Ex PC frustrated with Power Book G4

p_newman · 25.04.2005

Hi there,

I’m one of the many people who changed their pc for a macintosh. One year ago. I was curious. People said many wonderful things about the apple computers. Now, after 1 year working with it, I must give voice for my most profound disappointment.

The so applauded integration between hard & software seems a hoax:
• A cellphone cannot be syncronized with entourage,
• the audio without an extra pair of boxes is an insult to everyone’s ears,
• working with graphical programs such as photoshop or illustrator is nearly
impossible, unless you have a second screen, to connect,
• cds or dvds have the unpleasant tendency to remain trapped in the drive and you have to relaunch the computer to get them out,
• mysterious calculations block any access during minutes and minutes, whith
only one little program like“Word” open, eventually concluding with my favourite “the application has unexpecedly quit…!”
• The rasterizing of an eps is about twenty times longer than with a pc,
• All in all, the machine (power book) is so slow, compared to pc pace,
• many for pc users so obvious commands are not accessible,
• and even controlling the cursor makes me look like a mental case! Why the hell are apple cursors accellarating differently? I’ve tried several mouses!

I wouldn’t be so upset if it wasn’t for the hundreds of failures. “The
application has unexpectedly quit – ok”…say no more! I’m sure to have lost hours of work due to that unmotivated unexpected quitting!

Another exasperating tragedy is the (inexisting) customer service here in spain. A couple of months ago I’ve lost the “d” on my keyboard. Something fell on it and the key went off. No problem, I thought. I went to the service center in Barcelona (where I live) and they tell me they’ll have to send the whole computer to Madrid. It would take “a couple of weeks” as they assure. A couple of weeks!!!! I’m supposed to live without a computer (rather important for my work) for a couple of weeks, only to pop in a stupid letter in my keyboard!!!

After all, the guarantee has expired (it wouldn’t have been of any use anyway) and I’m about to throw this rather expensive powerbook against the wall! I’m sad for having believed the fairy tales, that are suggested by other people and apple's advertisements. I bought it, I thought changing into a better computer and now I feel betrayed, disappointed, deserted and ripped off!

If I send this complaint, it is because I still hope that all this
frustration is due to some stupid error in the configuration of the machine.
Please help me. Please convince me that my powerbook is a good computer! I do not trust apple representatives here in the city. I have tried their help and all they tell me is to send the machine to Madrid for weeks. By the way, ALL these apple shops in Barcelona are closing on saturdays!!! How is one supposed to repair his machine, if your retailers and service centers never open up for working people?!)

In hope for a response,

PN

pagodeiro · 25.04.2005

Hi there,

you did not tell us the configuration of your powerbook, CPU speed, RAM, etc. and what applications you have installed any you are working with.
What is you operating system version? Up to date? Do you use a 3rd party supplyer RAM that may be not fully compatible? Test it without additional RAM!

I switched 2,5 years ago to "ony" a 800 MHz iMac and I am so satisfyed and happy with that machine, that I decided to order a small iBook for use during traveling.
With the iMac I am working in Multimedia applications, MPEG2 rendering with iMovie/Quicktime while starting up other applications like MS Office or the safari browser for surfing int the internet at the same time, without causing any desaster. Photoshop runs very smoothly, too.

Unexpected quits nearly never happend, and when happend, it turned out that they had been by a hardware problem (external firewire hd and iMovie).
Perhaps it would be a good idea to re-install the operating system from scratch, to garantee a "clean" system. This is not a really hard job as it would be with a windows machine. After writing all personal data to CD, DVD or ext. discs, you re-install Mac OSX and soon after get ALL actualizations from the internet. Afterwards install external applications and re load your data.
If still having problems after that process, and the hardware test is negative, I would recommend to ask a specialist form Apple to have a look.

Mouse and track-pad behaviour you can tune exactly like you want in the system configuration (Apple menue).

What is really a mess is cellular phone syncronization. iSync is supporting only few phones! Have a look at Tiger specs, now there will be more phones supported. For my Nokia 6230 I have found an external application.

pdr2002 · 25.04.2005

p_newman schrieb:
Hi there,

I’m one of the many people who changed their pc for a macintosh. One year ago. I was curious. People said many wonderful things about the apple computers. Now, after 1 year working with it, I must give voice for my most profound disappointment.

Sorry to hear, though I don't share your dissapointment. The PB I have is the best notebook I ever had! Before I had Toshiba's Thinkpads and the like but none comes close to my Powerbook.

p_newman schrieb:
The so applauded integration between hard & software seems a hoax:
• A cellphone cannot be syncronized with entourage,

Well, tell this the phone manufacturas, like Siemens Nokia etc. That is there duty which they only fullfill for Windows and not for Mac. You cannot expect Apple to write stuff for MS.

p_newman schrieb:
• the audio without an extra pair of boxes is an insult to everyone’s ears,

I listen to itunes everyday without boxes, no worse than listen to normal radio.

p_newman schrieb:
• working with graphical programs such as photoshop or illustrator is nearly
impossible, unless you have a second screen, to connect,

The windows notebooks in this price category only have XGA resolution, so there it is even worse and they do not have the good Dual Screen support like the PB.

p_newman schrieb:
• cds or dvds have the unpleasant tendency to remain trapped in the drive and you have to relaunch the computer to get them out,

Sorry, never had this problem, you must be doing something wrong.

p_newman schrieb:
• mysterious calculations block any access during minutes and minutes, whith
only one little program like“Word” open, eventually concluding with my favourite “the application has unexpecedly quit…!”

Do yourself a favor and get yourself enough memory. To work reasonable with a WindowsXP-machine you neet at least 512 MB too!

p_newman schrieb:
• The rasterizing of an eps is about twenty times longer than with a pc,
• All in all, the machine (power book) is so slow, compared to pc pace,

I have a Thinkpad with a 1.6 GH Cintrinio and sorry the speed is about the same, though the workflow on the Powerbook is much smoother one gets the impression that the PB is faster

p_newman schrieb:
• many for pc users so obvious commands are not accessible,

Sorry man, it's an apple so get used to it. It's not hard, really just try it.

Kollar · 25.04.2005

The so applauded integration between hard & software seems a hoax:
• A cellphone cannot be syncronized with entourage,

well, as "mac user" you HAVE to check out "compatiblity" before buying things like cellphones. most stuff is designed to work with Windows, there are alot of compabibility lists, even from apple itsself. i dont know if theres an additional problem with entourage, but the "system" PIM- Apps work well with the most new phones. (see compatibility lists)

• the audio without an extra pair of boxes is an insult to everyone’s ears,
are you camparing

You can't seriously compare notebook boxes with the ones connected to your pc. there could be better boxes in notebooks, sure. but there are millions, which are even worse.

• working with graphical programs such as photoshop or illustrator is nearly
impossible, unless you have a second screen, to connect,

there are also notebooks with bigger screens or better resolution. the powerbook is available with an TFT of 17(!) inches. the widescreen- format allows panels to be placed well. so i can't agree. the "workspace" is good, especially for DTP.

• cds or dvds have the unpleasant tendency to remain trapped in the drive and you have to relaunch the computer to get them out,

never had this, sorry

• mysterious calculations block any access during minutes and minutes, whith
only one little program like“Word” open, eventually concluding with my favourite “the application has unexpecedly quit…!”

this should be a problem of word. sure sometimes the "spinning beachball" appears. e.g. in combination with "lost servers" in LAN, so the "timeout" is too long. if the system is very busy, this beachball appears too. How many RAM do you use?

• The rasterizing of an eps is about twenty times longer than with a pc,
which CPU, which PB?

• All in all, the machine (power book) is so slow, compared to pc pace,
YOU can't compare a notebook to a normal PC, like you can't compare a powerbook to a powermac G5. the harddisk is much slower, the GPU is much slower, the bus-speed etc.

• many for pc users so obvious commands are not accessible,
many for apple users so obvious commands are not accessible in Windows, and great features like Exposé also

. Mac was first, MS made things differently. So who is guilty?

• and even controlling the cursor makes me look like a mental case! Why the hell are apple cursors accellarating differently? I’ve tried several mouses!

because they are from apple. why do windows cursors? i have a logitech mouse and i am using the mousedriver for OSX. it works very well, acceleration is perfect. but there are also tools, which can increase the speed of mouse (USB- Overdrive)

i think most of your problems can be solved with installing a new system, gettin more RAM. So please: tell us WHICH PB You are using, which OS Version and so on

SURE, a modern Centrino Notebook from big names is very fast, a Powerbook is slower because of the bus speed and the "older" CPU. But you should get the performance back, with the great multitasking in OSX Panther.

Junior-c · 25.04.2005

The user is the problem...

MfG, juniorclub.

PannaCotta · 25.04.2005

Well...it sounds like a TROLL....

maxi.d. · 25.04.2005

p_newman schrieb:
• A cellphone cannot be syncronized with entourage,

Entourage is NOT an apple programme
and its not apple´s fault if you have this problem with a 3rd publisher programme, which is made (btw.) - i think - by microsoft...

which phone are u using
and so on...

is it the problem of microsoft if there are games which dont work
and that u have to download a lot of drivers before the game really works ?
nobody would say "Hey, microsoft sucks, cause this game dont work!"

or you want to use your driving-wheel and the game dont want to work with it: "Microsoft sucks, cause my wheel dont works with the game made by Electronic Arts!"

You have deceided to buy hardware from a much more independent trademark. You should know that there are not all programms on both plattforms, that u have to use other alternative programmes, whisch are not the same but also sometimes better and you should know what u want to do with your computer and which other hardware should be compatible...

Maybe u should try an other mail-programme

p_newman schrieb:
• the audio without an extra pair of boxes is an insult to everyone’s ears,

which speakers are u using ?
some people dont like the extra-speakers made by apple...
some people love em
but this is hardware u need not to use, or

?!

if u have bought it u should have tried it first or you had to bring it back and buy other stuff...
getting infos first would be also a good tipp

btw. about which speakers are we talking
maybe they arent made by apple ?

or connect your computer with your home-stereo-equipment

p_newman schrieb:
• working with graphical programs such as photoshop or illustrator is nearly impossible, unless you have a second screen, to connect,

that´s why nearly all designers worldwide are using apple-computers
because photoshop and illustrator couldnt be well used with those hardware...

heh ?
dont understand this argumentation...

which mac are u using
is it a iBook 12" ?
Do u think it would be better working on a windows notebook with 12"

Do u really think its apple´s fault that u have bought a PB with a small screen, when u ll need a larger one ?!

p_newman schrieb:
• cds or dvds have the unpleasant tendency to remain trapped in the drive and you have to relaunch the computer to get them out,

i ve never had this problem
just put the cd-symbol into the trash-can
or press "escape"
if its not working then the cd is used by a programme
quit the application before u throw out the cd

normally when u insert a CD/DVD the programme which is using it will be launched... and using it
u can tell your mac that he shouldnt open a prog automatically

p_newman schrieb:
• mysterious calculations block any access during minutes and minutes, whith
only one little program like“Word” open, eventually concluding with my favourite “the application has unexpecedly quit…!”

when are the calcualtions coming ?
are you working on a tablet ?

maybe u have done a lot of wrong stuff with your system ?

u should install the OS again
repair your Disk

but sure
you are right Word isnt really fast
but its a microsoft-programme
and in that case u cant argue against macintosh with that

i ve not this problems
and multitasking works great wit Mac OsX
are u using Os9 ?

p_newman schrieb:
• All in all, the machine (power book) is so slow, compared to pc pace,

you dont know how to work with your mac
or u are using the wrong progs
or u have an old mac and compare it with a new pc...
and so on

u really should give us more infos bout your problems

p_newman schrieb:
• many for pc users so obvious commands are not accessible,

the most commands on apple are very easy to learn
and there are more than on pcs - i think

which command is missing ?
if u dont want to learn a new system
and want to get the "old" windows
why u dont switch back

though u should be more open-minded before you switch back
and u should read something bout your system
and get help by answering real questions
and not writing such polemic stuff

p_newman schrieb:
• and even controlling the cursor makes me look like a mental case! Why the hell are apple cursors accellarating differently? I’ve tried several mouses!

u have strange problems *g*

use the apple-mouse
or if u really want to use a pc-mouse u maybe need a driver

p_newman schrieb:
I wouldn’t be so upset if it wasn’t for the hundreds of failures. “The
application has unexpectedly quit – ok”…say no more! I’m sure to have lost hours of work due to that unmotivated unexpected quitting!

have you ever thought about that its maybe your own fault that your system isnt working well ?
i think u should install those programms again
and/or install the progs and dont just "drag&drop" them...

those problems are often because the programms are cracked versions and damaged progs u have downloaded or get somewhere else!
buy the original stuff!!!
and u wont get those problems

mostly programms are quitting with that message cause of that...

p_newman schrieb:
I’ve lost the “d” on my keyboard. Something fell on it and the key went off. No problem, I thought. I

thats is really silly
and i can understand u
in that point..

p_newman schrieb:
After all, the guarantee has expired (it wouldn’t have been of any use anyway) and I’m about to throw this rather expensive powerbook against the wall! I’m sad for having believed the fairy tales, that are suggested by other people and apple's advertisements. I bought it, I thought changing into a better computer and now I feel betrayed, disappointed, deserted and ripped off!

cant say it more often
You have to learn to use your computer
millions of apple-users dont have this problems

p_newman schrieb:
If I send this complaint, it is because I still hope that all this
frustration is due to some stupid error in the configuration of the machine.

there is surely a lot of wrong on your machine
but how should the configuration give u a larger screen ?
or show u how to use your mac in the right way ?
ask much more specific questions

p_newman schrieb:
By the way, ALL these apple shops in Barcelona are closing on saturdays!!! How is one supposed to repair his machine, if your retailers and service centers never open up for working people?!)

thats your country
and the apple-stores in your area...

is it a real apple-store ?
i think no
there are working people which sell apple computers
if they are not working hard to get their money
its not the problem of apple

Kollar · 25.04.2005

PannaCotta schrieb:
Well...it sounds like a TROLL....

und dein post? wenn nicht jemand apple in den himmel lobt, muss es doch kein troll sein. sry kann dieses "troll" nicht mehr hören, die leute die es am schnellsten schreien sind doch die schlimmsten ^^

wenn man keine argumente hat, soll man es dann ganz lassen, und nicht dieses "troll"- geschwafel wieder und wieder zum selbstschutz ableiern ^^

p-cord · 25.04.2005

hey, why are you writing in English on a german board?
Not that it represented a problem for me, I just don't get it. I mean, there's a lot more mac user Forums in English than in German, so why are you picking this one?
No offense in any way, but an explanation on this would prevent people to think of a troll, I assume…

maxi.d. · 25.04.2005

i ve no problem with writing in english
though i am not really good in it...

why not...?!

he or she knows that she/he is in a german forum
and in that case she/he will also know that there wont be as many posts than in an english one...

i would like to help her/him..
but there are no questions

and there is not enough info about his/her system

maxi.d. · 25.04.2005

AND
we cant explain here, how the whole system works
a little bit more specific would be great !

by the way
there is also a iChatroom, where u can talk in spanish
though there are not often people

the rooms are called "gumx" and "mlm"
maybe that are the names of spanish forums ?

using google could also help to learn how to act with your "not-so-good"

computer

p_newman · 25.04.2005

Thanks

Hi everybody!

Thanks a lot to many of you for trying to help me!
Furthermore, I'd like to apologize for having doubleposted my problem. I didn't know it was a "don't". I'm new to messageboards.

My Power book is an aluminium G4 with 512M Ram, Superdrive, and 15' screen.

Many have suggested there wasn't enough Ram. Well I guess 512 should be sufficient! I certainly think of upgrading to 1Gb, but until,...

It happens quite often, that, with only one program open, the computer starts to "think", shows me that funny rainbow circle and then continues to think until I turn grey. I then want to force quit the process, but as I have no access to nothing, the only thing that remains is to shut down the computer and wait.

I have alraedy tried the syncronzation suggestion with first to adress book and then to entourage. It's not possible. There simply seems to be no way.

When I refer to lost hours of work, I don't mean in one session, but I mean the sum of many frustrating minutes I had to wait for the computer to stop "thinking", finish his cup of tea and letting me work again if he didn't fail with the famous "application has unexpectedly quit" thing.

I'll hang on. I refuse to consider 2400€,- thrown out of the window! But time and effort have a price too.

PN

maxi.d. · 25.04.2005

i ve just 256k and a 800Mhz iBook

i am working sometimes with GoLive, Photoshop, Word, iTunes, iChat, Safari, Mail... at the same time...
I ve often all this progs open and i see rarely this rainbow-Wheel...

think u have real problems with your system

i would make a hardware-test
dont know how that should work...
but others will come and tell you how
and i would reinstall the whole Os
and all the programms

BUT first tell me how much freespace your HD has at the moment !?

and for others: which cell-phone do you use ?

avalon · 25.04.2005

p_newman schrieb:
...

I'll hang on. I refuse to consider 2400€,- thrown out of the window! But time and effort have a price too.

PN

Ok, this is your decision...

But believe me, this is not normal, most of the switchers (99%) dont want turn back to PC and Windows.

May be your PB is damaged.
Call your Apple Dealer or visit Apples Service site.

To give up is stupid, sorry

maxefaxe · 25.04.2005

Jetzt hakts wohl?¿

Es gibt genug englischsprachige Mac-Foren. Wozu hier posten. Ich glaub hier will uns jemand gehörig verarschen.

norbi · 25.04.2005

"“The application has unexpectedly quit – ok”. I bet you got this message with MS Worst, Excel or PP, right? That's a bad code and/or monopoly thing - not a Mac problem.

The coloured "running beach ball of death" could be caused by a hardware problem (HD failures, too less RAM) or a software problem, e.g. the Powerbook is searching for a network connection which got lost (e.g. a file server).

However, most Mac users don't have the problems you have. This is not standard with Macs.

Btw, you can hook up a second screen on your PB - with dual screen mode. 15" + 23" should be enough pixels for Photoshop...

No.

maxi.d. · 25.04.2005

i think his HD is full and he has not enough memory to work with such programms

Progs like Photoshop also need some space on HD
You should have at least 1GB free
better 2 GB

Giu21 · 25.04.2005

I had similar problems with the old version of the ms Office. Try the newest one...it seems to work fine.

I've never heard about photoshop running better on a PC than on a mac...why should professionals spend so much more for a system that doesn't work...!

There is just one really bad thing about apple's machines...the RAM...

Selling a Mac system with just 256 MB for that price ist just a mass...

Right now I'm using a 1.2 Ghz Emac for about a year without even the smallest problem...

So either you be a really unlucky guy or you're doing something wrong...never forget: There's no PC without problems !!!

maxi.d. · 25.04.2005

yes
MS Office 2004 is much more stable

MacGeorg · 25.04.2005

maxefaxe schrieb:
Es gibt genug englischsprachige Mac-Foren. Wozu hier posten. Ich glaub hier will uns jemand gehörig verarschen.

Da könnte was für sprechen...

Ge.

Ex PC frustrated with Power Book G4

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