Columnist Bill Thompson at the BBC asks whether the time has come for Apple to be put under the EU microscope in the same way as Microsoft has. "If Apple was serious about building a music industry around downloads and digital devices then it would open up its devices and interfaces to allow greater innovation and greater competition."
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:2005-07-07
Member since:2005-07-06
Please read carefully. This is Apple hardware we are dealing, not Dell/IBM/whatever PC laptop. AFAIK, you cannot use a PC component onto Apple hardware when you have one year warranty from the manufacturer. The computer store Future Shop that sold me the MacBook (only four months) cannot even open the box to fear voiding the warranty so I went to Apple approved repair store in the cities. Instead, I got bullied just to get the diagnostic for the issue I have already knew (a defective hard drive). I attempted to call Apple about the issue for two hours and ended up pissed off when one of representative told me to send that defective MacBook for a fee.
I never thought it would be hard to get a decent service from Apple. I have a reason to be angry especially when you shelled nearly USD2500 including warranty and service. At the end, I sent it to a local store even though the warranty will be void.
I apologize to be sightly off-topic. When it comes to music, Apple should take a good example by supporting open format like OGG Vorbis instead of proprietary format. With the recent incident above as a customer and an intentional attempt to prevent third parties softwares to use Ipod, I am afraid Apple is nothing more than a sneaky monopoly in that issue. Until they are completely changed their attitudes, I will no longer buy any Apple products.
This is the end of my rant.
Member since:2005-07-06
I have had to deal with Apple's support on several occasions. I found it to be fast, and quite good. And the total cost to me was nothing, nil, gratis, free. And both times the equipment was under warranty and was shipped overnight. Perhaps you do not read Consumer Reports, but for the last few years Apple has been at the top in the support catagory.
One of the instances was the caps Lock lite on my keyboard went out. I told then it was not urgent, but the item was shipped the next morning and I received it the following day.
And I still say buying the Apple equipment I have has locked me into nothing. And I do know people with PC's and iPods and they are quite happy with them.
Member since:
2005-07-06
It does when one of Apple hardware component broke without warning or is defective and you have to deal with Apple poor customer service charging you fee just for the estimation. I am sure there are pissed Apple owner who feel the company tried to steal money from them after spending so much amount on MacBook who did not last six months.