Quote:
Originally Posted by
mytdave 
I usually refrain from re-response, but in your case...
BLAH BLAH BLAH; etc etc etc....
I stand by my statements. ...
Wow, you done all grow'd up. Cogent and I appreciate it, but I still think it was the wrong way to start off the discussion. You're opinion is slanted and since you graced me with a rebuttal I would like to do the same.
First of all you were consused by the "rebate". You said so yourself. I thought it was pretty self explanatory. Your "enthusiasm" if you will, convinced me that you are easily aggravated and yes I agree confused.
Then you arrogantly claimed to know that Apple's QC is subpar based on anecdotal evidence and your perceptions. That simply doesn't hold up. "little to no testing" was the wording you chose and that is simply right out. Do you visit Apple plants or consult for them? Any consumer report will support the case that Apple not only makes great products or that their customers are happy, but that they are great when it comes to fixing their "mistakes". That's not my perception; that's a thousand perceptions. My personal anecdote does happen to support that report as well as I've returned several products within the warranty period for immediate swap out. Maybe you should be nicer to the staff.
Moving along...
"Maybe this is what you get for building stuff in china?... Get your act together" you barked.
I know it's not ideal to see products made overseas, but if you
could think it through you'd probably come to the same conclusion as Apple corporate.
American companies outsource almost all of their manufacturing to china and throughout Asia for obvious reasons. How is Apple's choice to do the same a reflection of poor judgement? You would want them to be unable to be competitive?
I understand that for Americans there might be a perception that we make better products, but it's simply not true. Obviously you've never been on the floor of a large manufacturing plant, trust me it's not usually a bastion of higher intelligence. Hell, even where Americans are great at something (Hollywood for example) they've had to deal with outsourcing to Asia, Canada, Latin America, Mexico and occasionally Europe.
Simply because products are made with Asian hands (or otherwise) doesn't mean it's less of a product. Now had you said, "I guess that's what you get for cutting corners" then I might feel a little different, though that would not be accurate or fair to Apple either. The spirit of your comments were borderline racist at times in my opinion.
Simply put, there has not been a "huge" (your words) drop in the quality of Apple's products because they make products overseas. That is a patent exaggeration based on your microcosmos of experience, colored by your own attitude. Further, quality can only be measured in comparison to other manufacturers.
Many people already "despise" the "Apple Tax". How much do you figure the Ipad would cost if it were made in the states? By the time you pay for the increase in wages, OSHA qualified facilities, health insurance, child care, overtime etc, probably $3,000 and I don't think it Americans would be buying it. Until the whole system changes (breaks down) we can't expect anyone or any company not to follow suit. We should be glad they are saving enough money that they can afford to open retail stores. I have a few friends that work the retail stores and I'm sure they are happier there than on the plant floor. Manufacturing is just too costly in the states, mostly due to safety and union regulations not to mention the often massive overhead.
It does raise an interesting question however, is it egalitarian to make affordable, powerful and arguably "enlightening" technology like computers and put it in the hands of "every global inhabitant", even if it's at the "expense" of "slave laborers"? (American perception, from what I understand most who make products
for the world, like their jobs at least as much as we would in kind. Some even more so.) Or would it be a "crime" to bring manufacturing back to the states, even if it meant making "better" products (debatable) that are so expensive that they become the exclusive property of the wealthy? Would that not essentially encourage two classes?
I don't think irrational logic is the answer to this line of questioning. Apple corporate has done what it had to do to stay in line with modern trends. We can't measure "right" from our own vantage point alone. While it may not be fair for me to assume so, I'm not sure you thought it out before you made your comments and I believe that it's reflected in the quality of your argument. I'm glad that you feel as though you're many years of owning a few macs is "insightful" but your argument is weak and your "buttresses" are failing.
I've found Apple to be very supportive and when there are problems, they have always given me more without question than any other company. Sometimes I wonder how they can do it. This rebate reflects that philosophy. it's not "payola".
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