One Bad Apple
September 28th, 2005
Ever heard of the saying, “One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch”? Well, that’s what’s happening to me.
I use 20″ iMac G5 at work. My employer, though a windows guy, graciously allows me to use the OS of my choice. The iMac is a great computer—it is sexy, compact, and quite powerful. But I would never buy one again. Why? Because the logic board just went out for the second time in 4 months.
The first time this happened was back in May, at the ripe old age of 3 months. I came in one morning, and the machine wouldn’t even turn on. In turned out that the logic board and the power supply were dead. We took the machine into a local Mac repair shop and didn’t end up getting it back for 5 weeks because the logic boards were out of stock for Apple.
So here I’ve been running smoothly again, until just a few days ago. I came in, and never got past the grey Apple screen. Turns out the logic board is dead once again. I asked the guy at the CompUSA service center if they dealt with many logic board problems with the iMacs. He answered, “Lots”. So now I’m looking at about 2 weeks with no iMac.
The problems this causes are two-fold. First, I have to use a laptop as my primary computer for a couple of weeks. I like my PowerBook, but it gets hard to hunch over a laptop looking at a 15″ screen all day, especially when you are used to a beautiful, bright 20″ screen that actually sits at eye-level. Secondly, Apple is losing all sorts of credibility with my Windows user boss who recently purchased a Mac Mini for his family’s home computer. How can I say anything at all about how great Apple and their computers are, with this looming over my head. This is how “One bad Apple, can spoil the whole bunch”, at least in the minds of people who might be thinking of switching to the Mac. Another thing that is even worse, is that this seems to be a common problem with the G5 iMac. So common, in fact, that the standard warranty has been extended to two years vs one. So if it is so common, why wouldn’t Apple be vigilant about keeping these parts in stock, and even overnighting them to the repair centers? You’d think if Apple really cared about it’s customers (a.k.a. fans) that they would do this, instead of letting them sit for 2-5 weeks without a computer.
Update 1:
I called 1-800-SOS-APPLE and explained my situation. I was escalated to a “Product Specialist” who said that he needed to give CompUSA their 5-7 days to fix it (which the seventh day is Monday). He said if they are unable to fix it by then, to e-mail him back with my case # and “they’ll see what other options are available”, which I hope means, we’ll give you a Rev B model.
Update 2:
Well fortunately/unfortunately CompUSA had my computer fixed within the 7 days, so now I guess I’ll just have to wait for the logic board to go out the next time. Frustrating.
September 28th, 2005 at 9:58 am
Phone Apple, speak to a CS rep, and explain that you’ve got an iMac that’s eating logic boards, and that you’d like to have it replaced wiith a new rev B model. That did it for me after mine had two fail. Explain the whole situation: that you are in a position to evangelise for Apple within your company, that it’s your prime business machine, and so on.
September 28th, 2005 at 10:01 am
That sounds worth a try. So I guess the number to call is 1-800-SOS-APPLE?
September 28th, 2005 at 10:10 am
I had almost the same thing happen to me. My 17 inch iMac’s Logic board went out first, then the power supply, and then the logic board again. I finally had Apple send me a new iMac, which I am very happy with, But it wasn’t easy to get.
September 30th, 2005 at 8:23 am
You’re on your way. Likely, though, that CompUSA will return a temporarily-functional box, which will almost immediately begin to eat its board or power supply, and you’ll end up returning it to the shop again: whereupon Apple will pony up with the B. Time-consuming and incredibly tedious.
September 30th, 2005 at 10:27 pm
I just picked my G5 up from the dealer after 2 weeks away getting a new logic board. I purchased the G5 in April. I’m a PC convert – until now. Now I’m not so sure anymore. I never had this kind of a problem with my PC’s. It doesn’t exactly give credibility to the Mac reputation for stable platforms. I don’t think I’d recommend a Mac to any of my friends. After reading your comments above, I’m just waiting for the next thing to go. What really bugged me at first was the two weeks to get it fixed. I can get a new engine put into my car in 3 days. What’s with the delays?
December 11th, 2005 at 5:42 pm
Hey mate
I know exactly how you feel!! My logic board had to be replaced this time last year, luckily under the worldwide Apple recall programme but now it’s gone AGAIN!! The second time in a year!! Not happy at all, the cost of replacing it is now nearly the same price as buying a new one! I’m an Apple user through and through, at work and at home. I just can’t believe that Apple products are turning into shit computers and that their parts don’t have a decent length of warranty on them. However, Apple seems to have come through with the goods, after speaking with Customer Relations, I’m getting a 2nd logic book installed into my iBook free of charge (and so they should!)
February 2nd, 2006 at 9:17 am
I realize it’s a few months later but I just had my G5 logic board replaced and thought I’d commiserate. I bought my G5 dual proc Nov 28 and it died one day 2 weeks ago when I tried to reboot. It’s two months old!
After the Apple tech did his troubleshooting thing he determined it was the power supply, the logic board or the power button. After I told him I needed the fastest turn around time he suggested I call around to service centers and if I couldn’t find a place to do it w/in 3 business days to email him and he’d send a tech out to me w/ the parts. His solution was the fastest so I went that way.
After the 3rd day came and went I called Apple back and was told that they had no idea when the parts would be available and that’s why I haven’t heard anything yet. Today (two weeks later) a local technician came by and replaced the logic board and power supply (although it was just the board).
I sent an email to the first Apple tech saying that, although he was helpful on the call, I was unhappy w/ the service overall (no callback, bad promises, etc). About an hour later I received an anonymous email inviting me to fill out an online survey on my Apple support experience. Not a word from the tech or anyone else since.
Most unfortunate after 6 years of video production using Apple software.
February 8th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Has anyone had a problem with apple replacing a bad logic board with another bad logic board? Mine went out on my powerbook G5 about two months ago, and I had to wait for the out of stock parts when it did come in, it went bad again the very same day. The dealer that is fixing it said apple is known for sending bad parts. This is totally out of control. This is my only computer which I use for a small buisness and apple doesn’t even have a place to call and make a formal complaint. So a part goes bad and they send you another bad part. I am so mad, and I tried to call to complain and got nowhere exept more mad. Any ideas?
March 9th, 2006 at 6:27 pm
I bought my iMac G5 late in November of last year….after just 2 weeks my computer wouldn’t turn on
or boot up. Bad Logic board. They had it in the shop for 2 weeks. Fast forward to March 5…it won’t turn on or boot up.
After lugging my G5 to the Apple store and waiting in line for 3 hours, I am told I have another bad logic board, probably. Boy am I frustrated!! Now I am worried after reading your posts that this is probably only the beginning! How many times in a 4 month period does a computer have to break before I get one that works?
Do you think I should complain to CS now?
April 8th, 2006 at 10:50 am
I have an iMac G5 (1.8 Ghz 17inch) which was purchased in December of 2004. Last week, I observed a burnt electrical smell. The next day the iMac crashed repeatedly when used. The following day the computer failed to startup.
After doing a little research I discovered that the computer was covered under an Apple extension so I took the computer to a local Apple repair center. Three days later the repair center called saying the computer was fixed and ready for pickup. I was told the logic board capacitors were the cause, and that the tech also replaced the power supply. After getting the unit home I discoverd that the airport extreme card was much more sensitive and finally worked with my wireless network. The loud fan noise was also gone, at least for now.
While I’m worried this could happen again I’m extremely pleased with the service I recieved from my local repair center.
August 15th, 2006 at 8:18 am
Does anyone know the best address to send a letter of complaint to Apple about the G5 logic board problem? Thanks for any suggestions.