14.002 3. The Computer Wars Chronicles: ISSUE 67/ Revolution: Quality Control And Service:
Description
This article is from the Apple II Csa2 FAQ, by Jeff Hurlburt with numerous contributions by others.
14.002 3. The Computer Wars Chronicles: ISSUE 67/ Revolution: Quality Control And Service:
Our II+ ran flawlessly for nearly six
years before requiring a new power supply and keyboard IC
replacement. A veteran of countless experimental mods, it continues to
perform well. Our IIgs, on the other hand, is presently on its third
motherboard! (Actually, it may be the fourth; it's hard to be sure. I
do recall that one of the replacement boards didn't do anything,
except short out the power supply.)
The main problem is an apparently endless supply of sub-spec
proprietary IC's (e.g. video and ADB controllers). So, why three
(3) motherboards!? Well, Apple does not allow its local
sales/service reps to replace soldered-on IC's. Should your ADB
controller bomb (or, more likely, you finally discover that it
has been sporadically malfunctioning all along), "repair"
consists of swapping out the motherboard. If your warranty has
expired, the cost is $270 plus your old board!
As to old complaints-- a II series marketing strategy designed to
create a toy image, high prices, slowness in releasing
documentation, Mac exploitation of II events, etc., etc.--
elaboration is hardly necessary. The record is one of studied
insult, rapacious greed, sloppiness, and dismal neglect.
Continue to:
My Books
