that's religion, and mine is Linux these days) but if you have them, you should spend the bucks to get the very best tool that *you* want. Good luck!

[kadymae.livejournal.com]

Refurbished Macbooks and iBooks have the same warrantee as a brand new one and are usually a few hundred bucks cheaper.

[heyiya.livejournal.com]

I voted new computer because, if (fingers crossed you won't but) you *do* lose your job AND your ibook doesn't go the distance, you will really be wishing you had spent the extra $400 to have a new and shiny computer under warranty.

And I love love love love love my MacBook more than words can say, FWIW.

[hafital.livejournal.com]

Can I ask, which macbook did you get? Did you get one of them Pro models or the white/black version? Currently, Apple is offering this nifty "low end" white macbook (all other white/black macbooks have been discontinued). I love the price (base $999) and I'm fairly certain it can handle anything I'm going to do with it.

[heyiya.livejournal.com]

I have the middle one, the lowest-end aluminium. I got it free as an AppleCare replacement for my old 1st-gen white MacBook! The screen, trackpad and case are amazing and it's much lighter, but I think the actual specs for the new White MacBook are pretty much the same so I'm sure you'd be fine with that one.

[ivadel.livejournal.com]

Check refurbished at the Apple store. Check Amazon - no tax can help. You can also check out Macmall which usually has deals involving rebates. You might be able to still find a previous generation Macbook at a discount. Good luck with a hard decision.

[julad.livejournal.com]

I had an older ibook which was stolen and replaced with an early model macbook by the insurance company, as ibooks no longer existed by then. to be perfectly honest I didn't like the macbook as much, as somehow it was just not as warm and fuzzy and nice as the ibook.

however, I think the new model macbooks address most of the reasons I didn't like mine as much as I liked the ibook.

so with that ibook-favouring background, I still think it's time for a new computer. Check out what an ibook goes for on ebay - you could buy two or three second hand ibooks for $750 so repairing it is just not value for money, plus the ninety days thing, plus the never the same again thing (with water damage, I lean towards recurring dramas from here on out) plus even if it still works fine, technology has advanced way ahead of it at this point and you'll get heaps more bang (or gigabytes) for your buck from a new computer. So I definitely lean towards: get the new one, get the warranty plus applecare to cover you long term in case of job loss, and have one less thing to worry about.

Also, on the data issue, you could have the hard drive removed and buy (they're pretty cheap) or borrow an external usb caddy so you get to keep your data, and give the rest of the ibook away.

[kassrachel.livejournal.com]

I use a MacBook and love it deeply.

If it's going to cost $750 to repair the old machine, you might as well spend $1000 and get a new one, for my money.