We didn’t include Best Buy’s Apple optimization services in our investigation, but Heidi N. Moore of Slate.com took a look at the service and as she tells Consumerist in an email, “unscientifically came to the same conclusion.” [More]
Mac
Federal Judge Rules Against Scrappy Mac Clone Manufacturer Psystar
By 11.18.09
Sorry, Mac OS lovers who don’t love the price tags on Apple hardware. Apple has emerged victorious in their copyright lawsuit against Mac clone manufacturer Psystar. U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup ruled that Psystar is violating Apple’s copyright as well as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by selling computers with a modified version of OS X pre-installed.
New Blackberry Desktop Manager For Mac Still Worse Than Windows Version
By 10.2.09
If you’re one of the approximately three Mac users who uses a BlackBerry instead of an iPhone, today is an exciting day. BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac OS debuted this afternoon. CNET had an early copy and has checked it out for us.
Microsoft Teaches Best Buy How To Diss Linux, Macs
By 9.10.09
A recent flurry of reports on the internets claim that Microsoft has been training Best Buy employees to push customers away from Linux and Mac systems to those running Windows. While some posts claim that the Gatesians are teaching Best Buy workers to become “Linux assassins,” most of what’s going on looks like typical retail marketing: a deep-pocketed supplier working with a chain to hawk its products more aggressively. However, Linux pros are up in arms about “inaccuracies” in the Microsoft program that walks customers through the advantages of Windows vs. Linux.
Mac Genius Reports Child Porn On Customer's Computer To Police
By 8.26.09
A man in Connecticut brought his computer to his local Apple Store for repair due to a software issue (likely a—gasp!—virus) but when he returned to pick it up, learned that the Mac Genius had reported him to the police after finding child pornography on the hard drive.
Microsoft "Laptop Hunters" Ads Changed To Omit Apple Prices
By 7.24.09
Microsoft has changed their latest “Laptop Hunters” ad after a complaint from Apple that the Mac prices cited in the ads are misleading and MacBook Pro have been lowered since the ads were produced. The cheapest model with a 15″ screen only costs $1700 now, not $2000.
Google To Launch Free PC Operating System Next Year
By 7.8.09
Tired of Windows, don’t like fine-tuning Ubuntu, can’t afford buying into the Apple ecosystem? Google has just announced they’re releasing an open source computer operating system called Chrome OS next year.
Customer Refuses To Give Up, Convinces Apple To Give Him What He Paid For
By 3.3.09
James almost got cheated out of CS4, the suite of graphics software sold by Adobe, when he bought a new Macbook Pro recently. He kept pressing the issue though, and his persistence and level-headedness finally, after several near misses, convinced Apple to do the right thing and send him what he paid for. Congrats to James!
Computer Store Ad Uses Picture Of New MacBook Pro To Sell Old Ones
By 1.12.09
Andrew sent us this picture of a CampusTechShop ad that he says is all over his college campus. The ad trumpets reduced prices on the previous edition of MacBook Pro, then illustrates it with a picture of the new MacBook Pro.
PIX: Ladybug Infested Macbook (And A Happy Ending)
By 12.17.08
These are the ladybugs that infested Sam’s Macbook, the ladybugs Apple said must be his fault. Now, here is the update to Sam’s saga, and how he finally got justice from Apple.
Apple Says You Put Those Ladybugs Inside Your Mac Yourself, On Purpose
By 12.16.08
UPDATED. Sam loves his Apple products, but their blaming him for the big ladybugs inside his Macbook Pro? It’s enough to turn this fanboy into whatever is the clever name for opposite of a fanboy.
Charts: Mac Black Friday, MacMall Or BestBuy?
By 11.26.08
There’s some nice discounts this Black Friday on the usually deal-proof Macs, but who’s got the better price? MacMall, or BestBuy? Going through the full discount list is a pain, so MacRumors has put together a handy comparison chart of the prices on the current models for you. The biggest difference is in the MacBook pros, which MacMall has at $200 off vs BestBuy’s $100.
Apple Repair Center Doesn't Repair Your Laptop, But Does Replace Your Keyboard With German Layout
By 11.17.08
So when you take your Mac to get repaired and they have to send it to their repair center, politely request that a service technician with the ID 31514 at the “CTS, Apple Authorized Repair Center” in Houston, Texas does not fix your Mac.
By 10.27.08
../../../..//2008/10/27/those-of-you-with-macs/
Those of you with Macs will soon be able to use Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” feature. Hooray! [CrunchGear]
By 9.23.08
../../../..//2008/09/23/warner-brothers-forgot-to-include/
Warner Brothers forgot to include the advertised iPod-compatible digital file on its Blu-ray copy of “Speed Racer.” It’s now offering an online trade, where owners of the disc can exchange their PlaysForSure authorization code for an iTunes store redemption code. (When filling out the form, for “Support Request Type” select “Authorization Code and Licenses”.) [warnerbros] (Thanks to Sabler!)
By 9.17.08
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Update: Here’s how you can exchange your PlaysForSure code for an iTunes redemption code. Movie fans over at forum.blu-ray.com say Warner Bros’ new release of “Speed Racer” promises a digital copy of the movie that will work on iPods, but there’s no such thing on the disc—only protected WMV files. [blu-ray.com] (Thanks to Sabler!)
This Apple CSR Wants You To Learn By Doing
By 9.10.08
This chat transcript from “Yet Another Girl”‘s blog is an example of how sometimes you can find exactly the answer you’re looking for on a customer service chat. Unfortunately, in this case, you’ll do all of the work yourself while the chat agent stares numbly at the screen, wondering how did I end up here? I don’t even know what this “apple” thing is!
Dell Doesn't Care Where You Live, Keeps Delivering Packages To The Wrong Address
By 9.7.08
Elizabeth went out and bought a Mac after Dell twice sent Windows XP replacement CDs to her old address. After each failed delivery attempt, Elizabeth called Dell, which repeatedly promised that they’d get it right next time. One CSR even claimed that he personally called DHL to change the shipping address. (He didn’t.)
