Yeah, just another case of people who don't know how to run surveys and evaluate results coming up with the wrong conclusion.
Did you even bother to look at the survey? Know how the results were calculated? Know any of the facts behind who participated or how they examined the results?
Macintouch polls are a ton better then the crap seen on most websites. Its not just a little button off to the right, "Hey, did you have problems with your iPod?". It comes up on the main page, asking all to participate. It consists of several questions, asking what, when, how often, etc. And the results are examined a lot more closely then just saying "Hey, 4 out of 5 dentists claim macs cause cavities".
Keep in mind, also, that macintouch isn't, by definition, a troubleshooting site. You go to macfixit for that (and where their polls are more likely to be skewed).
And macintouch's results are no better or worse then even Apple's supposed numbers (where you know nothing except what they claim ("Trust us, its 5%!"), and as was mentioned, there's no saying how many people who didn't go through apple to get it fixed, didn't get it fixed at all, or just redeemed it for recycling when getting a new one. Plus, you have to question what Apple thinks a "failure" is.
Of course, the next time they have one, why not post about it on all the mac boards and tell people to take the survey as often as possible saying Apple is great. That's what most macheads do.
Did you even bother to look at the survey? Know how the results were calculated? Know any of the facts behind who participated or how they examined the results?
Macintouch polls are a ton better then the crap seen on most websites. Its not just a little button off to the right, "Hey, did you have problems with your iPod?". It comes up on the main page, asking all to participate. It consists of several questions, asking what, when, how often, etc. And the results are examined a lot more closely then just saying "Hey, 4 out of 5 dentists claim macs cause cavities".
Keep in mind, also, that macintouch isn't, by definition, a troubleshooting site. You go to macfixit for that (and where their polls are more likely to be skewed).
And macintouch's results are no better or worse then even Apple's supposed numbers (where you know nothing except what they claim ("Trust us, its 5%!"), and as was mentioned, there's no saying how many people who didn't go through apple to get it fixed, didn't get it fixed at all, or just redeemed it for recycling when getting a new one. Plus, you have to question what Apple thinks a "failure" is.
Of course, the next time they have one, why not post about it on all the mac boards and tell people to take the survey as often as possible saying Apple is great. That's what most macheads do.
Any web-based, self-selection survery (even if it offers it to everyone who visits the site, people still have to choose the site in the first place, which automatically makes it a self-selectiing population) is a huge load of unreliable crap. There is no way around it. A representative smaple is not acheivable.
A lot of people who own iPods abuse their battery/don't know how to take care of it so it last longer. By the same tolken, a lot of people drop their iPod causing hard drive failure. Not Apples fault.
A lot of people who own iPods abuse their battery/don't know how to take care of it so it last longer.
With regular use, I don't see any information that says there is any special treatment for the rechargable lithium batteries other than to make sure it isn't overheated.
I had thought that the main iPods had a major update around October of every year, but Apple-History shows several updates around other times, 2,3 and 4G are at other times, 5G was last October. Still, the major updates average about once a year.
A lot of people who own iPods abuse their battery/don't know how to take care of it so it last longer. By the same tolken, a lot of people drop their iPod causing hard drive failure. Not Apples fault.
Exactly, I have a 1st generation iPod that I bought in 2001 and it runs fine. I did change the battery though as I wanted more hours not because of any problems. Imho iPod is a pretty reliable device and the sales speak of themselves too. People are not buying iPods so they can replace their paperweights.
Apple claims they last 4 years which I think is mostly bullsh*t. I have had my I pod replaced twice but the telling sign that the life of an iPod is much shorter than that comes from Apple itself.
I also think 4 years is bullshit... I think that estimate is too low. I haven't had an iPod fail yet, and I've owned 3 and passed 2 on to family members which are still going strong.
As for firmware updates, well, be more specific. What big firmware bug never got fixed that you're complaining about? If you're just complaining that you're not getting the NEW features in the new firmwares, well, tough luck-- that's not a measure of how long the iPod lasts.
With regular use, I don't see any information that says there is any special treatment for the rechargable lithium batteries other than to make sure it isn't overheated.
There are a lot of things you can do to keep your iPod battery healthy.
1) Do not leave it uncharged for a prolonged period of time.
2) Charge your iPod at least every three weeks if its not in use.
3) Try to charge it as soon as possible. (Do not let the battery level get too low too often).
4) Do not store your iPod in unusualy cold or warm places. Like in a car in the middle of winter or summer.
The math doesn't work that way. 1G starts on year zero, so major updates averaging once a year is about right.
2001 Oct - 1G
2002 Jul - 2G (touch wheel)
2003 Apr - 3G (dock connector)
2004 Jul - 4G (click wheel)
2005 Oct - 5G (video)
2006 Oct?- 6G (???)
So the once a year average per generation holds. Photo was a reasonably major update, but I guess it wasn't accepted as a generational update.
I think you misunderstand. The AI/Chicago Trib article says that Apple claims iPods are built to last 4 years before they stop working. It's not talking about how often new models are released.
And yes, somehow I think this was a misunderstanding. I sincerely doubt Apple said "iPods last 4 years." It's just unlike them.
I think you misunderstand. The AI/Chicago Trib article says that Apple claims iPods are built to last 4 years before they stop working. It's not talking about how often new models are released.
And yes, somehow I think this was a misunderstanding. I sincerely doubt Apple said "iPods last 4 years." It's just unlike them.
There may be a misunderstanding, but I wasn't saying that iPods lasted 5 years, I was (poorly) pointing out that October makes sense in more than one way, and I was responding to this with regards to the anniversary of the introduction of the first one:
Quote:
5 years this October eh? Sounds like the perfect time to celebrate the next gen iPod.
iPod G1 unit here, still kicking strong, purchased Nov 2001. Probably needs a new battery (down to about 90 minutes of playback), but it's still just fine.
Any web-based, self-selection survery (even if it offers it to everyone who visits the site, people still have to choose the site in the first place, which automatically makes it a self-selectiing population) is a huge load of unreliable crap. There is no way around it. A representative smaple is not acheivable.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Even for regular surveys, if the participation percentage is high, results are extremely unreliable. IMHO, any survey result that does not include a description of the methodology and the participatoin rate needs to be ignored.
I'm sure it does but that doesn't mean that's what Kerris meant. If it was a phone interview or in person then it's quite possible the journo took for to mean four. They could have even just got their notes wrong or it was a typo in the article not picked up by a sub.
Anyway, I think Apple admitting a specific timespan is highly unlikely.
Comments
Originally posted by macshark
Yeah, just another case of people who don't know how to run surveys and evaluate results coming up with the wrong conclusion.
Did you even bother to look at the survey? Know how the results were calculated? Know any of the facts behind who participated or how they examined the results?
Macintouch polls are a ton better then the crap seen on most websites. Its not just a little button off to the right, "Hey, did you have problems with your iPod?". It comes up on the main page, asking all to participate. It consists of several questions, asking what, when, how often, etc. And the results are examined a lot more closely then just saying "Hey, 4 out of 5 dentists claim macs cause cavities".
Keep in mind, also, that macintouch isn't, by definition, a troubleshooting site. You go to macfixit for that (and where their polls are more likely to be skewed).
And macintouch's results are no better or worse then even Apple's supposed numbers (where you know nothing except what they claim ("Trust us, its 5%!"), and as was mentioned, there's no saying how many people who didn't go through apple to get it fixed, didn't get it fixed at all, or just redeemed it for recycling when getting a new one. Plus, you have to question what Apple thinks a "failure" is.
Of course, the next time they have one, why not post about it on all the mac boards and tell people to take the survey as often as possible saying Apple is great. That's what most macheads do.
Originally posted by Louzer
Did you even bother to look at the survey? Know how the results were calculated? Know any of the facts behind who participated or how they examined the results?
Macintouch polls are a ton better then the crap seen on most websites. Its not just a little button off to the right, "Hey, did you have problems with your iPod?". It comes up on the main page, asking all to participate. It consists of several questions, asking what, when, how often, etc. And the results are examined a lot more closely then just saying "Hey, 4 out of 5 dentists claim macs cause cavities".
Keep in mind, also, that macintouch isn't, by definition, a troubleshooting site. You go to macfixit for that (and where their polls are more likely to be skewed).
And macintouch's results are no better or worse then even Apple's supposed numbers (where you know nothing except what they claim ("Trust us, its 5%!"), and as was mentioned, there's no saying how many people who didn't go through apple to get it fixed, didn't get it fixed at all, or just redeemed it for recycling when getting a new one. Plus, you have to question what Apple thinks a "failure" is.
Of course, the next time they have one, why not post about it on all the mac boards and tell people to take the survey as often as possible saying Apple is great. That's what most macheads do.
Any web-based, self-selection survery (even if it offers it to everyone who visits the site, people still have to choose the site in the first place, which automatically makes it a self-selectiing population) is a huge load of unreliable crap. There is no way around it. A representative smaple is not acheivable.
Thanks
Originally posted by icfireball
A lot of people who own iPods abuse their battery/don't know how to take care of it so it last longer.
With regular use, I don't see any information that says there is any special treatment for the rechargable lithium batteries other than to make sure it isn't overheated.
Originally posted by JeffDM
I had thought that the main iPods had a major update around October of every year, but Apple-History shows several updates around other times, 2,3 and 4G are at other times, 5G was last October. Still, the major updates average about once a year.
Tribune says "four years"
Originally posted by icfireball
A lot of people who own iPods abuse their battery/don't know how to take care of it so it last longer. By the same tolken, a lot of people drop their iPod causing hard drive failure. Not Apples fault.
Exactly, I have a 1st generation iPod that I bought in 2001 and it runs fine. I did change the battery though as I wanted more hours not because of any problems. Imho iPod is a pretty reliable device and the sales speak of themselves too. People are not buying iPods so they can replace their paperweights.
Originally posted by rspress
Apple claims they last 4 years which I think is mostly bullsh*t. I have had my I pod replaced twice but the telling sign that the life of an iPod is much shorter than that comes from Apple itself.
I also think 4 years is bullshit... I think that estimate is too low. I haven't had an iPod fail yet, and I've owned 3 and passed 2 on to family members which are still going strong.
As for firmware updates, well, be more specific. What big firmware bug never got fixed that you're complaining about? If you're just complaining that you're not getting the NEW features in the new firmwares, well, tough luck-- that's not a measure of how long the iPod lasts.
Originally posted by crees!
Tribune says "four years"
The math doesn't work that way. 1G starts on year zero, so major updates averaging once a year is about right.
2001 Oct - 1G
2002 Jul - 2G (touch wheel)
2003 Apr - 3G (dock connector)
2004 Jul - 4G (click wheel)
2005 Oct - 5G (video)
2006 Oct?- 6G (???)
So the once a year average per generation holds. Photo was a reasonably major update, but I guess it wasn't accepted as a generational update.
Originally posted by JeffDM
The math doesn't work that way. 1G starts on year zero, so major updates averaging once a year is about right.
2001 Oct - 1G
2002 Jul - 2G (touch wheel)
2003 Apr - 3G (dock connector)
2004 Jul - 4G (click wheel)
2005 Oct - 5G (video)
2006 Oct - 6G (some crazy ass shit!)
So the once a year average per generation holds. Photo was a reasonably major update, but I guess it wasn't accepted as a generational update.
Originally posted by JeffDM
With regular use, I don't see any information that says there is any special treatment for the rechargable lithium batteries other than to make sure it isn't overheated.
There are a lot of things you can do to keep your iPod battery healthy.
1) Do not leave it uncharged for a prolonged period of time.
2) Charge your iPod at least every three weeks if its not in use.
3) Try to charge it as soon as possible. (Do not let the battery level get too low too often).
4) Do not store your iPod in unusualy cold or warm places. Like in a car in the middle of winter or summer.
Originally posted by JeffDM
The math doesn't work that way. 1G starts on year zero, so major updates averaging once a year is about right.
2001 Oct - 1G
2002 Jul - 2G (touch wheel)
2003 Apr - 3G (dock connector)
2004 Jul - 4G (click wheel)
2005 Oct - 5G (video)
2006 Oct?- 6G (???)
So the once a year average per generation holds. Photo was a reasonably major update, but I guess it wasn't accepted as a generational update.
I think you misunderstand. The AI/Chicago Trib article says that Apple claims iPods are built to last 4 years before they stop working. It's not talking about how often new models are released.
And yes, somehow I think this was a misunderstanding. I sincerely doubt Apple said "iPods last 4 years." It's just unlike them.
Originally posted by BRussell
I think you misunderstand. The AI/Chicago Trib article says that Apple claims iPods are built to last 4 years before they stop working. It's not talking about how often new models are released.
And yes, somehow I think this was a misunderstanding. I sincerely doubt Apple said "iPods last 4 years." It's just unlike them.
There may be a misunderstanding, but I wasn't saying that iPods lasted 5 years, I was (poorly) pointing out that October makes sense in more than one way, and I was responding to this with regards to the anniversary of the introduction of the first one:
5 years this October eh? Sounds like the perfect time to celebrate the next gen iPod.
As for my iPod, well as I posted earlier last week, my 8 month old 5G died due to what appeared to be a hard drive failure.
Originally posted by SDW2001
Interesting point on the possible misquote (four vs. for).
As for my iPod, well as I posted earlier last week, my 8 month old 5G died due to what appeared to be a hard drive failure.
grrr... I am *pissed* about hard drive failures. *punches the wall in frustration*
Originally posted by Flounder
Any web-based, self-selection survery (even if it offers it to everyone who visits the site, people still have to choose the site in the first place, which automatically makes it a self-selectiing population) is a huge load of unreliable crap. There is no way around it. A representative smaple is not acheivable.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Even for regular surveys, if the participation percentage is high, results are extremely unreliable. IMHO, any survey result that does not include a description of the methodology and the participatoin rate needs to be ignored.
Originally posted by crees!
Tribune says "four years"
I'm sure it does but that doesn't mean that's what Kerris meant. If it was a phone interview or in person then it's quite possible the journo took for to mean four. They could have even just got their notes wrong or it was a typo in the article not picked up by a sub.
Anyway, I think Apple admitting a specific timespan is highly unlikely.