Apple sued over defective PowerBook memory slots

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Comments

  • Reply 41 of 56
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by cnocbui View Post


    I think I see a pattern here.



    Over on the other recent thread about problems with the glass track pad - in reply to someone who said they had a problem with the hinge not holding and the lid shutting because they used their Macbook in bed - you said that's Ok, you only have a problem if you are slouching, making it sound like the problem is the users fault.



    Here again, you are saying it is really the users fault for not buying a new machine every time Apple brings one out.



    How big is your ego that you think it appropriate to dictate to others that their expectations of what is satisfactory performance from expensive, premium priced products, should be no greater than your narrow and limited standards?



    Kindly brought to you from an 8 year old Powerbook G4 Ti 500mhz.



    Well put kind sir. My 1984 Lisa II (still running) would be proud, if of course it was able to get online and view this forum.
  • Reply 42 of 56
    I have to echo my sentiment here.



    I have always handed down my apple computers to my family...As a photographer and designer, my "pro" machines, be it powerbook or macbook pro prove more than useful for my family, my mother for instance who relies mostly on email and the web. To that end, my mother is not a mac specialist and is not a competent enough user to know when memory goes missing nor is she the first to call if her computer begins to act a bit sluggish.



    I actually called apple about this same issue a few weeks ago when my mother said that her computer (my old 1.5 G4) was acting a bit sluggish. I ordered a ram upgrade for her (not remembering how much ram I had installed in it when it was my machine) and it wasn't until I installed the new ram that I saw the dead ram slot. The machine was out of the serial number range that apple had on record for their recall. They were unwilling to help. I have been an apple customer for over 15 years and I have worked as a support specialist for half of that time.



    I originally took it in stride, but now that I know that there is a class action lawsuit about this- I'm on board. Appleinsider, please post a contact link for this suit. I'd like to follow up.



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by cnocbui View Post


    I think I see a pattern here.



    Over on the other recent thread about problems with the glass track pad - in reply to someone who said they had a problem with the hinge not holding and the lid shutting because they used their Macbook in bed - you said that's Ok, you only have a problem if you are slouching, making it sound like the problem is the users fault.



    Here again, you are saying it is really the users fault for not buying a new machine every time Apple brings one out.



    How big is your ego that you think it appropriate to dictate to others that their expectations of what is satisfactory performance from expensive, premium priced products, should be no greater than your narrow and limited standards?



    Kindly brought to you from an 8 year old Powerbook G4 Ti 500mhz.



  • Reply 43 of 56
    I also have a faulty PowerBook with the same memory slot issue. The serial number fell a couple of months outside of the extended warranty period and Apple UK did not honour a repair of this faulty item!
  • Reply 44 of 56
    This is the first I've heard of this problem. I have a last-generation PowerBook G4 bought in early 2006 (shortly after the MacBook Pro first came out).



    It initially came with 1GB of RAM (two 512MB sticks), which I upgraded to two 1GB sticks last year. The "About this Mac" screen certainly states there is 2GB of RAM in the machine; is the problem that the PowerBook doesn't recognise the RAM, or simply can't access it?
  • Reply 45 of 56
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Cousin Dirk View Post


    This is the first I've heard of this problem. I have a last-generation PowerBook G4 bought in early 2006 (shortly after the MacBook Pro first came out).



    It initially came with 1GB of RAM (two 512MB sticks), which I upgraded to two 1GB sticks last year. The "About this Mac" screen certainly states there is 2GB of RAM in the machine; is the problem that the PowerBook doesn't recognise the RAM, or simply can't access it?



    The PowerBook doesn't recognise the RAM. I insert 2 x 1gb sticks and only 1GB is recognised under "About This Mac". Everything else works fine.
  • Reply 46 of 56
    I'm posting via a 2003 powerbook. The concept of replacing a perfectly functional computer after 3 years does not fit into my plan. Older functioning computers are assigned tasks suitable for their capabilities. Or they are passed on to less demanding users. rg_spb has a righteous view.
  • Reply 47 of 56
    I had this problem with my PowerBook 15" 1.5ghz I bought in Nov. 04. Luckily I was still under Apple Care, and got it taken care of. My lower slot wasn't reading. Anyone know of any more places to read up on this... Thanks
  • Reply 48 of 56
    While my Powerbook 1.25 FW 800 was under the 3-year warranty, Apple did finally get around to fixing the problem. Unfortunately, it popped up again (so did they really fix it?) after the Powerbook was out of warranty. Numerous calls and visiting way to many Genius Bars on the West Coast, I still never have had Apple fix the problem.



    I would be jazzed to have Apple either finally fix it or have me kick in $300 for a warranty agreement and get a used Intel Macbook Pro. Any tips from anyone on who to contact Apple to get this rectified? I'd really rather not join the classs action lawsuit if Apple can finally come through.



    Doess anyone know what actual caused this unique problem in the first place? Was it a design issue?



    Cheers,



    J

    happytogolightly (at sign) yahoo.com
  • Reply 49 of 56
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Daniel0418 View Post


    lol come on apple fans gather around. Apple messed up... lets give them our blessings. Lets tell ourselves why it is okay they screwed up this time. I know why I know why! Don't blame apple..! It is ok because they make funny commercials about their competitor PC! Woot go apple! lol Sheesh... you guys make me want to throw my mac up against the wall...



    If you don't have anything intelligent to say, then stay off the forums.
  • Reply 50 of 56
    I have a failed lower slot on a 1.25gHz PB fw800. After 3 years it became a secondary machine, still functioning perfectly. The failure happened after a botched install of Tiger, after which I couldn't get it installed without a KP. For weeks I just shrugged my shoulders. Then I noticed only 1GB of RAM was being recognized, and just for kicks I removed the lower slot and all the issues were solved. Ever since I've been limping along on 1GB. And just to qualify a previous comment- A 4 year old Powerbook is certainly a usable machine, if all the memory is available. With only 1Ggi of RAM it does approach being unusable, yes. I guess that's the whole point.



    (Brought to you by a 1999 blue iBook 366 running Tiger- very well, I might add. Bam!)
  • Reply 51 of 56
    I have the same issue with my Powerbook G4 1.67Ghz.



    The great thing about this problem is I think I've narrowed it down to firmware.



    I can manually assign the ram in firmware and reboot from open firmware. But when I restart it goes back to showing lower slot out of commision.



    I'm planning on using this Powerbook till it goes up in smoke...I'm kinda sad that people think they are obsolete machines. I know my machine is as fast as the day I bought it. As far as the class action lawsuit is concerned...I almost think it's necessary check out this petition



    http://lowermemoryslot.editkid.com/



    Looks like almost 5000 people have signed this petition with the same problem.



    I'm going to my genius bar today to try to see if they can do anything for me.
  • Reply 52 of 56
    Gomelsky v. Apple, Inc.



    http://dockets.justia.com/docket/cou...ase_id-208434/



    Here's the latest: There's a motion hearing set for 3/6/2009 in San Jose CA
  • Reply 53 of 56
    I think the problem isn't so much with the fact the products eventually wear out or become obselete. I think the problem is that Apple knew about it but didn't try to warn us. For a defect. This is not the case of a part wearing out of old age, but a problem in the structure of the product. My PowerBook stopped working during the extended program, and it falls within the proper serial numbers, but since I didn't know about the program, the very kind customer service agents at the Apple store told me it would be impossible.



    As for Apple having good customer service, I'm not sure what people are smoking. I've been a Mac user for 20 years, so I've got some experience. They're actually notorious in the industry. I LOVE Macs, but I also gotta be honest here.



    On a brighter note, I think taking an iron fist to the problem is best. The CA Attorney General is probably a good step, but I suggest the Better Business Bureau. Remeber, Apple isn't looking out for you, it's looking out for itself so you have to use every tool in your arsenal to right wrongs. When my power adapter erupted in flames, they reimbursed me (I bought a new one) with an iPod, but not because I spent hours on the phone with them pleading nicely for them to help, but because after the BBB complaint they contacted me almost immeadiately to see what they could do to help. Hmmm. What does that say.



    Also, for those of you who think Apple has good customer service, why isn't Apple a member of the Better Business Bureau? Even notorious airlines are members! They didn't just "overlook" this. Nonetheless, they still take complaints seriously at times, since the BBB still rates them: B- I think. Delta Airlines has an A+ if that gives you an idea of where Apple stands. Anyone who tries to tell me Delta has good customer service needs to see a therapist.



    Does anyone know how I can contact the gentleman who submitted the lawsuit?
  • Reply 54 of 56
    One more thing: For those who suggest just upgrading, for some of us this is actually the most expensive item I own (yep, no car). Please think of the less fortunate when you make such classist comments.
  • Reply 55 of 56
    jeffdmjeffdm Posts: 12,951member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by domaley View Post


    I think the problem isn't so much with the fact the products eventually wear out or become obselete. I think the problem is that Apple knew about it but didn't try to warn us. For a defect. This is not the case of a part wearing out of old age, but a problem in the structure of the product. My PowerBook stopped working during the extended program, and it falls within the proper serial numbers, but since I didn't know about the program, the very kind customer service agents at the Apple store told me it would be impossible.



    As for Apple having good customer service, I'm not sure what people are smoking. I've been a Mac user for 20 years, so I've got some experience. They're actually notorious in the industry. I LOVE Macs, but I also gotta be honest here.



    Notorious among whom again? I've not seen a survey of computer industry customer service that showed Apple as being anywhere other than the top for good service. For me, they've even replaced things they didn't really need to replace.



    Quote:

    Also, for those of you who think Apple has good customer service, why isn't Apple a member of the Better Business Bureau? Even notorious airlines are members! They didn't just "overlook" this. Nonetheless, they still take complaints seriously at times, since the BBB still rates them: B- I think. Delta Airlines has an A+ if that gives you an idea of where Apple stands. Anyone who tries to tell me Delta has good customer service needs to see a therapist.



    I think BBB is more of a racket than anything else.
  • Reply 56 of 56
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2 View Post


    Let me be the first to say ... WAH!



    Powerbooks are hardly even usable machines anymore. Get over it and try to lower your sense of entitlement.





    WTF??? It is unconscionable and makes no sense that a nearly $2,000 machine should be "unusable" after only 3 or 4 years.



    This type of resource squandering is precisely why we find ourselves in a tremendous trade deficit with China and several other countries in Asia that supply the parts for our expensive throwaway gadgets.



    Macs are marvelous, and should be designed and built to last longer for economic and environmental sustainability.
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