The issue of manual availability aside, your statements are very curious to me. Let's face it -- Apple is a hardware company -- they make their money by selling hardware! In a perfect world (for Apple), every day they should be able to increase market share by attracting brand-new customers, and certainly the new offerings and OS X are attracting new people to the platform. But the bulk of Apple sales are to those of us who are already Mac users/owners. I imagine that some of the reasons pertaining to Applecare covering only three years is that (1) certainly Apple would like to see that computer owner come and buy a new machine, but also (2) the improvements come with such rapidity, that in three years, the machines currently available are lightyears ahead of the older equipment. I think that unless you are a very casual home user, expecting a computer to service you WELL for five years may now be unrealistic. Yes, it will still work, and can be used, but you'd get so much more value from a new machine. Your concluding statement was most curious of all -- because of your own perception of Apple's "banditry" you'd rather get a Wintel machine next time?!?!? Seems like you'll just be shooting off your own foot. Why would you want to do that to yourself? How do you think subjecting yourself to dealing with a Wintel machine is going to hurt Apple, especially since you weren't planning on spending money on a new machine anyway? Sounds like you're going to inflict far more pain upon yourself. Good luck.
Michelle ----------------------- Michelle K. Wachtel, Apple Product Professional, Inspiration to Information 804/794-6435, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <A HREF="http://www.carbonus.com/23";>www.carbonus.com/23</A> or <A HREF="http://www.4allnaturals.com/23";>www.4allnaturals.com/23</A> In a message dated 5/31/02 1:24:51 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << I've come to consider the availability of servicing information damn near a constitutional right. Without manuals and such my PowerBook will probably be one failure away from the dumpster when the extended warranty expires. Apple will only sell you 3 years warranty, which perhaps says something about the durability of their hardware. I expect at least 5 years use from electronic stuff, and 10 years from motor vehicles. The BMW I rode to work today is 18 years old, and in that time 2 local dealers have gone out of business and the 3rd is useless. Without a manual it would have been binned long ago. I also have a Ten-Tec ham radio transceiver from the early 1980s that came with a very complete manual. It thusly still works fine and will continue to do so for years to come. These items are "keepers", while the Pismo seems a throwaway toy by comparison. Apple seems to think they'll force me to lay out a couple grand for a new PowerBook every 3 years. I don't reward such banditry, and will by my next computer elsewhere. If Apple had treated me better I'd buy a new PowerBook every 5 years- instead their greed has completely lost me as a customer. >> -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
