Posts Tagged ‘tips’

Well my son and I drove an hour to the nearest apple store and were coldly informed that they will charge us $1100 to fix the machine he paid $1500 for less than two months ago. (Plus $200 for extended warranty)

Even worse than this was the cold customer service that reminds me of the NRCC’s attitude toward conservatives in NY-23, the old we have your money now do what we say business.

Since 2000 I’ve been doing computer support and customer service, I’ve seen all kinds of customer service, the Natick’s Apple store’s customer service wouldn’t pass for customer service in the old soviet union.

So congratulations Apple, you’ve managed to alienate me, a fellow who recommends computers to people and buys them on a regular basis. On the basis of the customer service I received it is impossible that I would buy an Apple for my other son. The chance that I will purchase one during my say 20+ years of computer buying is now zero.

As I have a large Sicilian family this story is going to be repeated among them, we Sicilians are very clannish, what are the odds that we won’t go elsewhere?

A week doesn’t go by when I’m not asked about what computer to buy, guess what I won’t recommend? What are the chances I would do so to any person I know or friend and customer I want to keep?

Oh and did I mention the sheer anger of my son? He has a half a century of buying of computers ahead of him. He is very catholic and will have kids. How many apples do you think he will buy? How many times do you thing this story will be repeated over the decades?

That doesn’t even count this blog and the visitors who come on a regular basis.

And I almost forgot, I happen to be a top 1000 reviewer at Amazon.com, you’ve heard of them I trust. I wrote a review of his computer over there, and I wrote it at the apple store.

So smart move Apple. Who needs those potential sales anyway?

Captain Ed takes the upgrade Plunge…

Posted: October 23, 2009 by datechguy in tech
Tags: , , ,

He’s a braver man than me upgrading to Windows 7. Of course he IS upgrading from Vista so that is certainly an incentive.

It is an important article particularly if you are a non-techie. It seems to have worked out for him.

Read the Whole thing.

Windows 7 or no windows 7

Posted: September 28, 2009 by datechguy in tech
Tags: ,

Steve Calvi of Zolex PC has some sensible advice:

The Average Home User doesn’t need to have the latest technological advancements. They want their computer to work with as minimal problems as possible. To be easy to use and comfortable while using it. Jumping up to Windows 7 if you are happy with Vista is not worth it.
Unless you are one of those people that must have the newest toy on the market, I would advise against upgrading your Vista machine to Windows 7 at this time. Six months from now once Windows 7 has been through plenty of testing from consumers etc, we may reach a different conclusion.

If you want to upgrade to Windows 7 and you have Windows XP, time to buy a new PC. If you want to upgrade to Windows 7 and you have Windows Vista, you may do so but it is not advised at this time. Sit back and let others experience the issues/problems that will happen with a new operating system. Why experience the Growing Pains if you don’t have too? Save your money for now.

I would go even so far as to say if you only use your machine for mundane stuff you might even consider picking up one of those vista (shudder) machines that will be selling for a song over the next 30 days.

Your PC only needs to be as strong as how you use it.

As for upgrades, there is always the risk of tanking a machine, I’d go for a new machine with Windows 7 before upgrading myself.

BTW although of course I recommend a certain politically minded blogger of Sicilian decent as your first choice for tech support; I do however know the Zolex guys and can heartily endorse them as a source of pc support.

But it’s made by Apple!

Posted: July 31, 2009 by datechguy in tech
Tags: ,

…so this can’t be right can it?

Security experts have uncovered flaws in Apple Inc’s iPhone that they said hackers can exploit to take control of the popular device, using the tactic for identity theft and other crimes.

iPhone users needed to be warned that their devices were not entirely secure and Apple should try to repair the vulnerability as soon as possible, they said at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas, one of the world’s top forums for exchanging information on computer security threats.

As I’ve argued before PC’s are more vulnerable due to market share, those who attack for profit want to hit the largest market share. The iPhone’s popularity and market share make it a worthwhile target. Remember when you give devices the strengths of computer you give them weakness too.

But hey if you want to spend hundreds on a phone that’s your call.