=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This E-mail is Sponsored by: Small Dog Electronics
--> Specializing in New & Factory Refurbished Apple computers <--
Surf to <http://www.smalldog.com> Check out our daily specials!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=1064
Is Your Lombard a Lemon?
By Remy Davison, Insanely Great Mac
October 7th 2002
Failed L2 caches may lead to complete CPU failure over time.
IGM reader Marc Potvin wrote in about the failure of the L2 cache on his Lombard - not
an isolated problem by any means. Marc wrote:
"I have a Lombard 400Mhz G3 PB (1999, 2nd gen.) that just died on me as a result of
faulty cache memory on the microprocessor board. I've just got the confirmation from
the repair shop. They poped in another processor card and everything works fine.
After just an hour on the web trying to get info, I've seen countless occurrences of
people reporting this same problem, always with a Lombard and always originating with
the L2 cache on the processor card. For some, the PB woks fine, as mine did for a
short while, just without the L2 cache. You get an error message at the begining of
startup stating a "cache memory problem... call a technician" warning. The PB zips
along, just without an L2 cache. I could feel the slowdown, particularly during
application start ups.
For others like me, the cache problem eventually leads to a dead microprocessor card!"
Early revisions of the Lombard CPU have also had problems with out-of-spec (and even
in-spec) RAM when used with OS, often limiting memory installations to a miniscule
(for OS X) amount. But should Apple take responsibility here?
As a Lombard (and Wallstreet) owner, I was aware of a number of design faults each
PowerBook had (such as the Wallstreet hinge and sound card/AC connector problems).
Should these be rectified outside of warranty.
I never purchase AppleCare, although I advise clients to do so. My reasoning (for
myself) is that I can get it fixed relatively cheaply (I also happen to have both 400
and 333MHz daughter cards for the Lombard).
When I wrote Has Apple Quality Control Bitten the Dust? some time ago, the conclusion
was that Apple still probably topped industry standards, but it had fallen some way
from its exceptionally high position of the early 1990s. Some quality surveys bear
this out, with Apple still beating out Dell on customer satisfaction over quality
issues (albeit not by much).
Petitions have been assembled calling for Apple to address the Wallstreet hinge
problem, but Apple has not responded. The question is, does Apple owe a duty of care
to its users after the warranty period has concluded?
The contentious answer is probably "No".
If you are unhappy with GM quality, you might switch to a Toyota. Vote with your feet.
If Apple doesn't deliver the quality you expect for the money, don't ever buy one of
its products ever again. Dissuade your friends from buying them as well.
If Apple loses a significant number of customers due to quality issues, this will be a
wake-up call to Cupertino. The mere circulation of horror stories about the PowerBook
5300/190 halved the number of potential buyers, and the loyal users got a 7-year REA,
regardless of whether they bought the 'Book used or not. They also got significant
discounts on the purchase of G3 'Books later.
Design flaws and processor failure, are, unfortunately, a fact of life. But if the
longevity of your purchase troubles you, purchase AppleCare or a third-party insurance
scheme which will at least cover you for the first three years.
But if you switch (to the Dark Side), just don't expect Wintel quality to be any
better. It isn't.
=-=-=
Web links for articles available on Web site version. Please refer to Web site version
for all revisions, corrections and updates.
Post comments to this article and view reader comments at the Web site. Web site
version of this article can be viewed at:
http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=1064
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Copyright (c) 2002 Insanely Great Mac. All rights reserved. This article
may not be republished in part or whole without explicit written
permission from Insanely Great Mac.
Brought to you by Insanely Great Mac <http://www.insanely-great.com/>
To SUBSCRIBE - send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with subject
subscribe macnews
To UNSUBSCRIBE - send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with subject
unsubscribe macnews
Subscription problems/questions please email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
